Our Obituaries

Carl Montgomery Buchanan, a lifelong resident of the area and retired cable splicer for Verizon Telephone Co. in Port Jervis, N.Y., died Sunday July 24, 2005 at the Westchester Medical Center in Valhalla, N.Y. He was 74.

The son of the late Homer and Lillian E. Smith Buchanan, he was born April 5, 1931 in Matamoras, Pa.

Mr. Buchanan was a veteran of the U.S. Air Force, serving during the Korean War. He was a member of the National Rifle Association; American Legion in Philadelphia, Pa.; member of the Buxton, Maine Rod & Gun Club; the International Brotherhood Electrical Workers Union; and a member of the Day Lilies Society.

A family statement reads: "Carl was an avid gardener, outdoorsman, hunter and fisherman. He enjoyed spending many years at his second home in Hollis, Maine."

He is survived by his wife, Loretta M. Koenig Buchanan, at home; one son, Carl Buchanan and his wife, Marie, of Milford, Pa.; one brother, James Buchanan of Matamoras, Pa.; one granddaughter, Tammy Allison and her husband, William; three great-grandchildren: Cody, Taylor and Olivia; and several nieces and nephews.

He was predeceased by his brother, Homer L. Buchanan, Jr.

Private services will be held at the convenience of the family at the Knight-Auchmoody Funeral Home, Inc., 154 E. Main St., Port Jervis, N.Y. Burial will be in Pine Hill Cemetery, Sparrowbush, N.Y.

Memorial contributions may be made to the Newton Memorial Hospital, Newton, NJ 07860.

Arrangements were made by the Knight-Auchmoody Funeral Home, Inc. For information or to send a condolence note to the family, please visit www.Knight-Auchmoody.com.

Douglas R. Knight, a retired manager of A & P Food Store in Sussex, N.J., and lifelong resident of the area, died July 24, 2005, at his home. He was 85.

Son of the late Harry Knight and Maude Wright, he was born July 13, 1920 in Sparrowbush, N.Y.

A veteran of the U.S. Army, he served during World War II. He was a member of the Roosa-Fleming VFW Post #161 in Port Jervis, N.Y.

He was the widower of Catherine L. Knight and Gertrude Bell Knight, and was also predeceased by a daughter, Maria Innella.

He is survived by two daughters, Janeen Gardner of Lackawaxen, Pa., and Terry Helt and her husband, Michael, of Lackawaxen, Pa.; one sister, Mary Jensen of San Jose, Calif.; and several grandchildren and great-grandchildren.

Visitation will be on Tuesday July 26, 2005 from 2-4 and 7-9 PM at the Knight-Auchmoody Funeral Home, Inc., 154 East Main St., Port Jervis, N.Y. The Roosa-Fleming VFW Post #161 will conduct services on Tuesday evening at 7:30 PM.

Funeral services will be held at 10:30 AM on Wednesday, July 27 in the funeral home with the Rev. Robert Cassidy officiating.

Burial will be at the Pine Hill Cemetery in Sparrowbush, N.Y.

Memorial contributions in his name may be made to St. John's Hospice, 1007 Oak St., Pittston, PA 18600.

Funeral arrangements were made by the Knight-Auchmoody Funeral Home, Inc. For information, directions or to send a condolence note to the family, please visit www.Knight-Auchmoody.com.

Viola B. Snelson, a retired office manager for W.T. Grant Dept. Store, Port Jervis, retired manager for Hickory Grove Mobile Home Park, Matamoras, Pa. and longtime area resident, died Wednesday, July 20, 2005 at Belle Reve, Milford, Pa. She was 84.

The daughter of the late Lester Macdonald and Eva Mae Potter Macdonald, she was born August 22, 1920 in Mountain View, N.J.

She was married to the late Alden K. Snelson for 56 years.

She was a member of the United Methodist Church of Matamoras, Pa.; United Methodist Woman; Ladies Auxiliary and Wayne American Legion.

Survivors include her son Ronald A. Snelson of Parsippany, N.J.; three sisters, Eva Mae Solimene of Matamoras, Pa., Josephine McDonald of Temple, Texas and Shirley Scheulen of Fairlawn, N.J.; and several nieces and nephews.

Friends may call from 2 to 4 and 7 to 9 p.m., Monday, July 25 at Knight-Auchmoody Funeral Home, 154 E. Main St., Port Jervis.

Funeral services will be held at 10 a.m. Tuesday, July 26 at the funeral home with the Rev. Donald Shearer officiating.

Burial will be in Laurel Grove Cemetery in Totowa, N.J.

Arrangements by Knight-Auchmoody Funeral Home. For information, directions or to send a condolence note to the family, visit knight-auchmoody.com

John I. Nied, retired from Fogelson Bakery, Newton, N.J., retired manager for (Westfall) Deerpark Dairy, Port Jervis and retired security guard for Orange County Community College, Port Jervis and lifelong resident of the area, died Friday, July 15, 2005 at Bon Secours Community Hospital in Port Jervis. He was 86.

The son of the late Idres W. Nied and Marjorie Quinn Nied, he was born May 9, 1919 in Sparrowbush.

He was married to the late Sylvia Hulse Nied.

He was a member of the Most Sacred Heart R.C. Church, Port Jervis. He was a US Army veteran of WW II with the rank of Tech. Sgt. serving in Italy and Africa; member of Roosa-Fleming VFW Post #161, Port Jervis; life-member of Sparrowbush Fire Dept. As a hobby, he was a recreational pilot who flew Cessna and Piper Cubs in the Tri-State Area.

A family statement read, "John was a loving husband, father, father-in-law and grandfather. He was loved by all who knew him and will be sadly missed."

Survivors include his son, John Nied and his wife Connie of Sparrowbush; two daughters Pat Howard and husband Walt of Sparrowbush, Linda Worden and husband Michael of Port Jervis; grandchildren Terry DeGroat and husband Kevin, David Nied and wife Janene, Lisa Reed and husband Chris, Jeff Howard and wife Rachel, Greg Howard and wife Karen, Michael Worden, Bill Worden and wife Angela, Scott Worden, Melissa Pulsinelli and husband Anthony; great-grandchildren, Sarah and Timmy DeGroat, Anna, Alissa and Emily Nied, Amanda and Jenna Newman, Sierra Reed, Cheyerine and Kayla Howard, Lindsey and Tyler Howard, Brianna and Alexis Worden, Ryan and Michael Worden, Emma Pulsinelli; one great-great-granddaughter, Ashley McKeon; longtime friend and neighbor Rodney Jorgenson; one sister Veronica Bogen of Sparrowbush; and several nieces and nephews.

He was predeceased by his brother-in-law, Odd Bogen.

Visitation will be held from 2 to 4 and 7 to 9 p.m. Monday, July 18 at the Knight-Auchmoody Funeral Home, 154 E. Main St., Port Jervis. Sparrowbush Fire Dept. will conduct services at 7:30 p.m. Monday in the funeral home and a vigil wake service will be held at 8 p.m.

Funeral services will be held at 10:15 a.m. Tuesday, July 19 at the funeral home. A Mass of Christian Burial will follow at 11 a.m. in Most Sacred Heart R.C. Church, Port Jervis with the Rev. Dennis Dinan officiating.

Burial will be held in St. Mary's Cemetery in Port Jervis with military honors.

Contributions may be made to the Sparrowbush Fire Dept., Main Street, 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

Ann L. Walsh, a retired file clerk for South Side Hospital and nine-year area resident, formerly a lifelong resident of West Islip, N.Y., died Monday, July 11, 2005 at her home in Port Jervis. She was 77.

The daughter of the late Frank and Frances Smith Meyers, she was born May 20, 1928 in Brooklyn.

She previously spent many years in West Islip, N.Y. and was a member of the Arts and Crafts Club of Port Jervis, Friendly Senior Citizens Club of Port Jervis and Golden Senior Citizens Club of Port Jervis.

Survivors include her husband Robert Walsh at home; two sons, William Walsh and wife Barbara of Croton, N.Y. and Michael Walsh and wife Colleen of West Islip; one daughter, Susan Keegan and husband Thomas of Babylon; eight grandchildren, Amy, Colleen, Matthew, Andrew, Daniel, Tyler, Rivka and David; eight brothers and sisters; and numerous nieces and nephews.

Visitation will be held from noon to 2 p.m. Thursday, July 14 at Knight-Auchmoody Funeral Home, 154 E. Main St., Port Jervis.

Funeral services will follow visitation at 2 p.m. in the funeral home. The Rev. Johnnie F. Bell 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

Sophie Pawlicha, a retired sewing machine operator for Novelty Slipper Co. and Andmore Sportswear Inc., both in Port Jervis, and lifelong area resident, died Sunday, July 10, 2005 at Bon Secours Community Hospital in Port Jervis. She was 82.

The daughter of the late Bloschko and Kathryn Owsianiwska, she was born June 11, 1923 in Ukraine.

She was a member of St. Mary's R.C. Church, Port Jervis.

Survivors include her husband Joseph Pawlicha at home; one daughter, Johanna Goulette and husband Bill of Port Jervis; one granddaughter Donna Long and husband TJ; two grandsons, Michael Goulette and wife Brigitte, Carl Goulette and companion Dawn; seven great-grandchildren, Ashley, Brittany, Kyle, Kayla, Courtney, Brandon, Joshua; and several nieces and nephews.

Friends may call from 2 to 4 and 7 to 9 p.m., Wednesday, July 13 at the Knight-Auchmoody Funeral Home, 154 E. Main St., Port Jervis. A vigil wake service will be held at 8 p.m. Wednesday evening.

Funeral services will be held at 10:15 a.m. Thursday, July 14 at the funeral home followed by a Mass of Christian Burial at 11 a.m. in St. Mary's R.C. Church, Port Jervis. The Rev. Dennis Dinan will officiate.

Burial will be in St. Mary's Cemetery.

Arrangements by Knight-Auchmoody Funeral Home. For information, directions or to send a condolence note to the family, visit Knight-Auchmoody.com

Betty Jane Davey died Thursday, July 7, 2005. She was 72. The daughter of the late Clarence and Gladys Anderson Cassell, she was born September 20, 1933 in Washington, D.C. She is survived by her husband: James Isaac Davey Sr. at home; children: Susan Garcia of Lynchburg, Va., James Davey Jr. of Monticello, N.Y., Tammy Slick of Fallsburg, N.Y., Ruby Gold and husband Ira of South Fallsburg, N.Y., Catherine Price and husband John of Gowanda, N.Y., Fawn Mitchell and husband Donald of Monticello, N.Y., John Davey and wife Luisa of Garfield, N.J., William E. Davey and wife Melissa of Stone Ridge, N.J.; one sister, Doris "The General" Shifflet of Lynchburg, Va.; two brothers, James Cassell of Lynchburg, Va. and Clarence Cassell Jr. of Waldorf, Md.; 16 grandchildren; and six great-grandchildren. She was predeceased by her brother Richard Cassell. Friends may call Sunday, July 10 from 7 to 9 p.m. and Monday, July 11 from 2 to 4 and 7 to 9 p.m. at Knight-Auchmoody Funeral Home, 154 E. Main St., Port Jervis, N.Y. 12771. Funeral services will be held at 3 p.m. Tuesday, July 12 at the funeral home. Burial will be held in Laurel Grove Cemetery, Port Jervis. Contributions may be made to Jamerson Family YMCA, 801 Wyndhurst Drive, Lynchburg, VA 24502. Arrangements by Knight-Auchmoody Funeral Home. For information, directions or to send a condolence note to the family, visit Knight-Auchmoody.com

Nicholas L. DeMarco, a retired machinist for Picatinny Arsenal, Dover, N.J., and retired staff sergeant for 23 years in the U.S. Army National Guard, died Wednesday, July 6, 2005 at St. Joseph's Place in Port Jervis. He was 82. A longtime area resident, Nicholas was born in Garfield, N.J. on April 13, 1923 to the late Salvatore and Rose Pelliteri DiMarco. He was the widower of Marcella Stoddard DeMarco who died Dec. 20, 1992. Nicholas was a member of Most Sacred Heart R.C. Church, Port Jervis. He was a WW II Army Veteran, serving as a Master Sergeant participating in the Normandy Invasion of France on Omaha Beach. Survivors include two brothers, Joseph DeMarco and wife Norma of Jay, N.Y., Frank DiMarco and wife Marion of Plantation, Fla.; two grandchildren, Marcianne DiMarco-Holley and Mark DiMarco; two great-grandchildren Brooke and Brittany Holley; and several nieces and nephews. He was predeceased by his son Nicholas DiMarco and a brother Vincent James DiMarco. Friends may call from 2 to 4 and 7 to 9 p.m. Monday, July 11 at the Knight-Auchmoody Funeral Home, 154 E. Main St., Port Jervis. Funeral services will be held at 10 a.m. Tuesday, July 12 at the funeral home. The Rev. Thomas Petro will officiate. Burial will be in St. Nicholas Cemetery, Lodi, N.J. next to his wife Marcella. Contributions may be made to St. Joseph's Place Port Jervis or a charity of one's choice. Arrangements by Knight-Auchmoody Funeral Home. For information, directions or to send a condolence note to the family, visit Knight-Auchmoody.com

Rosalie Prestimonico McBride Berner, a retired floorlady for Andmore Sportswear, Inc. of Port Jervis and longtime area resident, died Wednesday, July 6, 2005 at the Valley View Center for Nursing Care and Rehabilitation in Goshen. She was 84.

The daughter of the late Joseph and Lorenza Prestimonico, she was born July 29, 1920 in Frazzano, Italy.

She was a member of St. Mary's R.C. Church in Port Jervis and I.L.G.W.U.

Survivors include one daughter, Patricia Ann Muller and her husband Michael of Port Jervis; one brother Joseph Prestimonico and his wife Rose of Port Jervis; three grandsons, Michael Muller and his wife Melissa, Scott Muller and Jason Muller; five great-grandchildren, Michael, Amanda, Jessica, Jennifer and Jordon Muller; sister-in-law, Mary Prestimonico of Jersey City, N.J.; several nieces and nephews.

She was predeceased by her brother Vincent Prestimonico.

Friends may call from 7 to 9 p.m. Friday, July 8 at Knight-Auchmoody Funeral Home, 154 E. Main St., Port Jervis.

Funeral services will be held at 11 a.m., Saturday, July 9 at the funeral home. The Rev. Nancy Vonderhorst will officiate.

Burial will be in Pine Hill Cemetery, Sparrowbush.

Contributions may be made to Valley View Center For Nursing Care and Rehabilitation, Glenmere Cove Road, PO Box 59, Goshen, NY 10924.

Arrangements by Knight-Auchmoody Funeral Home. For information, directions of to send a condolence note to the family, visit Knight-Auchmoody.com

Jorge Ventura, a retired funeral attendant and former proprietor of Ventura Brothers Store in Puerto Rico, and lifelong resident of the area, died Wednesday July 6, 2005 in Middletown Park Manor. He was 83.

Son of the late Pedro and Margarita Perez Ventura, he was born February 22, 1922 in Manati, Puerto Rico.

He is survived by his wife, Paulina Lugo Ventura, at home; four daughters: Gladys Rosa and husband, Angel, of Sparrowbush, Maria Garcia and husband, Victor, of Middletown, Lisa Nieves and husband, Luis, of Leona, N.J., and Rosa Maria Ventura of Bronx, N.Y.; one son, Jorge Ventura of Bronx, N.Y.; one sister, Juana Ventura of Puerto Rico; several grandchildren and eight great-grandchildren.

He was predeceased by four brothers: Felipe Ventura, German Ventura, Raul Ventura and Pedro Ventura.

Prayers will be said in the Knight-Auchmoody Funeral Home, Inc., 154 E. Main St., Port Jervis, N.Y. on Friday July 8, 2005 at 2:15 PM.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at 3:30 PM at St. Mary's R.C. Church in Port Jervis with the Rev. Dennis Dinan officiating, following prayers.

Burial will be in Cemeterio Altagracia, Manati, Puerto Rico.

Memorial contributions may be made to Cemeterio Altagracia, Manati, Puerto Rico.

Funeral arrangements were made by the Knight-Auchmoody Funeral Home, Inc. For information, directions or to send a condolence note to the family, please visit www.Knight-Auchmoody.com.

Anna Mezencew, a homemaker and resident of the area for many years, died July 6, 2005 at Bon Secours Community Hospital, Port Jervis. She was 94.

She was born February 9, 1911 in St. Petersburg, Russia.

She was the widow of Leonid Mezencew.

Anna attended of St. Peter and Paul Ukrainian Orthodox Church in Glen Spey.

Survivors include one daughter, Helen Sosnowski and husband Jerzy of Glen Spey, N.Y.; two grandsons, Andrew and wife Suzanne, George and wife Gretchen; granddaughter, Irene Sosnowski; three great-grandchildren, Zoe, Griffin and Selena; son-in-law's sister, Maria of Poland; and son-in-law's brother Alex Sosnowski and wife Barbara with their two children Tom and Anna.

Friends may call from 2 to 4 and 7 to 8 p.m., Thursday, July 7 at the Knight-Auchmoody Funeral Home, 154 E. Main St., Port Jervis.

Funeral services will be held at 10 a.m., July 8 at St. Peter and Paul Ukrainian Orthodox Church in Glen Spey with a Divine Liturgy to be celebrated. The Rev. Nestor Kowal will officiate.

Burial will be in Glen Spey Cemetery in Glen Spey.

Arrangements by Knight-Auchmoody Funeral Home. For information, directions or to send a condolence note to the family, visit Knight-Auchmoody.com

Doris Kelsall, a retired cook for the Orange County Infirmary Food Service and resident of New Hampton for many years, died Tuesday July 5, 2005 at the Orange County Health and Residential Facility in Goshen, N.Y. She was 84.

The daughter of the late Caldwell and Helen Davis Strong, she was born May 14, 1921 in Philadelphia, Pa.

She was a member of Otisville-Mount Hope Presbyterian Church in Otisville; the Bloomingburg Grange; Bloomingburg Restoration Foundation; Order of the Eastern Star in Monroe; and was a former volunteer at Horton Memorial Hospital.

She was the widow of Norman Kelsall.

She is survived by four daughters: Doris Bialas and her husband, Frank, of New Hampton, N.Y.; Helen Kalkowski and her husband, Dean, of Saddleback, N.J.; Pamela Decker and her husband, Arthur, of Ellenville, N.Y.; and Gerry Kelsall of Bloomingburg, N.Y.; two sons, Richard Kelsall of Ellenville, N.Y., and Norman Kelsall and his wife, Julia Everett of Middletown, N.Y.; former son-in-law, Norman Braverman of Connecticut; one brother, Frank Strong of California; six grandchildren: Kasha and Jeff Bialas, John and Josh Decker, and Shane and Becky Braverman; and three great-grandchildren.

Funeral services will be held at 4 PM on Sunday July 10, 2005 at the Otisville-Mount Hope Presbyterian Church in Otisville, N.Y. with the Rev. Jeff Farley officiating.

Interment will be private.

Memorial contributions may be made to the Humane Society of the donor's choice.

Arrangements were made by the Knight-Auchmoody Funeral Home, Inc., 154 E. Main St., Port Jervis, N.Y. For information, directions or to send a condolence note to the family, please visit www.Knight-Auchmoody.com.

Memorial services for Leonard "Itch" Mapes, age 69, late of Hazelwood, Mo. and formerly of Port Jervis, N.Y. will be held on Friday, July 8 at 1:00 PM at the Knight-Auchmoody Funeral Home, Inc., 154 E. Main St., Port Jervis, N.Y., with the Rev. Robert E. Foster officiating. Interment will take place at Pine Grove Cemetery in Matamoras, Pa.

Arrangements were made by the Knight-Auchmoody Funeral Home, Inc. www.Knight-Auchmoody.com.

Henrietta S. Hartwell, a lifelong resident of the area, died Sunday July 3, 2005 at the Praxis Facility in Easton, Pa. She was 88.

Daughter of the late Henry and Mary Slauson Dunn, she was born August 6, 1916 in Port Jervis, N.Y.

A homemaker, she was a member of the Deerpark Reformed Church in Port Jervis; a member of Port Jervis Senior Citizens; and the National A.A.R.P.

She was the widow of George E. Hartwell.

She is survived by one son, George E. Hartwell and his wife, Ieva, of Midland, Mich.; two daughters, Sylvia Brigham and her husband, Harold, of Hernando Beach, Fla., and Mary Jane Millspaugh and her husband, John, of Port Jervis; seven grandchildren; ten great-grandchildren; and several nieces and nephews.

Friends may call today, Tuesday, July 5, from 7-9 PM at the Knight-Auchmoody Funeral Home, Inc., 154 E. Main St., Port Jervis, N.Y.

Funeral services will be held on Wednesday, July 6 at 10:30 AM in the funeral home with the Rev. Ann Rost officiating. Burial will follow in Rural Valley Cemetery in Cuddebackville, N.Y.

Memorial contributions may be made to: The Deerpark Reformed Church, 28 E. Main St., Port Jervis, NY 12771.

Arrangements were made by the Knight-Auchmoody Funeral Home, Inc. For information, directions or to send a condolence note to the family, please visit www.Knight-Auchmoody.com.

MaryEllen Lewis, a retired binder for Novelty Slipper Co. in Port Jervis and lifelong area resident, died Monday, June 27, 2005 at her home in Greenville. She was 85.

The daughter of the late John R. Pepper and Mary Grace Wilcox Pepper, she was born Sept. 8, 1919 in Port Jervis.

She was a communicant of St. Mary's R.C. Church, Port Jervis. MaryEllen was an avid Bingo player, loved to hunt and fish and enjoyed making crafts and presenting to her friends. She was a member of the Ladies Auxiliary VFW Post #3175, Greenville.

Survivors include her husband, Robert Lewis at home; one daughter, Joyce Decker and husband Carl of Town of Greenville; two sons, Earl J. Garrity and companion Cheryl of Port Jervis, Kenneth Garrity and wife Joan of Port Jervis; stepson, Wayne Lewis and wife Sally of Maybrook; stepdaughter, Peggy Klinegardner and companion Tony of Deposit, N.Y.; seven grandchildren, Graham, Emily, Ceann, Darlene and Dawn, Jenny and KJ; 15 great-grandchildren; two great-great-grandchildren; and several nieces and nephews.

She was predeceased by her first husband, Frank Calabria; her second husband Donald C. Garrity; her third husband Earl Lewis; two grandsons, Donald Decker and Earl John Garrity II; two brothers, George and John Pepper and her sister, Emily March; stepdaughter, Barbara DeGroat and stepson, George Lewis.

Friends may call from 3 to 5 and 7 to 9 p.m. Wednesday, June 29 at the Knight-Auchmoody Funeral Home, 154 E. Main St., Port Jervis. The vigil wake service will be held Wed. at 8 p.m.

Funeral services will be held at 10:15 a.m., Thursday, June 30 at the funeral home.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at 11 a.m. at St. Mary's R.C. Church, Port Jervis with the Rev. Dennis Dinan officiating.

Burial will be in Manning Cemetery in Town of Greenville.

Contributions may be made to Hospice of Orange, 800 Stony Brook Court, Newburgh, NY 12550.

Arrangements by Knight-Auchmoody Funeral Home. For information, directions or to send a condolence note to the family, visit Knight-Auchmoody.com