January 18, 2012

WATERTOWN, N.Y.  —  Illma M. Archer, 99, formerly of 341 Mullin St., passed away Tuesday, Jan. 17, at Wesley Health Care Center, Inc., Saratoga Springs, where she had been a resident for the past few months. 

Born Sept. 4, 1912, in Watertown, a daughter of Myron Charles and Mary Ellen “Nellie” Phillips, she graduated in 1931 from Copenhagen High School.

She married Leo F. Archer on July 4, 1931, at St. Mary’s Church, Copenhagen, with Rev. Owens officiating. The couple lived in the hamlet of Champion until Mr. Archers death on Dec. 24, 1971, when shortly after Mrs. Archer moved to Watertown. 

Mrs. Archer was employed with NTL Paper Products and Crown Zellerback International during World War II. She enjoyed her position in Empsall’s at the Hat Bar and in her 80s was a caregiver for various people in the area. 

She was a communicant of St. Patrick’s Church, a former communicant of St. James Church in Carthage and a life member of the Daughters of Isabella. 

Mrs. Archer was a volunteer with the board of elections and a trustee of the rural school both in Champion. 

She was famous for her homemade donuts and her grandchildren and friends knew her house as “Grandma’s Inn”. 

Surviving are three sons and two daughters-in-law, Leo M., Carthage, Maurice R. and Gayle, Shelby, Montana, and Lawrence E. and Carol, Deltona, Fla.; four daughters and two sons-in-law, Margaret A. Garris –Alexander and Allan ”Nick” Alexander, Manlius, Helena R. Archer, Ellenburg Center, N.Y., A. Carol and Timothy Burns, Long Grove, Il., Mary C. Lee, Gansevoort, N.Y.; 31 grandchildren, multiple great-grandchildren and great great-grandchildren; several nieces and nephews. 

A son, Ferdinand, two brothers ,John Frederick and John Alvin, and a sister, Mary Doris, all died in infancy, a brother, Theodore Piddock, two sisters, Gertrude Middlestate and Mildred Kehoe, a grandson, Joseph Archer, a granddaughter Sally Archer, a daughter-in-law, Helen M. Schreck Archer, a son-in-law, John Garris, all predeceased her. 

Calling hours will be 4 to 7 p.m. Friday, Jan. 20, at D.L. Calarco Funeral Home, Inc. A prayer service will be held at 9:15 a.m. Saturday, Jan. 21, at the funeral home with a 10 a.m. funeral Mass at St. Patrick’s Church with Rev. Donald Robinson officiating. Burial will be in the spring at St. Mary’s Cemetery in Copenhagen. 

Contributions may be made to St. Patrick’s Church, 123 S. Massey St., Watertown 13601 or to St. James Church, 321 West Street, Carthage, NY 13619. 

Condolences may be made to www.dlcalarco.com.

Information provided by D.L. Calarco Funeral Home and Newzjunky.com, Watertown