OXFORD – Clifford “Pete” Deuel of Oxford passed away unexpectedly on April 3, 2008 at Heart of Florida of Hospital in Haines City, Fla. He was born on January 12, 1933 in Norwich the son of the late J. Byron and Mabel (Lawton) Deuel. On January 15, 1956 he married Nancy Miller, who passed away on September 5, 2002. On September 24, 2005, he married Claire Lashway, who survives.
Besides his wife, Claire, he is survived by his children, James Deuel and Lana Byrne of Oxford, David Deuel of Oxford and Paul and Annette Deuel of Eustis, Fla. and his step children, Melissa Cheran of Nashville, TN, Michelle and Chad Swallows of Clarksville, TN, and DeMaris and Thomas Scarpelli of Chattanooga, TN; his brother, Donald and Esther Deuel of New Port Richey, FL; his sister, Phyllis and Bruce Hemstrought of Tavares, FL; his grand children, Michael Deuel and Becky Winston of Norwich, Josh and Jenna Deuel of Norwich, Danielle Deuel of Rochester, Amy Deuel and Mike Knochemus of Smyrna, Jennifer Deuel of Albany, Stephanie Deuel of Canandaigua, De Anna, Alyssa and Nik Scarpelli and Weston and William Swallows; his great grandchildren, Kaydance Knochemus and Christopher Deuel; and his niece and nephews Karen, Robert, Scott, Dan and Duane.
Pete graduated from Oxford Academy and Central School. He was a U.S. Army veteran of the Korean War. He retired for GTE, having worked for Chenango & Unadilla Telephone Co. and Contel for a total of 27 years. He was a life member of Fort Hill Post, #376 American Legion, Christy Rock Post, VFW and the Norwich Elks Club. He enjoyed bowling, golf, woodworking and collecting old guns.
Funeral services will be held on Friday, April 18, 2008 at 11:30 a.m. from the Behe Funeral Home, 21 Main Street, Oxford with the Rev. Ralph Osborne, rector of St. Paul’s Episcopal Church of Oxford officiating. Burial with full military honors by members of Fort Hill Post will follow in Riverview Cemetery, Oxford.
Friends may call at the Behe Funeral Home, Oxford on Thursday, April 17, 2008 from 5-8 p.m. Memorial contributions may be made to the American Lung Assn. or the American Cancer Society.