John Langseder, 65
January 20, 1947 - December 18, 2012

John Langseder of Wurtsboro, NY, died Tuesday, December 18, 2012 at his home in Yankee Lake. He was 65.
The son of the late Jack Langseder and Amanda Ilstad Langseder, he was born January 20, 1947 in New York City.
John received degrees from Empire State College, the University of Bridgeport and Walden University. He worked for most of his career in administrative leadership positions at residential treatment centers for emotionally disturbed children in Westchester and Long Island. Most recently he was a teacher at the Monticello Middle School.
John owned a sailboat on the Hudson and was a member of the Hudson Valley Captains’ Association. He recently received accreditation as a wildlife rehabilitator and also volunteered with the Sullivan County 4-H Youth Development Program.
John is survived by his wife, Barbara, as well as his daughters Jennie (Ric) Stieglitz of Montvale, NJ, and Amanda G. Langseder of Yankee Lake. He is also survived by his mother, Amanda M. Langseder of Yankee Lake, and four grandchildren: Julia and Anna Stieglitz, and Finn and Aden Speer. A brother, Richard (Linda) Langseder of Hockessin, Delaware, survives him, as well as two nephews and their families.
Family and friends are invited to gather on Saturday, December 22 from 4-6 p.m. at the VanInwegen-Kenny, Inc. Funeral Home, 111 Sullivan Street in Wurtsboro.
A memorial service will be held at 6 p.m. at the funeral home.
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the Rock Hill SPCA or to Hospice of Orange and Sullivan Counties.
Arrangements are under the direction of the VanInwegen-Kenny, Inc. Funeral Home of Wurtsboro. For additional information please visit www.kennyfuneralhome.com

Ruth ‘Ruthie’ Berman
Executive Secretary, 88

Ruth “Ruthie” Berman, longtime private executive secretary to the Parker/Winarick family at the famed Concord Hotel in Kiamesha Lake, NY, died of natural causes on December 17, 2012 at the Mt. Vernon Nursing and Rehabilitation Center in Alexandria, VA. Her daughter, Robyn Webb confirmed her death.
Mrs. Berman was a long time resident of Monticello, NY, and moved to Alexandria, VA in 1991 after retiring from the Concord Hotel to be near her daughter Robyn to assist her in her business. For over 25 years, she devoted her work life to the Parker/Winarick family at the resort. Her husband, comedian Lee Berman, who preceded her in death in 1967, was the Social Director for the hotel for several years before his death. The couple first met at Grossinger’s and then from there moved on to employment at the Concord.
At a tiny 4’ 10”, Mrs. Berman held her own beautifully against the many demanding celebrities and sports figures she took care of at the hotel. Although she worked in a glamorous setting, Ruth was a most humble person. The most important thing to her were her two daughters, Andrea and Robyn, who she raised so strongly as a young widow.
She was active in the Monticello community, serving in many organizations including B’nai B’rith and was a past president of the local chapter of the City of Hope. She was a member for many years at Temple Shalom and was active in the sisterhood. Her circle of friends were very important to her and with her easygoing personality, everyone loved being around her. Mrs. Berman’s two loves were the opera and animals.
Mrs. Berman was born on January 15th, 1924 in Newark, NJ, to a shoemaker, Nathan Elias, and the former Leah Ackerman. She is survived by her daughters, Andrea Adler of Jericho, NY, and Robyn Webb of Alexandria, VA, and their husbands; a sister, Ester Elias of New York, NY; and a brother, Harry Elias of Miami, Florida; many cousins, five nieces and nephews, four grandchildren and one great-grandchild.
Burial will be at the King David Memorial Gardens on Lee Highway in Arlington, VA, on Thursday, December 20th.
In lieu of flowers, donations are welcomed to be made to the American Diabetes Association.

Katherine Kurpil Somesla
Formerly of Parksville, 96

Katherine Kurpil Somesla passed away on December 6, 2012 at home in Fairfield, Connecticut surrounded by her family. She was born in Sayreville, New Jersey on February 14, 1916.
She was the daughter of John and Mary Kurpil and grew up in Parksville, N.Y., and lived in Fairfield for the past 64 years. She was pre-deceased by her husband, Paul Somesla.
Her surviving family are two brothers: Sam Kurpil, Peter Kurpil of Liberty; two sisters: Eva Sasnowitz of Raleigh, N.C., and Josephine Devoe of DeBruce; four children: Linda, Karen, Diane and Paul, Jr., all of Connecticut, and several grandchildren, nieces and nephews.
Funeral services and burial were held Sunday, December 9, in Fairfield.

Clinton G. “Snookie” Robertson, 74

Clinton George “Snookie” Robertson, 74, of White Sulphur Springs, died on Sunday, December 16, 2012 at Catskill Regional Medical Center, in Harris. A memorial service will be held at a later date and time to be announced. Funeral arrangements have been entrusted to Stewart-Murphy Funeral Home, Jeffersonville, N.Y. 845-482-4280.