OBITS: Times Herald-Record 2 Sep 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 Arecco, Rose Mataraza Rose Mataraza Arecco, a bookkeeper for First Nation Bank of Highland in Milton and resident of the area for 22 years, died September 1, 2005 at St. Francis Hospital in Poughkeepsie. She was 101. The daughter of the late Charles and Michele Morano Mataraza, she was born May 18, 1904 in Milton. Rose was a generous and loving mother, grandmother and great-grandmother, always ready and able to help her family. She was an avid reader of Harlequin Books and read one a day. She led a very active life. Rose was born in Milton and lived in New York City with husband Frank Arecco until 1983, when Frank passed away. She then moved to Highland to be closer to her family. Survivors include daughter, Gloria and husband James Phillips of Highland; brother Mike Mataraza and wife Rita of CoCo Beach, Fla.; granddaughter, Sara and husband John Pastoriza of Gardiner; grandsons James Phillips Jr. of Highland, Frank Phillips and wife Merryl of Stony Point; great-grandchildren, Kevin Burchell and Bryan Burchell both of Gardiner and Shane Phillips of Stony Point; and several nieces and nephews. Visitation will be held from 4 to 7 p.m. Friday, September 2 at DiDonato Funeral Home, 1290 Rt 9W., Marlboro. Funeral services will be held at 10 a.m. Saturday, September 3 at St. James Church in Milton. Father Fred Kempfirl will officiate. Burial will be in St. Mary's Cemetery, Marlboro. Funeral arrangements will be held at DiDonato Funeral Home. Published in the Times Herald-Record on 9/2/2005. DeBlock, Jeremy Robert Jeremy Robert DeBlock, a crop consultant at Crop Production Services in Pine Island, died unexpectedly on Wednesday, August 31, 2005. He was 22 years old. The son of Robert and Paula Hulle DeBlock, he was born November 1, 1982 in Warwick, N.Y. Jeremy was a 2001 graduate of Minisink Valley High School. In May of 2005, he graduated from Cornell University with a degree in dairy science. Jeremy always loved anything to do with cows, tractors, and farming. He attended Ridgebury and Denton Churches and was very involved with the Orange County 4-H Dairy Program. A family statement reads: "Jeremy, known to his family as "Chet" and his college buddies as, "the Gome", had a wonderful smile; and a devilish grin. He was very intelligent and had high moral values. Jeremy was always respectful of, and helpful to others. He enjoyed his job and truly loved his dog." He is survived by his parents, Robert and Paula of New Hampton, N.Y.; one sister JoAnna (DeBlock) Becerril and her husband, Mario, of Glens Falls, N.Y.; one brother Jacob DeBlock at home; his beloved girlfriend Debra Ploetz of Little Genesee, N.Y.; and his dog, Dixie; paternal grandparents John and Suzanne DeBlock of Westtown; maternal grandparents David and Frances Hulle of Goshen; 23 aunts and uncles; and many, many cousins with whom he was very close. Family and friends are invited to call on Friday (today) September 2, 2005 from 2 to 4 and 7 to 9 p.m. at Applebee-McPhillips Funeral Home, Inc., 130 Highland Avenue, Middletown. A Funeral Service of Remembrance will be held on Saturday, September 3 at 11 a.m. at The Church at Ridgebury Church with both Pastor Wildeman and Pastor Johnson officiating. Burial will follow in Ridgebury Cemetery, Ridgebury. Memorial contributions in Jeremy's name may be made to the Orange County 4-H Dairy Program c/o Tom Davis, 1 Ashley Avenue, Middletown, NY 10940. Arrangements under the direction of Applebee-McPhillips Funeral Home, Inc. www.applebee-mcphillips.com. Published in the Times Herald-Record on 9/2/2005. DeGroat, Alfred R. Mr. Alfred R. DeGroat Sr., of Port Jervis, a retired truck driver for Ryder Rendering and lifetime resident of the area, died Wednesday, August 31, 2005 at his home. He was 76. He was born February 14, 1929 in Port Jervis, the son of the late Spence and the late Bertha Hull DeGroat. A Navy veteran of the Korean War, he was a member of James C. Bilz American Legion Post No 685. He is survived by his wife of 51 years, Mary Snyder DeGroat at home; five sons: Alfred DeGroat Jr., Ronald DeGroat & James DeGroat all of Port Jervis, Michael DeGroat of Mason, Ohio, Thomas DeGroat of New York, N.Y.; eight daughters: Catherine Eltz of Atlanta, Ga., Karen Reed & Rose Mary Owens State of Fla., Debra DeGroat of Marshall's Creek, Pa., Sandra DeGroat of Port Jervis, Susan Culver & Brenda DeGroat of Milford, Pa., Nancy DeGroat of Middletown; stepdaughter: Darlene Snyder of state of Florida; 32 grandchildren; several great-grandchildren and cousins. Friends may call at the Gray-Parker Funeral Home, 100 E. Main St., on Saturday, Sept. 3, 2005 from 12 to 2 p.m. Funeral services will be held on Saturday, Sept. 3 at 2 p.m. at the funeral home, with the Rev. A. Richard Carton officiating. Burial will be at Pine Hill Cemetery, Sparrowbush, N.Y. Funeral arrangements are by the Gray-Parker Funeral Home. For information, directions or to send a condolence note to the family visit www.grayparkerfuneralhome.com Published in the Times Herald-Record on 9/2/2005. Friedman, Samuel Samuel Friedman, an attorney and longtime resident of the area, died Wednesday, August 31, 2005 at his home in Monticello. He was 99 years old. Son of the late Herman Friedman & Marie Meyer Friedman, he was born February 11, 1906 in Hungary. He was the widower of Sylvia Fish Friedman. Samuel was a member of the Landfield Avenue Synagogue in Monticello where he served on the Board of Directors acting as its recording secretary for over 30 years. He was a former member of the Sullivan County Bar Association; Free Sons of Israel; FDR Association; and an Interim Associate Justice of the Peace. He was also a loving husband and father. Samuel is survived by a son: Henry Friedman, of Monticello and several nieces and nephews. He was predeceased by ten sisters. His funeral service will be held on Sunday, September 4 at 12 p.m. at the Joseph N. Garlick Funeral Home, 388 Broadway in Monticello. Rabbi Ben Zion Chanowitz will officiate. Burial will be held in the Landfield Avenue Synagogue Cemetery in Monticello. Memorial contributions can be made to the Landfield Avenue Synagogue. Arrangements are by the Joseph N. Garlick Funeral Home, Monticello. For additional service information please go to www.garlickfuneralhome.com Published in the Times Herald-Record on 9/2/2005. Goodreds, Pansy Nisbet Pansy Nisbet Goodreds died on Thursday, September 1, 2005 at Glen Arden Health Care Center in Goshen, N.Y. She was 103. The daughter of the late Peter and Isabella Nisbet, she was born in Chicago, Ill. on December 21, 1901. She was predeceased by her husband, V. Spencer Goodreds, a professor at Thiel College of Greenville, Pa., her brother, Arthur and her sisters, Daisy, Lilly, Astor, and Violet. Together the five women were known as the "Flower Sisters." Pansy is survived by her son and his wife, John S. Goodreds and Susan, of Goshen, her grandson and his wife, John S. Goodreds, Jr. and Joanne, of Stamford, Conn., her granddaughter and her husband Cynthia Schlachtenhaufen and Thomas of Stamford, Conn. and her great-grandchildren Andrew Goodreds, and Anna and Jack Schlachtenhaufen. During her years in Greenville, Pa., Pansy was active in community affairs serving as President of the Greenville Hospital Auxiliary, President of the Thiel Faculty Fortnightly Club, a member of St. Clement's Episcopal Church and a fifty-year member of Sigma Kappa Sorority. She moved to Goshen in 1995 and was one of the first residents at Glen Arden in 1996. Between 1997 and the present, she became the longest resident of the Glen Arden Health Care Center and was its oldest resident at the time of her death. Visitation will be held on Friday, September 2, 2005 at Donovan Funeral Home, 82 South Church Street, Goshen, from 7 to 8:30 p.m. Burial will be at the convenience of the family in Buffalo, N.Y. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to Elant Foundation, 46 Harriman Drive, Goshen, NY 10924 or to the Goodreds Memorial Endowed Scholarship, Colgate University, Hamilton, NY 13346. Published in the Times Herald-Record on 9/2/2005. Hubbard, Zelma Zelma Hubbard, who was also known as our beloved "Nuna" departed this life on Tuesday, August 30, 2005 at the St. Luke's Cornwall Hospital, Cornwall Campus, Cornwall, N.Y. Gently and lovingly, God in his infinite wisdom, summoned this courageous, dedicated warrior from labor to eternal, blissful rest. She was born in Delco, N.C. on September 23, 1946 to Moses Brown and Mabel Everett. She was the youngest of four children. After graduating high school from the Delco Public School System, Zelma migrated to the north and settled in Newburgh, N.Y. in 1965. On July 5, 1968, she married her dedicated and loving husband of 38 years, Herman Hubbard. To this union, God blessed them with 11 beautiful children. Nuna became employed at IBM, East Fishkill, N.Y. in 1969 as an analyst specialist. After 26 yeas of loyal service, she retired in 1995. Zelma received Christ as her personal savior in 1983 at the All Nations Church, Newburgh, N.Y. under the leadership of the late Bishop Virginia Bowman. In 1993, she helped organize Living in Jesus Ministry. In 1994, she was ordained as co-pastor of Living in Jesus Ministry, Inc. The church officially opened its doors on January 4, 1994. She served faithfully with her husband until God called her home. Left to cherish her memories: devoted husband-Pastor Herman Hubbard, Newburgh, N.Y.; daughters-Janice (Everton) Walker, Newburgh, N.Y., Zellee (Marcus) Franklin, Newburgh, N.Y., Debra (Robert) McMillan, Newburgh, N.Y., Deettra (Robert) Jemerson, Newburgh, N.Y., Michelle Bobbitt, Columbia, S.C., Marsha Bobbitt, Peekskill, N.Y., Janice Jean Hubbard, Newburgh, N.Y.; sons-Matthew "Ivory" (Gretchen) Hubbard, Newburgh, N.Y., Herman "Ray" (Jennifer) Hubbard, Newburgh, N.Y., Michael (Theresa) Bobbitt, Willoughby, Ohio, Matthew Bobbitt, Dale City, Va., Mark (Carmen) Bobbitt, Beacon, N.Y.; brother-Earl Brown, Delco, N.C.; 25 grandchildren; one great-grandchild; a host of uncles, aunts, cousins, friends, and loving church family. She was predeceased by her mother-Mabel Brown; father-Moses Brown; sister-Violet Brown and brother-James Edward Brown. Visitation will be held from 3 to 5 p.m. Sunday, September 4 at Calvary Presbyterian Church, 120 South St., Corner of South and Grand, Newburgh, N.Y. Services will be held at 5 p.m. Sunday at the church. Burial will be in Cedar Hill Cemetery, Middlehope. Arrangements by Brutus W. Hodge Funeral Home, 13 Chambers St., Newburgh. Published in the Times Herald-Record on 9/2/2005. Knack, Richard J. "Dick" Richard J. "Dick" Knack, of White Sulphur Springs, a retired employee of the New York Telephone Co., and a lifelong area resident, died Wednesday, August 31, 2005 at home. He was 72. The son of the late Raymond and Julia Schaefer Knack, he was born August 2, 1933 in Hortonville, N.Y. Dick was a member of the White Sulphur Springs United Methodist Church where he was a former lay reader and had served on various committees. He was a member of the White Sulphur Springs Fire Department for about 35 years where he was a former secretary and engineer. Dick had also volunteered in the maintenance of the Old White Sulphur Springs Cemetery. He had worked for 36 years at the telephone company and retired in 1991 as a switchman. He was a veteran of the US Air Force. Survivors include his wife of 52 years, Betty L. Smith Knack at home; two daughters Shirley Dole and her husband Larry of Neversink and Kelly Heintz and husband Larry of Monticello; one son Forrest J. Knack and his companion Margie Quinlass of Narrowsburg; one brother Thomas R. Knack and his wife Audrey of Naples, Fla.; four grandchildren, Jason Dole, Brian and Kevin Knack and Julia Dole. He was predeceased by a grandson Mikel Daubek. Visitation will be held Friday (today) September 2 from 2 to 4 and 7 to 9 p.m. in the Harris Funeral Home, West Street at Buckley, Liberty. Firematic services will be conducted Friday evening (today) at 7 p.m. by the White Sulphur Springs Fire Dept. Funeral services will be held at 2 p.m. Saturday, September 3 in the White Sulphur Springs United Methodist Church, Route 52, White Sulphur Springs. The Rev. Bridgette LeConey will officiate. Burial with military honors will be in the Laurel Hill Cemetery, White Sulphur Springs. Memorial contributions may be made to the Orange-Sullivan Hospice, 800 Stony Brook Court, Newburgh, NY 12550. Funeral arrangements have been entrusted to Harris Funeral Home. Published in the Times Herald-Record from 9/2/2005 - 9/3/2005. Kooperman, Ruth Travers Ruth Travers Kooperman passed away on Sunday, August 21, 2005 in Boca Raton, Fla. at the age of 87. Mrs. Kooperman was born in Newburgh, N.Y. in 1918 and was the daughter of Maurice and Rose Travers. In her early years, Mrs. Kooperman graduated from Newburgh Free Academy and Beth Israel nursing school in Newark, N.J. She then practiced nursing before meeting and ultimately marrying the late Martin H. Kooperman. Mr. and Mrs. Kooperman went on to run a poultry farm in the town of Newburgh. In addition, Mrs. Kooperman was a fixture at Travers, a women's clothing store in the city of Newburgh for many years. Mrs. Kooperman was a woman of intelligence and character who will truly be missed by her family and friends. She is survived by her children, Daniel Kooperman and his wife Janet Kooperman of Pembroke Pines, Fla. and Deborah Kooperman of Villa Franca, Italy; her sisters Miriam Snyder of Newburgh, N.Y., Jeanne Zweig of Santa Rosa, Calif., Helen Rasker of Boca Raton, Fla.; her daughter-in-law Kathleen Kooperman of Newburgh; her grandchildren Jason and Lisa Kooperman, Julie and Scott Jenei, Dana Kooperman, Adam Kooperman all of Newburgh, N.Y. and Rhody Alvisi of Villa Franca, Italy; and her great-grandchildren, Mathew Jenei of Newburgh, N.Y. A memorial service will be held at the home of Miriam Snyder, 23 Memorial Drive, Newburgh on September 10 from 2 to 4 p.m. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in her memory to the American Cancer Society. Published in the Times Herald-Record on 9/2/2005. Kortright Sr., Frank George Frank George Kortright Sr., of Kerhonkson, N.Y., died Thursday, September 1, 2005. He was 82. Mr. Kortright was born on October 23, 1922 in Mombaccus, the son of George and Mable (Green) Kortright. Frank had been a self-employed Excavating Contractor for over 45 years, a Dairy Farmer and Town of Rochester Constable. He was a life-member of the Rondout Valley Rod & Gun and was a welcome member of his community. Frank is survived by his beloved wife of 59 years, Hildegard (Postler) Kortright. In addition to his wife at home Frank has five daughters: Sharon Zanolini and husband Paul, Beverly Connor and Husband Richard, Linda Ward and husband Keith, Deborah Quirk and husband Edward and Jill Trepanier and husband John. Four sons: Frank Kortright Jr. and wife Nancy, Paul Kortright and wife Andrea, Jonathan Kortright and wife Diane and Christopher Kortright and wife Jill. He has 2 sisters and 3 brothers. He has fifteen grandchildren: Kyle, Taylor, Jordan, Skylar, Natalie, Justin, Robert, Sara and Connor Kortright, Christopher Zanolini, Ryan and Danny Connor, Shannyn and Evan Ward and Darryl Quirk. Frank has three great-grandchildren and several nieces and nephews. He was predeceased by his sisters; Marion Horn and Dorothy Lake and by his grandson, Sean. Visiting will be held Friday, September 2 from 7-9 p.m. at H.B. Humiston Funeral Home, Kerhonkson. Funeral Services will begin at 12 p.m. on Saturday at the funeral home with friends and family welcome to arrive at 11 a.m. Burial will follow at Pine Bush Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Parkinson's Foundation, 1501 N.W. 9th Avenue/Bob Hope Road, Miami, FL 33136-1494 and to the Kerhonkson/Accord First Aid Squad. Published in the Times Herald-Record on 9/2/2005. Lane, Helen Marie Helen Lane, of New Canaan, Ct., and formerly of Ellenville, N.Y., died on Tuesday, August 30, 2005. She was 93. The daughter of the late Margaret and Daniel E. Michel Lane, she was born on November 8, 1911 in the Ridgewood section of Brooklyn. Helen and her brother attended public school in the Ridgewood section of Brooklyn until the family in the early part of 1920, moved to Ellenville, N.Y. After graduating from Ellenville High School, she spent most of her adult life in Ellenville, until she recently became ill and has made her new home with a favorite cousin in New Canaan, Ct. She was predeceased by her brother, William D. Lane of Ashokan, N.Y. and her sister, Margaret Perkins of Fishkill, N.Y. Helen leaves behind Nephews; Nieces; and many Cousins with whom she grew up with. A Graveside Service will be held on Saturday, September 3, 2005 at 11 a.m. at Fantinekill Cemetery, Ellenville, N.Y. Arrangements are under the direction of Colonial Memorial Funeral Home, www.colonialbryantfuneralhome.com or 845-647-8444. Published in the Times Herald-Record on 9/2/2005. Meyer, Arthur D. Arthur D. Meyer of Wawarsing, formerly of Palm Coast, Fla., and the manager of corporate contracts for Eastern Airlines in New York City, died September 1, 2005 in Wawarsing. He was 87. The son of Henry W. and Anna Veronica Brockhaven Meyer, he was born May 11, 1918 in Brooklyn. He served in the US Army during WW II. Survivors include his wife Constance L. Lepine Meyer at home; three sons Curt Meyer and his wife Terri of Nicholson, Ga., Eric Meyer and his wife Susan of Wawarsing, Jon Meyer and his wife Theary of Bellingham, Mass.; his brother Eugene of Reno, Nev.; seven grandchildren, Noel Meyer and his wife Lorrie, Laura, Ian, Eastera, Linda, Alise and Christine Meyer; two great-grandchildren, Danniel and Emily; seven nieces and seven nephews also survive. Friends may call at Loucks Funeral Home Inc., 79 N. Main St., Ellenville on Friday from 1 to 2 p.m. Funeral services will be held at 2 p.m. on Friday at the funeral home. Donations, in his memory, may be sent to Hospice Inc., 34 Broadway, Kingston, NY 12421. Arrangements by Loucks Funeral Home, Inc. Published in the Times Herald-Record on 9/2/2005. Mezoff, Howard B. Howard B. Mezoff, a retired international sales manager for Keystone Camera Company in Clifton, N.J. and 38-year area resident, died Thursday, September 1, 2005 at Orange Regional Medical Center in Goshen. He was 74. The son of the late Irving Mezoff and Celia Sacks Mezoff, he was born January 19, 1931 in Boston, Mass. He was a veteran of the US Army serving during Korea. Survivors include his wife, Rochelle Ryter Mezoff of Monroe; son Arieh Mezoff of Clifton Park; daughter Penny Shirazi of Monroe; and three grandchildren. There will be no visitation. Graveside services will be held at 1 p.m. today, Friday, September 2 at Cedar Hill Cemetery, Route 9W, Middle Hope. Rabbi Garry A. Loeb and Cantor Leon Sher will officiate. Burial will follow. Donations may be made to the charity of one's choice. Arrangements by Smith, Seaman and Quackenbush Inc. Funeral Home, Monroe. Published in the Times Herald-Record on 9/2/2005. Smith, Helen R. Helen R. Smith, a resident of Kerhonkson, N.Y., died Wednesday, August 31, 2005. She was 86. Helen was born in Brooklyn, N.Y. on March 10, 1919, the daughter of Stanley and Maria (Evanchew) Zlonkiewicz. Mrs. Smith worked on the linens floor at Ellenville Hospital for 6 years. She was a communicant of Our Lady of Lourdes Church and a member of the Kerhonkson/Accord and Napanoch/Shawangunk Seniors. Helen is survived by her son Douglas Smith of Cornwall, N.Y. and her dear friend Nicholas F. Varrone of Kerhonkson. Her husband James J. Smith and her sisters Catherine Hanzich and Stephanie Smith predeceased her. Visiting will be held Sunday 2-4 and 7-9 p.m. at H.B. Humiston Funeral Home. A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated Monday 11 a.m. at Our Lady of Lourdes Church, Kerhonkson. Burial will be private. In lieu of flowers donations may be made to the Kerhonkson/Accord Rescue Squad, P.O. Box 67, Kerhonkson, NY 12446. Published in the Times Herald-Record on 9/2/2005. Smith, Raymond J. Raymond J. Smith, 86, of Sparrowbush, peacefully passed away on August 30, 2005 at Milford Senior Care & Rehabilitation Center in Milford, Pa. after a short illness. He is survived by his wife of 63 years, Catherine M. (Lawrow) Smith and by his sons to whom he was a loving father, Raymond J. Smith Jr. of West Rupert, Vermont and Joseph J. Smith of Charlotte, North Carolina. He was grandfather to Christopher R. Smith of Ridgefield, Connecticut and Michael Smith of Charlotte, North Carolina, and uncle of Mary Rimlinger of Port Jervis, N.Y. Ray was born on December 20, 1918 in New York, N.Y. and moved to Pond Eddy at an early age. He greatly enjoyed hunting the mountains and fishing the Delaware River. In recent decades, he spent many days on his beloved boat in the Thousand Islands region of the St. Lawrence River near Alexandra Bay. Prior to his retirement, many will remember Ray as the owner and proprietor of Ray's Deerpark on Pike Street in Port Jervis. During World War II he served as a Sergeant in the Army in the Andennes, Central Europe, Rhineland campaigns with Company I, 260th Infantry Regiment 65th Division. His decorations and citations included the American Service Medal, European Service Medal, Purple Heart, Combat Infantry Badge and Bronze Star. He was a member of the VFW, American Legion and and Knights of Columbus. The family would like to express special thanks to all those who were there for Ray during his final illness including the administrative and nursing staff of Milford Senior Care & Rehabilitation Center who were so compassionate and caring and to friends Don and Mary Ann Clune and particularly to Mary Rimlinger who was more of a daughter to him than a niece in recent years and was a great comfort. Arrangements were made by the Gray-Parker Funeral Home, 100 E. Main St., Port Jervis and at his request, services were private for the family. Donations in Ray's memory may be made to the charity on one's choice. Condolences to the family should be sent to Catherine who is at Milford Senior Care & Rehabilitation Center, 264 Route 209 & 6, Milford, PA 18337 and visitors to Catherine would be greatly appreciated. Published in the Times Herald-Record on 9/2/2005. Sutter, Amelia Teresa Mrs. Amelia Teresa Sutter of Buffalo, N.Y., a retired elementary teacher at Madrid Waddington Central School, Madrid, N.Y., died Wednesday, August 31, 2005 at home. She was 70. She was born March 1, 1935 in New York, N.Y., the daughter of the late Pasquale and the late Rosaria Pittarelli Giannone. Survivors include a son, Brian Sutter and his wife Margaret R. Burke of Buffalo, N.Y., a daughter, Angela Grady and her husband Daniel of Mill Rift, Pa., a brother Nicholas Giannone and his wife Margaret of Hampton Bays, N.Y., seven grandchildren: Patrick, Michael, Matthew, Tessa, Lauren, Brendon and David as well as nieces and nephews. Friends may call at the Gray-Parker Funeral Home, 100 East Main Street, Port Jervis, on Saturday, September 3, 2005 from 10 to 11 a.m. Funeral Services will be held on Saturday at 11:00 a.m. at the funeral home with the Rev. August Ricciardi officiating. Burial will be at Mill Rift Cemetery, Mill Rift, Pa. In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to Gilda's Club of Western, N.Y., 1140 Delaware Ave., Buffalo, NY 14209. Funeral arrangements are by the Gray-Parker Funeral Home, 100 East Main Street, 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 9/2/2005.