LOIS K. BREWER

Lois K. Brewer of Jeffersonville, NY, a homemaker, died April 25, 2009 at Roscoe Community Nursing Home, Roscoe, NY. She was 84.

The daughter of Benjamin and Clara Schulz Klemer, she was born February 24, 1924 in New York City. She was the widow of John H. Brewer, who died on June 9, 2005.

A family statement reads: “The Brewer family would like to thank the staff at the Wolfe Family Home for Adults and at the Roscoe Community Nursing Home for the wonderful care that their mother received during her stay there.”

Survivors include two sons, Gregory S. Brewer and wife Roseann of Jeffersonville and Douglas S. Brewer of Bethpage, NY; and six grandchildren: Ryan, Gregory, Kevin, Tara, John, and Dianna Brewer.

Funeral services were on Wednesday, April 29 at the Stewart-Murphy Funeral Home, Jeffersonville.

Memorial contributions may be made to JEMS (Jeffersonville Enhances Main Street).

THOMAS RUSSELL KIERAN DUGAN

Thomas Russell Kieran Dugan (“Kieran”) died peacefully early Sunday morning, April 26, in Milanville, PA. He was 83.

Born June 27, 1925 in Taunton, MA, he came to New York in the mid-1950s to join Dorothy Day’s pacifist commune, The Catholic Worker, where he worked as an editor of the Catholic Worker newspaper for about three years.

During the next three decades Kieran was a contributing editor of Current Biography, a library reference publication. After his retirement in 1989 he moved to Ashland, OR, where he continued writing free-lance articles for Current Biography until five weeks before his death.

He is survived by his five daughters, Marianne Dugan, Felicia Hazel, Ianthe Dugan, Elena Dugan and Erika Gordon; his five grandchildren, Selena Dugan-Fields, Sophie DiStefano, Trevor Williams, Caitlin Cooper and Audrey Hazel; his brother Edward Dugan and sister Carol Lucet; his dear friend and former wife, Sheila Dugan, many nieces and nephews, loving friends, and his cat Bandy.

A memorial service is planned for late June.

ROGER J. ERICKSEN

Roger J. Ericksen of Narrowsburg. NY, a retired refrigeration technician and longtime resident of the area, died Wednesday, April 22 at Ellen Memorial Health Care Center in Honesdale. PA. He was 81.

The son of the late Joseph and Thora Ericksen, he was born June 24, 1927 in Staten Island, NY.

Survivors include his wife, Honey Grote Ericksen, his daughter Sandra Ricci, his son Richard Ericksen and his three granddaughters Sidney. Dylan and Madison. all of Florida.

Services will be private at the convenience of the family.

VIRGINIA LU FELTON GAIN

Virginia Lu Felton Gain, a retired LPN and the daughter of the late John and Jesse Cummings Felton, passed peacefully on the morning of April 23, 2009 at her home in Jeffersonville, NY. She was 91.

A native of Southern California, she spent much of her childhood living in and exploring the Mohave desert. She met her late husband, Cameron E. Gain, in California. They were married and had two sons. They later moved back to Cameron’s hometown of Jeffersonville and had two more children.

She was a member of the “Royal Garnetts” Red Hat Ladies, the OES, Hortonville-Beechwoods HBs home bureau, the Presbyterian Church of Jeffersonville, the Presbyterian Women’s Association, and sang in the church choir for many years. She was a devoted nurse.

She is survived by her four children and their spouses, John and Pearl Gain of Jeffersonville, Dr. Ronald and Leandra Gain of Huntington, WVA, Tom and Sandy Gain of Kenoza Lake, NY and Peter and Alice Gain Diehl of Callicoon, NY; 14 grandchildren; 22 great-grandchildren; several nieces and their spouses; and many good friends and neighbors.

She was predeceased by two brothers, Walt and Jack Felton.

A memorial service will be held at 11:00 a.m. on Saturday, May 2 at the First Presbyterian Church of Jeffersonville with the Rev. Lee Andrews officiating.

Donations may be made to the First Presbyterian Church, the Presbyterian Cemetery Fund, the Presbyterian Deacon’s Pantry, Presbyterian Women’s Assoc. or Hospice of Orange and Sullivan Counties. For more information call the church office at 845/482-5549.

WILLIAM HALSTEAD

William Halstead of Barryville, NY, a lifelong area resident, passed away on Saturday, April 18, 2009 at the Catskill Regional Medical Center, Harris, NY. He was 40.

The son of Howard and Karen Travis Halstead, he was born on August 14, 1968 in Goshen, NY.

He was a laborer for Union Local 754 and worked in Rockland County. He lived for racing and loved his racing family. He enjoyed hunting, motorcycling and being with his family and friends. He will be sadly missed by everyone he encountered.

Survivors include his parents, Howard and Karen Halstead of South Fallsburg, NY; his wife, Vera Halstead of Honesdale, PA; son William Halstead of Lake Ariel, PA; stepsons Justin and Cory; brothers Robert Halstead of Swan Lake, NY, Timothy Halstead of Lackawaxen, PA and Michael Halstead and wife Rebecca of Walton, NY; sister Elizabeth McBeath and husband Brian of Callicoon, NY; and several aunts and uncles; cousins; nieces and nephews.

The family will receive friends on Thursday, April 23, from 5:00 to 8:00 p.m. at Ramsay’s Funeral Home, 55 St. John St., Monticello. Funeral services will be held at 8:00 p.m. with Rev. Ivan Csete officiating.

Cremation will take place at Cedar Hill Crematory, Middlehope, NY.

Memorial contributions may be made to Howard and Karen Travis, 20 Lovers Lane, South Fallsburg, NY 12779.

BETTY R. MORSTATT

Betty R. Morstatt of Monticello, NY and Bethany Village Care Center in Bethany, PA, died Wednesday, April 22, 2009 at Wayne Memorial Hospital in Honesdale, PA. She was 95.

The daughter of Jacob and Esther Friedman Rutman, she was born May 30, 1913 in Southbridge, MA.

Mrs. Morstatt was a homemaker, and a loving and devoted grandmother and friend. She was a member of Jewish Women International.

She is survived by granddaughter Jane Benson of North Branch, NY; grandson Robert Flint of Casselberry, FL; nine great-grandchildren, Charles Benson of Gardiner, NY, James Benson of Katonah, NY, Robert Benson of Syracuse, NY; Janel Benson of Hamilton, NY; Tim Benson of Beach Lake, PA; Theresa Hall of Tennessee, Christine Ser of Louisiana; Barbara Stubblefield of Florida and Robert Flint of Nevada; a nephew, David Rutman of Michigan; and 18 great-great grandchildren.

Services were held on Friday, April 24, 2009 at Stewart-Murphy Funeral Home, Callicoon, NY.

Burial took place at 11:15 a.m. on Saturday, April 25 at Mt. Hope Cemetery, Hastings-on-Hudson, NY.

Contributions may be made to Jewish Women International or to the American Red Cross.

RICHARD F. OBERST SR

Richard Oberst Sr, a 35-year area resident, passed away at his home on Sunday, April 26, 2009. He was 74.

The son of the late Frank M. and Charlotte Bijak Oberst, he was born on March 11, 1935 in Cleveland, OH.

Dick was a retired upholstery teacher at the Woodbourne Correctional Facility in Woodbourne. He was a member of St. Joseph’s Church in Mongaup Valley and was a Korean Navy Veteran. He served on the Sullivan County Civil Air Patrol. He also owned and operated Oberst Bros. in Rockaway, Queens, NY.

Dick was married to Caroline for 54 years. He was a creative, inventive and comical guy. He was a hunter, fisherman and private pilot. Dick was adored by his five granddaughters and was surrounded by family throughout his illness.

Survivors include his wife, Caroline Kiesel Oberst at home; son Richard F. Oberst Jr. and wife Susan of Wappinger Falls, NY; daughter Faith Metzinger and husband Gus of Kenoza Lake, NY; brothers David Oberst and wife Kitty of Cleveland, OH and Dennis Oberst and wife Louise of Florida; sisters Dolores Lauerhahs and husband Earl of Cleveland and Charlotte Kalloi and husband Kenneth of Florida; and grandchildren Christine, Kimberly and Kelly Oberst and Colleen and Bridgette Metzinger.

He was predeceased by a brother, Raymond Oberst of Texas.

Private funeral services will be held at the convenience of the family.

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

AUDREY SALVATO

Audrey Salvato of Long Eddy, NY, a homemaker and loving mother and grandmother, died on Saturday, April 18, 2009 at her residence in Queen Creek, AZ. She was 83.

The daughter of the late Percy and Rose Reynolds, she was born May 23, 1925 in Stow Market, England. She resided in Sullivan County for over 30 years.

She was the widow of Vincent Salvato, who died on April 28, 1995.

A family statement reads, “Mom was the foundation of our family with her unwavering strength and love. She touched every life she came in contact with and treasured each friendship. Her greatest joy was spending time with family and her grandchildren. Mom will be greatly missed and cherished forever.”

She is survived by her family, Vincent, Paula, Margaret and Anthony; grandchildren Nicholas and Sophia; step-grandchildren; two brothers-in-law; two sisters-in-law; and many nieces, nephews and godchildren. She also shared a special relationship with the Mulinelli and Seghposs families.

Cremation was made at Angels Cremation in Mesa, AZ. A memorial service will take place in Long Eddy at a later date.

Contributions may be made to the Upper Delaware Valley Ambulance Corps, Callicoon, NY.