Ethel Graubard of Moshav Matityahu, Israel passed away at Sh’arei Tzedek Hospital, Jerusalem, Israel on January 13, 2011. She was 91 years of age and suffered from complications of old age.
Mrs. Graubard was originally from White Lake (nee Resnick) and moved to Monticello after she married her late husband, Benjamin Graubard, in 1940. Mrs. Graubard was very active in the Landfield Avenue Synagogue and other local Jewish community organizations. She lived in Miami, Florida for about 15 years (1969-1985) and then moved to Israel in 1985 with her late husband.
Mrs. Graubard is survived by her son, Alan Graubard of Deerfield Beach, Fla., David Graubard of Kew Gardens Hills, Annette Migdal of Moshav Matityahu, Israel; grandchildren and great-grandchildren. Her husband passed away in 1996.
Burial was in Har Hazeisim, Jerusalem, Israel.

Lucretia L. Wahl
Former Teacher & Farmer, 95

Lucretia W. Wahl of Corbett, formerly of the Beechwoods, Callicoon, a lifetime area resident, died Tuesday, February 1, 2011 after a short illness, at the Bassett Healthcare Center, Cooperstown with her family at her side. She was 95.
The daughter of the late Francis (Frank) and Julia Minor Tiffany, she was born May 10, 1915 in the Town of Colchester.
Lucretia graduated from the Walton Normal School and became a teacher; later she was a poultry and dairy farmer. She was a member of the Colchester Community Church, the Colchester Senior Citizens, and the Walton Grange #1554.
Survivors include four stepsons, Robert Wahl of Canton, Ohio, Arthur Wahl and his wife Roseanne of Brodheadsville, Pa., Ross Wahl of the Beechwoods, and Roland Wahl and his wife Susan of Beach Lake, Pa.; two stepdaughters, Marilyn Kavaller and her husband John of Jeffersonville, and Cynthia Palko and her husband Steve of Waymart, Pa.; twelve grandchildren; six great-grandchildren; and several nieces and nephews.
She was predeceased by her husband Harold Lake, and later by her second husband, Vernon Wahl; and two sisters, Juanita Henry and Betty Moynihan.
Friends may call from 3 to 5 p.m. Sunday, February 6 at the Harris Funeral Home, Railroad Ave., Roscoe.
Funeral services will be held at 1 p.m. Monday, February 7 at the Colchester Community Church in Downsville.
Private burial will be in the spring in Paige Cemetery, Downsville.
Memorial contributions in her name may be made to the Colchester Community Church, PO Box 305, Downsville, NY 13755.
Funeral arrangements have been entrusted to the Harris Funeral Home, Railroad Avenue, Roscoe, NY. 607-498-4929 or 845 439-5200. www. Harris-FH.com

Harold J. Speer
April 26, 1920 – February 1, 2011

Harold J. Speer of Monticello died Tuesday, February 1, 2011 at the Skilled Nursing Unit at CRMC in Harris with his wife by his side. He was 90.
The son of the late John Speer and Helen Dietrick Speer, he was born April 26, 1920 in Wilkes Barre, PA.
Harold enlisted in the United States Army in November 1942 and served as captain in the 313th Infantry 79th Division in World War II. He was a retired manager for the A & P Tea Company; was also a dispatcher after retirement for the Village of Monticello Police Dept and Highway Dept. Harold was a member of St. Peter’s Catholic Church in Monticello and was one of the first appointed Eucharistic Ministers, as well as the custodian for many years, and a past grand knight of the Knights of Columbus. He was also a life member of the Monticello Fire Dept., the Monticello Elk’s Lodge #1544, and the Monticello American Legion Ruddick-Trowbridge Post #73.
He is survived by his wife of 65 years: Zita Duffy Speer, at home; two sons: Philip Speer and his wife Susan of Monticello and Michael J. Speer and his wife Debbie of White Sulphur Springs; four grandchildren: Shawn, Ryan and his wife Amanda, Kevin and his wife Katie, and his “Tinkerbell” Carly and her fiancé John Picard; two great-grandsons: Finn and Aden; and several nieces and nephews.
In addition to his parents, he was predeceased by three sisters: Margaret McAndrew, Eleanor Duffy and Doris Busch.
A Funeral Mass will be celebrated on Friday, February 4 at 10 a.m. at St. Peter’s Catholic Church, Broadway and Liberty Street in Monticello with Fr. Stanislaus Ogbonna officiating. Burial with military honors will follow at St. Peter’s Cemetery in Monticello.
His family would like to thank Dr. Sheldon Leidner, and the nurses and staff at the Skilled Nursing Unit for the extraordinary care given to Harold over the years.
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions can be made to the Skilled Nursing Unit at CRMC, “In Memory of Harold Speer” P.O. Box 800, Harris, NY 12742.
Arrangements are under the direction of the VanInwegen-Kenny, Inc. Funeral Home of Monticello. For additional information please visit www.kennyfuneralhome.com

George Otto Wagner III

George Otto Wagner III, 27, of Columbia, South Carolina, died Monday, January 31, 2011.
Funeral arrangements are incomplete at this time. For additional information, call the Stewart-Murphy Funeral Home in Jeffersonville at (845) 482-4280.

Caroline Kruse Likel
Co-Owner, Likel’s Christmas Tree Farm, 98

Caroline Kruse Likel, age 98, died January 26, 2011 at Oak Hill Manor, Ithaca, NY, where she had been for several weeks following a hospitalization in late December. With the help of family, neighbors and devoted caregivers she had been able to live as she wished, at home in Youngsville, NY, for 45 years.
She was born November 15, 1912 in Brooklyn to Beatrice Burdick Kruse and Frederick Kruse, Jr.
She attended Packer Collegiate Institute, class of 1932 and Wells College, class of 1934. While growing up she traveled extensively to visit family in Colorado and California. After graduating from Wells she traveled in Europe for 6 months and then returned to Brooklyn. She married Harry Charles Likel, on June 20, 1936 in Brooklyn. They lived in Brooklyn where she raised a family and was an active volunteer for the Visiting Nurse Association. The family spent summers and as many weekends as possible at the Likel family home in Youngsville. Harry and Caroline built a ski tow on the farm, much to the delight of family and friends who enjoyed many weekends of easy skiing. They also established Pine Farm, a choose-and-cut Christmas tree farm. It provided many new friends and eventually a retirement activity when they moved there permanently in 1966. During Christmas tree season while Harry was driving the tractor carrying cut trees and giving rides to customers in the fields, Caroline could be found in the red barn, greeting and ringing up customers. Caroline took pleasure in getting to know and remember each customer, many of whom became friends and returned for years to come. By her side you could often find either her good friend, Jean Ernst, or one of her two grandchildren, who she patiently taught to ring up customers and make correct change. Always young at heart, even as grandparents, they were often mistaken for kids while tobogganing down the hill at Pine Farm. She was also active in the community as a member and past President of the Liberty Garden Club where she was one of those instrumental in creating the “Woodland Wildings Garden” at the Catskill Regional Medical Center. 
She was predeceased by her brother, Frederick Kruse, and her husband, Harry. She is survived by a sister, Carlotta Kruse Burrill of Sacramento, Calif.; sons Frederick Likel of Dryden, Charles Likel of Silver Spring, Md.; grandchildren, Julie Minarski (Dan) of Millis, Mass., and Kristen Hewitt (Dave) of Brownville; and three great-grandchildren, Cooper Hewitt, Claire Hewitt and Garrett Minarski. She also leaves behind her much appreciated daughters-in-law, Muriel Likel and Melodie Likel.
Her vivid memories which made entertaining stories, her attention to detail, and constant caring for family and friends have created memories for generations to come.
Friends may call on Saturday, February 19 between 11 a.m. and 1 p.m. at the Stewart-Murphy Funeral Home in Jeffersonville.
In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to the Sullivan County Office for the Aging’s Meals on Wheels or the Youngsville Fire Department.