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  OBITUARY ARCHIVES Established 1891 Callicoon, New York  
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December 20, 2005

Nora Vandermark, 62
Ret. Sewing Mach. Oper.

Nora M. Vandermark of Port Jervis, a lifelong area resident and a retired sewing machine operator for Jo-Jo’s Manufacturing in Port Jervis, died Friday, December 16, 2005 at Bon Secours Community Hospital. She was 62 years of age.
The daughter of the late Mr. & Mrs. William James, she was born February 14, 1943 in Long Eddy. She was the widow of Joseph E. Vandermark Jr. who died June 16, 2004.
She was a member of the Zephyr Antique Car Club and the Orange County Harley Owners Club.
She is survived by a son, Joseph E. Vandermark III and his wife, Alice, of Port Jervis; a daughter and son-in-law, Penny and Walter McGaw of Colorado Spring, Colo.; a brother, Robert “Billy” James; two sisters, Barbara Dugan of the state of Florida, and Mildred Olden of Port Jervis; a sister-in-law, Debbie James of Sparrowbush; six grandchildren, Walter Jr., Brittany, Randy, Allyson, Heather and Carrie; and several nieces and nephews. She was predeceased by two brothers, Ted and Elmer James, and four sisters, Isabelle Ward, Marie Gray, Mable Strong, and Beatrice Jennings.
Funeral services were held Monday at the Gray-Parker Funeral Home in Port Jervis with Rev. Joseph Iannone officiating.
Cremation was made in the H.G. Smith Crematory in Stroudsburg, Pa.
Memorial contributions may be made to the Port Jervis Volunteer Ambulance Corps, P.O. Box 133, Port Jervis, NY 12771-0133.

Mason A. Rosello
Student, 17

Mason Aaron Rosello of Long Eddy, a senior at Sullivan West High School and a lifelong area resident, died Friday, December 16, 2005 in Callicoon. He was 17 years of age.
The son of John and Anna Marie Andersen Rosello, he was born October 14, 1988 in the Children’s Hospital in Buffalo.
He was a member of the Sullivan West Central School’s chapter of the National Honor Society, the senior high chorus and men’s choir, drama club, SCIL and Countdown. He was also a member of the Catskill Clovers 4-H Club and was an avid hunter and outdoorsman.
He is survived by his parents, and his twin brother, J.P. Rosello, at home; his maternal grandparents Irene and August Andersen of Long Eddy; his paternal grandparents Cecilia and Ralph Rosello of Silver Springs, Md.; several aunts and uncles, Peter and Patti Andersen of Long Eddy, Amy and Maurice Kelsey of Canastota, and Ralph Rosello of Silver Springs, Md.; cousins Jenny and Jon Mills, Julie Kelsey, Justine Kelsey, Jason Kelsey, and Megan Andersen.
Friends may call Tuesday from 2-4 p.m. and 7-9 p.m. at the Stewart-Murphy Funeral Home in Callicoon.
Funeral services will be at 10 a.m. Wednesday at the Holy Cross Church, Route 97, in Callicoon with Father Ignatius Smith, O.F.M. officiating.
Burial will be made in Rock Valley Cemetery in Long Eddy.
Memorial contributions may be made to the Delaware County Cornell Cooperative Extension’s 4-H Youth Program, Hamden, NY 13782.

Milton Leibowitz, 84

Milton Leibowitz of Pitcher, formerly of Mountaindale and Liberty, died Saturday, December 10, 2005 at his home. He was 84 years of age.
He was born January 31, 1921. He was the widower of Minnie Liebowitz, to whom he was married 28 years.
He was a veteran of the U.S. Army Air Corps, serving with honors during World War II.
In a family statement, it was said, “He will be forever missed and always in our hearts.”
He is survived by his children, Louis of Woodridge, Allen and his wife, Debby, of Mountaindale, Steven of Brooklyn and Pitcher, Gail-Debbie and her husband, Robert, of Brooklyn, Rachelle of Long Island, Barbara of Virginia, Elizabeth of Florida, Isidore-Terry and his wife, Mary Christine of S. Carolina, Iris and her husband, Cory, of Las Vegas, Nev., Nathan of Livingston Manor, and Max and his wife, Cathy, of Ferndale; a brother, Barnard; a sister, Molly; several nephews; 18 grandchildren; and 12 great-grandchildren.
Burial was made in Montefiore Cemetery on Long Island.
Funeral arrangements were made by Weinstein-Garlick-Kirschenbaum Chapels of Brooklyn.

Laverne Sarah Call
Homemaker, 56

Laverne Sarah Call of Liberty died Tuesday, December 13, 2005 at Catskill Regional Medical Center. She was 56 years of age.
She was the daughter of the late Wilfred and Caroline Palmer Call.
She is survived by a son and daughter-in-law, William G. and Marybeth McCann Hoyle; two daughters, Jennifer L. Hoyle and her fiancé, Christopher Carroll, and Denise F. Solta and her husband, Charbel S. Solta; a brother, Wilfred Call of Stony Point; four sisters and two brothers-in-law, Carolyn and John Meyer of Middletown, Shirley Youmans, Gladys and Arthur Parker, and Harriet “Jane” Valentine, all of Stony Point; grandchildren Steven and Harley of Liberty; and several nieces and nephews. She was predeceased by sisters Regina Call, Grace Tibbetts, Louraine Call, Sheila Conklin, and a brother, Jacob Call.
In a family statement, it was said, “Special thanks to the Liberty Volunteer Ambulance Corps.”
Funeral services were held Friday at Higgins Funeral Home, Route 9W, Stony Point.
Burial was made in the Brick Church Cemetery in New Hempstead.

Marian Stewart, 93
Ret. Cafeteria Wkr.

Marian Stewart of Gerry, formerly of Liberty, died Tuesday, December 13, 2005 at the Heritage Village Health Care Center in Gerry. She was 93 years of age.
The daughter of the late Wesley and Edith Lewallen Laning, she was born August 13, 1912 in Woodlynne, N.J. She was the widow of George V. Hutchinson and Kenneth L. Stewart.
She was a 1932 graduate of Windham Ashland Jewett Central School, and was employed as a file clerk by Globe, Royal, Eagle Insurance Co. of NYC. She also worked in the cashier’s department of Montgomery Ward in Kingston, and as a cafeteria worker at Liberty Central School.
She is survived by a son, George V. Hutchinson of Gowanda; two grandchildren, Brian Hutchinson of Freeville, and Brenda Dysinger of Thornton, Colo.; six great-grandchildren; a stepdaughter, Janet Snyder of Rock Hill, S.C.; two stepsons, Larry Stewart of Catskill, and Kenneth Stewart of Maplecrest; 17 stepgrandchildren; and numerous stepgreat-grandchildren. She was predeceased by a sister, Ruth House, and a brother, Paul Laning.
Graveside services were held Monday in the Liberty Cemetery.
Funeral arrangements were made by the Jordan Funeral Home in Sinclairville.

Patricia Krom Comfort
Frmr. Bus Driver, 59

Patricia Ann Krom Comfort of North Port, Fla., formerly of Grahamsville and a former bus driver for Ellenville Central School and Rondout Valley School Districts, died Wednesday, December 14, 2005 at her home. She was 59 years of age.
The daughter of the late Floyd and Doris H. Potter Krom, she was born September 27, 1946 in Ellenville.
She is survived by her longtime companion, Allan Clearwater, at home; a daughter and son-in-law, Christina and Kenneth Jones of Raleigh, N.C.; two sons and daughters-in-law, Richard Patrick and Monique Comfort of Long Beach, Calif., and Michael and Mary Comfort of North Port, Fla.; three brothers, Floyd Krom Jr. and his wife, Arlene, of Stamford, Conn., Peter Krom of Baltimore, Md., and Paul Krom of Napanoch; nine grandchildren, Ryan, Jason, and Daniel Penfield, Amanda, Kennedy, Michael Jr. and Megan Comfort, Jay-Joshua and Neil Wisniewski; several nieces, nephews, grandnieces and grandnephews. She was predeceased by a son, Richard Wayne Comfort; a sister, Donna Davis; and a brother, Robert Allen Krom.
Funeral services will be at 10 a.m. on Tuesday at the Loucks Funeral Home, 79 N. Main Street, Ellenville with Rev. Jay Vogelaar officiating.
Burial will be made in the Pine Bush Cemetery in Kerhonkson.
Memorial contributions may be made to the American Cancer Society, 95 Schwenk Dr., Kingston, NY 12401.

Sharon Von Kampen
Homemaker, 69

Sharon Y. Von Kampen of Ferndale, a lifelong area resident, died Wednesday, December 14, 2005 at the Seelig Division of Catskill Regional Medical Center in Harris. She was 69 years of age.
The daughter of the late John D. and Mabel O’Dell White, she was born February 14, 1936 in White Sulphur Springs.
She was a member of the Ladies Auxiliary of the Clarence Hoyt VFW Post #9217 in Liberty, and a volunteer for the Sullivan County Advocates for Mental Health.
She is survived by her husband, Victor, at home; a daughter and son-in-law, Terry and Gregory Breithaupt of Seattle, Wash.; four grandsons, Haven, Owen, Mason, and Warren; and several nieces and nephews.
She was predeceased by a son, William, in 1971, and a sister, Joan Huggler.
Funeral services were held Monday at the Harris Funeral Home, West St. at Buckley, in Liberty with Rev. David McCarthy officiating.
Burial was made in the East Branch Cemetery in East Branch.

Pauline Ashley, 91
Ret. Line Worker

Pauline V. Ashley of Summitville, a lifelong resident and a former assembly line worker for Mack Brothers of Goshen, died Friday, December 16, 2005 at Catskill Regional Medical Center. She was 91 years of age.
The daughter of Henry and Kathryn Kram Volker, she was born May 16, 1914 in Little York. She was the widow of Herbert Ashley, who died October 15, 1989.
She was a member of the Summitville United Methodist Church and the Summitville Fire Company Ladies Auxiliary.
She is survived by a daughter, Beverley Francois of Summitville; a daughter-in-law, Joyce Ashley of Highland Lake; seven grandchildren; 18 great-grandchildren; and several nieces and nephews. She was predeceased by a son, Kenneth, and a sister, Emily.
Funeral services were held Monday at the Loucks Funeral Home in Ellenville with Rev. Randy Yerkes officiating.
Burial was made in the Poplar Grove Cemetery in Phillipsport.
Memorial contributions may be made to the Summitville Fire Company Ladies Auxiliary, or the Mamakating United Methodist Church.

Harold A. Mall
Retired Farmer, 81

Harold Augustus Mall of Jeffersonville, a retired farmer and a lifelong area resident, died Friday, December 16, 2005 at the Seelig Division of Catskill Regional Medical Center in Harris. He was 81 years of age.
The son of Louis H. and Lillian Tillman Mall, he was born April 12, 1924 in Jeffersonville.
He is survived by a niece, Donna Forsblom of Hankins; four nephews, Richard Mall, Tom Mall, and Lee Mall, all of Jeffersonville, and Gary Mall of Callicoon Center; and many grand-nieces and nephews. He was predeceased by three brothers, Louis J. Mall, Warren W. Mall, and Edward V. Mall.
Funeral services were held Monday at the Stewart-Murphy Funeral Home in Jeffersonville.
Burial was made in the Jeffersonville Methodist Cemetery in Jeffersonville.
Memorial contributions may be made to the Jeffersonville Volunteer First Aid Squad, P.O. Box 396, Jeffersonville, NY 12748.

Arthur Richter, 84
Ret’d. Foreman

Arthur “Art” Richter of Middletown, a retired drill and blast foreman for U.S. Steel in the Mesabi Iron Range, Minn., died Friday, December 16, 2005 at the Horton campus of Orange Regional Medical Center in Middletown. He was 84 years of age.
The son of Arthur and Julia Garrison Richter, he was born June 11, 1921 in Saugerties.
In a family statement, it was said, “Arthur was loved by all who knew him. In his youth, Art was an avid baseball player and loved playing hockey. Arthur served in the Army during World War II as an MP, and was awarded a medal for his sharpshooting skills. We will miss Art’s sense of humor and wit.”
He is survived by two sons and daughters-in-law, Arthur Alex and Maryann Richter of Eveleth, Minn., and Brett and Susan Richter of Wurtsboro; two daughters and a son-in-law, Maxx and Bart Lucido of Middletown, and Wendy Karkheck of East Durham; three sisters, Joyce Richter of Saugerties, Frances Van Buren of Port Ewen, and Virginia MacDowell of Albany; five grandchildren; one great-grandson; and several nieces and nephews.
A graveside service will be held today at 3 p.m. in the Wallkill Cemetery.
Memorial contributions may be made to the American Cancer Society, 419 East Main St., Suite 307B, Middletown, NY 10940.
Arrangements were made by the Donovan Funeral Home in Goshen.

Ferne M. Payne
Homemaker, 81

Ferne M. Payne of Wurtsboro, a homemaker and lifelong resident, died Saturday, December 17, 2005 at home. She was 81 years of age.
The daughter of William and Sarah Mae Reynolds Strickland, she was born March 4, 1924 in Plattekill. She was the widow of Clyde Payne.
She is survived by a son, Donald Williams and his wife, Kathy, of Rapid City, S.D.; three daughters, Betty Distel and her husband, Butch, of Napanoch, Carol Knapp and her companion, Fred Yerkes, of Wawarsing, and Joan Lewis and her husband, Donald, of Ellenville; a sister, Arbutus Ackerman of Plattekill; 14 grandchildren; 20 great-grandchildren; a great-great-grandson; and several nieces and nephews. She was predeceased by two daughters, Norma Shamro, and Gloria Buckler, and a granddaughter, Betty Jean Wood.
Cremation will be made at the convenience of the family.
Memorial contributions may be made to the Summitville Fire Company, Summitville, NY 12781 or to the Wurtsboro First Aid Squad, P.O. Box 525, Wurtsboro, NY 12790.
Arrangements were made by the Loucks Funeral Home Inc. of Ellenville.

Helen Speckhardt, 93
Ret. Bungalow Mgr.

Helen Speckhardt of South Fallsburg, former co-proprietor of the Speckhardt Bungalow Colony, died Monday, December 12, 2005 at her home. She was 93 years of age.
The daughter of Samuel and Anastasia Monchinuk Loiko, she was born February 28, 1912 in Russia.
She moved from Russia to Sullivan County when she was a young girl. She then met and married Henry Speckhardt on April 4, 1940. They became the proprietors of the Speckhardt Bungalow Colony, and she operated the colony herself until the summer of 1994.
She is survived by a son and daughter-in-law, Henry and Loretta Speckhardt of South Fallsburg; a daughter and son-in-law, Claudia and Eddie Wallace of Highland; four grandchildren, Henry John, Michael, Laurelee, and Henry; and three great-grandchildren, Ashley, Amanda, and Henry III.
Funeral services will be held at 10 a.m. on Tuesday at the Colonial Memorial Funeral Home, 396 State Route 52, Woodbourne with Rev. Joan LaLiberté officiating.
Burial will be made in the Luna Organization Cemetery in Rock Hill.
Memorial contributions may be made to Hospice of Orange and Sullivan Counties, 800 Stony Brook Court, Newburgh, NY 12550.

Shirley Gilbert, 92
Owned Camp Kennybrook

Shirley Gilbert of Monticello died Friday, December 16, 2005, at Catskill Regional Medical Center. She was 92 years of age.
She was born Suara Bershatsky on June 28, 1913 in Manhattan, the first-generation American of her family, and chose to celebrate her birthday on July 4th.
She spent her early years in Brooklyn. She was married to Herman “Hymie” Gilbert for over 50 years, and raised four children in Monticello. Former owners of Camp Kennybrook, she and her husband were an integral part of the community and contributed to the social and economic growth of Sullivan County.
In a family statement, it was said, “She played many roles in life. Hymie often said she was the love of his life; she, in turn, was the rock of the family. Her kindness and generosity extended to everyone she knew.
“A quintessential Bubbe, she was always taking care of people, especially making sure they were well fed. Her chopped liver, latkes and matzo ball soup were legendary.
“She was at home with all ages, amusing her friends and family with her unique sense of humor and eagerly anticipating the start of each new day. She will be missed.”
She is survived by her sister, Littie Epstein; her children, Leatrice Deitsch, Joan Segall, Carolyn Klein and Jeffrey Steven Gilbert; eight grandchildren, Hope Roche and her husband, Robert, Lisa Searchinger and her husband, Brian, Dana Deitsch, Bari Rubinoff and her husband, Jay, Jamie Klein, Tracy Klein, Jason Klein, and Daniel Gilbert; four great-grandchildren, Ben Searchinger, Maddy Searchinger, Maia Rubinoff, and Zoey Rubinoff.
Funeral services were held Monday at the Joseph N. Garlick Funeral Home in Monticello with Rabbi Ben Zion Chanowitz officiating.
Burial was made in the New Montefiore Cemetery in Pinelawn.
Memorial contributions may be made to the Skilled Nursing Fund, att: Donna Mullins, Catskill Regional Medical Center, P.O. Box 515, Bushville Rd., Harris, NY 12742, or to The Joan Gilbert/Helene Zimmer-Loew Scholarship Fund, c/o Connecticut College, Office of College Advancement, 270 Monhegan Blvd., New London, CT 06320, or to the charity of one’s choice.

Charles Flynn, 82
Ret. Corrections Offc.

Charles E. “Bud” Flynn of Walker Valley, a former supervisor of the Town of Shawangunk and a retired corrections officer at Woodbourne Correctional Facility in Woodbourne, died Friday, December 16, 2005 at the Horton campus of Orange Regional Medical Center in Middletown. He was 82 years of age.
The son of Charles J. and Margaret Finan Flynn, he was born September 4, 1923 in New York City.
He was a veteran of WWII, serving in the U.S. Navy. He was a member of the Church of the Infant Savior in Pine Bush, a member of the Shawangunk Democratic Club, and a retired member of the Walker Valley Fire Department.
In a family statement, it was said, “Bud’s greatest joy was his wife and four daughters. He also took great pride in his seven grandchildren. His booming voice, sparkling wit, and wonderful sense of humor made him the man we all knew and loved.
“We take great comfort in knowing he was greeted in Heaven by his recently deceased cat, Bubba, his faithful companion who sat on his lap daily throughout his illness. We love you and will miss you today, tomorrow and always.”
His is survived by his wife of 60 years, Marion Laibach Flynn, at home; four daughters and sons-in-law, Jayne and Bruce Pondi of Bloomingburg, Susan and Robert Sullivan of North Port, Fla., Marion Deane and Raymond Bruyn of Pine Bush, and JoAnne Flynn-Scopteuolo and her husband, Ray, of Walker Valley; two sisters, Margaret Blythe of Walden, and Ruth Riina and her husband, Anthony, of Walden; and known as “Grandpa Charlie” to four grandsons, Jason, Matthew, Kevin, and Tyler, and three granddaughters, Kristen, Lynne and Alicia.
He was predeceased by a grandson, Robert Bruyn, and a sister, Jayne Bromfield.
A Funeral Mass will be offered at 11 a.m. Tuesday at the Church of the Infant Savior, Route 302, Pine Bush with Fr. William Damroth officiating.
Cremation will be made in the Cedar Hill Crematory.
Burial of the cremains will be made in the Fantinekill Cemetery in Ellenville.
Memorial contributions may be made to the Pine Bush Ambulance Corps, Box 407, Pine Bush, NY 12566, or to Walker Valley Fire Department, Walker Valley, NY 12588.
Funeral arrangements were made by the William M. Gagan Funeral Home Inc. in Pine Bush.

Jerome Craig, 46

Jerome Craig of Jeffersonville died Tuesday, December 13, 2005 at his home. He was 46 years of age.
The son of Paul Corting and Lena Jones Craig, he was born July 5, 1959 in New York City.
He is survived by his mother of the Bronx; two sisters, Brenda Craig and Mary Hanes, and a brother, Paul Craig.
Friends may call from 1-2 p.m. on Wednesday at the Harris Funeral Home, West Street at Buckley, Liberty.
Funeral services will be held at 2 p.m. Wednesday at the funeral home with Msgr. William Collins officiating.
Burial will be made in the St. Aloysius Cemetery in Livingston Manor.

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