Orvis J. Vannatta, 87
March 10, 1925 - July 16, 2012

Orvis J. Vannatta of Narrowsburg, NY, a lifelong resident of the area, passed away at Wayne Memorial Hospital, Honesdale, PA, on Monday, July 16, 2012. He was 87.
He was born in Honesdale, PA, on March 10, 1925, to the late Orvis E. and Ethel M. Hensz Vannatta. Orvis was married for 57 years to the late Carmen D. “Carrie” Callico Vannatta who worked as a registered nurse in local hospitals, and preceded Orvis in death on April 30, 2004. Together, Orvie and Carrie were active in many community endeavors including, but not limited to, the Tusten-Cochecton Regional Library and various fundraising activities and benefits.
Orvis was a WWII Navy Veteran having served in both the European and Pacific Theatres from 1943 to 1946 as a Motor Machinist’s Mate, First Class. Soon after the war, he married Carrie and began Orvis J. Vannatta Excavating and Contracting, which later became Van Excavating in partnership with his childhood friend, Albert E. VanKeuren. Later, he worked and retired from the New York State Dept. of Labor as a State Wage Rate Investigator.
Orvis was a member of Narrowsburg United Methodist Church; the American Legion; Masons; Tusten Settlement Church Association and was a volunteer fireman with the Narrowsburg Fire Dept. He also made an invaluable contribution to the Tusten Historical Society, often helping the late Emily Hallock identifying items with his considerable knowledge of local history. He was also a member of the American Truck Historical Society, of which his son, John, is current President; the Wheel Horse Tractor Collector Assn., and Neversink Rondout Antique Machinery Association.
Orvis is survived by his three children: son John O. Vannatta and wife Carolyn Bonhard Vannatta of Leonardtown, MD; daughter Sue Ellen Franklin and husband Herschel DeWayne Franklin of Plano, TX; and son Louis E. Vannatta and wife Susan Grey Vannatta of Ashburn, VA; three grandchildren: Stefanie Anton, Gregory Vannatta and Kelly Rose; and two stepgreat-grandchildren: Trent Anton and Ryan Anton.
A private burial took place Friday, July 20 at Glen Cove Cemetery, Narrowsburg, with a Memorial Service and Celebration of Orvis’s life planned for a later date.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests any donations being made in Orvis’s honor go to Tusten Historical Society, P.O. Box 18, Narrowsburg, NY 12764, or the Tusten Settlement Church where Carrie is memorialized, at 5 Grassy Swamp Rd. Narrowsburg, NY 12764.
Funeral arrangements are under the direction of Rasmussen Funeral Home, Narrowsburg, NY.

Carrie ‘Carmela’ Mary Schembri

Mrs. Carrie “Carmela” Mary Schembri, age 95, of Wallace, NC, passed away Saturday, July 21, 2012 at the Brian Center Health and Rehab Center in Wallace. Funeral mass will be held 11 a.m. Tuesday, July 24, 2012 at the Transfiguration Catholic Church. Burial will follow in the St. Joseph’s Catholic Church Cemetery in Burgaw. A Service of Padgett Funeral and Cremation Service, Wallace.

Edmund G. Tilson
Retired Radio Repair Technician, 98

Edmund G. Tilson of Callicoon, NY, a retired radio repair technician for the U.S. Army at Fort Hamilton, NY, died Monday, July 23, 2012 at Roscoe Regional Rehab Center in Roscoe, NY. He was 98.
The son of the late Felix and Lucy Deja Tilson, he was born July 13, 1914 in Union City, New Jersey.
He was a veteran of the U.S. Army serving during WWII, and a member of St. Mary’s Church in Obernburg, NY.
He is survived by a sister, Valerie McShane; a niece, Jeannette Pfeil and her husband, John. He was predeceased by his sisters, Agnes, Hilda, and Elsie, and by his brother, Leo.
There will be no visitation.
A Funeral Mass will be offered at St. Mary’s Church, Obernburg, at 11 a.m. on Wednesday, July 25, 2012. Father Joe Jeracek, OFM, will officiate.
Burial will be in St. Mary’s Cemetery, Obernburg, NY.
Memorial contributions may be made to the Sullivan County SPCA, 25 Rock Hill Drive, Rock Hill, NY 12775.
Arrangements are by Stewart-Murphy Funeral Home, Callicoon, NY.