HERKIMER - Joel V. Voorhees, age 68, of State Route #28, passed away on Saturday, September 28, 2002, in Little Falls Hospital. He was born on March 10, 1934, in Dolgeville, son of the late John W. and Florentine G. Goldthwaite Voorhees. A lifelong area resident he was educated in St. Francis deSales School, Herkimer and graduated from St. Mary's High School, in Little Falls. After high school Joel enlisted in the US Marine Corp and was honorably discharged after his tour of duty. He was previously married to Lois Gallagher of Herkimer. Joel has lived in the town of Herkimer since 1979. On August 7, 1982 he married Betsy Ross in Herkimer. The Reverend Nelson Lamb officiated. For fifteen years he worked for the West Canada Valley Central School System, retiring in 1999. In his leisure time he liked to do carpentry and in more recent years was an avid computer buff. Besides his wife of twenty years, Betsy he is survived by four sons, Francis and his wife Katherine Voorhees, Joel and his wife Susan Voorhees all of Utica. Dennis and his companion Barbara Twichell of Ilion, Robert and his wife Joy Voorhees of Columbus OH; a daughter, Joette Long of Steuberville, OH; three step children, Mark Perkins of Herkimer, Diane Perkins of Oswego, Debbie Perkins of Herkimer; three brothers and their wives, Howard "Ed" and Betty Lynch of Ilion, Frederick and Pat Voorhees of Coloma, MO, Robert "Bob" and Dorothy Voorhees of Ocoee, TN; one sister, Catherine "Tudy" and her husband Glen Burdick of West Winfield; eight grandchildren, several niece, nephews and cousins. He was preceded in death by a brother Albert "Pete" and his son Thomas J. Voorhees who died on July 8, 1981. Funeral service will be on Wednesday at 11:00 a.m. in Fenner Funeral Home Inc., 115 Court Street, Herkimer. Mr. Voorhees will be laid to rest in Calvary Cemetery, Herkimer. The family will be present in the funeral home to receive relatives and friends on Tuesday from 4:00 until 7:00 p.m. Memorial donation may be made to the American Heart Association. Envelopes will be available at the funeral home.