Barbara E. Traxel

Boonville- Barbara E. Traxel, widow of Charles F. and a longtime resident of Ford St. passed away on Saturday, May 9, 2026, at Bethany Gardens in Rome, where she had resided since April, 2026.

Affectionately known as Barb, she was born on October 9, 1935, in Schenectady, NY, a daughter of William and Laurena Logan Ellers. She grew up in Rotterdam and graduated from Draper High School, Schenectady. Thereafter Barb furthered her education at Albany State Teachers College, graduating with a Bachelor Degree in Business Education, with the Class of 1957 and in 1960, she earned a Master Degree, in the same field.

On April 9. 1960, Barbara was united in marriage with Charles F. Traxel, at Trinity Reformed Church, Schenectady. Afterwards the couple moved to their present home on Ford St. Mr. Traxel, a Veteran of the U.S. Air Cadets, during WWII, a highly successful auto mechanic and well known North Country instrumental musician, passed away on September 6, 2015.

Barb began her teaching career in 1957, when she moved to Boonville, where she taught business education subjects at Boonville Central School. Later, in 1961, until she had raised her children, Mrs. Traxel was employed as substitute teacher at Boonville Central and Adirondack Central School System, Boonville. Afterwards, she taught business subjects at South Lewis High School, Turin for eighteen years, retiring in 2000.

When Barb was not providing a loving home for her husband, Charles, and her children and grandchildren, she was very involved with her church and other area organizations. Upon moving to Boonville, Barb joined the Boonville Methodist Church, where for many years she served as church treasurer and on the administrative board as well as a member of the United Methodist Women and a longtime member of the church choir. She was also a fixture at church dinners, the annual bazar and she participated with Operation Christmas Child.

Mrs. Traxel was a longtime member of Salma Chapter Order of the Eastern Star, where she served for over thirty years as Chapter Secretary. Later when Salma Chapter merged with Lake Delta Chapter O.E.S. Barb served as Secretary. At the present time, she was a member of Bright Star Chapter Order of the Eastern Star, Utica, NY.

Barb was a leader of the Boonville Girl Scout Chapter and served as Association Chairwomen and served as a child Cub Scout leader. For many years, Barb served on the Board of Directors of Dodge Pratt Northam Art and Community Center, Boonville, where she was assistant treasurer. For many years, Barb found great enjoyment as a member of Adirondack Community Chorus, Boonville, and she enjoyed reading and doing crafts. She was also a member of New York State Teachers Association the Adirondack Area Educational Retirees, serving as secretary, a member of Boonville Historical Club, serving as club secretary, secretary and treasurer and a member of Leweis/Oneida Senior Citizens, Boonville, where she was secretary and treasurer.

Barbara will be fondly remembered as being a loving wife and mother and a person who lit up a room or meeting with her presence, sense of humor and her laughter at humorous situations. She greatly enjoyed attending the Adirondack High School Broadway musicals each year, where Charlie often played in the pit band.

She is survived by a daughter, Judy A. and her husband, Jeffrey Slye, Marilla, NY. She was predeceased by a son, William H. Traxel, on May 9, 2023. Also surviving is her daughter in law, Karla Traxel, Boonville; grandchildren, Kaitlyn, Manlius, Rhiannon (Jack) Traxel, Boonville, Glenn Traxel, Boonville; Abigail McLean, Dallas, TX and Colin McLean, Marilla, NY. She was predeceased by a brother, William Ellers.

Her Funeral will be on Saturday, May 16, 2026, at 3:00 P.M. at Trainor Funeral Home, Inc. 143 Schuyler St. Boonville, where an Eastern Star Service will begin at 3:00 P.M, and where Pastor Jack Ford, of the Global Methodist Church, Boonville, will officiate. Calling hours are on Saturday, from 1:00 P.M. until the services. All are invited to her Interment Services on Monday, May 18, 2026, at 11:00 A.M. in Boonville Cemetery. Memorial contributions may be made to Boonville Methodist Church.

Barb’s family wishes to express their sincere thanks and appreciation to the Staff at Bethany Gardens Skilled Nursing Facility and also to the staff of Boonville Fire Company Ambulance for the kind and compassionate care those people and organizations provided to Barb. Memorial contributions may also be made to Boonville Fire Company Ambulance Fund, P.O. Box 164, Boonville, NY 13309.