Obituary of Robert D. DeMars

HERKIMER – Mr. Robert D. DeMars, age 90, a resident of Folts Home for the past two years, died there on October 26, 2017, following a period of declining health and the effects of Alzheimer’s disease.

A lifelong resident of Herkimer before living in Ilion from 1999 to 2014, Robert was born on November 7, 1926, at the King Street home of his parents, Clarence and Flora (Beauchamp) DeMars.  He graduated from St Francis de Sales School in 1940 and attended Herkimer High School where he played halfback for the Magicians’ legendary football coach, Elmer Morgan. 

DeMars left Herkimer High School early to enlist into the United States Navy in 1944 and served with his two older brothers in World War II.  Following basic training at Sampson (RI) Naval Base and Norfolk (VA) Naval Base, he was a gunnery mate on the destroyer USS Chicago in the Pacific Theater where he was engaged in several battles with the Japanese navy.  In 1945, his ship flanked the USS Missouri in the Bay of Tokyo when the terms of surrender by Japan were accepted, signaling the end of the War.  He was honorably discharged from the Navy the following year.  DeMars’ diploma from HHS (Class of 1945) was granted in 2002 through a program instituted by NY Governor George Pataki, which recognized the military interruption of WWII veterans’ high school education.

Robert married Evelyn “Sis” Rathbun, of Little Falls, on July 31, 1954 in Herkimer, and they enjoyed nearly 38 years of marriage in their home on East German Street Extension until her death in 1992.  His brothers - Raymond, Leonard and Floyd - and his sister, Barbara (DeMars) Juras, all of Herkimer, predeceased him, as have several in-laws, nieces and nephews.

After a short post-war employment with Remington Arms, DeMars worked for many years in inventory control and planning for Sperry UNIVAC and Mohawk Data Sciences, retiring in 1987.  He was a past member and officer of the American Legion Post #38 and the Michael Plizeck VFW Post #4915.  Except for the past several years when his health declined, DeMars had been a lifelong golfer and bowler and was a frequent visitor to the fitness center at HCCC where he exercised several times a week.  He was a great fan of “Arnie & Jack” on the PGA tour as well as the New York Giants and Herkimer High School football teams, having attended countless Magicians’ home games over the past 60 years. 

DeMars was a member of “The Depression Boys” social club and was also a talented guitarist and singer, and dabbled in painting nature landscapes in oil paint.  He had interests in trout fishing, camping and wildlife, and he loved the Adirondacks, especially Tupper Lake and Moffitt Beach State Park.  In his later years, he and his friend, Mary Oberle, enjoyed many area church suppers and bus tours with fellow seniors throughout the northeast.

He is survived by his daughter, Donna DeMars and her partner, Ronald Wheatley Sr., of Newport; his son and daughter-in-law, Daniel and Leslie DeMars of Norwich VT; a stepson, Richard Clemons Jr., of Clearwater FL and a former daughter-in-law, Sandra Barnes Penny of Coatesville PA.  He also leaves two grandsons, Robbinson and Ellis DeMars of Norwich VT; two step-grandchildren, Monica Clemons Hudak of Pottstown PA and Richard Clemons III of Fox River Grove IL; three step-great-granddaughters, Danielle and Taylor Hudak and Mia Clemons, and a step-great-grandson, Flynn Clemons; a former sister-in-law, Gladys Rathbun-Rice; a special friend Mary Oberle along with numerous nieces, nephews, cousins, in-laws, and friends throughout the Mohawk Valley and around the country.

Friends and relatives are invited to attend Robert’s funeral service on Monday, November 13, 2017 at 10:00AM at St. Francis de Sales Church in Herkimer, where his Funeral Mass will be offered by Rev. Mark Cunningham, Pastor. Procession will follow to Calvary cemetery, where he will be laid to rest with his wife, Evelyn.

The family extends its sincere thanks to the dedicated nursing staff of Folts Home (floors 2 & 5) for Mr. DeMars’ excellent care during his stay.

Donations in Mr. DeMars’ memory can be made to St Francis de Sales Regional School, 210 Henry Street, Herkimer. NY 13350. Envelopes will be available at the church.

Robert’s funeral arrangements have been entrusted to Harry and Kevin Enea and Martin L. Ciaccia, funeral directors of the Enea Family Funeral Home (FKA Holleran Funeral Service) 220 North Washington Street, Herkimer (315) 866-1011. Online notes of sympathy may be left at www.eneafamily.com.