OBITS: Times Herald-Record 5 Dec 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 Behnke, John F. Formerly of Florida, N.Y. John F. Behnke of Sun City Center, Fla., formerly of Florida, N.Y., a retired Foreman for the Orange County Highway Department in Goshen, N.Y., passed away on Friday, December 2, 2005. He was 86. The son of the late William and Hilda Behnke, he was born in Florida, N.Y. on August 7, 1919. John was a member of the Middletown Elks and was recently awarded the 60-year Service Pin. He was the widower of Reba Behnke. Survivors include his sister, Mildred Pawliczak and her husband, Edmund, of Florida, N.Y.; his sister-in-law, Marilyn Behnke of Goshen; and nieces and nephews. He was predeceased by his brothers, Edward and William Behnke. There will be no visitation. Burial will be private and at the convenience of the family. Arrangements were made by the Hillsboro Memorial Funeral Home, Brandon, Fla. Published in the Times Herald-Record on 12/5/2005. Bilitowich, Eleaner F. Mrs. Eleaner F. Bilitowich of Port Jervis, died Saturday, December 3, 2005 at St. Joseph's Place in Port Jervis. She was 84. Born February 11, 1921 in Florence, N.J., she was the daughter of the late Howard and the late Martha A. Lutes Schafer. She was married to Stanley Bilitowich, who preceded her in death on March 4, 1992. She worked as a Housekeeper for the former Eddy Farm Hotel in Sparrowbush, N.Y. She was a member of the Congregation of Jehovah's Witnesses in Port Jervis. Eleaner was truly a special person who was loved by all who knew her. Her life long dedication of tirelessly bringing a message of comfort and hope from the Bible to all whom she met endeared her to those who listened and most importantly to Jehovah God. Surviving are all her good friends from the Port Jervis, Matamoras and Milford Congregations, which she attended during her many years of faithful service. Friends may call at the Gray-Parker Funeral Home, 100 E. Main St., Port Jervis on Wednesday, December 7, 2005 from 6:30 to 7:30 p.m. Funeral services will follow visitation on Wednesday at 7:30 p.m. in the funeral home with Elder Peter Markwalter officiating. Burial will be at Pine Hill Cemetery, Sparrowbush, on Thursday at 9:30 a.m. Memorial contributions may be made to: Port Jervis/Matamoras Kingdom Hall Building Fund. Funeral arrangements are by the Gray-Parker Funeral Home. For additional information, directions or to send a condolence note to the family, please visit www.grayparkerfuneralhome.com. Published in the Times Herald-Record on 12/5/2005. Casadone, Margaret J. Margaret J. Casadone of Newburgh, a retired secretary for Geigy Chemical Co. and longtime area resident, entered into rest Saturday, December 3, 2005 in St. Luke's Cornwall Hospital, Newburgh Campus. She was 78. Daughter of the late Giacomo and Concetta Salerno Casadone, she was born December 4, 1926 in Dobbs Ferry, N.Y. Margaret was a graduate of Dobbs Ferry High School and Berkley Business School. She was a parishioner of Sacred Heart Church in Newburgh and Our Lady of Pompeii in Dobbs Ferry. Survivors include her brother, Deacon Dominick Casadone and his wife, Frances, of Newburgh; and several nieces and nephews. She was predeceased by four brothers and three sisters. Visitation will be held from 4-8 p.m. on Tuesday, December 6 at the Brooks-DiDonato Funeral Home, 481 Gidney Ave., Newburgh. A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at 9:30 a.m. on Wednesday, December 7 in Sacred Heart Church, Newburgh. Burial will follow in Mt. Hope Cemetery, Hastings-on-Hudson, N.Y. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions on Margaret's behalf may be sent to 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 on 12/5/2005. Folsom-Sheppard, Della Mae Della Mae Folsom-Sheppard of Liberty, passed away on Friday, December 2, 2005 at Catskill Regional Medical Center in Harris. She was 46 years old. Della was the tenth child of eleven born to the late Elmer and Amanda Boles Folsom in New Albany, Miss. on October 14, 1959. Della displayed her artistic talents in her writings and drawings. She was a passionate and humble person that was loved by all who ever met and knew her. She was preceded in death by her husband, Paul "Blackie" Sheppard; her parents, Elmer and Amanda Boles Folsom, and a brother, Samuel Folsom. She leaves to celebrate her homecoming, three brothers: Willie Folsom and his wife, Auntniece, of Holly Springs, Miss., John Folsom of Ithaca, and Dwight Folsom and his wife, Charlene, of Philadelphia, Pa.; six sisters: Louise Fingers of Liberty, Lucille Herbert and her husband, Edward, of Liberty, Edith Sheppard and her husband, Bert, of Hollywood, Fla., Claudette Folsom of Monticello, Christine Williams and her husband, Sam, of Hornell, and Brenda Folsom of Binghamton; as well as a host of nieces, nephews, and friends. Friends may call at Friendship Baptist Church, Ferndale on Tuesday, December 6, 2005 from Noon to 2 p.m. Funeral services will be conducted at 2 p.m. by the Clergy of Friendship Baptist Church. She will be interred with her husband, Paul, at the Sullivan County Veterans Cemetery, Sunset Lake Rd., Liberty. Memorial contributions may be made to the Critical Care Unit, c/o Catskill Regional Medical Center, P.O. Box 800, Harris, NY 12742. Funeral arrangements were entrusted to Ramsay's Funeral Homes, Inc., 275 South Main St., Liberty. Published in the Times Herald-Record on 12/5/2005. Fox, Helen Formerly of Woodridge, N.Y. Helen Fox, the daughter of the late Harry and Dora Silverstein Friedman, passed away on December 2, 2005 in Ponte Vedra Beach, Fla. She was 87. Helen was born on July 25, 1918 in Brooklyn, N.Y. She was the widow of Dr. Morton Fox. Helen moved to Woodridge in 1946 where she raised her children and helped her husband Morty in his dental office. She was a former president of the Fallsburgh PTA, life-member of Hadassah and a member of Congregation Ohave Sholom Synagogue in Woodridge. She is survived by son, Sheldon Fox and his wife, Susan, of Ponte Vedra Beach, Fla. and her daughter, Honora Wohl and her husband, Sam, of Monticello; five grandchildren: Susan Luongo and husband, Stephen, of Ft. Lauderdale, Fla., Robin Weiss and husband, Fritz Ellers, of Las Vegas, Nev., Danielle Fox of Spring Glen, N.Y., Heidi Fox and husband, Joseph, of Kerhonkson and Dennis Fox and wife, Missy, of Kerhonkson and 10 great-grandchildren. She was predeceased by two sons, Gerald Fox and Barry Fox, and great-grandson, Freddie Ellers. Funeral services will be held at 1 p.m. on Monday, December 5 in the Joseph N. Garlick Funeral Home, Inc., 388 Broadway, Monticello. Rabbi Irving Goodman will officiate. Burial will be in Congregation Ohave Sholom the Woodridge Synagogue Cemetery, Marsh Road, Glen Wild. Shiva will be observed at the home of Honora and Sam Wohl from Monday to Wednesday. Donations in memory of Helen may be made to Hospice of Orange & Sullivan Counties, Inc., 800 Stony Brook Court, Newburgh, NY 12550. Funeral arrangements are by Joseph N. Garlick Funeral Home, Inc. For further information, directions or to send the family a condolence note, please visit our website at www.josephngarlickfuneralhome.com. Published in the Times Herald-Record from 12/4/2005 - 12/5/2005. Keating, James V. Monsignor James V. Keating, age 87, of St. Joseph's Church, 242 Wall Street, Kingston, N.Y., died Saturday, December 3, 2005 at Benedictine Hospital. Monsignor Keating was born in Manhattan on January 7, 1918, a son of the late Patrick and Nora Blake Keating. He graduated from Cathedral High School and The Class of 1943 St. Joseph's Seminary, Dunwoodie, Yonkers, N.Y. He was ordained on May 1, 1943 at St. Patrick's Cathedral in New York. Assignments in New York included his first at St. Mary's Church in Port Jervis (1943-1945) and St. Mary's Church, Rosebank, Staten Island, N.Y. (1945-1948). He came to Kingston to serve St. Joseph's Church in 1948. Monsignor Keating served as Chaplain of the Kingston Police Department; Holy Name Moderator; District Manager of Catholic Charities; and Moderator of the parish C.Y.O. He was named Pastor of The Presentation Church of the Blessed Virgin Mary in Port Ewen, and was appointed as the first non Bishop Episcopal Vicar of Ulster County. He was a life member of Wiltwyck Country Club and member of Division One, Ancient Order of Hibernians. Two brothers, John and Thomas Keating, and a sister, Mary E. Keating, predeceased him. He is survived by two nephews, Thomas and Kevin Keating; a dear family friend, John A. Smith and his late wife, Mary Ellen, with whom he resided; and several cousins in Ireland and the United States. Many friends in this community also survive. Monsignor Keating will lie in state at St. Joseph's Church, 242 Wall Street, Kingston, on Tuesday, December 6, 2005 from noon to 6 p.m. A Mass of the Eucharist will be offered at 7 p.m. with Monsignor William Williams Homilist officiating. A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated on Wednesday, December 7 at 11 a.m. with the Rev. Alfred Pizzuto Homilist officiating. Burial will be in St. Mary's Cemetery. Arrangements were made by the Joseph V. Leahy Funeral Home, Inc., 27 Smith Ave., Kingston, N.Y. www.jvleahyfh.com. Published in the Times Herald-Record on 12/5/2005. Spignardo, John N. John N. Spignardo, a lifetime resident of New Windsor and Machine Operator for American Felt Co. in New Windsor for 40 years, died Sunday, December 4, 2005 at St. Luke's Cornwall Hospital, Newburgh Campus. He was 86. A son of Pasquale Spignardo and Jennie Crudele Spignardo, he was born February 28, 1919 in Newburgh, N.Y. John attended New Windsor and Newburgh schools. He was an avid hunter with a lifetime membership at Black Rock Fish & Game Club. He was a babysitter and playmate to all of his grand and great-grandchildren; and a weekly card and pokeno player with his wife and wonderful friends from Marlboro and Walden. He married his wife, Dolores (Dora) Battista Spignardo at Sacred Heart Church in Newburgh on December 22, 1940. They would have celebrated their 65th wedding anniversary this year. In addition to his wife, he is also survived by his children: Jennie Coleman and her husband, James, Dolores Waite and her husband, Thomas, John Jr. and his wife, Patricia Reilly-Spignardo, and Frank and his fianc‚e, Linda Cosman; one sister, Antoinette DiTrocchio; one brother, Ernest Spignardo; grandchildren: James Coleman Jr., Theresa Coleman Musco, Denise Coleman Lease, Susan Waite-Powles, April Waite-Zoutis, John Spignardo III, Jenifer Spignardo, Duane Spignardo and Daniel Spignardo; great-grandchildren: Nicole Coleman, James Coleman III, Andrew Musco, Thomas Zoutis, Alexa Zoutis, Dillon Powles, John Tanner Spignardo, Trevor Spignardo, Isabella Spignardo, Adeline Spignardo, Anthony, Matthew and Brittany Lease. He was predeceased by two brothers, Pasquale Spignardo and Dominick Spignardo; and two sisters, Anna Spignardo-Nicotera and Olga Spignardo-Parisi. A family statement reads: "We were all so blessed to have such a wonderful, devoted father. God gave us the best. Dad said he had it all and there's not much more he could ask for. He said he loved us all. We have our special memories that will live in our hearts forever." We, the family, would like to thank Dr. Q. Choudhury from the bottom of our hearts for his devoted care to our father. We also want to thank the staff at St. Luke's Hospital. Visitation will be held from 4 to 8 p.m. on Tuesday, December 6 at Brooks-DiDonato Funeral Home, 481 Gidney Ave, Newburgh. A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at 11 a.m. Wednesday, December 7 at Sacred Heart Church. Entombment will follow in Cedar Hill Mausoleum, Newburgh. Arrangements are being made by the Brooks-DiDonato Funeral Home. To send a personal condolence or for directions to the funeral home, please visit Brooks-DiDonato.com Published in the Times Herald-Record from 12/5/2005 - 12/6/2005. Supenski, Helen M. Helen M. Supenski of Florida, N.Y., a housewife and lifetime area resident, entered into rest on Sunday, December 4, 2005 in The Valley View, Goshen, N.Y. She was 78 years old. The daughter of Paul and Marianna Jurkowski Nesgoda, she was born November 25, 1927 in Florida, N.Y. She was the widow of Richard Supenski. Helen was a member of St. Joseph's Church in Florida, N.Y. She is survived by four sons: Richard Supenski Jr. and his wife, Juliette, of Walden, Paul Supenski and his wife, Madeleine, of Marco Island, Fla., Donald Supenski and Carol of Big Rapids, Mich., and John Supenski and his wife, Debbie, of Florida, N.Y.; five grandchildren: John, Joey, Bobby, Cora and Shannon Supenski; and many nieces and nephews. Friends may call on Wednesday, December 7, 2005 from 2-4 and 7-9 p.m. at the T.S. Purta Funeral Home, 22 Glenmere Ave., Florida, N.Y. A Funeral Mass will be held at 10 a.m. on Thursday, December 8 at St. Joseph's Church, Florida, N.Y. with the Rev. Joseph Tokarczyk officiating. Burial will be in St. Joseph's Cemetery, Florida, N.Y. Special thanks to nieces, Susan Moshinsky, Mary Ann Williams, Joanie Barnes; sister-in-law, Stella Nesgoda; special friend, Agnes McAllister; the crew at Valley View, and Hospice too! Memorial contributions may be made to Hospice of Orange & Sullivan Counties, Inc., 800 Stony Brook Court, Newburgh, NY 12550. Funeral arrangements are under the direction of the T.S. Purta Funeral Home. To send a condolence online or for directions, please visit www.purtafuneralhome.com. Published in the Times Herald-Record on 12/5/2005. Weeden Jr., Wardell N. "Spade" Wardell N. "Spade" Weeden Jr., a lifelong resident of Goshen and retired Blooming Grove Police Detective, died Saturday, December 3, 2005 at home with his family by his side. He was 60 years of age. The son of Virginia Zielinkski Weeden and the late Wardell N. Weeden Sr., he was born February 18, 1945. He will forever be loved and missed by his family and friends. He was a Coast Guard veteran of the Vietnam War. He was a 42 year member of the Cataract Fire Company, Goshen, N.Y., serving as a Fire Commissioner of the Goshen Fire District from 1993 to 1997. He was also a member of the Orange County Shields and the County Seat Conservation Club. He is survived by his wife of 36 years, Judith Murray Weeden, at home; his mother, Virginia Zielinski Weeden of Goshen; his son, Brett W. Weeden and his wife, Tina M. Weeden, of Middletown; and his daughter, Melissa E. Mahoney and her husband, John F. Mahoney, of Goshen. Visiting hours will be at the Donovan Funeral Home, 82 South Church St., Goshen, N.Y. from 2-4 and 6-9 p.m. on Tuesday, December 6, 2005. A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at St. John the Evangelist Church, 71 Murray Ave., Goshen, N.Y. on Wednesday, December 7 at 10 a.m. Internment will be at St. John's Cemetery, Goshen, N.Y. immediately following the Mass. Donations may be made to Hospice of Orange & Sullivan Counties, Inc., 800 Stony Brook Court, Newburgh, NY 12550. Arrangements were made by the Donovan Funeral Home. Published in the Times Herald-Record on 12/5/2005. Werlau, Joan R. Joan R. Werlau, a Dial Service Supervisor at New York Telephone for 23 years and later a clerk for Wallkill Central Schools for nine years, and lifelong area resident, died Saturday, December 3, 2005 with her family at her side at Vassar Brothers Medical Center. She was 68. The daughter of Oscar Feldt and Jennie Albano, she was born September 1, 1937 in Newburgh, N.Y. She was a member of Catholic Daughters and Our Lady of Fatima Church. She married Robert "Bob" J. Werlau, Sr. on June 16, 1973 in St. Augustine's Church, Highland. Her entire life was centered on her family. Survivors include her devoted husband, Robert Werlau of Modena; daughter, Elizabeth Werlau of Marlboro; son, John Werlau of Modena; daughter, Stephanie Welch and husband, William, of Highland; sons, Robert Werlau Jr. and wife, Karen, of Beacon, James Werlau and wife, Kristine, of Apex, N.C.; brother, Daniel Feldt and wife, Carol, of Adirondack, N.Y.; seven grandchildren: Sean and Victoria Werlau, William Jr. and Craig Welch, Timothy and Terence Werlau and Trisha Haglund; one great-grandson, Zachary Haglund; several aunts, nieces, nephews and cousins. Visitation will be held on Tuesday, December 6 from 2-4 and 7-9 p.m. at the Copeland Funeral Home, Inc., 162 S. Putt Corners Rd., New Paltz. A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated on Wednesday, December 7 at 10 a.m. in Our Lady of Fatima, Route 32, Plattekill. Fr. John Juame will officiate. Burial will be in Modena Rural Cemetery in Modena. Donations may be made to Modena Fire and Rescue, P.O. Box 73, Modena, NY 12548. Arrangements were made by the Copeland Funeral Home, Inc. Published in the Times Herald-Record from 12/4/2005 - 12/5/2005.