Richard K. Steele of Matamoras, Pa., a retired plumber with Hawk’s Nest Mechanical and lifetime resident of Matamoras, died Tuesday, April 4, 2006 at his home with his family. He was 71.
He was born February 4, 1935 in Matamoras, Pa., the son of the late William A. and Immogene Driller Steele.
He was a 52 year member and past chief of the Matamoras Fire Dept.; former member of the Pike Co. Fire Police; Pike Co. Fire Federation and President in 2003-04; served on the Matamoras Borough Council for 16 years and was a former President of the Council; former Matamoras Weblow Leader of Pack 77 and Scout Master of Troop 77; member of the NRA; member and President of the Sunset Meadows Hunting Club; Pocono Rambler Motorcycle Club and Red Knights Motorcycle Club where he was President 2005-06; Matamoras Democratic Committee; Milford Masonic Lodge No. 344 and was active in the Matamoras Recreation Committee.
A loving husband and father, Dick was an enthausist motorcyclist and an avid hunter and sportsman.
He is survived by his wife of 52 years, Catherine Ryker Steele at home; four sons, Keith Steele and his companion, Nancy Schneider of Port Jervis, Rick Steele and his companion, Wendy Raad of Sussex, Christopher Steele and his wife, Linda of Yulan, Steven Steele and his companion, Angie Moore of Cuddebackville; a daughter, Judilyn Misczuk of W. Hartford, Ct.; two brothers, Gary G. Steele and his wife, Virginia of Portland, Pa., Harry J. Steele and his wife, Eleanor of E. Stroudsburg, Pa.; a sister, Adele Liepenis and her husband, John of Kingsley, Pa.; a brother-in-law, Milton Ryker and his wife, Sue of Anniston, Pa.; a sister-in-law, Judith Gray and her husband, William of Port Jervis; two daughters-in-law, Lena Steele and Eileen Steele both of Matamoras, Pa.; eleven grandchildren and five great-grandchildren.
He was predeceased by a brother, William Steele; a son-in-law, Thomas Misczuk; a grandson, Peter Misczuk; and his good friend, Richard Canouse.
Funeral services will be today at 11:00 a.m. at the Gray-Parker Funeral Home with the Rev. Glenn Scheying officiating.
Burial will be at the convenience of the family in the Pine Grove Cemetery, Matamoras, Pa.
Memorial contributions may be made to Hospice St. John, 1007 Oak Street, Pittston Township, PA 18640.

Rudolph Richard “Rudy” Roth Jr. of North Branch, a cab driver for Kelly Cab of New York City, died Saturday, April 1, 2006 at home. He was 67 years of age.
The son of Rudolph Richard Roth Sr. and Margaret Mary McTavey, he was born January 4, 1939 in Queens.
He was a veteran of the U.S. Army, serving from 1958-1960.
He is survived by three sons, Rudolph Richard Roth III of North Branch, Thomas C. Roth of Callicoon, and David R. Roth of North Branch; two daughters, Denise Stojda of Kirkland, Quebec, Canada, and Kimberly Roth of Broward County, Fla.; two brothers, Joseph Roth of South Carolina and Vincent Roth of Virginia; nine grandchildren; and several nieces and nephews.
Friends may call from 1-2:30 p.m. Sunday, April 9, at the Stewart-Murphy Funeral Home in Callicoon. Funeral services will follow at 2:30 p.m. at the funeral home. Cremation was made at Twin Tiers Crematory in Endicott.

Leon F. Gavitt of Beach Lake, Pa. a retired grader driver for Pennsylvania Dept. of Transportation, a retired farmer and a lifelong resident of the area, died on Monday, April 3, 2006 at Moses Taylor Hospital, Scranton, Pa.. He was 87.
The son of the late Joseph and Edna Colwill Gavitt, he was born June 10, 1918 in Boyds Mills, Pa.
A family statement read, “Leon was a terrific and loving father who took great pride in his grandchildren. He will greatly be missed by family.”
Survived by his three daughters, Kathleen Bernitt and her husband, Dennis of Hankins, Linda Fuller and her husband, Allen of Beach Lake, Pa. and Laurie Carney and her husband, Bob, also of Beach Lake, Pa.; a brother, Bill Gavitt of Boyds Mills, Pa. and a sister, Wanda Hanson of Honesdale, Pa.; seven grandchildren, Kevin Bernitt, Scott Bernitt, Tonya Dirie, Lara Saliba, Aleah Spry, Travis Carney and Aaron Carney; five great-grandchildren; several nieces and nephews. He was predeceased by his former wife, Aline K. Palmer, and a sister, Ruth Reynard.
Friends are invited to call on Saturday, April 8, 2006 from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. and Funeral Services will follow at 1 p.m. at Rasmussen Funeral Home, Narrowsburg. Pastor Mary Bryant will officiate.
Cremation will follow services at Maple Hill Crematory, Archbald, Pa. Burial of the cremains will be at the convenience of the family.
Memorial contributions can be made to Tusten Vol. Ambulance Corp., PO Box 34, Narrowsburg, NY 12764.

Mary Margaret Darbee passed on to those she loved March 29, 2006.
Mary was born August 2, 1913 in West Park, N.Y.
She was 92 years old, and lived most of her life in Van Etten, where she taught school until she retired in 1975. She began her teaching career in Roscoe, after she completed her education at Normal School of New Paltz. She also taught in Breesport. She leaves behind so many of her former pupils of which she so fondly and often recalled. She was a life-member of the Order of the Eastern Star, Cedar Chapter 400, Van Etten. Aside from her family, her greatest joy was reading, so much so that she re-read most of her favorite books many times. Her thirst for knowledge was insatiable which became a lifelong quest.
At Mary's request, there will be no calling hours or funeral services.
Mary has joined her loving husband, Quentin Grant, who passed away in 1990 to whom she was married for 44 years. Mary was predeceased by her brothers, Harry, Cle, Wesley and Bob Darbee. She was also predeceased by her son-in-law, Norman Cundy; stepson, Ralph Begeal; step son-in-law, Walter Alpi; and step daughter-in-law, Marlene Begeal.
Mary leaves behind her only daughter, Wendy Cundy (Jerry) Marvel of Cayuta, and granddaughters, Sarah Cundy (Joshua) Coyle of Sacramento, CA, and Sharon Cundy (Daniel Kithcart) of Port Townsend, WA; stepsons, Douglas Begeal of Quinton, VA, Quentin (Mary) Begeal of Orlando, FL, Mary Ruth Begeal of Shallotte, NC; stepdaughters, Gladys (Robert) Palmer of Jacksonville, FL, Barbara Alpi of Kissimmee, FL; grandchildren and spouses, Douglas Begeal Jr., Barbara (Robert) Garrett, Liz (Mike) Pendergrass, Jeffery Begeal, John (Chris) Begeal, Stephanie (Roland) Lange, Pamela Freres, Jennifer Begeal, Robert (Kim) Palmer Jr., Michael (Sandy) Palmer, Susan (Scott) Silliman, Rene (Mark) Kuziv, Deanna (Shawn) May, Narumi Seino of Tokyo, Japan. Mary leaves behind 20 great-grandchildren and three great-great-grandchildren; and many nieces and nephews, including Tina Darbee Rudy, Adian Henry, John, George, Robert Jr., Dannielle, Ronald, Donald, Joyce and Diane Darbee, and Judie Darbee Smith.
Memorial contributions may be made to the Roscoe Free Library, Highland Ave., Roscoe, NY 12776.

John T. Applegate, a retired carpenter for Nastasi & Co., Garden City Park, N.Y., and lifelong area resident, died Tuesday, April 4, 2006 at Bon Secours Community Hospital in Port Jervis, N.Y. He was 61.
The son of the late Harry L. Applegate and Florence E. Kuhn Applegate, he was born August 19, 1944 in Monticello.
John was a 24-year member of Sparrowbush Engine Co. #1 Fire Department; the Big Bucks Hunting Club in Forestburgh; and the United Brotherhood of Carpenters & Joiners of America, Local #19.
Survivors include his wife, Joan E. Roda Applegate, at home; two daughters, Robin Lynn Bjorn and her husband, Tom, of Brunswick, GA, and Brenda Sue Fediuk and her husband, Michael, of Hilton; two stepsons, Bob D. Fredricks and his wife, Janice, of Matamoras, PA, and Steven Fredricks and his wife, Kelly, of Norwich; one stepdaughter, Jody Jo Ann Beck and her husband, William, of Capon Bridge, W.VA; three sisters, Doris Dauch of Mongaup Valley, Gloria Applegate of Sackett Lake, and Dawn Swailes of Washington, IL; two brothers, Richard Applegate of Slate Hill and Robert Applegate of Forestburgh; nine grandchildren, Rachael, Kirsten, Ian, Mackenna, Ian Wolfgang, Keegan, Forrest, Matt and Ally; and several nieces and nephews.
Private services will be held at the convenience of the family.
Cremation will take place at H.G. Smith Crematory, Stroudsburg, PA.
Arrangements were made by the Knight-Auchmoody Funeral Home, Inc., 154 East Main St., Port Jervis.

Paul F. Bertram, a retired manager with the Turnstead Division of the Trenton, N.J. plant of General Motors and a lifelong Highland Lake resident, died Saturday, April 1, 2006 after a long illness. He was 66.
The son of the late Arthur and Julietta Bertram, he was born April 28, 1939 in Callicoon.
Paul attended High School at the Carson Long Military Institute in New Bloomfield, PA and college at West Palm Beach Jr. College followed by Rider University in Lawrenceville, N.J. where he earned a Bachelors Degree. After graduating from Rider University he was hired by General Motors.
Throughout his life, Paul was affiliated with many professional and service organizations as well as volunteering his time to many charitable events and functions. He was Treasurer of the Highland Lake Rod and Gun Club, a member of the Highland Lions Club, a member of the Sullivan County Shield, NY XI Blue Knights and a Town Constable for the Town of Highland.
Paul will be most remembered for his extreme mental toughness and bravery. He had an inner strength that allowed him to always tackle adversity with a positive attitude. He was an avid outdoorsman who loved to hunt, fish and ride his motorcycle.
Survivors include his long time companion, Lynn Brooks, at home; two daughters, Jeanne McKean and her husband, Jim, of Barryville and Laurel Farrow and her husband, Jonathan, of Rock Hill; three sons, Paul A. Bertram of Selden, Mark Bertram and his wife, Erika, of Shohola, Pa. and David Bertram and his wife, Bridget, of Cooperstown. He was also the grandfather to 14 grandchildren, and the uncle of a niece and a nephew.
Friends may call at the Barryville United Methodist Church, Route 97, Barryville Monday, April 10 from 3-4 p.m. A memorial service will be held Monday, April 10 at 4 p.m. at the Barryville United Methodist Church, with the Rev. Nancy Vonderhorst officiating.
Memorial contributions may be made to Temple University Hospital Lung Center, Pulmonary Rehabilitation Center, c/o Mark Nimchuk, 3401 North Broad St., Philadelphia, PA 19140.
Funeral arrangements are by the Gray-Rasmussen Funeral Home, Route 97, Barryville

Bogdan Stadnicki of Pond Eddy, a 24-year resident of the area, died Sunday, April 2, 2006 at Westchester Medical Center in Valhalla. He was 81.
He was born August 18, 1924 in Ukraine, the son of the late Edward and Maria Trauchman Sarachman. He was the widower of Janina A. Tippe Stadnicki who died Nov. 20, 2001.
He worked for 20 years at Verkovyna Resort, Glen Spey and attended St. Volodymyr’s Ukrainian Catholic Church, Glen Spey.
Surviving are a son, Janusz Stadnicki of Ytom, Poland; three daughters, Boguslawa Lubos of Wevl, Germany, Grazyna Stadnicki of Pond Eddy, Aleksandra Zeglicka of Kamionka Wielka, Poland; three grandchildren, Matthew Lubos, Pawel Zeglicka and Damian Zeglicka; and two great-grandchildren, Szymon Zeglicka and Oliva Zeglicka.
A Liturgy Mass was held Wednesday in St. Volodymyr’s Ukrainian Catholic Church with Rev. Mark Hirniak officiating.
Burial will be in St. Mary’s Cemetery, Kamionka Wielka, Poland.
Funeral arrangements are by the Gray-Parker Funeral Home.