GARY BATZEL

Gary Batzel of Eldred, NY, a longtime resident of the area, died Wednesday, July 28, 2010 at Bon Secours Community Hospital, Port Jervis, NY. He was 63.

The son of the late Kenneth and Edith Batzel, he was born March 3, 1947 in Scranton, PA.

Gary was the owner of Batzel’s Bait Shop and he sold produce from a roadside stand in Barryville. NY.

Survivors include his wife of 39 years, Laura Sergeant Batzel; sons Michael of Livingston Manor, NY and Gary and wife Eileen of Port Jervis, NY; daughter Stacy of Livingston Manor; grandchildren Dylan, Jesse, Timothy, Erin and Kaitlyn; sister Lois Kiser of Port Jervis; and several nieces and nephews.

He is predeceased by brothers Charlie and Donald.

Funeral services were held on Saturday, July 31, 2010 at the Harrison Rasmussen Funeral Home, Barryville.

Burial followed in Montoza Cemetery Eldred, NY.

GEORGE GARY BLACKMAN

George Gary Blackman, an almost lifelong resident of Port Jervis, NY, passed away unexpectedly on Sunday, July 25, 2010 at Tulane University Hospital in New Orleans, LA. He was 63.

Son of the late George and June Blackman, Gary was born on October 6, 1946 in Port Jervis.

When living in Port Jervis, Gary was an active member and elder of the First Presbyterian Church in Port Jervis. In his youth, he was an Eagle Scout. He moved from Port Jervis to New Orleans almost five years ago to be closer to family. He and his wife celebrated their 37th wedding anniversary on July 14.

His favorite thing was to spend time with family and his rescue dogs, Jackson and Rufus. At the time of his death, he worked for Domino Sugar in Arabi, LA. Everyone who knew him will miss his stories and sense of humor.

He is survived by his wife, Patricia Blackman; sister Tammy Blackman Curtis and husband Robert Curtis of Sparrowbush, NY; children David Blackman, Colin Blackman, and Karen Blackman Hargrave and husband Don Hargrave; grandchildren Tyler, Logan, and Sarah Hargrave; and two nephews.

He is predeceased by one sister, Audrey Blackman Hewitz.

Services were held on Saturday, July 31, at St. Philip’s Episcopal Church in Algiers, LA.

Contributions may be made to the Arthritis National Research Foundation ( curearthritis.org ), or to the Humane Society or ASPCA.

DOROTHY ALMA VOIGT COSTELLO

Dorothy Alma Voigt Costello of Shohola Township, PA passed away on July 31, 2010 at the Belle Reve Assisted Living Center in Milford, PA under the care of Karen Ann Quinlan Hospice. She was 101.

She was born on September 18, 1908 in Hawley, PA to Arno Constantine Voigt, MD and Elizabeth Loretta Shanley. She was also the stepdaughter of Rachael Davies Voigt and Eleanor Croop Voigt.

Dorothy graduated from the Hawley High School in 1926. She was an accomplished pianist and harpist and attended the Julliard School of Music in New York City. She played with the symphony in Port Jervis, NY. She co-owned and operated the Cos-Mid Inn (now known as the Windy Dog) at Twin Lakes. She was an accomplished quilter.

Surviving are her daughter Beth Eleanor Costello Nikles and husband Edward of Twin Lakes, PA; sons James Voigt Costello of Brooklyn, NY and Dan Thomas Costello and wife Katherine of Mountaintop, PA; grandchildren Edward Daniel Nikles and wife Denise of Milford, Diane Julia Nikles Chudoba and husband David of Milford, Toby Lynn Costello Landon and husband James of Kingston, PA, Erik Costello of Brooklyn, Douglas Costello of Mountaintop and Dr. Andrew B. Costello and wife Jamie of Carlisle, PA; sister in law, Katherine Chapman Voigt of Hawley; eight great grandchildren; and nieces, nephews and cousins.

She is predeceased by her husband, Charles James “Cos” Costello in 1972; brothers Arno Voigt and George Voigt; sister Janet Voigt Silverman; and a niece and nephew.

Visitation will be held on Thursday, August 5 from 6:00 to 8:00 p.m. at the Teeter Funeral Home in Hawley. A service will be held on August 6 at 11:00 a.m. at St. Ann’s Roman Catholic Church, Shohola.

Interment will be at held at the Queen of Peace Cemetery in Hawley.

Donations may be made to The Center for Developmental Disabilities of Pike County, Ltd (CDD), Attn: Vice President of Development, 101 Pocono Drive, Suites 2 and 3, Milford, PA 18337.

JOHN ERICKSON

John Erickson of Long Eddy, NY, born January 1, 1942, lost his battle with cancer on Tuesday, July 27, 2010. He was 68.

John retired in September from Woodloch Pines Maintenance Dept. He had served in the U.S. Navy.

He is survived by his wife Rosemary at home; children John Erickson and wife Grace of Seattle, WA, Kim Erickson of Honesdale, PA and Kristofor Erickson and wife Rebecca; and two granddaughters.

The family will have a memorial service at a later date.

Donations can be made to the Wayne County Library, North Main St., Honesdale, PA 18431 or your local library.

JOYCE CASTERLINE FOSTER

Joyce Casterline Foster of Comstock, NY, previously of Sullivan County, passed away July 27, 2010 in Glens Falls, NY. She was 81.

The daughter of Eva and Clifford Brink, Joyce was born May 29, 1929 in Cochecton Center, where she lived most of her life.

She was retired from Monticello Raceway after 30 years of dedicated service.

A family statement says, “Mom was one of the most remarkable grandmothers, mother and friend. Her unlimited devotion to her family will never be forgotten and will be carried on in all of us.”

She is survived by sisters, Mildred Asea of Paterson, NJ; sons, Steven Casterline and wife Susan of Scituate, MA, Lawrence Casterline and wife Ilene of Paris, ME and David Casterline and wife Janice of Comstock, NY; daughters Patricia Santana and husband Carlos of Landing, NJ, Brenda Nelson of Monticello and Kim Baum of Youngsville, NY; 16 grandchildren; and 15 great-grandchildren.

A celebration of her life will be held at a later date.

Donations may be made to the St. Baldrick’s Foundation for Amanda Baum ( stbaldricks.org/ participants/amandabaum or call 888-899-BALD, (an organization for children’s cancer research, for which her granddaughter will have her head shaved in September).

PAUL H. WASMAN

Paul H. Wasman of Honesdale, PA died Saturday, July 31, 2010 at Wayne Memorial Hospital. He was 87.

He was preceded in death by his wife, the former Mildred Sobolak, on July 30, 1991. The couple married in 1945.

Born September 26, 1922 in Honesdale, he was the son and last surviving member of the Leo and Bertha Tuch Wasman family.

A U.S. Army veteran of World War II, Paul retired after 25 years from Farview State Hospital, where he was a guard. He was a member of St. John the Evangelist Parish in Honesdale. He was a member of the Cherry Ridge Fishing Club. He enjoyed hunting, fishing and gardening.

Surviving is his daughter Marianne Wasman of Honesdale; brother-in-law Fred Sobolak of Milanville, PA; sister-in-law Agnes Wilcox of Milanville; nieces, nephews and friends.

He is preceded in death by daughter Sandra L. Thorpe; brothers Donald, Bruce, Clarence and Robert Wasman; and sister Mildred McCormick.

Cremation was held at Maple Hill at Salem Crematory. A graveside service will be held at a later date in St. Mary’s Cemetery.

Contributions may be made to the Dessin Animal Shelter, 138 Miller Dr. Honesdale, PA 18431.