Elsie Dora Rhoda Pugsley Hultslander of Bloomingburg, an English and Latin teacher who retired in 1973 after teaching 18 years in Middletown and a former longtime correspondent for the Sullivan County Democrat, died Wednesday, June 2, 2004 at the Horton campus of the Orange Regional Medical Center in Middletown. She was 91 years of age.
The daughter of the late Herbert and Dora Amber Pugsley, she was born January 13, 1913, in the Southampton Hospital in Long Island. She was the widow of Charles Hultslander. Her parents came from England.
Mrs. Hultslander was valedictorian of the Southampton High School Class of 1931. She attended State College for Teachers (now SUNY Albany), earning a Bachelor's degree and did graduate work towards a Master's degree at NYU and New Paltz College. She was also on the National Council of English Teachers. Mrs. Hultslander taught in Bloomingburg for five years before going to the Middletown School District.
A longtime correspondent also for the Citizen Herald newspaper in Walden, Mrs. Hultslander was a contributor to the book, "The Community Church of Bloomingburg and the Bloomingburg Community." She also assisted Joseph Lloyd with his book, "Bloomingburg Memories."
Mrs. Hultslander was a life member and co-founder of the Bloomingburgh Restoration Foundation and served as its president three times. She was also a member of the Community Church of Bloomingburg, the Bloomingburg Grange, the Republican Club of the Town of Mamakating and a charter member of the Ladies Auxiliary to the Bloomingburg Fire Co. She was a former member of the Women's University Club and St. John's Episcopal Church in Southampton. A member of the Audubon Society, Mrs. Hultslander brought up and counted birds for them.
She is survived by a sister, Marjorie P. Morse of Needham, Mass.; a daughter, Phyllis DelSanto of Fair Oaks; a son and daughter-in-law, William J. and Cheryl Hultslander of Bloomingburg; two granddaughters, Cindy Stephenson of Wurtsboro and Greta Crank and her husband, Chris, of Ashland, Kty.; two grandsons and their wives, Brian and Nicole Hultslander and Kevin and Gina Hultslander, all of Bloomingburg; six great-grandchildren, Tonya and Justin Wishart of Wurtsboro, William and Brianna Hultslander of Bloomingburg and Aaron and Abbie Crank of Ashland, Kty.
Friends may call at the VanInwegen-Kenny Funeral Home, 111 Sullivan Street, Wurtsboro, on Friday from 2-4 and 7-9 p.m.
Services will be held at the Community Church of Bloomingburg on Saturday at 2 p.m.
Memorial contributions may be made to the Community Church of Bloomingburg or to the Bloomingburgh Restoration Foundation, both at Bloomingburg, N.Y. 12721.

Wallace Williams of Monticello, a retired pipe fitter for various construction companies in South Fallsburg and a longtime area resident, died Tuesday, May 18, 2004, at the Sullivan County Adult Care Center in Liberty. He was 91 years of age.
The son of the late George and Amanda Williams, he was born August 7, 1912, in Steelton, Pa.
In his earlier years, Mr. Williams worked for the Turnpike Commission in Pennsylvania. He also helped his sister, Mattie Williams, establish the former Mattie's Bar and Restaurant in South Fallsburg.
In a family statement, it was said, "The family would like to thank all of you for your prayers and support in their time of bereavement."
Mr. Williams is survived by his companion, Blanche Woodard of Monticello; a niece, Irene Barbee of Somerset, N.J.; and two cousins, Jane Lott of Steelton, Pa., and Cynthia Clory of Harrisburg, Pa. He was predeceased by his sister, Mattie Williams.
Cremation was held at the Cedar Hill Crematory in Middle Hope.
Burial of the cremains was made on Wednesday at the Sullivan County Veterans Cemetery.
Funeral arrangements were made by Ramsay's Funeral Home in Liberty.

A Memorial Service for William Heins, former resident of Monticello, will be held on Saturday at 2 p.m. at the Montoza Cemetery in Eldred.
Funeral arrangements were made by the Ramsay's Funeral Home in Monticello.

Leslie M. Keeler of Roscoe, a bus driver for the Villa Roma Country Club and Hotel in Callicoon and a longtime area resident, died Friday, May 28, 2004, at the Wilson Memorial Hospital in Johnson City. He was 83 years of age.
The son of the late Orville and Ada Moshier Keeler, he was born October 14, 1920, in Schenevus.
A World War II veteran of the U.S. Army, he was a member of the Emmet Turner American Legion Post No. 276 in Jeffersonville. Mr. Keeler was an avid Mets fan and he could be seen at many of the Jeff-Youngsville/Sullivan West sports activities.
He is survived by a daughter, Janet R. Siano of Monticello; two sisters, Betty Ackerley and her husband, Ed, of Walton, and Ruth Quinlass of Roscoe; two brothers and sisters-in-law, O. Edward and Fran Keeler of Middletown and Donald and Ronnie Keeler of Youngsville; two grandchildren, Edmund Puerschner and his wife, Janet, of Jeffersonville, and Jenay Puerschner and her companion, Vinny Campbell, of Brooklyn; two great-grandsons, Kevin and Nile Puerschner; several nieces and nephews; and his former wife, G. Ruth Griffin of Jeffersonville. He was predeceased by a brother, George Keeler.
Services were held Tuesday at the Harris Funeral Home in Roscoe.
Burial was made in the Sullivan County Veterans Cemetery in Liberty.
Memorial contributions may be made to the Make-a-Wish Foundation, c/o Jeff Bank, P.O. Box 59, Monticello, N.Y. 12701.

Pvt. Steven M. Sochinski of Parksville, a heavy equipment operator in the U.S. Army and a lifelong area resident, died Friday, May 28, 2004, at the Lake Regional Hospital in Osage Beach, Mo. He was 25 years of age.
The son of Steve J. and Barbara Santoro Sochinski, he was born May 19, 1979, in Port Jervis.
He was a member of the Liberty Hose and Truck Co. #2.
In a family statement, it was said, "Steven had no acquaintances, just friends and a life of stories."
He is survived by his parents of Parksville; a sister and brother-in-law, Barbara and Chris Kelly of Liberty; a brother, Shawn Sochinski of Parksville; his maternal grandmother, Barbara Santoro of Middletown; his paternal grandmother, Vina Sochinski of Mexico Beach, Fla; seven aunts and uncles and their spouses, Diane and Lou Gaffney, Audrey and Robert Sochinski, Marie and Ronnie Sagessi, Donna and Wayne Biasi, Laura and Nick Santoro, Marina and Tom Santoro and Ange and Mike Santoro; a niece, Abigail Kelly; and several cousins.
A Mass of Christian Burial will be offered at 11:45 a.m. on Friday at St. Peter's Roman Catholic Church in Liberty with Monsignor Edward Straub officiating.
Burial with full military honors will be made in the Sullivan County Veterans Cemetery in Liberty.
Funeral arrangements were made by the Harris Funeral Home in Liberty.

Joseph I. Allegretta of Youngsville, a retired bricklayer with Union Local #5 in Poughkeepsie, died Monday, May 31, 2004, at the Seelig Division of the Catskill Regional Medical Center in Harris. He was 72 years of age.
The son of the late John and Lucy Martorano Allegretta, he was born April 19, 1932, in Corona.
Mr. Allegretta was a member of St. Francis and St. George's R.C. Church in Youngsville and Jeffersonville respectively. He was a Korean War veteran of the U. S. Army.
He is survived by his wife, Claire Gagnon Allegretta, at home; a son, Robert Allegretta of Youngsville; a daughter, Barbara Robinson of Jeffersonville; a brother; four sisters; seven grandchildren; two great-grandchildren; and several nieces and nephews.
A Funeral Mass will be offered at St. George's Church in Jeffersonville at 11 a.m. on Friday with Father Ignatius Vu officiating
Burial will be made in Calvary Cemetery in Youngsville.
Memorial contributions may be made to the family of Joseph Allegretta, P.O. Box 267, Youngsville, N.Y. 12791.
Funeral arrangements were made by the Stewart-Murphy Funeral Home in Jeffersonville.

Edward Platt Jr. of Middletown died Sunday, May 30, 2004, at his home. He was 51 years of age.
The son of Pauline Platt and the late Edward Platt Sr., he was born January 22, 1953, in Middletown.
He is survived by his mother of Middletown; two sisters and brothers-in-law, Laura and Joseph Morelli of Middletown and Joyce Della and Stephen Vedova of Cornwall-on-Hudson.
Services were held Wednesday followed by burial in Sylvan Cemetery in Wurtsboro, with the Rev. Robert Hoag officiating.
Memorial contributions may be made to Hospice of Orange County, 800 Stony Brook Court, Newburgh, N.Y. 12550
Funeral arrangements were made by the VanInwegen-Kenny Funeral Home in Wurtsboro.

Iris Donato of Phillipsport, a lifelong area resident and a homemaker, died Sunday, May 30, 2004, at the Albany Medical Center. She was 65 years of age.
The daughter of the late Roswell and Estella Lybolt Travis, she was born December 30, 1938, in Summitville.
Mrs. Donato is survived by a daughter and son-in-law, Robin and Gary Storms of Ellenville; four sons, James Travis and his companion, Martha, of Centreville, Ala., Richard Tremblay and his fiancée, Abbey Smith, of Wawarsing, Joseph Tremblay and his wife, Stacey, of Pensacola, Fa., and Mark Donato and his fiancée, Michelle Sims, of Denver, Colo.; a brother and sister-in-law, Gordon and Linda Travis of Oak Ridge; a sister and brother-in-law, Marie and Raymond Tremblay of Phillipsport; 10 grandchildren; a great-grandson; and several nieces, nephews, grand-nieces and grand-nephews.
A memorial service will be held at 2 p.m. on Saturday, June 12, at the Phillipsport United Methodist Church with Pastor Randy Yerks officiating.
Memorial contributions may be made to the Mamakating United Methodist Church, P.O. Box 138, Summitville, N.Y. 12781.

Joan A. McNamara of Smallwood, a homemaker, died Saturday, May 29, 2004, in Charlotte, N.C. She was 65 years of age.
The daughter of the late Carl and Anna Aeillo Adams, she was born February 3, 1939, in Brooklyn.
Mrs. McNamara is survived by a son, James E. McNamara, Jr. of Brooklyn; three daughters and sons-in-law, Debra and Bill DeVito of Fallsburg, Michele and Ralph Dalessandro of Charlotte, N.C., and Anne Marie and Lee Hummel of Mongaup Valley; and nine grandchildren.
Services were held Thursday at the Ramsay's Funeral Home in Kaun-eonga Lake with the Rev. Ivan Csete officiating.
Burial was made in Evergreen Cemetery in Bethel.

Betty J. Bowman of Bloomingburg, a homemaker and a lifelong area resident, died Sunday, May 30, 2004, at her home. She was 68 years of age.
The daughter of Dorothy Cutler and the late Clifford Cutler, she was born January 15, 1936, in Newburgh.
Mrs. Bowman is survived by her mother, of Walden; her companion, John Malecki of Bloomingburg; six sons, Stanley Conklin of North Carolina, Richard Conklin of New York State, George Conklin of Swan Lake, and Michael Conklin, Roger Conklin and Mark Conklin, all of Pennsylvania; six daughters, Betty Conklin, Dawn Ross, Jane Bryson, Sharon Conklin, all of Pennsylvania, Pamela Worden of Bloomingburg and Juanita Humphry of Wisconsin; two brothers, Thomas Cutler of New York State and Martin Cutler of Maryland; and several grandchildren, great-grandchildren, nieces and nephews. She was predeceased by two sons, Daniel Conklin and Clifford Conklin; and a sister, Georgette Dayton.
Services were held Wednesday evening at the Gridley-Horan Funeral Home in Walden.
Cremation was made at the Cedar Hill Crematory in Middle Hope.
Memorial contributions may be made to the American Lung Association, 35 Orchard St., White Plains, N.Y. 10603-9924.

Yetta Stein of Brooklyn, a former longtime resident of Monticello who operated the Delano Hotel with her parents for many years, died Saturday, May 29, 2004, at the Beth Israel Hospital in Brooklyn. She was 84 years of age.
The daughter of the late Abe and Della Schecht, she was born March 24, 1920, in Brooklyn.
Mrs Stein is survived by two daughters and sons-in-law, Madelyn and Alvin Schneider of Alpharetta, Ga., and Illene and Sam Zink of Marlton, N.J.; four grandchildren, Jay, Denise, Lindsay and Barri; six great-grandchildren, Jared, Alison, Jaclyn, Samantha, Sophie and Gabriella; and twelve nieces and nephews.
Graveside services and burial were held Tuesday at the Landfield Avenue Synagogue Cemetery in Monticello.
Funeral arrangements were made by the Joseph N. Garlick Funeral Home in Monticello.

Mannie Halbert of South Fallsburg, the founder and owner of the Raleigh Hotel in South Fallsburg since 1945, died Saturday, May 29, 2004. He was 91 years of age.
The son of the late Joseph and Lena Fuchs Haberstadt, he was born October 12, 1912, in Poland.
Mr. Halbert was a World War II veteran and received a Bronze Star for his bravery. He was a member of the Friar's Club and founder and honorary trustee of the Chemotherapy Foundation.
In a family statement, it was said, "He was truly a giant in the hotel industry and as such survived many hotels. His generosity and fraternal affiliations, along with his wit and great sense of humor, have made him a legend. . . The employees of the Raleigh Hotel and over 800 guests at the Raleigh this weekend are mourning Mr. Halbert's passing and will miss him dearly. He was greatly loved by all."
He is survived by two daughters and sons-in-law, Ellin and Stuart West and Laurie and Louis Landon; and three grandchildren, Natalie, Skye and Brooke.
Services were held Tuesday at the Joseph N. Garlick Funeral Home in Monticello with Rabbi's Irving Goodman and Isaac Gottlieb officiating.
Burial was made in Cedar Park Cemetery in Paramus, N.J.
Memorial contributions may be made to the Chemotherapy Foundation, 183 Madison Ave., New York, N.Y. 10016.

Johemi Martinez Diaz, infant daughter of Jesus M. Diaz and Flora Luz Martinez, died Friday, May 28, 2004, at the Westchester Medical Center in Valhalla, where she was born that day.
She is survived by her parents, at home; her maternal grandfather, Jose M. Martinez and his wife, Sarah, of Monticello; her maternal grandmother, Neftali Pomales of Woodridge; her maternal great-grandmother, Luz Resto of Liberty; her paternal grandparents, Felix and Maria Diaz of Woodridge; and several aunts, uncles and cousins.
Services were held Sunday at the Colonial Memorial Funeral Home in Woodbourne with the Rev. Rafale Gonzalez, of Primera Iglesia De Dios Church in Liberty, officiating.
Interment was made in the Rock Ridge Cemetery in Monticello.

Bertha Tepper, a two-year resident of Las Vegas, Nev., a 17-year participant in the Foster Grandparents Program and a former resident of Liberty, died Wednesday, May 26, 2004, in Las Vegas after a short illness. She was 88 years of age.
Born in the Bronx, she resided in Kerhonkson before relocating to Liberty in 1983. She was the widow of Irving Tepper.
Mrs. Tepper spent many years in the hospitality industry in the Catskill Mountains before retiring in 1981.
She was a life member of Hadassah,; a longtime member of Congregation Teferet Yehudah V'Yisrael Synagogue in Kerhonkson, and a very active participant in activities at the Golden Park Apartments in Liberty.
In a family statement, it was said, "She had a lifelong impact on many children. She was a devoted mother and grandmother who dedicated her life to helping and caring for family, friends and neighbors. She was known for her positive attitude and generosity."
Mrs. Tepper is survived by a daughter and son-in-law, Sandra and Jack Callaghan of Las Vegas, Nev.; a son and daughter-in-law, Allen and Barbara Tepper of Wayne, N.Y.; a son-in-law, Sheldon Goldstein of Port St. Lucie, Fla.; five grandchildren, Marcy Horowitz, Jason Schwartz, Jessica Goldstein, and Michael and Robert Tepper; two great-grandchildren, Logan Hefferman and Jordan Horowitz and many nieces and nephews. She was predeceased by a daughter, Judith Goldstein.
No information was provided as to services and burial.
Memorial contributions may be made to Congregation Teferet Yehudah V'Yisrael, 26 Minnewaska Trail, P.O. Box 587, Kerhonkson, N.Y. 12446.

James W. Greene of Monticello, a retired construction worker and former resident of White Plains, died Friday, May 28, 2004, at the Seelig Division of the Catskill Regional Medical Center in Harris. He was 81 years of age.
The son of the late Conway Sr. and Mary Nixon Greene, he was born February 24, 1923, in Clifton Falls, Va.
Serving as a staff sergeant in the U.S . Army during World War II, Mr. Greene was a member of the American Legion.
He is survived by his wife of 61 years, Ellois J. Dailey Greene, at home; three sons, Michael Session Greene of Clinton, Md., Kenneth Hughes Greene of the Bronx, and Terry Santos Greene of Mt. Kisco; two daughters, Gayle Greene of Mt. Olive, N.C., and Barbara Santos of Willimantic, Conn.; a brother, Conway Greene Jr. of Monticello; a sister, Mabel Greene Hill of White Plains; eight grandchildren; eight great-grandchildren; and several nieces and nephews.
Services were held Wednesday at the VanInwegen-Kenny Funeral Home in Monticello.
Burial was made in the Kensico Cemetery in Valhalla.

Roberta Molusky Bobst of Orlando, Fla., a homemaker and a former resident of Callicoon, died Monday, May 31, 2004, in Florida. She was 88 years of age.
The daughter of the late George and Clara Sparling Molusky, she was born in Callicoon.
She was a graduate of Callicoon High School.
Mrs. Bobst is survived by her husband, Dale Bobst, at home; three sons, Robert, Michael and Thomas, all of the state of Florida; two brothers and sisters-in-law, George and Irene Molusky of Naples, Fla., and Donald and Jean Molusky of Callicoon; and several nieces and nephews. She was predeceased by three brothers, Carl F., Robert and Vernon Molusky, and a sister, Adelaide Crockett. She was predeceased by her first husband, Edmund Hoffmann.
Services and burial were held in Florida on Thursday.

Susan Carey Johnson of Orlando, Fla., a former resident of Bloomingburg, died Monday, May 31, 2004, in Orlando, Fla. She was 92 years of age.
The daughter of the late Fred Evans and Grace Caveney Wood, she was born November 21, 1911, in New York City. She was the widow of Earnest J. Johnson who died May 15, 1986.
Mrs. Johnson was a member and past president of the Bloomingburg Fire Co. Ladies Auxiliary, a member of the Bloomingburg United Methodist Church and the Orlando (Fla.) United Methodist Church.
In a family statement, it was said, "She will be dearly missed by many."
She is survived by a brother, John Wood of the Bronx; a sister, Grace Marburger of Kingston; four sons and three daughters-in-law, George M. and Julia Johnson, Frank F. and Linda Johnson and Russell E. Johnson, all of Bloomingburg, and Benjamin B. and Judy Johnson of Kissimmee, Fla.; 14 grandchildren; 29 great-grandchildren; and several nieces and nephews. She was predeceased by a brother, Fred Wood; a sister, Pat Gallagher, two daughters-in-law, Kathleen A. Johnson and Elizabeth Johnson; and a foster son, Wayne M. Arnold.
Friends may call at the VanInwegen-Kenny Funeral Home, 111 Sullivan St., Wurtsboro, on Friday from 7 to 9 p.m.
Services will be held at the funeral home at 10 a.m. on Saturday with the Rev. Betty Beach officiating.
Burial will be made in the Bloomingburg Rural Cemetery.
Memorial contributions may be made to the Ladies Auxiliary of the Bloomingburg Fire Co., P.O. Box 192, Bloomingburg, N.Y. 12721.

Anne Goldfarb Laven of Aventura, Fla., a retired puppeteer, died Wednesday, May 26 at the Aventura Hospital. She was 88 years of age.
The daughter of the late Reuben and Eva Masters Goldfarb, she was born February 1, 1916, in New York City. She was the widow of Paul Laven who died in 2001 after 51 years of marriage.
Mrs. Laven was a former resident of Manhasset and Merrick, L.I., and Woodridge.
She worked as an actress, writer, dancer and puppeteer and was committed to using the arts as a vehicle for social change. In the 1930s, she participated in New York City's Theater of Action and other progressive theater groups that presented plays concerned about workers' rights, racism, anti-Semitism and other social justice issues. Performing under the stage name of Anne Gold, she was recently interviewed for a documentary film about left-wing theater. Her first husband, Al Saxe, was well-known in Broadway and off-Broadway theater.
Mrs. Laven studied Hindu dance with Nala Najan and performed frequently under her adopted Indian name of Amitra. She wrote and performed puppet shows, primarily for children in public schools and Catskill Mountain resorts, frequently collaborating with her daughter, Cora, and her second husband, Paul Laven. She featured puppetry during her work as a counselor at the Miss Ingalls creative arts camp. Her writings included short stories, poetry and plays, some of which were published.
She enjoyed exploring Eastern religion and philosophy as well as human potential movements including Silva Mind Control. She had been a member of Mensa. An avid Socialist in her youth, her views evolved over the years and she became a strong supporter of the Democratic Party, being especially enthusiastic about Bill and Hillary Clinton.
Mrs. Laven is survived by a daughter, Cora McKie of Ipswich, England; a brother, Leon Goldfarb of McFarland, Wisc.; and many nieces, nephews and cousins.
There were no services. Following cremation, her ashes will be scattered by The Neptune Society.

Francis S. "Frank" Sheridan, a longtime summer resident of the Basket in Long Eddy, died Wednesday, May 5, 2004, doing what he had a passion for, fighting for the wood industry. He was 66 years of age.
Born in the Bronx in 1937, he lived and worked his entire life in the New York City metropolitan area.
Mr. Sheridan was a lifelong advocate for the wood products industry. He believed sustainable forestry was a key component to creating wealth in developing countries. He founded Afrasian Woods, Inc., with Bob Gross of Gross Veneer Sales, in 1979. Prior to Afrasian Woods, Mr. Sheridan was a sales manager for A.J. Monnin Co.
He was elected president of International Wood Products Association (IWPA) in 1993 and served as chairman of CURE, the public outreach and education committee of IWPA. More recently, he served as chairman of the Government Affairs Committee. He represented IWPA and served as an official U.S. Government representative at many international forums, being recognized as a fair, but tenacious negotiator.
A prominent figure in the imported plywood products industry, Mr. Sheridan received IWPA's highest honor, the Distinguished Service Award in 2000, in appreciation of his tireless efforts and dedication to the Association and the industry.
Mr. Sheridan's humanitarian efforts were recognized by the conservation community. Dr. Jane Goodall, founder of the Jane Goodall Institute, hailed him at a 2003 U.S. State Department event commemorating Earth Day as instrumental in creating initiatives and forging partnerships to conserve tropical forests.
He served on the Board of Directors for the Hardwood Plywood and Veneer Association, where he played a leadership role. He served as chairman of the Hardwood Forestry Fund (HFF) Nominating Committee, helping to diversify the HFF Board to include representation from many segments of the forest products industry. He also served on the Tropical Forestry Foundation and was an active and outspoken member of the HFF Project Review Committee, identifying and selecting quality hardwood planting projects with strong educational opportunities. Mr. Sheridan was also a former president of Alley Pond Apartments Cooperative Association. Early in his life, he was an active member of the Republican Club and had served in the U.S. National Guard.
In a family statement, it was said, "Frank leaves a vast network of friends and associates. He developed many close and lasting relationships with foreign dignitaries, industry leaders and government officials."
He is survived by his wife, Beth Sheridan, at home; four children, Brian, Linda, Barbara and Sam; three step-children, Raymond, James and Lisa; seven grandchildren, Taylor, Savanna, Serene, Cody, Veronica, Madeline, Ellie and the new edition, Chloe.
No information was provided pertaining to services and burial.

John Stephen "Steve" Witzeman, a 3 1/2-year resident of Hidden Lake Estates in Hawley, Pa., a summer resident of Lake Anawanda for 15 years, and a former resident of Rivervale, N.J., and Stoney Point, died Tuesday, June 1, at his home, following an illness. He was 62 years of age.
The son of John L. Witzeman and the late May Harrington Witzeman, he was born in Manhattan.
A graduate of Rutgers University, he was a packaging engineer of food for Kraft/General Foods, retiring in 1996.
Mr. Witzeman is survived by his wife of 40 years, Florence R. DiBerardino Witzeman, at home; three daughters, Donna Witzeman of Los Angeles, Calif., Debra Thorner of Highlands, N.J., and Denise Witzeman-Mecionis of New York City; his father, of Walden; and a sister, Charlotte Daily of Walden.
No information was provided as to services and place of burial.
Memorial contributions may be made to the American Cancer Society, Wayne Unit, 627 Main St., Honesdale, Pa. 18431.