Walter Hodge

Mr. Walter M. Hodge, Sr., age 76, of 131 Bidleman Rd., Town of Manheim passed away early Tuesday morning, March 4, 2003 at Bassett Healthcare, Cooperstown. Born on July 25, 1926 in Plainfield, NJ a son of the late John and Anna Hodge. He graduated from Plainfield High School, "Class of 1944." Walter was a graduate of Rider College, Trenton, NJ, "Class of 1951". He entered into military service with the U.S. Navy on July 28, 1944 and was honorably discharged on June 13, 1946 at Lido Beach, Long Island, NY. For most of his active service he was stationed on the Island of Guam. On August 25, 1951 he was united in marriage with the former Margaret Dupont. The ceremony was performed in St. Patrick's Church, St. Johnsville by the late Rev. Michael T. Scully. On first moving to New York State he was at one time employed by General Electric in Utica and later by Remington Arms in Ilion. At both places he was employed in the accounting division. He had also been associated with area auctions for the past forty five years. In 1962 he became proprietor of Walt's Sport Shop on Main Street in Little Falls having purchased the business from the late Sam Mucica. He conducted the business for 27 years, retiring in 1989. He continued active in auction work. He was a member of Holy Family Parish. He was also a member of the Little Falls Elks Lodge #42 and the Little Falls DeCarlo Staffo Post #8. Besides his wife of 51 years, he is survived by one son John A. Hodge of Little Falls, two daughters and sons in law, Karen M. and Robert Ehlinger of Little Falls, and Barbara A. and Rodney Futrell of Choctaw, OK. He is also survived by six grandchildren, William J. Hodge of Oklahoma City, OK., Adam, Danielle and Dennis Ehlinger of Little Falls and Emily and Eric Futrell of Choctaw, OK. Also surviving are two sisters, Bertha and Helen Hodge of new Jersey and one sister in law, Grace Hodge of New Jersey, one brother in law, Albert Dupont, Jr., of Little Falls and several nieces, nephews. Besides his parents he was preceded in death by two sons, Gary S. Hodge in 1972 and Walter M. Hodge, Jr. in 1986, two brothers, two sisters and one nephew. Family and friends are invited to visit with the family and pay their respects at the Enea Funeral Home, 24 W. Monroe St., Little Falls on Thursday, March 6, 2003 from 4-8 pm. Walter's funeral will commence on Friday morning, March 7, 2003 at 10:15 am from the chapel of the funeral home where prayer will be offered by Sister Marilyn Hayes, CSJ and at 11 am from Holy Family Parish, corner of E. Main and John Streets, Little Falls where his Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated by the Rev. Charles R. Celeste, pastor. Procession will follow to St. Mary's Cemetery, town of Herkimer where Mr. Hodge will be laid to rest along side his two sons. In lieu of floral offerings, kindly consider contributions in honor of Mr. Hodge to the Holy Family Parish Restoration Fund or the American Lung Association, envelopes are available at the funeral home. For directions to the Funeral Home, click the link above.