Our Obituaries

JOHN W. VAN PATTEN Milford, Pa. John W. Van Patten, owner and operator of J.W. Van Patten Gunsmith, Milford, Pa. and lifelong area resident, died Wednesday, November 24, 2004 at Morristown Memorial Hospital in Morristown, N.J. He was 81. The son of the late Bertram and Sara Walling Van Patten, he was born September 26, 1923 in Port Jervis. He was the widower of Isabel R. Fenner Van Patten, who passed away on September 15, 2004. He was a member of the Deerpark Reformed Church, Port Jervis; Cahoonzie Hunting Club, Rio, N.Y.; life-member of the N.R.A. (National Rifle Association). Survivors include his three sons, John S. Van Patten of Guadalajara, Mexico, Brian J. Van Patten of Milford, Pa., Jason Van Patten of Glen Spey; one grandson, Aren Barkley Van Patten. Private services will be held at the convenience of the family. Interment will take place at Laurel Grove Cemetery in Port Jervis. Contributions may be made to the National Rifle Assoc., 11250 Waples Mill Rd., Fairfax, VA 22030. 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

JOHN "JACK" EHRE Huguenot, N.Y. John "Jack" Ehre, a lifelong area resident, and retired Zone Sgt. for New York State Police in Fishkill and Town Justice for the Town of Deerpark for 32 years, died suddenly on Monday, November 22, 2004 at Bon Secours Community Hospital, Port Jervis. He was 79. The son of the late John and Margaret Siebold Ehre, he was born March 18, 1925 in New York City. He was a member and usher of The Drew United Methodist Church, Port Jervis; veteran of WWII, serving in the US Navy; member of Roosa-Fleming VFW Post #161 in Port Jervis; member of Huguenot Fire Department; Port Jervis Lodge of Masons #328 F&AM; member of Mountain Top Hunting Club in Big Pond; Tri-State Rod & Gun Club of Port Jervis; and member of New York State Magistrates Association. Survivors include his wife, Betty Burrows Ehre, at home; one son, Keith Ehre and his companion, Suzan Stinson, of Slate Hill; two daughters, Kathy Retallick of Matamoras, Pa., and Kelly Banta and her husband, Paul, of Sparrowbush; one brother, James Ehre and his wife, Lillian, of Port Jervis; four grandchildren, Morgan Ehre, Lauren and Anthony Retallick, and Tyler Banta; and three nieces. He was predeceased by his brother, Robert Ehre. Friends may call on Friday, November 26 from 2 to 4 and 7 to 9 p.m. at the Knight-Auchmoody Funeral Home, 154 E. Main St., Port Jervis. Funeral services will be held Saturday, November 27 at 11 a.m. at Drew United Methodist Church, Sussex St., Port Jervis. The Rev. Robert Cassidy will officiate. Burial will be in Rural Valley Cemetery, Cuddebackville. Contributions may be made to The Drew United Methodist Church, P.O. Box 1015, Port Jervis, NY 12771. Funeral arrangements by Knight-Auchmoody Funeral Home Inc., Port Jervis. For more information, directions or to send a condolence note to the family, visit Knight-Auchmoody.com.

LOTTIE V. STORMS Huguenot, N.Y. Lottie V. Storms, a resident of the area for many years, retired from Novelty Slipper Co., and retired owner of Pine Grove Rest Home in Huguenot, died at Sullivan County Adult Care Center in Liberty on Sunday, November 21, 2004. She was 93. The daughter of Vernon Austin and Nellie Horton Austin, she was born December 10, 1910 in Massachusetts. She was a member of Port Jervis Salvation Army Corp.; served at the Soup Kitchen and continued ringing the Christmas bells for many years for the Salvation Army Corp.; and was a lifetime member of AHRC of Middletown. Survivors include her two daughters, Margaret Phillips and husband, Charles, of Huguenot, and Janet Storms of Liberty; one son, John Storms and wife, Delores, of Huguenot; two brothers, Frank Wright of Port Jervis and Robert Wright of Milford, Pa.; 13 grandchildren; 12 great-grandchildren; and several nieces and nephews. She was predeceased by three brothers and three sisters. Friends may call on Wednesday, November 24 from 1 to 2 p.m. at Knight-Auchmoody Funeral Home, 154 E. Main St., Port Jervis. Funeral services will be held Wednesday, November 24, 2004 at 2 p.m. at the funeral home. The Rev. Don Coy will officiate. Interment will be private. Contributions may be made to the Salvation Army Corp. of Port Jervis, 99 Ball St., Port Jervis, NY 12771; or AHRC, Co. Rt. 11, Middletown, NY 10940. 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.

JEANETTE M. MELOI Montague, N.J. Jeanette M. Meloi, a life-long area resident and a retired Co-owner of Deerpark Lumber, Port Jervis, NY, died Saturday, November 20, 2004 at St. Joseph's Place, Port Jervis. She was 79. The daughter of the late Roy and Ada Rose Conklin, she was born August 15, 1925 in Cuddebackville, NY. She was married first to the late Charles Litwock and second to Charles John Meloi, who survives. She was a member of St. James the Great R.C. Church, Montague, NJ. "God saw you getting tired and a cure was not to be, so He wrapped his arms around you and He whispered, "Come with me." With tearful eyes we watched you as we saw you fade away. Although we loved you deeply, we could not make you stay. A golden heart stopped beating, hard-working hands to rest. It broke our hearts, but proved to us He only takes the best." -Author Unknown. Survivors include her husband at home, Charles John Meloi; three daughters: Carol Kosenkov-Babiarz and her husband Chet of Shohola, PA, Patricia Silver and her husband Dennis of Vero Beach, FL, and Janet Radzikowski and her husband Patrick of Royal Palm Beach, FL; two sisters: Vivian Reeves of Port Jervis, NY and Irma Pagano and her husband William of Port Jervis, NY; one brother, Thomas Conklin, Sr. and his wife Beth of Port Jervis, NY; one brother, Thomas Conklin, Sr. and his wife Beth of Port Jervis, NY; five grandchildren: Marya Kosenkov, Mikhail and Kristyne Kosenkov, Melissa and Kimberly Silver; one sister-in-law, Patricia Furlong and her husband Daniel of Montague, NJ, also several nieces and nephews. Friends may call on Tuesday, November 23 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, November 24 at 9:15 a.m. at the funeral home, followed by a Mass of Christian burial at 10 a.m. in St. James R.C. Church, Montague, NJ. With Rev. Richard Carton officiating. Vigil wake service will be held Tuesday afternoon at 2:30 p.m. at the funeral home with Father Richard Carton officiating. Burial will be in St. Mary's Cemetery, Port Jervis, NY. Memorial contributions may be made to the American Cancer Society. 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.

DeGroat, Barbara Lewis, 57, of Vestal, NY, formerly of Port Jervis and Town of Greenville, passed away at Wilson Hospital, Johnson City, NY. Knight-Auchmoody Funeral Home. 845-856-3312.

Nadramia, Thomas "John", 71, of Port Jervis, died Friday, November 19, 2004. Knight-Auchmoody Funeral Home. 845-856-3312

JEAN C. PEPPER Port Jervis, N.Y. Jean C. Pepper a life-long area resident and a retired Assembler for Kolmar Labs, Inc., Port Jervis, NY, died Sunday, November 14 at Bon Secours Comm Hosp., Port Jervis. She was 81. The daughter of the late George Carley and Grace Henderson Carley, she was born July 20, 1923 in Port Jervis, NY. She was married to the late John R. Pepper. She was a member of St. Mary's RC Church, Port Jervis. Survivors include two sons: Dennis Michael Castle of Port Jervis and Charles S. Castle Jr. of Kingston; one step-daughter, Joanne Johnson of Georgia; one step son, Michael Pepper of Mass.; 12 grandchildren and several great grandchildren. Visitation will be private at the Knight-Auchmoody Funeral Home, Port Jervis, NY. A Mass of Christian Burial will be Thursday, November 18, at 11 a.m. at St. Mary's R.C. Church, Port Jervis, NY. The Rev. Dennis Dinan will officiate. The vigil wake service will be held at the Funeral Home. Private interment will be at Rural Cemetery, Cuddebackville, 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

CHARLES H. TINSMAN Matamoras, PA Charles H. Tinsman, a life-long area resident and a retired shipping clerk for Skydyne, Inc., Port Jervis, NY, died Saturday, November 13 at Middletown Park Manor. He was 82. The son of the late Charles R. Tinsman and Ruth Brown Tinsman, he was born November 18, 1921 in Port Jervis, NY. He was married to the late Ruth Roberts Tinsman. He was a Veteran of WWII, U.S. Army; member and past commander of Roosa-Fleming V.F.W., Post 161, Port Jervis; past Orange County adjutant. Survivors include one brother, William Tinsman and his wife June of Matamoras, PA; one sister, Frances Williams and her husband James of Matamoras, PA; two step-daughters: Norma Hill and her husband Bob of Colesville, NJ and Judith Long and her husband Edward "Ted" of Matamoras, PA; several step-grandchildren, several step-great grandchildren; one step- great great grandson. Also by his step-daughter-in-law Beverly Dexter of Matamoras, PA and several nieces and nephews. He is predeceased by his sister, Catherine Johnson and his step-son Jim Dexter. Private services will be held at the convenience of the family. Rev. Robert Grieve officiating. Burial will be in Pine Grove Cemetery, Matamoras, PA. Contributions may be made to Roosa-Fleming V.F.W., Post # 161, 47-51 Owen 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

KENNETH R. QUICK Bradenton, Fla. Formerly of Port Jervis, N.Y. Kenneth R. Quick, a longtime area resident, and a retired Treatment Assistant for Sarasota Memorial Psychiatric Center, Sarasota, Fla., died Thursday, November 11, 2004 at Sarasota Hospice House, Sarasota, Fla. He was 71. The son of the late Charles and Marion Jones Quick, he was born June 15, 1933 in Port Jervis. He married the late Roberta Leahy Quick. He was a veteran of the U.S. Army, serving during the Korean War. He was an avid bowler and great baseball player who enjoyed all sports. Survivors include three daughters, Michele Bijesse and her husband, Bob, of Phillipsport, Judi Quick and her companion, Eddie Forster of Matamoras, Pa., and Kerry Milano and her husband, Randy, of Bradenton, Fla.; three step-sons, Rodney Quick of Port Jervis, Kenneth Leahy of Bradenton, Fla.; Christopher Leahy of Ball Ground, Ga.; one brother, Everitt Quick and his wife, June, of Port Jervis; one sister, Gertrude Fritz of Port Jervis; eleven grandchildren, Caitlin Forster, Heather, Matthew, Shawn, Jeffrey, Brendon, Mindy, Amy and Michael Leahy, and John and Conner Quick; and several nieces and nephews. He was predeceased by his brother, Edgar "Doc" Quick; and stepson, Jeff Leahy. Friends may call Tuesday, November 16 from 3 to 4 and 7 to 9 p.m. at the Knight-Auchmoody Funeral Home, 154 East Main St., Port Jervis. Funeral services will be held Wednesday, November 17 at 10:30 a.m. at the funeral home with the Rev. Nancy Vonderhorst officiating. Burial will be in Pine Grove Cemetery, Matamoras, Pa. Contributions may be made to Hospice of Sarasota, 597-57 Rand Blvd., Sarasota, FL, 34238. Funeral arrangements by Knight-Auchmoody Funeral Home Inc., Port Jervis. For more information, directions or to send a condolence note to the family visit Knight-Auchmoody.com.

MARJORIE FLORENCE McBRIDE Port Jervis, N.Y. Marjorie Florence McBride, a lifelong area resident, and a retired trimmer for Barbra Quilting, Port Jervis, died Monday, November 8 at St. Joseph's Place, Port Jervis. She was 85. The daughter of the late Charles and Allie Osterhout Zurn, she was born November 19, 1918 in Sparrowbush. She was the widow of Ralph McBride. She attended The Salvation Army Congregation, Port Jervis; was a member of the Ladies Auxiliary, Roosa-Fleming V.F.W. Post # 161, Port Jervis; former member of Ladies Auxiliary, Port Jervis Fire Dept. Engine Co. #5, and Neversink Engine Co., Ladies Auxiliary. Survivors include two daughters, Constance Prynkiewicz and her husband, Stanley, of Port Jervis, and Patricia Conklin and her husband, William of Port Jervis; two sons, Ralph McBride and his companion, Jennie McElroy, of Port Jervis, and Charles McBride of Port Jervis; 12 grandchildren; 11 great-grandchildren; and several nieces and nephews. She was predeceased by a son, Ronald McBride; four sisters, Martha Thorton, Charlotte Vocci, Dorothy Hubbard, and Genevieve Haring; and one brother, Donald Zurn. Friends may call Thursday, November 11 from 7 to 9 p.m. at the Knight-Auchmoody Funeral Home, 154 E. Main St., Port Jervis. Ladies Auxiliary V.W. Post #161 will conduct services Thursday evening at 7:30 p.m. at the funeral home. Funeral services will be held Friday, November 12 at 10:30 a.m. at the funeral home with the Rev. Don Coy officiating. Burial will be in Pine Hill Cemetery, Sparrowbush. 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

REECE E. CUDDEBACK Sparrowbush, N.Y. Reece E. Cuddeback, a lifelong area resident, and a retired self-employed chauffeur, died Monday, November 8, 2004 at his home. He was 59. The son of the late William and Marie Felter Cuddeback, he was born August 28, 1945 in Port Jervis. Reece was an avid Photographer, enjoyed gardening and his love of birds. He was best known for transporting so many people and friends to and from airports in the Tri-State Area. Survivors include two brothers, Lee Cuddeback and his wife, Martha, of Sparrowbush and Daniel Cuddeback of Cottekill; four nieces, Marty and Sandy Cuddeback, Daisha Sen, and Djuna Cuddeback; one nephew, Elijah Chiam and a great niece, Janel Keys. Private services will be held at
the convenience of the family. Interment will be private. 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

RONALD A. ULRICHS Monticello, N.Y. Formerly of Cuddebackville, N.Y. Ronald A. Ulrichs, a truck driver for S&K Transportation, Forestburg, N.Y. and lifelong area resident, died Saturday, November 6, 2004 at Catskill Regional Medical Center in Harris. He was 59. The son of the late Kenneth and Beatrice Southard Ulrichs, he was born March 11, 1960 in Port Jervis. He enjoyed working on autos. Survivors include his companion, Pamela Jonisz and her son Erik at home; four brothers, Gary Ulrichs and his wife Bonnie of Cuddebackville, Douglas Ulrichs and his wife Diana of Huguenot, Robert Ulrichs and his wife Denise of Sparrowbush, Michael and his wife Pamela of Huguenot; one sister, Sharon Reyes and her husband David of Huguenot; three uncles, Herbert Ulrichs of Sparrowbush, Dennis Adkins and Harold Southard; four aunts, Doris Osiecke of Port Jervis, Edna Southard of Matamoras, Pa., Myra Southard of Port Jervis and Clara Southard; several cousins; six nieces; nine nephews; several great-nieces and nephews. Friends may call from 7 to 9 p.m., Tuesday, November 9 at the Knight-Auchmoody Funeral Home, 154 E. Main St., Port Jervis. Funeral services will be held at 10:30 a.m., Wednesday, November 10 at the funeral home. Burial will be in Quarry Hill Cemetery in Rio, N.Y. Arrangements by Knight-Auchmoody Funeral Home. For information, directions or to send a condolence note to the family, visit Knight-Auchmoody.com

ROBERT P. EY Sparrowbush, N.Y. Robert P. Ey, a retired cable maintenance supervisor for New York Telephone, South Fallsburg and lifelong area resident, died Thursday, November 4, 2004 at his home, with his family by his side. He was 71. The son of the late Walter and Rose Ward Ey, he was born December 6, 1932 in Manhattan. He was married first to the late Kathleen Harty Ey and second to Maryann Homer Ey, who survives. He was a member and past Exhalted Ruler of the Port Jervis Lodge of Elks, #645 B.P.O.E.; veteran of the US Navy, Korea; member of the Port Jervis Knights of Columbus Council #471; Big Bucks Hunting Club, Monticello; member and past dive master of the Sparrowbush Fire Department. "God saw you getting tired and a cure was not to be, so He wrapped his arms around you and He whispered 'Come with me.' With tearful eyes we watched you as we saw you fade away. Although we loved you deeply, we could not make you stay. A golden heart stopped beating, hard-working hands to rest. It broke our hearts, but proved to us He only takes the best."--Author Unknown. Survivors include his wife, Maryann Homer Ey at home; two daughters, Sharlene DiNunzio and her husband Greg of New Hampton, Karen Sweeney and her husband Joseph of Matamoras, Pa.; two sons, Robert Ey Jr. and his wife Terri of Port Jervis, James Ey and his wife Lori of Port Jervis; stepdaughter, Amy Waycie of Albany and stepson Matthew Waycie of Port Jervis; one brother Warren Ey; eight grandchildren, John Sweeney, Brian Sweeney, David Sweeney, Lindsay Innella, Michael DiNunzio, Robbie Ey, Derek Smith, and Jerika Waycie; and several nieces and nephews. He was predeceased by two brothers, William and Edward Ey. Friends may call from 2 to 4 and 7 to 9 p.m., Sunday, November 7 at the Knight-Auchmoody Funeral Home, 154 E. Main St., Port Jervis. A Funeral service will be held at 9:15 a.m. Monday, November 8 at the funeral home followed by a Mass of Christian Burial at 10 a.m. at St. Joseph's R.C. Church, Matamoras, Pa. The Rev. Gus Ricciardi will officiate. Prayers will be offered Sunday afternoon at 3 p.m. Port Jervis Lodge of Elks will conduct services Sunday evening at 7:30 p.m. Private interment will take place at St. Mary's Cemetery in Port Jervis. Contributions may be made to the Robert Fine Pancreatic Cancer Research Fund, c/o Columbia University Medical Center, Room 20-05, 650 West 168th Street, NY, NY 10037. Arrangements by Knight-Auchmoody Funeral Home. For information, directions or to send a condolence note to the family, please visit www.Knight-Auchmoody.com.

THERESA E. McNICHOLAS Port Jervis, N.Y. Theresa E. McNicholas of Port Jervis, a longtime area resident, and a retired accountant for the Episcopal Church Pension Fund, New York City, died Saturday, October 30, 2004 at Tri-City Hospital, Oceanside, Calif. She was 78. The daughter of the late John and May Petrie Douglas, she was born April 12, 1926 in New York City. She was the widow of Thomas M. McNicholas Sr. She was a member of Most Sacred Heart Roman Catholic Church, Port Jervis; and a member of Catholic Daughters, Court Madonna, #114, Port Jervis. Survivors include one son, Thomas McNicholas and his wife, Moira, of Rockville Center; one daughter, Janet Collins and her husband, William, of Vista, Calif.; one sister, Catherine Klocke of Los Angeles, Calif.; seven grandchildren, Michael, Jennifer, Elizabeth, Emily, Daniel, Melissa, and Terence; and several nieces and nephews. She was predeceased by her daughter, Theresa Gray. Friends may call on Thursday, November 4 from 3 to 5 and 7 to 9 p.m. at Knight-Auchmoody Funeral Home, 154 E. Main St., Port Jervis. Funeral services will be held Friday, November 5 at 8:45 a.m. at the funeral home. A Mass of Christian Burial follows at 9:30 a.m. at Most Sacred Heart Roman Catholic Church, Port Jervis, the Rev. Dennis Dinan as celebrant. Catholic Daughters will conduct services on Thursday evening at 7 p.m. at the funeral home. Vigil wake service will be held Thursday evening with Father Dennis officiating. Burial will be in St. Michael's Cemetery, Queens. Contributions may be made to St. Vincent DePaul Society, 1011 First Ave., New York, NY 10022. 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

EDWARD J. ROBBINS Matamoras, PA Edward J. Robbins, a retired Conductor for the Erie Railroad, Port Jervis, NY and a life long area resident, died Saturday, October 30 at Morristown Memorial Hosp, Morristown, NJ. He was 88. The son of the late Austin and Hazel Palmateer Robbins, he was born April 15, 1916 in Matamoras, PA. He was the widower of Dorothy Schwieger Robbins. Mr. Robbins was a member of the Port Jervis Lodge of Elks # 645 B.P.O.E.; member of the Milford Lodge of Masons # 244 F& AM; member of the Lehigh Consistory 32 degree Masons, Allentown, PA; Wayne-Pike Shrine Club; Ancient Arabic Order Noble Mystic Shrine, Irem Temple, Wilkes-Barre, PA; 50 year member of the Matamoras Fire Dept.; member of the Matamoras Senior Citizens; member of the U.T.U. (United Transportation Union). Survivors include two daughters: Nancy Robbins of Lakewood, Washington and Roberta Coda of Milford, PA; two grandsons: Edward Coda of Cambridge, MA and Marc Coda at home, and one nephew. He was predeceased by his sister, Lois Roberts. Memorial services will be held on Thursday, November 4 at 1 p.m. at the Knight-Auchmoody Funeral Home, 154 E. Main St., Port Jervis, NY. Rev. Robert E. Foster officiating. Burial will be in Laurel Grove Cemetery, Port Jervis, NY. Contributions may be made to the American Heart Assoc. 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