JOAN BENIO

HONESDALE - Joan Benio of Honesdale, formerly of Lords Valley, and a 16-year area resident, died Sunday, September 3, 2000 at Wayne Memorial Hospital in Honesdale. She was 67.

Daughter of the late LeRoy and Genieve Stinnard McNamara, she was born in Hawley.

She attended Blooming Grove Baptist Church and was a former member of Blooming Grove Fire Dept. Auxiliary.

Survivors include her husband, Michael A. Benio; a daughter, Barbara Balla of Lords Valley; two sons, Robert Clark of Port Jervis, NY and Michael Clark of Manasquan, NJ; a stepdaughter, Michael Ann Benio of Columbus, GA; six grandchildren; two great-grandchildren; nieces and nephews.

Services were held at Blooming Grove Baptist Church. Burial was at The Lords Valley Cemetery in Hawley.

Memorial contributions may be made to the American Red Cross, Wayne-Pike Chapter, 1111 Main Street, Honesdale, PA 18428 or to the Easter Seals Society.

BEVERLY ANN BENNER

MILFORD - Beverly Ann Benner of Milford, an employee of Spark-O-Matic in Milford for many years, died Monday, September 4, 2000 at home. She was 48.

Daughter of George M. and Virginia Piergiorgi Benner, she was born November 3, 1951 in Port Jervis.

She was a member of St. John the Evangelist and Good Shepherd Episcopal Church of Milford.

Survivors include her mother; a brother, Barry of Milford; a sister, Barbara Matthews of Milford; nieces and nephews.

KATHERINE CHICKO

MONTICELLO - Katherine Chicko of Monticello, a homemaker and longtime area resident, died Sunday, September 3, 2000. She was 85.

Daughter of the late John and Anna Smolnik Konow, she was born July 12, 1915 in Claremont, NH. She was the widow of John Chicko.

She was a member of St. John's Episcopal Church in Monticello.

Survivors include a son, John and wife Mary of Monticello; a daughter, Joanne Moulton of Basking Ridge, NJ; nieces and nephews.

Graveside services and burial took place at Rock Ridge Cemetery in Monticello. The Rev. Ninon Hutchinson officiated.

Memorial contributions may be made to Hospice of Sullivan County, 800 Stony Brook Court, Newburgh, NY 12550.

RICHARD BREIDENSTEIN

HONESDALE - Richard Breidenstein of Honesdale, died unexpectedly Thursday, September 7, 2000 at Wayne Memorial Hospital. He was 60.

Son of the late Frank and Jeanne Miller Breidenstein, he was born January 4, 1940 in Honesdale. He was the widower of Darlene Cook Breidenstein.

He was a U.S. Army career man and served in both the Korean Conflict and the Vietnam War. He first served in Korea at the DMV and later served twice in Vietnam. In his 22 years of duty, he also served three tours in Germany and France and other places. He was a life member of the VFW Hogen-camp Schupper Post #531 and a member of the Fraternal Order of Eagle, both in Honesdale.

Survivors include his companion, Elizabeth "Libby" of Honesdale; two sons, Richard and wife Jennie of Simpson and Samuel and girlfriend Kim of Moosic; a step-son, Michael Dean Owen and wife Gail of Tennessee; six brothers, Paul, Michael and Kevin of Honesdale, Kenneth of Missouri, Peter of North Carolina and Lemuel of New Jersey; three sisters, Josephine Wood and Marion Martin of Honesdale and Gwen Kloeper of Missouri; six grandchildren; nieces and nephews.

He was predeceased by a brother, John and a sister, Florence.

Services were held at the Hessling Funeral Home in Honesdale. The Rev. Paul McCauley of the Central Union Methodist Church in Honesdale officiated. Graveside services followed at the Clinton Center Cemetery in Clinton Township.

JOHN H. HOLLINGSWORTH

BEACH LAKE - John H. Hollingsworth of Beach Lake, a retired operating engineer for Ruppert Brewery in New York and a 27-year area resident, died Friday, September 8, 2000 at home. He was 92.

Son of Benjamin C. and Christina Hollingsworth, he was born April 13, 1908 in Brooklyn, NY. He was the widower of Madeline Hoag Hollingsworth.

He was a member of the Operating Engineers Union.

Survivors include a son, John and wife Pat of Brooktondale, NY; two grandchildren; five great-grandchildren; nieces and nephews.

Services were held at Rasmussen Sons Inc. Funeral Home in Narrowsburg. The Rev. Ray Cummings officiated. Burial was in Glen Cove Cemetery in Narrowsburg.

Memorial contributions may be made to the Tusten Volunteer Ambulance, Narrowsburg, NY 12764.

ANNA G. KITSON

NORTH BRANCH - Anna G. Kitson of North Branch, a homemaker, died Monday, August 28, 2000 at the Seelig Division of Community General Hospital in Harris. She was 82.

Daughter of the late Henry and Nellie Pierce Gilmore, she was born January 13, 1918 in Manhattan. She was the widow of John T. Kitson.

She was a member of St. Mary's R.C. Church in Obernburg and the Ladies Auxiliary of the North Branch Fire Department in North Branch.

Survivors include three daughters, Margaret MacIsaac of Plymouth, MA, Anna Altbach of Neversink and Marie Graby of Callicoon; three sons, William of Columbia, SC, Thomas of Obernburg and Martin of Grahamsville; a sister, Josephine Notarfrancisco of Florida; a brother, Hugh Gilmore of Manhattan; 17 grandchildren; six great-grandchildren; nieces and nephews.

She was predeceased by a son, John.

A Mass of Christian Burial was offered Thursday at St. Mary's Church in Obernburg. Father John Richard and Father Ignatius Smith officiated. Burial was in the parish cemetery.

Memorial contributions may be made to the North Branch Fire Department, North Branch, NY 12766.

ABRAHAM KLEINMAN

LIBERTY - Abraham Kleinman of Liberty, a Liberty Justice for 26 years and supervisor of the Town of Liberty for eight years, a 72-year area resident, died Tuesday, August 29, 2000 at home. He was 81.

Son of the late Isadore and Bertha Kleinman, he was born March 4, 1919 in New York City. He was the widower of Mary Kleinman.

He graduated from City University in New York City and St. John's Law School. He was a Sergeant and radio operator in the U.S. Army during World War II, serving with the 805th Tank Destroyer Battalion. He held various elected or appointed public offices in Sullivan County and the Town of Liberty over a period of 37 years, in addition to practicing law for 45 years. He was clerk of the Sullivan County Board of Supervisors, Sullivan County Attorney, and was a committeeman for the Republican Party.

He was a member and past president of the Liberty Lions Club; a member of the Liberty Elks, Clarence Hoyt Post No. 9217, Veterans of Foreign Wars; the American Legion's Drum and Bugle Corps; Congregation Ahavath Israel where he served as secretary for several terms, all of Liberty; was a member of B'nai B'rith and the Anti-Defamation League; was a member of the board of trustees of Sullivan County Community College in Loch Sheldrake.

Survivors include three daughters, Sherri Huntzinger and companion Jack Gaines of Newburgh, JoAnn Slaver and husband John of Liberty, Wendy Rudder and husband Ed of Gardiner; two sons, Seth of Liberty and Mark and wife Marion of Liberty; a sister, Francis Kaufman of the Bronx; and five grandchildren.

Services were held at the Congregation Ahavath Israel in Liberty. Rabbi Marvin Goldman officiated. Burial was at the Hysana Road Cemetery.

Memorial contributions may be made to the American Cancer Society, 6725 Lyons St., PO Box 7E, East Syracuse, NY 13057 or to the American Diabetes Association, 200 White Plains Rd. Suite 523, Tarrytown, NY 10591.

THOMAS J. LAGRUTTA

KAUNEONGA LAKE - Thomas J. LaGrutta of Kauneonga Lake, a self-employed contractor and longtime Sullivan County resident, died Tuesday, August 29, 2000 at home. He was 72.

Son of the late Nicholas and Helen Gillen LaGrutta, he was born June 9, 1928 in New York City.

He was a veteran of the U.S.Navy, serving from 1946 to 1948.

Survivors include his wife, Judith "Judy" Lucas LaGrutta, at home; two sons, Robert of Bethel and Michael of Liberty; two daughters, Judith Sparks of Corpus Christi, TX and Regina Spring of Wildomore, CA; 13 grandchildren; 11 great-grandchildren; nieces and nephews.

A memorial service was held at Ramsay's Funeral Home in Kauneonga Lake. Cremation took place at Cedar Hill Crematory in Middle Hope.

ARTHUR E. LAVIS

CALLICOON - Arthur E. Lavis of Callicoon, a retired meat salesman and a 31-year area resident, died Wednesday, September 6, 2000 at the Ellen Memorial Health Care Center in Honesdale. He was 93.

Son of the late Arthur and Katie Salter Lavis, he was born January 5, 1907 in England.

Survivors include his wife, Agnes Iselborn Lavis, at home; two daughters, Lynn H. Buechler of Lakewood, NJ and Diane Schultz of Raleigh, NC; a son, Arthur E., Jr. of Montdale, NJ; ten grandchildren; 11 great-grandchildren; nieces and nephews.

A Mass of Christian Burial was offered at Holy Cross R.C. Church in Callicoon. Fr. Ignatius Smith officiated. Burial was in the Holy Cross Section of the New Callicoon Cemetery.

Memorial contributions may be made to the Upper Delaware Ambulance Corps, PO Box 238, Hankins, NY 12741 or to the charity of one's choice.

THELMA R. LAGERWAY

MONTICELLO - Thelma R. Lagerway of Monticello, a homemaker and lifelong area resident, died Friday, September 1, 2000 at the Seelig Division of Community General Hospital in Harris. She was 83.

Daughter of the late David and Minnie Calhoun Soules, she was born May 21, 1917 in Forestburgh. She was the widow of William W. Lagerway.

She was a member of St. Peter's R.C. Church in Monticello.

Survivors include a son, Guy W. and wife Terri of Albuquerque, NM; two daughters, Joyce C. Fisher and husband George, Jr. of Port Charlotte, FL and Marion Hindley and husband Richard of Monticello; nine grandchildren; five great-grandchildren; nieces and nephews.

A Mass of Christian Burial was offered at St. Peter's R.C. Church in Monticello. Burial was in Budd Cemetery in Monticello.

Memorial contributions may be made to the American Cancer Society, 6725 Lyons St., PO Box 7E, East Syracuse, NY 13057 or the American Lung Association, 35 Orchard St., White Plains, NY 10603.

ELEANOR LEVINE

MONTICELLO - Eleanor Levine of Monticello, a 40-year area resident and a homemaker, died Saturday, September 2, 2000 at home. She was 70.

Daughter of the late Adolf and Jane Clarke Scherer, she was born June 13, 1930 in Albany. She was the widow of Saul Levine.

Survivors include a son, Mark of Brookfield, CT; a daughter, Tammy Magrisso of Monticello; and five grandchildren.

Graveside services and burial were held at the Temple Sholom Cemetery in Monticello. Rabbi Irwin Tanenbaum officiated.

JOHN LONGHENRY

HAWLEY - John Longhenry of Lords Valley in Hawley, an excavator for Fuhse Excavation in Lords Valley, died Saturday, September 9, 2000 at Community Medical Center in Scranton. He was 24.

Son of John E. Longhenry and Lorraine J. Hatton Longhenry, he was born in Port Jervis, NY.

He was a member of Blooming Grove Baptist Church. He was a 1995 graduate of Wallenpaupack Area High School and was a member of the Hemlock Farms Fire Co.

Survivors include his parents of Lords Valley; his fiancée, Monica Baran of Milford; a sister, Terry and two brothers, Michael and Shawn, all of Lords Valley; a half-brother, Ronald Wayne Smith of Kunkletown, PA; his maternal grandmother, Beatrice Hatton of Lords Valley; a niece, Taylor of Lords Valley and a nephew, Brandon of Canada.

Services were held at Teeters' East Chapel in Hawley. The Rev. Douglas L. Rhine, pastor of Blooming Grove Baptist Church, officiated. Burial was in Lords Valley Cemetery in Hawley.

ELEANOR J. LUPYAK

HONESDALE - Eleanor "Ellie" J. Lupyak of Honesdale, a former employee of Katz Company and later retired as a baker for the Weis Market, both in Honesdale, died Friday, September 1, 2000 at Wayne Memorial Hospital in Honesdale. She was 63.

Daughter of the late Frank and Anna Zukosky Rutkowsky, she was born November 16, 1936.

She was a graduate of the former Waymart High School. She was a member of St. Anthony's Church in Forest City.

Survivors include her husband, Robert S. Lupyak; a daughter, Karen of Honesdale; a brother, John Rutkowsky of Aldenville; three sisters, Josephine Freer of Harpersville, NY, Mary Lasek of Pleasant Mount and Frances Rutkowsky of Aldenville; a grandson, Samuel; a great-aunt, Josephine Giles of Hendersonville, NC; nieces and nephews.

A Mass of Christian Burial was offered in Sacred Heart Church in Forest City. Burial was in St. Anthony's Cemetery in Forest City.

Memorial contributions may be made to the charity of one's choice.

BERTHA H. PAULIN SHULTZ

HAWLEY - Bertha H. Paulin Shultz of Huggy Bear Lake in Hawley, a former secretary for Mobil Oil in New York City, died Wednesday, September 7, 2000 at Wayne Memorial Hospital in Honesdale. She was 83.

Daughter of the late Frank and Teresa Butkus Paulin, she was born in Queens, NY. She was the widow of Kenneth M. Schultz.

Survivors include a sister, Joanne Byrne; five nieces, Joanne B. DeRosa of California; Lorraine E. Swetland of Hawley, Theresa Garber of Yorktowne Heights, NY, Diane Carini of Long Island, NY, and Sharon Vincent of Glendale, NY; a nephew, Robert Scott of Virginia; a brother-in-law, John Scott of Glendale, NY; grand and great-grand nieces and nephews.

A Mass was offered at Queen of Peace R.C. Church. The Rev. William B. Healey, pastor, officiated. Burial was in Green Gates Cemetery in Hawley.

Memorial contributions may be made to the Central Vol. Fire Dept, Children's Christmas Fund or Masses at Queen of Peace R.C. Church.

WILLIE MAE LYMON STRONG

MONTICELLO - Willie Mae Lymon Strong of Monticello, a retired nurse's aide at Community General Hospital in Monticello and a longtime area resident, died Friday, September 8, 2000 in the Skilled Nursing Unit in Harris. She was 74.

Daughter of the late Raymond and Margaret Lymon, she was born June 16, 1926 in Fairhope, AL. She was the widow of Joe Horace Strong.

She was a member of Bethlehem Temple Church in Monticello.

Survivors include four sons, Matthew Eric of Monticello, Eddie Lee of the Netherlands, Joseph Laverne of Boone, NC and Anthony Thomas Williams of Georgia; a daughter, Lela Christine Houston of Plainsboro, NJ; a sister, Magarie Palmer of Bakersfield, CA; grandchildren; great-grandchildren; nieces and nephews.

She was predeceased by a son, Freddie Lee "Foxy:" a daughter, Lola Armstead; and two brothers, Donnie and Ronnie Lymon.

Services were held in the Bethlehem Temple Church in Monticello. The Rev. Mervin Armstead officiated. Burial was in the Rock Ridge Cemetery in Monticello.

Memorial contributions may be made to the Skilled Nursing Unit, Bushville Road, Harris, NY 12742.