Anthony S. Deklerow of Liberty, a former resident of Livingston Manor and a retired truck driver, died Friday, April 16, 2004, at the Seelig Division of the Catskill Regional Medical Center in Harris. He was 80 years of age.
The son of the late John J. and Victoria Neugebauer Deklerow, he was born March 26, 1924, in Brooklyn.
Mr. Deklerow was a World War II veteran of the U.S. Merchant Marines.
He is survived by a brother, John Deklerow of Smyrna, Del.; and several nieces and nephews.
Services were held with Msgr. William Collins officiating.
Burial was made in the Sullivan County Veterans Cemetery in Liberty.
Memorial contributions may be made to the charity of one's choice.
Funeral arrangements were made by the Harris Funeral Home in Liberty.

Ernest A. Pisano Jr. of Liberty, a longtime area resident, died Friday, April 23, 2004, at the Seelig Division of the Catskill Regional Medical Center in Harris. He was 74 years of age.
The son of the late Ernest A. and Theresa DiGuardi Pisano, he was born July 11, 1929, in New York City.
Mr. Pisano is survived by a sister, Rosalie Iadarola of Washington, D.C.; and several nieces and nephews.
Graveside services and burial were made in St. Raymond's Cemetery in the Bronx.
Memorial contributions may be made to the charity of one's choice.
Funeral arrangements were made by the Harris Funeral Home in Liberty.

Leonardo J. "Moose" Vallario of Monticello, a harness horseman at the Monticello Raceway, died Sunday, April 18, 2004, at the Bronx Veteran's Administration Medical Center. He was 70 years of age.
He was born November 5, 1938, in Brooklyn.
In a family statement, it was said, "He was very much loved and will be sadly missed."
He is survived by two daughters and sons-in-law, Robyn and Stephen Markovich of Englishtown, N.J., Beth and Bill Stefko of Mount Laurel, N.J.; a son, Josh Vallario of Old Bridge, N.J.; three grandchildren, Jodi, Santina and Stephen; a sister and brother-in-law, Anne and Richie Shields of Sebastian, Fla.; several nieces and nephews; the love of his life, Gloria Vitolo of Swan Lake; three step-children and their spouses, Lisa and Ty Banks of Jeffersonville, Joseph and Josette Vitolo of Dumont, N.J., and Theresa and Roger Anderson of Jeffersonville; seven step-grandchildren, Andrew, Corri, Brittiny, Zachary, Matthew, Emily and Isabella; and a great-step-granddaughter, Alexis.
Cremation was private.

Virginia Donnelly of Cochecton, a homemaker and a lifelong area resident, died Sunday, April 25, 2004, at the Wayne Memorial Hospital in Honesdale, Pa. She was 89 years of age.
She is survived by a son, Donald Lake of Narrowsburg and was the widow of William Donnelly.
Further details will be printed in the Friday issue of the Democrat.
Funeral arrangements are under the direction of the Stewart-Murphy Funeral Home in Callicoon.

Flora N. Bivins of Parksville, a homemaker and a lifelong area resident, died Wednesday, April 21, 2004, at the Sullivan County Adult Care Center. She was 84 years of age.
The daughter of the late Leslie and Edith Knight Chapman, she was born December 27, 1919, in Cooley. She was the widow of Merton Bivins.
Mrs. Bivins is survived by a son and daughter-in-law, Robert and Elisa Bivins of Parksville; three daughters and sons-in-law, Joan and Bruce Deppa of Parksville, Elizabeth "Betty" and Wilfred Smith of Livingston Manor, and Flora and Thomas Reilly of Swan Lake; five grandchildren; five great-grandchildren; and several nieces and nephews.
Services were held Saturday at the Ramsay's Funeral Home in Liberty with Pastor William Lamb officiating.
Burial was made in the Sullivan County Veterans Cemetery in Liberty.
Memorial contributions may be made to the Family Care Council, c/o Sullivan County Adult Care Center, P.O. Box 671, Liberty, N.Y. 12754.

Marie Elizabeth Taggart Kitz, a former longtime resident of Monticello, died Saturday, February 14, 2004, at St. Anthony's Hospital in Oklahoma City, Okla. She was 83 years of age.
The daughter of the late Charles and Sadie Price Taggart, she was born in Monticello on June 10, 1920. She was the widow of Henry J. Kitz who died September 15, 1997.
Mrs. Kitz is survived by a son, William Kitz of Oklahoma City, Okla; two grandchildren, William and Matthew Kitz; a great-granddaughter, Morgan; and several nieces and nephews. She was predeceased by a brother, Lester Taggart, and a sister, Pearl Koty.
Graveside services and burial will be held at 10 a.m. on Friday at the Rock Ridge Cemetery in Monticello with the Rev. Gene Smith officiating.
Memorial contributions may be made to the American Heart Association, P.O. Box 628, Monticello, N.Y. 12701.
Funeral arrangements were made by the VanInwegen-Kenny Funeral Home in Monticello.

Norma Ruth Garlock of Bloomingburg, a retired Avon associate and a longtime area resident, died April 18, 2004, at her home, following a long illness. She was 77 years of age.
The son of the late George and Hazel Mitteer, she was born May 20, 1926, in Hurleyville.
In a family statement, it was said, "Norma was what every person should strive to be. She worked to make something of herself and succeeded in excess. Everything she did for her family and friends, and when one of her loved ones felt that they couldn't overcome an obstacle, she would be there with words of wisdom and love to give them strength to go on. A large hole will forever be in the hearts of those who adored her."
Mrs. Garlock is survived by a daughter and son-in-law, Cheryl and Michael Dunphy of Greenville; a step-son, Paul Garlock and his wife, Joanne, of Hilton Head, S.C.; a grandson, Shawn Dunphy of Greenville; two granddaughters, Lacey Dunphy of Greenville, and Gerri Ingles and her husband, David, of Middletown; two great-grandchildren, Abagail Ann and Gavin Michael, both of Middletown; several nieces, including Rose Marie Hulseapple, who was like a second daughter, and her husband, Daniel, of Middletown; and several nephews, grand-nieces and grand-nephews. She was predeceased by two sisters, Ethel Lyn Mitteer and Dorothy Bliss, and a brother, Richard Mitteer.
A service of remembrance was celebrated on Monday at the Applebee-McPhillips Funeral Home in Middletown with Father Patrick McGuigan, O. Carm., officiating.
Burial was made in the family plot in the Wallkill Cemetery in Middletown.

Alfred G. Welles of Liberty, a retired maintenance worker at Kutsher's Country Club in Monticello and a longtime area resident, died Wednesday, April 21, 2004, at the Sullivan County Adult Care Center in Liberty. He was 67 years of age.
The son of the late Floyd and Thelma Philo Welles, he was born August 10, 1936 in Milanville, Pa.
Mr. Welles was an Army veteran of the Korean War.
He is survived by a brother and sister-in-law, Donald and Florence Welles of Equinunk, Pa.; a sister, Thelma Summers of Montrose, Pa.; and several nieces and nephews. He was predeceased by three brothers and a sister.
Services were held at the Ramsay's Funeral Home in Liberty on Monday.
Burial, with military honors, was held at the Sullivan County Veterans Cemetery in Liberty.

Evelyn P. Smith of Middletown, a homemaker, died Thursday, April 22, 2004, at the Horton campus of the Orange Regional Medical Center in Middletown. She was 82 years of age.
The daughter of the late Guiseppe and Louisa Malantrucco Lisi, she was born September 29, 1921, in Bridgeport, Conn. She was the widow of Walter Smith and Melvin Wise.
Mrs. Smith was a member of the Ladies Auxiliary to Monroe American Legion Post 488.
She is survived by a daughter and son-in-law, Louise and Eugene Ghiotti Sr. of Middletown; four sons and two daughters-in-law, Daniel and Paula Wise of Bloomingburg; Richard and Lorna Wise of Middletown, Walter Smith Jr. and his companion, Fran Wier, of Middletown, and Thomas Smith and his companion, Cheryl Hadden of Bloomingburg; a brother and sister, Alfred Lisi and Sylvia Lombardi, both of St. Petersburg, Fla. seven grandchildren; and seven great-grandchildren. She was predeceased by a son, Michael Smith, and a sister, Frances Conese.
A Mass of Christian Burial was offered on Monday at St. Joseph Catholic Church in Middletown.
Burial of the cremains was made in the Bloomingburg Cemetery.
Memorial contributions may be made to the American Heart Association, 419 East Main St., Middletown, N.Y. 10940.

Benton H. "Ben" Roth of Middletown, a retired cable splicer for General Telephone Electronics and the co-proprietor of Roth Studios, died Thursday, April 22, 2004, at the Palms of Pasadena Hospital in South Pasadena, Fla. He was 79 years of age.
The son of the late John N. and Mae Berkheimer Roth, he was born August 5, 1924, in Fort Wayne, Ind.
A World War II veteran of the U.S. Navy, he was a member of American Legion Post #151. He was also a member of the Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks Lodge #1097, a 49-year member of Hoffman Lodge, F.&A.M., in Middletown, and Excelsior Fish and Game Club in Eldred. Mr. Roth was a deacon for First Presbyterian Church in Middletown for many years.
In a family statement, it was said, "Ben loved his family, especially his grandchildren and great-grandchildren. He also loved playing Santa Claus for the Orange Plaza and Galleria Mall, which he did for 15 years. He was unique being Santa because he always had the staff ring bells to announce the arrival of 'Santa' as he approached the children. It was his own personal touch to begin the Christmas season. Many families have brought their children and their children's children to see Santa. Ben genuinely enjoyed making the children smile. And after all that, he liked to relax and take a day to go fishing. He will be remembered for all the smiles he brought to our lives and to the lives of others."
He is survived by his wife of almost 60 years, Jeanne Relyea Roth, at home; a son and daughter-in-law, Richard and Grace "Nen" Roth of Eldred; a daughter and son-in-law, Tracey Roth and David Heftka of Buffalo; three grandchildren, Michael Zinnerstrom, Michele Perna and Derrick Roth; and five great-grandchildren. He was predeceased by a daughter, Sharon Ann, and a brother, Elwood Roth.
Friends may call at the Applebee-McPhillips Funeral Home, 130 Highland Avenue, Middletown, from 6 to 9 p.m. on Tuesday.
A service of remembrance will be celebrated at 11 a.m. on Wednesday at the funeral home with the Rev. Ralph Lamar officiating.
Burial will be made in the Wallkill Cemetery in Phillipsburg.

Elizabeth Matson of Washingtonville, a former 75-year resident of Suffern and a retired bookkeeper for Geiger Lumber in Tallman, died at the Orange Residential Health Care Center in Goshen on Friday, April 23, 2004. She was 91 years of age.
The daughter of the late James and Ida Conklin, she was born December 26, 1912, in Suffern. She was the widow of Arthur Matson who died in 1964.
She is survived by a daughter and son-in-law, Peggy and Bill of Washingtonville; three grandchildren, Debra Jonigan of Liberty, Herb Ackerson of Carlsbad, Calif., and Michael Ackerson of Apache Junction, Ariz., and their father, Herb Ackerson of Campbell Hall; and two great-grandchildren, Anthony Ackerson of Flower Branch, Ga., and Ian Ackerson of Carlsbad, Calif. She was predeceased by 10 brothers and sisters.
Friends may call at the Wanamaker & Carlough Funeral Home, 177 Route 59, Suffern, on Tuesday from 11 a.m. to 1:30 p.m.
Services will be held at 1:30 p.m. at the funeral home on Tuesday with the Rev. Ferguson officiating.
Burial will be made in Evergreen Cemetery in Tallman.
Memorial contributions may be made to the American Diabetes Association, 200 White Plains Rd., Suite 523, Tarrytown, N.Y. 10591.

David Allen Masker of Spartanburg, S.C., a quality systems specialist with Phelps-Dodge HPC, died Thursday, April 22, 2004, at his home. He was 49 years of age.
The son of the late Robert J. and Betty Clark Masker, he was born in Middletown.
Mr. Masker was a member of New Hope United Methodist Church. He was a graduate of Limestone College and before moving to Spartanburg in 1993, he worked with Hudson Wire in Walden and Ossining. Mr. Masker also enjoyed gardening, camping and traveling.
He is survived by his wife, Janet Ruhlin Masker, at home; a sister-in-law and brother-in-law, Donna Baylor and Gary Rogers, both of Ft. Worth, Tex.; several nephews and nieces, including Chris and his wife, Erica Baylor, Aaron Baylor and Diane Muscak, all of Plano, Tex., J.T. Ruhlin and Alyssa and Kathryn Ruhlin, all of Neversink; a brother-in-law and his wife, Jim and Nita Ruhlin of Neversink; his mother-in-law and father-in-law, Don and Dolores Ruhlin of Flagler Beach, Fla.; and his trusted friend, Charlie.
Services were held Saturday at Eggers Funeral Home in Boiling Springs, N.C., with the Rev. Jim Chrisawn officiating.
Memorial contributions may be made to the Spartanburg Humane Society, 155 Dexter Rd., Spartanburg, S.C. 29303; to the Building Fund of New Hope United Methodist Church, 4251 Chesnee Rd., Rutherford, N.C . 28139 or to the American Cancer Society, 154 Milestone Way, Greenville, S.C. 29615.

Irvin Van Tassell of Yulan, a retired New Jersey firefighter, died Wednesday, December 3, 2003, at his home. He was 86 years of age.
The widower of Elfriede Mehis, he was born September 18, 1917, in Jersey City, N.J.
He is survived by a son, Richard Van Tassell of Greenwood Village, Colo.; and two granddaughters, Renee L. Van Tassell of Fort Collins, Colo., and Erica A. Van Tassell of Ventura, Colo.
The cremains of both Irvin and Elfriede Van Tassell will be interred at the Sullivan County Veterans Cemetery in Liberty on Saturday at 11 a.m. with a U.S. Navy Honor Guard.
Memorial contributions may be made to the American Legion Ambulance Service, P.O. Box 63, Eldred, N.Y. 12732.
Arrangements were made by the Ramsay's Funeral Home in Kauneonga Lake.

Jane Shapiro Hormadaly of Omer, Israel, a school teacher and a former resident of Liberty, died Thursday, April 22, 2004, in Israel. She was 56 years of age.
The daughter of the late Irving and Florence Shapiro, she was born August 30, 1947, in Liberty.
She was a graduate of Liberty High School, Boston University and the University of Pennsyvania,
In a family statement, it was said, "She was truly loved by everyone and will be greatly missed by all."
Mrs. Hormadaly is survived by her husband, Jacob Hormadaly, at home; her step-mother, Dorothy Shapiro of Liberty; two sons, David and Yonaton, and a daughter, Maya, all of Israel; a sister and brother-in-law, Laura Shapiro and Donald Wilen of New Paltz; and a large extended family of relatives living in the United States and Israel.
Services and burial were held in Omer, Israel on Sunday.