Sullivan County Democrat
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  OBITUARY ARCHIVES Established 1891 Callicoon, New York  
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July 1, 2003

Alfred S. Wyckoff
Mgr. Engr. Svc., 53

Alfred Steven "Steve" Wyckoff of Bloomingburg, a manager of Engineering Services for L.P. Thebault in Parsippany, N.J., died Thursday, June 26, 2003 at the Orange Regional Medical Center/Arden Hill Campus. He was 53 years of age.
The son of the late Alfred and Carolyn MacKenzie Wyckoff, he was born August 25, 1949, in Dover, N.J.
A U. S. Army veteran of the Vietnam War, he was a member of American Legion Post 151, the Vietnam Veterans of America Chapter 140 of Middletown and was a past commander of the Sussex County American Legion Post, the Veterans of Foreign Wars and the American Legion Post 157 in Branchville, N.J. He attended the Community Church of Wurtsboro.
He is survived by his wife, Debora Bowen Wyckoff, at home; a son, Matthew Wyckoff of Arizona; three daughters, Christina, Angela and Vanessa Phillips, at home; his mother of Budd Lake, N.J.; three sisters, Beverly Montenant of Flanders, N.J., Barbara Marshall of Sacramento, Calif., and Susan Moschgat of Clinton, N.J.; and several nieces and nephews.
Graveside services and burial, with military honors, will be held at 11 a.m. on Saturday at the Orange County Veterans Cemetery, Craigville Rd., Goshen.
Memorial contributions may be made to the Vietnam Veterans of America Chapter 140, P.O. Box 171, New Hampton, N.Y. 10958; American Legion Post 151, 158 Wawayanda Ave., Middletown, N.Y. 10940 or to the American Cancer Society, 419 East Main Street, Middletown, N.Y. 10940.

Rita Dugan
Homemaker, 85

Rita Dugan of Westbrookville died Thursday, June 26, 2003. She was 85 years of age.
The daughter of the late Joseph and Anna Hodge Fischback, she was the widow of Patrick Joseph Dugan.
Mrs. Dugan was active in the Mulberry House Senior Center and received the Humanitarian of the Year Award in 1991. Although her health declined, she held dear to her heart her friends, Jennie, Toni, Rose and Angie.
In a family statement, it was said, "Mom was a kind, loving person who made her family the center of her life, always giving non-judgmental advice, a true example of the Christian Faith she loved so much."
She is survived by a daughter and son-in-law, Anne and Andrew Mikulski of Westbrookville; two sons and a daughter-in-law, Patrick Michael and Karen Dugan, and Candido Melendez, all of Middletown; five grandchildren, Rita Mikulski, Meghan Henry and Kristen Mikulski, all of Westbrookville, and Lori Dugan and Brittney Dugan, both of Middletown; and a great-grandson, Ryan Distel of Westbrookville. She also leaves behind her cat, Squeeker.
A Funeral Mass was offered on Monday at Our Lady of Mt. Carmel R. C. Church in Middletown.
Burial was made in the Westbrookville Cemetery.
Memorial contributions may be made to the Orange County Mental Health Association, 20 Walker St., Goshen, N.Y. 10924 to benefit programs on autism.

Raymond Seekamp
Ret. Businessman, 85

Raymond Seekamp of Livingston Manor, the retired owner and operator of Seekamp Auto Body in Middletown for 40 years, died Thursday, June 26, 2003, at his home. He was 85 years of age.
The son of the late John and Victoria Leipzeg Seekamp, he was born December 12, 1917, in Goshen.
Mr. Seekamp was the oldest living member of the Middletown Elks Lodge. He was also a member and past master of Hoffman Masonic Lodge, Free and Accepted Masons, in Middletown.
In a family statement, it was said, "Our father was proud of his family members' accomplishments, and taught us to follow our dreams. His legacy is a lifetime of great stories, incredible wisdom and an amazing sense of humor."
He is survived by his former wife, Sharon Ayres Seekamp of Mongaup Valley; four daughters, Susan McGrath of Kerhonkson, Jennifer Croce of Ithaca, Roberta Wade of Alameda, Calif., and Dorothy Seekamp of South Carolina; six sons, Daniel Seekamp of Livingston Manor, William Seekamp of South Carolina, John Seekamp of Albany, James Seekamp of San Diego, Calif., Thomas Seekamp of Wurtsboro and Gary Seekamp of Middletown; and several grandchildren and great-grandchildren. He was predeceased by a brother, Charles Seekamp, a sister, Dorothy Black, and a grandson, Brandon Martin.
Cremation was private.
Interment of the cremains will be held at a later date at the Pine Bush Cemetery in Kerhonkson.
Memorial contributions may be made to the Brandon Martin Scholarship, Rondout Valley Scholarship Fund, Accord, N.Y. 12404 or Hospice of Orange and Sullivan Counties, 800 Stony Brook Court, Newburgh, N.Y. 12550.

Memorial Service
For Joan Powell

A memorial service for Joan Powell, former resident of Lew Beach who died March 13, 2003, will be held at the Community Methodist Church in Lew Beach on Sunday, July 6 at 12:30 p.m. The Rev. Katherine Loizeaux will officiate.
Burial of the cremains will be made afterwards in the Lew Beach Cemetery.
Arrangements were made by the Herbert C. Bryant Funeral Home in Livingston Manor.

John Bergin Sr.
Ret. Postal Clerk, 94

John J. Bergin Sr. of Valley Cottage, a longtime employee of the Nyack Post Office before retiring at the age of 70, died Thursday, June 26, 2003, at the Nyack Hospital. He was 94 years of age.
The son of the late Joseph and Louise Weisgaber Bergin, he was born April 12, 1909, in New York City. He was the widower of Madeline T. Olio Bergin who died in 1954 and Ined Rowell Bergin who died in 1994.
He is survived by five children, John Bergin Jr. and his wife, Kathy of Nyack, Mary Seebach and Frank Bergin, both of Bloomingburg, Patrick Bergin and his wife, Alice, of Pine Bush, and Judy Barkley of Cuddebackville; many grandchildren and great-grandchildren; and two nieces, Ethel Dollar and Mary Dollar Baker, both of Pearl River. He was predeceased by a son, Louis Michael Bergin; a brother, Adam J. Eberhardt; a sister, Margaret Dollar; and a first cousin, Mary Ellen Eagan Krantz.
A Mass of Christian Burial was offered Monday at St. Ann's R.C. Church in Nyack.
Burial was made in St. Anthony's Cemetery in Nanuet.

George L. Velez
Cook, 47

George Luis Velez of Barryville, a cook at Best Western and the Eldred Preserve, died Thursday, June 26, 2003, at his home. He was 47 years of age.
The son of Baldramina Garcia, and the late George Velez, he was born February 7, 1956, in New York City.
He is survived by his wife, Robin Dyson-Velez, at home; two daughters and sons-in-law, Tatiana Dyson Velez and Joseph Velez of Middletown and Marlo and Kevin Schorling; a sister and brother-in-law, Grace and Daniel Hernandez of West Babylon; his mother of the Bronx; and several nieces and nephews.
Services were held Friday at the Knight-Auchmoody Funeral Home in Port Jervis with the Rev. Peter Rios officiating.
Cremation was made at the H.G. Smith Crematory in Stroudsburg, Pa.

Lester Sausville
Ret. Plumber, 76

Lester Joseph Sausville of Williston, Fla., a former resident of Otisville, died at his home on April 22, 2003, after a long illness. He was 76 years of age.
The son of the late Joseph A. and Ethel Bensinger Sausville, he was born November 3, 1926, in Otisville.
A 1944 graduate of Otisville High School and also of Rutgers University, he was a World War II veteran of the United States Air Force, stationed in Okinawa, Japan. He was a member of the Otisville VFW and the American Legion.
Returning to Otisville, he became a licensed plumber, working both privately and for the Village of Otisville. He was a plumber for the University of Florida in Gainesville until he retired.
Mr. Sausville was a member of the Otisville Volunteer Fire Department and served as chief from 1967-1968. He was overseer of the construction of the current firehouse and the purchase of a new fire pumper.
Mr. Sausville was an active member of Hoffman Lodge, Free and Accepted Masons, in Middletown, and the First Presbyterian Church in Williston, Fla. He enjoyed spending time at his camp on Pleasure Lake in Sullivan County and was an avid collector of both stamps and coins.
He is survived by his wife, Shirley, and a son, David, both of Williston, Fla.; a sister, Vivian Ketcham of Otisville; a brother, Joseph Sausville of Yankee Lake; two nieces, Jill Dodd and Lucy Sausville; and five nephews, Gary, Terry and Dennis Ketcham and Joey and Duane Sausville. He was predeceased by two sisters, Olive and Eunice.
A memorial service was held at the family home in Williston.
Memorial contributions may be made to the Otisville Volunteer Fire Company, P.O. Box 865, Otisville, N.Y. 10963.

Violet G. Bartelini
Homemaker, 70

Violet G. Bartelini of Milford, Pa., a homemaker and 23-year area resident, died Friday, June 27, 2003, at the Bon Secours Community Hospital in Port Jervis. She was 70 years of age.
The daughter of the late Homer and Harriet Kissinger Knotts, she was born October 26, 1932 in New York City.
Mrs. Bartelini is survived by her husband, James J. Bartelini of Milford, Pa.; three sons, James T. Bartelini of Chester, George R. Bartelini of Highland Mills, and Wade J. Bartelini of Middletown; a daughter, Robin Bartelini of Jeffersonville; a brother, Homer Knotts of Commack; a brother-in-law, Norman McCasland of Lake Placid; 15 grandchildren; and several nieces and nephews. She was predeceased by a son, Mark A. Bartelini, and a sister, Gloria McCasland.
Services will be held at 11 a.m. on Tuesday at St. John's Episcopal Church, 100 Underhill St., Yonkers, with the Rev. Susanna Williams officiating.
Burial will be made in St. John's Cemetery in Yonkers.

Mary L.W. Coniker
Ret. Computer Oper.

Mary Louise Watts Coniker of Middletown, a retired computer operator for Princeton Upholstery in Middletown, died Friday, June 27, 2003, at the Orange Regional Medical Center/Arden Hill Campus.
The daughter of the late Catherine Melican, she was the widow of James "Gary" Coniker.
Mrs. Coniker was a member of St. Joseph Church, the Business and Professional Women and the Golden Area Seniors, all in Middletown.
She is survived by four children, Robert Watts and his wife, Robin, of Wurtsboro, Bernadette Gannello and Patrick Watts, both of Middletown and Richard Watts and his wife, Patricia, of Yonkers; and 12 grandchildren.
A Mass of Christian Burial was offered Monday at St. Joseph Catholic Church in Middletown.
Burial was made in the Wallkill Valley Cemetery in Walden.
Memorial contributions may be made to St. Joseph Church, 149 Cottage St., Middletown, N.Y. 10940.

Gary Crispell Sr., 49
Food/Beverage Mgr.

Gary Paul Crispell Sr. of Wallkill, a lifelong area resident and a food and beverage manager at the Holiday Inn in Newburgh, died Friday, June 27, 2003, at St. Luke's Hospital in Newburgh. He was 49 years of age.
The son of Mabel "Ode" Crispell and the late Herman H. Crispell, he was born December 5, 1953.
A 1971 graduate of Newburgh Free Academy and a 1973 graduate of SUNY at Delhi, he was a member of the Orange County Restaurant and Tavern Association and of Calvary Presbyterian Church.
He is survived by his wife, Wendy and a son, Gary Paul Crispell Jr., both at home; his mother of Middle Hope; a step-daughter, Eva C. Dickinson of Maryland; two brothers, Harold S. Crispell and his wife, Patricia Collins Crispell of Worcester; and Douglas B. Crispell and his wife, Wendy Hendricks Crispell of Walden; a sister, Rhoda; four nieces, Jill Marie and Megan Lynn, of Worcester, and Erin Melissa and Ashley Kara of Walden; and two nephews, Dustin Pierce of Wallkill and Kieran Pierce of Glen Spey. He was predeceased by his former wife, Phyllis Dickinson Crispell.
A memorial service was held Monday evening at Calvary Presbyterian Church with the Rev. Carlos R. Lantis officiating.
Memorial contributions may be made to The Crohns and Colitis Foundation of America, 386 Park Avenue South, 17th Floor, New York, N.Y. 10016 or to Calvary Presbyterian Church, 120 South St., Newburgh, N.Y. 12550.

William Spafford
Ret. Truck Driver, 75

William H. Spafford of Montgomery, a retired truck driver for RSR Corporation in Middletown and a longtime area resident, died Saturday, June 28, 2003, at his home. He was 75 years of age.
The son of the late William and Frances McGonigle Spafford, he was born October 30, 1927, in New York City.
A World War II veteran of the U.S. Navy, he worked in the Nassau County Police Department in the 1950s and '60s. Mr. Spafford was a member of St. Mary's Parish in Montgomery and was on the parish council. He was a member of the American Legion, Knights of Columbus Council 2270 in Montgomery and a member of Teamsters Union Local 707 in Long Island.
In a family statement, it was said, by his wife, "Bill was a man's man, a gentle giant."; by his son, "My dad was a good man. He was the grand slam."; and from his brother, "Bill was everything as a brother." Another son said, "He was my father and best friend."; and from the family in general, "No matter what the distance you'll always be in our hearts and minds. We love you and miss you, your loving children."
He is survived by his wife, Nancy Redmond Spafford, at home; four sons, Thomas Spafford of Massepequa Park, L.I., William Spafford of Walden, Jon Spafford, at home, and Michael Spafford of New Port Richey, Fla.; six daughters, Sharon DiMattina of Highland, Susan Voor of West Islip, Kathy Statlend of Highland, Lori Hammond of Walden, Diane Spafford of New Windsor and Pam Harris of Newburgh; two step-daughters, Nancy Gillespie of Pine Bush and Kathleen Stillman of Newburgh; a step-son William Sean Kane of Wurtsboro; a sister, Susan Fotopoulos of Flushing, Queens; a brother, Harold Spafford of Torrington, Conn.; grandchildren; great-grandchildren; and several nieces and nephews. He was predeceased by a daughter, Debra Spafford, and two brothers, James and Walter Spafford.
Friends may call at the Overhiser Funeral Home, 78 Union St., Montgomery on Tuesday from 2-4 and 6-9 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 Father 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, 6725 Lyons St., PO. Box 7E, East Syracuse, N.Y. 13057.

Dorothy F. Bruns
Ret. Lib. Med., 82

Dorothy F. Bruns of Seattle, Wash., a retired nurse for the Liberty Medical Group with 30 years service and a former 45-year Liberty resident, died Monday, June 16, 2003, in Seattle. She was 82 years of age.
The daughter of the late Max and Ada Knoth, she was born January 20, 1921, in Philadelphia, Pa.
While a resident of Liberty, Mrs. Bruns was an active member of both the Town of Liberty Volunteer Ambulance Corps and the Sullivan County Golf and Country Club.
She is survived by her husband, Robert F. Bruns of Seattle, Wash.; a son and daughter-in-law, Charles and Colleen Bruns of Anchorage, Alaska; a grandchild, Pamela Racicot; a great-granddaughter, Carrissa Racicot of Forks, Wash.; three sisters and two brothers-in-law, Barbara and Larry Katz of Liberty, Gail and Col. James Bulken of Evans, Ga., and Gertrude Bussonne of Philadelphia, Pa.; and 11 nieces and nephews.
A memorial service and celebration of her life will be held this fall in Liberty.
Memorial contributions may be made to the Town of Liberty Volunteer Ambulance Corps, Liberty, N.Y. 12754.

Vito Verdi, 82
Ret. Constr. Supt.

Vito Verdi of Middletown, a retired construction superintendent, died Sunday, June 29, 2003, at the Horton Campus of the Orange Regional Medical Center in Middletown. He was 82 years of age.
The son of the late Luigi and Maria Catrinella Verdi, he was born October 21, 1920, in Brooklyn.
A World War II veteran of the U.S. Army, he was one of the last survivors of the attack on Pearl Harbor for which he had received the Purple Heart. He served as a paratrooper in the 101st Airborne with over 80 jumps and fought in both the European and Pacific theatres of the war, where he also served as a medic.
Mr. Verdi worked in the construction industry as a superintendent and contractor throughout the Hudson Valley and lived most of his life in Sullivan County.
In a family statement, it was said, "Pop's legacy of hardwork, humor and generosity of heart will remain with us always."
He is survived by his wife, Gisele Drolet Verdi, at home; three children, Jim Verdi of Cochecton, Adele Shapiro of Narrowsburg and Suzanne Doller of Carlisle, Pa.; five grandchildren, Jennifer, Casey, Courtney, Jessica and Robert; a great-grandson, Christian; Lou Rathbun; many nieces and nephews; and two sisters, Louise Verdi Collins and Theresa Kenney. He was predeceased by two brothers, Vincent James Verdi and Joseph Valentine Verdi, and three sisters, Sylvia Morman, Marion Sardonia and Annie Kenney.
Friends may call at the VanInwegen-Kenny Funeral Home, 195 Broadway, Monticello, on Wednesday from 2-4 and 7-9 p.m.
A Mass of Christian Burial will be offered at 10 a.m. on Thursday at St. Peter's Church, Broadway and Liberty St., Monticello.
Burial will be made in St. Peter's Cemetery in Monticello.
Memorial contributions may be made to the Disabled American Veterans.

Paul M. Weber
Ret. NYC TA, 52

Paul Martin Weber of Callicoon, a retired employee of the New York City Transit Authority, died Monday, June 30, 2003, at the Grover M. Hermann Division of the Catskill Regional Medical Center in Callicoon. He was 52 years of age.
The son of Eleanor Passante Weber Cook and the late Paul Alfred Weber, he was born May 8, 1951, in Astoria.
Mr. Weber was a member of Grace Baptist Church in Callicoon and was a volunteer boxing coach for the Police Athletic League.
He is survived by his mother of Callicoon; a daughter and son-in-law, Deborah and Andres Guerra of Astoria; two sisters, Carol Ann Cook of Callicoon and Virginia Michaels and her husband, Joel, of Queens; his uncle and aunt, Marty and Marion Passante of Callicoon, several nieces and one nephew. He was predeceased by a brother, Robert Jude Weber, and his step-father, William Allen Cook Jr.
Funeral services are incomplete at press time. For more information, contact the Stewart-Murphy Funeral Home, 887-4900.
Memorial contributions may be made to Grace Baptist Church, Callicoon, N.Y. 12723; ASPCA, Rock Hill Ave., Rock Hill, N.Y. 12775; or St. Jude's Children's Hospital for Cancer Research, 501 St. Jude Place, Memphis, Tenn. 38105.

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