Mariah A. Merando, a student entering the sixth grade at the Hamilton Bicentennial School in Port Jervis, died Thursday, August 3, 2006 at Westchester Medical Center. She was 10 years of age.
The daughter of William J. and Patricia A. Wolfe Merando, Emmy was born December 20, 1995 in Glens Falls.
She is survived by her beloved parents, William and Patricia, at home; her beloved brother, Jacob, also at home; her grandparents, Hildora Wolfe, of Wurtsboro, Patricia Merando, of Williamsport, Pa., and “Nana” Sywyk, of Wurtsboro; great-grandparents, Hazel Merando, William Merando Sr. and Tina Merando, all of Cold Spring; her loving aunts, Carole Forte and Donna Centeno, both of Wurtsboro and Laurie Wolfe of Wappingers Falls; her aunts and uncles, Gia and Matt West of Fishkill, Melissa and Ronald Irwin of Ft. Edward, Renatë and Paul Wolfe of Fishkill, Natasha and Scott Merando of Williamsport, Pa., Gail and Tim Cotter of Beacon; her beloved uncle, Gabe Merando of Fishkill; cousins, Jinay, Mia, Matthew, Alyssa, Shayne, Mayra, Antonio, Marisol, Corey, Nathan, Ryan, and Olivia; her best friends, Ashley Smith, Janeen Carter, Tony, Joey and Amanda Capaci, Cady Robles, Magen Sargent, Blaze VanDermark and Michael Edward Atkins; and her extended family, Joyce O'Dell and family, Kim and Frank Capaci, and Debbie and Ed Sargent, the Harrington family, and the Seviers family.
She was predeceased by her great-grandfather, Phillip Merando Sr. “POP POP”; grandfather, Chester Wolfe; uncles, Michael Wolfe and Anthony Forte; and her aunt, Terri Merando.
A family statement reads, “Our sunshine entered our lives on December 20, 1995 and was aptly named Mariah, like the wind, but to those closest to her she was Emmy. With her flowing golden hair and bright blue eyes flashing, she was always busy, high spirited, always smiling, with a giving and generous spirit. She cared for everyone and her family ties were strong. Whether watching La Luna or roasting perfect marshmallows, she did it with zest. She played in her school orchestra and was athletic, she danced both tap and ballet. She will live on in the hearts of those who knew and loved her forever. Em was the sunshine of many lives. Loyal, loving, and kind, she brought us adventure and chaos, but mostly a tremendous amount of spirit and joy. She was our ‘Emmy Sunshine’ and now is our guardian angel.”
A funeral service was held at the VanInwegen-Kenny Funeral Home in Wurtsboro on Monday with the Rev. Peter Madori officiating.
Memorial contributions may be made to The Ronald McDonald House Charities, One Kroc Drive, Oak Brook, IL 60523, or to the Children’s Hospital Foundation at WMC, 1 Kids Corner, Valhalla, NY 10595-1644. Mariah cared so much for children’s charities throughout her life, even participating in the Locks For Love Program.

Julia S. Dent, a 50-year area resident, died Friday, August 4, 2006 at the Catskill Regional Medical Center in Harris. She was 78.
The daughter of Richard and Hattie Jenkins Smiley, she was born June 16, 1928 in Charleston, S.C.
She was the widow of James E. Dent who died in 1966.
Julia impacted the lives of many young people as well as old. She was a great friend who extended herself to anyone in need and was an outstanding role model for anyone she interacted with. She will be greatly missed by all who knew and loved her.
She is survived by two sons, Jimmy Dent and his wife, Kay, of Monticello and Jesse Dent and his wife, Nicole, of Phoenix, Ariz.; two daughters, Geraldine Armstead of Monticello and Janie Dent of W. Hartford, Conn.; a brother, Jesse Smiley of Allentown, Pa.; a sister, Mary Louise Robinson of Brooklyn; nine grandchildren and seven great-grandchildren.
A memorial service was held Monday at Tannery Village in Monticello.
Cremation was made at Cedar Hill Crematory in Middle Hope.
Funeral arrangements are by Ramsay’s Funeral Homes Inc., Monticello.

Lilly Kurth, a longtime resident of Liberty, died Wednesday, August 2, 2006 at Catskill Regional Medical Center in Harris. She was 80.
Lilly was born December 3, 1925 in Paris, France. She was a waitress at Rocky’s Restaurant in Monticello and was a longtime waitress at the Triangle Diner in Liberty.
She is survived by her dear friend and caregiver, Betty Thurber of Liberty.
Friends may call from 7-9 p.m. Wednesday, August 9 at Ramsay’s Funeral Homes, 275 S. Main St., Liberty. A memorial service will be held at the funeral home at 8 p.m.
Cremation was made at Cedar Hill Crematory, Middle Hope.

Ronald G. Babcock of Cornwall died Friday, August 4, 2006 at home. He was 73.
The son of the late Orrin and Nellie Baisley Babcock, he was born January 4, 1933 in Cornwall. He was a lifelong resident of the area. He was married to Isabelle “Sammy” Conklin Babcock.
A retired heavy equipment operator for the Palisades Interstate Park Commission in Bear Mt., he was a member of the Cornwall United Methodist Church, an honorary member of the Highland Mills Fire Co., and a former member of the Woodbury Community Ambulance Corps.
Survivors include his wife of Cornwall; a son, Thomas A. Babcock and his wife, Sandra, of Cornwall; daughters, Veronica L. Babcock and Carla J. Cornelius and her husband, Stephen, all of Cornwall; a brother, Leon Babcock of New Windsor; a sister, Joan Conklin of Narrowsburg; grandchildren, Stephanie Cornelius, Chelsea Cornelius, Autumn Babcock and Shane Babcock; and nieces and nephews. He was predeceased by a brother, Elting Babcock.
Friends may call from 2-4 and 7-9 p.m. Tuesday, August 8 at Smith, Seaman and Quackenbush Funeral Home, 515 Route 32, Highland Mills.
Funeral services will be at 1:30 p.m. Wednesday, August 9 at the funeral home. Officiating clergyman will be the Rev. Robert T. Milsom.
Burial will be in Cemetery of The Highlands, Highland Mills.
Contributions may be made to Cornwall United Methodist Church, 196 Main Street, Cornwall, NY 12518.

William “Billy” C. Russell of Bloomingburg, an area resident for his entire short life, died unexpectedly at the age of 24.
The son of William and Glenda Russell, he was born March 14, 1982 in Goshen.
He was employed by Glen Arden Health Care Center in Goshen for the past seven years.
Survivors include his son, William Charles Russell, at home; his parents, William and Glenda Russell, at home; his brothers, Michael Russell of Middletown, and Timothy Russell at home; a sister, Cheyenne Russell at home; his fiance, Britany Crusie at home; his nephews, Timothy and Michael and a niece, Samantha; grandparents, Shirley Kynard of Bloomingburg, Marie Drew of Middletown, and William Russell of Tampa, Fla.; aunts and uncles, Susan Rutkowski of Winter Haven, Fla., Deanna Brickley of Sussex, N.J., Charlene “Aunt Char” and Kevin Hintze of Middletown, Cheryl and Jeff Piche of Pine Bush, Charles and Ann Marie Kynard of Highland Mills, Greg and Jackie Metakes of Middletown, and Danny Russell of Calif.; numerous cousins and many friends. He was predeceased by a grandfather, Charles Kynard; and an uncle, Richard Russell.
A family statement said, “Billy’s proudest accomplishment was his son. He was a devoted father, son, brother and friend. He enjoyed the many family gatherings through the years, especially 4th of July camping trips. He was an avid Yankees fan and Giants fan, and played fantasy baseball. ‘To know him was to love him.’ He will always be our ‘little Billy’ and he will forever be in our hearts, for he holds a piece of ours.”
Friends may call Tuesday, August 8 from 2-4 and 7-9 p.m. at Smith, Seaman and Quackenbush Funeral Home, 117 Maple Avenue, Monroe.
Funeral services will be held at 11 a.m. Wednesday, August 9 at the funeral home. Interment will be in Bloomingburg Rural Cemetery.

Henry McGlynn of Neversink died Wednesday, August 2, 2006 at Orange Regional Medical Center. He was 81 years of age.
The son of James and Anita McBride McGlynn, he was born March 21, 1925 in Brooklyn.
A veteran of the U.S. Navy, Henry served in WWII. He was a member of the Elks Club in Ellenville and Napanoch, the American Legion in New York City, and the VFW of Neversink, and he enjoyed working bingo.
He is survived by his wife of 51 years, Blanche, at home; a daughter, Carolynn McGlynn of Neversink; five sisters, Margaret Coleman of Watertown, NJ, Anita Ciccero of Middletown, NJ, Mr. and Mrs. Tom Isasi of Forket River, NJ, Joanie Mackey of Forket River, NJ and Dorothy Russo of Guttenberg, NJ.
A Mass of Christian Burial was held Sat., August 5 at the Church of the Immaculate Conception, Woodbourne.
Interment followed in the Grahamsville Rural Cemetery.
Arrangements were under the direction of Colonial Memorial Funeral Home.

George Joseph Duggan, a longtime resident of Harrington Park, NJ, and formerly of Goshen and Monticello, died Friday, August 4, 2006 at home. He was 89 years of age.
George was the son of George John and Cassie May Langley Duggan.
He was a veteran of the U.S. Army, serving in WWII, a member of the American Legion Post #30, Veterans of Foreign Wars #162 and the Disabled American Veterans. Prior to his retirement, he was an insurance adjuster for Royal Insurance Company.
He was a devoted husband and loving father and always had a great sense of humor and a story to tell. George graduated from Monticello High School in 1935, and was president of the Athletic Association, and a member of the Varsity Football, Basketball, and Cross-Country Track teams. He served his country during WWII as Staff Sergeant in the Service Battery, 245th Field Artillery Battalion in the Northern Solomon Islands, Southern Philippines and Guadal Canal.
He was awarded the American Defense Service Medal, Asiatic-Pacific Service Medal, Good Conduct Medal and the Philippines Liberation Ribbon with a Bronze Star.
He is survived by his wife of 57 years, Frances; a daughter, Patricia Duggan of Harrington Park, NJ; a son, Richard; and a granddaughter, Anna of Kettering, Ohio; and many nieces and nephews. He was predeceased by a brother, John Duggan.
A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 10 a.m. Wednesday, August 9 at Our Lady of Victories R.C. Church, Harrington Park, NJ with burial to follow at Maryrest Cemetery in Darlington, NJ.
Arrangements were made by Moritz Funeral Home.

Jean L. Smith, a Middletown resident for most of her life, died Thursday, August 3, 2006 at Orange Regional Medical Center, Horton Campus in Middletown. She was 78.
She was born on February 14, 1928 in New Jersey. She was the widow of Charles Smith.
Survivors include her children, Sheila Smith of Middletown, Sandy Smith of Middletown, Carol Warner of Middletown, Rickey Smith of Albany, Daniel Smith of Middletown, Frank Smith of Middletown and Ronald Reynolds of Bloomingburg; her sisters, Eleanor Blair and Kathryn Green; and her brother, Richard Blair, all of Middletown. She is also survived by numerous grandchildren, great grandchildren and nieces and nephew.
She was predeceased by her children, Victoria Grady and Charles Smith, Jr.; her brothers, Robert, Roland, Donald, Burton and Gerald Blair; and her sisters, Marie Scott, Elvina Higgens and Frances Reed.
Funeral services will be held at 11 a.m. on Tuesday, August 8, 2006 at the Ralston-Lippincott-Hasbrouck-Ingrassia Funeral Home, Inc., 72 West Main Street in Middletown.
Burial will be at Pine Hill Cemetery in the Town of Wawayanda.

Thomas Leston Amthor of Grahamsville died Friday, August 4, 2006 at ORMC, Horton Campus, in Middletown. He was 62.
The son of William M. and Mildred Sheeley Amthor, he was born May 7, 1944 in Ellenville. He was a lifelong resident of the area.
Thomas worked as a self-employed welder, and was a member of the Ellenville Elks.
A family statement said, “Dad was a very loving father and grandfather. He enjoyed spending time with his grandchildren. His favorite things were the great outdoors, hunting and fishing, along with playing his accordion. It made Dad very happy to watch people enjoying his music. We will miss him very much, but we know that he gave joy to many people.”
Survivors include two daughters, Lanetta Amthor Hass and her companion, Peter Smith, of Grahamsville and Liza Amthor and her companion, Steve Geiusabel, of Vernon, N.J.; a son, Thomas W. Amthor of Middletown; grandchildren, Kristene and Joseph Hass; his former wife, Wilma Amthor of Middletown; two brothers, William Amthor and his wife, Theresa of Utica and Arnold Amthor Sr. and his wife, Alice, of Wallkill; one sister, Arlene Lambert and her husband, Thomas, of Grahamsville; one uncle, Elwin Wayman of Newburgh; one aunt, Mary Smith of Newburgh; and several nephews, nieces and cousins.
Funeral services were held Monday at the Gridley-Horan Funeral Home. The Rev. Kent Jackson officiated.
Burial was in Grahamsville Rural Cemetery, Grahamsville.
Memorial contributions may be made to the Walden Methodist Church, 125 W. Main St., Walden, NY 12586.

Frederick “Fred” E. Kelly of Phoenix, Ariz., formerly of Stony Point and Westbrookville, died July 30, 2006 at home. He was 73.
Born on September 3, 1932 in White Plains, he was the son of the late Joseph E. Kelly and the late Helen Kelly.
Fred served in the U.S. Army overseas in Germany during the Korean War and graduated from Iona College and the New York School of Interior Design. Fred was known to many as an Interior Designer/Decorator as F. Edward Kelly Interiors and Tempo Interiors. He was also well-known as chef/owner of The Jolly Plowboy and The Beef Baron in Stony Point and the Fort Westbrook Inn in Westbrookville.
He is survived by one son, Brent Kelly of Mesa, Ariz.; three daughters, Jeanette Middleton of Nashville, Ill., Kathleen Paquet of North Branch and Amy Kelly of Woodside; three grandsons, Garrett Middleton, Brian Middleton and Ricky Castro; one granddaughter, Briana Castro; a brother, James Kelly of Connecticut; and a sister, Helen Kelly of Arizona.
A memorial service will be held in our hearts and please offer a toast in memory of Fred.

Romault Bruno, a longtime resident of Long Eddy and former owner of Bruno’s General Store, died Tuesday, August 1, 2006, at the Grover Hermann Division of Catskill Regional Medical Center, in Callicoon. He was 84.
The son of the late James and Giovanna Bruno, he was born May 24, 1922 in Pines Township, Pa. He was the widower of Constance “Shirley” Bruno.
He was a member of Holy Cross Church in Callicoon, the Allan Milk Post #7276 VFW of Long Eddy, and was a veteran of the U.S. Army, serving in WWII.
Survivors include a daughter, Gloria Milk, and her husband, Lucian, of Long Eddy; one brother, Franklin Bruno, of Florida; two grandchildren, Arlyn Ray Milk and Candice Milk; and one great-grandson, Caleb James Milk. He was predeceased by his brothers and sisters, Joseph Bruno, Blandina Bruno, Pauldina Savio, Alfred Bruno and Delphina Genna.
Funeral services were held Friday, August 4 at Holy Cross Church in Callicoon with Fr. Ignatius Smith, O.F.M., officiating.
Cremation was made at Twin Tiers Crematory, Endicott.
Memorial contributions may be made to Holy Cross Church, P.O. Box 246, Callicoon, NY 12723.
Arrangements were made by the Stewart-Murphy Funeral Home in Callicoon.

Mark Richard North of Beach Lake, Pa., a chef at Woodloch Pines, and a lifelong area resident, died Sunday, August 6, 2006 in a car accident. He was 25 years of age.
The son of Richard and Brenda Kilhullen North, he was born September 26, 1980 in Honesdale, Pa.
A family statement said, “Mark once wrote: ‘If you ever need to find me just follow the laughter.’”
Survivors include his parents of Narrowsburg; his sister, Catherine North, of Narrowsburg; his girlfriend, Maureen Dempsey of Beach Lake, Pa.; his maternal grandparents, Ambrose and Elizabeth Kilhullen of Honesdale, Pa; paternal grandfather, Richard North and his wife, Barbara, of Honesdale, Pa.; and his paternal grandmother, Patricia Herzog, of Jensen, Fla.; and several uncles, aunts and cousins.
Friends may call from 2-4 p.m. and 7-8 p.m Wednesday, August 9 at Rasmussen Funeral Home in Narrowsburg.
Funeral services will be held at 8 p.m. Wednesday at the funeral home. Pastor Peg VanSiclen will officiate.
Cremation will be made at Maple Hill Crematory, Archbald, Pa.
Memorial contributions may be made to the Tusten Vol. Ambulance Corps, P.O. Box 34, Narrowsburg, NY 12764 or to the Beach Lake Vol. Fire Dept., Rt. 652, Beach Lake, PA 18405.