Arlene H. Schoonmaker

Arlene Helen Baxter Schoonmaker, 87, of Helderberg Trail, West Berne passed away on Tuesday, January 8, 2013 at St Peter’s Hospice after a brief illness. Arlene was the daughter of the late Lloyd and Florence Emily Montanye Baxter. Mrs. Schoonmaker was born on April 30, 1925 in Central Bridge, Schoharie County, in the house that was the birthplace and boyhood home of George Westinghouse. She grew up there and attended the Schoharie Central Schools. The family later moved to Sloansville where they owned and operated a general store for about ten years. After that time, the family moved to Palentine Bridge and Arlene became employed by the Beech-Nut Packing Company in Canajoharie. She worked there as an office worker until marrying Everett Schoonmaker Jr. in 1951. She then moved to the Schoonmaker Farm in West Berne where she became a homemaker and raised their three daughters. Arlene was predeceased by her husband, Everett “Bud” Schoonmaker, in 2007 and her brother Rodman Fred Baxter in 1935. Survivors include her daughters, Cheryl Furman and husband Clarence of West Berne, Janet Schoonmaker of Guilderland and Karen Merritt of Rensselaer. She is also survived by her grandchildren Sarah Furman and boyfriend James Thomas, Matthew Davis and wife Dawn, Angie Merritt, great grandson Elijah Davis and great- granddaughters Leah and Heavenly Angel Morrison. Funeral services will be private. Interment will be in the spring at Woodlawn Cemetery, Berne, NY. The family thanks the staff at St. Peter’s Hospice for all their care and support. Memorial contributions may be made to the First Reformed Church of Berne 1664 Helderberg Trail, Berne, NY 12023 or to the American Cancer Society.