OBITS: Times Herald-Record 20 Jan 2005; Middletown, Orange co., New York text-formatted by W. David Samuelsen for USGenWeb Archives *********************************************************************** 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 Bell, Anna L. Funeral services for Anna L. Bell have been rescheduled to Wednesday January 26, 2005 at 10:00 AM in Walden Baptist Church, Bank St., Walden. Arrangements by Gridley-Horan Funeral Home, Walden. Kurzejewski, Catherine, 84, of West Long Branch, N.J., died January 21, 2005 in Dover. Damiano Funeral Home. 732-222-2312 Ronda, Gianni Christopher Michael, died January 20, 2005 in Morgan Stanley Children's Hospital. Loucks Funeral Home, Inc. 845-647-4343 Fruchtman, Anna, 78, of Monticello, died January 22, 2005, at Catskill Regional Medical Center in Harris. Joseph N. Garlick Funeral Home, Inc. 845-794-7474 Contarino, Joseph J., 90, of Newburgh, N.Y., died Thursday January 20, 2005, in Cornwall Hospital. Brooks-DiDonato Funeral Service, Inc. 845-561-8300 or Brooks-DiDonato.com Biasini, Shirley G., 91, of Newburgh, died January 22, 2005, at St. Luke's/Cornwall Hospital. Coloni Funeral Home. 845-561-0238 pr www.colonifuneralhome.com Sacco, Stacie, 34, of Sparrowbush, N.Y., died Saturday January 22, 2005, in Clinton Township, Pa. Gray-Parker Funeral Home. 845-856-5191 or www.grayparkerfuneralhome.com Mazziotto, Mildred, 98, of Town of Poughkeepsie and formerly of Highland, N.Y., died January 22, 2005, at home. Michael Torsone Memorial Funeral Home, Inc. 845-691-2281 or www.torsonememorial.com Published in the Times Herald-Record from 1/20/2005 - 1/24/2005. Bieling, John Roe "Bebo" John Roe "Bebo" Bieling of Hampton Bays, Long Island, N.Y., a retired Engineer with Grumman's Aeronautics, Great River, Long Island, entered into rest Monday January 17, 2005, at Port Jefferson Health Care Center, Port Jefferson, Long Island. He was 70 years old. The son of Jobst A. and Elizabeth S. Roe Bieling, he was born July 7, 1934 in Goshen, N.Y. He served in the U.S. Army during the Korean Conflict. He was married to Helga Mattmuller. Survivors include his wife, Helga Mattmuller Bieling, of Hampton Bays, L.I., N.Y.; two sons: Mark Bieling of Flanders, L.I. and Jeff Bieling of Boston, Mass.; a daughter, Libby Hannon, of Mattituck, L.I.; stepson, Victor VanBorkulo of West Hampton Beach, L.I.; stepdaughter, Sonja O'Shea, of Harrington Park, L.I.; two brothers: J. Arnold Bieling of Florida, N.Y. and Seward Bieling of Maryland; sister, Elizabeth Hawkins, of New Mexico; eight grandchildren and several nieces and nephews. A memorial service will be held on Saturday January 29, 2005 at 1:00 PM in Amity Presbyterian Church, 118 Newport Bridge Rd., Warwick, N.Y., with burial immediately following the service in Florida Cemetery, Florida, N.Y. Everyone is invited back to J. Arnold Bieling's home for a late brunch following the committal service. Funeral arrangements are under the direction of the T.S. Purta Funeral Home. To send a condolence online, or for directions please go to www.purtafuneralhome.com. Published in the Times Herald-Record from 1/20/2005 - 1/23/2005. Decker, Wilmot Wilmot Decker, lifelong Middletown resident, attorney, former city judge of twenty years and eternal fly fisherman, died Saturday, January 15th at home, in the very house his father built 98 years before. Wilmot was forty-seven days shy of his 99th birthday. Born March 3rd, 1906, his long life spanned most of the 20th century and dipped into the 21st, bearing witness to the major phenomena of his day. From the invention of the modern automobile, the airplane, television, the computer, the nuclear bomb, the exploration of space, both physical and cyber, as well as the destruction brought forth by World Wars I and II, the Great Depression and the Cold War. He was the youngest of four children born to Lillian and Wilmot Decker, Sr., a draughtsman for the O & W railroad. Wilmot attended Linden Avenue Elementary and Middletown High School. His wit lively, social skills razor-sharp and libido ever-present, Wilmot was a popular student, demonstrating a flair for the dramatic, be it the Glee Club, dancing to big band swing or keeping his parents awake late at night. After graduating from Middletown HS in 1925, Wilmot-encouraged by a few local lawyers--enrolled in law school at Union College in the state's capitol, Albany. His studies coincided with the apex of the Roaring Twenties and Prohibition, and via his work as a bartender at the exclusive Fort Orange club, Wilmot rubbed elbows with some of the country's wealthiest and most powerful, including Eleanor Roosevelt and then governor Al Smith. Wilmot returned to Middletown, where he began studying for his bar exam. His father died shortly thereafter, and Wilmot suddenly found himself the head of the household. After passing his bar exams, he worked briefly for a law firm in New York City but after deciding he missed the country life, returned to Middletown. Throughout the Great Depression, Wilmot kept his head above water by becoming an agent of FDR's federal loan farm program, and helped to save many of Orange County's "black dirt" farms from bankruptcy. This work gave Wilmot a steady clientele, thus leading him to establish his own law practice. Around this time he met Edith Cocks, from Cornwall, NY and the two married in 1939. The following year brought forth their first and only child, Elizabeth. Not long afterward, Wilmot's draft number came up, and so at the age of thirty-seven he went off to fight in WWII. As his luck had it, however, Wilmot never went further than Camp Crowder, Arkansas, where he worked as a trial lawyer for the Army and had, in his own words, "some of the best fly fishing and hunting of my life." His passion was fishing, particularly fly fishing. It was this passion that brought him to many a river, stream, lake and ocean throughout the world, from the Everglades to Alaska, Mexico to Scotland, from the Neversink to the Delaware. His pursuit of the perfect fish also introduced him to celebrities such as Benny Goodman, Babe Ruth and Ted Williams. Yet his favorite fishing spot was in Sullivan County, at Wolf Lake, where he had fished since the age of twelve. Wilmot loved the lake so much that in 1940, with a bit of gall, luck and the help of five other partners, he bought the lake and the surrounding land. Over the course of the next six decades, it would be his favorite fishing hole, and would become a treasured place for his family and his friends. Wilmot's law practice did well enough that he entertained the idea of running for city judge (this after serving as an Alderman for the city in the late 1940s), which he did in 1952, holding the seat until 1972. Throughout his tenure he introduced many innovations to the city's judicial branch, such as the establishment of small claims court and the use of audio recording. After his retirement from city judge, Wilmot continued his own law practice at the firm of Decker and Darcy, until his retirement at the age of 96. He was active in the community as a member of the Board of YMCA, the Lions Club, the Orange County Bar Association, the Republican Party, as well as a long-time member and trustee of Webb Horton Church. Wilmot Decker's life was a long, rich and lucky one. He will be remembered as an exceptional storyteller, a loving husband, father and grandfather, a giving friend and the most curious listener. He impacted many, many lives over many generations and will be deeply missed. As he told many a person throughout his nearly 99 years, "I'd rather have the Decker luck than a license to steal." He is survived by his daughter, Liz Rogers and her husband Bill of California; two grandchildren, Eben Rogers and his wife Heather of California, and Matt Rogers and his partner Deepa of New York City; as well as several nephews, nieces and cousins. He was predeceased by his wife, Edith, on September 23rd, 2001, two sisters, Meta Decker, and Olive MacGinnis, and one brother, Earle Decker. Cremation is private and at the convenience of the family. A Memorial Service will take place on Saturday, January 22nd, 2005 at 11 a.m., at Webb Horton Memorial Church, 50 East Main Street, Middletown. The Reverend Sue Faye Wonderland officiating. Memorial donations in Wilmot's name may be made to Webb Horton Memorial Church, 50 E. Main St., Middletown, NY 10940, Hospice of Orange and Sullivan Counties, 800 Stony Point Dr., Newburgh, NY, 12550 or O.R.M.C, Horton Campus Rehabilitation Dept., 60 Prospect Ave., Middletown, NY 10940. Arrangements are under the direction of Applebee-McPhillips Funeral Home, Inc., www.applebee-mcphillips.com. Published in the Times Herald-Record on 1/20/2005. Ferguson, Cardell Cardell Ferguson, of Newburgh, N.Y., died January 14, 2005 in Newburgh. He was 64. The son of the late James Walter and Mary Rena Ferguson, Sr., he was born July 30, 1940 in Roseboro, N.C. He is survived by his wife, Louise Ferguson, of New York City; his daughter, Vanessa Ferguson, of New York City; one brother, Charles Smith, Jr., of Roseboro, N.C.; three sisters: Lillie Peggy Reaves of Fayetteville, N.C., Mabel (Bobby) Ray of Roseboro, N.C. and Gladys Jackson of Roseboro, N.C.; two grandchildren, one great-grandchild, one niece, Tanya Freeman, and one cousin, William Ferguson. He was predeceased by one son, Vernon, his step-parents, Charles and Fordie Mae Monroe Smith, Sr.; two sisters: Mae Ferguson and Janie Bell Ferguson; two brothers: James Walter Ferguson, Sr. and Lenon Ray Smith. Memorial services will be held January 22, 2005 at 3:00 PM in Brutus W. Hodge Funeral Home, 13 Chambers St., Newburgh, N.Y. Arrangements were made by Brutus W. Hodge Funeral Home. Published in the Times Herald-Record on 1/20/2005. Goetz, Albert Albert Goetz of Wallkill, an area resident since 1929, a self employed baker in Brooklyn, NY and having retired from the Wallkill Dept. of Corrections as a baking instructor, died Tuesday, January 18, 2005. He was 94. The son of the late Franz and Anna Burkart Goetzenberger, he was born on May 18, 1910 in Obergriesheim, Germany. He was the beloved husband of the late Kuni Gradl Goetz and Karoline Traut Goetz. A Veteran, Mr. Goetz served in the United States Army during World War II. Mr. Goetz was a member of Post 962, Wallkill, the Wallkill Senior Citizens and a long time member of the Ivanhoe Lodge # 180, the Knights of Pythias where he served as treasurer. Survivors include his companion, Evelyn Snider at home; his nephew, Albert Meyers as well as many additional nieces and nephews all of Germany. He was predeceased by his three brothers and four sisters. Visitation hours will be held from 4 to 7 p.m. on Friday, January 21, 2005 at the Wallkill Funeral Home, 12 Bonaventure Ave./ Route 208 in Wallkill, NY. A Funeral Mass will be celebrated at 11 a.m. at St. Charles Borromeo R.C. Church in Gardiner. Burial will be at St. Charles Cemetery in Gardiner, NY. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions can be made in his name to the Wallkill Volunteer Ambulance Corps. Arrangements by Wallkill Funeral Home, Wallkill, NY. Published in the Times Herald-Record on 1/20/2005. Hardenburgh, Elwin M. Elwin M. Hardenburgh of Livingston Manor, N.Y., a self-employed logger and equipment dealer, and lifelong area resident, died Tuesday January 18, 2005 at the Catskill Regional Medical Center in Harris, N.Y. He was 84. The son of the late Burr C. and Ella Lindslay Hardenburgh, he was born June 2, 1920 in Craig-E-Claire, N.Y. Elwin served our country during World War II in the U.S. Army. He was in the 77th Recon troop with service in the Asiatic-Pacific and awarded the Bronze Star. Survivors include one daughter, Linda Hardenburgh and her companion, Curtis Boone, of Parksville, N.Y.; one son, Theodore Hardenburgh and his wife, Claudia, of Miami, Fla., one step-son, Roger Lynker and his wife, Debra, of Roscoe, N.Y.; one brother, Kennie Hardenburgh and his wife, Sylvia, of Livingston Manor; and two grandchildren. Visitation will be Thursday (today), January 20, 2005 from 6-9 PM in the Harris Funeral Home, Railroad Ave., Roscoe, N.Y. Funeral services will be Friday, January 21 at 11:00 AM in the funeral home with the Rev. Gerald Wondra officiating. Burial with military honors will be in the Riverview Cemetery, Roscoe, N.Y. Funeral arrangements have been entrusted to the Harris Funeral Home. Published in the Times Herald-Record on 1/20/2005. Herbert, Robert W. Robert W. Herbert, 64, of Port Jervis, N.Y., died Monday January 17, 2005, at Morristown Memorial Hospital in Morristown. Born in Port Jervis, Mr. Herbert was a longtime resident of Montague, N.J. before moving back to Port Jervis ten years ago. He was a laborer for Gillinder Brothers Glass Factory from 1967 until his retirement in 1998. He was a member of the Montague Grange. The son of the late Joseph E. and Flora Mae Hunt Herbert, Mr. Herbert is survived by one brother, Joseph E. Herbert, Jr., of Matamoras, Pa.; one nephew, Tom Herbert, of Matamoras, Pa.; and Joann Deacon of Chalfont, Pa. Funeral services are private and under the direction of the Wood Funeral Home, 16 Main Street, Branchville. Memorial donations may be made to: Drew United Methodist Church, Box 1015, Port Jervis, NY 12771 or Salvation Army Corps, Box 125, Port Jervis, NY 12771. Published in the Times Herald-Record on 1/20/2005. LaBurt Jr., John P. "Jack" John "Jack" P. LaBurt Jr., owner of the Orange Inn, Goshen, N.Y., and a longtime area resident, died January 16, 2005 at Campbell Hall Rehabilitation Center, Campbell Hall, N.Y. He was 77. The son of John P. LaBurt, Sr. and Mary Meskell LaBurt, he was born July 31, 1927 in Brooklyn, N.Y. He was married to the late Phyllis Aldecoa LaBurt. He was a World War II Navy Veteran. Survivors include two daughters: Fern Farley of New Jersey and Mimi LaBurt of Goshen, N.Y.; four grandchildren: Jeff Farley, Alexis Farley, Michael LaBurt and Tara LaBurt and one great-granddaughter. He was predeceased by his son John P. LaBurt, III. Visitation at Donovan Funeral Home, 82 South Church St., Goshen, N.Y. on Friday, January 21, 2005 from 6-8 PM Interment will be in St. John's Cemetery at a later date. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to a charity of one's choice. Published in the Times Herald-Record on 1/20/2005. LeRoy, Ruth E. Ruth E. LeRoy, a homemaker, formerly of Youngsville, died January 18, 2005 at Catskill Regional Medical Center in Harris, surrounded by her family. She was 69. The daughter of John and Mae O'Connor Greenwood, she was born May 21, 1935 in Iron Mountain, Mich. A family statement reads, "Ruth was the most loving and supportive mother. She always made it known that her daughters were her whole world. No doubt, Ruth always had a smile on her face and a wonderful sense of humor." Survivors include her five daughters, Terra Morosky and her husband Stan of Watertown, Wisc., Vicki Goddard and her husband Doug of Narrowsburg, N.Y., Kim LeRoy and her fianc‚ Michael Kolbe of North Branch, N.Y., Renee Franke and her husband Joseph of Liberty, N.Y., Marie Ratner and her husband James of Woodbourne, N.Y.; two brothers, Terry Greenwood and his wife Nancy of Wichita, Kan., Dale Greenwood and his wife Jean of Carter, Wisc.; seven grandchildren, Tamara Snyder, David Hirsch, Jessica and Scott Franke, Amanda Goddard and Jared and Angela Ratner. Friends may call on Friday, January 21 at the Stewart-Murphy Funeral Home, Jeffersonville from 7 to 9 p.m. only. Funeral services will be held at 8:30 p.m., Friday, January 21 at the funeral home. Cremation will take place at Twin Tiers Crematory, Endicott. Memorial contributions may be made to the charity of one's choice. Published in the Times Herald-Record on 1/20/2005. Minauskas, Pauline Pauline Minauskas, of Middletown, NY, passed away Wednesday, January 19, 2005 at Orange Regional Medical Center at Arden Hill, Goshen, NY. She was 82. Born in Mohonoy City, PA on February 15, 1922, she was the daughter of Anthony and Josephine Roskowkus Ruthkowski. She was the widow of John Minauskas. She retired as a nurses aide at Bellview Hospital Manhattan, NY. She is survived by her son John Minauskas of Rock Hill, 2 daughters Tina McCloud and her husband John of Middletown, NY, and Paulette Orsher of Ocala, FL, 3 grandchildren Jack and Kellyann McCloud of Middletown and Christian Orsher of Bronx, NY. A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at 10 AM on Friday, January 21 at St John's the Advangelist Catholic Church, Goshen, NY. Interment will follow in Wallkill Cemetery, Phillipsburgh, NY. Memorial contributions may be made to Orange Residential Healthcare Patient Activity Fund, 5 Glen Cove Road, Goshen, NY 10940. Arrangements are under the guidance of Morse Funeral Home Inc., Middletown, NY Published in the Times Herald-Record on 1/20/2005. Ocasio, Pablo Roberto Pablo Roberto Ocasio, a lifetime area resident, passed away on Wed. Jan. 19, 2005 at the Sullivan County Adult Care Center in Liberty. He was 33. The son of Efrain Ocasio and Elizabeth Gonzalez, he was born on Sept. 3, 1971 in Liberty. Pablo was a self-employed hairdresser in Albany, NY. Survivors include his mother Elizabeth Ocasio of Liberty; his father, Efrain Ocasio of Puerto Rico; his maternal grandparents, Ramona and Dionsio Gonzalez of Liberty; 3 brothers, Israel Ocasio and Angelo Ocasio, both of Liberty and Ramon Ocasio of Wharton, NJ; 2 half-brothers Johnny and Jeremiah Ocasio, both of Puerto Rico ; a half-sister, Wanda Liz Ocasio of Puerto Rico and several aunts, uncles and cousins. Friends may call at Ramsay's Funeral Home, 275 S. Main St., Liberty on Friday Jan. 21, 2005 from 7-9 PM. Funeral services will be held at Ramsay's Funeral Home on Sat. Jan. 22, 2005 at 10 AM. The Rev. Rigoberto Villafuerte will officiate. Burial will be in Liberty Cemetery, Liberty, NY. Funeral arrangements by Ramsay's Funeral Homes Inc., Liberty, NY. Published in the Times Herald-Record on 1/20/2005. Ort, Davis A. "Dave" Mr. Davis A. "Dave" Ort, of Yulan, N.Y., died Tuesday, January 18, 2005 at home. He was 56. He was born July 17, 1948 in Callicoon, N.Y., the son of the late John and the late Ella R. Hulse Ort. He was married 28 years ago to Susan LaBarr in Narrowsburg, N.Y. Dave proudly served his country during the Vietnam War in the United States Marine Corps. He worked as a Mechanic for Sullivan County Department of Public Works. He also worked for over 20 years at The Concord Hotel Service Station. He was a past member of the Beaver Brook Rod & Gun Club; Eldred V.F.W. Post 6427; first President and founding member of the Eldred Rod & Gun Club. He was also a member of the NRA. A family statement read: "He was a good father, husband and friend who will be terribly missed by all." Surviving are his wife Susan LaBarr Ort at home; sons Darrin Ort of Yulan, N.Y., Brian Ort at home; daughters Christina Powers & her husband Frank of South Fallsburg, N.Y., Kimberly Ort at home, Lindsey Ort at home; brothers John Ort of Bethel, N.Y., James "Jim" Ort of Ocklawaha, Fla.; also several cousins, nieces and nephews. He was predeceased by his sister Patricia Ort. There will be no visitation. Funeral services will be held at the convenience of the family. Cremation will be at H.G. Smith Crematory, Stroudsburg, Pa. Memorial contributions may be made to: The American Legion Ambulance Service, P.O. Box 63, Eldred, NY 12732. Funeral arrangements are by the Gray-Rasmussen Funeral Home, Route 97, Barryville, NY 12719. 845.557.8010. For information, directions or to send a condolence note to the family, visit www.grayparkerfuneralhome.com Published in the Times Herald-Record on 1/20/2005. Pigott, Robert A. Robert A. Pigott, passed away January 17, 2005. Funeral services will be held on Friday, January 21 at 1:00 PM in First United Methodist Church, Newburgh, N.Y. Ocasio, Pablo Roberto, 33, of Liberty, died January 19, 2005 in Liberty. Ramsay's Funeral Homes Inc. 845-292-7160 Ort, Davis A., 56, of Yulan, died January 18, 2005 at home. Gray-Rasmussen Funeral Home. 845-557-8010 Thorne, Charles R., 86, of New Windsor, died January 18, 2005 at home. Quigley Bros. Funeral Home. 845-534-9424 Decker, Wilmot, of Middletown, died January 15, 2005 at home. Applebee-McPhillips Funeral Home. 845-343-6309 Minauskas, Pauline, 82, of Middletown, died January 19, 2005 in Goshen. Morse Funeral Home Inc. 845-343-6918 Earley, Walter "Mickey," 65, of Jeffersonville, died January 17, 2005 in Harris. Rasmussen Funeral Home. 845-252-3901 LaBurt Jr., John, 77, of Goshen, died January 16, 2005 in Campbell Hall, NY. Donovan Funeral Home. 845-294-6422. Prisco Jr., Carman, 78, of Port Jervis, died January 19, 2005 at home. Knight-Auchmoody Funeral Home. 845-856-3312 Hardenburgh, Elwin M., 84, of Livingston Manor, N.Y., died Tuesday January 18, 2005, in Harris, N.Y. Harris Funeral Home. 607-498-4929 Herbert, Robert W., 64, of Port Jervis, N.Y., died Monday, January 17, 2005, in Morristown. Wood Funeral Home. 973-948-3030 Scholefield, Howard Theodore, 80, of Naples, Fla., died January 15, 2005 in Naples, Fla. Kenyon Funeral Home, Inc. 814-258-7320 Swanson, Roger L., 68, of Highland, died January 14, 2005 at Vassar Bros Medical Center. Copeland Funeral Home. 845-255-1212. Ferguson, Cardell, 64, of Newburgh, N.Y. died January 14, 2005 in Newburgh. Brutus W. Hodge Funeral Home. 845-561-4322 LeRoy, Ruth E., 69, formerly of Youngsville, died January 18, 2005 in Harris. Stewart-Murphy Funeral Home. 845-482-4280 Ort, Davis A., "Dave", 56, of Yulan, N.Y. died Tuesday January 18, 2005, at home. Gray-Rasmussen Funeral Home. 845-557-8010 Bell, Anna L., 83, of the Town of Newburgh, died Tuesday January 18, 2005, in Pomona, N.Y. Gridley-Horan Funeral Home, Inc. 845-778-3811 Bieling, John Roe, 70, of Hampton Bays, Long Island, NY, died January 17, 2005 at Port Jefferson, Long Island. T.S. Purta Funeral Home. 845-651-7711. Carlton, Shirley, A., 82, of Matamoras, PA, died Wednesday, Jan. 19, 2005 at Milford Senior Care Center. Gray-Parker Funeral Home. 845-856-5191, www.grayparkerfuneralhome.com VanGorden, Evelyn, 88, of Port Jervis, N.Y. died Tuesday January 18, 2005 at Bon Secours Community Hospital. Gray-Parker Funeral Home. 845-856-5191 or www.grayparkerfuneralhome.com Published in the Times Herald-Record from 1/19/2005 - 1/20/2005. Prisco Jr., Carman "Chub" Carman "Chub" Prisco Jr., a retired self-employed carpenter and lifelong area resident, died Wednesday, January 19, 2005 at his home. He was 78. The son of the late Carman and Marion Maillet Prisco, he was born April 3, 1926 in Port Jervis. Chub was a veteran of WW II, US Navy; member of the Roosa-Fleming VFW Post #161, Port Jervis; one of the founders of the Port Jervis Little League; and was instrumental in the construction of the concession/announcement building. Chub was a member of the City of Port Jervis Common Council, representing the First Ward, First District. He served as a council member from 1988 to the present and actively served on the Police Committee, The Code and Legislative Committee, and has acted as the Liaison to the Plumbing and Electrical Board for the City of Port Jervis. Chub's attendance for the Common Council meetings as well as the various committees, whether he was actively serving or not, was impeccable, attending virtually every meeting. A family statement reads, "'Chubo' was one of a kind; a great husband, father and grandfather. He was a straight forward guy who loved family, friends, trains, fishing, baseball and serving as councilman, the area he loved so well, Port Jervis." Survivors include his wife, Mary A. Stone Prisco at home; two sons, Carman B. Prisco III and his wife Deanna of Middletown, George Prisco and his wife Susie of Matamoras, Pa.; one brother, Ollie Prisco and his wife Alice of Port Jervis; one sister, Marilyn Hinkley of Port Jervis; one grandson, Casey Prisco; three granddaughters, Susan and Lyndsay Prisco, Carrie Morrison and her husband Darrell; and several nieces and nephews, including Rayia Swanerbury. He was predeceased by his brother, Joseph Prisco. Friends may call from 5 to 7 p.m., Friday, January 21 at the Knight-Auchmoody Funeral Home, 154 E. Main St., Port Jervis. Funeral services will be held at 6:30 p.m., Friday at the funeral home with Mayor Gary Lapriore officiating. Interment will be private. Contributions may be made to the Roosa-Fleming VFW Post #161, 47-51 Owen Street, Port Jervis, NY 12771. Arrangements by Knight-Auchmoody Funeral Home. For information, directions or to send a condolence note to the family, visit www.Knight-Auchmoody.com Published in the Times Herald-Record on 1/20/2005. Scholefield, Howard Theodore Howard Theodore Scholefield, 80, of Beach Resort Drive, Naples, Fla., passed away January 15, 2005 at Naples Community Hospital, Naples, Fla. He was born April 30, 1924 in Indian Lake, N.Y., the son of Floyd and Dorothy Hill Scholefield. He served in the U.S. Navy during World War II, was district superintendent at the Fallsburg Central School, a graduate of Indian Lake High School and Ithaca College and recieved his Masters degrees from St. Lawrence University and Columbia Teachers College. He was a scratch golfer and was "Commissioner of Golf" for the Town of Fallsburg. He enjoyed reading, downhill skiing and coached many sports. He is survived by his wife, Sarah Scholefield; one daughter, Kimberly Kleinman, of Bronx, N.Y.; one grandson, Alexander; four stepchildren: Candace and Jerry Guilds, RD, James and Cynthia Baker, RD, and Jeffrey and Martha Baker, all of Lawrenceville, Pa., and Gregory Baker of Hanover, N.H.; nine step-grandchildren, four step-great-grandchildren, and several nephews. Friends are invited to call at the Kenyon Funeral Home, 214 Main St., Elkland, Pa., on Thursday (today) from 1-3 PM, where funeral services will be held following visitation at 3:00 PM. The Rev. William R. Lusk is officiating. Burial will be in Powers Cemetery, Lawrenceville, Pa. Memorial donations may be made to the educational fund of the donor's choice. Published in the Times Herald-Record on 1/20/2005. Swanson, Roger L. Roger L. Swanson, a longtime area resident, retired from New York State Police, Thruway, Newburgh, and later co-owner of the Pine Bush Antique Auction, died Friday, January 14, 2005 at Vassar Bros. Medical Center, after a long illness. He was 68. The son of Walter E. Swanson and Ruth Blankley, he was born February 10, 1936 in Brooklyn, NY. He married Zelma Hamilton on April 14, 1958 in Manassas, VA. She survives at home. Mr. Swanson currently owned and operated Swan and Castle Antiques, Highland. He was interested in antiques and liked to travel. His travels included England, Australia, New Zealand, Holland and Ireland, where he often bought antiques and shipped them back to sell in his shop. He was MPCO, U.S. Army, Korean War with the 7th Div. MPCO. Survivors include his wife, Zelma Swanson of Highland, NY; daughter, Cheryl L. Swanson of Highland, NY; daughter and son-in-law, Dawn L. and Alan Pine Jr., of Hopewell Jct., NY; granddaughters: Rebecca L. Pine and Megan E. Pine, both of Hopewell Jct., NY; brothers: Walter T. Swanson of Newport, RI and Robert B. Swanson of New Hyde Park, NY; sister, Janet A. Coyle of Henderson, Nev., also several nieces and nephews. In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to American Cancer Association, American Lung Association or Highland Fire Dept. Rescue Squad. Calling hours are from 1-4 PM Saturday, January 22, at Copeland Funeral Home, Inc., 162 South Putt Corners Rd., New Paltz, NY. Published in the Times Herald-Record from 1/19/2005 - 1/20/2005. Thompson, Ralph Brownlow Ralph Brownlow Thompson, who died Jan. 18, 2005 at home, wants to be remembered as a Child of God - Receiver and Sharer of God's Shalom - A Citizen of the World - Husband, Lover, Soul Mate, Father, Brother, Friend - A Pilgrim of Faith - A Pioneer in the Journey of Life - Someone who learned to LIVE with chronic cancer. Born in Memphis, Tennessee on Labor Day, September 2, 1940, his childhood and youth were spent in Wisconsin, Illinois, Georgia, Texas, Louisiana and Iowa. Graduated from Theodore Roosevelt High School, Des Moines, Iowa in 1958. Went on to receive his BA in English and History from the University of Dubuque, Iowa in 1958; and received his Master of Divinity from Princeton Theological Seminary, Princeton, NJ in 1966. Rev. Thompson started ministry in Mineola, New York (1966-69), Staten Island (1970-80), and was installed as pastor in East Orange, New Jersey (1981-1983). He married the late Sarah Jane Dyer in 1971. Ralph was the first one in America to use paternity leave and Social Security Survivors benefits for fathers to be a single father for his infant children Jim (Jamie) and Joy. He loves his children and is proud of them all: adopted, biological and stepchildren. On January 1, 1992, Ralph married the Rev. Susan Nicholas Whaley. He was an interim pastor at Westminster Church in Trenton, NJ (1993-94) and West Trenton Church in 1995-96. Then he was called as a full-time, installed pastor of Hopewell & Pine Bush Churches, Thompson Ridge, NY (1997-2002). He retired on disability and he and Susy moved to Lakewood, NJ. In 2003, Ralph celebrated living a quality life, by the Grace of God, with chronic metastasized cancer (thymoma and thymic carcinoma) for a decade and truly lived, 10 more years than doctors expected. In the 21st Century, Ralph began to learn from many mistakes. The good news is in Jesus Christ we are forgiven, He finally grew in some wisdom as well as knowledge and experience. Ralph never did "grow-up." (There are pro's and con's to that!) He enjoyed many activities and much travel with his wife, his loving sister Alice Jane Rose and good times with his granddaughters Ashley Reid, Katie & Kelly Weber, and Mackenzie Leczner. He was glad to have two handfuls of close friends for many, many years and he kept up with lots of relatives and other friends. Ralph enjoyed the life God gave him to the end. In lieu of flowers, please donate to your local church in his name, or send a donation to the Point Pleasant Presbyterian Church, Bay & Forman Ave, Point Pleasant Beach, New Jersey 08742, for the Heifer Project International and the Tsunmai Fund. Visitation will be Friday, January 21, 2005 from 12:00 to 1:30PM at Point Pleasant Presbyterian Church, Bay Ave and Forman Ave. Point Pleasant Beach, NJ. A funeral Service will follow at the church at 2PM. D'Elia Funeral Home, Lakewood, NJ is in charge of arrangements. Published in the Times Herald-Record on 1/20/2005. Thorne, Charles R. Charles R. Thorne, 86 years old, of New Windsor, a retired courier for Bank of New York & Crowley Milk, Newburgh, died January 18, 2005 at home. The son of Charles R. Thorne and Emma Taylor Thorne, he was born December 28, 1918 in Newburgh, N.Y. He was married to Elizabeth Stevens Thorne. He was a member of Bethlehem Presbyterian Church, Salisbury Mills. Survivors include his wife Elizabeth Stevens Thorne; 3 daughters: Dorothy Blesse & husband Fred of Syracuse, Utah, Ruth Gordon & husband Vincent of New Windsor, Barbara Thorne of Greenville, N.C.; one brother Robert Thorne of Town of Newburgh; 6 grandchildren Barbara Whittaker, Cherie Kilpatrick, Heather Reed, Matthew Blesse, Michelle Noller, Kevin Gordon; and 9 great-grandchildren. Friends and relatives may call at the Bethlehem Church, RT-94 & Jackson Ave, New Windsor from 10 a.m. to 12 p.m. Saturday, January 22. Services will be 12 Noon Saturday at Bethlehem Presbyterian Church, Rt 94 & Jackson Ave, New Windsor with the Rev. Marc Benton officiating. Burial will be in Bethlehem Cemetery, New Windsor. Funeral arrangements by: Kevin Quigley of Quigley Bros. Funeral Home, 337 Hudson St., Cornwall-On-Hudson, NY 12520. 845.534.9424 www.QuigleyBros.com Published in the Times Herald-Record on 1/20/2005. VanGorden, Evelyn Mrs. Evelyn VanGorden of Port Jervis, N.Y., a retired Practical Nurse at Middletown Psychiatric Center and lifetime resident of the area, died Tuesday January 18, 2005, at Bon Secours Community Hospital. She was 88. She was born January 8, 1917 in Cuddebackville, N.Y., the daughter of the late Floyd and the late Ruth Myer Van Aken. She was the widow of the late Forrest VanGorden, who died March 15, 1963. She was a member of AARP. Surviving are one daughter, Jeanne L. Roucken and her husband, Walter, of Port Jervis; two grandchildren: Michelle DiSanto & her husband, Tony, of Brigantine, N.J., and Joseph Roucken of Ithaca, N.Y.; one sister, Frances Caswell of Brewster, Wash.; and several nieces and nephews. She was predeceased by one daughter, Janis VanGorden; and two brothers: William and Floyd VanAken. Funeral services will be held Friday January 21, 2005 at 11:00 AM in Rural Valley Cemetery with the Rev. Robert D. Cassidy officiating. Burial will be at Rural Valley Cemetery, Cuddebackville, N.Y. Funeral arrangements are by Gray-Parker Funeral Home, 100 E. Main St., Port Jervis. For information, directions or to send a condolence note to the family, visit www.grayparkerfuneralhome.com Published in the Times Herald-Record on 1/20/2005.