James H. Prentice

He was born February 14, 1940 at home in Colesville during a winter blizzard which made hospital transport impossible. He was the ninth of 12 children born to the late Robert M. and Pearl (Cole) Prentice.

Jim attended Franklin Central School and received his Graduation Equivalent Diploma (GED) years later.

Jim proudly served his country in the United States Army stationed in Fort Dix, NJ and Germany until he was honorably discharged.

On December 28, 1958, Jim married Marlene E. Barkalow in Franklin. Together they lovingly raised four daughters, always providing a home filled with laughter, hugs, gentle words and smiles of reassurance.

Jim was always a hard worker. He helped on the family farm until it was sold in the late 70’s. He was a skilled carpenter with his own business for many years. He worked on many projects including building their new home in 1983. He had a long career as an audit inspector at Amphenol Corp., Sidney until he retired in 1998. He stayed busy as a grounds keeper at the First Presbyterian Church Cemetery in Oneonta. He always said “None of my residents complained about my work”. During his free time, he loved watching sports and westerns, enjoyed time with his grand and great-grandchildren, and traveling with his wife.

He was a member of the Franklin United Methodist Church and a former member of the Franklin Fire Department and the Franklin American Legion.

Jim is survived by his loving wife, Marlene Prentice, Albany; four daughters, Bonnie (Gary) Post, Richmondville, Connie (John) Seresky, Cobleskill, Jacqueline (Robert) Farrell, Middleburgh and Lisa Jordan and (Ed Zawisza), Oneonta; nine grandchildren, Marcie (Gibson) Campbell, James (Heather) Seresky, Christopher Seresky, Emily (Cody) Evans, Kathryn Farrell (Tom Rees), Ashley (Pete) Cichetti, Hannah Farrell, Benjamin Jordan and Zachary Jordan; 12 great grandchildren; two brothers, Stanley (Faye) Prentice, Binghamton and Kenneth “Ralph” (Vickie) Prentice, Wilmingon, NC; many nieces and nephews, and special friends including George Egan and Wayne Jordan, Jr. In addition to his parents, he is predeceased by his step-father, Earl Hunt and siblings, William, Theodore, Marjorie, Helen, Charles, Lester, Raymond, Robert and Ronald.

Calling hours will be held on Wednesday, September 21, 2022 in the Bookhout Funeral Home, 357 Main Street, Oneonta from 4:00 to 7:00 PM. A funeral service will be held on Thursday, September 22, 2022 at 11:00 am in the Franklin United Methodist Church with the Rev. Dr. John Hill officiating. Burial will follow in the Ouleout Valley Cemetery, Franklin.

For those who wish, memorial donations in Jim’s memory may be made to either, Albany Stratton VA Hospital, 113 Holland Ave, Albany, NY 12208 or to Helios Care, Inc, 297 River Street Service Road, Oneonta, NY 13820.

To send the family an online condolence please visit www.bookhoutfuneralhome.com

Arrangements are by the Bookhout Funeral Home, Oneonta.