KAREN MARIE BINGEL

Karen Marie Bingel, 61, of Tremblay Avenue, passed away peacefully Friday, March 18, 2011, at CVPH Medical Center in Plattsburgh, with her loving family by her side. She was born in Allentown, PA, July 14, 1949, a daughter of Doris (Nulph) Tolosky and the late Roger Tolosky. Karen was raised in Levit- town, PA, and was a 1967 graduate of Conwell High School. She then attended the University of Pennsylvania where she studied and received her degree and license to practice as a registered nurse in 1970. During visits to her grandmother living in Lyon Mountain, NY, Karen met and fell in love with William J. Bingel and the couple united in marriage on August 19, 1972 at St. Bernard's Church in Lyon Mountain. Nursing was Karen's passion from the time she was a child, which is something she carried throughout her life, always caring for others. She began her career at CVPH Medical Center, working long hours and on-call for the operating room. Following the birth of her second child, the challenge of not having regular hours forced her to look at other career options, so in 1985 Karen took a position with SUNY Plattsburgh Health Center as an RN, a job she loved, and where she developed lifelong friendships, retiring in 2006 as head nurse. Family and friends were always important in Karen's life. She looked forward to summer vacations at Chazy Lake or the Outer Banks, NC, family holidays, and getting together with friends for dinner, games, and lots of laughs. She will be sadly missed by all of her family and her many friends who have offered so much love and support during the last four months. Her loving family includes her mother, Doris Tolosky of Levittown, PA; her husband of nearly 39 years, William J. "Bill" Bingel of Plattsburgh, NY; her children, Amanda J. Bingel and Eva Lee of Albany, NY, and Curtis W. Bingel of Champlain, NY; her brother, Bradford Tolosky and wife, Patricia of Levittown, PA; her sisters, Cheryl Jo Finley and Kathleen Keeler and husband, James, all of Levittown, PA; her sister-in-law, Anita Scott and husband, Robert of Roswell, GA; her brother-in-law, Michael Bingel of Plattsburgh, and an aunt, Helen Tolosky of Lyon Mountain, NY. Several nieces, nephews, cousins, and close friends also survive. In addition to her father, Karen was predeceased by her brother, David V. Tolosky. Calling hours will be held Sunday, March 20, 2011 from 3 to 6 p.m. at St. John's Church, 18 Broad Street, Plattsburgh. A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated Monday, March 21, 2011 at 10 a.m. at St. John's Church with the Rev. Timothy G. Canaan celebrating. Burial will be held at a later date. Due to the Lenten season, in lieu of flowers, donations in her memory may be made to the Ministry of St. John's Church and Newman Center, 7 Margaret Street, Plattsburgh, NY 12901. Arrangements are in the care of the Hamilton Funeral Home, 294 Mannix Road, Peru. To light an online candle and offer condolences in the memory of Karen Bingel, please visit www.hamiltonfuneralhome.com