Emma Jean Kocher of Beach Lake, Pa., formerly of Barryville and a longtime resident of the area, died Saturday, June 17, 2006 at Wayne Memorial Hospital in Honesdale, Pa. She was 80.
The daughter of the late Frank and Leona Housel Nixon, she was born January 16, 1926, in Bloomsbury, NJ. She was married to Charles R. Kocher for 63 years.
A family statement reads, “She was a loving wife, mother, grandmother and great-grandmother. She took great pride in her family and she will greatly be missed by all.”
Survivors include her husband, Charles R. Kocher at home; nine children, Donna Zoon of Independence, W.Va., Barbara DeGraw of Branchville, NJ, Debbie Moritz of Beach Lake, Pa., Sandy Bosch and her husband, Charlie of Highland Lake, Brenda Kocher of Yulan and Bonnie Watts of Barryville, Bob Kocher and his wife, Nancy of Sparta, NJ, Glenn Kocher and his wife, Pamela of Beach Lake, Pa. and Charles Kocher and his wife, Pamela of Beaverbrook; 23 grandchildren and 13 great-grandchildren.
She was predeceased by a son Dale Kocher, and her brother Algred Nixon.
Friends may call on Tuesday, June 20, from 2-4 p.m. and 7-9 p.m. and Wednesday, June 21 from 9-10 a.m. at the Rasmussen Funeral Home, 90 Main Street, Narrowsburg.
Funeral services will be held on Wednesday, June 21 at 10 a.m. at the funeral home. The Rev Nancy Vonderhorst will officiate.
Burial will take place in Beach Lake Cemetery, Beach Lake, Pa.
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, 1275 York Ave., New York, NY 10021.

Liberta Brusca of Thompsonville passed away Wednesday, June 14, 2006.
She is survived by her husband, Ben; daughter, Diane Bronkhurst and her husband, Frank; sons, Charles and wife, Phyllis and Peter and wife, Anne Marie; seven grandchildren, David, Stephen and wife, Sharon, Christina, Charles, Peter, Alyssa and Michael.
Libby taught her family by example, the values of patience, loyalty, honesty and integrity. She instilled in all a sense of fair play and an appreciation of all living creatures, big and small. She was never judgmental or critical. All of her family’s accomplishments were a cause for celebration. She was especially proud of her grandchildren who will miss her encouragement and support.
Libby was a dedicated and active member of the community. She joined the Monticello Kiwanis where she participated in numerous activities, from barbeques to Cook Book fundraisers. She also served as the director for several years and was the Sunshine Secretary responsible for birthday and “get well” cards for its members.
She was a volunteer at the hospital for several years, before she had to dedicate more time to care for her husband. Her talents were appreciated by many. An avid baker (cheesecake and holiday cookies) knitting, sewing and crocheting for family and friends. She loved to spend time in her garden planting anything that was “deer resistant.”
She enjoyed reading, crossword puzzles and word games, and was especially fond of Scrabble and an occasional game of Rummy-Cubes with Steve and Sharon.
Libby was a new member of the Red Hat Society (Distinguished Order of Lovely Ladies Chapter).
Libby was always willing to lend a hand when needed and supportive of the organizations in which she was a member. She will be missed by all who knew her.
A Mass of Christian Burial was celebrated Monday, June 19, 2006 at Our Lady of Lourdes R.C. Church, Islip.
Interment was in Calverton National Cemetery.
Arrangements were made by Basile Funeral Home.

Anna Semonick, a homemaker of Liberty, passed away Friday, June 16, 2006 at the Sullivan County Adult Care Center. She was 89 years old.
Anna was the daughter of Andrew and Rose Marshalek. She was born April 21, 1917 in Pennsylvania.
She was a longtime resident of the area and a member of the Church of the Immaculate Conception.
She was predeceased by her husband Stephen E. Semonick and their only son Stephen J. Semonick.
Survivors include a grandson, Stephen W. Semonick; daughter-in-law, Marion of Grahamsville; sister, Lillian Merchant of Peru, Ind.; brothers, John and Thomas Marshalek of the state of Georgia; and a special niece, Judy Marshalek also of Georgia.
No visiting hours, but there was a Mass of Christian Burial Saturday, June 17, 2006 in the Church of the Immaculate Conception, Woodbourne.
Interment followed in Hillside Cemetery, Woodbourne.
Arrangements were under the direction of Colonial Memorial Funeral Home, Woodbourne.

Gladys Victoria Bergner of Fairfax, VA died on Wednesday, June 14, 2006 at the Fairfax Nursing Center where she had been a resident for several years. She was 98.
She was born on March 19, 1908 in Walden, the daughter of Rev. James J. Lyons and Emily Barker Lyons.
She attended Drew Seminary for Young Women in Carmel, graduating in 1924. She then attended Ithaca College where in 1928 she received a degree in music, specializing in piano. For nearly 40 years she taught piano in Callicoon retiring in 1965. She married William L. Bergner June 20, 1932 and they resided in town until retirement. They then moved to a new home in Venice, Florida and later to an assisted living facility in Sarasota, Florida. They were residents there for several years and after her husband passed in August 1996, she moved north to Fairfax, Va. to live near her daughter and family.
Survivors include her daughter, Jane and her husband, Allen of Fairfax, Va.; a son, William and his wife, Caroline of Westerville, Ohio; seven grandchildren; nine great-grandchildren; a sister, Emily Jane Tadlock and her husband, Charles David of Hot Springs, Ark. She was predeceased by her brother, Harold T. Lyons.
While she and her husband lived in Callicoon she was active in the organization of the Delaware Free Library and the Women’s Literary Club, as well as the beautification of Main Street.
A graveside service at the family plot in the Callicoon Cemetery will be held at a later date.
Memorial contributions may be made to the Callicoon United Methodist Church, Callicoon, NY 12723 where her father served as pastor from 1927-1929 and where she was an active member during her years in Callicoon.

Thomas E. McDermott of Derry, NH and former resident of Liberty died on Sunday, June 11, 2006 at his home. He was 46.
The son of Cyril F. and Patricia M. Wright McDermott, he was born on December 11, 1959 in Liberty.
He was a member of St. Peter’s Church in Liberty.
Survivors include his mother, of Liberty; a brother, Michael McDermott and his wife, Fran of Ashburn, VA; two sisters, Ruth Kerney of Jeffersonville and Patricia Anderson and her husband, Dr. Ferdinand Anderson of Hopewell Junction; and seven nieces and nephews.
Graveside services were held Friday, June 16, 2006 at St. Peter’s Cemetery in Liberty with the Rev. Ivan Csete officiating.
Funeral arrangements by Ramsay’s Funeral Homes Inc., Liberty.

Ashley Alice Adams of Equinunk, Pa. died Saturday, June 17, 2006. She was 22.
The daughter of Alton Adams of Equinunk, and Tracey Frey of Pittson, Ashley was born in Carbondale, Pa., and was a Honesdale High School Class of 2001 graduate. She attended Albright College in Reading, Pa., earning a Bachelor’s degree in Political Science and Spanish. Ashley was a Dean’s Scholar for the four years, graduating at the top of her class. She was planning to further her education by attending law school. Ashley was currently working as a job counselor at the Delaware Valley Job Corps, in Callicoon. She was a former employee and current associate at The Center for Discovery in Harris. Ashley was a member of the Braman United Methodist Church, a clergy person with the Universal Life Church, a member of Amnesty International and Society for Human Rights, and active with the Manchester Community Library. Ashley was also an organ donor.
In addition to her parents, she is survived by her paternal grandfather, Ralph L. Adams, Equinunk, Pa.; maternal grandparents, Ronnie Ann and Woodrow R. Frey, of Callicoon; maternal great grandmothers, Cecilia Homiak, of Shamokin, Pa. and Ann Davies of Liberty; maternal great grandfather David Davies of Liberty; three brothers, David Adams, Bruce Adams and Alexander Adams, all of Equinunk; a sister, Candice Voilante and her husband, Eric, of San Diego, California; and many cousins, aunts and uncles.
Funeral services will be held on Wednesday, June 21, at 11 a.m. at the Braman United Methodist Church with the Rev. Alice Pedone officiating. Friends may visit the Arthur A. Bryant Funeral Home, 1228 Main Street, Honesdale, Pa., on Tuesday, June 20, from 2 to 4 p.m. and from 7 to 9 p.m.
Burial will be Wednesday in the Braman Cemetery, Braman.
Memorial contributions can be made to the Braman United Methodist Church or the Manchester Community Library, both c/o Heather Roloson, 836 Braman Road, Equinink, Pa 18417 or to The Center for Discover, c/o Alton Adams, 4139 River Road, Equinunk, Pa. 18417.

Joyce Kinne Jackson, a lifetime Sullivan County resident, died at home, on Sunday, June 18. She was 64.
The daughter of William Chester and Hannah Wilding Kinne, she was born on January 17, 1942 in Liberty.
Joyce was retired from the New York Telephone Co. in Monticello where she was a drafter in the engineering department.
She was a member of the Mongaup Valley United Methodist Church.
Survivors include her husband of 34 years, Lester “Tiddles” Jackson, at home; one son, Randall Jackson and his wife Teresa of Colorado Springs, Colo.; an adopted son, Rafael Ortiz Hernandez of Hinesville, Ga.; one daughter, Andrea Jackson Catalano and her husband, Robert, of Colorado Springs, Colo.; two brothers, Roger Taylor of Kauneonga Lake and Jack Taylor of Monticello; one granddaughter, Kaitlyn Catalano and several nieces and nephews.
Friends may call at Ramsay’s Funeral Home, 3534 State Rt. 55, Kauneonga Lake on Wednesday, June 21, from 3 to 8 p.m.
Funeral services will be held at Mongaup Valley United Methodist Church on Thursday, June 22 at 11 a.m. Rev. Kenneth Rodgers will officiate.
Cremation will take place at Cedar Hill Crematory in Middle Hope.
Memorial contributions may be made to the charity of one’s choice.
Funeral arrangements are by Ramsay’s Funeral Homes Inc., Kauneonga Lake.