Gertrude Eva Schmidt, a 33-year resident of New Windsor and a retired registered nurse, died Sunday, November 6, 2004, after a brief illness. She was 72 years of age.
The daughter of the late Dr. Anthony and Gertrude Ferrara, she was born August 5, 1932, in Brooklyn
Mrs. Schmidt was a graduate of the Jeffersonville Central School. She received her RN degree from Binghamton City Hospital.
She was a leader of the Golden Songsters, a senior singing group in the Town of Newburgh, and a member of St. Joseph's Church in New Windsor.
Mrs. Schmidt is survived by her husband, Vincent J. Schmidt of New Windsor; two sons, Vincent and his wife, Mary Schmidt, of Rochester Hills, Minn., and Daniel Schmidt of Cheektowaga; two daughters and sons-in-law, Christine and Peter Laskaris of Middletown and Sharon and Mark Degraff of Lompoe, Calif.; a grandson, Christopher Laskaris of Middletown; a brother, Anthony Ferrara of Valley Stream; and two nieces, Frances Hoskin of Hollywood, Fla., and Terry Veinburg of West Palm Beach, Fla. She was predeceased by a daughter, Kathleen Schmidt.
Friends may call at the Doulin Newburgh Funeral Home on Tuesday from 2-4 and 6-8 p.m.
A Mass of Christian Burial will be offered at 11 a.m. on Wednesday at St. Joseph's Church in New Windsor.
Cremation will be private.
Memorial contributions may be made to The American Cancer Society, 1500 Clifton Rd. N.E., Atlanta, Ga. 30329.

John R. Benton of Liberty, a retired union plasterer with NJ BAC and a lifelong area resident, died suddenly on Friday, November 5, 2004. He was 73 years of age.
The son of the late Ichabod and Edith Bruno Benton, he was born August 19, 1931, in Liberty.
He is survived by his wife of 18 years, Carol Torrens Benton, at home; two sons, John . Jr. and his wife, Nina Benton of Chatham, N.J., and Michael Castenaro of New York City; a daughter and son-in-law, Stephanie and Stephen Szatkowski of Metuchen, N.J.; two brothers, Richard Benton and Robert "Bear" Benton and his wife, Sherri, and two sisters, Brenda Benton and Deborah Benton, all of Liberty; four grandchildren, Emily and Sara Benton and Matthew and Nicholas Szatkowski; and several nieces and nephews. He was predeceased by a brother, Arthur Benton, a sister, Marie Shorten, and two step-sons, Marc and Joseph Casternaro.
Services will be held at 10 a.m. on Tuesday at the Ramsay's Funeral Home, 275 S. Main St., Liberty with the Rev. Bridgette LeConey officiating.
Burial will be made in the family plot in the Laurel Hill Cemetery in White Sulphur Springs.
Memorial contributions may be made to the White Sulphur Springs Fire Dept., P.O. Box 85, White Sulphur Springs, N.Y 12787.

Madelyn R. Heath Caskey of Boca Raton, Fla., a former resident of Harrisburg, Pa., and a retired teacher, having taught in the Monticello School System for 20 years, died Saturday, October, 30, 2004. She was 98 years of age.
She was the widow of Charles J. Heath and Kenneth H. Caskey.
Mrs. Caskey graduated from Monticello High School and Cornell University. She was a charter member of the Monticello Women's Club and was a commissioner of Girl Scouts.
She is survived by a daughter, Kathryn "Kay" Murphy of Boca Raton, Fla.; two granddaughters and their husbands, Tara Murphy Haller and Steve of Patchoque, and Deirdre Zoeters Murphy and Mark; two great-grandchildlren, Madelyn and Ryan Zoeters of Abcoudel The Netherlands; two nieces, Carol Leitao and Lois Myrisk; and a nephew, H. Bruce Reynolds. She was predeceased by a brother, Harold A. Reynolds and a grandson, Sean Charles Murphy.
A memorial service will be held at 11 a.m. on Wednesday, December 1, at the VanInwegen-Kenny funeral Home in Monticello.
Memorial contributions may be made to the Patients Activities Fund at The Fountains Nursing Home, 3800 North Federal Highway, Boca Raton, Fla. 33431; or to the charity of one's choice.

Katharine P. Gillis, an eight-year resident of Youngsville, a former resident of Hillsdale, N.J., and a retired seamstress, died Saturday, November 6, 2004, in Youngsville. She was 101 years of age.
The daughter of the late Joseph and Mary Kayna Schultz, she was born September 9, 1903, in Park Ridge, N.J. She was the widow of John Gillis.
Mrs. Gillis is survived by a sister, Anna Schramm of Hillsdale, N.J.; a son and daughter-in-law, Fred and Lorraine Gillis of Hillsdale, N.J.; a daughter, Ethel Meyerer of Youngsville; four grandchildren; 11 great-grandchildren; 10 great-great-grandchildren; and several nieces and nephews.
There was no visitation.
Burial was made in St. Andrew's Cemetery in Rivervale, N.J.
Memorial contributions may be made to the charity of one's choice.
Funeral arrangements were made by the Stewart-Murphy Funeral Home in Jeffesonville.