Lester H. Hill
Retired Truck Driver, 75

Lester Howard Hill, a retired truck driver for Sullivan County DPW and a 41-year area resident, entered into rest on September 10, 2010 at home. He was 75.
The son of Harry and Magdalina Hill, he was born May 26, 1935 in Unadilla, NY.
A veteran of the U.S. Army, Lester was a member of CSEA Local #1000, the Kenoza Lake Fire Department, and a former 4-H leader.
Survivors include his wife of 51 years, Mary Selthafner Hill, at home; his children, Marianne Loflin and her husband Dan of Kenoza Lake, Theresa Betty Hill Stagl of Callicoon Center and her dear friend and companion Thomas Schmidt, Lester William Hill and his wife Laura of Jeffersonville, Rose M. Hill of Kenoza Lake, Susan Elaine Thomas-Caycho and her fiancé Thomas Wells of Fosterdale, Jacqueline Nancy Hill and Katherine Lee Hill, both of Kenoza Lake; seven grandchildren, Richard Matthew Stagl, Thomas Michael Stagl, Theresa Marie Stagl, John Harold Hollenbeck IV, Brenda Lee Hollenbeck, Travis Alexander Thomaz, Kyle Nicholas Caycho; three great-grandchildren, Havana Dawn Henry Stagl, Nathan James Dobell Coy, and Michael Paul Casaino; one sister, Jenny Annan of Washington state; and many nieces and nephews. He was predeceased by a granddaughter, Melinda Joyce Stagl; two brothers, Harry and Robert Hill; and two half-sisters, Carrie and Emily Clark.
Funeral services were held Monday, September 13 at the Stewart-Murphy Funeral Home, Jeffersonville, (845) 482-4280.
Burial was made in Calvary Cemetery, Youngsville.
In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to a charity of one’s choice.

Robert C. Cullen
Retired Financial Director

Robert C. Cullen of Valhalla, died September 7, 2010 at Westchester Medical Center in Valhalla.
He was born in New York City to the late Walter and Christina (nee Hartmann) Cullen.
He proudly served in the U.S. Army during the Korean Conflict. Robert was a retired Financial Director for General Foods in White Plains, NY, for 28 years, retiring in 1986, at which time he and his family lived in places like Spain, Australia, Venezuela and Korea.
He is survived by his devoted wife, Margaret (nee Bonzer) Cullen of Valhalla; his loving children, Robert C. Cullen Jr. and his wife Pearl of New Fairfield, Conn., Kristine Cullen and her husband Ross Hartlipp of Pleasant Valley, and Kathleen Cullen-Zieres and her husband Kevin of North Branch; five cherished grandchildren, Shannan, Deanna, Erin, Peter and Norah; and four great-grandchildren, Kayla, Rally, Taylor and Skye. He was predeceased by his brother, Walter Cullen in 2001.
A Funeral Mass was celebrated Friday, September 10 at Holy Name of Jesus Church in Valhalla.
Interment was made in Gate of Heaven Cemetery in Hawthorne, NY.
In lieu of flowers, donations to Maryknoll Sisters, 10 Pinesbridge Road, Maryknoll, NY 10545 would be appreciated.
Arrangements were by Hawthorne Funeral Home, 21 Stevens Ave., Hawthorne, NY 10532 (914) 769-4404.

Robert L. Armbrust, 79
June 10, 1931 - Sept. 1, 2010

Robert L. “Buck” Armbrust of Lady Lake, Fla., formerly of Kenoza Lake, passed away Wednesday, September 1, 2010 at the Villages Hospice House in Florida. He was 79.
The son of the late Robert and Elna Armbrust, he was born June 10, 1931 in Liberty, NY.
Bob was a retired member of Local #445 Teamsters and a former member of the Kenoza Lake Fire Department. He enjoyed hunting and clambakes and was well-known for his skill in sausage making and meat smoking.
He is survived by his loving wife of 55 years, Kay Holcroft Armbrust; two sons, James Armbrust of Alliance, Ohio and John Armbrust and his wife Kathy of Kenoza Lake; two daughters, Donna Stimike and her husband Dennis of Lady Lake, Fla., and Mary Hirsch and her husband Tony of Kenoza Lake; six grandchildren; five great-grandchildren; many nieces and nephews; and a sister, Elna “Sis” Kenny. He was predeceased by two brothers, Willis Armbrust and Burdett Armbrust.
There will be no visitation.
There will be a celebration of Bob’s life held at 1 p.m. on Saturday, September 18, 2010 at the Kenoza Lake Fire Department in Kenoza Lake, NY.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to The Village Hospice House, The Villages, FL 32162.

Edward F. Ackerly, 89
Feb. 10, 1921 - Sept. 7, 2010

Edward F. Ackerly of Walton, NY, formerly of Roscoe, NY, and Mission, Texas, passed away peacefully on Sept. 7, 2010. His family had been by his side for several days.
Mr. Ackerly was born and raised in Roscoe. After graduating from Roscoe High School he worked at the Alcoa Aluminum plant in Bridgeport, Conn., helping switch the plant from washing machines to armaments for WWII. He volunteered for the U.S. Army Air Corps, but then enlisted in the U.S. Army Paratroopers, serving in the 503rd Airborne in the South Pacific. He jumped on Corregidor in the Manila Harbor for which the 503rd became famous.
He was a recipient of the Purple Heart.
After the war, he returned to Roscoe and eloped with the former Elizabeth “Bette” Keeler, on Halloween, 1945. They first lived in Brooklyn, where he worked as an electrician’s assistant at the St. Regis Hotel. Mr. Ackerly always loved New York, but thought that Roscoe was a better place to raise children. He and Bette brought up their three sons in Roscoe in the house where he had grown up. He continued to work as an electrician, bringing electricity to many rural homes for the first time.
Mr. Ackerly was active in community affairs. Soon after returning to Roscoe he joined the Roscoe Volunteer Fire Department. He was elected Fire Chief and served for five years. He was Commander of the American Legion in Roscoe.
Later he was elected a Town Assessor.
He was also elected Town Councilman for 12 years.
For many years he was a Town Constable, member of the Republican Committee, and on the Riverview Cemetery Board of Directors. He continued to be active in fire department related organizations. He was past President of the Sullivan County Fireman’s Association, and served on the County Board of Fire Commissioners and the State Fire Advisory Board.
During this time he helped establish a burn center in Albany and served on the facility’s Board of Directors. He was also a member of the F&A Masons.
In 1960 he bought the Roscoe Dairy which he ran with Bette and his sons until he sold it in 1978. He continued to do part-time work for several years.
He and Bette headed south, first Florida and then Texas. In 1985 they became residents of Mission, Texas. Every summer they returned north to spend time with their son Tom’s family in Walton and their son Scott’s family on Plum Island, Mass.
He and Bette traveled extensively, criss-crossing America, visiting all 48 contiguous states and all of the National Parks. Ed would be the first to admit he had a good life. He loved public affairs, helping people, telling stories, classic movies, walking, and learning about all the places he visited.
He is survived by his son, Thomas Ackerly and wife Deborah of Walton and children (of Thomas and Anna May Husson) – Casey and husband Everett Tallman, Tamara and husband Skip Powell, and Thomas Ackerly and wife Becky (Park); son Scott Ackerly and wife Jean (Parmele) Newbury, MA and children Lily and Julia Ackerly; nine great-grandchildren, Jordan, Collin, Payton, Madison, Dalton, Benjamin, Samantha, Brayden, and Jackson; his sister, Frances Keeler of Middletown, NY, and his brother and sister-in-law, Donald and Ronnie Keeler of Youngsville.
He was predeceased by his wife Bette, on November 11, 2009, and his son Robert Ackerly.
A Funeral Service will be held at 11 a.m. Saturday, September 18, 2010 at the United Church of Roscoe, Rte. 206 & Church Street, Roscoe with the Rev. David Collins officiating.
Burial will follow in Riverview Cemetery, Roscoe.
Memorial contributions in Mr. Ackerly’s memory may be made to DVH Volunteers, Attn: Community Relations, 2 Titus Place, Walton, NY 13856.
Arrangements are with Courtney Funeral Home, Walton.
Condolences to the family may be made online by visiting www. courtneyfh.com