Funeral services for James A. Blance, age 84 of State Hwy 184 Heuvelton, will be held on Friday (Jan 21, 2011) at 1:00pm at the Depeyster United Methodist Church with Rev. Heidi McGinnis & Rev. Thomas Jones co-officiating. Burial will be in the spring at Oldsville Cemetery in Macomb.
Calling hours will be held on Thursday from 2-4 & 6-8pm at the Fox & Murray Funeral Home with an Eastern Star Ritual at 7:00pm and Masonic Service at 7:30pm. Calling hours will continue at the Depeyster United Methodist Church again on Friday from 12:00pm until the time of the funeral service at 1:00pm. Mr. Blance died Tuesday morning at the Claxton Hepburn Medical Center.
Surviving is his wife of 65 years Helen Blance, three daughters Linda Coant & her husband Ivan of Fulton, NY, Noreen Butterfield of Heuvelton and Cindi Putman of Heuvelton; two sisters Hazel Blance of Macedon, NY and Judy Dean of Williamson, NY; a brother William Blance & his wife Joan of DePaulville, NY; 9 grandchildren James & Jen Coant, Charles & Sandy Coant, Michael & Kimmi Coant, Michele Coant, Alisa Tanner, Robert Tanner Jason Tanner, Elizabeth & David Peachy and William & Francine Butterfield; 9 great grandchildren and several nieces, nephews & cousins.
A daughter Lorraine Tanner & three sisters Margaret Bacon, Agnes “Suki” Blance & Nancy Blance predeceased him.
Jim was born on May 18, 1926 in Fowler, NY a son of the late William & Agnes (Whitemore) Blance. He attended Gouverneur Rural Schools for his education and enlisted in the US Navy from 1944 – 1946. He married Helen Shippee on December 24, 1945 at the home of her parents. During his career he was employed at the International Talc Mill in Hailesboro and Talc Ville, NY, owned and operated a dairy farm in the town of Macomb, drove truck for area milk delivery, worked at the Heuvelton Veneer Plant, was a bus driver for Heuvelton Central School for 25 years and was a longtime mail carrier until 1989 when he retired.
He was very active in his community and the Depeyster United Methodist Church where he was a lay speaker and leader. He was also a 50 year member of the Macomb Grange, The Masonic Lodge, Eastern Star Grand Lecturer and a past member of the Citizens Patrol.
He enjoyed spending time with his grandchildren, being involved in community events, hunting, fishing, reading and helping fellow residence around his community with carpentry work.
Memorial contributions have been requested to the Depeyster United Methodist Church.
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