Edward Franskevicz
Retired Construction worker, 89

Edward J. Franskevicz of Hancock, rejoined his beloved wife on Monday, March 31, 2008 at Lourdes Hospital, Binghamton. He was 89.
He was born on March 27, 1919, Hancock, the son of Kostany and Telka (Yankowski) Franskevicz. Ed married Mary Danowski on December 26, 1948 in Hancock. She predeceased him on July 2, 2005.
Ed lived a very diverse life. Early in his life, he spent time cutting blue stone and logging. Later on, he became involved in construction as a laborer, cement mason, and job foreman. Construction took him from all corners of New York State. At various times he flew to his job site daily in Buffalo, New York from Hancock while other times he commuted on weekends to and from Arlington, Virginia. After retiring from construction, Eddie enjoyed many years on his life-long farm raising white-faced Herefords with his family. He took pride in his farm and had his greatest pleasures watching his children, grandchildren and friends share in all that his land had to offer.
Eddie left behind a legacy of love and loyalty to his family and a belief that hard work made anything possible. Ed often said that sitting down made a person age faster and he was fortunate enough to live his life by his own motto. While he will be deeply missed, we know that he left us smiling as he knew he was entering into his eternal life with his beloved Mary.
Surviving are three daughters, Barbara and Jim Feehan, Sweet Valley, Pa., Audrey and Jerry Dix, Hancock, Judy and Dave Gorton, Greene; and a son, David and Beverly Franskevicz, Cochecton. Ed is also survived by grandchildren, Jennifer (Feehan) and Jerry Peabody, Matthew Feehan, Gerald Dix, Aaron and Luann Dix, Scott, Kyle and Kaitlin Gorton and E.J. and Cody Franskevicz; and a great granddaughter, Jaylin Peabody; three sisters, Tofka Zaczek, Anna Mapes and Helen Andersen.
Four sisters predeceased Ed; Mary Verry, Jennie Seaman, Francis Benowski and Nellie Danowski.
Funeral services were held on Thursday, April 3rd, 2008 at the Henderson-Biedekapp Funeral Chapel, Hancock and a Funeral Mass followed at St. Paul’s Church with Rev. Stephen Morris officiating.
Burial also followed at St. Paul’s Cemetery.
Memorial contributions can be made to the Hancock Rescue Squad.

Anna Deck, 81

Anna Deck, of Obernburg, a homemaker and lifetime resident of the area, died on Wednesday, April 2, 2008 at Catskill Regional Medical Center in Harris. She was 81.
Born on July 12, 1926, in Long Eddy, she was the daughter of the late Thomas and Hazel Ferguson Coddington.
Survivors include her children, Donna Buchanan and her companion, Lyle Schmidt, of Obernburg, Josephine Litzenbauer and her husband, James, of Damascus, Pa., Laverne Kern Jr. and his wife, Erma, of Walton; her sister, Thelma Leroy of Hancock; a daughter-in-law, Loretta Kern, of Long Eddy; fifteen grandchildren, seventeen great grandchildren.
Friends may call on Saturday, April 5, 2008 at Stewart-Murphy Funeral Home in Callicoon, from 3 to 5 p.m. Funeral services will be held at 5 p.m.
Burial will be at the convenience of the family.
Memorial contributions may be made to the charity of one’s choice.

Helen Jastran
Retired Business Division, 90

Helen Madeleine Jastran, 7 days before her 91st birthday, died in Fairport on Saturday, March 29, 2008. She was 90.
Madeleine retired from Broome Community College: Business Division, and was a long time resident of St. Catherine of Sienna Parish in Hillcrest. She loved to read, and took an active interest in her entire family. Her genuine affection and peaceful manner were felt by all who knew her, and she will truly be missed.
Madeleine is survived by her five children, Margaret (Chris Vogt) Jastran, Lorraine (John) Maume, Thomas (Sue) Jastran, Mary Lou (Phil) Pompeii, Barbara (Paul Salon) Jastran; ten grandchildren, Mary Lou, Travis, Garrett and James Miller, Lauren (Maume) Monnat, Jeffrey Maume, Cecelia, Rachael, Agnes, and Emma Pompeii; and one great-granddaughter, Grace Monnat.
She was predeceased by her husband of 53 years, Ralph T. Jastran.
A celebration of her life will be held at St. Catherine of Sienna Church, Hillcrest on Wednesday, April 9, 2008 at 11:00 a.m.
The family will receive friends at the church prior to the Mass from 9:30 – 10:30 a.m. on April 9, 2008.
Interment will be immediately following the service in Chenango Valley Cemetery.
In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made in her name to Breast Cancer Awareness, or to a charity of your choice.

Lester R. Hillriegel
Retired Assistant Manager, 62

Lester R. Hillriegel of Damascus, Pa., passed away unexpectedly on Wednesday, April 2, 2008 at Community Medical Center in Scranton, Pa. He was 62.
He was born in Callicoon on October 2, 1945, to Lester R. and Margaret Them Hillriegel.
After graduating from Delaware Valley Central School in 1964, he began his long career with the former G.L.F. and Agway, Inc.
For over 36 years he worked in many different capacities in both New York and Pennsylvania, most recently as assistant manager of the Honesdale Agway store, before retiring in 2000.
He was probably best known for his “gift of gab” and his love of “wheelin’ and dealin.”
He was a former member of the Callicoon Fire Department, and the Rotary Club of New Milford.
Surviving are his wife of 41 years, the former Beverly Whitmore Hillriegel; children, Richard and Louise Hillriegel of Hawley, Pa., Amy Hillriegel of Damascus, Pa.; and his most precious loves, granddaughters, Jackie and Brooke Hillriegel of Hawley, Pa.; brothers, Philip and Steven Hillriegel, both of Callicoon; sisters, Linda Lesoing of Bellingham, Wash. and Marcia Knapp of Hillsborough, N.C.; nieces and nephews; and his beloved little dog, Molly.
He was predeceased by an infant son, Michael in 1969.
The family will receive friends from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. Saturday, April 5 at the Stewart-Murphy Funeral Home, 34 Upper Main Street, Callicoon followed by a celebration of life service at 1 p.m.
Interment will be at the convenience of the family.
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the Damascus Volunteer Ambulance Corps, PO Box 63, Damascus, PA 18415.

Beverly J. Beseth,
Retired teacher, 78

Beverly J. Beseth, of Liberty, passed away on Thursday March 27, 2008 at her home. She was 78.
Beverly was a 55 year resident of the area, and was a retired elementary teacher in the Monticello Central Schools.
She was born in Oneonta on February 13, 1930 to the late Robert Emmett and Edna Mae Livingston Blake. She was married in 1954 to the late Vernon H. Beseth.
Beverly was a member of St. Paul’s Evangelical Lutheran Church in Liberty, the AARP, and a former member of the Town of Liberty Volunteer Ambulance Corps and the Liberty Belles.
She is survived by two sons, Paul Beseth of Wallkill,NY and William (Micki) Beseth of Ft. Campbell, KY: one daughter, Kathryn Barbehenn (James) of Liberty; one brother, Larry (Dawn) Blake of Binghamton, and one sister, Katherine Dlugos of Johnson City, TN. She is also survived by six grandchildren, James, Sean, Kim and Christopher Barbehenn, and Dalton and Alexa Beseth, several nieces and nephews, including a special niece Barbara Beseth. She was predeceased by three brothers, Robert Blake Jr., Donald Blake, and William Blake, and three sisters, Martha Mae Blake, Marguerite Shipman and Madelene Caldwell.
Cremation was at Cedar Hill Crematory in Newburgh.
The family will receive friends at Ramsay’s Funeral Homes,Inc. 275 South Main Street Liberty on Friday April 4, 2008 from 7-9 PM. A Memorial Service will be held on Saturday April 5, 2008 at 1PM in St. Paul’s Evangelical Lutheran Church 24 Chestnut Street Liberty, with Pastor Audrey Pedersen officiating.
The family has requested memorial contributions to St. Paul’s Memorial Fund 24 Chestnut Street Liberty,NY 12754, Liberty Lodge #521 F.&AM Eagle Drive, Liberty, NY 12754, or a charity of one’s choice.
Beverly’s ashes will be interred at a later date next to her husband at the Sullivan County Veteran’s Cemetery, Sunset Lake Road, Liberty.
Arrangements by Ramsay’s Funeral Home Liberty.