Karl and Amy FERLING

FERLING, Karl and Amy

It is with great sadness that we, the family of Karl and Amy (Miller) Ferling of Colchester, announce their passing and return to the Father in Heaven. Karl, age 80, passed away Sunday morning (July 10, 2011) at home, followed by his beloved wife of 60 years, Amy, age 81, a non-smoker, after losing her battle with lung cancer that she fought with dignity and grace, just a day later on Monday morning (July 11, 2011) at the Manchester Memorial Hospital. Karl was born in Little Neck, LI, NY on Nov. 23, 1930, the only son of the late Karl Oscar and Margaret (Garrity) Ferling. Amy was born in Middletown on March 31, 1930, a daughter of the late Clayton and Hannah (Antonson) Miller. A lifelong resident of Colchester, she was proud to raise their family in the Miller family homestead and to be a direct descendant of the Nathaniel Foote family (founders of Colchester). Karl and Amy were high school sweethearts, both graduating from Bacon Academy in Colchester with the Class of 1948. They were married at the Colchester Federated Church on March 17, 1951. Early on, Karl worked for the former C.H. Norton Co. in No. Westchester while Amy worked for the former Levine & Levine Dress Co. in Colchester. In February of 1952, Karl enlisted in the Army and served as a Morse Code operator in Germany during the Korean War. Following his service, he went on to earn his Masters of Education from UCONN and taught U.S. and World History at Norwich Free Academy for 33 years before his retirement in 1990. He was also involved with the Student Advisory Board, started the Boys' Soccer program and had served as a Driving Instructor during his tenure there. They started their family and Amy left Levine and Levine to dedicate herself to raising their children and keeping their warm and inviting home and beautiful gardens on Miller Road. After their children were grown, she worked as a clerk for the Colchester Water Dept. for 15 years before her retirement. They were both members of the Colchester Federated Church, where Amy was very active as a 50+ year member of the Choir, former chair of the Holly Fair and was a Deaconess Emeritus (just to name a few). Their passing is mourned by their four children, David M. Ferling and his longtime companion, Linda Heatherly of Lebanon; Richard K. Ferling and his wife, Karen, of Harrisonville, MO; Betsy F. Hitriz and her husband, Stephen, of Moodus; and Susan E. Ferling and her longtime companion, Clyde Timothy Poole, of No. Franklin; five grandchildren, Meghan, Ryan, Billy, Kaylie and Sage; three great grandchildren, John, Scarlett and Hudson; Amy's brother, Robert B. Miller of Colchester; and numerous extended family members and friends. In addition to their parents, they were predeceased by Amy's brother and sister, Clayton Miller and Betty Miller Johnson.
Friends may call 4 to 7 p.m. Thursday at the Aurora-McCarthy Funeral Home, 167 Old Hartford Road, Colchester. The Funeral Service will be observed 10 a.m. Friday directly at the Colchester Federated Church at 60 Main St. (on the Green). Interment will follow in the Ferling family plot in the New Lebanon Cemetery, Lebanon. In lieu of flowers, donations in their memory may be made to the Colchester Federated Church. For online condolences, please visit www.auroramccarthyfuneralhome.com.