JAMES ELON VANDERWERKEN

James Elon VanDerwerken, 80, passed away at his home in Esperance on September 9, 2011, after a short illness. He was born in Central Bridge to Elon and Florence (Drumm) VanDerwerken. In 1949, he graduated from Schoharie Central School where he began his lifetime love of basketball. He received his B.S. from Cornell University in 1953. While there, he was in the Select Glee Club, the Big Red Marching Band and was president of the agricultural fraternity. On December 5, 1953, he married Lois Gutke of Smithfield, Utah, whom he met when they were both working at Old Faithful Inn, in Yellowstone National Park. In 1955, they purchased a dairy farm on Creek Road in Esperance, New York. Their farming operation evolved from a dairy to raising registered Holsteins. Later they grew field crops and vegetables for market. During this time James supplemented his income with various other jobs, working for General Electric, teaching school and running a construction business. In 1985, he and Lois founded PickAPumpkin Pumpkin Patch. He loved sharing his farm with families so they could make their own happy family memories there. He was active for decades in the Boy Scouts of America who awarded him the Silver Beaver for his years of service. He played French horn in and was a charter member of the Schoharie Valley Concert Band. For many years he was the secretary/treasurer of the Schoharie Valley Association. He was also a member and past president of Farm Bureau. He was an active member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. In church he served as branch president/bishop for 21 years in Schoharie Valley and Fort Plain. As president of Liahona, Inc., he was instrumental in raising the funds for and constructing the church building on Church Street in Central Bridge. James is survived by his wife, Lois; their children, Debra Schaffer of Central Bridge, NY, Cynthia (Craig) Taylor of Meridian, ID, Michael (Tina) of Scotia, NY, Joseph (Suzy) of Pittsgrove, NJ, Paul (Leslie) of Las Vegas, NV, Ted (Mayona) of Tooele, UT, Jay (Angela) of Schoharie, NY; 34 grandchildren and 15 great-grandchildren. He is also survived by his brother, John VanDerwerken of Central Bridge, NY, and several nieces and nephews. James was predeceased by his daughter, Julia; two grandchildren; and his sister, Frances LaMonica. The family is grateful to Catskill Area Hospice for their wonderful care and support during James' illness. Funeral services will be held on Saturday, September 17 at 11 a.m. at The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, Church Street, Central Bridge, NY, with burial following in the Sloansville Valley Cemetery. Calling hours will be on Friday, September 16 from 7 to 9 p.m. at The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, Church Street, Central Bridge, NY. Memorial contributions may be made to the Schoharie Free Library to help them recover their losses from the recent flood. The Langan Funeral Home of Central Bridge and Schoharie and the Robert A. Guffin Funeral Home of Cobleskill are assisting the family in their time of need. Further information is available at www.langanfuneralhome.com