ELFRIEDE S. DIETZ

Elfriede S. Dietz of Beach Lake, PA died on Monday, July 7, 2008, at her home after an illness. Her husband of 51 years is Erwin E. Dietz. The couple married August 18, 1956. She was 73.

She was born December 23, 1934, in Hausen-Rhoen, Germany, daughter of the late Otto and Beate Trabert Link. A homemaker, Mrs. Dietz also worked as a seamstress in different companies. She enjoyed the outdoors and skiing with her husband. She was a member of the Lake Wallenpaupack German American Club and St. Bernard’s Roman Catholic Church in Beach Lake.

Besides her husband, she is survived by a son, Edward and wife Mary of Queens, NY; brothers Hilmar Link and wife Edith of Queens; Werner and wife Gerda and Bernd and wife Ursula, all of Germany; grandchildren Michael and Allison; and caretaker Anne Doherty.

A Mass of Christian Burial was celebrated at St. Bernard’s Roman Catholic Church in Beach Lake. Interment was held at St. John’s Cemetery in Middle Village, NY.

Memorial contributions can be made to the Alzheimer’s Association, 225 N. Michigan Ave., Fl.17, Chicago, IL 60601-7633.

SARAH ELAINE GREGG

Sarah Elaine Gregg of Damascus, PA died Saturday, July 19, 2008 at Wayne Memorial Hospital in Honesdale, PA. She was 68.

She was born in Memphis, TN on June 1, 1940 to Dode and Ethel Williams. Sarah was a longtime resident of Damascus; she worked at Delaware Valley Job Corps Center of New York in Callicoon, NY for 28 years. She loved her flower gardens and enjoyed her family.

She is survived by her husband William at home; her daughter, Tammy Zaleski and husband Mark of Milford, PA; her son, Fred Gregg and his wife Jennie of Tunkhannock, PA; three grandchildren, Sarah and Andrew Zaleski and Joshua Gregg; one brother, Kenneth Williams of Millington, TN; and many nieces and nephews.

Sarah was predeceased by two sisters, Jean Wilbanks of Memphis, TN and Wilette Harding of Mississippi.

The service was at 1:00 p.m. on Wednesday, July 23 at the Stewart-Murphy Funeral Home, Callicoon. Burial was in Hillcrest Cemetery, Galilee, PA.

Memorial contributions may be made to Damascus Volunteer Ambulance Corps or the American Cancer Society.

RUTH E. MATTHEWS

Ruth E. Matthews of Claryville, NY passed away Tuesday, July 15, 2008 at Wayne Memorial Hospital. She was 83.

The daughter of Willard and Leona Slater Damanda Lounsbury, she was born February 3, 1925 in South Fallsburg, NY.

Ruth worked as a bookkeeper for many years for several different businesses and served as treasurer for many years for the Catskill Art Society and Claryville Reformed Church. She was also involved in many different organizations over the years, some of which include The Revonah Chapter of the Order of the Eastern Star, Sullivan County Historical Society, Tri-Valley Lions, The Claryville Quilters, VFW Ladies Auxiliary, Catskill Art Society, Associate Member of the Claryville Fire Dept., First Friday Reading Group at the Daniel Pierce Library and Studio Monday Art Group. She was known by most as “Grandma Matthews.” She was very proud of her independence and was most proud of her family, especially her grandson Matt who serves in the U.S. Army, currently deployed in Iraq.

She leaves behind one son, Thomas Matthews and his wife Connie and one daughter, Dale E. Matthews, all of Claryville; five grandchildren, Bridget Hurwitz and her husband Marc of Woodbourne, NY, Lori Borden and her husband Kevin of Belfast, NY, Thomas “Matt” Matthews and his wife Katrina of Fort Drum, NY, Jamie Burleson and her husband Travis of Webster, NY, and Corinne Albertina and her husband Cory of Rocky Point, NY; 10 great-grandchildren, Britney, Jenna and Trey Matthews, Cody, Samantha and Matthew Borden, Adam, Maegan and Shaina Hurwitz, and Cecelia Albertina; one brother, Duane Damanda and his wife Pat of New Windsor, NY; one nephew, Duane Damanda of New Windsor, NY; niece Debra Salisbury and her husband Darren; grand-nieces and a great-nephew; her dear companion, Orvis Vannatta of Narrowsburg, NY; and many cousins and friends.

She was predeceased by her beloved husband, Lynn A. Matthews, who died in 1967.

A celebration of Ruth’s life was held on Friday, July 18, at the Claryville Reformed Church, followed by a gathering at the Claryville Fire Department Hall and Pavilion area.

In lieu of flowers, the family asks that donations be made in “Grandma’s” name to the Claryville Reformed Church and/or Claryville Fire Department.

MARY L. MINCZ

Mary L. Mincz of Beach Lake, PA, died July 15, 2008 in CMC Hospital, Scranton, PA. She was the daughter of the late Walter M. and Janie Batau Fleming. She was 87.

She was born December 24, 1920 in Elk County, PA. She was one of six children.

Mary lived most of her life in Middlesex, NJ with her husband, the late Frank J. Mincz Sr. and their four children. She was part owner and secretary of F & J Tire Service, established in 1949.

Mary is survived by two children, Frank J. Mincz Jr. and Melody Manqual; five grandchildren; and six great grandchildren.

She is predeceased by two children, Charles Mincz and Richard Mincz.

Burial was in Somerset Hills Cemetery, Middlesex, NJ. A memorial service will be held at held at a later date.

Donations can be made to Alzheimers Association, 57 N. Franklin St., Wilkes Barre, PA 18701.

ANNA FILOMENA NATALE

Anna Filomena Natale of Bethel, NY, a homemaker and a 25-year area resident, died July 19, 2008 in Bethel. She was 88.

The daughter of Stevano and Concetta Menceluzzo Natale, she was born in Donora, PA on April 11, 1920. She was the widow of Giuseppe Natale.

Survivors include her children, Helen Rotondo and her husband Mario of Bethel NY and Yolonda Rosselli and her husband Larry of Massapequa Park, NY; her grandchildren, Anthony Rosselli and his wife Lisa, Patrick Rotondo, Joseph Rosselli and his wife Jeannie and Andrea Natale; and 12 great grandchildren.

Memorial contributions may be made to Hospice of Orange & Sullivan, 800 Stonybrook Court, Newburgh, NY 12550

MARION B. PUERSCHNER

Marion B. Puerschner a homemaker and lifelong resident of Kenoza Lake, NY, died Tuesday, July 15, 2008, at home. She was 84.

The daughter of William and Rose Mueller, she was born October 19, 1923 in Brooklyn, NY. Marion was the wife of Harold G. Puerschner.

Marion was a Girl Scout leader for many years. She was a volunteer at a soup kitchen in Monticello, NY and as a young woman, she volunteered at St. Joseph’s Orphanage in New York City.

She is survived by her husband, Harold G. Puerschner, at home; her daughter, Theresa M. Torres of Kenoza Lake and Gainesville, FL; her son, Paul A. Puerschner of Kenoza Lake; two grandchildren, William Puerschner and Andrew Torres of Gainesville, FL.

She was predeceased by two sisters, Florence Murray and Claire Schiesser.

A Memorial Mass was celebrated on Saturday, July 19, at Holy Cross Church, Callicoon, NY, with Father Ignatius Smith O.F.M. Burial of Marion’s cremains will be in Kenoza Lake Cemetery.

Donations may be made to Holy Cross Church, PO Box 246, Callicoon, NY 12723.

MARK F. ROPKE

Mark F. Ropke of Sparrowbush, NY died Thursday, July 17, 2008 at home. He was 45.

He was born February 10, 1963 in Port Jervis, NY, the son of Frederick C. and Toni Billman Ropke. He married Lisa A. Ghegan on April 12, 1986 in Milford, PA.

Mark worked as a meter reader for Orange & Rockland Utilities.

Mark loved coaching Port Jervis Pop Warner Football and Port Jervis Little League.

A family statement read “A kind and gentle man who was loved by all who knew him. He was a best friend, a wonderful son, grandson, a loving brother and the greatest father. A loving and loyal Husband who will forever more be missed.”

Survivors include his wife; sons Brad Louis Ropke and Justin Frederick Ropke, both at home; father Fred and wife Sue Ropke of Port Jervis, NY; mother Toni and husband Clint Crellin of Port Jervis; paternal grandmother Anna Ropke of Port Jervis; baby brother Fred and wife Kim and children, Megan and Tanner Ropke of Matamoras, PA; sisters Suzanne and husband, Joseph McAllister and children Ryan, Devin and Alec of Melbourne, FL and Erika and husband Matt and their children, Max and Ava Polanis of Port Jervis; father and mother-in-law Lou and Joanne Ghegan of Matamoras, PA; brother-in-law David and wife Marsha Ghegan of Hollywood Hills, CA; best friend Pete Caifa and his Goddaughter, Sarah Caifa of Port Jervis, NY.

Funeral services will be held privately at the convenience of the family.

Cremation will be at H.G. Smith Crematory, Stroudsburg, PA.

Memorial contributions may be made to Mark F. Ropke Football Scholarship Fund, C/O Port Jervis School District, 9 Thompson St., Port Jervis, NY 12771.

ANDREW SALAMIN

Andrew Salamin, a longtime resident of Glen Spey, NY, passed away Friday, July 18, 2008 at home with his family by his side. He was 98.

He was born February 24, 1910 in Ukraine, the son of the late George and the late Rosalia Salamin. He was married to the late Olga Dmyszko who passed away November 12, 1986. He worked as a tailor in New York City where he owned his own shop.

Survivors include his loving grandson, Eric Robles and his fiance, Faith Kinred at home; one brother, Eugene Salamin of Santa Cruz, CA; three great grandchildren, Matt Balcom, Josh Benevides and Cady Robles.

He was predeceased by his daughter, Karen Salamin on November 12, 1977. He was also predeceased by two brothers, Chester and Walter Salamin.

Friends called at the Gray-Parker Funeral Home, Inc., 100 E. Main St., Port Jervis, NY on Sunday, July 20. Panachyda Service was at 4:30 p.m.

Funeral services were held on Monday, July 21 with a Liturgy Mass in St. Volodymyr’s Ukranian Catholic Church, Glen Spey, NY with the Rev. Yaroslav Kostyk officiating.

Burial was at Glen Spey Cemetery, Glen Spey, NY.

Memorial contributions may be made to Hospice of Orange & Sullivan Counties, 800 Stony Brook Court, Newburgh, NY 12550 or the Lumberland Fire Dept., P.O. Box 91, Glen Spey, NY 12737.

SYLVIA ANN SANCLEMENTI

Sylvia Ann Sanclementi of Sparrowbush, NY, formerly of Pompton Lakes, NJ, a LPN at Chilton Memorial Hospital in Pequnnock, NJ and a resident of the area for many years, died at Bon Secours Community Hospital on Sunday, July 20, 2008. She was 70.

Daughter of the late Herman Struble and Kathleen Whritenour, who survives, she was born on November 7, 1937 in Paterson, NJ. She was the widow of Angelo William Sanclementi.

Survivors include her mother; two daughters, Lisa Iacovino and husband Frank of Sparrowbush and Kim Vandermark and husband James of Loch Sheldrake, NY; one sister, Karen Pinkle; one brother, Herman Stroble; five grandchildren and one great grandchild, along with several nieces and nephews.

The funeral service was held Wednesday, July 23 at the Knight-Auchmoody Funeral Home, Port Jervis, NY with the Rev. Ivan Csete officiating.

Burial was in St. Joseph’s Cemetery in West Milford, NJ.

Contributions may be made to National American Breast Cancer Society.