Valentine “Val” J. Ernst of Youngsville was born December 12, 1920, and died December 4, 2010, just one week shy of his 90th birthday. He led a very full and rich life and often said that he had done everything he wanted to do except to see Alaska!
Val was always involved in community affairs. He was a member of the Youngsville School Board at the time of the merger with Jeffersonville, and ran a Youth Program at the Youngsville School, where he supervised baseball, basketball and gymnastics.
He was a founding member and first President of the Jeffersonville Volunteer Ambulance Corps, a 36-year Hunter Safety Instructor, and a snowmobile safety instructor for the Jeff Mountain Climbers. Val was also a referee for high school basketball and an umpire for high school baseball. He frequently umpired his grandchildren’s Little League games and in his later years enjoyed attending his great-grandchildren’s sporting events.
Pop was a World War II Navy veteran and a life member of the N.R.A. He was active and involved with his family and friends all his life.
Val is survived by his son, Lanny Ernst, and daughter-in-law, Joan; his grandchildren, Ian and Jeremy Ernst, with their wives, Jodi and Crystal, and by his great-grandchildren, Connor, Riley, Evan and Adam Ernst. Pop was happiest when he was surrounded by all the “grandbabies” and will be greatly missed by John and Lynne; Johnny, Michelle, Anna and John IV; Matthew, Jenn and Liam; Morgan, Blaise and Brody, and Luke and Ivanka Bernas. Pop-Pop was part of every celebration from birthdays to holidays and everything in between. He will be missed by his son-in-law, Norm Schaefer; his Thursday night dinner date, Karen Bernas; his Monday morning breakfast buddy, Glenn Spielmann; and his sister, Anna Leroy; and many nieces and nephews, as well as the many people whose lives he touched.
He was predeceased by his wife, Jean Inderlied Ernst, and his daughter, Donna Ernst Schaefer.
Pop was a great supporter of the Veteran’s Administration and used their services many times for health related issues. If you feel the need to make a donation in his memory, please consider the veterans at V.A. Hudson Valley Healthcare System, Attn: Volunteer Services, PO Box 100, Castle Point, NY 12511.
A Celebration of Val’s life will be held at a later date and time to be announced.
Arrangements by Stewart-Murphy Funeral Home, Jeffersonville; 845-482-4280.

Reuben Keesler, 92
May 9, 1918 - December 3, 2010

Reuben Keesler, 92, of Equinunk, Pa., passed away on Friday, December 3, 2010 in the Wayne Memorial Hospital. He is survived by his wife of 66 years, the former Eleanor Hawley.
Born on May 9, 1918 in Equinunk, he was the son of the late Warner and Clara Martin Keesler.
Reuben was a self-employed dairy farmer for many years. He also hauled feed, milk, logs, and sawdust for many years. Reuben drew milk for 22 years for 21 dairies. 
Following retirement from the dairy business, Reuben worked for S.J. Bailey & Son Furniture, Camp Equinunk, and Chroma Tube. He was a former Constable for Manchester Township, and a member of the Equinunk Historical Society.  Reuben especially enjoyed making bird houses with lumber from the Joel Hill Sawmill. He will be remembered as a good Christian.
He is also survived by his three children: Michael Keesler of Equinunk, Susan Keesler of Equinunk and her husband, Frank Conlon of Old Bridge, New Jersey, and Martha Keesler of Cortland, New York; one brother, Leo Keesler and his wife Phyllis of Alabama; two sisters, June Clark of Scranton, and Wanita Macey and her husband Robert of Vermont; five grandchildren: Kenneth Keesler and his wife Michelle of Washington State, Lottie Schnell and her husband Jeremy of Wisconsin, Brian Keesler and Christopher Keesler of Watertown, New York, and Harold Bumersbach and his wife, Jenna of Penn’s Park, Pennsylvania; five great-grandchildren: Samantha, Brittany, and Shelby Keesler of Washington State, Savannah Keesler of Wisconsin, and Keira Bumersbach of Penn’s Park, Pennsylvania; and two step-great-grandchildren: Connor Hayes and Alexis Mills; several nieces, nephews and cousins.
Reuben was preceded in death by four siblings: Alice French, Russell Keesler, Naomi Gillow, and Marcella Robbins.
Graveside Services will be held on Monday, December 6, 2010 at 1 p.m. in the Pine Mill Cemetery, with Rev. Dr. Richard Gregory officiating. A reception will follow at the Pine Mill Community Hall.
A Private Viewing will be held at the convenience of the family.
Arrangements are attended by the Arthur A. Bryant Funeral Home 1228 North Main Street Honesdale, PA 18431.   
Memorial Contributions may be made in Reuben’s Memory to the Equinunk Fire Company, Equinunk, PA 18417.

Jeanne Mary Shugrue Neylon Landon
Retired Postmaster, 77

Jeanne Mary Shugrue Neylon Landon of Grahamsville died Tuesday, December 7, 2010 at Catskill Regional Medical Center. She was 77.
Jeanne was born February 14, 1933 in Bayshore, L.I. to John and Helen Prendergast Shugrue. Jeanne was a retired postmaster for the Grahamsville Post Office. She was a longtime member and Past President of the Sullivan County Dramatic Workshop, an organization for which she voluteered tirelessly and joyfully, and participated in every aspect of the theater group’s productions. Jeanne also was Past President of the Grahamsville Lioness Club, another group that benefited from her boundless energy and dedication.
Jeanne leaves behind to cherish her memory her daughter, Jeanne A. Neylon Decker, who resides in San Diego, Calif. with her husband Douglas L. Decker, DDS, and their children Meagan R. Decker and Daniel D. Decker; her daughter Kathleen A. Neylon of Grahamsville; her son James M. Neylon III; her beloved granddaughter Jamie L. Neylon and very dear friends, the Nygard family of Woodbourne; Clara Decker of Los Gatos, Calif.; her brother-in-law Daniel A. Neylon of Montreal, Canada; and special friends too numerous to mention. She was predeceased by her two husbands, Charles E. Landon and James M. Neylon Jr.
Visitation will be held from 9 a.m. to 10:30 a.m. on Saturday, December 11, 2010 at Colonial Memorial Funeral Home, 396 State Route 52, Woodbourne, which will be followed by a Catholic Mass of Christian Burial to be celebrated at 11 a.m. at the Church of the Immaculate Conception, 6317 Route 42, Woodbourne. Fr. John Lynch will officiate.
A family statement reads, “‘It takes a lot of feathers to make an angel’s wings.’ Mom you will always be our angel, watching over us.”
In lieu of flowers, donations for Jamie Neylon’s college fund will be gratefully accepted. Please contact Kathy Neylon.