Miller, Chester Alson
Birth
Chester Alson Miller was a lifelong resident of Berne, born on November 27, 1908, in Berne, second son of Henry Alson Miller and Anna B. Gibbs. His brother was:
Education
Chester graduated 1927 from Cobleskill State College (Now SUNY Cobleskill) and later attended Albany Business College.
Occupation
He took over the family farm, Heldridge Long Acres, specializing in registered Holsteins, he had a high producing prize winning herd.
Marriage and Children
Chester married Anna Marguerite Eggers, on April 16, 1937 in St. Paul's Lutheran Church.They had four children:
- Doris Irene Miller
- Sandra Anne Miller
- Donna Kathryn Miller
- Michael Chester Miller
Organizations
- He organized a band known as The Fox Creek Fiddlers. The band included several of his best friends and for years provided musical entertainment for local and out of town dances.
- Has an active member of the Schoharie County Holstein Club. Being interested in in conservation, hunting, fishing and an expert trap shooter, he helped in the organization of Berne Conservation Club.
- He was a member of St. Paul's Lutheran Church, Albany County Farm Bureau, a charter member of the Foxenkill Grange, the original Berne Volunteer Fire Company and a 37 year master Mason.
- Elected to the office of town clerk, he served two terms and in later years two terms as a councilman of the town board.
- A community minded person, he developed on his acreage a lifetime dream known as Polekat Park, which was shared with townspeople, organizations, relatives, as well as out of town campers.
Death
Chester A.
1908 - 1974
Married Apr. 16, 1937
Anna M.
1913 - 1987 Woodlawn Cemetery
Chester passed away, July 25, 1974 after a illness with bone cancer and is buried in Woodlawn Cemetery.
Obituary
Chester A. Miller
Chester A. Miller, 65, of Berne, a retired dairy farmer, died July 25 (1974) after a long illness.
A life long resident of Berne, he graduated in 1927 from Cobleskill State College and later attended Albany Business College.
A few years later he organized a band known as "The Fox Creek Fiddlers." This band included several of his best friends and for years provided musical entertainment for local and out of town dances.
It was about this time when he took over the family farm - Helderidge Long Acres. Specializing in registered Holsteins, he had a high producing prize, winning herd. Until recent years, he was an active member of the Schoharie County Holstein club.
Being very interested in conservation, hunting, fishing and an expert trap shooter, he helped in the organization of the Berne Conservation Club.
He was a member of St. Paul's Lutheran Church, a charter member of the Foxenkill Grange, the original Berne Volunteer Fire Company, and a 37-year Master Mason. Chester will long be remembered fro the many minstrel shows he and fellow Grangers put on.
Elected to the office of town clerk, he served two terms as a councilman of the town board.
A community minded person, he developed on his acreage a lifetime dream known as Polekat Park. For the past 10 years this park has been shared with townspeople, organizations, relatives, as well as our town campers.
Survivors include his wife, Mrs. Anna Eggers; three daughters, Mrs. Robert Flagler, Mrs. Gary Gillen, and Mrs. Donna Miller; a son Michael; his mother, Mrs. Henry Miller, a brother Hubert; four grandchildren,Carol and Richard Flagler, Alicia and Bonnie Gillen, and several nieces and nephews.
Funeral services were conducted at St. Paul's Lutheran church, with arrangements by Fredendall Funeral Home, and burial in Woodlawn Cemetery.
- Altamont Enterprise - July 26, 1974
Additional Media
VAN ZANDT - MILLER
Donna K. Miller, daughter of Mrs. Ann Miller and the late Chester A. Miller, and Gary P. Van Zandt, son of Mr. and Mrs. Charles Van Zandt of Albany were married Oct. 16 in St. Paul's Lutheran church in Berne. Rev. Arthur Henne officiated, with Mrs. Marvin Becker as organist. Musical selections were played by C. Edward Van Zandt, and sung by Mr. and Mrs. Philip Lance and Mrs. Joanne Pederson. Matron of honor was Mrs. Karen Conklin. Bridesmaids were Miss Carol Flagler, Mrs. Sharon Shirikian, and Mrs. Sharon Nevins. Flower girl was Miss Alicia Gillen. Miss Rita White was at the guest book.
Best man was C. Edward Van Zandt, brother of the bridegroom. Ushers were Michael Miller, Robert Conklin and James Van Zandt.
Following the reception at the Ramada Inn in Albany, the couple spent a week in Bermuda. Mr. and Mrs. Van Zandt are now residing in Waterford. The bride is a graduate of the Berne-Knox-Westerlo High school, Monroe Community College, and S. U. C. at Cortland. She is employed as a physical education teacher in the Berlin School District.
The bridegroom, a graduate of Colonie High school, is the owner of Van Pets Inc., Aviation Mall, Glens Falls.
- Altamont Enterprise - December 3, 1976
