ROBERT A. BENNEDUM

Robert A. Bennedum, a lifelong resident of Fosterdale, NY and owner of Bob’s Small Engine Repair in Fosterdale, died October 7, 2009 at Achieve Rehab & Nursing Facility in Liberty, NY. He was 76.

The son of Carl and Eva Coe Bennedum, he was born September 2, 1933 in Lake Huntington, NY. He was married to Marie Jobmann Bennedum.

Bob proudly served in the U.S. Air Force during the Korean War.

He is survived by his wife, Marie Jobmann Bennedum, at Achieve Rehab & Nursing Facility in Liberty, NY; two daughters, Deborah and John Burke of Liberty and Cindy and Eric Kashan of Monticello, NY; one niece and several nephews.

He is predeceased by a brother, William Bennedum; and a sister, Alice Edwards.

Funeral services were held on Saturday, October 10, 2009 at Stewart-Murphy Funeral Home, Jeffersonville, NY.

Burial was made in Fosterdale Cemetery.

Contributions may be made to the Lake Huntington Fire Company or to the Cochecton Volunteer Ambulance Corps.

MARY BAUM

Graveside services for Mary Baum will be held on Saturday, October 17 at 11 a.m. at the Hortonville Cemetery in Hortonville, NY.

A luncheon will follow at the Callicoon Center Firehouse, Callicoon, NY.

MARY MOSELLA SEARING CULLEN

Mary Mosella Searing Cullen lost her long, courageous battle with ovarian cancer on October 4, 2009. She was 63.

Mary was born in Point Pleasant, NJ to the late Mary Matthews Searing and Robert Cuyler Searing.

She has resided in Sullivan County since 1981.

She graduated from Wall High School in Wall, NJ and Rowan Institute, Glassboro State College, Glassboro, NJ, in 1968.

She taught elementary school in Brick, NJ and Jeffersonville and Liberty, NY for many years before becoming a home health aide and, later, a chef at the Western Hotel, Callicoon, NY.

Mary was a member, former elder and substitute organist at Hortonville Presbyterian Church, Hortonville, NY and organist at St. Mary’s Catholic Church, Obernburg, NY. She participated in the Hortonville Beautification Project.

She enjoyed traveling, gardening, music, caring for children and helping others. She was affectionately known as “Mary Sunshine.”

Mary is survived by her son, Scott Bailey of Nashville, TN.; her daughter, Marla Sue Bailey of Salt Lake City, UT; sisters Arlene Jolly-Hartman and husband Ted, Sierra Vista, AZ and Sue Knohl of Chicago, IL; four nephews; her devoted life-partner, Bernard Rothman of Damascus, PA, and her family of her heart, Randi and Scott Berger, New Jersey and Laurence Rothman, Canada; and four beloved grandsons, Joshua, Ethan, Daniel and Jake.

Mary is preceded in death by her stepmother, Marjorie Fink Searing.

Funeral services were held Friday, October 9, 2009 at the Hortonville Presbyterian Church, Hortonville, NY.

Interment will be made at Woodlawn Cemetery, Lakewood, NJ at a later date.

Contributions may be made to the Hortonville Presbyterian Church, Hortonville, NY or to Hope Lodge, 132 West 32nd St., New York, NY 10001.

EUDORA E. FERBER

Eudora E. Stoesser Ferber, a homemaker and a lifetime resident of the area, died October 11, 2009 at the Roscoe Community Nursing Home in Roscoe, NY. She was 96.

The daughter of William and Dora Stewart Turk Stoesser, she was born October 23, 1912 in Fremont Center, NY. She was married to the late Lawrence Ferber.

Eudora was a member of the Hortonville Presbyterian Church, the Ladies Aid Society of the church and a member of the Hortonville H-Bees.

She is survived by one son, Richard Ferber of Hortonville, NY; two daughters, Ruth Ruffo of Endicott, NY, and Donna Ferber of Louisville, CO; ten grandchildren; and several great-grandchildren.

Funeral services were held on Wednesday, October 14 at the Stewart-Murphy Funeral Home, Upper Main St., Callicoon, NY with Pastor Nancy Asbury officiating.

Burial was in Hortonville Cemetery, Hortonville.

Contributions may be made to Hortonville Presbyterian Church, Hortonville, NY 12745 or to The Residents Fund of the Roscoe Community Nursing Home, 420 Rockland Road, Roscoe, NY 12776.

PHILIP NIOSI

Philip Niosi of Sparrowbush, NY, a longtime resident of the area, died Sunday, October 4, 2009 at Bon Secours Community Hospital, Port Jervis with his family by his side. He was 77.

He was born September 12, 1932 in Hoboken, NJ, the son of the late Rosario Niosi and the late Maria Cerone Niosi. Phil married Anna May Brown Niosi on April 8, 1952. Anna May died October 16, 1996 after 44 years of marriage.

Philip owned and operated the Mighty “M” Motel along with his wife in Sparrowbush, NY. Phil was also a self-employed floor covering installer.

He was a member of St. Mary’s R.C. Church, Port Jervis.

He served in the U.S. Navy during the Korean Conflict.

A family statement reads: “He enjoyed oil painting and was self taught. Even after being diagnosed with Parkinson’s disease, he continued to enjoy his hobby, doing over 60 paintings in his Parkinson’s years.

“He recently debuted his artwork at this year’s Port Jervis Arts Walk. His family was his life and he loved each and every one of them so much.”

Survivors include son Russell Niosi and wife, Janet; daughters Carrie Niosi, Mary Millspaugh and husband Jim, and Patricia Niosi and boyfriend Patrick Cox; sister-in-law Mary Lowe and husband Bob of Seaford, NY; sister Vincezia Ritigulano of Queens, NY; grandsons Philip J., Alexander and Nicholas Niosi; granddaughters Elyssa and Eileen Millspaugh; and nieces and nephews.

In addition to his wife, he is predeceased by a sister, Nicolina Lumina.

Funeral services were held on Wednesday, October 7 at the Gray-Parker Funeral Home, Port Jervis, followed by a Mass of Christian Burial at St. Mary’s R.C. Church, Port Jervis, with Rev. George Hafemann officiating.

Burial was to be at St. Mary’s Cemetery, Port Jervis.

Memorial contributions may be made to the Parkinson’s Foundation or St. Joseph’s Place, 160 E. Main St., Port Jervis, NY 12771.

FLORENCE C. STUART

Florence C. Stuart, 86, a lifelong resident of the area, passed away on Friday, October 9, 2009, at the Wayne Memorial Hospital, Honesdale, PA. She was the widow of David Stuart, who passed away on January 10, 2005. They had been married for 42 years.

She was born January 16, 1923 in Honesdale, PA to the late Grant S. and Clara Alberta Pethick Collins.

She was a devoted member of the United Methodist Church of Narrowsburg, NY. She loved her church and was a big part of the community. She was an avid and talented quilter, sewer and needlepointer. She was proud of growing up on a farm in Honesdale, PA. She will greatly be missed.

Surviving are her two sons, Thomas V. LeStrange and his wife Bonnie and David Stuart and his wife Trish of Bethany, PA; a step-daughter Susan Ferrerio and her husband Joseph of Uniondale, PA; a brother, Arthur Collins of Vestal, NY; two sisters, Margery Freiermuth of Honesdale, PA and Alice Rivenburg of Honesdale, PA; five grandchildren and two great grandchildren; and several nieces and nephews.

A funeral service was held at the funeral home on Monday, October 12, 2009 at 11:00 a.m. Burial took place at Glen Cove Cemetery, Narrowsburg, NY.

Donations may be made to the Narrowsburg United Methodist Church, PO Box 776, Callicoon, NY 12723 or the Dessin Animal Shelter 138 Miller Rd., Honesdale PA, 18431.