JOHN H. BEERS

John H. Beers, a lifelong resident of Dyberry Township, PA, passed away on August 18, 2009 at Bethany Village, Bethany, PA. He was predeceased by his wife, the former Catherine Artman, in 2008. He was 91.

Son of the late George and Ethel Maddaford Beers, he was born June 21, 1918. He attended the seer School in Dyberry Township,PA and was a former employee of the Wayne County Courthouse, John Bonham Construction Company of Honesdale, PA and the Murray Company of Honesdale. He was a lifetime member of the Bethany United Methodist Church and a member of the Beech Grove Grange. Throughout his life he enjoyed a rich and varied musical career and was known as a founder of the Old Time Fiddlers. He had also been a member and leader of other bands including the Country Ramblers, who played at many Wayne and Pike County dances. He is also well remembered for his vocal performances and signature songs at the Bethany Spring Show and with the Old Time Fiddlers.

He is survived by two nieces, Beverly Beers and husband Nick Hindley of Dyberry Township and Bonnie Beers and husband Jack Burcher; great niece Jessica Beers-Hindley of Hawley, PA; great nephew Berry Butcher of New York City; and a great-great niece.

In addition to his wife, he is predeceased by his brother and sister-in law, Francis and Thelma Beers.

A funeral service was held Sunday, August 23, 2009 in the Bethany United Methodist Church with Rev. Val Rommel officiating. A private interment will be held at the family’s convenience in the Bethany Cemetery.

Contributions may he made to the Old Time Fiddlers, c/o Steve Jacobi, 17 Fiddler’s Lane, Equinunk, PA 18417.

ROSE FAILLA

Rose Failla of Roscoe, NY, a retired bank secretary for LaFayette National Bank, Brooklyn, NY, and a longtime area resident, died Monday, August 24, 2009 at the Achieve Rehab and Nursing Facility, Liberty, NY. She was 88.

The daughter of the late Peter and Anna Cotto Morello, she was born October 24, 1920 in Torrington, CT.

Rose was a member of Roscoe Presbyterian Church and the Roscoe-Rockland Senior Citizens.

Survivors include one son, Peter M. Failla and wife Lisa of Roscoe; and four grandchildren, Rachel Failla and her companion Timothy Mullally of Jeffersonville, NY, Diana Failla of Cohoes, NY, Nicole Failla of Roscoe and Michael Failla of Roscoe.

Rose was predeceased by her husband, Michael Failla, on March 28, 1992.

Funeral services were held Friday, August 28, 2009 in the Roscoe Presbyterian Church with The Rev. Nancy Ashbury officiating.

Contributions may be made to the Roscoe Presbyterian Church, Roscoe, NY 12776 or to the Roscoe-Rockland Vol. Ambulance Corps, Roscoe, NY 12776.

FLORENCE EVA MCCARTHY

Florence Eva McCarthy of Port Orange, FL, formerly of Shohola, PA, passed away quietly surrounded by her family at Halifax Health Hospice, Port Orange, on August 1, 2009. She was 90.

Florence was born in Greeley, PA, the youngest of nine children, who are all deceased. She was a homemaker, loved to crochet, dance and cook and bake for her family. Her greatest joy was watching her grandchildren grow.

She is predeceased by her husband of 62 years, Peter J. McCarthy.

She leaves behind her son, Robert P. McCarthy and his wife Carol of Port Orange; grandchildren Brian and wife Joyce, Sean and Tara and husband Jason.

There will be a graveside service on Friday, September 11 at 12:00 noon at St. Ann’s Cemetery on German Hill in Shohola, PA. Father Thomas Major will officiate. She will be laid to rest with her beloved husband.

Contributions may be made to Halifax Health Hospice, 3800 Woodbriar Trail, Port Orange, FL 32129.

ADA M. REED

Ada M. Reed of Scottsville, NY, a longtime resident of Middletown and Glen Spey, NY, passed away peacefully at home on Saturday, August 22, 2009. She was 88.

Ada retired from the Middletown school district after a career in elementary education. She was a member of Eastern Star, Beta Sigma Phi Sorority and Grace Episcopal Church. After retiring she enjoyed many years wintering in Stuart, FL and spending summers in Glen Spey. Ada’s last seven years were spent in Rochester, NY near her daughter and grandchildren. She suffered from several chronic diseases and had been ill for a long time.

She is survived by her daughter, Marissa and husband Michael Stone; grandsons Austin and Adrien; her son Robert; sisters-in-law Sally and Kathryne Reed; nephew Chris Reed; nieces Ginny Woods and Karen Morse; great-nieces, nephews, cousins and many beloved friends.

She is predeceased by her husband, William; parents Walter and Mae Smith; sister Hilda Smith; brothers-in-law Harry, Walter, George and Robert Reed; sister-in-law Catherine Reed; father and mother-in-law George and Anna Reed; and special cousin, Kenneth House.

A private service was held on August 22, 2009 in Scottsville. Interment will be private at the convenience of family.

Contributions may be made to Wheatland Senior Center, 22 Main St., Scottsville, NY 14546.

ARIETTA SMITH

Arietta Smith, a homemaker and resident of Youngsville, NY, passed away on Sunday, August 23, 2009 at Catskill Regional Medical Center, Harris, NY. She was 84.

She was born on December 18, 1924 in Peakville, NY to the late Clark and Lillian Decker Hinkley.

Arietta was a member of the Parksville Methodist Church and a lifetime member of the Ladies Auxiliary of the Clarence Hoyt Post #9217 VFW, Liberty, NY.

She is survived by her husband of 53 years, Arthur D. Smith at home; two sons, Richard Muzuruk Jr. of Weymouth, MA and Robert Muzuruk of Narrowsburg, NY; two daughters, Regina Weinberger of Liberty, NY and Dorothea Mattison of Monticello, NY; a brother, Clark Hinkley of New Jersey; eight grandchildren; six great-grandchildren; and several nieces and nephews.

Funeral services were on Friday, August 28, at Ramsay’s Funeral Home, Liberty and burial followed in Liberty Cemetery.

Donations may be made to Parksville Methodist Church, Parksville, NY 12768.

RUTH VITANZA

Ruth Vitanza of Barryville, NY died Wednesday, August 26, 2009 at Belle Reve in Milford, PA. She was 83.

Ruth was born in Central Falls, RI, on May 19, 1926, the daughter of the late Alvin Lowell Havens and the late Ruth Patterson and stepmother, Ellen Palmer. She was married on September 25, 1948 to the late Theodore “Ted” Vitanza, who passed away on February 14, 2006.

A family statement reads: “Mom’s happiest moments were when she was helping someone else as a registered nurse at the Bronx VA Hospital and during her many years of faithful service to Epiphany and St. Simon’s Church in Brooklyn and Grace Episcopal Church in Port Jervis, NY where she was honored with the Bishop’s Cross. Mom was a member of the Yulan Fire Department Ladies Auxiliary, and was known as ‘Dr. Ruth’ at the Sunshine Hall Free Library for her skill at covering and mending books.”

Surviving are daughters Ruth-Ellen LaRuffa and husband Tony of Barryville, Elizabeth Northshield and husband Charles of Rye, NY and Jane Margeson and husband Charles of Amityville, NY; grandchildren Ted and Cindy La Ruffa, Bill and Lindsay LaRuffa, Sarah and Steve Hamilton, Andrew and Bryn Northshield, John and Jen Margeson, Toni Ann LaRuffa and Kaitlyn Margeson; and six great-grandchildren.

She was predeceased by her husband; sister Thyra Fisher; and brothers Alvin and Douglas Havens.

A Mass of Resurrection was held on Saturday, August 29, at Grace Episcopal Church with The Rev. David Lee Carlson officiating. Burial was at Montoza Cemetery, Barryville.

Contributions may be made to Grace Episcopal Church Building Fund, 84 Seward Ave., Port Jervis, NY 12771.

DAKOTA LEE WILLIAMS

Dakota Lee Williams of Honesdale, PA died Tuesday, August 25, 2009 at CMC in Scranton, PA from injuries received in an automobile accident. She was 18.

Born July 14, 1991 in Honesdale, she is the daughter of Tony and Amy Williams of Honesdale.

She attended Honesdale High School and worked as a waitress at the Narrowsburg Inn and Main Street Cafe in Narrowsburg, NY. Dakota enjoyed being with family and friends, the outdoors, and animals, especially her dog Harley. She was a member of St. John’s Evangelical Lutheran Church in Honesdale.

Also surviving is her sister Alyssa “Gunk-Gunk” of Honesdale; paternal grandparents Russ and Nancy Williams of Hawley, PA; maternal grandmother Hazel Williams of Honesdale; paternal great grandmother Marion C. Williams of Honesdale; and many aunts, uncles and cousins.

She was preceded in death by her maternal grandfather, Vannie B. Williams.

Funeral services were held on August 29 at St. John’s Evangelical Lutheran Church with Pastor Kenneth Buckwalter officiating. Burial followed in St. John’s Lutheran Cemetery.

Memorial contributions may be made to the Dessin Animal Shelter, 138 Miller Rd. Honesdale, PA 18431.