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  OBITUARY ARCHIVES Established 1891 Callicoon, New York  
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December 29, 2006

Florence Christian
Homemaker, 87

Florence Christian of Liberty entered into rest on December 19, 2006 in Middletown Park Manor. She was 87.
The daughter of Charles and Flora Ballam Dowell, she was born April 16, 1919 in Grantham, England. She was the widow of Leonard William Christian.
She was a homemaker, a member of the Parksville United Methodist Church, the British War Veterans of America, the New York Branch British Legion (NYC), and the British War Veterans of America-Nassau Branch of the Royal British Legion (NYC). She was a past president of the Golden Park Senior Citizens of Liberty, and a member of the Livingston Manor Senior Citizens.
Survivors include her three sons, William Christian of Livingston Manor, Anthony Christian of Queens and Edward Christian of New Windsor; her daughters include Florence Marshall and Ann Saunders of Largo, Fla.; 11 grandchildren; 14 great-grandchildren; seven great-great-grandchildren; and several nieces and nephews.
She was predeceased by four sisters, Nellie Green, Emily Dickson, Winifred Reddish, and Alice Blissett; and two brothers, Ernest and Charles Dodwell.
Memorial contributions may be sent to the Parksville United Methodist Church or to the Salvation Army.
A graveside service was held December 26 at Ferncliff Cemetery, Hartsdale.
Arrangements were made under the supervision of Herbert C. Bryant Funeral Home.

Bronislaw Wolyniec
Retired ConEd Employee, 85

Bronislaw Wolyniec of Cochecton passed away Friday, December 22, 2006 at Catskill Regional Medical Center, Harris. He was 85.
The son of Walter and Pauline Wolyniec, he was born August 29, 1921 in Ukraine.
Mr. Wolyniec was a retired Con-Ed employee, and a member of St. George's Roman Catholic Church in Jeffersonville, and St. Joseph's Church in Yonkers.
He is survived by his wife, Helen Golub Wolyniec, at home.
Funeral services were held December 27 at St. George's R.C. Church in Jeffersonville with Father Ignatius Vu officiating.
Burial was made in St. Joseph's Cemetery, Yonkers.
Memorial contributions may be made to St. George's Church, W. End Ave., Jeffersonville, NY 12748.
Arrangements were made by Stewart-Murphy Funeral Home, Inc.

Vilma “Billie” Elkins
Founder, Kings Catering, 87

Vilma “Billie” Elkins of Livingston Manor passed away Saturday, December 23, 2006 at home. She was 87.
The daughter of Frank and Vilma Pirchann Gyuracska, she was born April 3, 1919 in New York City.
Vilma started Kings Catering House of the Catskills in Livingston Manor in 1951 and ran it until her retirement in 1999. She was a member of the Liquor Dealers Association and a founding member of the Professional Business Woman's Association.
Survivors include her husband, Gregory “Skip” Elkins of Livingston Manor; a son, Edmund F. King of Livingston Manor; a very special loved one to “Billie,” Gail Simpson; and one nephew, Gary George and his wife, Margorie, of New Jersey.
She was predeceased by a brother, Albert George, and his wife, Gerta.
A private visitation will be held at the family's convenience with services by Msgr. William Collins.
Burial will be made in St. Aloysius Cemetery.
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the Alzheimer's Assoc., Mid Hudson Chapter, 2 Jefferson Plaza Suite 102, Poughkeepsie, NY 12601 or to Hospice of Orange and Sullivan Counties, 800 Stony Brook Court, Newburgh, NY 12550.
Arrangements were by Herbert C. Bryant Funeral Home, Livingston Manor.

Queenie E. Armstead
Nurse’s Aide, 68

Queenie E. Armstead of Monticello, a lifelong area resident, died Thursday, December 21, 2006 at Catskill Regional Medical Center. She was 68.
The daughter of the late Cecil Brown, she was born February 9, 1937 in Charlotte, N.C.
She was employed as a nurse's aide at the Catskill Regional Medical Center in Harris.
She was the widow of John William Armstead who died October 9, 1999.
Survivors include two sons, John Armstead and his wife, Charone, of Forestburgh and Gary Armstead and his wife, Tracy, of Dingmans Ferry, Pa.; four daughters, Betty McCalay and her husband, Robert, of Bethel, Beverly Ellison of Virginia, Donna Darling and her husband, George, of Forestburgh and Linda Jones and her husband, Matthew, of Virginia; a sister, Bessie Mae Brown of Monticello; nine grandchildren, Ellan, Gabriela, Justin, Bryce, Faith, Dwayne, Matthew, Sabrina and Alicia; nine great-grandchildren; several aunts, uncles, cousins, and nieces and nephews.
She was predeceased by a brother, Robert Brown.
Funeral services were held Thursday at Ramsay's Funeral Home, Monticello, with the Rev. Mervin Armstead officiating.
Burial was made in Rock Ridge Cemetery, Monticello.

Albert Cowles
Mechanic, Skaters World, 77

Albert Cowles of Ferndale passed away peacefully at his residence on Saturday, December 23, 2006. He was 77.
The son of Mr. and Eva Adams Cowles, he was born March 2, 1929 in Hartford, Conn.
He was a mechanic for Skaters World, a member of the Sullivan County Airplane Club, and held an Amateur Radio License. He was a member of the Sullivan County Radio Control Club and the Academy of Model Aeronautics.
Survivors include his companion of 35 years, Ann V. Blake and her children.
Friends may call from 12 noon to 1 p.m. Jan. 7, 2007 at the Colonial Memorial Funeral Home, 396 State Route 52, Woodbourne.
A Memorial service will be held at 1 p.m. on Jan. 7 at the funeral home with the Rev. Robert Pinto officiating.

Joseph F. Devlin
Ret. Postal Employee, 85

Joseph Francis Devlin of Wurtsboro, a retired postal worker from Massapequa, Long Island, died Thursday, December 21, 2006 at his home. He was 85.
The son of the late Joseph F. Devlin and Lillian Quigley Devlin, he was born September 8, 1921 in New York City.
He was a veteran of WWII serving in the U.S. Army, and was a member of the American Legion Post #1266, Mamakating, and the Veterans of Foreign Wars Post #4947, Mamakating.
He is survived by his wife of 61 years, Mary Nunn Devlin, at home; one son, Joseph F. Devlin and his wife, Teri of Miller Place; four daughters: Susan Foster and her husband, Bill of Newburgh, Christine Shazar and her husband, David, of Valley Stream, Janice Barry and her husband, Scott, of Laramie, Wyo., and Patricia Cioffi and her husband, Joseph, of Dallas, Ga.; 15 grandchildren; and four great-grandchildren.
Graveside services with military honors and burial of cremains were held Thursday at the Sullivan Co. Veterans Cemetery, Liberty with Fr. John Tran officiating.
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the Mamakating First Aid Squad, P.O. Box 525, Wurtsboro, NY 12790 or to the American Legion Post #4947.
Arrangements are under the direction of the VanInwegen-Kenny Funeral Home of Wurtsboro.

Rita M. Simpson
Homemaker, 73

Rita M. Simpson of Liberty, a lifelong area resident, died Monday, December 25, 2006 at her home. She was 73.
The daughter of the late Albert G. and Margie Keator McArthur, she was born December 12, 1933 in Liberty.
She had been an employee of Liberty Lanes, and the Harris and Ferndale Post Offices, and was a member of the Livingston Manor American Legion Ladies Auxiliary.
She is survived by her husband, Delmont R. Simpson, at home; two sons, Robert R. Simpson and his wife, Kathy, of Liberty and David G. Simpson of Liberty; one sister, Madeline Tuttle of Parksville; two grandchildren, Cassey Knack and Malinda Simpson; and several nieces and nephews.
She was predeceased by a sister, Evelyn Tuttle; and a brother, Alfred J. McArthur, in 1998.
Funeral services were held Thursday at the Harris Funeral Home, Liberty, with the Rev. Bridgette LeConey officiating.
Burial was made in Rural Cemetery, Grahamsville.
Memorial contributions may be made to Hospice of Orange and Sullivan Counties, 800 Stony Brook Ct., Newburgh, NY 12550 or to the Ladies Auxiliary of the Swan Lake Fire Company, Swan Lake, NY 12783.

Harry Baer
Ret. Plumbing Contractor, 92

Harry Baer, a retired plumbing contractor and lifelong resident of Mountaindale, died December 25, 2006 at the Sullivan County Adult Care Center in Liberty. He was 92.
The son of William and Dora Leiberman Baer, he was born March 17, 1914 in New York City.
He is survived by two sisters, Sophie Baer and Elsie Kramer; a stepson; several nieces and nephews and their families; and many friends.
Graveside funeral services were held Thursday at the Mountaindale Synagogue Cemetery, Glen Wild. Rabbi Marvin Goldman officiated.
Funeral arrangements by Joseph N. Garlick Funeral Home, Inc.

Barbara Jean Robisch
Poet, Writer, Artist, 73

Barbara J. Robisch died peacefully on December 11, 2006. She was 73.
The daughter of Oscar John and Margaret Jean Fraser Robisch, she was born September 10, 1933 at Callicoon Hospital in Callicoon.
She was the former editor of Suburban Life magazine, located in Orange, NJ.
Barbara was a poet, writer, artist and a lover of people of all backgrounds and persuasions. She shared her life with her best friend of 29 years, Fran Hepburn, and most recently her cat, Puss III, in a beautiful location overlooking Hortonville.
She is survived by her sister, Joyce Fisher of Narrowsburg, two brothers and sisters-in-law, Jim and Mary Robisch of Beach Lake, Pa. and John and Anastasia Robisch of Longmont, Colo.; and numerous nieces and nephews.
A memorial service will be held at 11 a.m. Saturday, December 30 at the Presbyterian Church in Hortonville.
Committal will follow at Hortonville Cemetery, with a reception after a brief graveside ceremony.

Lee Lawrence
Homemaker, 85

Lee Lawrence of Monticello passed away Saturday, December 23, 2006, at her home with her loving family by her side. She was 85 years of age.
The daughter of the late Naomi Postell and Henry Thomas, she was born November 8, 1921 in Silver, S.C.
Mom, Ma and Mother, as she was so affectionately called, was an avid deep-sea fisherman, a seamstress and loved gardening. She was raised in the South and later migrated to Harlem, then moved to Monticello in the 1950s.
Mom was a wonderful person who loved people and good times. She was a loving wife, great mother, grandmother, great-grandmother, great-great-grandmother, sister, aunt, cousin and friend. She leaves to cherish her memory her four daughters, Semmie (James) Johnson and Ann (Eric) Young, all of Monticello, Doris Lawrence of Belmont, Calif., and Joyce (James) Baker of Stockton, Ala.; two sons, Harry Lawrence of Monticello and Otha Lawrence of Syracuse; a sister, Louise Owens of Charleston, S.C.; 30 grandchildren; 47 great-grandchildren; 14 great-great-grandchildren; and a host of cousins, nieces, nephews and friends.
She was predeceased by two husbands.
Friends may call from 7-9 p.m. Friday, Dec. 29 at the VanInwegen-Kenny Funeral Home, 401 Broadway, Monticello.
A funeral service will be held at 1 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 30 at the Kings Chapel Mission, 15 Spring St., Monticello. Bishop Leon Williams will officiate.
Memorial contributions may be made to the American Cancer Society, 419 East Main St., Suite 307B, Middletown, NY 10940.

Eugene W. Fountain
Ret. Mail Truck Driver, 58

Eugene W. Fountain of Sparrowbush, a lifelong resident of the area, died Monday, December 25, 2006 at Bon Secours Community Hospital in Port Jervis. He was 58 years of age.
The son of the late Lewis A. Fountain and Lorine E. Aumick Fountain, he was born October 16, 1948 in Poughkeepsie.
He was the widower of Jeannette Rosendall Fountain.
A veteran of the U.S. Air Force, serving in Vietnam, he was a retired mail truck driver for Miller Mail Delivery in Forestburgh. He was a member of the Sparrowbush United Methodist Church; a 40-year member of the Sparrowbush Fire Department, and a member of the Runamuck Hunting Club in Sidney.
Survivors include one son, Dennis Fountain and his wife, Lori, of Glen Spey; a daughter, Amy Sandifer and her husband, James, of Sacramento, Calif.; three brothers, Robert Fountain of Sparrowbush, Wayne Fountain and his wife, Terri, and George Fountain, all of Glen Spey; five grandchildren, Nate, James, Harley, Jeannette and Jerry; his longtime companion, Stella Schram; and several nieces and nephews.
Funeral services will be held at 10 a.m. Friday, December 29 at the Knight-Auchmoody Funeral Home, 154 E. Main St., Port Jervis, with Joyce Davis officiating.
Burial will be made in Pine Hill Cemetery in Sparrowbush.
Memorial contributions may be made to the Port Jervis Volunteer Ambulance Corps, Box 33, Port Jervis, NY 12771.

Articia Lorraine Baker
Ret. Singer/Bookkeeper, 67

Articia Lorraine "Artie Lou" Baker aka Combs, Stone, Simpson, Romney, of Callicoon Center, a retired singer, bookkeeper, bartender and homemaker, left this world for a better one on Saturday, December 23, 2006 at the Sullivan County Adult Care Center, Liberty. She was 67.
The daughter of the late Ferne and Arthur Baker, she was born May 18, 1939 in East Alton, Ill.
Two children survive her, Rhonda Morales and Christine Simpson of Bakersfield, Calif.; one sister, Lois Schmidt, and one brother, Jon Baker, both of Carrollton, Ill.; 12 grandchildren; five great-grandchildren; two stepdaughters, Christine Carter and Kim Romney; and an adopted daughter, Jeanne Marie Reinshagen.
Although she lived in Illinois, California, Wyoming, Washington State, Texas, Oklahoma and Arizona, she called Callicoon Center her home since 1982. She had been active in the Callicoon Center Fire Dept. Auxiliary, and a member of the Callicoon Center Schuetzen Verein and held its highest office as the first female captain of the nation’s second largest rifle club.
She was predeceased by two sons, Robert and James Simpson.
Funeral services were held Wednesday at the Harris Funeral Home, Roscoe with Monsignor William Collins officiating. Burial was made in Carrollton, Ill.
Memorial contributions may be made to the Callicoon Center Fire Dept., or to the Grover Hermann Division, Catskill Regional Medical Center, Callicoon, NY 12723.

Helen Roosa
Homemaker, 94

Helen Roosa, a lifelong Liberty resident, died Tuesday, December 26, 2006 at the Sullivan County Adult Care Center in Liberty. She was 94.
The daughter of the late Jacob and Helen Rockefeller Tremper, she was born July 20, 1912 in Liberty.
She was the widow of Bruce Roosa who died in 1985. She was a member of the Liberty United Methodist Church and the Star Rebekah Lodge where she was the Grand Noble.
A family statement reads, “She was a warm and loving mother, grandmother and great-grandmother and she will be missed by us all.”
Survivors include her daughter, Shirley Lindsley and her husband, Douglas, of Liberty; three grandchildren, Timothy Yaun and his wife, Cynthia, Debra Ferland and her husband, Richard, and Denise Reed and her husband, Daniel; and three great-grandchildren, Nicholas Yaun, Kate Yaun and Tara Ferland. She was predeceased by a son, Robert Roosa; a sister, Lena Wagner Wilson Stout; and three brothers, George, Wallace and Robert Tremper.
Funeral services will be held at 11 a.m. Friday, Dec. 29 at Ramsay’s Funeral Home, 275 S. Main St., Liberty with the Rev. Bridgette LeConey officiating. Burial will be made in Liberty Cemetery.
Memorial contributions may be made to the Liberty Ambulance Corps, PO Box 105, Liberty, NY 12754 or Family Care Council of Sullivan County Adult Care Ctr., PO Box 671, Liberty, NY 12754.

John Pallis
Ret. Supt. of Sanitation, 81

John Pallis of Narrowsburg, a longtime resident of the area, died Monday, December 25, 2006 at Wayne Memorial Hospital, Honesdale, Pa. He was 81.
The son of the late George and Hazel Young Pallis, he was born June 11, 1925 in Damascus, Pa. He was married to Phyllis Galletta for 54 years, who survives him.
He was a retired Superintendent of Sanitation in New York City, and a veteran of the U.S. Navy, serving during WWII on the U.S.S. LYMAN 302. He was a member and treasurer of the Beaverbrook Rod and Gun Club, a shareholder and member of the Highland Field & Stream, and a member of the Highland Hookers Bass Club.
In a family statement, it was said, "John was a devoted and loving husband, father and Pop Pop. John had a great appreciation for the outdoors, he was an avid hunter and fisherman, he will truly be missed by everyone who knew him and especially by his family."
Survivors include his wife, Phyllis, at home; three sons, John Pallis of Brooklyn, George Pallis and his wife, Linda of Springfield, N.J. and Philip Pallis and his wife, Anna Maria, of Staten Island; two brothers, Sonny and Daniel; two sisters, Artemesia and Anne; five grandchildren, Matthew, Zachary, Gabrielle, John II and Nicholas; and several nieces and nephews.
He was predeceased by a sister, Catherine.
Funeral services will be held at 10 a.m. Friday, December 29 at the Gray-Rasmussen Funeral Home, Narrowsburg. Rev. Donald Beck will officiate.
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to Beaverbrook Rod and Gun Club, Kids Fish for Fun Fund in Memory of John Pallis, Narrowsburg, NY 12764 or to the Tusten Volunteer Ambulance Corps, P.O. Box 34, Narrowsburg, NY 12764.

John Mitsigiorge
Ret. Businessman, 61

John Mitsigiorge of Liberty, a retired mechanic and restaurateur, died suddenly at home on Friday, December 8, 2006. He was 61 years of age.
The son of Zaharias and Hrysi Mitsigiorge, he was born December 24, 1944 in Kos, Greece.
A family statement said, “John loved children and really enjoyed fishing and tinkering. He spoke seven languages. John will be sadly missed by all who knew him. He was a help to all who asked.”
Survivors include his wife, Guadalupe, of Manhattan; seven children, Hyris, Alexandra, Antonia, Elenne, Magdalene, Theodore and Marolis, and four grandchildren; three nephews, Locki, Nikolaos and Jack Kasiotis; one niece, Evangelia – all of whom he loved as his own; and grandnieces and grandnephews.
He was predeceased by his parents and three brothers, Nikolaos, Manolis, and Theodore.
A graveside service was held Saturday, December 16 at the Luna Cemetery, Rock Hill.
Memorial contributions may be made to the family.
For further information, please contact the Colonial Memorial Funeral Home in Woodbourne at 1-888-856-8619, or visit www. colonialbryantfuneralhome.com.

George W. Parks
Retired Logger, 87

George W. Parks of Cooks Falls, a retired employee for the Town of Colchester and a self-employed logger, died Friday, December 22, 2006 at the Roscoe Community Nursing Home, Roscoe. He was 87.
The son of the late Melvin and Eunice Cook Parks, he was born May 12, 1919 in Liberty.
He was a former member and past chief of the Cooks Falls-Horton Fire Company, and a past president of the Delaware County Fireman's Association.
Survivors include his wife of 65 years, Doris E. Zahorik Parks, at home; a daughter, Joan Conrow and her husband, Clayton, of Cooks Falls; a granddaughter, Cindy Conrow of Cooks Falls; and several cousins.
A graveside service and burial were held Dec. 26 at the Cooks Falls Cemetery.
Memorial contributions may be made to the Hudson Valley Fireman's Home, 125 Harry Howard Ave., Hudson, NY 12534-1601 or to the Heart of the Catskills Humane Shelter, P.O. Box 88, Delhi, NY 13753.

Magda Kovacs
Homemaker, 72

Magda Kovacs of Bethel, a homemaker, died Sunday, December 24, 2006 at Catskill Regional Medical Center after a valiant eight year battle with cancer. She was 72.
The daughter of Joseph and Ilona Bocsik Koalcsik, she was born September 18, 1934 in Budapest, Hungary.
In 1957, Magda and her husband Barney immigrated to this country and resided in the Bronx for 25 years, where they raised three daughters. In 1982, they relocated to a farm in Bethel. Shortly after moving to Bethel, Magda’s daughter, Helen Bakos, passed away, leaving behind her two daughters, Angela and Laura. Magda and Barney assumed the responsibility of raising those two young girls. Her whole life was devoted to caring for her daughters and grandchildren.
Magda will be sorely missed by family and friends and all who knew her. She will be remembered for her famous cooking and generosity and love for others.
She leaves behind her loving husband, Barney Kovacs, at home; her mother, Ilona of Budapest, Hungary; a daughter, Barbara Parker; three sisters, Georgette, Eva and Anna, all of Budapest; and four grandchildren, Angela Bakos, Laura Bakos, Anthony Parker and Salim Antabli.
She was predeceased by her father, Joseph Koalcsik; and two daughters, Helen Bakos and Magda Kovacs.
Friends may call from noon to 2 p.m. Friday, December 29 at Ramsay’s Funeral Home, Kauneonga Lake.
Burial will be made in Evergreen Cemetery, Rt. 17B, Bethel.

Edward J. Cocot Jr.
Self-employed Contractor, 81

Edward John Cocot Jr. of Monticello, a self-employed contractor, went to be with the Lord on Tuesday, December 26, 2006. He was 81.
The son of Edward John and Carrie May Fisher Cocot, he was born May 18, 1925 in Monticello.
Survivors include his loving wife of 30 years, Patricia Bennett Cocot, at home; several children, a brother, John Cocot and his wife, Jean, of Thompsonville; and two sisters, Johanna Morris and her husband, Earl, of Thompsonville and Mary Salisbury of Cochecton.
Cremation was made at the convenience of the family.
A memorial service will be held at 1 p.m. Monday, January 1, 2007 at the White Lake Reformed Presbyterian Church, Rt. 17B, with the Rev. David Coon officiating.
As Edward loved his church family, the family requests that memorial donations be made to the White Lake Reformed Presbyterian Church, Rt. 17B and Mattison Rd., White Lake, NY 12786.
Funeral arrangements are by Ramsay’s Funeral Homes Inc., of Monticello.

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