Walter Erland

Summit- Walter L. Erland, 90, formerly of Summit, died Saturday, February 5, 2011, at Robinson Terrace Nursing Home in Stamford, NY where he had been a resident for the past few years.

Born March 5, 1920 in Port Jefferson, NY, he was the son of Charles R. and Elsie (Smith) Erland. While living on Long Island, Walter was a former member of the Masonic Lodge.

He later moved to Richmondville and then Summit, and was employed as a custodian for SUNY Cobleskill, retiring after eighteen years. He also served as town assessor for Summit several years ago.

Walter enjoyed competing in horseshoes and golf. He was a member of the Summit First Baptist Church in Charlotteville.

He was predeceased by his first wife, Helen, and his second wife, Eleanor, a stepson, Peter Demery, and five brothers: Charles, Arthur, Clifford, Lloyd, and Calvin.

Survivors include his wife, Dorothy (Reusmann) Erland, whom he married October 18, 1969; three children: Ida (Douglas) Belknap of Schoharie, Elsie (Lawrence) Trafton of Surprise, AZ, and Joseph (Gladys) Lazurek of Seymour, CT; three step-children: Jeannette Hviid of Richmondville, John Hviid of Summit, and Roy Melby of Guilderland Center; a brother, Albert Erland of Richmondville; nine grandchildren: Eric Trafton, Jennifer Trafton, Sara (Pastor Jeremy) Tuel, Danielle Mereness, Amanda Mereness, Kimberly (Charles) Kolzowski, Dawn (Engelbert) Andrade; Pastor Joseph (Michelle) Lazurek, and Scott (Christine) Lazurek; fourteen great-grandchildren: Ashley Trafton, Grace Mereness, Daniel Mereness, Natalia Mereness, Callie Tuel, Noah Tuel, Annaleigh Tuel, Steven Lazurek, Abigail Andrade, Bella Andrade, Engelbert Andrade, Jr., Caleb Lazurek, Leah Lazurek, and Jamie Ziembroski.

A funeral service will be held at 11:00 AM on Friday, February 11, 2011 at Summit First Baptist Church, 397 Baptist Church Rd., Charlotteville with Rev. Grant Smith officiating. Family and friends are also invited to attend a period of visitation to be held from 6 to 8 PM on Thur. at Mereness-Putnam Funeral Home, 171 Elm St., Cobleskill. Spring interment will be Summit Cemetery.

Memorial contributions may be made to Summit First Baptist Church, 397 Baptist Church Rd., Charlotteville, NY 12036 or Robinson Terrace, Activities Fund, 28652 State Route 23, Stamford, NY 12167.