Our Obituaries

SHIRLEY C. EWBANK Matamoras, PA Shirley C. Ewbank, a life-long area resident and a homemaker, died Tuesday, August 24, 2004 at her home. She was 75. The daughter of the late Carl and Mary Schock Parker, she was born July 9, 1929 in Port Jervis, NY. She is the wife of Gale H. Ewbank, whom she married on October 25, 1953. Survivors include her husband at home, Gale H. Ewbank; three sons: David Ewbank of Mill Rift, PA, Bryan and Carl Ewbank, both of Matamoras, PA; two sisters: Naomi Clune of Matamoras, PA and Mary Freytag of Poughkeepsie, NY; one brother, Carl Parker of Jensen Beach, FL, also several nieces and nephews. Private services will be held at the convenience of the family. Interment will be private. 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

LEONARD W. BALMOS Mill Rift, Pa. Leonard W. Balmos, a retired musician and music teacher and retired employee of the Hackensack Police Dept., Hackensack, N.J., and lifelong area resident, died Friday, August 20, 2004 at Bon Secours Community Hospital in Port Jervis. He was 92. The son of the late Peter and Mae Weidner Balmos, he was born February 17, 1912 in Port Jervis. He was a widower first to Elizabeth Balmos and second to Irma Schaller. Leonard was a veteran of WW II, US Navy; member of the Tri-State Naval Ship #7241, Port Jervis; and Port Jervis Lodge of Masons #328 F & AM, Port Jervis. For many years, he had his own band, performing "Big Band" Music throughout the area. Survivors include his loving family, Paul and Margaret Weinrich of Fairlawn, N.J. and Paul and Kristen Weinrich and family of Matamoras, Pa. Private services will be held at the convenience of the family. Burial will be in Laurel Grove 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

DOROTHY B. GULLA Milford, PA Dorothy Gulla, a long-time area resident and a retired employee from Milford Valley Convalescent Home, Milford, PA, died Thursday, August 19, 2004 at O.R.M.C., Middletown. She was 77. The daughter of the late John Pencek and Mary Kutakowska Pencek, she was born May 11, 1927 in Scranton, PA. She was married to the late Benedict Gulla who passed away on September 10, 1966. Mrs. Gulla was a member of St. Peter's Luthern Church, Port Jervis, NY. A family statement read: "Dorothy was a devoted loving wife, mother and grandmother, always being there for her family; whom she loved so much. She will be sadly missed by all who loved her. Survivors include two sons: Richard Gulla and his wife Susan of Westbrookville, NY and John Gulla of Shohola, PA; one daughter, Diane Cokelette of Milford, PA; one sister, Ruth Gulla of Port Jervis, NY; eight grandchildren: Richie, Bobby, Benny, Michelle, Ben, BJ, Samantha and Jacob; one great-grandson, Joey, also several nieces and nephews. She was predeceased by four brothers: Richard, Leonard Walter and William Pencek and one sister, Amelia Toman. Friends may call Saturday, August 21 from 10 to 12 a.m. at the Knight-Auchmoody Funeral Home, 154 E. Main Port Jervis, NY. Funeral will be Saturday August 21 at 12 Noon at the Funeral Home. Rev. Stephen Huston will officiate. Burial will be in Laurel Grove Cemetery, Port Jervis, NY. Contributions may be made to The First Presbyterian Church, 8 Broome 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

FRANK PARTHE Huguenot, N.Y. Frank Parthe, a 30 year area resident and a retired Butcher for Pathmark Food Stores, Long Island City, NY, died Sunday, August 15, 2004 at home. He was 68. Son of the late Franz and Maria Sturm Parthe, he was born, May 17, 1936 in Yugoslavia. He is the husband of Elfriede Widmer Parthe who survives. Mr. Parthe attended St. Mary's R.C. Church, Port Jervis, NY and was a Veteran of the U.S. Army, having served in the Korean War. Survivors include his wife at home, Elfriede Widmer Parthe; two daughters: Sonya Parthe of Queens, NY and Karin Meisl and her husband Robert of Franklin Square, NY; one sister, Mitzi Griegl of Graz, Austria; also one niece and one nephew. Friends may call Wednesday, August 18 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 Thursday, August 19 at 10:15 a.m. at the Funeral Home. A Mass of Christian Burial will follow at 11 a.m. at St. Mary's R.C. Church, Port Jervis. Rev. Dennis Dinan will officiate. The Vigil wake service will be held Wednesday evening at 7:45 at the Funeral Home. Burial will be in St. Mary's Cemetery, Port Jervis, NY. Contributions may be made to the Parkinson's Foundation, P.O. Box 96268 Washington D.C. 20090-6268. Funeral arrangements by Knight-Auchmoody Funeral Home, 154 E. Main St., Port Jervis, NY. For information, directions or to send a condolence note to the family visit Knight-Auchmoody.com

ROBERT N. WILLIAMS Huguenot, N.Y. Robert N. Williams, a life-long area resident and retired Service Technician for Agway Products, Port Jervis, NY, died Saturday, August 14, 2004 at Bon Secours Comm Hosp. Port Jervis, NY. He was 81. The son of the late George and Dolly Landwehr Williams, he was born April 26, 1923 in Port Jervis, NY. He was married to the late Carrie Martins Williams. Mr. Williams was a Veteran of the U.S. Navy having served during World War II; a member of the Tri-State Naval Ship # 7241,. Port Jervis, NY and a member of Neversink Valley Grange # 1530, Huguenot, NY. Survivors include two sons: Daniel B. Williams and his wife Cindy of Sparrowbush, NY and Robert Williams and his wife Rose of Lakeworth, FL; one sister, Eleanor Kitts of Ogdensburg, NY; also four grandchildren, three great grandchildren, several nieces and nephews survive. He was predeceased by two daughters: Karen Mathisen and Diane Lynn Williams and one grandson, Robert W. Williams. Graveside services will be held on Thursday, August 19, 2004 at 2 p.m. at Minisink Cemetery, Montague, NJ. Rev. Robert E. Foster will officiate. Burial will be in Minisink Cemetery, Montague, NJ. Contributions may be made to the National Multiple Sclerosis of Southern New York, Div. 11, Skyline Dr., Hawthorne, NY 10532. 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

THE REV. JOHN H.R. JACKLEY Matamoras, Pa., and York, Pa. The Rev. John H.R. Jackley, 75, of Matamoras, Pa. and York, Pa., a lifelong area resident, and a retired Teller #1 for the Delaware River Joint Toll Bridge Commission, Milford-Montague Toll Bridge, died Friday, August 12, 2004 at his home. The son of the late J. Henry Jackley and Jennie Lee Jackley, he was born in Port Jervis, NY on June 11, 1929. He was married to the late Edna E. Ives Jackley. He was a member of The Good Shepherd and St. John The Evangelist Episcopal Church, Milford, Pa, and St. Andrew's Episcopal Church, York Pa.; Conically Resident of the Diocese of Bethlehem, Pa.; Member of the Port Jervis Lodge of Masons #328 F&AM; Past Patron of The Order of the Eastern Star Pocono Chapter #62; member of the Neversink Chapter Royal Arch Masons #186, Port Jervis. He is the Grand Chaplain of the Grand Lodge of Free & Accepted Masons of the State of New York; and served from 1947-1950 as a veteran of the US Army Medical Corp. Survivors include his daughter, Jo-Allyson Oliver and her husband Brian of Red Lion, Pa.; his grandson, Dylan Jon Oliver; his sister, Betty Hobson of Winter Haven, Fla.; a host of friends; and nieces and nephews. Friends may call on Tuesday, August 17 from 2-4 and 7-9 p.m. at the Knight-Auchmoody Funeral Home, 154 E. Main St.,Port Jervis. Mass of Christian Burial will be held Wednesday, August 18 at 10 a.m. at The Good Shepherd and St. John The Evangelist Episcopal Church, Milford, Pa. The Rev. William McGinty will officiate. Masonic services will be held Tuesday evening at 7:30 p.m. at the funeral home. Interment will be in Pine Grove Cemetery, Matamoras, Pa. Contributions may be made to The Trustees of the Grand Lodge of Free & Accepted Masons of the State of NY, Hall & Home; 71 E. 25th St., NYC, NY 10010. Funeral Arrangements by Knight-Auchmoody Funeral Home, 154 East Main St., Port Jervis, NY 12771. For information, directions or to send a condolence note to the family visit knight-auchmoody.com

JERRY S. RUEGNITZ Greeley, Pa. Jerry S. Ruegnitz, a receiving associate for Sears Co., Rockaway, N.J. and longtime area resident, died Thursday, August 12, 2004 at St. Claires Hospital in Denville, N.J. He was 68. The son of Margaret Black Ruegnitz and the late Raymond S. Ruegnitz, he was born August 27, 1935 in Berwyn, Ill. He was a veteran of the US Marines, Korean War. He bowled with the Circle Lanes and Rockaway Lanes and many Morris County Leagues. He was an avid Giants Football fan and avid fisherman. Survivors include his mother, Maggie Ruegnitz of Greeley, Pa.; one son, David S. Ruegnitz of Lake Hopatcong, N.J.; one daughter, Roseanne Porphy; his longtime companion, Dorothy Smith; his sister, Sally VanDam of Greeley, Pa.; one granddaughter, Ariel Porphy; and several nieces and nephews. Memorial services will be held at 3 p.m., Sunday, September 19 at the Barryville United Methodist Church, Barryville. The Rev. Nancy VonderHorst will officiate. Interment will be private. Contributions may be made to the American Diabetes Assoc., NYS Memorial Processing Center, PO Box 31160, Hartford, CT 06150. Arrangements by Knight-Auchmoody Funeral Home. For information, directions or to send a condolence note to the family, visit Knight-Auchmoody.com

GRACE RUMSEY DEIGHTON Port Jervis, N.Y. Grace Rumsey Deighton, a retired seamstress for Little Tots, Inc., Port Jervis, and a lifelong area resident, died Thursday, August 5, 2004 in Johnson City, Tenn. She was 89. The daughter of the late Elvin and Daisy Moffat Rumsey, she was born November 23, 1915 in Leurenkill. She was the widow of Stanley Deighton. She was a member of the Drew United Methodist Church, Port Jervis; the Neversink Valley Grange #1530; River Valley Chapter #33, O.E.S.; and The Daughters of America, Council #29, Port Jervis. Survivors include several nieces and nephews. Friends may call at the funeral home on Monday, August 9 from 2 to 4 and 7 to 9 p.m. at the Knight-Auchmoody Funeral Home, 154 E. Main St., Port Jervis. Neversink Valley Grange will conduct services Monday afternoon at 3 p.m. Funeral services will be held Tuesday, August 10 at 1:30 p.m. at funeral home. The Rev. Robert Cassidy will officiate. Burial will be in Conklin Hill Cemetery, Damascus, Pa. Funeral arrangements by Knight-Auchmoody Funeral Home Inc. 154 East Main St., Port Jervis, NY 12771. For information, directions or to send a condolence note to the family visit Knight-Auchmoody.com.

GLORIA G. SCHUETZLER Port Jervis, N.Y. Gloria G. Schuetzler, of Port Jervis, a lifelong resident of the area, and a retired Registered Supervising Nurse for Bon Secours Community Hospital, Port Jervis, presently employed as a Psych II Nurse at Mid Hudson Psychiatric Ctr, New Hampton, died Thursday, August 5, 2004 at her home. She was 59. The daughter of the late George Smith and Lillian Cummings Smith, who survives, she was born in Port Jervis on March 25, 1945. She married James C. Schuetzler, who survives. She was a member of St. Peter's Lutheran Church, Port Jervis. Survivors include her husband at home, James C. Schuetzler; her mother, Lillian Cummings Smith of Middletown; five sons, James Schuetzler and his wife, Debbie, of El Paso, Texas, Brian Schuetzler and his wife, Debbie, of Port Jervis, Kenneth Denk II of Port Jervis, Michael Denk of the U. S. Navy, Norfolk, Va., and Christopher Denk and his wife, Myriah, of the US Marine Corp, Vista, Calif.; two daughters, Paula Green and her husband, Jeffrey, of Grove City, Ohio, Marcy Schuetzler of Mattawan, N.J.; five grandchildren, Ryan, Michael , Kelsey Ann Schuetzler, Ian Gaynor, and Rowan McLaughlin; and nieces nephews. Friends may call on Monday from 2-4 and 7-9 p.m. at the Knight-Auchmoody Funeral Home, 154 E. Main St., Port Jervis. Funeral services will be held Tuesday, August 10 at 10 a.m. in St. Peter's Lutheran Church, Port Jervis. The Rev. Betsy Diver will officiate. Burial will be in Pine Hill Cemetery, Sparrowbush. Contributions may be made to United Cerebral Palsy, Attn: Development Dept., 1660 L St., NW, Suite 700, Washington, DC 20036. Funeral Arrangements by Knight-Auchmoody Funeral Home, 154 East Main St., Port Jervis. For information, directions or to send a condolence note to the family visit knight-auchmoody.com.

DUAINE "BROOKS" TROUTMAN Matamoras, Pa. Duaine "Brooks" Troutman, a ret. stationary engineer for Columbus Gas, Co., Milford, Pa. and area resident since 1970, entered into eternal rest on Saturday July 31, after a short illness. He was 76. He was the son of the late Frank and Rosella Reichard Troutman, born on January 30, 1928 at New Salem, Pa. He married Jean Crawford on April 6, 1950, who survives. Brooks attended The Drew United Methodist Church in Port Jervis. He was a 32nd degree Mason and life-member of the New Bethlehem Lodge of Masons #522 F&AM. He was a Past Member of the Coudersport Consistory, Coudersport, Pa. Survivors include his wife of 54 years, Jean Crawford Troutman. He is the father of 2 children: Tim Troutman and his wife Pat of Savona, NY; His daughter Tria and her husband John of Milford, Pa. The grandfather of 4 grandchildren: Jennifer Redmon and her husband Casey of Jersey Shore; Sarah Taylor of Williamsport; Adam and Sean Mason of Milford, Pa.; His sister Ruth Crawford and her husband Boyd of New Bethlehem, Pa.; 1 niece and 3 nephews. He was pre-deceased by his sister Martha Hilliard Walters. Friends may Call on Tuesday, August 3 from 2-4 and 7-9 Pm at The Knight-Auchmoody Funeral Home, 154 E. Main St., Port Jervis. Funeral services will be held on Wednesday August 4, at 10:30 a.m. in The Drew United Methodist Church, Sussex St., Port Jervis, N.Y. The officiating clergyman is the Rev. Robert Cassidy. Milford Lodge of Masons #344 F & M will conduct Masonic Services Tuesday Eve. at 7 p.m. at the funeral home. Private interment will take place at Pine Grove Cemetery, Matamoras, Pa. Contributions may be made to The Drew United Methodist Church, 49-51 Sussex St., Port Jervis, NY 12771. Funeral Arrangements by Knight-Auchmoody Funeral Home, 154 East Main Port Jervis, N.Y. 12771. For information, directions or to send a condolence note to the family visit knight-auchmoody.com

EUGENE PATRICK "SNEEZE" GORE Sparrowbush, N.Y. Eugene Patrick "Sneeze" Gore, a retired brakeman for Conrail RR, retiring in 1985 and lifelong area resident, died in St. Peter's Hospital in New Bruynswick, N.J. He was 78. The son of the late Harry and Sara Lyons Gore, he was born April 15, 1926 in Port Jervis, the youngest of five sons. He was the widower of Ella Glaab Gore, who passed away on July 11, 2000. He graduated from Port Jervis High School and served in the Pacific with the US Navy during WW II on the USS Oklahoma City. Eugene received the Asiatic Pacific, American and Victory Medals for his service as well as two stars. He was honorably discharged as a Seaman First Class in 1946 and later re-enlisted in the US Naval Reserves from 1955-1959. He was a member of the Port Jervis Fire Dept., Excelsior Engine Co. #5; member and past commander of Tri-State Naval Ship #7241, Port Jervis. Survivors include one brother, Francis Gore of N. Hornell, N.Y.; his grandson, Sean Race of Colts Neck, N.J. and granddaughter, Josephina Race of Longmont, Colo. Memorial services will be held on Tuesday, August 3 at 2 p.m. at Laurel Grove Cemetery in Port Jervis. Burial will be in Laurel Grove Cemetery with military honors. 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