January 4, 2013
Meredith M. Powers
January 25, 1943 – December 30, 2012
Longtime member of the East Ridge Community since 1969, Meredith M. Powers passed away on Sunday, December 30, 2012, at home surrounded by her family and many loving friends. She was 69 years old.
Meredith was born to Bill Murray and Mildred Rechtin Murray on January 25, 1943, in St. Louis, Missouri. She arrived at East Ridge in Hankins, New York, after two attempts at suicide, and found a recovery from suicidal depression. East Ridge is a spiritual community and addiction recovery center for people with all kinds of addictions. Meredith married East Ridge founder, Thomas E. Powers (1911-2005) in 1971 and spent the next 42 years carrying the message of hope and recovery and helping thousands of hopelessly addicted people and people with terminal illness find sanity, peace and joy.
Meredith was an accomplished musician, writer, teacher, artist, midwife and caregiver, and her love for life and her fellow human beings touched everyone who knew her. Diagnosed with cancer in 2003, she fought the illness for nine years. Her love for life, and her tenacious spirit kept her a vital part of all aspects of the life at East Ridge .
Meredith is survived by three daughters: Clare Powers, Joan Stein, and Rachel Dingle; two brothers, John Murray and Bruce Murray, and eleven grandchildren.
A funeral service was held on Tuesday, January 1, at the East Ridge Chapel on Ridge Road in Hankins, NY. Following the funeral service, burial was made in the Callicoon Cemetery.
Rest eternal grant unto our dear mother, Meredith, O Lord, and may light perpetual shine upon her.
Mary M. Durkin, 90
September 4, 1922 - December 28, 2012
Mary M. Kelly Rowan Durkin of Callicoon Center, NY, died December 28, 2012 at Roscoe Regional Rehab Center in Roscoe, NY. She was 90.
The daughter of Charles and Naomi Wegman Kelly, she was born September 4, 1922 at Port Arthur, Texas. She was married to the late Thomas Rowan and the late Walter Durkin.
Mary was a parishioner of St. Mary’s Church in Obernburg, NY, where she was a member of the Catholic Daughters of America, the Franciscan Third Order, the Legion of Mary Auxiliary, and she also served as a Eucharistic Minister. She was a member of the Callicoon Center Fire Dept. Ladies Auxiliary, and the Ladies Auxiliary of Emmett Turner Post No. 276 American Legion.
She was the beloved mother of her children, Thomas Rowan, Mary Quinn (Dennis), Patricia Durkin, Robert Rowan (Yvonne), Evelyn Ruppert (Richard), Walter Durkin Jr. (Maria), John Durkin, and Carolyn Bivins (Larry); her son-in-law, Thomas Totten; her brothers, James Kelly, John Kelly and George Kelly; her sister, Evelyn Brown; 24 grandchildren; 32 great-grandchildren; two great-great-grandchildren; and several nieces and nephews.
In addition to her two husbands, she was also predeceased by her daughter, Betty Totten; her son, Anthony Durkin; two grandchildren, Kurt Rowan and Carlos Quinn; two sisters, Meddie Schwamberger and Ruth Norton; and one brother, William Kelly.
In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to St. Mary’s Church, 386 County Road 95, Obernburg, NY 12767.
Services were held Monday, December 31, 2012 at St. Mary’s Church, Obernburg, with Father Joseph Juracek, OFM, officiating.
Burial was in St. Mary’s Cemetery, Obernburg.
Arrangements were by Stewart-Murphy Funeral Home, Inc., Jeffersonville, New York, 845-887-4900.
Lt. Col. William C. Pfeifer
Master Navigator, USAF Retired, 81
Lt. Col. William C. Pfeifer (USAF Ret.) of Topeka, Kansas, passed away Thursday, December 27, 2012. He was 81.
William was born Jan. 26, 1931 in Callicoon, NY, the son of Constant and Lillian Connors Pfeifer. He was a 1949 graduate of Delaware Valley Central High School and, since entering the U.S. Air Force, earned his BGE degree from the University of Nebraska at Omaha and his MBA from George Washington University in Washington DC. On May 23, 1953, William and Kathleen Patricia Murray were united in marriage in Whitestone, Long Island, NY. Kathleen preceded William in death on Aug. 4, 2005.
William retired from the Air Force after more than 20 years service. Prior to retirement, Lt. Col. Pfeifer was assigned at Forbes AFB, Topeka KS, where he was a C-130 Hercules cargo-troop carrier navigator with the 47th Tactical Airlift Squadron and executive officer for the Air Force Reserve Officers Training Corps summer encampment program. Commissioned through the aviation cadet program, he is aeronautically rated as a master navigator. In addition to assignments at various stateside bases, the lieutenant colonel has served at Headquarters, Pacific Air Forces, Hickam AFB, Hawaii, on Guam, Okinawa and in Thailand. Lt. Col. Pfeifer holds among his awards and decorations, the Distinguished Flying Cross, 10 awards of the Air Medal, and the USAF Commendation Medal. Following retirement from the Air Force, William earned his law degree from Washburn University and worked for Shawnee County in the District Court Trustees office, from which he retired after 10 years service. William is a member of Christ the King Catholic Church.
Survivors include, his daughters, Belinda Clark, Gale Troth, Diana McDowell (Rick), Helen Eickholt (Larry), Barbara Coffee (Tom), and Donna Gutierrez (Richard); son, Bill Pfeifer (Linda); 11 grandchildren and four great-grandchildren. He was also preceded in death by his brother, Henry Pfeifer.
A parish rosary was prayed Sunday at Kevin Brennan Family Funeral Home, 2801 SW Urish Rd, Topeka, KS 66614, where family greeted friends. A Mass of Christian Burial was celebrated Monday, December 31, 2012 at Christ the King Catholic Church. Burial followed at Mt. Calvary Cemetery.
Memorial contributions are suggested to Christ the King Church, sent in care of the funeral home. Online condolences may be sent to www.kevinbrennanfamily.com.
Essie Veronica ‘Vera’ Hanlon, 77
Essie Veronica Hanlon, 77, passed away on Monday, December 31, 2012. She is the beloved mother of four daughters: Terri Cyrgalis and her husband Richard Cyrgalis, Sr. of Port Saint Lucie, Florida, Margaret Gagliardo and her husband Joseph Gagliardo of Liberty, New York, Veronica Manfredi and her husband Thomas Manfredi of Kearny, New Jersey, Jacqueline Hanlon and her partner Joseph Jarosz of Piscataway, New Jersey. She is also survived by seven grandchildren: Richard and Patrick Cyrgalis, Kristen Vindics, Ashley and Brittany Sansone; Nicholas and Debbie Manfredi; and two great-grandchildren.
Services will be held at VanInwegen-Kenny Funeral Home, Monticello, NY on Friday, January 4, 2013. Visitation will be held from 2-4 and 7-9 p.m.
A Funeral Mass will take place on Saturday, January 5, 2013, at St. Peter’s Church, Broadway, Monticello, NY at 10:00 a.m. following the final viewing at Van-Inwegen Funeral Home at 9:00 a.m.
Steven J. Lagoda
Self-Employed Contractor, 52
Steven J. Lagoda, a lifetime Sullivan County resident, died unexpectedly at his home on Saturday, December 29, 2012. He was 52.
The son of the late William and Josephine Lagoda, he was born on November 30, 1960 in Callicoon, NY.
Steve was a self-employed contractor in Cochecton, NY. He was a member of Monticello Elks Lodge # 1544, the Sandy Pond Sportsman Assn. in Pulaski, NY, and the White Oak Sportsman’s Club in Damascus, PA. He was an enthusiastic antique car collector and an avid sportsman, enjoying hunting, fishing and golf.
He is survived by his brothers, Bill Lagoda and his wife Helen of Briscoe, NY, and Barry Lagoda and his wife Bonnie of Bethel, NY; his sister, Bonnie Crum of Cochecton; and several nieces and nephews, aunts, uncles and cousins.
Funeral services were held at Ramsay’s Funeral Home on Thursday January 3. Ginny Bossley officiated.
Cremation will be at Cedar Hill Crematory in Middle Hope, NY.
Memorial contributions may be made in Steve’s name to either Cochecton Volunteer Amb. Corps, P.O. Box 4, Lake Huntington, NY 12752 or to Lake Huntington Fire Dept., P.O. 352, Lake Huntington, NY 12752.
Funeral arrangements are by Ramsay’s Funeral Homes Inc. Kauneonga Lake, NY. To send a personal condolence to the Lagoda family, please visit www.ramsaysfuneralhome.com.
Martin Deitsch, 86
March 8, 1926 – January 1, 2013
Martin Deitsch of Rock Hill, a serial entrepreneur in Sullivan County, known affectionately as “Uncle Marty” by two generations of extended family and friends, died at Orange Regional Medical Center on New Year’s Day of natural causes. He was 86.
Upon returning from the Navy where he served in Australia during World War II, he worked in his family’s candy store in Monticello. That experience ignited a series of business ventures in Sullivan County’s hospitality industry. Mr. Deitsch launched The Green Door restaurant with his brother, Maurice, was a partner in the Capri and Raceway Motels, owned and operated Knobby’s Bar and was involved in the gym, Physical Graffitti.
In October of 2002, he married Rosemary Heins in a private ceremony and he was rarely seen without her by his side. “These have been the happiest ten years of my life,” he’d remark at every opportunity.
Marty Deitsch is survived by his adoring wife, Rosemary and her children: Kenny, Kathy and David; daughters-in-law: Debbie and Stacy; beloved grandchildren: Becky, Erica, Amy, Joey, Justin, Jenna, and Haley, and great-granddaughter Alexis. Marty had a special relationship with all of his nieces and nephews: Michael, Lynn, Howard, Helen, Hope, Lisa and Dana and adored his grandniece Maddy, grandnephew Ben and godson Michael as well as sister-in-law, Leatrice.
There will be a private graveside service at Landfield Avenue Synagogue Cemetery, in Monticello.
Arrangements are under the direction of the Joseph N. Garlick Funeral Home of Monticello. For further service details, to leave an online condolence, or for directions to the cemetery, please visit www.josephngarlickfuneralhome.com
John F. Miller, 85
January 23, 1927 - December 30, 2012
John F. Miller, aged 85, a lifelong resident of Youngsville, N.Y., passed away peacefully on Sunday, December 30, 2012.
He was born on January 23, 1927 to Frank and Elizabeth Miller. After graduating from Youngsville School, John joined the military and served in the U.S. Army. He met Dorothy Williams from Galillee, PA, and they were married at the former St. Joseph's Seminary in Callicoon, N.Y. in May of 1950. John was employed for 32 years at Liberty Asphalt Distributors in Liberty, N.Y., where he was a truck driver. He was also a “jack of all trades” and a master of many. There seemed to be nothing he could not do or fix and was always ready and willing to get someone’s oil burner running or plumbing repaired. He loved to ice fish with friends, do some hunting and always had a story to tell.
John is survived by, Dorothy, his wife of 62 years; three children: a son, John A. Miller of Livingston Manor, N.Y., and two daughters, Patricia Fuller of Bethel, N.Y. and Betty Richards of Bremen, IN; eight grandchildren, Nicole Park of Livingston Manor, Jennifer Bull of Roscoe, Jessica Mall of Jeffersonville, Brett Fuller of Beach Lake, PA, Rebekah Hess of Callicoon, Caleb Fuller of Honesdale, PA, Joshua Hubert of Bremen, IN, and Jody Hubert of Tippecanoe, IN; fifteen great-grandchildren, nieces and nephews.
He is predeceased by his parents, Frank and Elizabeth Miller; one sister, Gertrude Menges; and a grandson, Shane Fuller.
There will be no public funeral services, however, a Memorial donation to the Youngsville Fire Dept. may be made in John's name to Youngsville Fire Dept., PO Box 78, Youngsville, N.Y. 12791.
Alvin M. Salton, MBA, HCLD
Of White Lake, NY and Metuchen, NJ
Alvin M. Salton of White Lake, NY, formerly of Metuchen, NJ, passed away at home on New Year's Eve.
Born in Perth Amboy, New Jersey, he was a graduate of Clara Barton School in Edison and Riverside Military Academy in Gainesville, Georgia. He received his B.S. in Medical Technology and his MBA in Management at Fairleigh Dickinson University.
Salton was owner and laboratory director of Community Medical Laboratory in Metuchen, NJ, for many years. He was currently employed in the Quality Assurance Department of BioReference Laboratories of Elmwood Park, NJ and also served as New Jersey Laboratory Director for Brookside Clinical Laboratory in Brookhaven, PA, and BioGenetics Laboratory in Mountainside, NJ.
Salton was twice president of both the New Jersey Association of Bioanalysts and the American Association of Bioanalysts (AAB), past Chairman of the AAB Government and Professional Relations Committee, past Chair of the National Council on Health Laboratory Services, and served on both the Advisory Committee to the NJ Department of Health and the AAB Negotiated Rule Making Committee. He was currently serving on the American Board of Bioanalysis, the AAB Board of Scientific Advisors, and the AAB Board of Registry. While living in Metuchen, Salton served as president of the Borough's Chamber of Commerce and Board of Health. Alvin was currently a member of the Bethel Lions Club.
Salton is survived by his wife, Marcia, at home; his son and daughter-in-law Jeffrey and Melissa Salton of Skillman, NJ; his daughters and sons-in-law, Nancy and Mark Liddane of Franklin Park, NJ, and Dr. Vicki and Don Davidson of Clearwater, Florida; four grandchildren, Dale and Reba Salton and Gabrielle and Blake Davidson; his sister, Rae Clifford of Edison, NJ; his sister-in-law, Maureen Miller of Sparta, NJ; and many cousins, nieces and nephews. He will be deeply missed by his four-legged constant companion, Bandit. Alvin was pre-deceased by his parents and his sister, Dorothy Papp Spivack.
The family wishes to offer special thanks to Dr. Marc Grodman, CEO of BioReference Laboratories, Dr. James Salwitz of the Central Jersey Oncology Center, Dr. Gurvinder Sethi and the staff of the Infusion Center of Catskill Regional Medical Center for their caring and support during Alvin's illness.
A memorial service led by Rabbi Michele Medwin was held at the Joseph N. Garlick Funeral Home on Thursday. A second visitation and service will be held at Costello-Runyon Funeral Home in Metuchen, NJ, at 11 a.m. on Friday, January 4, 2013. Burial will be in Beth Israel Cemetery in Woodbridge, NJ.
The family will be receiving visitors at the home of Jeffrey Salton in Skillman, NJ, on Friday afternoon and evening following the burial, and from Sunday through Tuesday afternoons and evenings, January 6th through 8th, at the Salton home in White Lake, NY.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be made in Alvin’s name to Temple Sholom in Monticello, NY, Hospice of Sullivan County, or a local charity of your choice.
Funeral arrangements are under the direction of the Joseph N. Garlick Funeral Home of Monticello. For further service details, to leave an online condolence, or for directions to the cemetery, please visit www.josephngarlickfuneralhome.com.
