RONALD BUDDENHAGEN

RIVERSIDE, RI — Ronald G. Buddenhagen died Monday, Feburary 17, 2003, at the Rhode Island Hospital, Providence, RI, from injuries sustained in a motor vehicle accident. He was 69.

The son of Frances G. Long Buddenhagen and the late George L. Buddenhagen, he was born in Callicoon. An army veteran of the Korean War, he served with the 49th MP Company and was a member of Riverside American Legion Post #10.

Survivors include his companion of 25 years, Lucy White Mathewson at home; two daughters, Linda Buddenhagen Allen and Lisa Buddenhagen Duby, both of Pawtucket, RI; three sons, Raymond Buddenhagen of North Providence, RI, Ralph Buddenhagen of Attleboro, MA, and Ronald Buddenhagen of Pawtucket, RI; a brother, James Buddenhagen of Katy, TX; two sisters, Betty Jane Ringgenberg of Hortonville and Mary Lou Buddenhagen of Long Eddy; five grandchildren; and 10 nieces and nephews.

Burial was made in Olivett Memoiral Part Cemetery in Riverside, RI.

Memorial contributions may be made to the American Heart Association and mailed to WSUL Heart-a-Thon, PO Box 628, Monticello, NY 12701.

CAROLE A. CERRELLA

HAWLEY, PA — Carole A. Hasek Cerrella of Fawn Lake Forest, Hawley, PA, died Saturday, February 22, 2003, at Wayne Memorial Hospital, Honesdale, PA, after an illness. She was 58.

The daughter of the late Charles and Lillian Kopacek Hasek, she was born in Astoria. She was employed as a cashier at Eckerd Drugs in Milford, PA, and was of the Roman Catholic faith.

Survivors include her husband of 41 years, John Cerrella; a brother, Charels Hasek of Bethpage, NY; two nieces and three grandnieces.

Funeral services were held February 25, 2003 at Teeters’ East Chapel, Hawley, PA. The Rev. Joseph P. Kutch officiated. Interment in Calverton National Cemetery, Calverton.

MILDRED L. DILEO

KAUNEONGA LAKE, NY — Mildred L. DiLeo died Sunday, February 23, 2003 at the Seelig Division of the Catskill Regional Medical Center, Harris, after a short illness. She was 83.

The daughter of the late Giambatista and Nicoletta Obedienzo, she was born in New York City. Mrs. DiLeo and her late husband, Anthony J. DiLeo, operated DiLeo’s Italian Restaurant for 44 years.

Survivors include a son, James N. DiLeo of Mongaup Valley; three brothers and two sisters, all of Long Island; two grandchildren; a daughter-in-law, Valerie DiLeo Boland her husband, William of Kauneonga Lake; and several nieces and nephews.

Funeral services were private. Cremation was made at the Cedar Hill Crematory in Middle Hope.

Memorial contributions may be made to the Bethel Lions Club, PO Box 429, White Lake, NY 12786.

HERBERT L. FINN

KAUNEONGA LAKE, NY — Herbert Leon Finn, a 41-year area resident, died Tuesday, February 18, 2003, at Montefiore Hospital, Bronx. He was 43.

The son of Louberta Finn and the late Roy Finn, he was born in Newark, NJ. He was the widower of Sheri Finn.  Finn was a retired waiter for the Carnegie Deli in New York City.

Survivors include his mother of Monticello; a daughter, Briannah Finn at home; three step-children, Cheri, Crystal and Alexander Rochester, all at home; three brothers, Roy Finn, Jr. and Gerald Finn, both of Minnesota, and Robert Finn of Woodridge; six sisters, Opal Kimble, Betty Winbush and Dorothy Robinson, all of Minnesota, Oletta Finn of New Jersey, Tonya Finn Mosley of Monticello and India Finn Centelles of Pennsylvania; an uncle, Robert Pope of New Jersey; and a host of nieces, nephews, cousins and friends.

Services were held at the Bethlehem Temple Church in Monticello on Saturday. The Rev. Mervin Armstead officiated. Burial was made in the Evergreen Cemetery in Bethel.

RICHARD E. FISHER

SARASOTA, FL — Richard E. Fisher, a former resident of River Road in Callicoon, died in Florida on Sunday, February 9, 2003. He was 69.

Mr. Fisher was a 40-year teacher, a former social studies teacher at the Delaware Valley Central school system, a member of the Bobby Jones Golf Club and treasurer of the Glen Oaks Homeowners Association in Florida.

Survivors include his wife of 47 years, Doris E. Fisher; two daughters, Deborah Fisher-Reynolds of Little Egg Harbor, NJ, and Rebecca Fisher of Tampa, FL; a son, Timothy Fisher of Bethesda, MD; a sister, Marion McClung of Washington, NJ; a brother, Edward Fisher of Englewood, NJ; and two grandchildren.

A memorial service was held at St. Paul Lutheran Church in Florida.

Memorial contributions may be made to Hospice of Southwest Florida, 5955 Rand Blvd., Sarasota, FL 34238 or to the American Diabetes Association, 5011-L West Hillsborough Ave., Tampa, FL 33634.

ANNA (SOMMER) GUMBLE

PAUPACK, PA — Anna (Sommer) Gumble, a 70-year area resident, died February 23, 2003, at Wayne Memorial Hospital, PA, following an illness. She was 95.

The daughter of the late Charles Sommer and the late Augusta Reiner Sommer, she was born in North Bergen, NJ. Ms. Grumble was predeceased in death by her husband of 48 years, the late George Gumble. She was a housewife and a member of the Paupack United Methodist Church.

Survivors include two sons, Charles A. and George A. Gumble, both of Paupack, PA; three grandchildren, eight great-grandchildren; and many nieces and nephes.

Funeral services were held at Paupack United Methodist Church on February 26, 2003. The Rev. Robert B. Kolvik-Campbell officiated. Interment was at Pine Grove Cemetery, Paupack, PA.

ROBERT H. LECHNER

NARROWSBURG, NY — Robert H. Lechner died Thursday, February 13, 2003, at Marian Community Hospital, Carbondale, following an illness. He was 85.

The son of the late Joseph and Emma Lang Lechner, he was born in Jamaica, Queens. He was predeceased in death by his first wife, the former Thelma Craft. Mr. Lechner was employed as an engineer for the Sperry Corp. and retired after 35 years. He was active with the Mason & Easter Star where he served as Master of Springfield Gardens Lodge 1057 in 1960, Patron of Springfield Gardens Chapter OES and District Lecturer in 1971.

Survivors include his second wife of 20 years, Elsie Bonhart at Mallard Meadows Residential Center, Waymart, PA; two sons, Bruce of Lafayette, CA, and Floyd of Brentwood; a daughter, Linda Wasley of Southport, NC; a brother, Russell of Tusten Mountain Lakes and Florida; five grandchildren and three great-grandchildren.

The memorial service was private.

Memorial contributions may be made to the Masonic Home, Bleecker Street, Utica, NY 13503.

FRITS MADSEN

LIBERTY, NY — Frits Rasmus Madsen, a 20-year area resident, died Friday, February 21, 2003, at the Seelig Division of the Catskill Regional Medical Center, Harris. He was 86.

The son of the late Ulrik and Rasmine Nicholyjsen Madsen, he was born in Nakskov, Denmark. Mr. Madsen was a retired landscape crew supervisor for the Long Island National Cemetery in Pinelawn and a combat veteran of WWII, having served in the Merchant Marines. He was predeceased by his wife of 55 years, Mae Jensen Madsen.

Survivors include a son, Kevin Madsen of Center Moriches; a daughter, Peggy Richardson of Cochecton; four grandchildren; a great-grandson; and several nieces and nephews.

Services were held at the Ramsay’s Funeral Home in Kauneonga Lake. Burial was made with full military honors at the Sullivan County Veterans Cemetery in Liberty.

Memorial contributions may be made to the Cancer Survivor Picnic Fund, c/o Dr. Katherine Siebert, Catskill Regional Medical Center, Bushville Rd., Harris, NY 12742.

MARY KENNEY MORTON

NARROWSBURG, NY — Mary Kenney Morton died Sunday, March 2, 2003, at Wayne Memorial Hospital, Honesdale, PA. She was 96.

The daughter of the late Mr. and Mrs. John Margaret Mozee Kenney, she was born in Lousia, VA. She was a homemaker. Ms. Morton was preceded in death by her husband, Joseph Morton; a brother, William Kenney, Sr.; one sister, Dorothy Ray; and two step-sons, Joseph Morton, Jr. and Phillip L. Morton.

Survivors include her stepson, William H. Morton of Norwalk, CT; one niece; one nephew; and many grandchildren.

Funeral services were held March 5, 2003, at Rasmussen Sons Inc. Funeral Home, Narrowsburg, NY. The Rev. Phyllis Haynes officiated. Burial will be in Glen Cove Cemetery, Narrowsburg, NY.

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

DANIEL J. THOMA

HAWLEY, PA — Daniel J. Thoma died Saturday, February 22, 2003, at Cape Coral Hospital, FL. He was 68.

The son of the late Albert and Alice Wagner Thoma, he served in the US Army after the Korean War. He was the owner/operator of the former Oasis, Spring Brook, and the founder of Tall Oaks Gun Club, Blooming Grove.

Survivors include his wife of 27 years, the former Albina M. Dimmarrusti; three sons, Daniel Thoma, Jr., Robert Thoma and Thomas Thoma, all of New Jersey; three stepsons, Anthony Forte of San Diego, CA, Fernando Forte of Madison Twp., and Paul Forte of Philadelphia, PA; two brothers, Albert Thoma, Jr. of Florida and Paul Thoma of New Jersey; several grandchildren; nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by a sister, Alice Thoma.

A blessing service was held on February 27, 2003, at the Brian A. Strauch Funeral Home. Monsignor F. Allan Conlan officiated. Interment was in St. Catherine’s Cemetery, Moscow.

Memorial contributions may be made to St. Jude’s Children Research Hospital, 501 St. Jude Place, Memphis, TN 38105.

JAMES VANDEREEMS

GLEN SPEY, NY — James VanDerEems, a longtime resident, died Tuesday, February 25, 2003, at Bon Secours Community Hospital, Port Jervis. He was 70.

The son the late Charles and Anna VanHoff VanDerEems, he was born in Hawthorne, NJ. VanDerEems was a retired painter, a member of the Eldred Congregational Church, a member of the Sylvan-Libla American Legion Post and a veteran of the US Navy, Korea.

Survivors include his wife, Helen M. Walker VanDerEems at home; two sons, Ronald VanDerEems of Eldred and James VanDerEems of Watkins Glen; two daughters, Donna Saraceno of Winchester, VA, and Linda Ann Vannetsos of Colorado Springs, CO; one sister, Louise Wheeler of Green Pond, NJ; two brothers, Charles VanDerEems of Hawthorne, NJ, and Luis VanDerEems of Linville, VA; eight grandchildren; one great-grandson; and several nieces and nephews.

A funeral mass was held March 3, 2003 at the Eldred Congregational Church, Eldred. The Rev. Richard Hotzler officiated. Interment will be private.

Memorial contributions may be made to The Lumberland Volunteer Ambulance Corp, Glen Spey, NY 12737.

MILDRED VAN DERMARK

MONTICELLO, NY — Mildred Elizabeth Van Dermark, a lifelong area resident, died Sunday, February 23, 2003, at the Seelig Division of the Catskill Regional Medical Center, Harris. She was 81.

The daughter of the late Jay and Jennie Zigget Robinson, she was born in Sackett Lake. She was a housewife and the widow of Russell Van Dermark. Ms. Van Dermark worked for the late Judge Lawrence H. Cooke at his residence. She was a member of the Monticello United Methodist Church, the Wesleyan Service Guild of the church and the Monticello Senior Citizens.

Survivors include three sons, Dennis Van Dermark of White Lake; Jack Van Dermark of Findley, OH, and Keith Van Dermark of Monticello; a daughter, Kathy Kimball; two half-sisters, Shirley Toomey and Bunnie Wagner, both of Forestburgh; and seven grandchildren. She was predeceased by a brother, Harold Robinson.

Services were held at the Monticello United Methodist Church on Thursday. The Rev. Gene Smith officiated. Burial was at the Rock Ridge Cemetery in Monticello.

Memorial contributions may be made to Noah’s Arch Thrift Shop, c/o Monticello United Methodist Church, 445 Broadway, Monticello, NY 12701.

ALBERT E. VAN KEUREN

PORT CHARLOTTE, FL — Albert E. Van Keuren, formerly of Narrowsburg, died peacefully on Friday, February 28 at the HQM of Port Charlotte, after an illness. He was 81.

The son of the late Dr. and Mrs. H.C. Van Keuren, he was born in Jeffersonville, NY on July 13, 1921. He was a graduate of Narrowsburg Central School and Delhi Technical Institute, Delhi, NY. After joining the U.S. Navy in 1941, he was assigned to the Sea Bees, and was stationed in the Philippine Islands. Upon discharge in 1945, he returned to Narrowsburg, and after working as a carpenter for a few years, established the contracting firm of Van Keuren Construction Corporation, which was well-known throughout Sullivan County and surroundings areas. Al, as he was familiarly known, was a great friend of young people, and will be remembered for his custom of giving young lads of working age a chance to learn the construction business with this company.

An avid hunter and fisherman, he was a long-time member and past president of the Cherokee Preserve Hunting Club in Bethel, NY. His greatest joy in life was spending time at this camp at “Puckyhuddle,” the name given to the group of camps located near Mallory Pond on the club grounds.

Other organizations that he belonged to included the VFW of Yulan, NY, Elks Lodge #2153 Charlotte, CO, Punta Gorda American Legion and past president of the Van Keuren Cemetery Association, Swan Lake, NY.

Survivors include his wife Constance Arena Van Keuren at home; two sons, Alan Van Keuren of Cochecton, NY, and Robert Van Keuren of Rhinebeck, NY; one daughter and son-in-law JoAnn and Robert Trifiro, Perrineville, NJ; three grandchildren, Michael, Timothy and Laura Trifiro of Perrineville; one sister, Arlene Hawker of Honesdale, PA; several nieces and nephews. He was predeceased by one brother, Dr. Howard C. Van Keuren, Jr., South Weymouth, MA.

Cremation was in the National Cremation Society of Port Charlotte, FL.

There will be a memorial service at the Cherokee Preserve Hunting Club at a later date at the convenience of the family.

ROBERT FORREST VANVARICK

DAMASCUS, PA — Robert Forrest VanVarick, a resident since 1975, died Thursday, February 27, 2003, at Wayne Memorial Hospital, Honesdale, PA. He was 77.

The son of the late Mr. & Mrs. Walter VanVarick, he was born in Clifton, NJ. Mr. VanVarick was a veteran of the US Navy. He was a retired office manager for VanVarick Plumbing in Wayne, NJ.

Survivors include his wife, Mary, at home; two sons, Robert of Honesdale, PA, and Steven of Damascus, PA; six grandchildren; and several nieces and nephews.

Cremation will take place at Twin Tiers Crematory, Endicott.

Memorial contributions may be made to the Damascus Volunteer Ambulance, Damascus, PA 18415.

MARIE H. VONAHNEN

CALLICOON, NY — Marie Henke VonAhnen, a longtime area resident, died Sunday, February 22, 2003, at the Ellen Memorial Health Care Center, Honesdale, PA. She was 96.

The daughter of the late Heinrich Nikolaus and Anna Kathrina Tentz Henke, she was born in Wanna, Germany. She was predeceased by her husband, Herman VonAhnen, and a son and daughter-in-law, Herman “Jake” and Janet Rosenberger VonAhnen. Ms. VonAhnen was a homemaker.

Survivors include three grandchildren; five great-grandchildren;a sister, Berta Kuck of Alpharetta, GA; and several nieces and nephews.

Funeral services were held at the Stewart-Murphy Funeral Home, Callicoon. The Rev. Kristen Anderson officiated. Burial was in the Hortonville Cemetery, Hortonville.

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

JOHN M. WAJERT

HAWLEY, PA — John M. Wajert, a six-year area resident, died February 11, 2003, at Mercy Hospital, Scranton, PA, following an illness. He was 71.

The son of the late John C. and the late Gertrude Krzyzan Wajert, he was born in New Castle, PA. Mr. Wajert was a retired attorney with a private practice in Westchester. He served in the Marine Corps and served as Judge in Court of Common Appeals in Chester County during the 1970s and retired from the US Marine Corp Reserve as a First Lt. In Judge Adjutant General Corp.

Survivors include his son, Sean Wajert of Richboro, PA; three daughters, Margaret Thokar of Natick, MA, Marta Piombino of Coatesville, PA, and Mary Kathleen Kane of West Chester, PA; a brother, Thomas Wajert of New Castle, PA; ten grandchildren, companion Brenda Davis of Hawley, PA; and several nieces and nephews.

A funeral mass was held February 14, 2003, at Queen of Peace Roman Catholic Church. The Rev. Bryan B. Wright officiated. Burial will be in Indiantown Gap National Cemetery, Annville, PA.

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