JUDY M. DECESAR CASSOL

NARROWSBURG, NY — Judy M. DeCesar Cassol, a resident of Narrowsburg and a resident of the area since 1953, died Sunday, July 10 at the Heart of Lancaster Regional Medical Center in Lancaster, PA. She was 87.

The daughter of the late Charles and Catherine Amatetti DeCesar, she was born April 27, 1918 in Brooklyn, NY.

Cassol was a homemaker and a member of St. Francis Xavier RC Church in Narrowsburg.

A family statement said: “She was an exceptionally loving and devoted wife, mother and grandmother. She was a true friend to all who were fortunate enough to have her in their lives. With her positive attitude, wonderful sense of humor, and outgoing personality she brought much joy and happiness to everyone who came to know her. She will live forever in our hearts.”

She is survived by her husband, Bruno Cassol of 64 years at home in Narrowsburg; two daughters, Janice O’Neill and her husband Michael of Lititz, PA and Carol Thomas and her husband Pete of Fort Valley, VA; one son, Robert Bob Cassol of Floyd, VA; one brother, Charles DeCesar; one sister, Lottie Cassol and her husband Gwedo; a brother-in-law, Clyde Cassol; 4 grandchildren; 3 great-grandchildren; and several nieces and nephews.

She was predeceased by one brother, Nick DeCesar; three sisters, Marie Mulvihill, Rose Fretwell and Isabelle Horz.

Cremation took place at Evans Eagle Crematory, Leola, PA.

Donations may be made to the American Cancer Society, 419 E. Main Street, 307B Middletown, NY 10904.

GERTRUDE DRESCHER

HAWLEY, PA — Gertrude Drescher, a resident of Hawley, died on Saturday, July 16 at the Osprey Ridge Health Care Center in Carbondale.

The daughter of the late W.K. and F. Ada Hatton, she was born in Lords Valley.

Drescher was a member of St. Mark’s Lutheran Church in Lackawaxen, where she served as past president, former organist and Sunday school teacher. She was a graduate of Hawley High School and Mansfield University, Class of 1949 and received a bachelor’s of education degree from East Stroudsburg University in 1956. Prior to her retirement she was an elementary principal at the Greeley Elementary School and, with her husband, was the office manager for their construction company. She was also a Coast Guard veteran of World War II.

She was predeceased by her husband, Alfred, in 1987.

She is survived by her son, Jeff and his wife Jane and their two children, Jeff and Lindsey, all of Hawley; and several nieces and nephews.

Private funeral services will be held at the convenience of the family.

Memorial contributions may be made to the U.S. Marine Corps Toys for Tots Foundation, P.O. Box 1947, Quantico, VA 22134.

ROSEMARY B. MARKS

BEACH LAKE, PA — Rosemary B. Marks, a resident of Beach Lake, died on Sunday, July 17 at the Osprey Ridge Healthcare Center in Carbondale. She was 79.

The daughter of the late Edmund and Martha Hedler Bowen, she was born December 24, 1925 in Brooklyn, NY.

Marks was a member of St. Bernard’s R.C. Church in Beach Lake.

A family statement said: “She was a devoted Christian, a good wife and was especially good to her fellow brothers and sisters. She will be sorely missed.”

She is survived by her first cousin, Herbert Dietsch and his wife Elsbeth; and a second cousin, Linda Marsh.

She was predeceased by a brother, Edmund Bowen Jr. and a sister, Ruth Bowen.

Services were held on Wednesday, July 20 at the Rasmussen Funeral Home on Main Street in Narrowsburg, NY.

EDWARD (EDDIE) OLAN

SHOHOLA, PA – Edward (Eddie) Olan, a 23-year resident of Twin Lakes in Shohola and formerly of New York City, died on July 3, 2005. He was 69.

He is survived by his loving wife, Jean, four children and twelve grandchildren.

A family statement said, “Always in our hearts.”

CALVIN SAMSON

LAKE ARIEL, PA — Calvin Coolidge Samson, a life-long resident of Lake Ariel, died on Saturday, July 9, 2005 at his home. He was 79.

The son of the late George and Marjorie Andrews Samson, he was born on November 6, 1925.

After losing his father at age 5, Samson and his older brother attended Girard College boy’s School in Philadelphia where Samson was the starting halfback on the soccer team, a high-hurdler and a member of the drill team until his graduation in 1943.

A veteran of World War II, having served as a naval aviation mechanic in Alaska, he married Lake Ariel resident Bette Reed. The couple shared a happy but short life together until Bette died of polio after giving birth to their only child.

Samson worked for the Lake Ariel GLF delivering feed to Wayne County farm families during the economically difficult post-war years. He worked as a skilled craftsman with Bell Telephone for 42 years and with his mentor Ed Timlin. He met Dorothy Eno of Honesdale and her two sons, and the two married and had five additional children together. He was recently honored as a 52-year charter member of the Lake Ariel-Hamlin Lions Club. He also served on the Lake Ariel Fire Company, was troop leader of the local Explorer Post, a Sunday school superintendent of the Lake Ariel Methodist Church and an officer of the Lake Ariel Rod and Gun Club.

A family statement said, “From his early losses and hardships, Mr. Samson developed an unusual capacity for savoring family, friends and the numerous small blessings of life. He will be deeply missed by all who were fortunate enough to know him.”

Samson is survived by his wife, Dorothy Eno Samson; a daughter, Cynthia Snyder and her husband Bill of Lake Ariel; six sons, Gerald and his wife Wendy of Beach Lake, Scott and his wife Mary of Fayetteville, NC, Steven and his wife Anna of Lake Ariel, Don and his wife Carla of Shohola, David of Beach Lake and Ted and his wife Jo of Columbia, MD; a daughter-in-law, Alicia Sampson of Lake Ariel; 15 grandchildren Christopher and Wade Snyder, Travis and Troy Samson, Bethany Samson Fluck, Lance Samson, Arieh and Mosheh Samson, Stephanie Samson Drake, Jennifer Duley, Emily Samson, Laura and Lydia Samson and Irina and Tatiana Samson; five great-grandchildren, Seth and Gavid Drake, Tyler and Cameron Duley and Rocco Fluck; and nieces and nephews.

The Samsons also parented seven foster children who survive, James Murphy and his wife Renee of South Canaan, Colleen Heckman and her husband Philip of Lititz, Shawn Murphy and his wife Holly of Lake Ariel, Jack Murphy and his wife Michelle of Dunmore, Patrick Murphy of Scranton, Beth Ann Iacobacci and her husband John of Scranton, and Cathy Lamberton and her husband Rodger of Lake Ariel; and their grandchildren, Arianna Sprague, Kelsey and Quinlan Murphy, Joshua Timothy and Collin Heckman, Nathan, Mariah, Matthew and Christina Murphy, Jeremy Murphy, Melissa Jessica and John Iacobacci and Brandon and Gavin Lamberton.

He was predeceased by a granddaughter, Shannon Samson; a sister, Anna Elizabeth Samson; and five brothers, Robert, Donald, William, Joseph and A’delbert.

Services were held on June 13 at the United Methodist Church in Lake Ariel with the Reverend Ron Onder officiating.

Interment was in the Hamlin Cemetery.

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the Lake Ariel United Methodist Church, 110 Maple Ave, Lake Ariel, 18436; Hospice St. John, 1007 Oak Street, Pittston, PA; Lake Ariel-Hamlin Lions Club Education Fund, P.O. Box 358, Lake Ariel 18436; or Habitat for Humanity of Wayne County, 827 Church Street, Honesdale, 18431.