ALEXANDER H. LUNING

Alexander H. Luning of Cochecton, NY, a retired captain for the New York State Corrections and a lifelong resident of the area, died on Tuesday, October 2, 2007. He was 63.

The son of the late Alexander H. and Helene Bernas Luning Jr., he was born October 8, 1943 in Callicoon, NY.

Alexander served in the army as an MP and was proud of his top security clearance. He was a graduate of Ulster County Community College, where he received an associate’s degree in criminal justice. After graduating, he worked for four years as a policeman in the Town of Liberty, NY. Upon retiring from corrections after 25 years, he went to work for his cousin and best friend, John Bernas at JML Quarries. He was a past member of the Lake Huntington Fire Department and a member of the Elks Club as well as an avid golfer who played in many leagues. A family statement reads, “Alexander was a loving father and grandfather and was a big part of the family. He had such a great smile and always a joke to follow. He was the life of the party and knew so many people. He will be missed greatly.”

He is survived by his wife, Ruth Ann Luning; a daughter, Maureen Lowitz and husband Kip of North Branch, NY; his son, Jonathan Luning and girlfriend Kim Jay of Lake Huntington, NY; one grandson, Ayden Lowitz; three sisters, Suzanne Reed Stetka and husband Peter of Constantia, NY, Helene Indelicato and husband Sal of Cochecton Center, NY and Patricia Dirie of Hortonville, NY; and many nephews, nieces and cousins.

A Mass of Christian Burial was held on Saturday, October 6, 2007 at the St. Francis Xavier R.C. Church, Narrowsburg, NY. Father William Scully O.F.M. officiated. Burial followed at the parish cemetery.

Donations can be made to Cochecton Volunteer Ambulance Corps., PO Box 4, Lake Huntington, NY 12752 or the Lake Huntington Fire Department, PO Box 222, Lake Huntington, NY 12752.

JAMES J. MCKEEGAN

James J. McKeegan entered into rest on Thursday, October 4, 2007 at Valley View Center for Nursing and Rehabilitation Center in Goshen, NY. He was 74.

The son of the late Joseph and Ruth Barker McKeegan, he was born on December 15, 1932 in Braddock, PA.

James was married to Helen A. Ronsini McKeegan, who survives at home. He proudly served in the U.S. Air Force during the Korean War and retired from West Point as a management analyst.

In addition to his loving wife of 28 years, Helen, he is survived by his son, James McKeegan and wife Lisa of Cochecton, NY; a daughter, Diane Reilly and husband Bart of Marlboro, NY; a sister, Ann Jane Brozek of Verona, PA; two grandchildren; sister-in-law Rose Angeloni of New Windsor, NY; brothers-in-law Frank Ronsini and wife Hope, Mario Ronsini and wife Ruth, all of New Windsor, and Joseph Ronsini and wife June of Cornwall-on-Hudson, NY; and several nieces and nephews.

He was predeceased by his brother, Patrick McKeegan; and sisters Ruth Ward, Mary Praksti, Elsie Mills and Arlene Pfaff.

There will be no services per the family’s wishes. Cremation will take place at Cedar Hill Crematory, Newburgh, NY.

To send a personal condolence, please visit BrooksFH.com or call 845/561-8300.

URSULA A. PIRANIO

Ursula A. Piranio of Greeley, PA died on Wednesday, September 26, 2007 at her home. She was 81.

The daughter of the late Max and Frances Labitzke, she was born on October 26, 1925 in Germany.

Ursula was a member of the German American Club, the Greeley Grange and the Ladies Aid of St. Luke’s Church, Greeley.

She is survived by her two sons, Frank Piranio of Lords Valley, PA and Gerard Piranio of Richmond Hill, NY; a daughter, Grace Piccard of Greeley; six grandchildren; five great-grandchildren; and a brother, Gerd Labitzke of Germany.

She was preceded in death by her husband, Frank Piranio; and by a daughter, Susan.

Funeral services were held in Milford on Monday, October 1, 2007. Interment was held at Calverton National Cemetery, Calverton, NY on Tuesday, October 2, 2007.

THOMAS AUSTIN RIKER

Thomas Austin Riker of Shohola, PA died on Tuesday, October 2, 2007. He was 21.

The son of Donald G. Riker and Karen Lauer, he was born on June 6, 1986 in Port Jervis, NY.

He is survived by his mother and step-father, Karen and Charles Baird of Shohola; his father and step-mother, Donald and Rosemarie Riker of Wallkill, NY; two brothers, Donald III and Tyler, both of Shohola; three sisters, Nikki, Bobbie Jo and Lori Riker, all at home; three step-sisters, Danielle Baird of Georgetown, MD, Kimberly Baird of Andover, NJ and Nicole Baird, Dingmans Ferry, PA.

Funeral services were held on Friday, October 5, 2007 at the Stroyan Funeral Home, Inc. 405 W. Harford Street, Milford, PA with the Rev. Charles Gockel of Trinity United Methodist Church, Newburgh, NY, officiating.

LUCILLE E. ROGAI

Lucille E. Rogai of Beach Lake, PA and formerly of Brooklyn, NY, died Friday, October 5, 2007 at Ellen Memorial Health Care Center. She was 85.

The daughter and last surviving member of the late Pompei and Carmela Valenoti Marolda family, she was born on March 27, 1922 in Brooklyn.

A housewife and mother, Lucille enjoyed dancing in her younger years and was well known for her cooking. She was a member of Our Lady of Loretto Church in Brooklyn. Lucille was a beautiful woman whose greatest love was to take care of her family.

She is survived by her sons, Louis and wife Susan of Beach Lake, with whom she resided, and Kenneth Rogai Jr. of California; her grandchildren, Louis Jr., Paul and Elaine; and her great grandchildren, Olivia, Rachel and Julian.

She was predeceased by her husband of 58 years, Kenneth Rogaim who died January 11, 2002.

A Mass of Christian Burial was celebrated on Tuesday, October 9, 2007 at St. John the Evangelist Church on Terrace St. Honesdale, PA. Interment followed in Indian Orchard Cemetery.

STELLA C. SCHRAMM

Stella C. Schramm of Sparrowbush, NY, a retired medical records secretary for Bon Secours Community Hospital in Port Jervis, NY, died Wednesday, September 26, 2007 at Good Samaritan Hospital, Suffern, NY. She was 63.

The son of the late David and Henrietta Apfel Friedman, she was born December 6, 1943 in Brooklyn, NY.

Stella was the widow of George

Schramm.

She is survived by two daughters, Helene Schramm and companion James Pilegreno of Slate Hill, NY and Aimee Sandifer and husband James of Japan; two sons, David Schramm and his wife June of Blooming Grove, NY and Dennis Fountain and wife Lori of Glen Spey, NY; five grandchildren, Jerry Medina, James, Harley Nathan and Jeannette; and several nieces and nephews.

She was predeceased by her longtime companion, Eugene Fountain.

Interment will be private.

LUCILLE M. SIMON

Lucille M. Simon passed away on October 1, 2007 at the assisted living home, Bethany Village, Bethany, PA. She was 81.

The daughter of the late Clarence and Elsie Bauer Simon, she was born August 22, 1926.

In her younger years, Lucille lived near Hankins, NY and helped care for her parents and the family farm. She enjoyed playing the old-fashioned games such as bingo, checkers (both regular and Chinese), old maid and dominoes. She liked visiting with her aunt, uncles and cousins and also picking strawberries, raspberries, huckleberries and blackberries.

She is survived by her sister, Verna Hess; her aunt, Florence Bauer; her nephews, Timothy Hess, Dale Hess and wife Rebekah and their two children, Emma Rose and Jacob Hess, all of Callicoon, NY; and numerous cousins.

Services were conducted by Mr. Russell Lail on October 4, 2007 at Stewart-Murphy Funeral Home, Callicoon. Burial was made in Fremont Center Cemetery.

Memorial contributions may be made to the Upper Delaware Ambulance Corps, PO Box 238, Hankins, NY 12741.

ERIC MATTHEW WILSON

Eric Matthew Wilson, formerly of Middletown, NY died September 26, 2007 in Casa Grande, AZ. He was 27.

The son of Douglas Fiore of Lamar, AR and Betty A. Fiore of Casa Grande, he was born April 23, 1980 in Middletown.

Eric was a graduate of Casa Grande High School, Casa Grande, class of 1999. He served in the U.S. Marine Corps from 1999 to 2003 and served his country in the Iraq Freedom War.

Eric worked for Western State Fire Protection Co. in Phoenix, AZ as a sprinkler fitter. He enjoyed music, playing the drums, fishing and golf. He was a loving father and enjoyed his family.

He is survived by his wife, Beverly Wilson and his son, Caleb Ryan Wilson of Casa Grande; three brothers, Guy Ford of Palm Springs, FL, Rocky Ford of Glen Spey, NY and Rusty Wilson of Council Bluff, IO; sisters, Mary Alice Newell of Albany, NY, Bonnie Jenning of Walton, NY, Joann Scott of Liberty, NY, Jami Spoon of Arizona City, AZ and Jodi Abraham and Jessica Trainer, both of Tucson, AZ; and his paternal grandparents, Rudy and Geri Fiore of Lamar, AR.

Services were held in the Cole & Maud Gardens Chapel, AZ. Burial was made in the National Memorial Cemetery of Arizona, Phoenix.