OBITS: Times Herald-Record 17 Aug 2005; Middletown, Orange co., New York text-formatted by W. David Samuelsen for The USGenWeb Archives Project *********************************************************************** Copyright. All rights reserved. http://www.usgwarchives.org/copyright.htm http://www.usgwarchives.org/ny/nyfiles.htm *********************************************************************** Source: Times Herald-Record http://www.recordonline.com Churchwell Jr., Gordon L. Gordon L. Churchwell Jr., of Kerhonkson, died Monday, August 15, 2005. He was 91. Mr. Churchwell was born on January 12, 1914 in Kerhonkson, the son of Gordon L. and Leone (Sherman) Churchwell Sr. Gordon was a Lieutenant in the Army during WW II. He supervised the building of the Burma Road. He was an avid boatman. Gordon graduated from NYU with a Bachelor's Degree and later from Columbia with a degree in engineering. Mr. Churchwell had worked in Korea as a general manager for KOSCO, a consortium of Shell, Caltex and Standard Oil. On March 28, 1956 Gordon married the former Chung C. Park. Together they returned to Kerhonkson in 1964 to raise their family. In addition to his wife at home, Gordon is survived by their sons Bong-eui Churchwell, Yong-eui Churchwell both of Korea, John Churchwell of Kerhonkson and their daughter Soonhi Churchwell of Kerhonkson and his cousins Jane and Albert Sherman; his son Gordon Churchwell III and his sister Ella Lathrop predeceased him. Visiting will be held Friday 5 to 8 p.m. at H. B. Humiston Funeral Home, 30 Forty Second Street, Kerhonkson. Funeral services are scheduled for Friday 7 p.m. Burial will be private. Published in the Times Herald-Record on 8/17/2005. Clancy, Ruth Eleanor Ruth Eleanor Clancy passed away on Tuesday August 16, 2005 at Elant Nursing Home in Newburgh. She was 82. Daughter of the late Edward and Margaret McDonald, she was born September 8, 1922 in Newburgh. She was the wife of the late Charles B. Clancy. Ruth was a longtime employee of the New York Telephone Company. She is survived by her son, Michael P. Clancy and his wife, Michele, of Newburgh; her daughter, Eileen Salazar and her husband, Ron, of Bloomingburg; two sisters, Justina "Tina" Irwin of Milford, Conn., and Margaret "Peggy" Love of Hemet, Calif.; her grandchildren: Ryan Clancy of Nyack, Lauren Clancy of Providence, R.I., and Taylor Salazar, Meggie Salazar, and Rachael Salazar, all of Bloomingburg; and several nieces, nephews and good friends in the Colonial Terraces in Newburgh. She was predeceased by her brother, Edward McDonald. Visitation will be held from 4-8 PM on Thursday, August 18 at the Brooks-DiDonato Funeral Home, 481 Gidney Ave., Newburgh. A funeral service will take place on Friday, August 19 at 9 AM in the funeral home. Burial will follow at Calvary Cemetery, New Windsor. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations in Ruth's name may be made to Hospice of Orange & Sullivan Counties, Inc., 800 Stony Brook Ct., Newburgh, NY 12550. To send a personal condolence or for directions to the funeral home, please visit Brooks-DiDonato.com. Published in the Times Herald-Record from 8/17/2005 - 8/18/2005. DeFeo, Joseph Joseph DeFeo of New Windsor, a retired machinist for Starr Expansion, entered into rest on Sunday, August 14, 2005 at Fishkill Health Center. He was 92. Son of the late Vito and Anella DiBlasi DeFeo, he was born August 26, 1912 in Amsterdam, N.Y. He married Dorothy Marshall DeFeo, 57 years ago, on September 21, 1947 in Sacred Heart Church, Newburgh. A family statement reads: "Joseph was a loving, devoted husband, father, and cherished brother, brother-in-law and uncle. He was a compassionate friend to all who knew him. He had a kind heart and shared his time and talents with everyone. He will be truly missed by his family and friends. No one loved his wife and daughter more than Joseph did." Joseph served his country proudly and with honor in the U.S. Army Air Corps during World War II, and received the World War II Victory Medal. In addition to working as a machinist for Starr Expansion, he also worked for Bigelow-Sanford Carpet Mills in Amsterdam, N.Y., and General Electric in Schenectady, N.Y. He was a parishioner of Sacred Heart Church in Newburgh; a member of the Usher Society of Sacred Heart Church; St. Anthony and Mt. Carmel Societies, and St. Agnello Society of Amsterdam, N.Y.; a lifetime member of the Vails Gate Volunteer Fire Department, where he served as Fire Police Chief for several years; Catholic War Veterans; the Disabled War Veterans; and V.F.W. of Newburgh. He was also a member of the New Windsor Democratic Committee and the New Windsor Seniors. He enjoyed calling Bingo at the firehouse and at Sacred Heart Church. Joseph was also an avid bowler and fisherman. Survivors include his loving wife at home; his daughter, Elaine DeFeo of New Windsor; his sisters, Sophie Tambasco and her husband, Frank, Grace Palombi and her husband, Alfred, Josephine Palombi, and Jennie Riccio and her husband, Carmen, all of Amsterdam, N.Y.; and several nieces, nephews, cousins and many friends. He was predeceased by two sisters, Rose Sagarese and her husband, Michael, and Dolores Marotta; his brother, Daniel DeFeo; and brother-in-law, John Palombi. Visitation will be held from 4-8 PM on Thursday, August 18 at Brooks-DiDonato Funeral Home, 481 Gidney Ave., Newburgh. A Mass of Christian Burial will take place on Friday, August 19 at 11:00 AM in Sacred Heart Church, Newburgh. Burial will follow at Calvary Cemetery, New Windsor. Memorial donations may be made to Vails Gate Fire Department, Rt. 94, Vails Gate, NY 12584, or Sacred Heart Church, 25 S. Robinson Ave., Newburgh, NY 12550. To send a personal condolence or for directions to the funeral home, please visit Brooks-DiDonato.com. Published in the Times Herald-Record from 8/16/2005 - 8/17/2005. Filmanski, Ellen Joan Ellen Filmanski, a 21-year resident of Chester, formerly of Lindenhurst, N.Y., died August 15, 2005 at Orange Regional Medical Center at Arden Hill Campus. Ellen was 74 years of age. The daughter of the late William & Gussie Bier, she was born on August 2, 1931 in Brooklyn, N.Y. Ellen was a member of the Chester Golden Age Club and St. John's Lutheran Church of Middletown, N.Y. She was the widow of Henry Filmanski. Ellen is survived by her son Kenneth and his wife Carol Filmanski of Fishkill, New York, her daughters Carolyn Filmanski of Chester, New York and Jo-Ellen Salvia of Parksville, New York. She is also survived by her 5 grandchildren Michael, Christine, Carly, Lisa and Laura. Ellen was pre-deceased by a son Robert. Visitation will be held on Thursday, August 18 from 2 to 4 & 7 to 9 p.m. and Friday, August 19 from 12 to 1 p.m. at Flynn Funeral & Cremation Memorial Centers, 3 Hudson Street, Chester, New York. Services will be held at the funeral home on Friday at 1 p.m. with the Peter Rustico officiating. Burial will be at Orange County Veterans Cemetery, Craigville Road, Goshen, N.Y. Memorial contributions in Ellen's name to St. John's Lutheran Church Building Fund, 39 Mount Hope Road, Middletown, NY 10940 would be appreciated. Funeral arrangements have been entrusted to Flynn Funeral & Cremation Memorial Centers, 3 Hudson Street, Chester, NY 10918. Thomas F. Flynn. Published in the Times Herald-Record on 8/17/2005. Gregal, Margaret "Peggy" Margaret "Peggy" Gregal, of Grahamsville, died on Sunday, August 14, 2005 at Beth Israel Hospital. She was 69. The daughter of the late James and Helen Maguire Shortell, she was born on March 22, 1936 in Queens, N.Y. Peggy was the widow of Frank Gregal, who passed away on March 18, 2003. She was predeceased by one brother, Michael Shortell. A family statement: "Mom had a wonderful gift of instantly touching the hearts of those she met and always having the right words to soothe and comfort others." Survivors include one son, Frank Gregal and his wife, Virginia of Chester; one brother, James Shortell of Port Richey, Fla.; and many nieces and nephews. Visitation will take place on Thursday, August 18 from 2 to 4 & 7 to 9 p.m. at Colonial Memorial Funeral Home, 396 Main Street, Woodbourne, N.Y. A Mass of Christian Burial will be held on Friday, August 19 at the Church of the Immaculate Conception at 10 a.m. Fr. John Lynch will officiate. Interment will follow at the Grahamsville Rural Cemetery, Grahamsville, N.Y. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in Peggy's name to the American Heart Association, 419 E. Main, Middletown, NY 10940. Arrangements are under the direction of Colonial Memorial Funeral Home, www.colonialbryantfuneralhome.com or 845-434-7363. Published in the Times Herald-Record on 8/17/2005. Hennessey, Lillian Potter Lillian Potter Hennessey of Matamoras, Pa., formerly of Napanoch and Ellenville, and a wrapper for the Rondout Paper Mill in Napanoch, died August 15, 2005 in Bon Secours Hospital in Port Jervis. She was 90. The daughter of Frederick and Emily Perry Lang, she was born August 12, 1915 in Clearfield, Pa. She was the widow of Howard Potter and Thomas Hennessey. Survivors include her daughters, Sylvia Myers of Hawley, Pa., and Arlene Konig of North Babylon, L.I.; her son, Norman Potter of Charlotte, N.C.; her daughter-in-law, Howard's widow, Evelyn Potter of Concord, N.C.; 14 grandchildren; 17 great-grandchildren; one great-great-grandchild; and several nieces and nephews. She was predeceased by two sons, Harold and Howard. A Memorial Service will be held at 10:00 AM on Friday, August 19 at the Loucks Funeral Home, Inc., 79 N. Main St., Ellenville, N.Y. Burial will be in The Poplar Grove Cemetery in Phillipsport. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Wickham United Methodist Church, 32 Bruce St., Port Jervis, NY 12771. Arrangements were made by the Loucks Funeral Home, Inc. Published in the Times Herald-Record on 8/17/2005. Hill, Joyce (Hansen) Joyce (Hansen) Hill of Sandy Creek, N.Y., born December 14, 1940 to Ilo and Elizabeth Hansen, and raised in Tomkins Cove, died August 16, 2005 peacefully at home with her family at her side. She worked at Letchworth Village for 13 years, then she moved to Sandy Creek where she lived happily with her husband of 23 years, George E. Hill, who predeceased her. She was a wonderful wife and mother, who enjoyed her children, grandchildren, great-grandchildren, the outdoors, flowers and fishing. Joyce is survived by her children: Edward Mulholland and his wife, Joanne, Marion Mayer and her husband, Kevin, Patrick Mulholland and his companion, Donna Dupont, David Mulholland and his wife, Kelly, and her step-son, George E. Hill Jr.; 14 grandchildren and two great-grandchildren. She is also survived by her sisters: Carol McElory, Ruthie Gilbert, Sharon Woodmansee, RoseMary Bush; and her brother, Donald Hansen. Visitation will be held on Thursday, August 18 from 2-4 and 7-9 PM at the Higgins Funeral Home, 73 N. Liberty Dr., Stony Point, N.Y. Religious services will be held at 10 a.m. on Friday, August 19 in the funeral home. Burial will be at the Mount Repose Cemetery in Haverstraw, N.Y. (Route 9W). In lieu of flowers, please send donations to Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, 1275 York Ave., New York, NY 10021, or to Hospice Foundation, Inc., Memorial Gift Program, 34 Broadway, Kingston, NY 12401. Arrangements were made by the Higgins Funeral Home. Published in the Times Herald-Record on 8/17/2005. Hustins, Dorothy H. Mrs. Dorothy H. Hustins, of Highland Lake, a librarian for many years at the Eldred Library and longtime resident of the area, died Monday, August 15, 2005 at Milford Senior Care & Rehabilitation Center, Milford, Pa. She was 97. She was born August 22, 1907 in Brooklyn, N.Y., the daughter of the late Fred and the late Alma Peterson. She was the widow of the late William Hustins. She formerly worked in the cafeteria at the Eldred Central School. She was a member of the Eldred Congregational Church and the Church Auxiliary. Surviving are her son: John Hustins & his wife, Jeanne of Westtown; two grandsons: John W. Hustins & his wife, Renee of Greenville Twp, James E. Hustins & his wife, Judy of Middletown; three great-grandchildren: Benjamin Hustins, Olivia Hustins and Emily Hustins. A memorial service will be held at held at a later date to be announced. Cremation will be at H.G. Smith Crematory, Stroudsburg, Pa. Memorial contributions may be made to the Eldred American Legion Ambulance Service or the Eldred Congregational Church. Funeral arrangements are by the Gray-Rasmussen Funeral Home, Route 97, Barryville, N.Y. Published in the Times Herald-Record on 8/17/2005. Maher, Rev. John J. Rev. John J. Maher, of Woodbourne and retired Pastor of the Church of the Immaculate Conception from 1967-1988, passed away on Sunday, August 14, 2005 at Our Lady of Consolation Residence in Bronx, New York. He was 91. The son of Joseph and Hannah Leonard Maher, he was born on September 20, 1913 in the Bronx. Rev. Maher attended St. John's Chrysostom Elementary School, All Hollows High School and St. Joseph's Seminary. He was ordained on June 3, 1939. Rev. Maher had many years of appointments. His first appointment began in 1939 at St. Patrick's in Newburgh and many to follow such as St. Mary's in Saugerties in 1957, St. Patrick's in Bedford in 1958, Our Lady of Mercy in Bronx, N.Y. in 1959, and Sacred Heart of Jesus in Manhattan in 1965. In 1967 Rev. Maher became administrator of the Church of the Immaculate Conception in Woodbourne and in 1968 he was appointed Pastor where he remained until his retirement in 1988. He was also a Prison Chaplain for the State of New York. He is survived by his sister, Sr. Eileen Maher of The Sisters of Charity of New York, one brother Joseph E. Maher of Florida, two nieces and several great-nieces and nephews, and his loving extended families the Kane family and Schiffer family. He was predeceased by one sister Mary Leinhard. Viewing will be held Thursday August 18 from 9 to 11 a.m. at The Church of The Immaculate Conception. A Mass of Christian Burial will be held in the Church on Thursday at 11 a.m. Main Concelebrant will be Aux. Bishop Dominick Lagonegro Pastor of The Sacred Heart Church in Newburgh. Interment will follow at St. Michael's Cemetery, Ulster Heights, N.Y. Arrangements were under the direction of Colonial Memorial Funeral Home, Woodbourne. For further information contact 845-434-7363 or www.colonialbryantfuneralhome.com. Published in the Times Herald-Record from 8/16/2005 - 8/17/2005. McGrath, Maria Maria McGrath, of Warwick, died on August 15, 2005 in St. Anthony's Hospital. She was 57 years old. Born on April 1, 1948 in Brooklyn, NY, she was the daughter of Frank Tenreiro and Henrietta Garcia Tenreiro. She was married to the late Edward A. McGrath. She was a Bookkeeper for the Orange County Clerk, Goshen, NY. She is survived by her sister, Toni Murphy of Warwick, brother, Frank Tenreiro, Jr. and his wife Maryanne of Southampton, L.I.; several nieces, nephews, great nieces and great nephews. Graveside services will be held at 11 a.m. on Monday, August 22, 2005, at Long Island National Cemetery, Pinelawn, NY. Memorial donations may be sent to Hospice of Orange & Sullivan County, 800 Stony Brook Court, Newburgh, NY 12550 or St. Jude Children's Hospital, 501 St. Jude Place, Memphis, TN 38105. Arrangements by Lazear-Smith & Vander Plaat Memorial Home, 17 Oakland Avenue, Warwick, NY 10990. Published in the Times Herald-Record on 8/17/2005. O'Donnell, Eleanor Eleanor O'Donnell, a retired buyer for the Thruway Market in Walden, N.Y., and longtime resident of Wallkill, died Monday August 15, 2005 in the Valley View Center in Goshen, N.Y. She was 86. The daughter of Francis and Frances Waldron, she was born January 8, 1919 in Brooklyn, N.Y. The widow of Edward O'Donnell, she was survived by two sons, Edward O'Donnell of Brooklyn, N.Y., and Richard O'Donnell of Hyde Park; two daughters, Caroll Ann Stapinsky and her husband, Andrew, of Pine Bush, and Maureen Cinquamani of Queens, N.Y. She is also survived by numerous grandchildren and great-grandchildren, and nieces and nephews. She was predeceased by two sons, Gregory and Gary O'Donnell, and many brothers and sisters. Visitation will be held on Wednesday August 17, 2005 from 2-4 and 7-9 PM at the Gridley-Horan Funeral Home, Inc., 39 Orchard St., Walden, N.Y. A Funeral Mass will be held on Thursday, August 18 at 10:00 AM at the Church of the Most Precious Blood in Walden, N.Y. Burial will be in St. Charles Cemetery, Gardiner, N.Y. Arrangements were made by the Gridley-Horan Funeral Home, Inc. Published in the Times Herald-Record on 8/17/2005. Obermeyer, Mary R. Mary R. Obermeyer, a homemaker, entered into rest on August 16, 2005 at St. Luke's Hospital. She was 82. The daughter of the late John and Alice Morrow Cunningham, she was born February 1, 1923 in Newburgh, N.Y. Mrs. Obermeyer was a member of Catholic Daughters; St. Mary's Church; St. Mary's Rosary Society, and St. Mary's Seniors. The widow of John Obermeyer, she is survived by four sons: Michael Obermeyer of Plattekill, Carl Obermeyer of East Amherst, John Obermeyer of New Windsor, and Denis Obermeyer of Washington, D.C.; five daughters: Patricia Smith of Cornwall, Teresa Svetich of Sacramento, Calif., Joan Acquaro of Port Orange, Fla., Marie Marshall of Gaithersburg, Md., and Kathleen Heidmann of Newburgh; three brothers: Frank Cunningham of Tampa, Fla., David Cunningham of Sebring, Fla., and William Cunningham of Oceanport, N.J.; 17 grandchildren, and five great-grandchildren. She was predeceased by two daughters, Ellen and Alice Obermeyer. Calling hours will be held on Thursday August 18, 2005 from 4-8 PM at the Doulin Newburgh Funeral Home, Inc., 318 N. Montgomery St., Newburgh, N.Y. A Funeral Mass will be celebrated on Friday, August 19 at 11:00 AM in St. Mary's Church in Newburgh, with Father William Scafidi officiating. Burial will be in Cedar Hill Cemetery. Donations may be to St. Mary's Church, 180 South St., Newburgh, NY 12550. Arrangements are under the care of Christian D. Garrison of the Doulin Newburgh Funeral Home, Inc. Published in the Times Herald-Record on 8/17/2005. Prince, Wayne R. Wayne R. Prince, a lifetime Sullivan County resident and an auto parts delivery man for Ike's Auto Parts in Monticello, NY, died on Sat. Aug. 13, 2005 at Catskill Regional Medical Center, Harris. He was 47. The son of Donald S. and Elizabeth Zweck Prince, he was born on Dec. 11, 1958 in Liberty, NY. Survivors include his mother, Elizabeth Prince Edwards of Liberty; 1 daughter, Jennillee Prince of Livingston Manor; 2 brothers, Donald W. Prince and wife Linda and Steven S. Prince and wife Mary, all of Liberty; 2 sisters, Karan Johnson and husband Richard of Athens, GA and Trudy Crozzoli and her husband John of Liberty; his fianc‚e, Carole L. Black of Woodbourne and several nieces and nephews. He was predeceased by his father Donald S. Prince. Friends may call at Ramsay's Funeral Home, 275 S. Main St., Liberty on Tuesday Aug. 16 from 7-9 PM and on Wed. Aug. 17 from 9 - 11 AM. Funeral services will be held at the funeral home at 11 AM with the Rev. Roy Shaffer officiating. Burial will be in Liberty Cemetery, Liberty, NY. Memorial contributions may be made to Liberty Volunteer Ambulance Corps., P.O. Box 105, Liberty, NY 12754. Funeral arrangements are by Ramsay's Funeral Homes Inc., Liberty, NY. Published in the Times Herald-Record from 8/16/2005 - 8/17/2005. Rojack, Virginia M. Virginia M. Rojack, of Warwick, died August 13. She was 76. Beloved mother, wife, and former diplomat for the Costa Rican Mission to the United Nations. She is survived by sister Emilia Andujar; brother Carlos Robert of Costa Rica; daughter Carmen Rojack, Hamburg, N.J.; son Eric Rojack, Florida, N.Y.; daughter and son-in-law Virginia and James Halprin of Mahwah, N.J; and three grandchildren Carmen and Paul Messina and Alexander Halprin. Predeceased by parents Carmen Esquivel and Emilio Robert; husband Edward N. Rojack; and brother Alvaro Robert. Special wishes for Sarah Chevez beloved friend and caregiver. We love you Mima. Services will be Friday, August 19 at 10 a.m. in St. Stephens Church, 75 Sandfordville Road, Warwick. Donations to Hospice of Orange and Rockland, 800 Stony Brook Court, Newburgh, NY 12550 in lieu of floral arrangements. Arrangements by Ferguson Funeral Home, Vernon, N.J. Published in the Times Herald-Record on 8/17/2005. Rooney, Margaret Catherine Formerly of New Paltz, N.Y. Margaret Catherine Rooney, a retired nursing working at the Hudson River State Hospital in Poughkeepsie, N.Y., and resident of Cleveland, N.Y., formerly of New Paltz, died Monday August 15, 2005 in Syracuse, N.Y. She was 88. The daughter of the late William Eric Smith and the late Catherine Pluntz, she was born June 7, 1917 in Schenectady, N.Y. A graduate of Fordham University, she worked for many years at the Kingston City Hospital, then worked up until retirement at the Hudson River State Hospital in Poughkeepsie, N.Y. She was a member of the Reformed Church of Gardiner. The widow of Alexander Rooney, who predeceased her in 1975, she is survived by two daughters, Madeline Slate of Cleveland, N.Y., and Karen Rooney Allen of Bernhards Bay, N.Y.; a son, Peter Rooney of Port Ewen, N.Y.; brother, Eric Smith of Schenectady, N.Y.; seven grandchildren; five great-grandchildren; four nieces, and one nephew. Calling hours will be held on Wednesday August 17, 2005 from 12:30 to 1 PM at the Reformed Church of Gardiner, Route 44/55, Gardiner, N.Y. Funeral services will follow at 1 PM, Wednesday, August 17 in the Reformed Church of Gardiner. Burial will be in Modena Rural Cemetery in Modena, N.Y. Donations may be made to the Reformed Church of Gardiner, Route 44/55, Gardiner, NY 12525. Arrangements were made by the Copeland Funeral Home, Inc. Published in the Times Herald-Record on 8/17/2005. Thibault, David Charles Formerly of Florida, N.Y. Mr. David Charles Thibault, 62, formerly of Florida, N.Y., died suddenly on Friday August 12, 2005 in West Hollywood, Fla. Born September 19, 1942 in Sacramento, Calif., he was the son of the late Lieutenant Colonel Charles Daniel and Addie Mae Mongeon Thibault. He was the husband of Denise C. Thibault of Florida, N.Y. David was a graduate of Gonzaga High School in Washington, D.C., and a graduate of SUNY New Paltz. He was a veteran of the United States Air Force. He was a systems analyst consultant to several major banks. He was a former member of Florida Union Free School District Board of Education. David was a poet, an avid Bridge and Chess player, with master points in both, and an avid golfer. Surviving, in addition to his wife, are two daughters, Diana Thibault and Deirdre Thibault, both of Florida, N.Y.; three sisters: Sandra Thibault and husband, Jim Guay, of Silver Spring, Md., Gail Young and husband, Stewart, of Westminster, Md., and Susanne Auth and husband, Warren, of Beltsville, Md.; and one brother, Charles A. Thibault and wife, Lucy, of Vienna, W.Va. A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at a later date at St. John Roman Catholic Church in Westminster, Md. Arrangements are by Hartzler Funeral Home, New Windsor, Md. Published in the Times Herald-Record on 8/17/2005.