January 1, 2014

John Anthony Misko
Retired Maintenance Supervisor, 86

John Anthony Misko of Grahamsville, New York, passed away on Monday, December 30, 2013 at Roscoe Regional Rehab and Residential RCF. He was 86.
John was the son of the late John P. Misko and Olga Howanitz and born on July 30, 1927 in Eynon, PA.
He was raised in the coalmining area of northeast Pennsylvania and, like his brother before him, proudly served our country in the United States Navy during 1945-1946 as a Seaman Second Class. After an honorable discharge he moved to New York where he eventually became the Supervisor of Maintenance at the Concord Hotel, a position he held for almost 40 years until his retirement. John was an active member of the VFW Bernstein Post for many years. At home, he took great pride and joy in maintaining the house and perfecting his lawn. He loved to ride his lawn mower and was always ready to spring into action after the rains had come. Like his father, John was an incredible handyman and carpenter. He fixed just about anything that needed fixing and was always happy to help friends who didn't have the same skills. In his spare time he enjoyed camping, fishing, keeping his tools organized, and barbecuing on the grill. Most importantly, he enjoyed spending time with his family. He was a loving husband, father, grandfather, great-grandfather, brother, and friend who will be deeply missed.
He is survived by his loving wife, Thelma Misko at home; his children Elaine Kaiser and husband William, David Misko and wife Marina Peake, and James Misko and wife Jennifer, Barbara Maschio, Robert Botsford and his companion Sara Kelz, Betty Botsford, Bonnie Preston and her husband Stephen, and Michael Botsford and his wife Lisa. His grandchildren include Dawn Thompson, Adam Zingalis, Dorothea Kaiser, Samantha Kaiser, Jacob Misko, Nicholas Misko, Cierra Jones-Pugh, John Michael Botsford, Brittany Benton and Amie and Robyn Morganbesser. His great-grandchildren include Trinity and Maddox Thompson, Natalia Zingalis, and Easton Pugh. He is also survived by his sisters, Violet Shumski and AnnMarie Mahalik and her husband Robert. He was predeceased by his first wife, Jane Misko, and one brother, Vincent Misko.
The family would like to extend a heartfelt thank you to the Roscoe Regional Rehab and Residential RCF doctors and staff for their care, compassion and dedication throughout John's stay. Donations in John’s name may be made to Roscoe Regional Rehab and Residential Counsel, 420 Rockland Road Roscoe, NY 12776.
Visitation will be on Friday, January 3, 2014 at Colonial Memorial Funeral Home, 396 State Route 52 Woodbourne, NY 12788 from 3-5 p.m. and 7-9 p.m.
A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated on Saturday, January 4, 2014 at 9:30 a.m. at the Church of the Immaculate Conception, 6317 State Route 42, Woodbourne, NY 12788, with full military honors.
Arrangements were under the direction of Colonial-Bryant Funeral Homes and Cremation Services. For further information please call 845-434-7363 or visit www.colonalbryantfuneralhome.com.

Horace M. Sheeley
Retired from Earl D. Sheeley & Son, Inc., 86

Horace M. Sheeley, 86, great-grandfather, grandfather, father, husband, businessman, Gideon, Lion, Fireman, Public Servant and Church Member of Grahamsville, NY, passed on Monday, December 30, 2013 at home after a short battle with cancer.
Horace, the son of Earl D. and Ada V. Sheeley, was born in Ellenville, NY on September 6, 1927. He is survived by his wife Eunice; sons, Jim (Sue) and John; grandchildren, Mike (Deanna), Megan (Jason), Karyn (Mike), Luke, Benjamin and Nathaniel; great-granddaughter, Brea and two great-grandchildren on the way.
Horace graduated from Ellenville High School in 1945 and then served two years in the Army. Upon returning to Grahamsville, he worked on both the Neversink and Rondout Reservoir projects. He married his wife of 56 years on November 10, 1957, and after a short residence in Monticello, returned to Grahamsville where he lived and served until his death on Monday morning. Horace and Eunice owned and operated Earl D. Sheeley & Son, Inc. from 1968 through 1999 when they handed over the reins to Jim and his wife to continue the family business his Dad had started so many years ago.
Horace served as Councilman for the Town of Neversink for over 30 years and was active in the Sullivan County Republican Party. He was a charter member of both the Grahamsville First Aid Squad and Grahamsville Fire Dept; life-long member and leader of the Grahamsville United Methodist Church; member and past officer of the Grahamsville Rural Cemetery Assn.; life-long member and director of the Neversink Agricultural Society; member of the Tri-Valley FFA Alumni Assn.; member of the Tri-Valley Lions and an active member of Gideon’s International and the Neversink Rondout Antique Machinery Assn. in his later years.
God and family first, trucks second. Horace will be missed by both family and community. They just don’t make many like him anymore.
Firematic services were held Thursday, January 2 at Ramsay’s Funeral Home, 275 S. Main St. Liberty, NY.
Funeral services will be held on Friday, January 3 at 11 a.m. at Grahamsville United Methodist Church, 356 State Route 55, Grahamsville, NY. Rev. Peggy Ann Sauerhoff will officiate the services. Burial will follow at Grahamsville Rural Cemetery.
Memorial contributions may be made to Gideon’s International, Tri-Valley Lions, Grahamsville United Methodist Church, Grahamsville Fire Dept or the Grahamsville First Aid Squad.
To send a personal condolence to the Sheeley family, please visit www.ramsaysfuneralhome.com

Luella Edna Petrowsky
August 1, 1932 - December 29, 2013

Luella Edna Petrowsky of Rock Hill, a homemaker and lifelong resident of the area, died Sunday, December 29, 2013 at the Skilled Nursing Unit at Catskill Regional Medical Center in Harris. She was 81.
The daughter of the late Winfred Kinch and Leila Houghtaling Kinch, she was born August 1, 1932 in Monticello.
She is survived by her husband of 61 years, Arthur J. Petrowsky Sr., at home; three sons, John Petrowsky of Rock Hill, Alan Petrowsky of Bridgeville and Arthur "Jim" Petrowsky Jr. and his wife, Anna "Penny" of Forestburgh; a daughter, Susan Edwards and her husband, John of Bridgeville; a brother, George Kinch of Monticello; six grandchildren, Dawndeann Marie, Alexis, Noah, Todd, Zachary, and James; and eight great grandchildren.
In addition to her parents, she was predeceased by her daughter-in-law Becky, and two grandsons, John and Ryan.
The family would like to thank the many caregivers at Catskill Regional Medical Center, especially those in CCU, Skilled Nursing Unit and 5 East, for the outstanding care given to Luella.
Services will be private and at the convenience of the family.
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions can be made to any charity that benefits those with lung ailments.
Arrangements are under the direction of the VanInwegen-Kenny, Inc. Funeral Home of Monticello. For additional information or to send an online condolence, please visit www.kennyfuneralhome.com

William ‘Bill’ Traxler
September 23, 1932 - December 31, 2013

William (Bill) Traxler, 81, of The Villages, Florida and Livingston Manor, NY and formerly of Stony Brook, LI, NY, passed away peacefully on December 31, 2013 with his family by his side.
Bill was born on September 23, 1932 in Chambersburg, PA, the son of Edna Schaffer and Daniel Errol Traxler.
He graduated from Westchester College in Pennsylvania in 1954, served two years in the U.S. Army, and taught instrumental music in Hauppauge Schools on Long Island until his retirement in 1987. Bill was an accomplished bass player, photographer, and pastel artist. He was a piano technician and tuner, and a member of the Piano Technician's Guild. He was a deacon in the Setauket Presbyterian Church, sang with Long Island Symphonic Choral Association, and was a proud NY Yankee fan. He loved going to the opera, and listening to music, especially classical and jazz, creating art, and traveling the world. Bill has been an inspiration and mentor to so many, and will be dearly missed by all who knew him.
He is survived by his loving wife, Katherine Calkin Traxler; daughters, Kathryn Anderson of Tacoma, WA, Jennifer and Doug Reeber of Topsham, ME, Carrie and Jim Leach of Monroe, NY, Amy and Mike McMillion of Ellicott City, MD; grandchildren, Erin, Eric, Katelyn, Lukas, Kelly, Jessica, Anna and Emily and great-grandson, Jameson. He is also survived by his brothers-in-law, Neal Calkin of Youngsville, and Bob Calkin of Cody, WY.
Visiting hours will be held on Sunday, January 5, 2014 from 2 to 5 at Ramsay's Funeral Home, 275 S. Main St., Liberty, NY.
A Funeral Service will be held on Monday, January 6, 2014 at 11 a.m. at White Sulphur Springs United Methodist Church with Pastor Bridgette LeConey officiating.
Burial will follow at Laurel Hill Cemetery in White Sulphur Springs.
Memorial contributions may be made to the Alzheimer's Association, Cornerstone Hospice, The Villages, FL 32162 or White Sulphur Springs United Methodist Church.

Memorial Service for Lawrence Scott

A Memorial Service will be held for Lawrence G. “Larry” Scott of Callicoon, who died Thursday, December 12, 2013 in Callicoon. The service will take place on Sunday, January 5, 2014 at 3 p.m. at the Hortonville Presbyterian Church, County Route 131, Hortonville, NY.