WALTER P. BEISEL, SR.

LACKAWAXEN — Walter P. Beisel, Sr. of Lackawaxen, a carpenter with J.P.O. Construction, Blooming Grove, and a lifetime resident of the area, died Monday, January 15, 2001 at Bon Secours Community Hospital. He was 50.

Born on May 30, 1950 in Lackawaxen, he was the son of the late Walter C. and the late Frances A. Hoeper Beisel.

Survivors include his wife, Debra Rosset Beisel, of Greeley, three sons; Michael P. Beisel, Walter P. Beisel, Jr., and Shawn A. Beisel, all of Lackawaxen; one daughter, Tara L. Beisel of Greeley; two sisters, Feliece Kane of New Jersey and Margaret Crow of Kendall, WI; two brothers, John Beisel and Albert G. Beisel, both of Lackawaxen; and several nieces and nephews.

Funeral services will be held on Thursday, January 18, 2001 at 11:00 a.m. at the Gray-Rasmussen Funeral Home, Barryville, The Rev. David Cramer officiating.

Burial will be at Lackawaxen Cemetery, Lackawaxen.

Memorial contributions may be made to a charity of one’s choice.

ALICE L. WILSON COLOMBO

TAFTON — Alice L. Wilson Colombo of Tafton, former restaurant hostess and resident of Queens and a 20-year area resident, died on Monday, January 15, 2001 at Wayne Memorial Hospital in Honesdale following an illness. She was 63.

Daughter of the late Melvin Wilson and Dorothy Heady Scott, she was born in LaGrange, KY. She was the widow of William J. Colombo.

She attended Ithaca College, was a supporter of the Guardians of Mercy Animal League and worked as a volunteer at the Hawley Library.

Survivors include her mother and step father, George Scott of Doylestown, PA; a sister, Leslie Ann Baird of Pelham Manor, NY; a brother, William L. Linville of Bridgewater, NJ; nieces and nephews.

Services will be held Thursday, January 18 at 11:00 a.m. at Teeter’s First Chapel, in Hawley. The Rev. Martin L. Cox, Jr. will officiate. Burial is at the Green Gates Cemetery.

Memorial contributions may be made to the Guardians of Mercy Animal League, in Hawley.

GLADYS EHRLE FISHER

HONESDALE — Gladys Ehrle Fisher of Honesdale, formerly of Cochecton, NY, died Tuesday, January 9, 2001 at the Wayne Woodlands Manor in Waymart. She was 93.

Daughter of the late Albert and Barbara Germer Ehrle, she was born June 7, 1907 in Astoria, NY. She was the widow of Charles Fisher.

She was a member of St. John’s Evangelical Lutheran Church in Honesdale.

Survivors include a son, Donald and wife Patricia of Deerfield, NH; a daughter, Virginia Villaume and husband Eugene of Honesdale; a sister, Ethel Weidner of Honesdale; 11 grandchildren; 31 great-grandchildren; one great-great grandchild; nieces and nephews.

She was predeceased by a sister, Mildred Lubbe.

Services were held at the Hessling Funeral Home in Honesdale. The Rev. Kenneth L. Buckwalter, pastor of St. Johns Evangelical Lutheran Church, officiated. Burial was in the East Cochecton Cemetery, Sullivan County.

Memorial contributions may be made to St. Johns Evangelical Lutheran Church, Honesdale, PA or the Damascus Volunteer Ambulance Corps, Damascus, PA.

BETTY M. FULTON

NARROWSBURG — Betty M. Fulton of Narrowsburg, a homemaker and longtime area resident, died Friday, January 12, 2001 at Community Medical Center in Scranton, PA. She was 80.

Daughter of Joseph and Evelyn DeCavage, she was born December 30, 1920 in Cleveland, OH.

Survivors include her husband, Clinton at home; three daughters, Margaret Morton and husband Joseph of Liberty, Ann Marie Strouse of Matamoras and Muriel Bartolini and husband Barney of San Diego, CA; a sister, Evelyn; a brother, Joseph; seven grandchildren; six great-grandchildren; nieces and nephews.

She was predeceased by a daughter, Mary Deighton.

A private funeral service was held at Rasmussen Sons Funeral Home in Narrowsburg. The Rev. Thomas Jones officiated. Cremation took place at Twin Tiers Crematory in Endicott.

Memorial contributions may be made to the American Heart Association, ORS Region, 407 East Main St., 2nd Floor, Middletown, NY 10940.

HARRY J. GALLAGHER

CALLICOON CENTER — Harry J. Gallagher of Callicoon Center, a retired employee of the Yaun Company in Liberty and the Gibber Poultry Farm in Kiamesha Lake, died Friday, January 12, 2001 at Roscoe Community Nursing Home. He was 72.

Son of Harry J. and Loretta Helfrich Gallagher, he was born June 11, 1928 in Scranton, PA.

He was a World War II U.S. Army veteran; a member of the Callicoon Center Fire Department; St. George’s Church in Jeffersonville; and was formerly active in the Boy Scouts of American Troop #106; the Barbershop Quartet; and the Happy Footers Square Dance Club.

Survivors include his wife, Margaret Disotell Gallagher at home; three sons, Michael and Harry, both of Houston, TX and Shawn of Staunton, VA; a daughter, Diane Williamson of Flagstaff, AZ; five grandchildren; nieces and nephews; and a sister, Marita Crane of Watkins Glen, NY.

He was predeceased by two sisters, Loretta Sweeney and Bernadette Gallagher; and a grandson, Christopher Kornacki.

A funeral Mass was celebrated at St. George’s Church in Jeffersonville. Father Robert Nee, O.F.M. officiated. Burial was in Calvary Cemetery in Youngsville.

Memorial contributions may be sent to the Alzheimer’s Association, 2 Jefferson Plaza, Suite 102, Poughkeepsie, NY 12601-4027 or the Callicoon Center Fire Department, Callicoon Center, NY 12724.

CATHERINE GERSON

MONTICELLO — Catherine Gerson of Monticello, a lifelong area resident, died Saturday, January 6, 2001 at the Seelig Division of Community General Hospital in Harris.

Daughter of the late Thomas and Beatrice Petrucelli LaVecchia, she was born in Jersey City, NJ. She was the widow of Sol Gerson.

Survivors include her longtime companion, Bernie Lavender; two daughters, Linda Akers and husband Robert and Jackie Kiefer and husband Lou, all of Monticello; a brother, Ken LaVecchia of North Carolina; seven sisters, Marion Williams of Forestburgh, Rose Perrone, Annie Lemp and Margaret Smith, all of the state of Florida, Nettie Brown and Len Harris, both of Newburgh and Frances Patton of Parksville; six grandchildren; 10 great-grandchildren; nieces and nephews.

She was predeceased by a brother, Louis LaVecchia.

Graveside services and burial were held at St. Peter’s Cemetery in Monticello. The Rev. Ivan Csete officiated. Cremation took place at Cedar Hill Crematory in Middle Hope.

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

RUSSELL E. HAMMOND

HAWLEY — Russell E. Hammond of Hawley, a retired engineer for RCA Communications in New York, died Saturday, January 6, 2001 at Bon Secours Hospital in Port Jervis, NY. He was 87.

Son of William and Elise Heiner Hammond, he was born August 29, 1913 in Brooklyn, NY. He was the widower of Martha Battey Hammond.

He was a member of St. John Neumann Church of Lords Valley where he was on the board of directors at one time; was a member of Hemlock Farms Volunteer Fire and Rescue Co., and the Greeley Garage.

Survivors include a son, Russell E., Jr. of Ossining, NY; a daughter, Anne Dornich of San Diego, CA; three sisters, Mildred Maltese of Hemlock Farms in Hawley, Ruth Nesenkar of Silar City, NV and Eleanor of Queens, NY; five grandchildren; and two great-grandchildren.

A memorial mass was held at St. John Neumann Church in Lords Valley. The Rev. Gerard Hawley officiated.

Memorial contributions may be made to the Hemlock Farms Volunteer Fire and Rescue Co., 1053 Hemlock Farms, Hawley, PA 18428.

WALTER R. JENSEN

MONTICELLO — Walter R. Jensen of Monticello, a retired engineer and artist and a longtime area resident, died Friday, January 5, 2001 at the Seelig Division of Community General Hospital in Harris. He was 93.

Son of the late Frederick and Elizabeth Jensen, he was born October 24, 1907. He was the widower of Bernadette Jensen.

He was a member of St. Peter’s Church and a Third Degree member of the Knights of Columbus Council #550, both in Monticello.

Survivors include two sons, Walter R. of Orlando, FL and Richard B. of Staten Island; a daughter, Barbara Muldoon of Monticello; five grandchildren; 10 great-grandchildren; nieces and nephews.

He was predeceased by a brother, Jack.

A Mass of Christian Burial was offered at St. Peter’s Church in Monticello. Cremation took place at the Cedar Hill Crematory in Middle Hope. Burial was private.

Memorial contributions may be made to St. Peter’s Building Fund, 10 Liberty St., Monticello, NY 12701.

PAUL BRYANT JOHANNES

WHITE MILLS — Paul Bryant Johannes of White Mills, a Pennsylvania State Trooper stationed at Lords Valley and Blooming Grove for many years, and a 20-year White Mills resident, died Wednesday, January 10, 2001 at home. He was 55.

Son of Carl Johannes and the late Doris Upchurch Johannes, he was born in Honesdale.

He was a member of St. Paul’s Evangelical Lutheran Church in Hawley. He was a U.S. Army veteran; a graduate of the PA State Police Academy at Hershey; a former Texas Township supervisor and a member of the Fraternal Order of Police.

Survivors include his wife, Marlene A. Johannes at home; a daughter, Sonja at home; a son, Ryan and wife Miriam of Pittston; a granddaughter, Saige Ryanna Ashton, at home; his father of Honesdale; a sister, Joan Smith of Boston, MA; nieces and nephews.

Services were held at Teeter’s East Chapel in Hawley. The Rev. David Heckler, pastor of St. Paul’s Lutheran Church, officiated. Burial was in Indian Orchard Cemetery in Honesdale.

Memorial contributions may be made to Hospice St. John, 1007 Oak St., Pittston Twp., PA 18640 or the White Mills Fire Department.

LORRAINE KRETZMER

LIVINGSTON MANOR — Lorraine Kretzmer of Livingston Manor, a retired waitress and a 12-year area resident, died Sunday, January 7, 2001 at home. She was 54.

Daughter of William Metje and the late Joyce Gadsen Metje, she was born January 10, 1946 in New Castle on the Tyne in England.

She organized Knitting For Children, a worldwide organization on the Internet with over 600 members who work entirely for charity.

Survivors include her husband, Robert E. Kretzmer at home; two sons, William at home and Darren of Carlstadt, NJ; two daughters, Barbara of Liberty and Cassandra of Union, NJ; her father of Kingston; two brothers, Geoffrey Metje of Wurtsboro and Craig Metje of Montana; a sister, Deborah Metje of Massachusetts; a granddaughter, Kaitlin; nieces and nephews.

Private cremation took place at the Cedar Hill Crematory in Middle Hope.

Memorial contributions may be made to Knitting For Children, c/o Becky Carter, PO Box 352, Flagler, CO 80815 or to Hospice of Sullivan County, 800 Stony Brook Court, Newburgh, NY 12550.

MARY ROY

BEACH LAKE — Mary Roy of Beach Lake, a housekeeping supervisor in New York City for many years and a 40-year area resident, died Friday, December 22, 2000 at the Wayne Woodlands Manor in Waymart. She was 87.

Daughter of the late Stephan and Helen Vallen, she was born in Youngstown, OH. She was the widow of Arthur Roy.

She was a former member of the Beach Lake Ladies Auxiliary.

Survivors include her caregivers, Rick and Debbie Avery of Beach Lake; and nieces and nephews.

She was predeceased by three brothers, George Vallen, Sr., John Vallen and Demetrius Vallen; and a nephew, George Vallen, Jr.

Private funeral services were held at the convenience of the family.

CATHERINE C. KITTNER SMITH

HONESDALE — Catherine C. Kittner Smith of Honesdale died Friday, January 5, 2001 at the Ellen Memorial Health Care Center in Honesdale where she had been a resident for the past 2-1/2 years. She was 90.

Daughter of the late Albert and Julia Schmidt Kittner, she was born December 3, 1910 in Swamp Brook in Wayne County. She was the widow of Alexander J. Smith.

She was a member of St. John the Evangelist Parish in Honesdale and cherished St. Mary Magdalen’s Church where she was married, and her children were raised and attended school. She was a member of the Altar and Rosary Society and a member of Court St. Martin, Catholic Daughters of the Americas; and was a lifetime member of the Texas #4 Fire Company Ladies Auxiliary.

Survivors include four sons, Leo and wife LaVerne of Prescott, AZ, Eugene and wife Ingrid of Peken, IL, Wayne and wife Ronnie of Nicholson, and Alex, Jr. and wife Sandy of Bethany; a daughter, Kathleen Daughter and husband Robet of Honesdale; a daughter-in-law, Florence Smith of Fort Myers, FL; a sister, Teresa Krantz and husban Lester of Honesdale; 21 grandchildren; great-grandchildren; and nieces and nephews.

She was predeceased by two sons, Glen David and James A.; a grandson, Gary; two brothers, Edward and Ernest Kittner.

A Mass of Christian Burial was celebrated at St. Mary Magdalen’s Church in Honesdale. Burial was in the parish cemetery.

Memorial contributions may be made to the Texas #4 Fire Company, PO Box 1065, Honesdale or St. Vincent School, Cliff St., Honesdale, PA 18431.

JEAN GRAPEL WITZEL

HAWLEY — Jean Grapel Witzel of Woodloch Springs in Hawley, a housewife and eight-year area resident, died Sunday, January 14, 2001 at Wayne Memorial Hospital in Honesdale. She was 73.

Daughter of the late Kenneth Grapel and Adele Groel Grapel, she was born in Maplewood, NJ.

She was a member of the Central Presbyterian Church in Summit, NJ. She was a graduate of the Kathryn Gibbs School.

Survivors include her husband, A. Richard Witzel of Woodloch Springs in Hawley; three sons, Ken of Petaluma, CA, Drew of Boyertown and Scott of Hawley; nine grandchildren; and a great-granddaughter.

A memorial service will be announced at a later date. Cremation took place at the H.G. Smith Crematory in Stroudsburg.

Memorial contributions may be made to the American Cancer Society, Wayne Unit, 627 Main Street, Honesdale, PA 18431.