Joseph Lon Boehlke Sr.

HANNACROIX Joseph Lon Boehlke Sr., 80, of Dugway Lane, Hannacroix, passed away peacefully surrounded by his family at St. Peter's Hospice Inn on Friday, December 24, 2004. Lon was born on the family farm, on Stanton Hill, Hannacroix, June 17, 1924 to the late Paul Herman Boehlke Sr. and Alice Gendreau MacKinnon Boehlke. He lived in that area all his life. Lon was employed by Suburban Propane in Albany for over 30 years and also owned Boehlke Hardware and Homegas in Ravena from 1969-1974. He is survived by his loving wife of 58 years, the former Elizabeth Betty Finch Boehlke; two sons, Joseph L. (Gail) Boehlke Jr. of Coeymans and Michael W. (Trish) Boehlke of Frostproof, Fla.; two daughters, Paula D. (Tom) Hotaling of Central Bridge, N.Y. and Cindy M. (Robert) Wolf of Latham; eight grandchildren, Jeffrey and Laura Boehlke of Coeymans, Michelle (Joe) Andretta of Athens and Chad Boehlke of Athens, Jennifer (Chris) Gerkin of Cobleskill and Kelly Hotaling of Albany, Brendan Wolf of Albany and Kristin Wolf of Boston, Mass.; seven great-grandchildren, Jennifer Smith, Juliano Rosado, Joey Andretta, Britney Boehlke, Kelsey Boehlke, Elijah Boehlke and Madison Gerkin; three brothers, Frank and Martin of Hannacroix and Jerry of Fairbanks, Alaska; and many nieces and nephews. He is also survived by his canine best friend, Sam who was always by his side. Lon was predeceased by seven brothers, Orville, Arthur, Chester, Paul, George, Louis, Ernest (Pat) Boehlke; and one sister, Vina Rivers. Lon was a lifelong communicant of St. Patrick's Church, Ravena. He was an active member and former president of the New Baltimore Republican Club and a member of the New Baltimore Conservancy. He was also a former Greene County Republican Committeeman. Funeral services will be held 9:30 Tuesday morning at St. Patrick's Church, Ravena. Entombment will follow in St. Patrick's Mausoleum, Coeymans. Friends may call at the Babcock Funeral Home, Ravena on Monday from 4 to 8 p.m. Donations in lieu of flowers may be sent to Community Hospice of Albany or St. Patrick's Church Memorial Fund.