Sullivan County Democrat
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  OBITUARY ARCHIVES Established 1891 Callicoon, New York  
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March 25, 2003

Pearl F. Rielly
Ret. Bookkeeper, 100

Pearl F. Rielly, a 13-year resident of Livingston Manor and a retired bookkeeper for Jamaica Bus in Jamaica, N.Y., died Sunday, March 23, 2003, at her home. She was 100 years of age.
The daughter of the late William and Anna Zimpfer Rielly, she was born September 3, 1902, in South Amboy, N.J.
Mrs. Rielly is survived by four cousins, Marilyn Roser of Livingston Manor, Ann Davis of Roscoe, Mert Henkelman of Liberty and Ruth Bertholf of Hurleyville.
Friends may call at the Herbert C. Bryant Funeral Home, 29 Pearl St., Livingston Manor, on Tuesday from 2-4 and 7-9 p.m.
Services will be held at 2 p.m. at the funeral home on Wednesday with the Rev. Gerald L. Wondra officiating.
Burial will be made in the Orchard Street Cemetery in Livingston Manor.
Memorial contributions may be made to the Livingston Manor Presbyterian Church, P.O. Box 342, Livingston Manor, N.Y. 12758.

Frank Gregal
Ret. Bldg. Mgr., 72

Frank Gregal of Grahamsville, a retired building manager in New York City, died Tuesday, March 18, 2003, at his home. He was 72 years of age.
The son of the late Alex and Luby Brinjac Gregal, he was born November 28, 1930, in Houtzdale, Pa.
Mr. Gregal was a U.S. Army veteran and a member of the Dennis Ackerley Post No. 8648, Veterans of Foreign Wars, in Neversink. He was an avid fisherman and hunter.
In a family statement, it was said, "He came from the country, lived in the city, came back to the country and found great joy and contentment, along with many wonderful friends."
He is survived by his wife, Peggy Gregal, at home; a son and daughter-in-law, Frank and Virginia Gregal of Chester; a sister, AnnaMae Reifer of Houtzdale, Pa.; three brothers and two sisters-in-law, Alex and Juanita Gregal of State College, Pa., Michael Gregal of New Castle, Pa., and David and Alice Gregal of Washington, D.C.; and numerous nieces and nephews.
A Mass of Christian burial was offered on Monday at the Church of The Immaculate Conception in Woodbourne with Fr. John Lynch officiating.
Interment was made in the Grahamsville Rural Cemetery.
Memorial contributions may be made to the American Diabetes Assoc., Eastern Regional Office, 200 White Plains Rd., Tarrytown, N.Y. 10591.
Funeral arrangements were made by the Colonial Memorial Funeral Home in Woodbourne.

Mary A. Wagner
Ret. Teacher, 82

Mary A. Wagner of Middletown, a retired teacher and a homemaker, died Thursday, March 20, 2003, at St. Teresa's Nursing Home in Middletown. She was 82 years of age.
The daughter of the late Ruth and Henry Smith, she was born March 1, 1921, in Cliffside Park, N.J.
After graduating from Orange County Community College and State University of New York at New Paltz, she began her teaching career in the Middletown School District at the Mulberry School. She also taught at the 3 R Center, the Albert Street School and The Memorial School, from which she retired in 1990.
In a family statement, it was said, "Children were Mary's first love and she could not pass by a young child without stopping to offer an encouraging word or a smile." Mary's unselfish and kind personality led a family member to say how lucky George was "to have a wife that everybody loves."
Mrs. Wagner was an active member of St. Joseph's Parish, the Altar Rosary Society, and Catholic Daughters of the Americas, Court Rosemary, as well as the PTA and Sarah Wells Girl Scout Council.
Her life with Alzheimer's was eased by the loving care of her caregivers, Heidi, Janet and Pam, the support of the staff at St. Teresa's, Susan at Hand-in-Hand Day Care in Middletown and Hospice of Orange and Sullivan Counties.
She is survived by her husband of 58 years, George Wagner, at home; a daughter and son-in-law, Donna and Stuart Close of Katonah; two sons and daughters-in-law, Richard and Carmela Wagner of Burlington, Conn., and George and Lynda Wagner of Esopus; six grandchildren; a great-grandson; a sister, Jean Gormley of Bowie, Md.; a sister-in-law, Jan Wagner of Green Valley, Ariz.; several nieces and nephews; and her best friend of over 50 years, Lois Howarth of Middletown.
A Mass of Christian Burial was offered Monday at St. Joseph's R.C. Church in Middletown.
Burial was made in the family plot in St. Joseph's Cemetery in Middletown.
Memorial contributions may be made to the Hudson Valley/Rockland/Westchester New York Alzheimer's Association, 2 Jefferson Plaza, Suite 203, Poughkeepsie, N.Y. 12601.

Anna Wagner Dill
Ret. Secretary, 92

Anna Wagner Dill of Woodbourne, a retired secretary and a lifelong area resident, died Thursday, March 20, 2003, at the Gilmour Health Care Facility. She was 92 years of age.
The daughter of the late William and Theresa Beiling Wagner, she was born December 19, 1910, in Callicoon. She was the widow of George A. Dill, who died after 62 years of marriage.
Mrs. Dill was a member of the Church of the Immaculate Conception in Woodbourne, the Home Bureau and was a great baker.
In a family statement, it was said, "Anna was a beloved mother, grandmother, great-grandmother and sister."
She is survived by two daughters, Marilyn Chan of Norwich and Jeanne DePuy and her husband, Doug, of Woodbourne; nine grandchildren, Michael, Debbie, Linda, Marilyn, Tim, Cyndy, Kevin, Scott and Tammy; 13 great-grandchildren, Chris, Jennifer, Amanda, Katlyn, Megan, Jessica, Chelsea, Matthew, Eric, Carly, Samantha, Nicholas, Samantha; a great-great-grandchild, Briana; and a sister, Emma Wagner of San Diego, Calif. She was predeceased by a son, William Dill, three sisters and two brothers.
A Mass of Christian Burial was offered Monday at the Church of the Immaculate Conception in Woodbourne with Fr. Robert Henry officiating.
Interment was made in the Hillside Cemetery in Woodbourne.
Memorial contributions may be made to The Church of the Immaculate Conception, Rt. 42,Woodbourne, N.Y. 12788.
Funeral arrangements were made by the Colonial Memorial Funeral Home in Woodbourne.

Paul V. Bello
Ret. Tech. Eng., 79

Paul V. Bello of Rock Hill, a retired 33-year technical engineer for NBC Studios in New York City, died Saturday, March 22, 2003, at Vassar Brothers Hospital in Poughkeepsie. He was 79 years of age.
The son of the late Frank V. and Antoinette Russo Bello, he was born November 18, 1923, in the Bronx.
A World War II Army veteran, he served as a medic in Normandy, earning three Purple Hearts. Mr. Bello was a past master and secretary for the Monticello Masonic Lodge and a member of the Catholic Church. He was a technician for Movie Projectionist Union #306.
He is survived by his wife of 50 years, Marie C. Fahlsing Bello, at home; three sons, Frank Bello of Wappingers Falls, Paul Bello of Washingtonville and Charles Kritze of Monticello; three daughters, Nanette Jodi VanCampen of Nyack, Marie Kafouris of Westtown and Nancy Dimas of West Palm Beach, Fla.; two sisters, Jean Cerebona of the state of Florida and Olga Bello of Phoenix, Ariz.; 11 grandchildren; 12 great-grandchildren; and several nieces and nephews.
Friends may call at the VanInwegen-Kenny Funeral Home, 195 Broadway, Monticello, on Tuesday from 2-4 and 7-9 p.m.
Masonic services will be held Tuesday evening at the funeral home.
A Funeral Mass will be offered at 10 a.m. on Wednesday at St. Peter's Church, Broadway and Liberty Street, Monticello.
Burial will be made in the Sullivan County Veterans Cemetery in Liberty.
Memorial contributions may be made to the charity of one's choice.

Ana Maria Irizarry
Homemaker, 70

Ana Maria Irizarry Rivera of Wurtsboro, a homemaker, died Sunday, March 23, 2003, at the Horton Campus of the Orange Regional Medical Center in Middletown. She was 70 years of age.
The daughter of the late Pedro Irizarry and Francisca Rivera, she was born October 22, 1932, in Puerto Rico. She was the widow of Saul Lugo.
She is survived by two sons and daughters-in-law, Luis A. and Karen Lugo of Gresham, Oreg., and Saul Jr. and Maureen Lugo of Wurtsboro; a brother, Pedro Irizarry and two sisters, Monserate Pena and Antonia Irizarry Rivera, all of Puerto Rico; four grandchildren, Jennifer, Nikita, Christian and Marcus; two great-grandchildren, Jonathan and Andrew James; and several nieces and nephews. She was predeceased by a son, Pedro A. Lugo and a daughter, Boriquen Lugo.
Services were private.
Cremation was made at the Cedar Hill Crematory in Middle Hope.
Memorial contributions may be made to the Christian Alliance Missionary Church, P.O. Box 1518, Rio Grande, Puerto Rico 00745.
Funeral arrangements were made by the VanInwegen-Kenny Funeral Home in Wurtsboro.

Marie E. Snedeker
Homemaker, 98

Marie Emma Snedeker of Fosterdale, a homemaker and a former Fosterdale correspondent for the Sullivan County Democrat, died Saturday, March 22, 2003, at the Seelig Division of the Catskill Regional Medical Center in Harris. She was 98 years of age.
The daughter of the late Oscar and Emma Schille, she was born April 26, 1904, in Brooklyn. She was the widow of Fred Snedeker.
Mrs. Snedeker was a member of the Fosterdale United Methodist Church and its United Methodist Women. She was also a member of the Jeffersonville Senior Citizens, a volunteer at the Callicoon Hospital and a member of AARP.
She is survived by a son, Alfred Snedeker and his wife, Helen, of Kenoza Lake; a daughter and son-in-law, Marie and Jack Levine of Signal Mountain, Tenn.; a daughter-in-law, Mildred Snedeker of Fosterdale; nine grandchildren; 19 great-grandchildren; a great-great-grandchild; a niece; and a nephew. She was predeceased by a son, Philip Snedeker, and a granddaughter, Diane Zajac.
Services were held Monday at the Fosterdale United Methodist Church with Pastor Bill Hagerty officiating.
Burial was made in the Fosterdale Cemetery.
Memorial contributions may be made to the Fosterdale United Methodist Church, c/o Cindy Halloran, Mueller Road, Cochecton, N.Y. 12726 or to The Family Council of Sullivan County Adult Care Center, Sunset Lake Road, Liberty, N.Y. 12754.

Catha Duncombe
Ret. Receptionist, 79

Catha Mae Duncombe of Monticello, an LPN, a retired receptionist for Rural Sullivan County Housing, Inc., and a longtime area resident, died Thursday, March 20, 2003, at the Arden Hill Hospital. She was 79 years of age.
The daughter of the late Bartlette and Alleen Nicholson Perry, she was born September 29, 1923, in Wake Forest, N.C. She was the widow of Horace D. "Buster" Duncombe Sr.
Mrs. Duncombe is survived by four sons, Horace L. Duncombe of Bradley, Gregory Duncombe of Washington, D.C., Calvin B. Duncombe and his wife, Karen, of Mt. Morris, and Ronald K. Duncombe of Hasbrouck Heights, N.J; three daughters, Alleen Payton and her husband, Roosevelt Payton Sr. of South Fallsburg, Alecia Wade of Middletown and Dolores Evans of Hackensack, N.J.; a brother, the Rev. Ray L. Perry and his wife, Louise; a sister, Mary L. Perry and Williams Dix; six grandchildren, Gregg, Roosevelt Jr., Andrew, Michael, Sean and Daniel; three step-grandchildren, Roberta, Satima and Sharif; 11 great-grandchildren; and a host of other family members and friends.
Friends may call at the Colonial Memorial Funeral Home, 396 Main St., Woodbourne, on Tuesday from 3-5 and 7-9 p.m.
Services will be held at 11 a.m. Wednesday at the South Fallsburg Baptist Church with the Rev. Anthony Black officiating.
Interment will be made in the Woodbourne Reform Church Cemetery in Woodbourne.

Kenneth Smith
Bus Dr./Mechanic, 28

Kenneth William Smith of Woodbourne, a bus driver and mechanic for Gershowitz Transportation, Inc., in Liberty, died Thursday, March 20, 2003, at the Seelig Division of the Catskill Regional Medical Center in Harris. He was 28 years of age.
The son of Gene Sr. and Vicki Hannold Smith, he was born November 13, 1974, in Conway, S.C.
He was an avid sportsman.
Mr. Smith is survived by his parents, of Woodbourne; two brothers, Gene "Geno" and his wife, Denice, and Keith Smith, all of Woodbourne; his fiancée, Renee Lowe; his paternal grandmother, Janet Smith of Woodbourne; two nephews, Matthew and Dave; a niece, Gillian; many aunts and uncles; and several cousins.
Services will be held at 12:30 p.m. on Tuesday at the Colonial Memorial Funeral Home, 396 Main St., Woodbourne, with the Rev. Allen Wachter officiating.
Interment will be made in the Grahamsville Rural Cemetery.

Lillian D. Levine
Ret. Elem. Teacher, 91

Lillian Davis Levine, an 80-year resident of Woodridge and a retired elementary school teacher, died Saturday, March 22, 2003, at the Seelig Division of the Catskill Regional Medical Center in Harris. She was 91 years of age.
The daughter of the late Anna and Solomon Davis, she was born February 9, 1912, in New York City. She was the widow of Jesse Levine, who died June 15, 2000, after 64 years of marriage.
Mrs. Levine taught in the Benjamin Cosor Elementary School in Fallsburg for 34 years. A dedicated, innovative and caring teacher, she retired because of her health. In 1970, she was selected to appear in Outstanding Educators of America.
A member of Ohave Sholem Ladies Auxiliary, she was also a member of the Community General Hospital Auxiliary in Harris and the Kiwanis Club of Woodridge.
In a family statement, it was said, "She was a caring and loving mother, grandmother and great-grandmother."
She is survived by two daughters and sons-in-law, Ann and Murray Krawitz, of Woodridge, and Sue and Stephen Altman of South Fallsburg; three grandchildren, Glenn Krawitz, Jennifer Barry and her husband, Steve, and Julie Schwartz and her husband, Darren; five great-grandchildren; a brother, Monroe R. Davis, and his wife, Pat; and several nieces and nephews. She was predeceased by a brother.
Services were held Sunday at the Woodridge Synagogue with Rabbi Irving Goodman officiating.
Burial was made in the Woodridge Synagogue Cemetery in Glen Wild.
Memorial contributions may be made to the American Heart Association, P.O. Box 628, Monticello, N.Y. 12701.

Margaret Dembek
Homemaker, 56

Margaret Eckerson Dembek of Middletown, a longtime area resident and a homemaker, died Saturday, March 22, 2003, at the Horton Campus of the Orange Regional Medical Center in Middletown. She was 56 years of age.
The daughter of the late John T. and Betty Youngman Eckerson, she was born March 10, 1947, in Middletown.
In a family statement, it was said, "She was a loving wife, mother, daughter, grandmother, sister and aunt who was devoted to her family and would do anything for anyone. She will be missed dearly by all who knew her. We'll always have her in our hearts."
She is survived by her husband, Andrew B. Dembek Sr., at home; three sons and daughters-in-law, John W. Sr. and Susan Eckerson of New Hampton, Gary T. and Mary Eckerson of Dade City, Fla., and Gregory M. and Sheila Eckerson of Bloomingburg; a daughter and son-in-law, Christine and Robert Dunham of Middletown; a sister and brother-in-law, Teresa M. and Celso Leon of Newburgh; seven grandchildren, Melissa, Alyssa, Candice, Kaitlyn, Dillon, Tanner and Robert; and several nieces and nephews.
Friends may call at the Donovan Funeral Home, 82 South Church St., Goshen, on Tuesday from 7 to 9 p.m.
A Funeral Mass will be offered at 10 a.m. on Wednesday at St. John's Roman Catholic Church, 71 Murray Ave., Goshen.
Burial will be private.
Memorial contributions may be made to the Tucker Center for Cancer Care, Horton Hospital, Middletown, N.Y. 10940.

Frank Winski Sr.
Ret. Hotelman, 78

Francis "Frank" V. Winski Sr. of Bethel, a former co-owner of the Valley View House in Kenoza Lake and a longtime area resident, died Sunday, March 23, 2003, at the Wilson Memorial Hospital in Johnson City. He was 78 years of age.
The son of the late Paul and Antoinette Zapolska Winski, he was born August 2, 1924, in Brooklyn.
A U.S. Navy veteran of World War II, Mr. Winski was a member of the H. Russell Kenyon Post No. 5808, Veterans of Foreign Wars, in Callicoon, and St. George's Church in Jeffersonville. He was also a former member of the Knights of Columbus in Greenpoint, Brooklyn, and a former member of the Jeffersonville Lions Club.
In a family statement, it was said, "He was a loving husband, father, grandfather and uncle. He lived life to the fullest and anyone who knew him will never forget him."
He is survived by his wife, Casimira Bekarciak Winski, at home; three daughters and sons-in-law, Cynthia and Glenn Spielmann of Youngsville, Alicia and Edward Skelly of Poulsbo, Wash., and Pamela and Andrew Borek of Hillsborough, N.J; two sons and daughters-in-law, Francis V. Jr. and Katherine Winski of Goshen and Joseph and Mary Winski of Youngsville; nine grandchildren; and several nieces and nephews.
Friends may call Tuesday and Wednesday at the Stewart-Murphy Funeral Home in Jeffersonville from 2-4 and 7-9 p.m.
A Mass of Christian Burial will be offered at 11 a.m. on Thursday at St. George's Church in Jeffersonville with Father Paul Osborne, O.F.M., officiating.
Burial will be made in Calvary Cemetery in Youngsville.
Memorial contributions may be made to the American Heart Association, P.O. Box 628, Monticello, N.Y. 12701.

Robert M. Rosen
Monti Attorney, 64

Robert M. Rosen of Rock Hill, a prominent attorney in Sullivan County, died Monday, March 24, 2003, after a long and heroic battle with brain cancer. He was 64 years of age.
The son of the late George H. and Rose S. Rosen, he was born May 3, 1938, in Monticello.
A graduate of Monticello High School, Syracuse University and the Syracuse University College of Law, he was an editor of the Syracuse Law Review while in college. He earned his Master's of Law degree from New York University.
He joined his parents in the law firm of Rosen & Rosen in Monticello and then partnered with his brother, William, in the firm of Rosen Law Offices. In between, he was a partner in the law firm of Kesten, Gerstman, Ledina, Rosen and Drew.
Mr. Rosen had served as an intern for the New York County District Attorney's office, as Assistant Sullivan County Attorney, and as an attorney for the Village of Monticello. He was also the Town of Thompson and Town of Bethel attorney and was Sullivan County's first-ever public defender. Mr. Rosen was also counsel to the Urban Renewal Agency and to the Monticello Industrial Development Agency.
He was a member of the American, New York and Sullivan County Bar Associations and had been admitted to practice before the Supreme Court of the United States. Mr. Rosen was a member of the New York State Trial Lawyers Association, the Association of Trial Lawyers of America and the New York State Public Defenders Association. He had also served as a president of the Sullivan County Bar Association.
Mr. Rosen was an Eagle Scout of the Boy Scouts of America. He enlisted in the Air Force Reserves and was called to active duty during the 1968 USS Pueblo crisis.
A member and former president of the Monticello Rotary Club, he was responsible for the club's incorporation and the incorporation of the organization's scholarship fund. He was a member and former president of the Rock Hill Business and Community Association; a board member of the New York State United Way and served as co-chairman with his wife, Nathana, of the Sullivan County United Way's Pro-Am Golf Tournament for the past 11 years. He and his wife were also co-chairmen of the American Cancer Society's Jail and Bail event in Sullivan County.
Very much involved in organizations, he was also a member of the Board of Visitors of the Syracuse University College of Law, a trustee of Sullivan County Community College and a member of the Board of Directors and vice chairman of the Sullivan County Partnership for Economic Development. He was a member of the Sullivan County Chamber of Commerce and the Sullivan County Community College Foundation Board of Trustees. He and his wife were honored as the first recipients of the Sullivan County Partnership's Walter A. Rhulen Award for Business, Community and Humanity Achievement and in 2001, he was named as the Sullivan County Chamber of Commerce's Man of the Year.
An avid golfer, Mr. Rosen was also a 30-year member and former director of the Orange County Golf Club and a board member of the Holiday Mountain Ski Club.
He is survived by his wife of 37 years, Nathana Mintz Rosen, at home; three sons, Erik, Jeremiah and Lucas; a brother and sister-in-law, William and Lois Rosen; a brother-in-law, Ward Mintz, and partner Floyd Lattin; a niece; a nephew; and many cousins.
A remembrance of his life will be held at 2 p.m. on Wednesday at Bernie's Holiday Restaurant in Rock Hill.
Memorial contributions may be made to the Sullivan County United Way, Monticello, N.Y. 12701 or to the charity of one's choice.

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