Our Obituaries

CAROLYN LOUISE KROGER Matamoras, PA Carolyn Louise Kroger, a retired Bookkeeper for Barbara Quilting Co., Port Jervis, NY, and a life long area resident, died Thursday, July 29, 2004 at Milford Senior Care, Milford, PA. She was 88. Daughter of the late Adolf and Caroline Kleinert Gallondorn, she was born May 11, 1916 in Port Jervis. She was married to the late Ralph B. Kroger. Mrs. Kroger was a member of St. Joseph's RC Church, Matamoras, PA; member of the Alter and Rosary Society of St Joseph's; and a member of the Catholic Daughters Court Madonna # 114, Port Jervis. Survivors include two sons: Daniel Kroger and his wife Alberta of Matamoras, PA and Jerome Kroger and his wife Anne of Laguna Niguel, CA; two grandchildren: Laura and Edward; one great granddaughter, Levi, also several nieces and nephews. She was predeceased by her son, Ralph B. Kroger Jr.; her grandson, David; her brother, Nicholas Gallondorn; also her sister, Florence Gore. Friends may call Saturday, July 31 prior to services. Funeral Services will be held Saturday, July 31, 2004 at 10 a.m. in The Knight-Auchmoody Funeral Home, 154 E. Main St., Port Jervis, NY. Rev. August Ricciardi officiating. Burial will be in Pine Grove Cemetery, Matamoras, PA. Contributions may be made to the Residents Activities Fund c/o Milford Senior 264 Route 7 & 209, Milford, PA 18337. Funeral arrangements by Knight-Auchmoody Funeral Home Inc., 154 E. Main St., Port Jervis. For information, directions or to send a condolence note to the family visit Knight-Auchmoody.com

ROSE FOLLRICH Port Jervis, N.Y. Rose Follrich, a homemaker and 36-year area resident, died Wednesday, July 28, 2004 at the Salem Health Care Center, South Salem, N.Y. She was 92. She was born on September 20, 1911 in Czchoslavakia and was married to the late Frederick Follrich. She was a member of St. Mary's R.C. Church, Port Jervis. Survivors include her very close and dear friends including, John and Elizabeth Wagner and family of South Salem, N.Y., Willie Fakundiny and family, Albert Fakundiny and family, Lydia Fakundiny of Ithaca, N.Y. Funeral services will be held at 10:15 a.m., Friday, July 30 at the Knight-Auchmoody Funeral Home, 154 E. Main St., Port Jervis. A Mass of Christian Burial will follow at 11 a.m. at St. Mary's R.C. Church, Port Jervis. The Rev. Dennis Dinan will officiate. Burial will be in St. Mary's Cemetery in Port Jervis. Arrangements by Knight-Auchmoody Funeral Home. For information, directions or to send a condolence note to the family, visit Knight-Auchmoody.com

GLADYS B. HAMILTON Port Jervis, N.Y. Gladys B. Hamilton, a retired confidential secretary for State Supreme Court, Goshen and lifelong area resident, died Tuesday, July 27, 2004 at St. Joseph's Place, Port Jervis. She was 100. The daughter of the late Michael J. and Julia Joyce Brown, she was born July 24, 1904 in Pittsburgh, Pa. She married the late Frederick J. Hamilton on May 31, 1926 and passed away on August 15, 1941. She was a member the Deerpark Reformed Church, Port Jervis and past organist for the First Baptist Church, Port Jervis. Gladys served the city of Port Jervis, Orange County and the State of New York through her employment with the Port Jervis City Clerk's Office, Port Jervis Health Dept. She was a Secretary for Congresswoman St. George, Secretary for the Honorable Judge John W. Sweeney and as a Republican State Committeewoman. Gladys also co-founded the Port Jervis Business and Professional Woman's Organization. Survivors include two daughters, Ann McElroy of Matamoras, Pa., Josephine J. Mosher of Milford, Pa.; her son-in-law, Nelson Hammond of Port Jervis; 10 grandchildren; 16 great-grandchildren; seven great-great-grandchildren. She was predeceased by her daughter, Jean Hammond. Private graveside services will be held at the convenience of the family at Pine Hill Cemetery, Sparrowbush. Burial will be in Pine Hill Cemetery. Contributions may be made to St. Joseph's Place, Bon Secours Health System, Port Jervis, NY 12771. Funeral arrangements by Knight-Auchmoody Funeral Home. For information, directions or to send a condolence note to the family visit Knight-Auchmoody.com

LEROY M. STUCKER Port Jervis, N.Y. Leroy M. Stucker, a ret. Officer for the Division of Youth, State of New York, at GoshenSecured and a life-long area resident, died Friday, July 23, 2004 at St. Josephs Place, Port Jervis, NY. Son of the late Florence Stucker, he was born February 3, 1932 in Manhattan, NY. Mr. Stucker was a Veteran of the Korean War, U.S. Army; a member and Past Commander of Roosa-Fleming VFW Post 161, Port Jervis, NY and former Chaplain; he was Past County Commander of the Orange County Veteran's Assoc; member of the N.R.A.(National Rifle Association); member of American Legion Post 0486, Matamoras, PA; and the Tri-State Rod and Gun Club. Survivors include tow daughters: Linda Cook and her husband Donald of Yulan, NY and Alice Berth and her husband John of Canoga Park, CA; his former wife, Elaine Lambert Race of Ft. Lauderdale, FL; one grandson, Dustin Cook; three cousins: Sally Von Sauers of Port Jervis, Karen Hinkley of Port Jervis and Jane Stucker of New Jersey; one aunt, Helen Stucker of Port Jervis, NY. Friends may call Tuesday, July 27 from 2 to 4 and 7 to 9 p.m. at the Knight-Auchmoody Funeral Home, 154 E. Main St., Port Jervis. His Funeral will be held on Wednesday, July 28 at 11 a.m. at the funeral home. Rev. Richard Carton will officiate. Roosa-Fleming VFW Services will be held on Tuesday evening at 7 p.m. Burial will be with Military Honors in Pine Hill Cemetery, Sparrowbush, NY. Conrtibutions may be made to the American Cancer Society or Roosa-Fleming V.F.W. Post 161 Port Jervis 12771. Funeral arrangements by Knight-Auchmoody Funeral Home Inc., 154 E. Main St., Port Jervis, NY. For information, directions or to send a condolence note to the family, visit knight-auchmoody.com

VILYA SHPIGEL Port Jervis, N.Y. Vilya Shpigel, a Nuclear Medicine Technologist for Bon Secours Comm. Hosp., Port Jervis and an area resident for many years, died Wednesday, July 21, 2004 at Bon Secours Comm. Hospital, Port Jervis. He was 57. Son of the late Israel and Golda Shpigel, he was born March 10, 1947 in Ukraine. He married Aleksandra Eidelman Shpigel, who survives. He was a member of Temple Beth-El, Port Jervis, NY and a graduate of Tomsk College of Engineering in the Ukraine. Survivors include his wife at home, Aleksandra Eidelman Shpigel; one son, Eugene Shpigel of New York City, NY; one daughter, Mayya Khariton and her husband Alex of Edison, NJ; one sister, Pololina Kigin of Los Angeles, CA; two grandchildren: Daniel and Aaron Khariton, also three nieces. His Funeral will be held Friday, July 23 at 3 p.m. in the Knight-Auchmoody Funeral Home, 154 E., Main St., Port Jervis, NY. Rabbi Johanan Bickhardt. Burial will be in Temple Beth-El Cemetery, Port Jervis, NY. Funeral arrangements by Knight-Auchmoody Funeral Home, Inc., 154 E. Main St., Port Jervis, NY. For information, directions or to send a condolence note to the family, visit Knight-Auchmoody.com

JULIA E. ELLSON Port Jervis, N.Y. Julia E. Ellson, a homemaker and life0long area resident, died July 18, 2004 at her home. She was 63. Born July 22, 1940 in Port Jervis, she is the daughter of the late George and Leila (Quick) Kurtz. She is married to the late W. Donald Ellson Sr. Survivors include 4 sons: Donald Ellson Jr. of Cambridge, OH, Thomas Beals of Matamoras, PA, John Ellson . of Port Jervis, NY and Daniel and his wife Jen of Port Jervis; one daughter, Jackie Culver and her husband Bill Culver of Matamoras, PA; five sisters: Barbara Ogrodnick of SParrowbush, NY, Beth Morris of Sparrowbush, Betty Reilly of Port Jervis, NY, Nancy Howell of Port Jervis, Sheila Roberts of Reno, NV; brothers: David Kurtz of Middletown, NY, George Kurtz of Port Jervis, NY, 11 grandchildren and two great grandchildren, also several nieces and nephews. She is predeceased by her twin children and her brothers, Daniel and Thomas Kurtz. Services will be private and at the convenience of the family. Interment will be private. Funeral arrangements by Knight-Auchmoody Funeral Home, Inc. 154 E. Main St., Port Jervis. For information, directions or to send a condolence note to the family visit Knight-Auchmoody.com

JOSEPH V. HICKS Port Jervis, N.Y. Joseph V. Hicks, a retired welder for Wilder Mfg., Port Jervis and life-long area resident, died Saturday, July 17, 2004 at Castle Point Veterans Hospital in Wappingers Falls. He was 72. The son of the late Fred and Jennie Smith Hicks, he was born June 3, 1932 in Port Jervis. He was married first, on January 1, 1956, to the late Lyda Belle Mapes Hicks who passed away on April 24, 1995 and second to Gloria Higgins Pelensky Hicks who survives. He was a member of Most Sacred Heart R.C. Church, Port Jervis; Roosa-Fleming VFW Post #161, Port Jervis; veteran of the Korean War, US Army; lifetime member of Howard Wheat Eng. CO #4, Port Jervis Fire Dept. A family statement reads, "Dad loved to fish and work in his woodshop. He was very mechanical and could always fix things when help was needed. In addition, it seemed that he always had a special relationship with children and animals; they innately loved him." Survivors include his wife, Gloria Higgins Pelensky Hicks whom he married on December 13, 1997; daughters, Bernetta Drapala and her husband David of the town of Greenville, Belinda Bodensieck and her husband Jeffrey of Port Jervis, Francine Hicks of Milford, Pa.; son-in-law, Jeffrey Spangenberg of Port Jervis; six grandchildren, Tiffany, Aimee and Adam Drapala, Amanda Bodensieck, Bethann and Connor Spangenberg; one great-grandson, Troy Drapala; one sister, Anna Rasmussen of Orlando, Fla.; one nephew, Alan Rasmussen. He will also be missed by his parakeet, "Pretty Girl"; his granddogs, Lucinda, Boomer, Tess and Belle. He was predeceased by his daughter, Lorene Spangenberg and his brother, Frederick Hicks. Friends may call from 2 to 4 and 7 to 9 p.m., Monday, July 19 at Knight-Auchmoody Funeral Home, 154 E. Main St., Port Jervis. Roosa-Fleming VFW Post #161 will conduct services Monday evening at 7:30 p.m. Funeral services will be held at 2 p.m., Tuesday, July 20 at the funeral home with the Rev. August Ricciardi officiating. Burial will be in St. Mary's Cemetery in Port Jervis. Contributions may be made to a charity of the donor's choice. Arrangements by Knight-Auchmoody Funeral Home. For information, directions, or to send a condolence note to the family, visit Knight-Auchmoody.com

MARY ELIZABETH TANCZYN CONKLIN Port Jervis, N.Y. Mary Elizabeth Tanczyn Conklin of Port Jervis, a lifelong area resident, and a retired seamstress for Barbara Quilting, Port Jervis, died Friday, July 16, 2004 at Bon Secours Community Hospital, Port Jervis. She was 89. The daughter of the late Jacob and Sophie Melnyk Tanczyn, she was born August 30, 1914 in Port Jervis. She was the widow of the late Henry J. Conklin. She was a member of St. Mary's Roman Catholic Church, Port Jervis and Den Mother for Pack 173-Cub Scouts, Port Jervis. Survivors include one son, Henry J. Conklin of Port Jervis; her son-in-law, Robert Ott of Port Jervis; two sisters-in-law, Alice Tanczyn of Matamoras, Pa., and Mary Tanczyn of North Carolina; grandchildren, Kathy Weiss and her husband, Barry, Kurt Ott and his wife, Kristen, and Darlene Ott of Sparrowbush; and several nieces and nephew including Patricia Gill and family. She was predeceased by her daughter, Maryann Ott; and her grandson, Kenneth Ott. Friends may call on Monday, July 19 from 2 to 4 and 7 to 9 p.m. at the Knight-Auchmoody Funeral Home, 154 E. Main Street, Port Jervis. The vigil wake service will be held Monday evening at 8 p.m. Funeral services will be held Tuesday, July 20 at 10:15 a.m. at the funeral home followed by a Mass of Christian Burial at 11 a.m. at St. Mary's Roman Catholic Church, Port Jervis. The Rev. Dennis Dinan will officiate. Burial will be in St. Mary's Cemetery, Port Jervis. Contributions may be made to St. Mary's Roman Catholic Church, 46 Ball St., Port Jervis, NY 12771; or The Port Jervis-Deerpark Humane Society, Port Jervis, NY 12771. Funeral arrangements by Knight-Auchmoody Funeral Home, Inc., Port Jervis. For information, directions or to send a condolence note to the family, visit Knight-Auchmoody.com

PATRICIA A. CARLUCCI Port Jervis, N.Y. Patricia A. Carlucci, a homemaker and 18-year area resident, died Tuesday, July 13, 2004 at her home. She was 57. The daughter of the late Paul LeRoy Robinson and Betty Joe Mills, she was born Sept. 27, 1946 in Monroe, N.C. Survivors include her husband, Michael J. Carlucci at home; one son, Michael Carlucci of Orlando, Fla.; two daughters, Michelle Furlipa and her husband Marty of Glen Spey, N.Y., Danielle Carlucci at home; two sisters, Brenda Lage of Madison, S.D., Joyce Wise of Madison, Wisc.; one stepbrother, Joseph St. Claire of Hampton, Va.; four grandchildren, Aerial, Jade, Joseph and Dominick; several nieces and nephews. She was predeceased by one sister, Sandra Copeland; her stepfather, Al St. Clair; and two stepbrothers, Ricky and Mike St. Clair. Serivces will be held on Friday, July 16 at 11 a.m. at the Knight-Auchmoody Funeral Home, 154 E. Main St., Port Jervis. The Rev. Betsy Diver will officiate. Interment will be private. Arrangements by Knight-Auchmoody Funeral Home. For information, directions or to send a condolence note to the family, visit Knight-Auchmoody.com

REGINA N. PICUN Montague, N.J. Regina N. Picun, a retired secretary for Artistic Weaving, Inc., Pompton Lakes, N.J. and life-long area resident, died Saturday, July 10, 2004 at the Newton Memorial Hospital, Newton, NJ. Daughter of the late Thaddeus and Agnes Grimes Thornton, he was born February 20, 1918 in Paterson, N.J. She is the widow of Adam J. Picun. Mrs. Picun is a member of St. Peter's Luthern Church, Port Jervis and of the Montague Seniors. Survivors include one son, Wayne Adam Picun and his wife Kathy of Stillwater, NJ; two daughters: Karen Harper and her husband Doug of Branchville, NJ and Dawn Gagg of Budd Lake, NJ; one sister, Mae Johnson of Newport Richie, FL; four grandchildren: Danny Harper, Clayton Gagg, Preston Gagg, and Kristin Star Picun; one great- grandchild, Aidan Gagg. Also several nieces and nephews. She was predeceased by her sister, Eleanor VanTassel. Friends may call Tuesday, July 13, 2004 from 2 to 4 and 7 to 9 p.m. at the Knight-Auchmoody Funeral Home, 154 E. Main St., Port Jervis, NY. Funeral will be Wednesday, July 14, 2004 at 11 a.m. in St. Peter's Luthern Church, Port Jervis, NY. Rev. Betsy Diver will officiate. Burial will be in Minisink Cemetery, Montague, NJ. Contributions may be made to St. Peter's Luthern Church, 31 W. Main St., Port Jervis, NY 12771. Funeral arrangements by Knight-Auchmoody Funeral Home, Inc. 154 E. Main St., Port Jervis, NY. For information, directions or to send a condolence note to the family visit knight-auchmoody.com

INGE F. PETTIT Matamoras, Pa. Inge F. Pettit, a retired telephone operator for Bell Telephone Co., Port Jervis and lifelong area resident, died Friday, July 10, 2004 at her home with her family at her side. She was 74. The daughter of the late Robert and Freida Juoly Farniok, she was born May 16, 1930 in New York City. She was a member of St. Joseph's R.C. Church, Matamoras, Pa.; Altar and Rosary Society of St. Joseph's Church; Inge was the Religious Education Director for St. Joseph's for 17 years. Survivors include her husband at home, Edgar "Pete" Pettit; her daughter Caroline Pettit; her dearest friend Fannie Colaiaco of Matamoras, Pa. She was predeceased by her sister, Rita Dube. Friends may call from 2 to 4 and 7 to 9 p.m. on Monday, July 12 at the Knight-Auchmoody Funeral Home, 154 E. Main St., Port Jervis. A Funeral Service will be held at 9:15 a.m., Tuesday, July 13 at the funeral home. A Mass of Christian Burial will follow at 10 a.m. at St. Joseph's R.C. Church, Matamoras, Pa. The Rev. August Ricciardi will officiate. The vigil wake service will be held at 2:30 p.m. Monday afternoon at the funeral home. Burial will be in St. Mary's Cemetery, Port Jervis. Contributions may be made to St. Joseph's R.C. Church, Matamoras, PA 18336 or to Karen Ann Quinlan Hospice, 99 Sparta Ave., Newton, NJ 07866. For information, directions or to send a condolence note to the family, visit Knight-Auchmoody.com

ORVILLE C. KALIN Sparrowbush, N.Y. Orville C. Kalin, a retired plumber for Smith Plumbing in Port Jervis, a self-employed plumber later on, and a lifelong area resident, died Friday, July 9, 2004 at home. He was 86. The son of the late William and Eva King Kalin, he was born December 17, 1917 in Cahoonzie, N.Y. He was a member of the Sparrowbush United Methodist Church; Roosa-Fleming VFW Post #161, Port Jervis; and he was a Veteran of WW II, US Army. Survivors include Caroline Houser Kalin, his wife of 58 years, whom he married on April 7, 1946; one son, Roger Kalin and his wife Sue Ann of Sparrowbush; one daughter, Debra Owens and her husband Michael of Sparrowbush; his daughter-in-law, Betty Kalin of Port Jervis; one brother, Vincent Kalin of Port Jervis; one sister, Shelby Kalin of Pensa Cola, Fla.; six grandchildren, Julia and Jesse Kalin, Meredith and Holly Kalin and Ryan and Laura Owens; and several nieces and nephews. He was predeceased by his son, Orville "Chip" Kalin. Friends may call from 2 to 4 and 7 to 9 p.m., Sunday, July 11 at the Knight- Auchmoody Funeral Home, 154 E. Main St., Port Jervis. Funeral services will be held at 10 a.m., Monday, July 12 at the funeral home with the Rev. Robert Mayer officiating. Burial will be in Pine Hill Cemetery in Sparrowbush. Contributions may be made to the Sparrowbush United Methodist Church, Sparrowbush, NY 12780. Arrangements by Knight-Auchmoody Funeral Home. For information, directions or to send a condolence note to the family, visit Knight-Auchmoody.com

RUBY C. WALTER Pond Eddy, N.Y. Ruby C. Walter, a homemaker, died Friday, July 9, 2004 at Bon Secours Community Hospital in Port Jervis. She was 63. The daughter of the late Charles and Nettie Kiser Adkins, she was born in Carrie, Va. Survivors include her sisters, Doris Hallock and her husband Harold of Pond Eddy, Louella Cortes of Port Jervis, Alma Humphrey of Phillipsburg, N.J.; one brother Grady Adkins of Big Rick, Tenn.; and several nieces and nephews. She was predeceased by two sisters and three brothers. A private memorial service will be held at the convenience of the family. The Rev. Nancy VonderHorst will officiate. Interment will be private. Arrangements by Knight-Auchmoody Funeral Home. For information, directions or to send a condolence note to the family, visit Knight-Auchmoody.com

GEORGE C. LEWIS Sparrowbush, N.Y. George C. Lewis, a retired 20-year tech sergeant for the US Air Force and lifelong area resident, died Friday, July 9, 2004 at Good Samaritan Hospital in Suffern. He was 56. The son of Joseph Lewis and Joan Weed Grabowski, he was born November 8, 1947 in Port Jervis. He was a veteran of the US Air Force, 1966-1986. Survivors include his wife, Phyllis Berry Lewis of Meridian, Miss.; one son, Anthony Lewis of Meridian, Miss.; one daughter, Anjonelle Lewis of Meridian, Miss.; his mother, Joan Grabowski of Sparrowbush; his father, Joseph Lewis of Port Jervis; one sister, Lynette Brewer of Sparrowbush; one brother, Gary Lewis and his wife Suellen of Sparrowbush; and several nieces and nephews. Private services will be held at the convenience of the family. Interment will be private. Arrangements by Knight-Auchmoody Funeral Home, 154 E. Main St., Port Jervis. For information, directions or to send a condolence note to the family, visit Knight-Auchmoody.com

FREDERICK A. WENDT Godeffroy, N.Y. Frederick A. Wendt, a retired lead man for US Gypsum Co. in Stony Point and long time area resident, died Wednesday, June 30, 2004 at Bon Secours Community Hospital in Port Jervis. He was 88. The son of the late Murray and Anna Clemins Wendt, he was born November 17, 1915 in New York City. He was the widow of Margaret Rennie. Frederick was a master cabinet maker and a retired furniture craftsman and part owner of the Unique Shop. He also worked for Princeton Upholstery; was a member of many bowling leagues at the Minisink Lanes; Neversink Valley Grange #1530; past gate keeper and assistant steward; member of the Thursday Deerpark Club; Deerpark Leisure Senior Club; and Pocono Singles Club. Survivors include his two daughters, Margaret "Midge" Riggs of Godeffroy, Rose Ann Crane of Port Jervis; his son, Frederick A. Wendt and his wife Patricia of Charlton, Mass; six grandchildren; 12 great-grandchildren; one sister, Eleanor Gilmore of Long Island City, N.Y.; and several nieces and nephews. He was predeceased by his sister, Ida Lawlor and his brother Murray Wendt. Private services will be held at the convenience of the family. Interment will be private. Contributions may be made to a charity of the donor's choice. Arrangements by Knight-Auchmoody Funeral Home. For information, directions or to send a condolence note to the family, visit Knight-Auchmoody.com

EDMOND F. SIEWERD Port Jervis, N.Y. Edmond F. Siewerd, a retired Lic. Practical Nurse and life-long resident of Port Jervis, died Sunday, June 27, 2004 at Good Samaritan Hospital, Suffern, NY. He was 61. The son of the late Edward Siewerd and Regina Flynn Siewerd, he was born in Philadelphia, PA on March 14, 1943. Mr. Siewerd attended Drew United Methodist Church and was a volunteer for the Food Pantry of the church. Survivors include one brother, George Siewerd and his wife Debra of Long Beach, CA; his closest friends: Cheryl and Daniel Leonard of Port Jervis, NY and their children: Daniel Jr., Saverio, Maretta, Samantha, Sherrie and Tamara. He will be sadly missed by his family and friends. Private funeral services will be held at the convenience of the family. Burial will take place at Mount Calvary Cemetery, Butler, NJ. Funeral arrangements by Knight-Auchmoody Funeral Home, Inc., 154 E. Main St., Port Jervis, NY. For information, directions or to send a condolence note to the family, please visit knight-auchmoody.com.