Fred C. Baer
Dairy Farmer, 85

Fred C. Baer of Callicoon, NY, a dairy farmer and a lifelong area resident, died Saturday, May 16, 2009 at his home. He was 85.
The son of the late Fred H. and Sophia Edith Gerhardt Baer, he was born January 30, 1924 in Callicoon.
He was married to Naida Westcott Baer.
He is survived by his wife, Naida, at home; two daughters, Donna Baer Monaco and her husband Roger of Oxford, NY, and Deanna Baer Deakin and her husband Donald of Kathleen, Georgia; five grandchildren, Arielle Monaco, Avalon Monaco, Adrianne Monaco-O’Quinn, Adam Deakin, and Lance Deakin; and one sister, Winifred Hodgin of the state of Florida.
He was predeceased by a sister, Ethel Baer Poley, and by two brothers, Gerhardt Baer and Robert B. Baer.
A family statement reads, “He was an avid sportsman, card player, a devoted grandfather and an all-around special person.”
There will be no visitation.
Funeral services will be held at 1 p.m. on Wednesday, May 20, 2009 at the Stewart-Murphy Funeral Home, 34 Upper Main St., Callicoon.
A private burial will be made in the Callicoon Cemetery.
Memorial contributions may be made to Hospice of Orange and Sullivan Counties, 800 Stony Brook Court, Newburgh, NY 12550.

Richard F. Poley Jr.

Richard “Dick” F. Poley, Jr. of Cody, Wyoming (formerly of White Sulphur Springs, NY), died from complications attributed to his 13 year battle with Leukemia on May 10th 2009. 
He was born on May 22, 1931 in White Sulphur Springs, NY to Richard and Hilda Husch Poley.
Graduating from Liberty High School, Dick joined the Navy and served during the Korean War.  After the service Dick married Connie Kautz Poley Aug 5th, 1956; during that time he operated a Milk Route and a Dump Truck Service. He then started his career as a carpenter with his brother-in-law Pete Schwartz. Enjoying several hunting trips to Colorado and Wyoming, his love for hunting and fishing precipitated his move to Cody in 1977.  There he worked for Lyman Construction, Gail Construction and Gasch Building. After retiring in 1993 from carpentry he helped Jim Marsico at Mountain Valley Artistry and worked part-time for Bud and Lucille Webster. He also enjoyed traveling extensively.  Dick served as the official tour guide when friends and family came to visit. His enthusiasm for Cody, Yellowstone and the area was second to none.
Dick was a member of the United Methodist Church of White Sulphur Springs, the NRA, BPOE Elks Club and Buffalo Bill Historical Center Grand Centennial. Dick was a volunteer fireman at WSS fire department for over 20 years.
He is survived by his wife of 52 years Connie Poley and three sons. Keith (Janet) Poley of Pensacola Florida, Greg Poley (fiancée Tammy Bader), and Ken (Barb) Poley of Cody. He had five grandchildren, Kevan Poley of Florida, Tim (Jessica), Amy, Brady and Chad Poley all of Cody. He recently became a great-grandfather of Deacon (son of Tim and Jessica Poley). He is survived by three siblings, Helen Schwartz of New Market, Va.; Nancy Borden of Liberty, NY, Mark (Patti) Poley of Servierville, Tenn., and brother-in-law Steven Bose of Westerlo, NY, and many nieces and nephews.
He was preceded in death by his parents and a sister, Gail Bose.
Cremation has taken place and a memorial service was held Friday, May 15, 2009 at the Ballard’s Funeral Home. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made in Dick’s name to the charity of one’s choice.

Dawn Julie Benton Decker, 52

Dawn Julie Benton Decker, a lifetime area resident, died Friday, May 15, 2009 with her loving family by her side. She was 52.
The daughter of the late Herman H. and Ruth Edwards Benton, Dawn was born June 30, 1956 in Livingston Manor, NY.
“Mother, Ma” led a full life in her short time with us. She was able to have a career and raise her three eldest children before she remarried 13 years ago and started a joyous new chapter. Her passion for the care and well-being of her family was at the core of her existence. She enjoyed every day to the fullest always finding pleasure in the little things in life. She laughed, lived and loved exquisitely and will always be remembered and loved as a free spirit by her family and friends.
Dawn was a loving mother and wife. For the past 11 years Dawn enjoyed life as a mother raising her youngest daughter at home. Prior to this Dawn worked at the former Paramount Hotel in Parksville for 18 years, holding several management positions.
We all love you, Mom!
She is survived by her beloved husband, Frank, at home; her five children: Hayleigh, at home; Kytt and his expectant wife Samantha of Stormville; Wyatt and his wife Heidi of Liberty; Jayne and her husband Paul of Woodbourne; Frank Jr. and his wife Rebeckah of Swan Lake; eight grandchildren, Jasmine, Jessica, Alyssa, Nicole, Vincent, Brandon, Frankie and Cheyenne; one great-granddaughter, Addison; three sisters, Delores Brzytwa of Roscoe, Leona Benton of Livingston Manor, and Marie Watson and her husband Tom of Livingston Manor; two aunts, Mary Benton and Nancy Lou Tompkins; and many nieces, nephews, cousins, and friends. Besides her parents, Dawn was predeceased by two sisters, Shirley Benton and Ann Hubbell; and a brother, James Benton.
A Memorial Visitation will be held from 2 to 4 and 7 to 9 p.m. on Thursday, May 21 at Herbert C. Bryant Funeral Home, 29 Pearl St., Livingston Manor. A Service of Remembrance for Dawn will begin at 8 p.m.
Arrangements by Herbert C. Bryant Funeral Home. For further information, please visit the website www.colonialbryantfuneral home.com or call 845-439-4333.

Beverly J. Swingle
Retired Switchboard Oper., 73

Beverly J. Swingle, a lifelong Sullivan County resident, passed away on Thursday May 14, 2009 in Columbia, SC. She was 73.
The daughter of the late Albert and Naomi Stewart Dauch, she was born on June 27, 1935 in Monticello, NY. She was the widow of Richard Swingle who died on May 7, 1988.
Beverly was retired from her position as switchboard operator at Catskill Regional Medical Center in Harris, NY. She was also the former owner of the Lakeview Diner in Kauneonga Lake, NY.
A family statement reads, “We thank you Mom for being a wonderful mother and always being there for us. We are grateful for all the love and wisdom you instilled in us. You are in our hearts forever.”
She is survived by a son, Gary S. Swingle of Aiken, SC; two daughters, Gail Gorton of Aiken, SC and Susan O’Dell and her husband Kenneth of Columbia, NJ; two sisters, Marjorie Reddington of Peoria, Ill., and Carol Porter and her husband Clifford of Hurleyville; seven grandchildren, Keith, Timothy, Kevin, Stephen and Eric Milisauskas, Stacey and Sara O’Dell; one great-grandchild, Joshua Debiasse; and several nieces, nephews and cousins. She was predeceased by two sons, Richard and Ronald Swingle.
Funeral services will be held at 1 p.m. on Tuesday, May 19 at Ramsay’s Funeral Home, 3534 State Rt. 55, Kauneonga Lake. Burial will take place following the services, at Evergreen Cemetery, Rt. 17B, Bethel, NY.
Memorial contributions may be made to the charity of one's choice.
Arrangements by Ramsay's Funeral Homes Inc. Kauneonga Lake, NY; 845-583-5445.