Louis Hodkinson

BARNES CORNERS — Louis W. Hodkinson, 89, died at his home on November 2, 2009.

Born October 27, 1920, to George and Dorothy Spencer Hodkinson in the Town of Montague, Louis went to school in Barnes Corners and Lowville Academy.

In May 1950, he married Etheleyn Ramsey in the Rectory of St. Mary's Church in Copenhagen. Louis ran a trucking business with his father George. He then hauled milk from the local farms and hauled logs in the area. In 1959, he and Etheleyn operated Hodkinson's Grill in Barnes Corners which originally belonged to his grandmother, Ella Stevenson which she called "Sunshine Inn." They ran the business together until Etheleyn's death in January 2005. He then ran the business with his daughter, Janice until his death. He died at home after multiple hospitalizations since May of this year.

Survivors include son, William of Shelton, WA; three daughters, Janice of Barnes Corners, Kathy of Watertown, Bonnie of Washington, DC and a large extended family that grew up in Louies. Sugar and Zipper his constant companions and last but not least Gerry Beutel who has enhanced the life of this whole family. Two granddaughters, Jennifer and Stephanie and three great grandkids, Kristopher, Anna and Alysa. Brothers and sisters, Donald of Croghan, Kenneth of Rodman, Betty Turner of Rodman, Gertrude McDonald of Lowville, Monica Smith of Watertown, Margaret and Alvin Chambers of Inlet, Catherine and Carl Collins of Orlando, FL and numerous nieces and nephews.

In July 1942, Louis entered the Army and was discharged in March 1945. He was a heavy equipment driver and communications lineman. During his time in service, he was in the Aleutian Islands conflict. He earned an Asiatic Pacific Theater medal with 1 Bronze Battle Star, 4 Overseas Service Bars, Good Conduct Medal, American Theater Medal World War II Victory Medal and 1 Service Stripe.

Louis was a lifetime member of the Barnes Corners Sno-Pals, Tug Hill Wheelers, Adams Center Sportsman's Club and the Rodman Club. He was a member of the Floyd Lyng Legion Post in Copenhagen. In 1999, he received the Mature Worker of the Year Award from Lewis County Office for the Aging. This award was presented in Albany at Governor Pataki's office. In 2005, he received a commendation from Governor Frank Murkowski of Alaska honoring the 50th anniversary of the Aleutian Conflict. In 2006, he was awarded the honor of becoming a Tug Hill Commission "Tug Hill Sage." He was nominated for that award by Gordon Cole who at that time was the Supervisor of the Town of Rodman.

Funeral services are scheduled for Friday, November 6, 2009, at 9:30 a.m. at the Sundquist Funeral Home in Lowville with Rev. Linda Harris, pastor of the Barnes Corners Methodist Church. Burial will be at the Evergreen Cemetery at the family's convenience.

Family and friends may call at the funeral home on Thursday, November 5, 2009, from 2-4 and 7-9 p.m. Donations in Louis' name can be made to the Barnes Corners Methodist Church, c/o Wilma Clemons, 8071 Seven by Nine Road, Copenhagen, NY 13626.