GEORGE LESTER BERNHARDT

George Lester Bernhardt of Cochecton, NY, a retired employee of the Town of Bethel Department of Public Works, a dairy farmer and a lifetime resident of the area, died February 20, 2010 at home. He was 93.

The son of George and Lilly Bultz Bower Bernhardt, he was born June 1, 1916 in Cochecton, NY. He was the widower of Hazel Hubbert Bernhardt, who died October 13, 2009.

George was a member of the New York State Trappers Association.

Survivors include daughters Elizabeth Huebsch and husband Harry of Liberty, NY, Martha Huebsch and husband Clay of Cochecton and Judy Zurawski of Liberty; nine grandchildren, seven great-grandchildren; and nieces and nephews.

He was predeceased by a daughter and son-in-law, Shirley and Vern VanOrden; and sister, Lillian Bernhardt Nober.

Graveside services were held on Wednesday, February 24 in Kenoza Lake Cemetery, Kenoza Lake, NY. Burial was in Kenoza Lake Cemetery.

Contributions may be made to the Kenoza Lake Fire Department, Kenoza Lake, NY 12750.

RONALD JOSEPH BENSON

Ronald Joseph Benson of Equinunk, PA died Monday, February 15, 2010 at Wayne Memorial Hospital, Homesdale, PA. He was 61.

He is survived by his wife of 33 years, the former Geraldine “Geri Lou” Guidetti. The couple married June 19, 1976.

Born December 23, 1948 in Staten Island, NY, he was the son of the late Joseph and Ellen Raff Benson.

He was a U.S. Army veteran who served in Vietnam where he earned a Bronze Star and Purple Heart. He worked as a security guard at Willowbrook Center in Staten Island and then retired from Delaware Valley Job Corps in Callicoon, NY.

Ronald was an active member of St. John the Evangelist Parish in Honesdale, PA and a member of the Order of St. Francis, Knights of Columbus Council 363 and Arise Jerusalem Ministry. He was a past member of the Equinunk Fire Co.

Also surviving is his son Joshua Benson of Florida; daughters Jane Marie Skinner and husband Chris of Beach Lake, PA and Marianne Benson of Equinunk; grandchildren Gabriel, Camden and Tristan Skinner and Justin, Michael, Nicholas and Maria Benson.

Cremation was held at Maple Hill at Salem Crematory in Archbald. A Memorial Mass was celebrated Friday, February 19 at St. Mary Magdalen Church. Interment will be in the spring.

Contributions can be made to St. John the Evangelist Parish, 414 Church St. Honesdale, PA 18431.

RICHARD COPERTINO

Richard Copertino of Highland, NY, died Friday, February 12, 2010 at home. He was 48.

Born in Newburgh, NY on January 29, 1962, he was the son of the late Joseph Copertino and Berta (Port) Copertino who resides in Newburgh, NY.

Richard was a fun-loving person and will be greatly missed.

In addition to his mother, he is survived by sisters Susann and husband Michael Mahusky of Bethel, NY and Antonette Brew and companion Jimmy Madormo of Largo, FL; nieces and nephews; and many aunts, uncles and cousins.

He was predeceased by his father, Joseph Copertino.

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

Contributions may be made to an ASPCA of your choice, or The Ulster County Arson Task Force.

LEWIS J. GREENFIELD

Lewis J. Greenfield of White Lake, NY, a retired nightclub captain for the Concord Resort Hotel, died Tuesday, February 16, 2010 at Mt. Sinai Hospital in New York City. He was 66.

The son of the late Albert Greenfield and Martha Kleinberg Greenfield, he was born December 8, 1943 in the Bronx.

Lew is survived by his wife of 45 years, Fran Greenfield; sons Howard Greenfield of Portland, OR and Carl Greenfield and wife Heather of Ft. Riley, KS; brother Arnie Greenfield and wife Meryl of Chicago, IL; sisters Naomi Warm and husband Marvin of the Bronx and Sonia Koppel of Newburgh, NY; several grandchildren; nieces and nephews.

Funeral services were held Friday, February 19 at Temple Sholom in Monticello, NY with Rabbi Michele Brand Medwin officiating. Burial followed at the Temple Sholom Cemetery in Monticello.

Shiva began at the Temple immediately following the burial and continued Saturday night at the Greenfield residence.

Contributions can be made to the Huntington’s Disease Society of America (HDSA), 505 8th Avenue, Suite 902, New York, NY 10018 or to Temple Sholom in Monticello.

DR. JULES FLAX

Dr. Jules Flax, DDS, who served as a dentist in Jeffersonville, NY for 63 years, died Wednesday, February 17, 2010 in Florida. He was 92.

“Doc,” as he was known, dedicated his professional career to the people of Jeffersonville and its surrounding communities. A gentle man with a keen intellect, Doc was a positive force who loved life, had an enormous sense of humor, and found only the good in the folks he served.

He was born in Astoria, Queens on October 18, 1917 to Fanny and Harry Flax.

Jules lost his father at the age of three and was orphaned at 12. Jules graduated from the City College of New York, earning a BS degree at age 19.

He earned his DDS by the age of 23 and interned at the Jersey City Medical Center. Answering an ad placed in a NYC newspaper, Jules became “temporary” dentist in Jeffersonville. Jules bought the practice from Dr. Kove and worked until he was 87. He was a lifetime member of the American Dental Association and missed only one day of work in 63 years.

Jules married Jenny Brownstein on October 18, 1942, beginning a 54-year marriage.

He was a charter member of the Jeffersonville’s Lions Club and an original member of Jeffersonville’s Ambulance Corps. He also cultivated a lifelong attachment for the outdoors and became an avid fly fisher and duck hunter.

Jules is survived by daughters Judith Pearl of San Antonio, TX, Janet Egan of Virginia and Jo Bernhardt of Margaretville, NY; seven grandchildren and five great-grandchildren. He is also survived by a beloved companion, Gloria Gobell.

He is predeceased by his wife, who died in 1996.

Funeral services were held on Tuesday, February 23 at Ramsay’s Funeral Home, Liberty, NY.

Burial took place immediately following the services at the Jeffersonville Hebrew Cemetery in Youngsville, NY.

MANFRED ROBERT KLUGE

Manfred Robert Kluge of Shohola, PA, passed away on Monday, February 15, 2010 at Bon Secours Community Hospital in Port Jervis, NY. He was 80.

He was born May 8, 1929 in Guhrau-Schlessian, Germany, the son of the late Erich Robert and the late Emma Freitag Kluge.

He was a member of St. Jacobi Lutheran Church in Shohola and a former member of the Shohola Volunteer Fire Department. Manfred belonged to the Tri-State German American Club and the Lake Wallenpaupack German American Club, and the UFCW Local #174. He worked as a salesman for Schaller & Weber Delicatessen in New York City.

Survivors include his wife of 50 years, Ingrid Kluge at home; daughters Margaret Green and husband Eric of Quakertown, PA, Petra Kluge of Shohola and Christine Shay and husband Michael of Wanamie, PA; brother Willi Kluge and wife; and sisters Irma Kluge and Inge Wolf and husband Gerhard, all of Germany; grandchildren Shannon and Heather Green of Quakertown, PA and Erica, Peter and Brandon Shay of Wanamie, PA; one niece and one nephew, both of Germany.

Funeral services were held on Friday, February 19 at the Gray-Parker Funeral Home, Inc., Port Jervis. Burial was at German Hill Cemetery, Shohola, PA.

Contributions may be made to St. Jacobi Lutheran Church, 108 Glen Dr., Shohola, PA 18458, or the Shohola Volunteer Fire Dept., 137 Maple Dr., Shohola, PA 18458.

ROBERT E. MACKEY

Robert E. “Bob” Mackey of Port Jervis, NY, a lifetime resident of the area, died Friday, February 19, 2010 at home. He was 72.

He was born April 22, 1937 in Port Jervis, the son of the late Joseph and Mabel MacKechnie Mackey.

Bob married Jackilyn A. “Jackie” Cole 48 years ago on September 9, 1961.

He served his country in the U.S. Marines and as a state trooper in the New York State Police in Kingston, NY and Middletown, NY. Bob worked as a security guard at West Point’s Bullion Depository Mint. He was a member of the NYS PBA and the NYS Trooper’s Association.

Surviving are his wife at home; daughter Melissa Muller and husband Michael, Sparrowbush, NY; mother Mabel Fox, Port Jervis; grandson Michael Robert Muller, Sparrowbush; granddaughter Amanda Jeanne Muller, Sparrowbush; and several nieces and nephews.

He is predeceased by a brother, Joseph Mackey; and step-father Joseph ‘’Poppy’’ Fox.

Friends may call at the Gray-Parker Funeral Home, 100 E. Main St., Port Jervis on Saturday, February 27, 2010 10:00 a.m. to 12:00 noon. A celebration of life will follow at 12:00 noon at the funeral home, with the Rev. Nancy Vonderhorst officiating.

A burial of cremains will follow in the Glen Spey Cemetery, Glen Spey, NY.

Contributions may be made to: Hospice of Orange & Sullivan Counties, 800 Stony Brook Ct, Newburgh, NY 12550.

MARTHA M. MUCZYN

Martha M. Muczyn of Narrowsburg, NY, a lifelong resident of the area, passed away at Allied Services, Scranton, PA on Tuesday, February 16, 2010. She was 86.

She was born in Carbondale, PA on July 17, 1923 to the late Joseph and Sophia Saldika Vaverchak.

Martha was a member of St. Francis Xavier RC Church, Narrowsburg, and the Tusten Ambulance Service. A family statement reads: “Martha was a devoted and loving housewife, mother and grandmother. She loved spending time with her grandchildren; they touched her heart. She will dearly be missed.”

Survivors include her daughters Maryann Rutledge and husband Howard of Wellsboro, PA, Judith Cili of Colorado, Catherine Cousins and husband Rick of Alabama, Sally Ward of Monticello, NY and Susan Kaiser of Scranton; brother William Vaverchak of Carbondale, PA; seven grandchildren; seven great grandchildren; and several nieces and nephews.

She is predeceased by her husband Walter Muczyn in 1996; and by five brothers.

A Mass of Christian Burial was held on Friday February 19 at St. Francis Xavier RC Church, Narrowsburg, with the Rev. William Scully O.F.M. officiating. Christian burial was in St. Francis Cemetery, Narrowsburg,

Donations may be made to Tusten Vol. Ambulance Corps PO Box 34 Narrowsburg, NY, St. Francis Xavier RC Church 151 Bridge St. Narrowsburg, NY 12764; or Sacred Heart Hospice Scranton, PA.

WILLIAM C. VAN INWEGEN

William C. Van Inwegen of Dunnellon, FL and a life-long resident of Port Jervis, NY passed away Saturday February 13, 2010 at his home. He was 68.

Bill was born June 2, 1941, in Huguenot, NY to the late Ralph S. and Marie McCarthy Van Inwegen.

He was a retired meter technician for Orange & Rockland Utilities, Inc., Port Jervis. He married Lois A. Gallagher Van Inwegen on May 18, 1963, who survives at home.

Bill was a member of the Deerpark Reformed Church, Port Jervis, and of the Port Jervis bowling league. A family statement reads, in part: “Bill was an avid sports fan who loved NASCAR as well as all the grandchildren’s activities and sports. He was a loving husband, father, Poppy and uncle. He will be sadly missed and would like to be remembered for the good times and happiness that we shared.”

In addition to his wife, he is survived by daughter Kathryn M. Gehm and husband Bill of Lisle, NY; son William M. Van Inwegen and wife Lisa of Sparrowbush, NY, brother Hugh Van Inwegen and wife Patricia of Louden, TN; grandchildren Krista Marie, Kayla Megan, and Matthew James Gehm, Lara Nicole, William Francis. and Emily Ann Van Inwegen; sister-in-law Karen Rupp and husband Paul of South Dakota; nieces and nephews; several cousins and great nieces and nephews; and his beloved pet Shadow.

He was predeceased by his brother, Joseph Van Inwegen.

Memorial services will be held in the spring at the Knight-Auchmoody Funeral Home, Inc., Port Jervis. Rev. Ann Rost will officiate. Interment will take place at Pine Hill Cemetery, Sparrowbush.

Donations may be made to the Port Jervis-Deerpark Humane Society, Route 209, Port Jervis, NY 12771