VIVIAN DICKSON

Vivian Dickson, late of Eldred, NY and a long-time area resident, passed away Tuesday, January 1, 2008 at the Meridian Sub Acute Care Center in Wall, NJ. She was 94.

The daughter of the late Joseph and Frances Greening Vandermark, she was born on April 26, 1913.

Vivian was first married to the late Homer Head and second to the late Adrian Dickson. She was a member of St. Anthony’s R.C. Church, Yulan, NY and a graduate of Eldred Central School, Eldred.

She is survived by her daughter, Frances Head of Randolph, VA; a grandson, Thomas Mantos of Bradley Beach, NJ; and a granddaughter, Marianne Mantos, with whom Vivian resided, of Bradley Beach, NJ.

A prayer service was offered on Monday, January 7, 2008 at the Knight-Auchmoody Funeral Home, Port Jervis, NY, followed by a Mass of Christian Burial at St. Anthony’s R.C. Church, Yulan. The Rev. Anthony Moore officiated. Interment took place at St. Francis Cemetery in Narrowsburg, NY.

DAVID R. DECKER JR

David R. Decker Jr. of Goshen, NY, a retired sergeant with the Orange County Sheriff’s Department in Goshen and a lifelong area resident, died January 3, 2008 at Orange Regional Medical Center, Arden Hill Campus, Goshen. He was 60.

The son of Elsie Ferris Decker and the late David R. Decker Sr., he was born September 20, 1947 in Port Jervis, NY.

In addition to his mother, Elsie Decker of Campbell Hall, NY, he is survived by his wife, Barbara A. Czarnowski Decker, at home; children Elizabeth R. Profiro and husband Frank of Highland Mills, NY, Diana L. Pitre and companion Robert J. Russell of Middletown, NY and Nicholas S. Pitre and wife Tamica of Glen Spey, NY; grandchildren, Alexander Pitre, Justin Pitre, RJ Stymacks and Nicholas Stymacks; his brothers, Danny and wife April of Campbell Hall, Daryl and wife Debbie of Port Jervis and Doug of Campbell Hall; nieces and nephews; grand-nieces and nephews; and his hummingbird, Abigail Russell.

A funeral was held on Tuesday, January 8, 2008 at Flynn Funeral & Cremation Memorial Centers, Monroe. Cremation occurred at Oxford Hills Crematory, Inc., Chester, NY.

The family has requested in lieu of flowers memorial contributions to the Neversink Valley Area Museum, 26 Hoag Rd., Cuddebackville, NY 12729, in David’s name.

LESTER HOLBERT

Lester Lloyd Holbert of Honesdale, PA died on Wednesday, December 26, 2007 at home surrounded by his family. He was 89.

The son of the late Burton L. and Eliza Ayers Holbert, he was born April 20, 1918 in Honesdale. His wife of 69 years is the former Catherine R. Polt.

Lester managed Holbert Airport for many years and owned and operated Holbert Farm Equipment. He was a charter member of the Lake and Brook Club; a 75-year member of the Eagles Aerie No. 1858; a member of Eagle Home Association, where he served as treasurer for numerous years; a lifetime member of the White Mills Fire Co.; and a member of the former Elks Club.

He is survived by daughters Kathleen Hunter, Mary Ellen LaPoint and husband Jim and Margaret Davis, all of Honesdale; a brother, John Holbert of Hawley, PA; a sister, Linda Nagel of Damascus, PA; six grandchildren; 10 great-grandchildren; and many nieces and nephews.

Funeral services were held at Thursday, January 3, 2008 at Hessling Funeral Home, Honesdale. The Rev. Lloyd Canfield officiated. Interment followed in Indian Orchard Cemetery.

Memorial contributions can be made to Diakon Hospice St. John, 416 Main St., Suite D, Honesdale, PA 18431.

GERTRUDE E. KEELEY

Gertrude E. Keeley of Clifton Park, NY died on December 28, 2007 at Schuyler Ridge. She was 89.

The daughter of Frank P. and Mary M. Lucke, she was born on December 25, 1918 in Brooklyn, NY.

A long time resident of Shohola, PA, Gertrude moved to Clifton Park in 1984. She worked for various telephone companies including AT&T in New York City and Contel and GTE in Middletown, NY. She also worked for many years at the former Reber’s restaurant in Barryville, NY.

She was predeceased by her husband, Lawrence J. Keeley; parents Frank P. and Mary M. Lucke; a brother, Clement Lucke; and a sister, Agnes Wilson. She is survived by her children, Lawrence F. (Frances) Keeley of Clifton Park, Kenneth R. (Carole) Keeley of Gibsonia, PA and Donald E. and Charlotte Keeley of Haymarket, VA; several grandchildren; six great-grandchildren; and numerous nieces and nephews.

A funeral service was held on Monday, December 31, 2007 at Saint Mary’s Church, Crescent, NY, followed by a burial service at St. Ann’s Cemetery in Shohola, PA.

To those who would like to make a contribution in lieu of flowers, they are invited to contribute to the Saint Mary’s of Crescent Building Fund, 86 Church Hill Road, Crescent, NY 12188-1126.

ADELE LASKO

Adele Lasko of Damascus, PA died on Tuesday, December 25, 2007 at Wayne-Delaware Manor. She was 88.

Her husband, Nicholas Lasko, died July 14, 1996. The couple married August 31, 1946.

The daughter of the late Bruno and Catherine Karwoska, she was born on November 26, 1919 in Brooklyn, NY. A loving housewife and mother, Adele worked at Ideal Precission Meter Co. in Brooklyn as an assembler until retiring. She was a member of St. John the Evangelist Parish and attended St. Joseph’s Church in Rileyville, PA. She enjoyed the company of others at senior citizen functions, playing bingo and trips to casinos.

She is survived by her son Richard and wife Paula of Milanville, PA; a daughter, Christine Kelly of New Jersey; a brother, Fred Karwoska and wife Mary of New Jersey; sisters-in-law Ann Mazanowski of Brooklyn and Helen Coacci of Damascus; seven grandchildren; five great-grandchildren; and nieces and nephews.

A Mass of Christian Burial was celebrated at St. Joseph’s Church in Rileyville on Saturday, December 29, 2007. Interment followed in Hillside Cemetery in Damascus.

Memorial contributions can be made to Wayne-Delaware Manor Activity Fund, 9 Manor Drive, Beach Lake, PA 18405.

DORIS JOAN MABEE

Doris Joan Mabee, a lifelong resident of the area and deli manager at the Shoprites in Warwick, Monroe, and Middletown, NY, died Friday, January 4, 2008 at St. Anthony Community Hospital in Warwick. She was 69.

The daughter of Charles and Marjorie Donald Sr., she was born July 10, 1938 in Greenwood Lake, NY.

Doris was an avid Avon representative for many years.

She is survived by her husband, Ernest Mabee Sr., at home; a daughter, Caryl Anne Tiedemann and husband John W. of Shohola, PA; a grandson; sisters Marjorie Van Horn of Port Jervis, NY, Charlotte Santopietro of Monroe, NY, Laura Williams of Warwick and Carol Sue Mabee of Bellvale, NY; and a brother, Charles Donald Jr. of Monroe.

She was predeceased by her son, Ernest Mabee Jr.

Funeral services were held on Sunday, January 6, 2008 and on Monday, January 7, 2008 at the Strong-Basile Funeral Home, Greenwood Lake, NY. Burial was at Warwick Cemetery in Warwick.

FREDERICK R. SWENDSEN

Frederick R. Swendsen of Milanville, PA, a dairy farmer and lifelong area resident, died Sunday, January 6, 2008 at Mercy Hospital, Scranton, PA. He was 45.

The son of Alberta Dunn Swendsen and the late William Swendsen, he was born April 12, 1962 in Sussex, NJ.

Frederick was a member of the Boyd’s Mill Hunting Club and the Ace Snowmobile Club. Survivors include his mother, Alberta, of Milanville; his companion Norma Brown; two daughters, Jillian Swendsen of Scranton, PA, and Melanie Swendsen of Milanville; a son, William Swendsen of Milanville; four brothers, Richard and wife Cindy of Cooperstown, PA; Gary of Waymart, PA; Harvey and wife Carla of Milanville; and Dale and wife Trudy of Manheim, PA; a sister, Lori Heckman and husband Perry of Mohrsville, PA.

He was predeceased by his father, William Swendsen; and a brother, Lloyd Swendsen.

Friends are invited to call on Thursday, January 10, from 10:00 to 11:00 a.m. at the Rasmussen Funeral Home, Narrowsburg, NY.

Funeral services will be held on Thursday, January 10, 2008 at 11:00 a.m. at the funeral home. The Rev William Rushik will officiate. Burial will follow at Calkins Union Cemetery.

Memorial contributions may be made to the educational fund for Melanie Swendsen, c/o The Honesdale National Bank, 733 Main Street, Honesdale PA.

ELEANOR H. VANDERVORT

Eleanor H. Vandervort of Matamoras, PA died Saturday, December 29, 2007 at Bon Secours Community Hospital. She was 85.

The daughter of the late Joseph and Josephine Bonk, she was born November 3, 1922 in Dickson City, PA.

Eleanor was a member of St. Joseph’s R.C. Church in Matamoras.

She is survived by a son, Richard Vandervort and wife Ann of Sparrowbush, NY; a daughter, Nancy Paschall of Matamoras, PA; four grandchildren, Dawn Molnar and fiancee Justin of Matamoras, PA, Christopher Paschall of Littleton, CO, Carrie Vandervort of Port Jervis, NY and Amy Vandervort of Sparrowbush; six great-grandchildren; and several nieces and nephews.

Funeral services were held on Wednesday, January 2, 2008 at the Gray-Parker Funeral Home, Port Jervis, NY. A Mass of Christian Burial was held at St. Joseph’s R.C. Church, Matamoras. Rev. August A. Ricciardi officiated. Burial was at Pine Grove Cemetery, Matamoras.

Memorial contributions may be made to the American Diabetes Association, 149 Madison Ave., Gift Processing Center, New York, NY 10016.

DOLORES J. ZINTEL

Dolores J. Zintel of Lake Ariel, PA died Sunday, December 30, 2007 at the Brighten at Julia Ribaudo Nursing Home, Lake Ariel. She was 75.

The daughter of the late Harvey and Mary Seeley Drake, she was born in Cherry Ridge Township, PA. Her husband of 31 years was Charles (Mickey) Zintel, who died in 1979.

Dolores was head of housekeeping at the Julia Ribaudo Nursing Home where she worked for nearly 20 years. She was a meticulous housecleaner and loved Shandy, the family pet.

She is survived by three sons, Donald and wife Diane of Honesdale, PA, Jerry of Lake Ariel, Paul and wife Wendy of Beach Lake, PA; a daughter, Dawn Panullo and husband Tim of Lake Ariel; a sister, Beverly Grosch and husband Leon of Honesdale; eight grandchildren; eight great-grandchildren; two great-great-grandchildren; and many nieces and nephews.

She was predeceased by one brother, Lloyd Drake; and three sisters, Betty Garing, Rita Melody and Irma Garcia.

The funeral was held Thursday, January 3, 2008 at the Jenkins Funeral Home, Waymart, PA. Rev. William Rushik officiated. Interment was at Canaan Corners Cemetery.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the Alzheimer’s Association, 63 N. Franklin St., Wilkes-Barre 18701.