B. PATRICIA ‘PAT’ FELDHUSEN

B. Patricia “Pat” Feldhusen of Narrowsburg, NY, a lifelong resident of the area, died Saturday, January 24, 2009 at Bethany Village, PA. She was 91.

The daughter of the late Fred Nelson and Lena Fergusen Hendricx, she was born June 1, 1917, in Lake Huntington, NY.

Pat was a member St. Paul’s Lutheran Church in Narrowsburg. She was a member of DAR, a member of the Duplicate Bridge Club of Honesdale, PA, and a member of the St. Tammany Chapter of the Eastern Star, Callicoon, NY. Survivors include her son Herman Feldhusen III and his wife Judy of Venice, FL; her grandson James Feldhusen and his wife Adrian of New Hampshire; granddaughter Anne Roach and her husband Dan of Chesapeake, VA and grandchildren Justin, Megan, Abigail, Courtney and Guy.

Pat was predeceased by her husband Herman Feldhusen Jr. and her sister Naomi Daub. Services will be private. Burial will take place at Fosterdale Cemetery, Fosterdale NY.

Memorial donations may be made to the St. Paul’s Lutheran Church P.O. Box 126 Narrowsburg, NY 12764.

GLADYS 'BOOTS' FRANK

Gladys “Boots” Frank of Yulan, NY was born in the Bronx to Frederick and Martha (Pierson) Metzger, where she met John Edward Frank, a retired NYC firefighter, who predeceased her in death in 2004. They began their life together in lower Manhattan, later moving to Flushing, Queens where they raised five children. Gladys was first and foremost a wife and mother and also worked for the NYC police department as a school crossing guard. Her love of horses and riding earned her her nickname.

Gladys is survived by her son John at home; daughters Kathy Hoeper and husband Bill of Florida, Karen Nieke of Yulan, Barbara Bernhardt and husband Jim of Yulan and Linda Frank and companion Jack Lewis of Tacoma, WA; grandchildren John Wallace and wife Keely of San Diego CA, James Wallace of Colorado, Jim Nieke of the Bronx, Jim Bernhardt of Rensselaer, NY and Anna Bernhardt Bushey and husband James of Stafford, VA.

Gladys was predeceased by a brother, the Rev. Robert W. Metzger; and a sister, Dorothy Metzger.

A memorial service will be held at a later date. Memorial donations may be made to Hospice of Orange and Sullivan Counties, American Legion Ambulance, Eldred, NY; or the Lymphoma Society.

DAVID EDWARD HADDEN JR

David Edward Hadden Jr. of Carbondale, PA died Thursday, January 22, 2009 at the Lehigh Valley Hospital, Allentown, PA after a courageous battle with brain cancer. He was 52.

His wife is the former Barbara Obloshny. The couple had been married for nine years.

Born in Honesdale, PA, he was the son of Evelyn Miller and the late David Edward Hadden Sr. He attended Honesdale High School and served with the Pennsylvania Army National Guard. He had been employed by Stafursky Trucking & Paving, Archbald, PA and was the log truck driver for Torch Lumber Mill, Carbondale.

A family statement reads: “Dave will be sadly missed by everyone and will certainly never be forgotten. He was always up to a challenge and was always there to help, rain or shine. If it had a steering wheel and tires, he could drive it. If it needed work, he got it running.”

He is also survived by four children, Susan Marie and husband Robert Principal, Gouldsboro, PA, June Marie Sanderson, Carbondale, Monica Marie Hadden and fiance Evan Styer Jr, Simpson, PA, Lawrence Edward Hadden; Carbondale; four grandchildren: Savannah, Austin, Patrick and Benjamin; 13 brothers and sisters, Pat Jennings, Billy Hadden, Anna Masker and Margie Hubbard, all of Honesdale, Eddie Hadden, Pleasant Mount, PA, Julian Hadden, Prompton, PA, Doris Brink, Plant City, FL, Judy Hadden, New York, Barbara DeGroat, Cherry Ridge, PA, Richard and John Miller of Waymart, PA, Beverly Durrance, Ft. Meyers, FL and Tammy Stegner, Beach Lake; and nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by a son, David Bernard Hadden.

The funeral service was Saturday, January 24 in the Joseph W. Scotchlas Funeral Home, Inc., Simpson, PA with services by the Rev. Joseph Kutch.

ANNA MARTIN

Anna Martin of Honesdale, PA died Thursday, January 22, 2009 at Wayne Memorial Hospital, Honesdale. She was 80.

She was preceded in death by her husband Thomas Martin, who died in 1988.

Mrs. Martin was born September 15, 1928 in Ridgewood, NY, daughter of the late Frank and Maria Garafolo Perry. She was a member of St. John’s Roman Catholic Church, Honesdale. A family statement reads, “She was a wonderful mother who provided her family with precious memories of childhood. She enjoyed all of her grandchildren and was thrilled to become a great grandmother.”

Surviving is her sister Alice Perry of Honesdale, with whom she resided; daughters Alice Vitale and husband Phil of Honesdale and Ginger Kasper and husband Tony of Beach Lake, PA; grandchildren Philip Vitale of Quakertown, PA, Thomas Vitale and wife Tracy of White Mills, PA, Steven Vitale and fiancé Veronica of Honesdale, Cinde Boyle and husband Scott of Florida, Sgt. Christopher Kasper, USMC, who is serving a second tour in Iraq and Megan and Lauren Kasper of Beach Lake; great grandchildren Justin and Conner Boyle and Steve Vitale; and nieces and nephews.

She was preceded in death by a granddaughter, Stacey Lynn Kasper; brothers George, Robert, Sam, Edward, Philip, Michael, James and Joseph; and a sister, Marion.

Cremation was held at Maple Hill at Salem Crematory in Archbald, PA. A Memorial Mass was celebrated at St. Mary Magdalen Church in Honesdale on Tuesday, January 27. Interment will be at the convenience of the family in Beach Lake Cemetery.

Contributions can be made to the American Heart Association, 71 N. Franklin St., Wilkes-Barre, PA 18703.

EVELYN MARIE MILLER

Evelyn Marie Miller of Honesdale, PA died Sunday, January 18, 2009 at Moses Taylor Hospital. Her husband is Patrick A.; the couple celebrated 54 years of marriage October 9.

She was born in Vestal, NY, daughter of Elsie Riggles Kunkle and the late Alfred Kunkle.

Evie was educated in New York public schools. She owned and operated Evey’s Flower shop in Honesdale. She was a kind and loving person and was a good friend to all who knew her.

Also surviving are sons Alvin Miller, Waymart, PA, Dale Miller, North Carolina and Dave Miller, Damascus, PA; nine grand and great grandchildren; one sister, Shirley Greeno, New York; and nieces and nephews.

She was preceded in death by brothers Alfred and Dean Kunkle.

Funeral services will be private at the convenience of the family.

SUZANNA MELICHAREK

Suzanna Melicharek of Jeffersonville, NY, a retired office manager and an area resident since 1990, died Friday, January 9, 2009 at the Sullivan County Adult Care Center in Liberty, NY. She was 92.

The daughter of the late Martin and Elizabeth Ryba Melicharek, she was born December 11, 1916 in Manhattan.

She was a member of the Holy Trinity Slovak Church in New York City.

She is survived by sister Olga Cutler of Jeffersonville, NY; sister-in-law Verna Melicharek; and several nieces, nephews and cousins.

She was predeceased by brother, Martin Melicharek; and brother-in-law, William Cutler Sr.

Graveside services were held on Tuesday, January 13, 2009 at the Moravian Cemetery, Staten Island, NY.

Contributions may be made to the Holy Trinity Slovak Lutheran Church, 334 East 20th St., New York, NY 10003 or to the Warthburg Foundation, Warthburg Place, Mt. Vernon, NY 10052.

DONALD V. PURCELL

Donald V. Purcell of Ellenville, NY, a life area resident and a mechanic for J. Kossar Industries, Ellenville, died January 16, 2009 at Westchester Medical Center, Valhalla, NY. He was 79.

The son of Victor and Bertha Embree Purcell, he was born August 6, 1929 in High Falls, NY. He was the widower of Shirley Horton Purcell.

He was a member of the New Testament Church of Jesus Christ, Ellenville and a life member of the Wawarsing Rod & Gun Club, Wawarsing.

Survivors include daughter Stepany Purcell and fiancee Ronald Woodfin of Ellenville; sons Albert Purcell and companion Lavilla of Napanoch, NY and Robert Purcell of Ellenville; grandchildren Angel Purcell and fiancee Ried of Dover Plains, NY, Harmoni VanEtten and husband Roland of Liberty, NY, Brandy Nenman and husband Jay of Narrowsburg, NY, Paul Maloy and wife Alison of Olive Bridge, NY and Heather Manor and husband Frank of Greenfield Park, NY; seven grandchildren; and 12 great grandchildren.

Funeral services were held on Friday, January 23 at the Church of Jesus Christ, Ellenville. Burial was in the Grahamsville Rural Cemetery, Grahamsville, NY.

LAURA SLETNER

Laura Sletner, 39, of Shohola and Beach Lake, PA, passed away Friday, January 23, 2009 at Bon Secours Community Hospital, Port Jervis, NY. She was 39.

The daughter of Johan and Barbara Richter Sletner, she was born March 19, 1969 in Brooklyn, NY.

She was a park ranger for the National Park Service, Barryville, NY, and a board member and volunteer of the Pike County Humane Society.

Survivors include her parents of Milford, PA; sister Sherri Kowalski of Milford; brother Eric Sletner of Shohola; companion Larry Neal of Beach Lake; and her dogs, Daisy, Crystal and Trixie.

Cremation will take place at the convenience of the family.

Memorial donations may be made to the Pike County Humane Society, PO Box 255, Milford, PA 18337.

PETER VALENTIA SR

Peter Valentia Sr. of Port Jervis, NY, a lifetime resident of the area, died Thursday, January 15, 2009, at St. Joseph’s Place. He was 86.

He was born December 16, 1922 in Port Jervis, the son of the late Anthony and the late Carrie Ramsey Valentia. Peter married Katherine Eagan at Culver Lake, NJ and they were married for 53 years before she died February 8, 1996. Peter served his country in the U.S. Navy during World War II. He worked in the Building Maintenance Department for Contel Phone Company in Port Jervis.

A family statement reads: “He was a loving husband, father, brother, grandfather, uncle and friend who enjoyed riding his Vespa Scooter.”

Surviving are son Peter Valentia Jr. and wife Pierette of Cuddebackville, NY; daughters Kathleen Nolan and husband David of Sparrowbush, NY, Darlene Conklin and husband, Kevin of Port Jervis, Donna Green and husband, Danny of Sparrowbush, Robin McKane and husband William of Port Jervis, Jeana Alessandra and husband Carl of Matamoras, PA; 20 grandchildren; 28 great-grandchildren; nieces and nephews; sisters Charlene, Linda, Bonnie, Sandy, Charlotte; brother Anthony; and good friends.

He was predeceased by brothers Eston, Dominick and Joseph Valentia; and two sisters, Catherine Fryer and Agnes Hendrick.

Funeral services were on Saturday, January 17 at the Gray-Parker Funeral Home, Port Jervis, with Deacon Wayne Von Doehren officiating. Cremation was at H.G. Smith Crematory, Stroudsburg, PA, with a spring burial of cremains in St. Mary’s Cemetery, Port Jervis, NY.

Contributions may be made to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, Memorial & Honor Program, 501 St. Jude Place, Memphis, TN 38105-1942.

VIVAN G. VANLEUVEN SR

Vivan G. VanLeuven Sr. of the Town of Mt. Hope, NY, passed away Wednesday, January 21, 2009 at the home of his son and daughter-in-law, Edwin and Mary. He was 75.

He was born on March 3, 1933 in Ellenville, NY, the son of the late Grant and Esther M. Davis VanLeuven. He married Shirley Muller VanLeuven, who predeceased him three weeks earlier on December 24, 2008.

Vivan was the retired owner of Van’s Auto Service, Town of Mt. Hope. He also was a retired maintenance director for the Milford Senior Care Health and Rehabilitation Ctr., Milford, PA and a member of the Otisville Sportsman Club and an avid Ham Radio operator.

He is survived by sons Vivan VanLeuven of the Town of Mt. Hope and Edwin VanLeuven and wife Mary of Otisville, NY; daughter Bonnie Lee Henry of Jeffersonville, NY; brothers Paul VanLeuven of Ellenville, Patrick VanLeuven of Kerhonkson, NY, Tony VanLeuven of Florida and Roger VanLeuven of Ellenville; sisters Ella Dumond of Wawarsing, NY, Mary Sanderson of Kerhonkson and Rachel Gore of Naponoch, NY; son-in-law Paul Barth of Town of Mt. Hope; eight grandchildren; and several nieces and nephews.

He was predeceased by daughter Anne Barth; and granddaughter Sheryl Barth.

Funeral services were held Saturday, January 24 at the Knight-Auchmoody Funeral Home, Port Jervis, NY, with Pastor Steven Sumnick officiating. Interment took place at Rural Valley Cemetery, Cuddebackville, NY.

Memorial donations may be made to Hospice of Orange and Sullivan, 800 Stony Brook Court, Newburgh, NY 12550.