EDWIN L. ANDERSON

Edwin L. Anderson of Glen Spey, NY, a lifetime area resident, died Thursday, December 25, 2008 at Campbell Hall Health Care Facility. He was 67.

He was born March 31, 1941 in Middletown, NY, the son of the late John Edwin and Grace Turner Anderson. He married Norma Brazington-Scheck Anderson on September 12, 1966 in Goshen, NY.

Edwin worked as a therapy aide for the Middletown Psychiatric Center for 28 years until retirement in 1996. He proudly served his country in the United States Army during Vietnam as a private in the 3rd Infantry Division, Artillery and earned the distinction of sharpshooter.

A family statement reads: “Eddie L. had a great love of life. He enjoyed fast cars, loyal pets and good times with friends and family. In 1966, he met Norma Jane. He loved taking the family on vacations to Canada, Vermont and West Virginia. He was a skilled handyman and devoted time to ‘honey-dos’ and hunting with his sons as well as many precious moments spent with his ‘sunshine girls,’ his other grandchildren and his loyal dog Daisy.”

Survivors include his wife at home; sons David Turner of Livingston Manor, NY and Edwin Guy Anderson of Glen Spey, NY; daughter Carol Laput and husband Amador of Glen Spey; sisters Charlotte Carr and husband, Don of Bloomingburg, NY and Alice Horton of Middletown, NY; nine grandchildren, Amber Dame, Nico, David and Adam Turner, Tyler, Evan, Amzie, Bailey and Sami Laput; one great-granddaughter; several nieces and nephews; and his dog Daisy.

He was predeceased by his brother-in-law, Roy Horton.

Funeral services were on Saturday, December 27, with a Mass of Christian Burial in St. Ann’s R.C. Church, Shohola, PA with the Rev. Thomas J. Major officiating. Cremation will be at H.G. Smith Crematory, Stroudsburg, PA.

Burial of ashes will be in the Howells Cemetery in Howells, NY at a later date.

Contributions may be made to St. Ann’s R.C. Church, 125 Richardson Ave., Shohola, PA 18458 or Disabled American Veterans, Chapter 5, c/o Peter Rollins, Commander, 48 Wickham Ave., Goshen, NY 10924.

MARY A. BIRD

Mary A. Bird of Poughkeepsie, NY, an area resident since 1935, entered into rest on December 25, 2008, at Vassar Bros. Medical Center. She was 100.

The daughter of Lyman Appleton and Grace Yerman, she was born March 24, 1908 in Steuben, NY. She married Howard Dix Bird in Old Forge, NY on June 28, 1930.

Mary was a schoolteacher in Columbus School in Poughkeepsie, NY for 20 years and retired in 1972. She was a member of the Poughkeepsie United Methodist Church and was active in the United Methodist Women, Wesley Circle and Friendship Circle, and an avid gardener and Bridge player.

Survivors include son A. David Bird of Sparrowbush, NY; daughter Priscilla A. Wendover of Poughkeepsie, NY; sisters Dorothy Pearsall of Boonville, NY and Leona DeLong of Fairmont, WV; grandchildren Jeffrey and Brenda Wendover, Kathy and Warren Hochlowski, David and Kerri Anne Wendover, Howard and Carolyn Bird, Carlton and Paula Bird and Thomas Bird; six great-grandchildren; one great-great-grandchild; and several nieces, nephews, grand nieces and nephews.

She was predeceased by her husband on January 20, 1986; and a brother, Floyd Appleton.

Services will be held at a later date. Burial will be at the convenience of the family at Riverview Cemetery, Old Forge, NY.

Contributions may be made to Poughkeepsie United Methodist Church, 2381 New Hackensack Rd., Poughkeepsie, NY 12603 or to a charity of one’s choice.

LESTER P. DAILEY

Lester P. Dailey of Beach Lake, PA, a truck driver for Henderson & Sons Trucking, died Monday, December 22, 2008 in Syracuse, NY. He was 59.

The son of the late George Dailey and Ruth Hust Dailey, he was born October 6, 1949 in Callicoon, NY. He attended Beach Lake United Methodist Church and was a member of the Steel Guitar Association and ECO Grange.

A family statement reads: “Les was a great guy with a sense of humor. He loved listening to and playing country and western music. He was always there when you needed him. He loved his kids and grandchildren and was filled with joy. His entire family will miss him.”

He is survived by his wife, Marilyn Dailey of Beach Lake; sons Timothy Dailey and wife Bobbie-Lee of Tyler Hill, PA and Ron Dailey of Beach Lake; one daughter Sandra Brown and husband Kevin of White Mills, PA; his mother, Ruth Dailey of Lake Huntington, NY; brother Robert Dailey and wife Beverly of Beach Lake; sisters Sally Darling and husband Glenn of Fosterdale, NY and Donna Ackermann and husband Doug of Bethel, NY; grandchildren Bret, Leean, Timothy Sr., Brianna, David, Kaitlyn, and Zachary; and several uncles, aunts, nephews, nieces and cousins.

Funeral services were held on Saturday, December 27, 2008 at Rasmussen Funeral Home, Narrowsburg, NY.

Burial will take place at a later date in Laurel Cemetery, Cochecton Center, NY.

ROBERT K. DEGRAW II

Robert K. DeGraw II of Highland Lake, NY, passed away Monday, December 22, 2008 at Moses Taylor Hospital in Scranton, PA. He was 33.

He was born July 15, 1975 in Port Jervis, NY, the son of Robert K. and Barbara Crowell DeGraw.

Robert loved to draw and play online games. He especially loved writing poems, which were published.

A family statement reads: “To a loving son, brother and grandson. You will be sorely missed by all, but especially by your loving family. All whom he cherished, it came from the heart.”

Survivors include his parents at home; girlfriend Kathy of Salina, KS; sons Robert DeGraw III and Michael; daughters Ashley and Ambree; sister Michelle Flood and husband Brad of Highland Lake, NY; grandmother Margaret DeGraw of Port Jervis, NY; nieces Destiny and Kara; and one nephew, Brad Flood Jr.

Funeral services will be privately held at the convenience of the family. Cremation will be at H.G. Smith Crematory, Stroudsburg, PA.

JUSTINE E. DELLERT

Justine E. Dellert of Shohola, PA, a lifelong resident of the area, passed away on Friday, December 26, 2008 at Orange Regional Medical Center, Horton Campus in Middletown, NY. She was 87.

The daughter of the late Harold and Gertrude Eckhart Englehart, she was born April 7, 1921 in Shohola, PA.

Justine was a member of St. Jacobi’s Lutheran Church and St. Jacobi’s Ladies Aide. She enjoyed gardening, nature and her family.

Survivors include sons Charles Dellert Jr. and wife Patricia and Steven Dellert and wife Marilyn, all of Shohola; daughter Carol Loiodice and companion Patrick Kearns of Mt. Hope, NY; 12 grandchildren; 24 great-grandchildren; one great-great-grandchild; and several nieces and nephews.

She was predeceased by her husband of 65 years, Charles J. Dellert, who passed away on January 12, 2008, as well as her son-in-law, Charles Loiodice.

Memorial services were held on Tuesday, December 30, at the Gray-Rasmussen Funeral Home, Barryville, NY. The family requests that no flowers be sent. Instead, contributions may be made to St. Jacobi’s Ladies Aide, 108 Glen Dr., Shohola, PA 18458.

RAY F. DEXTER JR

Ray F. Dexter Jr. of Damascus, PA died Saturday, December 20, 2008 at Wayne Memorial Hospital in Honesdale, PA. He was 88.

Ray was born in Brooklyn on January 28, 1920, the son of the late Ray F. Dexter Sr. and Augusta Fuchs Dexter. Nolua W. Dexter, his wife of 62 years, died in 2004.

Ray graduated from Narrowsburg Central Rural School in Narrowsburg, NY and served during World War II. After returning, he managed the Park Theater in Narrowsburg, then the Harden Theater in Callicoon, NY, then Carl’s Motor Sales in Callicoon. In 1970 he became business manager of the Wayne Highland Area School District until retirement in 1982.

Ray also volunteered with the Narrowsburg Fire Department; and in 1969 was a founding member of the Damascus Volunteer Ambulance Corps, serving as an EMT and president, vice president, financial secretary, director of training and a member of the board of directors. He was active in the American Red Cross for over 30 years and helped to start the Damascus Township Blood Donor Program. He was coordinator of the Wayne County Food Pantry for 38 years and a member of the Damascus Area School Board, a member of the Damascus Manor Community Center and a director on the Hillside Cemetery Association Board. He was a member of the Damascus Manor United Methodist Church, serving on numerous committees and representing the church at the Wyoming Annual Conference each year.

Surviving are daughter Faye Dexter Rossi, Honesdale; sisters in law Vera Franklin, Clarks Summit, PA and Ann Dexter, South Fallsburg, NY; a brother in law, Douglas Heinle, Cochecton Center, NY; nine nieces; seven nephews; and grand and great grand nieces and nephews.

He was predeceased by a daughter, Raye; a sister, Eleanor Heinle; and a brother, Walter “Bud” Dexter.

A memorial celebration of Ray’s life will be held at the Damascus Manor United Methodist Church on January 10 at 11:30 a.m. Memorial contributions may be made to one of his many interests or to a charity of the donor’s choice.

LILLIAN R. FISCHER

Lillian R. Fischer of Cochecton, NY, a retired seamstress and a lifetime resident of the area, died Sunday, December 28, 2008 at home. She was 91.

Daughter of the late Arden and Margaret Cox Pintler, she was born December 14, 1917 in Liberty, NY. She was the widow of Walter E. Fischer.

Survivors include sister Grace Kruk of Tampa, FL; nephews Charles Stephenson of Tampa and Robert Pintler and wife Wendy of Narrowsburg, NY; nieces Joan Gabriel of Cochecton and Janet Barnes of Binghamton, NY; and sister-in-law Virginia Pintler of Liberty.

She was predeceased by a son, Edward Walter Fischer.

There will be no visitation. A memorial service and interment at Fosterdale Cemetery will be held at a later date.

Memorial contributions may be made to Cochecton Volunteer Ambulance Corps, Lake Huntington, NY 12752.

LEONA ‘LEE’ KMIECZAK

Leona “Lee” Kmieczak of Welcome Lake, PA, a longtime area resident, passed away on Sunday, December 21, 2008 at Wayne Memorial Hospital, Honesdale, PA. She was 91.

The daughter of the late John and Marie Simko Lancey, she was born November 17, 1917 in Pittsburgh, PA.

Lee attended St. Francis Xavier R.C. Church, Narrowsburg, NY. She was a member of the Welcome Lake Fire Department, Ladies Auxiliary and the Tusten Volunteer Ambulance Corp. Lee was a former tax collector for the Township of Lackawaxen, PA and she worked at the Delaware Valley Arts Alliance, Narrowsburg.

She is survived by sons Wayne Kmieczak and wife Gail of Hawley, PA and Barry Kmieczak and wife Betty of Lowell, ME; sisters Marge VanWinkle and Dorothy Burton; brother Jack Lancey; grandchildren Kristen Pizzo, Jessica Moran, Matthew Kmieczak and Amity Hlasney; five great-grandchildren; and several nieces and nephews.

She was predeceased by her husband, William Herbert Kmieczak, who passed away in 1972.

Graveside services were on Saturday December 27, 2008 at St. Francis Cemetery, Narrowsburg. NY. Father William Scully O.F.M. officiated.

WALTER JOHN MILLER

Walter John Miller of Jeffersonville, NY, died on Friday, December 19, 2008. He was 70.

The son of the late Walter George and Helen Seroska Miller, he was born in Mt. Kisco, NY, on July 2, 1938.

John served with the United States Marine Corps and was honorably discharged in 1957. He worked for the Town of Callicoon and for Victory Markets. John worked for the Jeffersonville-Youngsville School District as a custodian. He then worked as sole custodian for the Youngsville School until his retirement in 1985.

John is survived by his loving wife, Ethel Oestrich Miller, at home; his prized possession dachshund, Heidi; children Michele Miller Lupardo and husband Anthony of Youngsville, NY, Bryan Miller and wife Kathryn of North Branch, NY and Kristina Miller Davison, RN of White Sulphur Springs, NY; grandchildren Kevin and Anthony Lupardo of Youngsville and Alexis and Makenzie Miller of White Sulphur Springs; his sister Delores Shea; and nieces and nephews.

He was predeceased by his sister Anna Chersonkas; and his aunt and uncle, Petronella and Herman Drechsel, by whom he was raised.

As per John’s wishes, there will be no services.

Donations may be made to the Jeffersonville Volunteer First Aid Squad, the Jeffersonville Fire Department, or Hospice of Orange & Sullivan Counties, Inc., 800 Stony Brook Ct., Newburgh, NY 12550.

RAYMOND E. REYNOLDS SR

Raymond E. Reynolds Sr. passed away peacefully at home on Sunday, December 21, 2008. He was 67.

The son of the late Nobel and Margaret Louern Reynolds, he was born on October 3, 1941 in Albany, NY.

A self-employed musician and florist, he was a loving husband, father, grandfather and musician, who enjoyed playing for the seniors and members of his congregate at the White Lake Reformed Presbyterian Church. He will be greatly missed.

Survivors include his wife of 48 years, Elaine Taylor Reynolds at home; eight sons: Raymond W. of Smallwood, NY, Raymond E. Jr. and wife Kristin of Watervliet, NY, Russell of Watervliet, Kevin and wife Ruth of Honesdale, PA, Willard and wife Kathy of Honesdale, Randy and wife Virginia of Honesdale, Frederick of Arizona and Austin of Swan Lake; four daughters, Coleen K. and husband Bill of Harris, NY, Kathy Reynolds of Swan Lake, Karen Pataloma and husband Al of Cochecton and Claudette McFadden and husband Joseph of Bethel, NY; two brothers, John Mellon and wife Jodi of Nassau Lake, NY and Joseph Reynolds of Watertown, NY; numerous grandchildren and great-grandchildren, nieces and nephews.

He was predeceased by a son, James; and a brother, Larry.

Memorial services were held Tuesday, December 23 at the White Lake Reformed Presbyterian Church with Rev. David Coon officiating.

Cremation will be at Cedar Hill Crematory, Newburgh, NY.

Memorial contributions may be made to the White Lake Reformed Church, Rt. 17B, White Lake, NY 12786.

ELMER ANNO SANGER

Mr. Elmer Anno Sanger of Edison, NJ, formerly of Port Jervis, NY, died Saturday, December 20, 2008 at Veteran’s Memorial Home in Edison. He was 82.

He was born June 17, 1926 in Franklin, NE, the son of David and Hannah Jelken Sanger.

In 1944, he joined the Merchant Marines as a fireman/water tender in the South Pacific. He was in Saipan when World War II ended. In 1948, he started working for Bell Telephone Company and became an account manager in sales. He retired in 1982.

He married Kathleen (Melvin) in 1948 and had three children. He remarried in 1972 to Sieglinde (Grittner), who had two children. Together they owned and operated the Hawk’s Nest Restaurant from 1974 to 1978. He was a member of the Deerpark Lions.

Survivors include sons David Sanger and wife Sherri of Arizona and William Sanger and wife Patricia of Staten Island; daughters Ruth Keenan and husband Job of Atlantic Highlands, NJ, Jacqueline Turner and husband David of Myrtle Beach, SC and Heidi Doss and husband Scott of Sparrowbush, NY; brothers Frank Sanger of Nebraska and Anno Sanger of California; sister Jeannette Paxton of Staten Island; grandchildren Jennie, Michael, Jacob, Brandy, Steven, Tara, Rebecca, Kathleen, John, Matthew, Jeannine, Michael, Adam, Kaita, Tyler and Christopher; and six great-grandchildren.

He was predeceased by his wife Sieglinde on January 19, 1997; and his brother, John Sanger.

Funeral services were held on Saturday, December 27, with a prayer at the Gray-Parker Funeral Home, Inc., Port Jervis, followed by a Mass of Christian Burial in St. Mary’s R.C. Church, Port Jervis. Burial was at St. Mary’s Cemetery, Port Jervis.

Memorial contributions may be made to the Parkinson Foundation Gift Processing Center, PO Box 96268, Washington, DC 20090-6268.

RUTH E. SIMONS

Ruth E. Simons of Honesdale, PA died Sunday, December 28, 2008 at Bethany Village after an illness. She was 84.

She was preceded in death by her husband, former Wayne County Commissioner Earl J. Simons, on May 19, 1994.

Born October 29, 1924 in Honesdale, she was the daughter of the late Harland and Marion Conbeer Jackson and a graduate of Honesdale High School. She was a former employee of Sandercock’s Dairy and Katz’s Department Store, and an active member of the Bethany United Methodist Church.

A family statement reads: “A kind and loving mother, aunt, grandmother and neighbor, she loved her family gatherings as well as her neighbors and neighborhood block parties.”

Surviving is son Robert E. Simons and wife Ann Marie of Beach Lake, PA; granddaughter Bridget; sister Carolyn Bond of Columbia, SC; and several nieces and nephews.

In addition to her husband, she was preceded in death by brother Walter Jackson; and sister Dorothy Blake.

Funeral services were held on Wednesday, December 31 at the Bethany United Methodist Church with Pastor Val Rommel officiating. Interment followed in Glen Dyberry Cemetery.

Memorials can be made to the Bethany United Methodist Church, 3 Court St., Bethany, PA 18431 or to the Earl J. Simons Senior Center, 323 10th St. Honesdale, PA 18431.

SHIRLEY M. VANLEUVEN

Shirley M. VanLeuven of the Town of Mt. Hope, NY, passed away on Wednesday, December 24, 2008, at Milford Senior Care, Westfall Township, PA. She was 79.

She was born June 24, 1929 in Port Jervis, NY, the daughter of the late Edward and Geraldine Beirnes Muller.

Shirley was a retired secretary and bookkeeper for Van’s Auto Service, which she operated with her husband, Vivan G. VanLeuven.

She is survived by her husband at home; sons Vivan VanLeuven of Mt. Hope, Edwin VanLeuven and wife Mary of Otisville, NY; daughter Bonnie Lee Henry of Jeffersonville, NY; eight grandchildren, and son-in-law Paul Barth of Mt. Hope.

She was predeceased by her daughter, Anne Barth; and her granddaughter, Sheryl Barth.

Funeral services were held Tuesday, December 30 at the Knight-Auchmoody Funeral Home, Port Jervis with Pastor Thomas Mortenson officiating. Interment will take place at Rural Valley Cemetery, Cuddebackville, NY.

Donations may be made to the National Kidney Foundation.