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February 21, 2006

Tammy L. Grimm, 41
Nurse’s Aide

Tammy L. Grimm, of Woodbourne, a 35-year area resident, died Saturday, February 18, at the Catskill Regional Medical Center, in Harris. She was 41.
The daughter of the late Rennes and Sharon Todd Peterson, she was born September 4, 1964 in Engelwood, NJ.
Tammy was a nurse’s aide at the Swan Lake Adult Home in Swan Lake. She volunteered at the soup kitchen and the Federation for the Homeless.
She had worked in the past at the Center for Discovery.
A family statement said, “She was a loving mother, grandmother, aunt, sister, devoted wife and a friend to all who knew her.”
Tammy was predeceased by her husband, Andrew Grimm Jr. who died on February 4, 2006.
She is survived four daughters, Brenda Beach and her fiancé, David, of Woodridge, Mickie Damms and her husband, Harold, of Woodbourne, Sharon Sanon of Woodbourne, and Lula Wormuth and her husband, William, of NC; five sisters, Lisa C. Langeland and her husband Arne of Woodbourne, Tracie Peterson of Rockland, Paula Peterson of Woodbourne, Robbin Peterson of Loch Sheldrake and Cheryl Gugliotta of Livingston Manor; one brother, Rennes Peterson of Loch Sheldrake; 28 grandchildren; and two nieces and seven nephews.
The family will receive friends on Thursday, February 23, from noon to 1 p.m. at Ramsay’s Funeral Home, 275 S. Main St., Liberty.
Funeral services will be held at 1 p.m. at the funeral home with the Rev. Robert Hoag officiating.
Burial will be with her husband in Rural Cemetery, Grahamsville.
Memorial contributions may be made to the American Diabetes Association, P.O. Box 31160, Hartford, CT 06150-1160.

Martha V. Hiller, 70
Ret. Clerk

Martha “Shirley” Vannatta Hiller of Damascus, Pa. ,a retired clerk of Kmart, a former employee of Honesdale National Bank and lifelong resident of the area, died Friday, February 17, at Marian Community Hospital in Carbondale, Pa. She was 70.
The daughter of the late Harold and Mary Helen Card Vannatta, she was born November 16, 1953.
She was a former member of Eastern Star and a past president of the Business and Professional Womens Association, Honesdale, Pa.
A family statement reads, “Shirley was a great sister. She enjoyed children and especially loved her nieces and nephews. She loved and lived country music and was an avid lover of animals. She will be greatly missed by her family and friends.”
Survivors include three brothers, Norman Vannatta and his wife Ruby of Summerton, SC, John Vannatta and his wife Patricia of Honesdale and Andrew Vannatta and his wife Gabriel of Pittsburgh, Pa.; two sisters Betty Hartman and her husband Orvis of Honesdale, and Mary Priebe and her husband Richard of Damascus, many nieces and nephews.
Funeral services will be today at 11 a.m. at the Rasmussen Funeral Home in Narrowsburg.
The Rev. Deborah Vandermark Dailey will officiate.
Burial will take place in Hillside Cemetery, Damascus.
Donations may be made to the Damascus Township Volunteer Ambulance Corps or donor’s choice.
Funeral arrangements are under the direction of Rasmussen Funeral Home in Narrowsburg.

Lloyd G. LaBagh, 87
Draftsman

Lloyd G. LaBagh, husband of Anna (Cain) LaBagh of Nunnawauk Meadows, Newtown, Conn., died Saturday, February 18, at his home. He was 87.
He was born in Allentown, Pa. on August 7, 1918, a son of the late Lloyd J. and Victoria (Soderberg) LaBagh.
Lloyd was raised and educated in Liberty and was a graduate of Liberty High School.
Mr. LaBagh was a longtime resident of Fairlawn, NJ and was employed as a Mechanical Draftsman for Fairbanks Morse and the Curtiss Wright Company until his retirement in 1983. He also lived in Franklin Lakes, NJ for a period of time before moving to Newtown.
Lloyd enjoyed solving puzzles and woodworking. He seldom turned down the chance to help anyone that had a problem.
Survivors include his wife, a son, Thomas R. LaBagh of Tacoma, Wash.; a daughter, Victoria Hensel of Sandy Hook, Conn.; three grandsons: Damion V. LaBagh of Holland, Conn., Michael S. Hensel of Danbury, Conn., and James T. Hensel of Newtown; and a great-granddaughter, Faith Marguerite Hensel.
A Mass of Christian vurial will be celebrated at 11:45 a.m. on Wednesday, February 22, in St. Peter's Church, Liberty.
Interment will follow in St. Peter's Cemetery.
Contributions may be made to Regional Hospice of Western Connecticut, 405 Main St., Danbury, CT 06810 or to Hospice of Orange and Sullivan Counties, 800 Stony Brook Court, Newburgh, NY 12550.

Joseph S. Csete, 72
Composer

Joseph Stephen Csete, composer, pianist, athlete, freedom fighter, husband and father, died on Wednesday, February 15 at the age of 72. He was a resident of Port Jervis and formerly of Manhattan.
Born in Budapest, Hungary in 1933, he was the son of Dr. Emil and Mary Csete.
He was an excellent swimmer, played the piano, took an active art in the Hungarian Revolution of 1956. Joseph later escaped to Austria and then came to the U.S. He got a scholarship at Fordham University and won many medals for his college. Shortly after, a nervous breakdown caused him to quit college, and from that time he worked at many odd jobs to make a living such as being maintenance man in apartment buildings. He continued to play the piano and started to compose very good songs for which he never received a penny. He never criticized America and continued to keep the spirit of a Freedom Fighter, staunchly anti-Communist, standing up for the cause of a free Hungary in private and public discussions, at commemorations where he played the piano or at the Captive Nations Parades in New York where he proudly carried the Hungarian flag and sometimes the flags of other oppressed nations in an authentic Hungarian hussar (cavalry) uniform. He received several awards of recognition from the White House during the time of Presidents Reagan and George H.W. Bush for his staunch loyalty for the cause of freedom. Joseph played the piano privately and sometimes at public events and in nightclubs, and continued to write beautiful music in the style of the ‘40’s and ‘50’s. Unfortunately, he never found a good manager to promote his songs, and he was too straightforward and un-businesslike to do it himself successfully in the jungle of the entertainment world. But he never complained and volunteered his talents at hospitals and nursing homes.
At the time of his death, he was still a proud volunteer at Mary Manning Walsh Home in Manhattan, and Bon Secours Hospital in Port Jervis where he played for seniors on Thursdays. He also played the organ at St. Thomas Aquinas Church in Forestburgh, where his brother is a priest.
Survivors include his wife, Valeria, and her son Lorant; two sons, Attila and Stephen Csete of Long Island; their mother, Rosalie Harris of Great Neck; a brother Rev. Ivan Csete, the pastor of St. Thomas Aquinas Church in Forestburgh; a cousin, Suzanne Csete Timar of Hungary and many second cousins, nieces and nephews.
Visitation will be today at Ramsay’s Funeral Home, 55 St. John St. Monticello from 2-4 and 7-9 p.m.
A Mass will be celebrated on Wednesday, February 22, at noon at St. Thomas Aquinas Church in Forestburgh with his brother Rev. Ivan Csete officiating. Burial will be private and at the convenience of the family.

Scott T. Smith, 49
Sporting Goods Rep.

Scott Thomas Smith of Smallwood died Saturday, February 11, at Desert Springs Hospital in Las Vegas, Nev. He was 49 years of age.
Mr. Smith, a native of River Vale, NJ, was the son of the late Walter Sidney Smith and Geraldine Bohne Smith of Concord, NC, formerly of Machipongo, Va.
Mr. Smith was a sporting goods representative for Mike Wieck Sales.
Other than his mother, Mr. Smith is survived by a fiancée, Genalyn Maquiling; a brother, Bruce A. Smith and his wife, Lisa, of Princeton, NJ; a sister, Karen Smith Mitchell and her husband, Robert, of Concord; four nieces and a nephew.
A Funeral Mass was conducted on Friday, February 17, at St. Charles Catholic Church with Father J. Michael Breslin officiating. Entombment followed in St. Charles Catholic Church Columbarium.
Memorial contributions may be made to the Kicking Bear Foundation, 7400 Hickory Valley Drive, Fenton, MI 48430.
Arrangements were made by Doughty Funeral Home, Exmore, Va.

Kenneth Eisele, 71
Mechanical Designer

Kenneth John Eisele of Grahamsville died February 17 at home. He was 71.
The son of Max and Maja Eisele, he was born March 29, 1934 in Queens.
John was a United States Army veteran and served in the Korean Conflict. Before his retirement, he was a Mechanical Designer for Savo Industries in Kingston.
He was the widower of Patricia Elizabeth Levy Eisele. Survivors include two sons, Kenneth Scott Eisele of Danbury, Conn. and John Robert Eisele and his wife, Susan, of Grahamsville; one sister, Marion Maasand; brother-in-law, George of Queens; four grandchildren, Lance, Jonathan, Christopher and Nicole; and several nieces and nephews.
Services will be held at 10 a.m. today at St. John's Episcopal Church in Monticello with the Rev. Ninon Hutchinson officiating. Interment will be in Maple Grove Cemetery, Kew Gardens.
Arrangements are under the direction of Colonial Memorial Funeral Home.

Carole Tegnander, 60
Homemaker

Carole Ann Tegnander (nee Ramsey) died at her "home on the Lake" on Friday, February 17, following a long and courageous battle against ovarian cancer. She was 60 years old.
The daughter of the late Frank "Jack" and Marguerite Ramsey, she was born January 29, 1946 and raised in Valley Stream. There she met and married her husband, Richard J. Tegnander. They continued to live and work on Long Island until 2002 when, after retiring, they moved to Rock Hill to be closer to their son and his family.
A family statement said, “People who knew Carole saw she had an easy smile, was always up beat regardless of the pain she endured from two crushing illnesses. She lived her life by the motto, ‘NEVER QUIT.’ In 1990, after 10 years of undiagnosed suffering, she was found to have late stage Lyme Disease. She found the strength to co-found the Long Island Lyme Association (LILA). She helped run support groups meetings, gave educational seminars, and even testified before the U.S. Senate Health Commission in Washington D.C. and various NYS committees to help raise awareness of Lyme Disease. She was compassionate toward those with Lyme and a staunch advocate for reform of our health insurance system, which was often at odds with those needing treatment.
“When Carole was first diagnosed with ovarian cancer in 2001 she met it head on, seeking aggressive treatment. As with Lyme Disease, she became outspoken in her attempt to raise public awareness and funding for research into this ‘silent killer,’ which takes the lives of thousands of women each year. In spite of her health issues she managed to enjoy life. She and her husband often traveled with a small group of friends she called the Cruise Crew. An avid animal lover, she was known to stop traffic on busy roads to rescue a stray dog or cat giving them shelter and a chance for a better life. At one point she had as many as three dogs and five cats in their small cape-style home on Long Island. However, in the 60 years of her life she will be remembered as a loyal and loving wife, a joyful and caring friend, and devoted mother and grandmother. While dealing with the pain of countless surgeries and chemotherapies she found great joy and satisfaction in having seen her son successful in his career, married to a beautiful and loving wife, whom Carole loved as if she were her own daughter, and most especially being a doting grandmother.”
She is survived by her husband of 38 years, Richard J. Tegnander; a son, Brian Joseph and his wife, Lynn Tegnander, of Jeffersonville; grandchildren Allison, Sean and Morgan; and several cousins.
Her Mass of Christian burial was celebrated on Monday, February 20, at St. George's Church in Jeffersonville. Fr. Ignatius Vu officiated. Internment followed at Calvary Cemetery, Youngsville.
In lieu of flowers, donations in her memory may be made to Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center, 1275 York Avenue, New York, NY 10021.
Arrangements were under the direction of the VanInwegen-Kenny, Inc. Funeral Home of Monticello.

Charlie Wright, 84
Ret. Golfer

Charlie “Candyman” Wright, a resident of Sullivan County for 75 years, died on Friday, February 17, 2006 at the Catskill Regional Medical Center, in Harris. He was 84.
He was born on December 14, 1921 in Catabwa, SC. He was a retired golf professional at the Concord Hotel. He was a member of the Bethlehem Temple Church in Monticello.
Survivors include a son, Anthony Wright of Hancock, Ma., two daughters, Sandra Howard and her husband, Matthew and Aranetta Wright, all of Ellenville; three sisters, Lucinda Kenner of South Carolina, Doris Wiseman and Cleo Lane of North Carolina; four grandchildren, Tanya and Alvin Wright, and Brett and Shariee Howard and several nieces and nephews.
He was predeceased by three brothers, James, T.J. and Rufus Wright and three sisters, Geneva Goskin, Daisy Roddy and Blanche Shankle.
Friends may call at the Bethlehem Temple Church on Fairground Rd., in Monticello on Thursday, February 23, from 9 to 11 a.m., followed by funeral services. Rev. Mervin Armstead will officiate.
Burial will take place at the Sullivan County Veterans Cemetery in Liberty.
Funeral arrangements are under the direction of Ramsay’s Funeral Homes Inc., Monticello.

Donna L. Roosa, 46
Residence Manager

Donna L. Roosa, formerly of Jeffersonville, died Wednesday, February 15, at her home in Honesdale, Pa. after a long illness. She was 46.
The daughter of the late Roderick H. and Gertrude E. Enbrecksen Holmes, she was born on May 4, 1959 in Liberty.
She was a residence manager for Crystal Run Village, Landman House in Fosterdale.
A family statement reads, “Mom was always there for us with her strong determination and drive. She was a wonderful grandmother and a loving friend to all who knew her.”
She is survived by a son, Robert “Robbie” Bivins and his fiancee Jessica Velardi of Honesdale; a daughter Amy Hummel and husband Craig of Grahamsville; two brothers William Holmes and wife Pat of Jamestown and James Holmes and wife Margaret of White Lake; three sisters Dorothy Harris and husband Donald of Milo, Maine, Janet Haiss and husband Charles of Hasbrouck and Betty North of Virginia; two grandchildren, Seth Bivins of Honesdale and Dylan Hummel of Grahamsville; several aunts, uncles and cousins, nieces and nephews. She was also survived by her pets Buffy and Muffin.
She was predeceased by one brother and one sister.
Funeral services were held at White Sulphur Springs United Methodist Church on Saturday, February 18, with the Rev. Bridgette LeConey and Rev. Julie Schaffer officiating.
Cremation took place at Cedar Hill Crematory in Middle Hope.
Memorial contributions may be made to Southern Care Hospice, 851 Commerce Blvd., Dickson City, PA 18519.

Joseph Mallard, 22
College Grad

Joseph (Iosef) Aaron Mallard of Wurtsboro died Wednesday, February 15. He was 22.
He was born on April 2, 1983 in Newburgh to Rick and Peggy Mallard.
Survivors include his parents and his sister Ruth who remain at home.
He was a graduate of Chapel Field Christian High School, O.C.C.C., and Murray State University in Kentucky. He received a B.A. in Electronic Media. He was employed by Decorative Product Source in Goshen.
He loved living life to the hilt and spending time with his friends. He enjoyed travel, camping and fast cars. He spent one summer in the Ukraine with Teen Missions International.
A memorial service was held Monday, February 20, at Circleville Evangelical Presbyterian Church. The Rev. Paul Rosa and the Rev. Leo Jalosynski officiated. Burial will be at the convenience of the family.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to a Samaritan's Purse Project at www.samaritanspurse.org or any project you think Iosef would like to support.
Arrangements were made by VanInwegen-Kenny, Inc. Funeral Home, Monticello.

Richard Walling, 79
WWII Veteran

Richard M. Walling, Sr., a 10-year resident of Hurleyville, died Saturday, February 18, at his residence after a long illness. He was 79.
He was born February 9, 1927 in Warwick to Henry F. and Lillian Laton Walling.
Richard served his country during World War II. He was retired from the Middletown City School District.
Richard loved fishing. Catfish was his favorite. He also loved to hunt.
He was predeceased by his wife, Marjorie Wood Walling.
He is survived by one sister, Gertrude Winship and her husband Charles of Sugar Loaf; one sister-in-law, Margaret Walling; two sons, David Walling and his wife, Diana, of Hurleyville and Richard Walling Jr. of Middletown; one daughter, Deborah Santos and her husband, Steve, of South Carolina; nine grandchildren; two great-grandchildren; and several nieces and nephews.
Visitation will be held at the Colonial Memorial Funeral Home, 396 State Route 52, Woodbourne today from 2-4 and 7-9 p.m.
Funeral services will be held at the funeral home on Wednesday, February 22, at 10 a.m. with the Rev. Carl Caskey officiating.
Interment will follow at Warwick Cemetery.

Kathleen H. Rolfs, 92
Ret. Postmaster

Kathleen H. Rolfs, a lifetime Sullivan County resident, died Friday, February 17, at the Sullivan County Adult Care Center in Liberty. She was 92.
The daughter of Fred and Catherine Gilligan Wright, she was born on November 22, 1913 in Neversink.
She was a retired postmaster of Neversink. She was the widow of Cecil “Pete” Hamilton and William Rolfs. She was a member of the Claryville Reformed Church and the Claryville Quilters Guild and also the Quilter’s Hall of Fame in Arkville.
Survivors include her son Charles “Chuck” Hamilton and his wife Regina of Neversink; her daughter Sharon Wood and her husband John of Cosby, Tenn.; a sister Marion Wolfe of Liberty; three grandchildren, Stacey Sandler, Ryan Hamilton and David Chavers; three great-grandchildren, Elizabeth Sandler, Allison Kathleen Sandler and Rebecca Chavers and two nephews, Michael and John Wolfe and their families.
There will be no visitation.
Funeral services were held Monday, February 20, at the Reformed Church of Claryville.
Memorial contributions may be made to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, 501 St. Jude Place, Memphis, TN 38105-1941 or to the Family Care Council c/o Sullivan County Adult Care Center, P.O. Box 671, Liberty, NY 12754.
Burial will be in Rural Cemetery, Grahamsville.
Funeral arrangements were under the direction of Ramsay’s Funeral Homes Inc. Liberty.

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