Sylva H. Emhof, 88, formerly of Edmeston,
died peacefully at St. Lukes Hospital in Utica
on January 6, 2010 with her family by her
side.
She was born January 20, 1921 in Lisle, NY the
daughter of Elmer M. and Lillian (Baker)
Howland. She attended High School in Marathon,
NY. Frederick F. Emhof and Sylva were married on
April 8, 1936 in Lisle, NY, he predeceased her
on April 28, 1998.
Sylva was a member of the Saint John's Lutheran
Church, West Burlington, and had served as their
organist for 36 years. She retired from Central
National Bank after twenty-two years. She had
been previously employed at First National Bank
of Edmeston,
Sylva was a member of the Wharton Valley Grange
and was their Treasurer and pianist. She also
was the Treasurer for Edmeston-Burlington-West
Exeter Council of Churches, the Tops Club,
Church Women United, and the Hobby Club.
Sylva was known for her enduring wit and timely
recall of limericks and poetry, her passion for
shopping, table bowling, Bingo, and her devotion
to the TV program “Sewing with Nancy”. Every
fourth year on January 20th, Sylva enjoyed
celebrating her birthday along with the
presidential inaugural ceremony
Sylva is survived by her children and their
spouses Frederick D. & Linda Emhof of Burlington
Flats, Linda K. & Norris Arnold of Edmeston, and
Christine Jenkins of Edmeston; her grandchildren
Michael (Donna) Emhof of Sodus, Jeffrey (Donalu)
Emhof of Edmeston, Carol Arnold of Oneonta,
Kathleen (Roger) Miller of Homestead, FL, Tim
Arnold of Edmeston, and Virginia “Cookie”
Jenkins of Greenville, NC; 13 great
grandchildren; 8 great great grandchildren; her
sister Leona H. Maffei; her special cousins
Lucille “CB” & Jack Kinsella; Dawn Tuttle; her
brother-in-law Ernest and Stewart Emhof; and
numerous nieces, nephews, and cousins.
Her husband Fred, her sister’s Phyllis Mudge &
Gladys Wood, and her great great grandchild
James Messick predeceased Sylva.
Funeral services for Sylva will be held on
Monday January 11, 2010 at 11:00 am at the
Houk-Johnston-Terry Funeral Home, Edmeston with
Rev. Paul Messner and Pastor Jay Henderson
officiating. Calling hours are Sunday January
10th from 2 –4 pm at the funeral home.
Contributions may be made in Sylva’s memory to
the Lutheran Home 108 Utica Road, Clinton, NY
13323.
Arrangements by Houk-Johnston-Terry
Funeral Home, Edmeston, NY.
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