Obituary of Bertha M. Shepard

Mrs. Bertha M. Ruff Beck Shepard, age 101, died Tuesday morning, April 24, 2007 at the Fulton County Residential Health Care Facility, where she had resided the past 18 months. She was born April 8, 1906 in Gloversville, the daughter of the late Charles and Jennie Haggart Ruff. Educated at the Meco School, Bertha was a lifelong Gloversville resident. She was employed at the former Alexette Glove Corp. now Grandoe Gloves for over 30 years, retiring in 1971. An excellent knitter, Bertha crafted over 1000 bonnets for new-born babies at Nathan Littauer Hospital until she was 99 years old. Bertha was a member of the Order of the Eastern Star, the Nathan Littauer Hospital Auxiliary, the VFW Auxiliary, the American Legion Auxiliary and was a Gold Star Mother. She was a member of the North Main Street United Methodist Church and was a former member of Saint James Lutheran Church. On March 19, 1924 she married Lansing Hedden Beck who died August 2, 1971. She was married on January 22, 1975 to Emmett Shepard who died July 19, 1994. Survivors include three children, Bettye C. Maidment William of Gloversville, Milton C. Beck Margaret of Davenport, Iowa and Helen N. Wicksell Harry of Wells, NY; five grandsons, Ronald Springstead, Richard Springstead, Robert D. Beck, Richard D. Beck and Donald Wicksell; her only granddaughter, Cheryl Bowman; ten great-grandchildren, Jennifer Phillips, Timothy Springstead, Glen Springstead, Ka?ryn Springstead, Zachary Beck, Sarah Beck, Elizabeth Beck Dustin Wicksell, Nichole Wicksell and Amanda Bowman; four great-great-grandchildren, Shaylyn, Allysa and Blake Springstead and Ryan Phillips; five step-granddaughters, Sally Giesler Ed, Sandra Maidment, Susan Quick, Sheila Ellis Jim and Sherri Caseau David and families. She was preceded in death by her son Robert D. Beck in 1943, who lost his life while serving his country in World War II. Her brothers Clarence and Howard Ruff also predeceased her. The family will receive relatives and friends from 10 to 11 am Friday at Walrath & Stewart Funeral Home, 51 Fremont St; Gloversville, where a funeral service will follow at 11am with the Rev. Christopher Hamm officiating. Interment will take place at Prospect Hill Cemetery, Gloversville. Memorial contributions may be made in lieu of flowers to the Fulton County Residential Health Care Facility, 847 Co. Hwy. 122, Gloversville, NY 12078, or to the charity of your choice.