OBITS: Times Herald-Record 2 Nov 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 Blesch, Ethel M. Ethel M. Blesch of Greenwood Lake, a bookkeeper having retired from the Great Atlantic and Pacific Tea Co. in New York, N.Y. and Paterson, N.J., died Monday, October 31, 2005 at the Valley View Center in Goshen, N.Y. She was 95. The daughter of the late Charles D. and Mary Mast Blesch, she was born on June 7, 1910 in New York, N.Y. Survivors include her niece, Kathleen B. Still of Roseland, N.J. and her nephews, John J. Blesch, Jr. of Ft. Lauderdale, Fla., Alexander Blesch of Vancouver, B.C., Edwin J. Blesch, Jr., of Orient, N.Y., and Robert W. Blesch of Salt Lake City, Utah. She was predeceased by her sisters, with whom she resided all her life, Mildred P., Clara M., and Marie L. The Sisters Blesch, affectionately known as "the Girls" came to live in the big old church on Old Dutch Hollow Road in Greenwood Lake after retiring from their careers in Manhattan and the Bronx. The Blesch family had a long supportive relationship with Holy Rosary RC Church and were responsible for starting it. Visitation will be held from 2-4 and 6-8 p.m. on Friday, November 4, 2005 at the Strong-Basile Funeral Home, 4 Oak Street in Greenwood Lake, N.Y. A Funeral Mass will be celebrated at 9 a.m. on Saturday, November 5, 2005 at Holy Rosary RC Church in Greenwood Lake, N.Y. Burial will be at Calvary Cemetery in Woodside, N.Y. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions can be made in her name to Calvary Hospital, 1740 Eastchester Blvd., Bronx, NY 10461. Arrangements by Strong-Basile Funeral Home, Greenwood Lake. Published in the Times Herald-Record on 11/2/2005. Engelmann, Loretta E. Loretta E. Engelmann, a lifetime Sullivan County resident and homemaker, passed away on Friday, October 28, 2005 at the Catskill Regional Medical Center. She was 87. The daughter of Louis and Marie Rouff Berndardt, she was born July 2, 1918 in Bethel, N.Y. She was the widow of Clifford Gabriel and Theodore Engelmann. Survivors include four sons: Clifford Gabriel of Jersey City, N.J., George Gabriel of Bayonne, N.J., Paul Gabriel of Jersey City, N.J., and Frederick Engelmann of Lock, N.Y.; two brothers, Leslie Covart of White Lake and Alan Covart of Cochecton; two sisters, Carol Galietta of Middletown and Susan Gabriel of Equinox, Pa.; several grandchildren; several great-grandchildren, and one great-great-grandchild. Three brothers: Lee Berndardt, Donald Covart and Pater Covart, and one sister, Grace Mullen, predeceased her. Cremation was held at Cedar Hill Crematory in Middle Hope, N.Y. at the convenience of the family. A Memorial Service will be held at a later date. Funeral arrangements are by Ramsay's Funeral Homes, Inc., Kauneonga Lake, N.Y. Published in the Times Herald-Record on 11/2/2005. Jacobs, Minnie Pastor Minnie Jacobs, an employee of Bearse Manufacturing in New Windsor, died Saturday, October 29, 2005 at Hudson Valley Rehabilitation Center in Highland. She was 88. The daughter of the late Calvin V. Herring and Katie Bell Butler, she was born October 30, 1917 in Roseboro, N.C. She serviced the community by becoming a volunteer for Meals on Wheels. She was a member of Project Life and the Black Ministral Fellowship. Survivors include one daughter, Madline Herring of Newburgh; one brother Elder Stacie Herring and wife Cora of Philadelphia, Pa.; one Goddaughter, Maggie McAllister; one Godson, Reverend Nelson McAllister; special friends, Bishop Catherina Tate and Margie McAllister all of Newburgh; several nieces, nephews, other relatives and many friends. She was predeceased by her five brothers, Chester, Festus, Charlie, James and Elliott; six sisters, Neva Tyler, Lottie Dixon, Carlise Rock, Maggie Stokes, Seanie Holmes and Bethernia Herring and Godson, Michael Herring. Visitation will be held Saturday, November 5 from 9 to 11 a.m. at Best Temple Church of God in Christ, 111 South St., Newburgh. Service begins at 11 a.m. The Pastor Elder Milton Best officiating. Interment will be at Cedar Hill Cemetery, Middle Hope. Rhodes Funeral Homes, 259 Walsh Ave., New Windsor, entrusted with professional arrangements. Published in the Times Herald-Record on 11/2/2005. Jerido, Marguerite M. Marguerite M. Jerido, age 68, of Middletown, N.Y. passed away after a long illness Monday, October 31, 2005 at Orange Regional Medical Center at Horton. Mrs. Jerido was born in Monroe, N.Y. on November 2, 1936, she was the daughter of Harold H. and Bee Hillman Atkins. She attended Monroe High School. She was the widow of James Jerido Sr. and loving friend of the late Joseph Harris. She is survived by 2 daughters Patricia Jerido and Danea of Middletown, Katherine Jerido and Preston of Washingtonville; her son James Jerido Jr of Jersey City, N.J.; 2 sisters Louise Atkins-Davis and Katherine Dixon of Newburgh; her brother Harold Atkins of Yonkers, 13 grandchildren, 6 great grandchildren a host of nieces, nephews, family and friends. She was predeceased by brothers Harry Atkins and Robert Atkins, and sister Marie Draughon, two grandsons I Care Allah and Mahdi Yacare Allah. Friends are invited to call Friday November 4, 2005 from 2 - 4 and 7 - 8 p.m. at Morse Funeral Home Inc, 33 Railroad Ave, Middletown, NY Funeral services will follow at 8 p.m. at the funeral home. Personal condolences may be sent to the funeral home. Arrangements are under the guidance of Morse Funeral Home Inc, Middletown, N.Y. Published in the Times Herald-Record on 11/2/2005. Lander, Linda Linda Lander, a homemaker and longtime area resident, died Monday, October 31, 2005 at home. She was 65. The daughter of the late John and Grace Deneroy Zgrodek, she was born July 24, 1940 in Newburgh. She was a member of St. Lukes Auxiliary and St. Mary's Church, Marlboro. Survivors include her sons, Jack N. Lander and companion, Mary Kay Boggs, of Aspen, Colo., and Jeff D. Lander and companion, Tammy Phillips, of Montgomery; daughters, Jill Patterson and husband, Joseph, of Newburgh and Jamie-Lynn McCullough and husband, James, of Montgomery; brother, Ray Zgrodek of Wallkill; sister, Marsha Dobbs and husband, William, of Newburgh; seven grandchildren; and nieces and nephews. She was predeceased by her husband, John R. Lander, who died in 1987 and a brother, John A. Zgrodek, who died in 1996. Visitation will be held on Wednesday, November 2 from 5 to 8 p.m. at the White & Venuto Funeral Home, 188 North Plank Rd. (Rt. 32), Newburgh. The Funeral Service will be held at 10:30 a.m. on Thursday, November 3 at St. Mary's Church in Marlboro. Cremation will follow in Cedar Hill Crematory. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to Good Samaritan Hospital Homecare, 255 Lafayette Ave., Suffern, NY 10901, or Meals on Wheels of Greater Newburgh, Inc., P.O. Box 2615, Newburgh, NY 12550. Arrangements were made by the White & Venuto Funeral Home. Published in the Times Herald-Record from 11/1/2005 - 11/2/2005. Liptak, Irene E. Mrs. Irene E. Liptak of Milford, Pa., a lifetime resident of the area, died Monday, October 31, 2005 at her home. She was 81. She was born September 30, 1924 in Matamoras, Pa., the daughter of the late Charles and the late Mildred Theodore Litwock. She was a member of St. Patrick's R.C. Church, Milford, Pa. Survivors include her husband: Robert S. Liptak at home; two sons: Robert E. Liptak of Milford, Pa. and Stephen C. Liptak of N. Ogden, Utah; two granddaughters: Jessica Liptak and Jennifer Liptak both of Milford, Pa., as well as nieces and nephews. She was predeceased by a brother, Charles "Chat" Litwock and a sister, Lillian Innella. There will be no visitation. Funeral Services will be held on Saturday, November 5, 2005 at 10:30 a.m. in St. Mary's Cemetery with the Rev. Gerald Mullaly officiating. Burial will be at St. Mary's Cemetery. Memorial donations may be made to the Karen Ann Quinlan Hospice, 99 Sparta Ave., Newton, NJ 07860. Funeral arrangements are by the Gray-Parker Funeral Home, 100 E. Main Street, Port Jervis. For information or to send a condolence note to the family, visit www.grayparkerfuneralhome.com Published in the Times Herald-Record on 11/2/2005. Mancinelli, Louis Formerly of Newburgh, N.Y. Louis Mancinelli, 79, a resident of Staten Island, N.Y. and formerly of Newburgh, N.Y. passed away at Staten Island University Hospital on Sunday, October 30, 2005. Son of Giovanni Mancinelli and Savina Mantrisi Mancinelli, he was born on March 31, 1926 in Newburgh, N.Y. He served in the U.S. Navy, was a member of Unico, and was also a member of the Meadow Hill Reformed Church in Newburgh. He graduated from Newburgh schools and was predeceased by nine brothers and one sister. He is survived by brothers Anthony Mancinelli of New Windsor, N.Y. and Albert Mancinelli of Shelby, N.C., children, grandchildren, nieces, nephews, and loving companion Grace Attanasia and her sons. Funeral will be held on Thursday, November 3, 2005 in Staten Island, N.Y. Memorial contributions may be made to the Meadow Hill Reformed Church, 211 Fletcher Drive North, Newburgh, NY 12550. Arrangements were made by the John Vincent Scalia Funeral Home, Staten Island, N.Y. Published in the Times Herald-Record on 11/2/2005. Owens Sr., David Richard Minister David Richard Owens, Sr., a 48-year resident of Newburgh, a building superintendent at Hotel Thayer in West Point, N.Y. and a former police officer and first Afro-American and detective of the city of Newburgh, died Monday, October 31, 2005 at St. Lukes Cornwall Hospital, Newburgh Campus in Newburgh. He was 66. The son of the late Reverend Steve C. Owens and Lucy A. Owens, he was born on October 15, 1939 in Jenkins Jones, W.Va. Survivors include one son: David R. Owens, Jr.; four daughters: Elista Gayle and husband Carl of Newburgh, Debra Corbett of Upper Marlboro, Md., Sonya Owens of Virginia Beach, Va., and Lolita Owens and husband Benjamin Reynolds of Binghamton, N.Y.; two brothers: Steve L. Owens and wife Evelyn and Howard W. Owens and wife Eugenia, all of New Windsor; two sisters: Willa D. Nolcox Butler of Newburgh and Ruth J. Banks and husband Ernest of Vails Gate, N.Y.; loved and missed by eight grandchildren: Demarion and Thierry Owens, Marjae and Ristaria Corbett, Ricky Corbett, II, Nyiah, Changa and Sule Reynolds as well as several nieces, nephews, other relatives and many friends. He was predeceased by the love of his life, wife, Willie Belle Polk Owens. Visitation will be held Friday, November 4, 2005 from 9:00 to 11:00 a.m. at New Hope Baptist Church, 20 Dr. Coleman Briggs Way, Newburgh, N.Y. Service begins at 11:00 a.m., with the Reverend Dr. Coleman Briggs officiating. Interment will be in Woodlawn Cemetery, N.Y. Rhodes Funeral Homes 259 Walsh Avenue, New Windsor, entrusted with professional arrangements. Published in the Times Herald-Record on 11/2/2005. Schweikart Jr., Edwin M. Edwin M. Schweikart Jr., of Warwick, died on October 31, 2005 in St. Anthony's Community Hospital. He was 74 years old. Born on October 25, 1931 in Englewood, N.J., he was the son of Edwin M. Schweikart and Lillian Anna Knobel. He was the husband of Patricia Schneider Schweikart for 41 years. Mr. Schweikart served with the US Army during World War II in Korea. He was an Assistant Parts Manager with Jim Smith Chevy in Walden. He is survived by his wife, Patricia Schweikart of Warwick; two sons, David Schweikart and his wife Denise of South Carolina and Daniel Schweikart and his wife Deborah of Warwick; two daughters, Amy Schweikart and her fianc‚ Dan Burns of Kunkletown, Pa., Melissa and Frank Presta of Warwick; six grandchildren, Cassie, Jory, Ryan and Joseph, Lyda and Amanda. Visitation will be on Thursday, November 3, from 4-6 & 7-9 p.m. at Lazear-Smith & Vander Plaat Memorial Home, 17 Oakland Avenue, Warwick. Funeral services will take place at 11 a.m. on Friday at the funeral home. Interment will follow in Orange County Veterans Cemetery, Goshen. Memorial donations may be sent to Warwick Community Ambulance Service, Inc., PO Box 315, Warwick, NY 10990. Arrangements were under the direction of Lazear-Smith & Vander Plaat Memorial Home, Warwick. Published in the Times Herald-Record on 11/2/2005. Siegel, Benjamin David Benjamin David Siegel of Beverly Hills, CA, formerly of Port Jervis, NY, died suddenly at home on October 25, 2005 at the age of 53. Mr. Siegel, son of Anna Iglicka Siegel and the late Israel Siegel, was born on April 4, 1952 in Port Jervis. He was a graduate of Port Jervis High School and San Diego State University. He worked as a contract administrator for the Department of Defense for many years and most recently operated his own business. He is survived by his mother; his wife of 25 years, Rachel Novak Siegel; sons, Elliot, Joshua and Avi Siegel; brother Stanley Siegel and his wife Sharon; mother-in-law Cipora Novak; sisters-in-law Hana and Ahuva; three nieces; and two nephews. He was predeceased by his brother Marvin Siegel in 1990. He was a member of Temple Beth Am in Los Angeles and very active in his Beverly Hills community, his temple and most recently served as President of the Brotherhood. His greatest enjoyment was being with his family, friends and members of his temple community. Ben loved to build and fix things and especially loved tinkering with electronic gadgets. He was always willing to lend a hand to anyone in need. Memorial donations may be made to Temple Beth Am, In Memory of Benjamin Siegel, 1039 S. La Cienega Blvd., Los Angeles, CA 90035. A funeral was held on Friday, October 28. Interment was at Eden Memorial Park Cemetery, Mission Hills, CA. Published in the Times Herald-Record from 11/1/2005 - 11/2/2005. Soules Jr., Daniel Joseph "Danny" Mr. Daniel "Danny" Joseph Soules Jr., of Sparrowbush, died Tuesday, November 1, 2005 at home with his family by his side. He was 17. He was born March 17, 1988 in Port Jervis, the son of Daniel Joseph and Vicki Hovencamp Soules. "Danny" was a senior at Port Jervis High School class of 2006 and a student at Orange/Ulster BOCES where he studied in the Auto Tech program. A family statement reads, "Danny loved to play paintball with his friends. He also loved fishing, working on his car and working with his hands. He was always ready to lend a helping hand to his friends and family." Surviving are his mother and father: Daniel & Vicki Soules at home; sister and brother Ashley and Nick Soules at home; maternal grandparents: Edwin & Marjorie Hovencamp of Huguenot; paternal grandparents: Frank & Astrid Capson of Campbell Hall; maternal great-grandmother: Mary Boyko of Napanoch; paternal great-grandmother: Gisela Cordes of Sun City Center, Fla.; aunt: Dawn Hovencamp of Sparrowbush; uncle: Eddie Hovencamp of Huguenot; aunts: Darla Perkowski and her husband Gary of Greenville Township, Debbie Soules and her husband Tom of Castaic, Calif, Wendy Soules of Port Jervis; faithful companion his dog Comet at home; also several aunts, uncles, cousins and many friends. Friends may call at the Gray-Parker Funeral Home, 100 E. Main St., Port Jervis on Thursday, November 3 from 2- 4 & 7- 9 p.m. Funeral services will be Friday, November 4 at 11 a.m. from the huneral home, with the Rev. Douglas S. Phillips officiating. Burial will be at Pine Hill Cemetery, Sparrowbush. Memorial contributions may be made to Ronald McDonald Family Room, PO Box 8187, White Plains, NY 10602 or Humane Society Of Port Jervis/Deerpark, Inc., 202 Route 209, Port Jervis, NY 12771. Funeral arrangements are by the Gray-Parker Funeral Home. 845.856.5191. For additional information, directions or to send a condolence note to the family visit www.grayparkerfuneralhome.com Published in the Times Herald-Record on 11/2/2005. Stratton, Richard A. Richard A. Stratton, age 58, of Franklin Lakes, N.J., died on Monday October 31, 2005 surrounded by his loving family. He will remain in the hearts of his devoted wife Lori, his children Marlena, Anna, Nicholas, Christina, Matthew and his grandchildren Gillian and Isabel. Beloved son of Patricia and the late Donald (1963). Born in Newburgh, N.Y., graduate of Manhattan College, long-time executive of Nabors Industries. He will be profoundly missed by many friends and family all of whom consider themselves fortunate to have been touched by him. Funeral Mass Friday, November 4 at 10 a.m. at St. Paul R.C. Church in Ramsey. Family and friends are invited to visit on Thursday, November 3 at Van Emburgh-Sneider Funeral Home, 109 Darlington Ave., Ramsey. In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations to be made to Weill Medical College Center for Lymphoma and Myeloma, 525 E. 68th St., Starr 341, NY, NY 10021. To the attention of Dr. Richard Furman. Arrangements by Van Emburgh Sneider Funeral Home. Published in the Times Herald-Record on 11/2/2005. Thoby, Arthur "Dave" Arthur "Dave" Thoby, a retired chemical dependence counselor with 20 years of service to the New York State Correction Department, a life-long Newburgh area resident, died peacefully at the home of his son in South Carolina. He was 67. The son of Robert Thoby and the late Mildred Hoyt Thoby, he was born on December 8, 1937 in Newburgh. He was the husband of Marilyn Reiff Thoby. Dave was very involved in the Twelve Step Program and helped many people. He was always willing to share his knowledge. Dave and his wife, Marilyn, opened Hickory Hill Halfway House, in Newburgh, in 1983 and helped over two hundred women with recovery from drug and alcohol dependency. He also was an avid outdoorsman, motorcycle and snowmobiling enthusiast, passionate about motor home travel, and NASCAR. He is survived by his father, Robert Thoby, his devoted, loving wife of 26 years, Marilyn, sons Dave Jr., Leo, John, and Tom, daughters Stephanie, Jamie, Lisa, and Linda, and many grandchildren. The family will receive friends Thursday, November 3, 2005, from six to eight p.m. at White & Venuto Funeral Home, 188 N. Plank Rd., Town of Newburgh. A Funeral Service will be held Thursday at 8 p.m. at the funeral home. Cremation will take place Friday at Cedar Hill Crematory. In lieu of flowers, kindly make memorial contributions to The American Lung Association of Hudson Valley, 35 Orchard St., White Plains, NY 10603. Funeral arrangements under direction of White & Venuto Funeral Home. Published in the Times Herald-Record from 11/2/2005 - 11/3/2005. Van Seters, Henry "Hank" Henry "Hank" Van Seters, 83, of Cornwall-On-Hudson, passed peacefully on September 20, 2005. He was a pipe organ builder and served as curator of the Cadet Chapel organ for 40 years. A Memorial Service for Hank will be held at the Cadet Chapel, United States Military Academy (U.S.M.A.) on Sunday, November 6, 2005 at 3 p.m. All are welcome. LeRoy, John, 79, of Rockford, Ill., died November 3, 2005 at Swedish American Hospital. Fitzgerald Funeral Home and Crematory. www.fitzgeraldfh.com or 815-226-2273 Bohm, Hazel, 76, of Middletown, died November 3, 2005 in Middletown, N.Y. Cornelius, Dodd & Connell, Inc. Funeral Home. www.connellfuneralhome.com or 845-343-2142 Published in the Times Herald-Record from 11/2/2005 - 11/6/2005. Walsh, Patricia A. Formerly of East Fishkill, N.Y. Patricia A. Walsh, 65, formerly of East Fishkill, passed away on October 28, 2005 at her home in Surprise, Ariz., surrounded by her family and loved ones. Born April 6, 1940 in Jamaica, N.Y., she was the daughter of the late Arthur and Johanna Cumerford Noak. On July 5, 1963, she married her loving husband, George Walsh, who survives at home. Patricia was a loving and devoted wife and mother. She was very compassionate, generous and caring. She was very dedicated to her family. She is survived by her children, Sean Walsh and his wife, Julie, of Braintree, Mass., Michael Walsh and his wife, Joanna, of East Fishkill, Michelle Conrad and her husband, Steven, of Newburgh, Patti Glaser of Lindenhurst, N.Y., Judy Pernice and her husband, Vincent, of Merrick, N.Y., and Arthur Raslich of East Rockaway, N.Y. She is also survived by one sister, Judy Raslich of Long Island; a sister-in-law, Meg Noak, and an aunt, Matilda Alaskewicz of Staten Island. Known to her grandchildren as Nana, she is survived by three grandchildren: Olivia, Patrick and Sophia. She was predeceased by a daughter, Catherine Walsh, and a brother, Charles Noak. Patricia's family wishes to thank all of their friends and loved ones for their love and support over the past year and a half, as Patricia so courageously fought her disease. Calling hours will be on Thursday, November 3 from 2-4 and 7-9 p.m. at the Robert H. Auchmoody Funeral Home, 1028 Main St., Fishkill, N.Y. Funeral services will be held at 10 a.m. on Friday at the funeral home. Burial will follow at Fishkill Rural Cemetery. Published in the Times Herald-Record from 11/2/2005 - 11/3/2005. Watson Sr., Scott K. Scott K. Watson, Sr., a Sales Manager for Time Warner Cable Co. in Middletown, and 12-year area resident, died Sunday, October 30, 2005. He was 50. The son of Delmer Watson and Flora Diven Watson, he was born in the Bronx on October 2, 1955. He graduated from Hofstra University in Hempstead. Survivors include his wife, Elena E. Girolamo Watson, at home; son, Scott K. Watson Jr., and daughter, Kristen Ann Watson, both at home; mother, Flora Watson of Stony Point; sisters: Flora Sablich of Central Valley, Kathy Mollicone of Stony Point, and Doreen Battaglia of Doylestown, Pa.; and nieces and nephews. Friends may call Wednesday, November 2 from 2-4 and 7-9 p.m. at the Smith, Seaman & Quackenbush, Inc. Funeral Home, 117 Maple Ave., Monroe. A Funeral Mass will be held on Thursday, November 3 at 10 a.m. in Sacred Heart Church, 26 Still Road, Monroe. The Rev. Carl D. Johnson will officiate. Burial will be in Mount Repose Cemetery, Haverstraw. Funeral arrangements are by the Smith, Seaman & Quackenbush, Inc. Funeral Home. Published in the Times Herald-Record from 11/1/2005 - 11/2/2005. Williams, Cora Thomas Cora Thomas Williams, a 3-year resident of Highland Falls, N.Y., and a retired dining room attendant at Rockland State Hospital in Orangeburg, N.Y., died Saturday, October 29, 2005 in Montgomery, N.Y. She was 87. The daughter of the late Hammit Thomas and Mary Parks Thomas, she was born on January 13, 1918 in Warrenton, N.C. Survivors include three sons: Robert Lewis Williams of Louisburg, N.C., George "Nick" Williams and wife, Dessie of Highland Falls, and Ray Anthony Williams and wife Bridget of Newburgh; one daughter: Blanche "Cutie" Gordon of Louisburg, N.C.; fifteen grandchildren, twenty-seven great-grandchildren, and twelve great-great grandchildren. She was predeceased by a husband, William Ira Williams; three sons: Wilbert Lewis, Wilbert and Joe Lewis Williams; two sisters: Mary Thomas Alston and Nannie Thomas Burt; two brothers: George Hammit and Luke Thomas; three nieces: Annie Thomas, Mary "Sis" Moore and Pearlene Jones; four nephews: "Big" Fred Thomas, Joe Burt, Kevin and Archie Alston and two great-nephews: Johnnie Hill and Johnnie Burt. Service begins Sunday, November 5, 2005 at 2 p.m. at the Perry Baptist Church, Louisburg, N.C. The Reverend Randolph Alston will officiate. Interment will be at Perry Baptist Church Cemetery, Louisburg, N.C. Rhodes Funeral Home, 259 Walsh Avenue, New Windsor, entrusted with professional arrangements. Published in the Times Herald-Record on 11/2/2005.