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  OBITUARY ARCHIVES Established 1891 Callicoon, New York  
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April 8, 2003

Mary Arcidiacono
Homemaker, 89

Mary Arcidiacono, an 18-year resident of Liberty and a homemaker, died Friday, April 4, 2003, at the Seelig Division of the Catskill Regional Medical Center in Harris. She was 89 years of age.
The daughter of the late Fred and Amelia Morretta Boccia, she was born July 12, 1913, in the Bronx. She was the widow of Umberto Arcidiacono.
Mrs. Arcidiacono was a communicant of St. Peter's Roman Catholic Church in Liberty.
She is survived by three sons and two daughters-in-law, Fred and Darla Arcidiacono of Parksville, Nick and Debra Arcidiacono of Joelton, Tenn., and David Arcidiacono of Liberty; three sisters, Nina Gentile of Flushing, Ernestine Boccia of Flushing and Rita Cassetta of Whitestone; a brother, Fred Boccia of Red Hook; four grandchildren, Fred Arcidiacono Jr., Jenifer Arcidiacono, Nicholas Arcidiacono and Nicholas Nelson; and several nieces and nephews. She was predeceased by a son, Ernest Arcidiacono.
A Mass of Christian Burial will be offered at 10 a.m. on Tuesday at St. Peters Roman Catholic Church, 264 North Main St., Liberty, with Monsignor Edward Straub officiating.
Burial will be made in the Long Island National Cemetery in Pinelawn.
Funeral arrangements were made by the Harris Funeral Home in Liberty.

Cecilia Lacen
Homemaker, 101

Cecilia Lacen of Monticello, a homemaker and a 30-year area resident, formerly of Brooklyn, died Thursday, April 3, 2003, at the Seelig Division of the Catskill Regional Medical Center in Harris. She was 101 years of age.
The widow of Juan Lacen, she was born in Puerto Rico on April 15, 1901. She came to the United States in 1926, returned to Puerto Rico and in 1929, returned again to the mainland with her son, Gilbert, who predeceased her.
Mrs. Lacen was a member of St. Peter's Church in Monticello, St. Joseph's Church in Middletown and was a founder and lifelong member of the Montserrat Roman Catholic Church in Brooklyn.
In a family statement, it was said, "She was a loving mother, grandmother, great-grandmother and friend who touched everyone's heart with her smile, laughter and caring. She will be sadly missed by all who knew and loved her."
She is survived by nine grandchildren, Gilbert Suarez Jr. and his wife, Miriam, of the state of Florida, Eugene Suarez of South Fallsburg, Anthony Suarez and his wife, Lillian, of Monticello, Gene Piere Lacen of Syracuse, Joseph Suarez of Brooklyn, Lillian Vasquez and her husband, Angel, of Middletown, Cecilia Bones of Staten Island, Theresa Ruiz of Brooklyn, Claudine Clark and her husband, Leon, of Middletown, and Debra Wolochuck of Monticello; 29 great-grandchildren; and 39 great-great-grandchildren.
A Funeral Mass was offered Monday at St. Peter's Roman Catholic Church in Monticello with the Rev. Robert Ginel officiating.
Burial was made in St. Joseph's Cemetery in Middletown.
Memorial contributions may be made to St. Peter's Roman Catholic Church of Monticello, 10 Liberty St., Monticello, N.Y. 12701.
Funeral arrangements were made by the VanInwegen-Kenny Funeral Home in Monticello.

Leo H. O'Banks
Ret. Brakeman, 90

Leo H. O'Banks of Wurtsboro, a retired brakeman for the New York, New Haven and Hartford Railroad in Maybrook and a lifelong area resident, died Friday, April 4, 2003, at the Horton Campus of the Orange Regional Medical Center in Middletown. He was 90 years of age.
The son of the late Christopher and Pauline Smith O'Banks, he was born January 12, 1912, in High Falls. He was the widower of Gladys O'Banks.
Mr. O'Banks is survived by his wife, Madeline Martin O'Banks of Wurtsboro; two sons and daughters-in-law, Leo Jr. and Judy O'Banks of Port Orange, Fla., and Craig and Raelene O'Banks of White Lake; a daughter and son-in-law, Michele and Thomas Amodio of Maybrook; a sister, Mildred Doolittle of Richland, Wash.; four step-children, Fred Compton, Ralph "Butch" Compton, Sue Shafer and Lucy Stevens; eight grandchildren; seven great-grandchildren; and several nieces and nephews. He was predeceased by two brothers, Eldred and Robert O'Banks.
Services were held Monday at the Gridley-Horan Funeral Home in Walden.
Burial was made in the Wallkill Valley Cemetery in Walden.
Memorial contributions may be made to the charity of one's choice.

Rudiger Spiegl
Ret. Restaurateur, 77

Rudiger "Rudy" Spiegl of Bloomingburg, the retired owner of the Eagle's Nest Resort in Bloomingburg and a 23-year area resident, died Friday, April 4, 2003, at his home. He was 77 years of age.
The son of the late Rudolf and Maria Schneeweiss Spiegl, he was born July 20, 1925, in Stettin, Germany.
Having traveled extensively throughout Europe, South America and North America, he was an accomplished linguist, speaking over seven languages, and often greeted people with "Me speaka no English, I'm a foreigner."
Mr. Spiegl was a graduate of Culinary Institute in Vienna, Austria, and worked on the Orient Express. He started waiting tables at the Eagle's Nest Resort in the late '50s, working his way to head waiter and eventually purchased the resort with his wife.
In a family statement, it was said, "Rudy had a great sense of humor, loved to joke and loved children, especially his grandchildren. He was extremely social, which accounts for his great success in business. He was a people person."
He is survived by his wife, Hildegard Kummerle Spiegl, at home; a son and daughter-in-law, Michael R. and Sharon Spiegl of Monroe; a daughter and son-in-law, Elisabeth and Dr. Joseph Lauterstein of Rock Hill; four grandchildren, Andrew, Amanda, Corey and Alyssa; four step-grandchildren, Deborah, Brenda, Ashley and Jonathan; and two step-great-grandchildren, Erika and Bennett. He was predeceased by two brothers, Herbert and Hans Spiegl.
A Service of Remembrance will be held at 11 a.m. on Tuesday at the Applebee-McPhillips Funeral Home, 130 Highland Ave., Middletown with Maj. Reginald Worthy officiating.
Burial will be made in the family plot in the Bloomingburg Cemetery.
Memorial contributions may be made to the Catskill Regional Center Cardiac Rehab Program, P.O. Box 800, 68 Harris Bushville Rd., Harris, N.Y. 12742-0800.

Christina VanWart, 25

Christina "Chrissy" VanWart of Monticello, a former resident of Walden, died Thursday, April 3, 2003, at the Seelig Division of the Catskill Regional Medical Center in Harris. She was 25 years of age.
The daughter of James W. Jr. and Sharon Everitt VanWart, she was born May 7, 1977, in Newburgh.
Miss VanWart was a member of the Apollo Day Program.
In a family statement, it was said, "Anyone who met Christina found her to be an 'unforgettable delight.' Always affectionate, loving, funny and full of energy."
She is survived by her mother of Walden; her father of Newburgh; two brothers, Justin VanWart of Walden and Ryan VanWart, serving in the U.S. Navy; her maternal grandparents, Gerald and Lorraine Everitt; two aunts and an uncle, Glenn and Cathy Everitt and Catherine O'Dea; and five cousins, Brendan, Christopher, Brandon, Melenie and Dakota. She was predeceased by her paternal grandparents, James W. Sr. and Catherine M. Bardin Van Wart.
Services were held Monday at the Doulin Newburgh Funeral Home.
Burial was made in the Cedar Hill Cemetery in Newburgh.
Memorial contributions may be made to Sullivan ARC, 162 East Broadway, Monticello, N.Y. 12701.

Lillian Gerson
Homemaker, 92

Lillian Gerson of Boca Raton, Fla., a former Woodridge resident, died Saturday, April 5, 2003, in Boca Raton. She was 92 years of age.
She was the widow of Nathan Gerson who died in 1993.
Mrs. Gerson was a past president of the Sisterhood of the Woodridge Synagogue, a life member of Hadassah and a member of the Deborah Hospital Foundation.
She is survived by a stepson, Bruce Gerson of Delray Beach, Fla.; a step-daughter, Frances Gerson of Del Ray Beach, Fla., and New York City; and many nieces and nephews, grand- and great-grand nieces and nephews.
Services will be held at noon on Tuesday at the Woodridge Synagogue with Rabbi Irving Goodman officiating.
Burial will be made in the Woodridge Synagogue Cemetery in Glen Wild.
Memorial contributions may be made to the charity of one's choice.
Arrangements were made by the Joseph N. Garlick Funeral Home in Monticello.

Erwin W. Hallock
Ret. Businessman, 77

Erwin W. Hallock of Sweetwater, Tenn., the retired owner of Erwin W. Hallock Appliance Repair and a former resident of Glen Spey, died unexpectedly Thursday, April 3, 2003, at the Cleveland Community Hospital in Cleveland, Tenn. He was 77 years of age.
The son of the late Wilbur J. and Margaret E. Weber Hallock, he was born July 10, 1925, in Yulan.
A World War II veteran of the Army Air Force, Mr. Hallock was a life member, a former fire chief and a former fire commissioner of the Sparrowbush Fire Department. He was also a former member of the Most Sacred Heart Church in Port Jervis.
He is survived by his wife, Anna Mae Bodensieck Hallock, at home; three sons and daughters-in-law, Fredrick E. and Barbara Hallock of Wallkill, James W. and Olivia Hallock of Quakertown, Pa., and Walter A. and Geraldine Hallock of Jeffersonville; two brothers and sisters-in-law, Charles and Barbara Hallock of Highland Lake and Lawrence and Elizabeth Hallock of Chula Vista, Calif.; a sister and brother-in-law, Roberta and Carlton Jessup of Barryville; five grandchildren, Scott M. Hallock of Wallkill, Robert M. Hallock of Binghamton, Adam B. Hallock and his wife, Melissa, of Quakertown, Pa., Joanna Hallock Everitt and her husband, Robert, of Clearwater, Fla., and Sarah Hallock of Quakertown, Pa.; two great-grandsons, Cyrus Hallock and Robert Everitt IV; and several nieces and nephews.
Services will be held at 11 a.m. on Tuesday at the Gray-Parker Funeral Home, 100 East Main St., Port Jervis.
Burial will be made in the Pine Hill Cemetery in Sparrowbush.

Amy A. Coons
Retiree, 95

Amy Coons of Middletown, a longtime area resident and retired from Marbet Cleaners in Middletown, died Friday, April 4, 2003, at the Middletown Park Manor. She was 95 years of age.
The daughter of the late William and Alice Bullock Eason, she was born November 20, 1907, in Quarryville, N.J. She was the widow of Alvie Coons whom she married on January 8, 1924.
Mrs. Coons was a member of the Happy Seniors and served as their president for 15 years. She was also a more than 50-year member of the Ladies Auxiliary of the Fraternal Order of Eagles and a member of the Town of Wallkill Senior Citizens.
She is survived by a daughter, Grace C. Reagan of Middletown; six grandchildren and their spouses, Betty and Robert Richner of Goshen, Wayne and JoAnn Coons of Middletown, Richard and Laurie Coons of Montgomery, Thomas Coons of Bloomingburg, R. William Jr. and Debra Reagan of Middletown, and Ellie Reagan Burgess of Croton-on-Hudson; nine great-grandchildren, Roger Reagan III, Vicki, Christine Kroll and her husband, Brian, Daniel Coons, Jessica Coons, Kelly Coons, Michael Coons, Sara Coons and Steven Coons; two great-great-grandchildren, Alexandria and Heather Kroll; three sisters, Martha Brenan and Beatrice Babcock, both of Middletown, and Edith Todd of Titusville, Fla.; and several nieces and nephews. She was predeceased by a son, Alvie Coons Jr. and his wife, Helen Overton Coons; a son-in-law, Roger Reagan; two sisters, Ada Durst and Nellie Miller, and six brothers, Anson, Clarence, William, Thomas, Ernest and Harry Eason.
Friends may call at the Ralston-Lippincott-Hasbrouck-Ingrassia Funeral Home, 72 West Main St., Middletown, on Wednesday from 9 to 11 a.m.
Services will be held Wednesday at 11 a.m. at the funeral home.
Burial will be made in the Pine Hill Cemetery in the Town of Wawayanda.
Memorial contributions may be made to the North Congregational Church Building Fund, 157 Linden Ave., Middletown, N.Y. 10940.

Patricia Kennedy
Director of CCC, 60

Patricia Anne Kennedy of New Windsor, the director of the Child Care Council of Sullivan County, died Tuesday, April 1, 2003, at home. She was 60 years of age.
The daughter of the late John Joseph Sr. and Alma Garahan Kennedy, she was born in Troy on March 23, 1943. She was the widow of Harold Kiernan and Richard Tomashevski who died in 1994.
A graduate of Catholic Central High School, she obtained a bachelor's degree from Cameron College in Lawton, Okla., gained her teaching certification at SUNY New Paltz and earned a master's in public administration from Pace University. She taught in the Newburgh school system.
Ms. Kennedy was a volunteer for the Girls Scouts, Junior League, United Way and YWCA. She was a director of volunteer services at the Helen Hayes Hospital in Haverstraw where she pioneered the day care center there. She was also a children's center coordinator for the New York State court system.
She is survived by two daughters, Katie Tomashevski of London, England, and her husband, Sean McLusky, and Anne Glover and her husband, Joe Glover of Fort Wayne, Ind.; and four grandchildren, Cheryl, Christopher, Griffin and Drake Glover. She is also survived by nieces and nephews and grand-nieces and grand-nephews, including Beth Fino and Douglas Smith, children of Diana Smith, all of Marlboro, Lisa Reed of Groton, Conn., and her father, Tom Reed and his wife, Mary, of Wappingers Falls.
A Mass of Christian Burial was offered Saturday at St. Thomas of Canterbury Church in Cornwall.
Burial was private.
Memorial contributions may be made to Permanent Judicial Commission of Justice for Children (PJCJC Fund), 140 Grand St., Suite 404, White Plains, N.Y. 10601 for the purchase of books at the 32 centers which she worked hard to open.

Margaret Higgins
Homemaker, 70

Margaret Higgins of Montgomery, a homemaker and a four-year area resident, died Sunday, April 5, 2003, at her home. She was 70 years of age.
The daughter of the late James and Mary Phee Cullie, she was born May 1, 1932, in Scotland.
She is survived by her husband of 47 years, Thomas J. Higgins, at home; two daughters and sons-in-law, Margaret and Christopher Adams of Westbrookville and Mary and Michael Casamassimo of Montgomery; a son and daughter-in-law, John and Nancy Higgins of Scotchtown; six grandchildren, Derek, Brittany, Jennifer, Michael, Kristen and Elizabeth; and several nieces and nephews. She was predeceased by 10 siblings, including James Cullie and Anne Keenan.
Friends may call at the Overhiser Funeral Home, 78 Union St., Montgomery, on Tuesday from 2-4 and 7-9 p.m.
A Funeral Mass will be offered at 10:30 a.m. on Wednesday at St. Mary's Church, 89 Union St., Montgomery, with Fr. Joseph D. Sullivan officiating.
Burial will be made in St. Mary's Cemetery in Montgomery.
Memorial contributions may be made to the American Cancer Society, 159 Green St., Kingston, N.Y. 12401.

Robert B. Townsend
Ret. Farmer, 80

Robert B. Townsend, a 50-year resident of Cato, a retired farmer and a former resident of Cochecton, died Thursday, April 3, 2003. He was 80 years of age.
He was born in Cochecton and farmed until 1953 when he moved to Cato where he farmed with his family his remaining 50 years.
Mr. Townsend served as president and vice president of the Cato-Meridian School board for seven years; Supervisor for the Town of Ira for two years and assessment review board officer for 15 years.
He is survived by his wife of 57 years, Florence Fulton Townsend, at home; seven children, Bonnie Townsend, Brad Townsend, Sid Townsend, Robin Hills and Roxanne Miller, all of Cato, Dian Wade of New Jersey and Mark Townsend of Texas; 18 grandchildren; and three sisters, Alma Futch of Georgia, Gladys O'Brien of New Jersey and Adelaide Geiselman of Monticello.
A memorial service was held Sunday at the Cato Union Church.
Burial was made in the Ira Union Cemetery.
Memorial contributions may be made to the Cato Little League, P.O. Box 57, Cato, N.Y. 13033.

Mildred Mathis
Homemaker, 63

Mildred Mathis of Monticello, a homemaker, died Thursday, April 3, 2003, at the Westchester Medical Center in Valhalla. She was 63 years of age.
The daughter of Lee Postell Lawrence and the late Richard Lawrence, she was born March 16, 1940, in Wilmington, N.C.
The oldest of nine children, she was an avid bingo player. She attended PS 68 in Manhattan and relocated to Monticello where she attended the Monticello Central School District. Mrs. Mathis was also a presser for Ellery's Dry Cleaners for over ten years.
In a family statement, it was said, "Mildred was a loving wife, mother, grandmother, great-grandmother, daughter, sister and a friend to many. She will be deeply missed by all."
She is survived by her mother of Monticello; six children, Veronica Jones, Christina Samuels, Steven Lawrence and his wife, Gloria, Robert Mathis Jr. and his wife, Cindy, Ramona Mathis and her companion, Collins, all of Monticello and Harry Mathis and his wife, Kim, of Damascus, Md.; her former husband, Robert Mathis of Sanford, Fla.; four sisters and three brothers-in-law, Joyce and James Baker of Stockton, Ala., Doris Lawrence of San Carlos, Calif., and Ann and Eric Young and Semmie and James Johnson, all of Monticello; two brothers, Harry Lawrence and Otha Lawrence, both of Monticello; 11 grandchildren; 12 great-grandchildren; 24 nieces and nephews; and a host of cousins, aunts, uncles and friends. She was predeceased by a daughter, Shirley Ann Lawrence, a sister, Naomi, and a brother, Richard.
Friends may call at the VanInwegen-Kenny Funeral Home, 195 Broadway, Monticello, on Wednesday from 7 to 9 p.m.
Services will be held at 1 p.m. on Thursday at the Bethlehem Temple Church, Fairground Rd., Monticello, with the Rev. Mervin Armstead officiating.
Cremation will be made at the Cedar Hill Crematory in Middle Hope.

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