Our Obituaries

Jan Marie Biggs Benson, a secretary at Delaware Valley High School, Westfall, Pa., and longtime resident of the area, died January 25, 2005 at the Geisinger Medical Center in Wilkes-Barre, Pa. She was 47.The daughter of Anita Ballini Biggs and the late Lawrence Biggs, she was born August 6, 1957 in Saddle Brook, N.J.A member of Milford Bible Church in Milford, Pa., she is survived by her husband, James W. Benson, Jr., at home; one son, James Benson III, at home; one daughter, Jackie Lynn Owens and her husband, Sean, of Richmond, Va.; one granddaughter, Taylor Owens; her mother, Anita Biggs, of Vernon, N.J.; two brothers: Raymond Biggs and his wife, Tammy, of Montague, N.J., and Larry Biggs and his wife, DeDe, of Miami, Fla.; two sisters: Lynn Schweighardt and her husband, Lou, of Vernon, N.J., and Laurie Smilie and her husband, Chuck, of Wayne, N.J.; and several nieces and nephews.Funeral will be at 11:00 AM on Saturday January 29, 2005 in the Milford Bible Church, Milford, Pa., with the Rev. Rodney Ryle and the Rev. Neil Wintermute officiating.Interment will be private.Memorial contributions may be made to: American Cancer Society - Pike County Chapter, 110 W. Harford, Milford, PA 18337.Arrangements by Knight-Auchmoody Funeral Home, Inc. 154 E. Main St., Port Jervis, N.Y. For directions or to send a condolence please visit Knight-Auchmoody.com

Carman "Chub" Prisco Jr., a retired self-employed carpenter and lifelong area resident, died Wednesday, January 19, 2005 at his home. He was 78.The son of the late Carman and Marion Maillet Prisco, he was born April 3, 1926 in Port Jervis.Chub was a veteran of WW II, US Navy; member of the Roosa-Fleming VFW Post #161, Port Jervis; one of the founders of the Port Jervis Little League; and was instrumental in the construction of the concession/announcement building.Chub was a member of the City of Port Jervis Common Council, representing the First Ward, First District. He served as a council member from 1988 to the present and actively served on the Police Committee, The Code and Legislative Committee, and has acted as the Liaison to the Plumbing and Electrical Board for the City of Port Jervis. Chub's attendance for the Common Council meetings as well as the various committees, whether he was actively serving or not, was impeccable, attending virtually every meeting.A family statement reads, "'Chubo' was one of a kind; a great husband, father and grandfather. He was a straight forward guy who loved family, friends, trains, fishing, baseball and serving as councilman, the area he loved so well, Port Jervis."Survivors include his wife, Mary A. Stone Prisco at home; two sons, Carman B. Prisco III and his wife Deanna of Middletown, George Prisco and his wife Susie of Matamoras, Pa.; one brother, Ollie Prisco and his wife Alice of Port Jervis; one sister, Marilyn Hinkley of Port Jervis; one grandson, Casey Prisco; three granddaughters, Susan and Lyndsay Prisco, Carrie Morrison and her husband Darrell; and several nieces and nephews, including Rayia Swanerbury.He was predeceased by his brother, Joseph Prisco.Friends may call from 5 to 7 p.m., Friday, January 21 at the Knight-Auchmoody Funeral Home, 154 E. Main St., Port Jervis.Funeral services will be held at 6:30 p.m., Friday at the funeral home with Mayor Gary Lapriore officiating.Interment will be private.Contributions may be made to the Roosa-Fleming VFW Post #161, 47-51 Owen Street, Port Jervis, NY 12771.Arrangements by Knight-Auchmoody Funeral Home. For information, directions or to send a condolence note to the family, visit www.knight-auchmoody.com

Rose "Bednarski" Budner, a homemaker, died Sunday, January 16, 2005. She was 88.The daughter of the late Louis and Mary Kalenick Boida, she was born August 12, 1916 in Manhattan, N.Y.She was married to the late John Budner.She was a member of St. Ann's R.C. Church, Garden City, N.Y.Survivors include two daughters, Patricia Bednarski of Sparrowbush, N.Y., Gloria Mullarkey and her husband John of Middletown, N.Y.; one grandson, Scott Mullarkey and his wife Sandra of Bloomingburg, N.Y.; one great-granddaughter, Alexandra Turpin.Friends may call from 2 to 4 and 7 to 9 p.m., Tuesday, January 18 at the Knight-Auchmoody Funeral Home, 154 E. Main St., Port Jervis. The Blessing and prayer services will be held Tuesday at 7:30 p.m. at the funeral home. The Rev. August Ricciardi officiating. The vigil wake service will be held Tuesday afternoon at 3:30 p.m. with Father Ivan Csete officiating.Burial will be in Pine Lawn Memorial Park Cemetery, Pine Lawn, Long Island.Arrangements by Knight-Auchmoody Funeral Home. For information, directions or to send a condolence note to the family, visit Knight-Auchmoody.com

GLADYS L. DOBBS Port Jervis, N.Y. Gladys L. Dobbs, of Port Jervis, retired from the Dietary Dept., Port Jervis High School Cafeteria and life-long area resident, died Tuesday, January 11, at Bradley Memorial Hosp., Southington, Conn. She was 93. The daughter of the late Erwin and Nora Bradley Avery, she was born June 11, 1911 in Eldred, NY. She was married to the late George E. Dobbs. She was a member of the Drew United Methodist Church, Port Jervis; former member of River Valley Chapter, O.E.S. # 33, Port Jervis. Survivors include three daughters: Joan Froehlich of New Rochelle, NY, Barbara Bull and her husband Richard of Southington, CT and Bette M. Flath and her husband Arthur of Plantsville, CT; eight grandchildren: Scott, Jason and Lisa Dobbs, George Froehlich, William Froehlich, Martha Mitchell, Steven Bull and Michael Bull; eight great grandchildren; her daughter-in-law, Janet Dobbs of Port Jervis, one niece. She was predeceased by her son, Harry "Skippy" Dobbs. Friends may call Saturday January 15 from 10-11 AM at the Knight-Auchmoody Funeral Home, 154 E. Main St., Port Jervis. Funeral will be Saturday, January 15 at 11 AM in the funeral home with the Rev. Glenn Scheyhing officiating. Burial will be in Laurel Grove 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 please visit Knight-Auchmoody.com

CATHERINE COMPTON Mill Rift, PA Catherine Compton, a homemaker and long time area resident, died Saturday, January 8, 2005 at Orlando, FL. She was 91. The daughter of the late William and Catherine J. Coffey O'Connor, she was born January 28, 1913 in Brooklyn, NY. She was married to the late George W. Compton Sr. She was a member of St. Joseph's RC Church, Matamoras, PA. Survivors include one son, George W. Compton Jr. of Mill Rift, PA; one grandson, Mark Compton and his companion Linda of Mill Rift, PA; one niece, Nancy Morris. Friends may call prior to services on Wednesday, January 12, 2005 at the Knight-Auchmoody Funeral Home, 154 E. Main St., Port Jervis. Funeral Wednesday, January 12 at 9:15 a.m. at the funeral home, followed by a Mass of Christian Burial at 10 a.m. at St. Joseph's RC Church, Matamoras, Pa. The Rev. August Ricciardi will officiate. Burial will be in Mill Rift Cemetery, Mill Rift, PA. Funeral arrangements by Knight-Auchmoody Funeral Home, Inc. For information, directions or to send a condolence note to the family, visit knight-auchmoody.com

JOHN "JACK" JARVIES Port Jervis, N.Y. John "Jack" Jarvies, of Port Jervis, died Tuesday, January 4, 2005 at Bon Secours Community Hospital in Port Jervis. He was 74. The son of the late Edward A. Jarvies and Mary Isabel Jarvies, he was born June 20, 1930 in Cleveland, Ohio. He was married to Rose Marie Chadband Jarvies, who survives. He was a member of St. Mary's R.C. Church, Port Jervis; Veteran of the US Navy, Korean War and Viet Nam. Jack was the Commanding Officer of the USS Carbonero SS 337 and served aboard 5 different Submarines. He was also a member of the US Submarines Veterans Inc. Hudson Valley Base, Post 8645, past commander and member of the Holland Club, New Paltz. Jack was a Retired Commander of the US Navy after 22 years of service. He was also a retired production manager for Domino Sugar, Philadelphia, Pa. and Ret. plant manager for Wick-Hen Products, Port Jervis, N.Y. Survivors include his wife at home; Rose Chadband Jarvies; son, Gregg Jarvies and his wife Angela of Hillsborough, N.C.; five daughters, Janice Jarvies of Clementon, N.J., Barbara Jarvies of Norristown, Pa., Joanne Christaldi and her husband Joseph of Berlin, N.J., Patricia Herrera and her husband Raul of Old Bridge, N.J., Maureen Cadena and her husband Marco of Quito, Ecuador; one brother, Richard Jarvies and wife Maria of Fayetteville, N.C.; two sisters, Anne Carroll and Maryanne Coleman and her husband Dean all of Kennesaw, Ga.; seven grandchildren, Laura, Kevin, Chuck, Cathy, Stephanie, Samantha, Olivia; and several nieces and nephews. He was predeceased by his stepmother, Wilhemena Jarvies. Visitation will be held from 6 to 8 p.m., Friday, January 7 at the Knight-Auchmoody Funeral Home, 154 E. Main St., Port Jervis. A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at 10 a.m., Saturday, January 8 at St. Mary's R.C. Church, Port Jervis. The Rev. Kuriakose will officiate. USSVI will conduct services Friday at 7 p.m. at the funeral home. The vigil wake service will be held at 6:30 p.m., Friday. Interment will be private. Contributions may be made to the USSVI, c/o VFW Post 8645, 101 Route 208, New Paltz, NY 12561. Arrangements by Knight-Auchmoody Funeral Home. For information, directions or to send a condolence note to the family, visit Knight-Auchmoody.com

KENNETH J. HOEG Port Jervis, N.Y. Kenneth J. Hoeg, a retired police officer for the Port Jervis Police Dept., and lifelong area resident, died Tuesday, January 4, 2005 at Bon Secours Community Hospital in Port Jervis. He was 52. The son of the late Anthony J. and Catherine Galligan Hoeg, he was born March 8, 1952 in Brooklyn. He was a member of the First Baptist Church, Port Jervis. Ken graduated with honors in August 1980 with a Degree in Police Science/Criminal Justice from Orange County Community College. He was a member of the Retired Police Assoc.-State of New York; Police Conference of New York; former member of the Port Jervis P.B.A.; CSEA; and a retiree Local 917. In 1974, he served as a special police officer with both the Westchester County Parkway Police and the Village of Briarcliff Police Department. From 1975 to 1978, Ken served the Town of Deerpark as the first full-time police officer. Ken was a strong advocate of donating blood to the American Red Cross. Survivors include his wife, Mercy Lian Sing Hoeg at home; one daughter, Naomi Hoeg at home; one son, Charles Hoeg and his wife Carly of Dunmore, Pa.; four sisters, Patricia Hoeg Walter-Riendeau and husband Ron of Port St. Lucie, Fla., Maureen Flood and husband Neil, Theresa Traher and husband Lee all of Port St. Lucie, Fla., Kathleen Coffey and husband George of Pleasantville; one brother, Anthony Hoeg Jr. and his wife Dylis also of Port St. Lucie, Fla.; one granddaughter, Catherine Hoeg; and several aunts, uncles, nieces and nephews. Calling hours will be held from 2 to 4 and 7 to 9 p.m., Friday, January 7 at the Knight-Auchmoody Funeral Home, 154 E. Main St., Port Jervis. Funeral services will be held Saturday, January 8 at 1 p.m. at the First Baptist Church, Port Jervis. The Rev. James Brosius and the Rev. Ross Brittain will officiate. Burial will be in Pine Hill Cemetery in Sparrowbush. Contributions may be made to the First Baptist Church, 34 E. Main St., Port Jervis, NY 12771. Arrangements by Knight-Auchmoody Funeral Home. For information, directions or to send a condolence note to the family, visit Knight-Auchmoody.com

CONCETTA "TILLIE" GARCIA Port Jervis, N.Y. Concetta "Tillie" Garcia, a retired floor lady for Novelty Slipper Co. in Port Jervis and lifelong area resident, died Sunday, January 2, 2005 at Bon Scours Community Hospital in Port Jervis. She was 100. The daughter of the late Giacamo and Serifina D'Arago Ricciardi, she was born December 8, 1904 in New York City, N.Y. She was the widow of Nestor Garcia. She was a member of St. Mary's R.C. Church, Port Jervis; Catholic Daughters Court Madonna #114, Port Jervis; Our Lady of Mt. Carmel Society, Port Jervis. Survivors include two daughters, June O'Donnell and her fiancé, Jim Quick of Port Jervis, Maria Elena McClure of Orem, Utah; one son, Edward Garcia of Tulsa, Okla.; 13 grandchildren, Erin and her husband Shaun, Karen, Eddie, Todd, Brian, Michelle, Estelle, Nathaniel, Sarah, Harry, Johnathan and Evana; 31 great-grandchildren; her former daughter-in-law, Patricia Muirheid of Tulsa, Okla.; her former son-in-law, Harry McClure of Kingston; and several nieces and nephews. She was predeceased by her grandson, Aaron Garcia. Visitation will be held from 2 to 4 and 7 to 9 p.m., Thursday, January 6 at the Knight-Auchmoody Funeral Home, 154 E. Main St., Port Jervis. Funeral services will be held at 10:15 a.m. at the funeral home on Friday, January 7 followed by a Mass of Christian Burial at 11 a.m. at St. Mary's R.C. Church, Port Jervis. Mt. Carmel will conduct services Thursday at 2:30 p.m.; Catholic Daughters will conduct services at 7:30 p.m.; and the Vigil Wake Service will be held Thursday at 3:30 p.m., all at the funeral home. Interment will be in St. Mary's Cemetery, Port Jervis Contributions may be made to St. Mary's R.C. Church, 46 Ball St., Port Jervis, NY 12771. Arrangements by Knight-Auchmoody Funeral Home. For information, directions or to send a condolence note to the family, visit Knight-Auchmoody.com