Chadwick Sykes
Laborer and Cook, 18

Chadwick Brenton Sykes of Damascus, Pa., a laborer for Sykes Farms and a cook for Matthews on Main, and lifetime resident of the area, died on Monday, July 14, 2008, in an accident in Lebanon Township, Pa. He was 18.
The son of Timothy Sykes and Cheryl Davies Sykes, he was born April 15, 1990 in Honesdale, Pa.
Chad had just graduated from Honesdale High School. His family writes that, “Chad was very involved in the Delaware Youth Center, in Callicoon. He was an avid skateboarder, snowboarder and loved his motorcycle. He loved to play guitar. He was a very hard worker holding down two jobs. He was a loving son, grandson and brother, he had a very big heart, he loved everyone. He will greatly be missed and our hearts are broken.”
Survivors include his parents, Cheryl Davies Sykes of Damascus, Pa., and Timothy Sykes of Damascus, Pa.; his brother, Timothy Joseph Sykes (U.S. Navy) in California; and his sister, Silvana Marie Sykes, of Damascus, Pa.; his paternal grandfather and grandmother, Ralph and Antoinette Sykes of North Branch; his maternal grandfather, Charles Davies of Florida; his maternal grandmother, Betsy Grady, of Damascus, Pa.; his maternal great grandmother, Marie E. Davies, of Honesdale, Pa.; as well as several uncles, aunts and cousins.
Funeral service will be held on Friday, July 18, 2008 at noon at the Rasmussen Funeral Home in Narrowsburg.
Burial will follow at Hillcrest Cemetery, in Galilee, Pa.
Donations can be made to Delaware Youth Center, P.O. Box 354, Callicoon, NY 12723
Funeral arrangements are under the direction of Rasmussen Funeral Home, Narrowsburg.

Ruth E. Matthews
Bookkeeper, 83

Ruth E. Matthews of Claryville passed away Tuesday, July 15, 2008 at Wayne Memorial Hospital. She was 83.
She was the daughter of Willard and Leona Slater Damanda Lounsbury. She was born February 3, 1925 in South Fallsburg.
Ruth worked as a bookkeeper for many, many years for several different businesses and served as treasurer for many years for the Catskill Art Society and Claryville Reformed Church. She was an active member of the Claryville Reformed Church; she was also involved in many different organizations over the years, some of which include The Revonah Chapter of the Order of the Eastern Star, Sullivan County Historical Society, Tri-Valley Lions, The Claryville Quilters, VFW Ladies Auxiliary, Catskill Art Society, Associate Member of the Claryville Fire Department, First Friday Reading Group at the Daniel Pierce Library, and Studio Monday Art Group.
She was known by most as “Grandma Matthews.” She was very proud of her independence and was most proud of her family, especially her grandson, Matt who serves in the United States Army currently deployed in Iraq.
She leaves behind her son, Thomas Matthews and his wife, Connie; and her daughter, Dale E. Matthews all of Claryville; five grandchildren, Bridget Hurwitz and her husband, Marc of Woodbourne, Lori Borden and her husband, Kevin of Belfast, Thomas “Matt” Matthews and his wife, Katrina of Fort Drum, Jamie Burleson and her husband, Travis of Webster and Corinne Albertina and her husband, Cory of Rocky Point; ten great-grandchildren, Britney, Jenna, Trey Matthews, Cody, Samantha, Matthew Borden, Adam, Maegan and Shaina Hurwitz and Cecelia Albertina; her brother, Duane Damanda and his wife, Pat of New Windsor; one nephew, Duane Damanda of New Windsor; nieces, Debra and Darren Salisbury; grand-nieces, Samantha of Carmel, Dawn and Robert Drake; and great-nephew, Tyler of New Windsor; her dear companion, Orvis Vannatta of Narrowsburg; and many cousins and friends.
She was predeceased by her beloved husband, Lynn A. Matthews, who died in 1967.
A celebration of Ruth’s life will be held today, July 18 at 10 a.m. at the Claryville Reformed Church, Claryville, followed by a gathering at the Claryville Fire Department hall and pavilion area.
In lieu of flowers, the family asks that donations be made in “Grandma’s” name to the Claryville Reformed Church and/or Claryville Fire Department.
Arrangements were under the direction of Colonial Memorial Funeral Home. For further information please call 845-434-7363 or visit the Web site at www.ColonialBryantFuneralHome.com

Lynne Brodsky
Legal Adm. Asst., 87

Lynne Brodsky of White Lake passed away on Monday, July 14, 2008 at the Hebrew Home for the Aging in Riverdale. She was 87.
The daughter of the late Hyman and Jenny Wohl, she was born on August 1, 1920 in New York City.
She resided most of her life in New York City working as a legal administrative assistant. As a child she vacationed in White Lake with her parents and along with her husband Irving, fulfilled a lifelong dream and retired to White Lake.
Lynne's friends and family will always remember her water skiing on White Lake and having potato pancake parties. As a young woman, Lynne sang on Jewish radio and later in life would entertain her friends and family with the old standards. Lynne volunteered at the Office for the Aging. She and her husband Irving were on the Park and Pool Committee in Bethel and their combined efforts contributed to the building of a playground.
Survivors include her loving husband, Irving Brodsky; her devoted daughters, Erica and Ellen and sons-in-laws Edward and Richard; her grandchildren, Jennifer, Gregory, Colin, and Anna; and her great-grandchildren, Emily, Jackson and Max.
Graveside services were held on Thursday, July 17 at Bethel Cemetery, Route 17B, Bethel with Rabbi Marvin Goldman officiating.
Funeral arrangements by Ramsay's Funeral Homes, Inc., Kauneonga Lake.

Robert W. Deppa, 80

Robert W. Deppa of Swan Lake, died Tuesday July 15, 2008 at Catskill Regional Medical Center in Harris. He was 80.
Mr. Deppa was born in Briscoe on August 21, 1927 to the late William and Marie Esselman Deppa. Mr. Deppa owned and operated the Yankee Garage in Swan Lake for many years. He was a WWII Army Veteran, and a member of the Swan Lake Fire Dept. for over 60 years serving as a line officer and chief. He was a member of Sullivan Renaissance in Swan Lake.
He is survived at home by his wife, Anna Marie Soules whom he married in Liberty on March 15, 1953 ; one son, Donald R. Deppa of Swan Lake, his ever faithful companions, Maggie, Molly, and Max ; two daughters, Joyce Deppa Overman and husband, Steve, of Alburqurque, N.M., and Janelle Deppa of Swan Lake; one brother Bruce Deppa and wife, Joan, of Cooley; one sister, Arlene Starley of Windsor and several nieces and nephews.
He was predeceased by one brother, Herb.
Friends may call at Ramsay’s Funeral Homes, Inc., 275 South Main Street, Liberty on Friday July 18, 2008 from 2-4 and 7-9 PM. Swan Lake Fire Dept. will conduct services at 7:30 p.m.
Funeral services will be held at the funeral home on Saturday July 19, 2008 at 9 a.m. Rev. Bridgette Le Coney will officiate.
Interment will follow the service at the Sullivan County Veterans Cemetery Sunset Lake Road Liberty.
Donations in Mr. Deppa’s Memory may be made to the Swan Lake Fire Dept., Stanton Corners Road, Swan Lake, NY 12783 or White Sulphur Springs United Methodist Church, 3318 State Route 52, White Sulphur Springs, NY 12787.
Arrangements by Ramsay’s Funeral Homes, Inc. Liberty.

Lorna Jean Rankin
Homemaker, 61

Lorna Jean Rankin of DeKalb, Texas, died Friday, July 4, 2008 at a local hospital. She was 61.
She was born in Callicoon on October 6, 1946.
She was a homemaker and was a member of Godley Prairie Community Church.
Survivors include her husband, Paul Rankin of DeKalb; two sons and daughters-in-law, Kevin and Jodi Harty of Rochester and Christopher Rivenburg and Brandi Gossett of New Boston, Texas; three daughters and two sons-in-law, Deidra and Juan Medina of Liberty, Francine Gesvantner of Dallas, Texas and Georgina and Michael Akins of DeKalb, Texas; nine grandchildren; and one sister, Helen Adams Karkkainen.
She is preceded in death by one sister, Joan Adams Sullivan.
Graveside services were held July 8 at Read Hill Cemetery with Gerald Rankin officiating.
Contributions may be made to the American Cancer Society, 5501 Plaza Dr., Texarkana, TX 75503.

Marion B. Puerschner
Homemaker, 84

Marion. B. Puerschner, of Kenoza Lake, a lifetime area resident, and homemaker, died Tuesday, July 15, 2008, at home. She was 84.
The daughter of the late William and Rose Mueller, she was born on October 19, 1923 in Brooklyn.
She was married to Harold G. Puerschner. Marion was a Girl Scout Leader for many years. She was a volunteer at a soup kitchen in Monticello, and as a young woman, she volunteered at Saint Joseph’s Orphanage in New York City.
Survivors include her husband, Harold G. Puerschner, at home; her daughter, Theresa M. Torres of Kenoza Lake and Gainesville, Fla.; her son, Paul A. Puerschner of Kenoza Lake; two grandchildren, William Puerschner and Andrew Torres of Gainesville, Fla. She was predeceased by two sisters, Florence Murray and Claire Schiesser.
A Memorial Mass will be held on Saturday, July 19 at 10 a.m. at Holy Cross Church in Callicoon, with Father Ignatius Smith O.F.M. officiating. Burial of Marion’s cremains will be in the Kenoza Lake Cemetery.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Holy Cross Church, P.O. Box 246, Callicoon, NY 12723.

Ethel Fisher
Ret. Bank Employee, 87

Ethel Fisher, a lifetime resident of Jeffersonville, died Wednesday, July 16, 2008 at Sullivan County Adult Care Center, Liberty. She was 87.
She was the daughter of Charles and Matilda Krantz Reum and was born in Callicoon on September 27, 1920.
Ethel was a retired employee of the First National Bank of Jeffersonville where she worked in the proof department.
Survivors include her son and daughter-in-law, Daniel and Carol Fisher of Jeffersonville; her sister, Jean Mootz of Jeffersonville; her grandson, Craig Fisher and his wife, Laura of Jeffersonville; two great-grandchildren, Maxwell and Ella Fisher; and several nieces and nephews. She was predeceased by two sisters, Evelyn Ketchum and Mildred Geib.
Friends may call Friday, July 18 at Stewart-Murphy Funeral Home in Jeffersonville from 7 to 9 p.m.
Services will be on Saturday, July 19 at noon at the funeral home. The Reverend Lee Andrews will officiate.
Burial will be in Jeffersonville Presbyterian Cemetery in Jeffersonville.
Memorial contributions may be made to Jeffersonville Presbyterian Church or to the charity of one’s choice.