Our Obituaries

Anna Jaromionek, retired owner of Hatties Store in Glen Spey, died September 22, 2005 in Bon Secours Community Hospital, Port Jervis. She was 75.

The daughter of the late Arkadiusz "Andy" Jaromionek, she was born February 26, 1930 in Russia.

She was a member of St. Peter and Paul's Ukrainian Orthodox Church, Glen Spey.

Survivors include two sons, John Mehedin and wife Diane of New Port Richie, Fla., George Mehedin and wife Bridget of Glen Spey; one sister Maria Alechna of Sidney, Australia; three brothers Dimitri Olhovsky, Alex Olhovsky and Jan Olhovsky all of Trenton, N.J.; four grandchildren, Chris and Nick and Michael and Holly; and several nieces and nephews.

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

The Panachyda service will take place at 3 p.m. Sunday at the funeral home with Father Nestor Kowal officiating.

Services will be held at 12 p.m. Monday, September 26 at St. Vladimir's Memorial Church, Jackson, N.J. The Rev. Boris Kizenko will officiate.

Burial will be in St. Vladimir's Russian Orthodox Cemetery, Jackson, N.J.

For information, directions or to send a condolence note to the family, visit knight-auchmoody.com

Tristyn M. Ranich, of Port Jervis, lifelong resident of the area, died Monday, September 19, 2005 at the Children's Hospital, Philadelphia, Pa. She was 18-months old.

The daughter of Lincoln and Tania Rothstein Ranich, she was born March 17, 2004 at Wayne County Memorial Hospital in Rosendale, Pa.

She was a member of the Deerpark Reformed Church in Port Jervis.

Survivors include her parents, Lincoln and Tania Ranich at home; one sister Dania Ranich, five-years old; maternal grandparents, Ray and Cheryl Rothstein of Port Jervis; paternal grandparents, James Ranich of Huguenot and Carol Ranich of Dingman's Ferry, Pa.; several aunts, uncles, nieces and nephews.

Friends may call from 7 to 9 p.m. Thursday, September 22 at the Knight-Auchmoody Funeral Home, 154 E. Main St., Port Jervis.

Private family services will be held at the funeral home. The Rev. Nancy Vonderhorst will officiate.

Burial will be in Pine Hill Cemetery in Sparrowbush.

Contributions may be made in Tristyn's name to Friends of Karen Inc., 118 Titicus Road, PO Box 190, Purdys, NY 10578-0190.

For information, directions or to send a condolence note to the family, visit knight-auchmoody.com

Laurette Kean Blauvelt, a retired shipping clerk for Andmore Sportswear and Kolmar Labs, both in Port Jervis, N.Y., died Sunday, September 18, 2005 at the Valley View Center for Nursing and Rehabilitation in Goshen, N.Y. after a long illness. She was 81.

She lived in Mongaup and Port Jervis all her life.

Daughter of the late John J. Kean and Loretta Sullivan Kean, she was born August 6, 1924 in Brooklyn, N.Y.

Laurette was a member of the Most Sacred Heart R.C. Church in Port Jervis; was a life member of the Altar and Rosary Society of the Most Sacred Heart R.C. Church; the Catholic Daughters, Court Madonna #114 in Port Jervis; was a PTA president at St. Mary's School in Port Jervis; was an active I.L.G.W.U. member, as well as a dedicated catechist, wife and mother. Laurette worked for Eastern Aircraft as a secretary during World War II.

She is survived by her husband, William C. Blauvelt, at home; four daughters: Barbara Blauvelt of Mamaroneck, N.Y., Lauretta Ehrmanntraut and her husband, William, of White Plains, N.Y., Mary Jane Meyers and her husband, Eliott, of Sheepshead Bay, N.Y., and Bernadette Bean and her husband, Kent, of Albany, Ore.; one son, William Blauvelt, of Allentown, Pa.; three brothers: Edmund Kean of New York City, N.Y., Paul Kean of Mongaup, N.Y., and Francis Kean of Old Bridge, N.J.; six grandchildren: Bernadette Benjamin, Anne Ehrmanntraut, Magdelina Blauvelt, William Blauvelt, and Danielle and Michael Bean; and several nieces and nephews.

She was predeceased by five brothers: Msgr. John J. Kean, Cyrus V. Kean, Martin Kean, Justin Kean, and the Rev. Kevin Kean, O.F.M.; and one sister, Mary Treanor.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated on Friday, September 23, 2005 at 11 a.m. in Most Sacred Heart R.C. Church in Port Jervis, N.Y.

Burial will be in St. Mary's Cemetery, Port Jervis.

Memorial contributions may be made to Hospice of Orange & Sullivan Counties, Inc., 800 Stony Brook Court, Newburgh, NY 12550; or Bon Secours Hospital, 160 E. Main St., Port Jervis, NY 12771.

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

Donald L. Jones, Sr., a lifelong resident of the area, and retired maintenance worker for Contel Telephone of Port Jervis, N.Y., passed away peacefully at home on September 13, 2005. He was 74.

Son of Hortense Luckey Knack and Donald L. Jones, he was born September 23, 1923.

Don enjoyed golfing, hunting, fishing, woodworking, cooking and music. He served with the 82nd Airborne Division in the U.S. Army in Korea; and supported the N.R.A., of which he was a member.

He is survived by his loving wife of 28 years, Elizabeth Jean Startup Jones, at home; one son, Donald L. Jones, Jr. and his wife, Dolores, of Port Jervis; five daughters: Debra M. Finkbiner and husband, Tom, of Slate Run, Pa., Stephanie Ann Lamb of Blufton, S.C., Donna L. Hughson and husband, Dennis, of Matamoras, Pa., Pamela J. Gayhart of Virginia Beach, Va., and Dawn V. Bridges and husband, Stanwood, of Matamoras, Pa.; 16 grandchildren; eight great-grandchildren; one sister, Marilyn Davis of Kennerdell, Pa.; two nieces and one nephew.

A Memorial Service will be held on Saturday, September 17, 2005 at 2 p.m. at First Presbyterian Church, 308 Broad St., Milford, Pa., with the Rev. Kenneth Welch and the Rev. Ben Willis officiating.

In lieu of flowers, a love offering may be made in his memory to Tri-State Community Church, Franklin St., Port Jervis, NY 12771; or Hospice St. John, 1007 Oak St., Pittston Twp., PA 18640.

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 Knight-Auchmoody.com.

Lois C. Berland, a retired travel agent for Ellenville Travel for 35 years, Ellenville and lifelong area resident, died Tuesday, September 13, 2005 at her home. She was 80.

The daughter of the late Russell Crooks and Rosanna Gibson Crooks, she was born December 3, 1924 in Pineville, Kent.

She was the widow of Edward Daniel Berland.

She was a member of the Hope Evangelical Church and choir member, in Matamoras, Pa. She was a professional singer and choir member with the Master Works Chorus, NYC, NY and choir member of many churches through her travels. Lois traveled extensively for many years throughout the world. She was a tremendous help to her daughter Alice and great-granddaughter Saira; Lois was instrumental in enabling her great-granddaughter to make her residence at home in Ellenville rather than to be hospitalized. She was also an avid animal lover and a volunteer at Bon Secours Community Hospital in Port Jervis.

Survivors include her three daughters, Alice Calonga of Ellenville, Jeanne Moore of Matamoras, Pa., Beverly Haefner and husband Rex of Whitaker, Pa.; eight grandchildren, Robert Kennedy of Clark Summit, Pa., Paula Hopping of Troy, N.Y., Leslieanne Hopping and Kelley Aragon both of Ellenville, N.Y., Kim Schoch of Barryville, N.Y., Keith Drennen of Seminole, Fla., Timothy Bird of Atlanta, Ga. and Heather Bird; 12 great-grandchildren; and her very special friend, Irma Aschoff of Matamoras, Pa.

Memorial services will be announced at a later date to be held at the Hope Church, Matamoras, Pa. The Rev. Robert Grieve will officiate.

Interment will be private.

Contributions may be made to Hospice St. John, 1007 Oak St., Pittston Township, PA 18640.

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

Elinor S. Gross Parker Cahill

Formerly of the Bronx, N.Y.

Elinor S. Gross Parker Cahill, a resident of Port Jervis for the past eight years, formerly of the Bronx, died Sunday, September 11, 2005 in Bon Secours Community Hospital, Port Jervis. She was 82.

The daughter of the late Henry and Ida (Shannon) Gross, she was born June 15, 1923 in New York City.

She was a secretary for Beers Stearn's in New York City.

A family statement reads, "Elinor was an avid reader who loved her cats and loved her family unconditionally. She loved sharing her memories of her life. Elinor loved and honored her country through out her life."

Survivors include four daughters, Jeanne and her husband Richard Torres of Monroe, Judith Parker of Port Jervis, Patricia and her husband George Bray of West Palm Beach, Fla., Patti and her husband Jerry Horner of Port Jervis; four sons, Joseph Parker of Yoda, Colo. David and his wife Rumika Cahill of San Antonio, Texas, Daniel Cahill of the Bronx (currently in Iraq), Douglas and his wife Miriam Cahill of Astoria, Queens; 25 grandchildren; and 29 great-grandchildren.

She was predeceased by her husband David S. Cahill; a son Steven Parker; a daughter CarolAnn Parker; two brothers Jack and Myron Gross.

Friends may call from 9 to 10 a.m. Wednesday, September 14 at the Knight-Auchmoody Funeral Home, 154 E. Main St., Port Jervis.

Funeral services will be held at 10 a.m. Wednesday, September 14 at the funeral home. The Rev. August Ricciardi will officiate.

Interment will be private.

Contributions may be made to the American Heart Assoc., 419 E. Main St., Middletown, NY 10940.

For information, directions or to send a condolence note to the family, visit knight-auchmoody.com

Florence C. Dyer, a retired machine operator for Dover Handbag in Netcong, N.J. for 29 years, and lifelong resident of the area, died Saturday, September 10, 2005 at St. Joseph's Place in Port Jervis, N.Y. She was 85.

Daughter of the late Alexander Rosa and Florence Mueller, she was born January 27, 1920 in Jersey City, N.J.

She is survived by one daughter, Beverly A. Klarich of Port Jervis; two brothers, Alexander Rosa of Succasunna, N.J., and Frederick Rosa of Stanhope, N.J.; one sister, Ethel Kakascik of Toms River, N.J.; one grandson, Ronald Klarich Jr. of Port Jervis; and several nieces and nephews.

Friends may call on Tuesday, September 13, 2005 from 7-9 p.m. at the Knight-Auchmoody Funeral Home, 154 East Main St., Port Jervis, N.Y.

Funeral services will be held on Wednesday, September 14 at 12 noon in the funeral home with the Rev. Betsy Diver officiating. Burial will be in Stanhope Union Cemetery in Stanhope, N.J.

Memorial contributions may be made to Hospice of Orange & Sullivan Counties, Inc., 800 Stony Brook Court, Newburgh, NY 12550.

Arrangements by Knight-Auchmoody Funeral Home, Inc., 154 East Main Street, Port Jervis, New York.

For information, directions or to send a condolence note to the family, please visit Knight-Auchmoody.com.

Mary A. Shand, a homemaker and longtime resident of Barryville, died Thursday, September 1, 2005 in Wilmington, N.C. She was 86.

Daughter of the late William and Margaret Raynis Gerlis, she was born November 12, 1918 in Queens, N.Y.

She was a member of St. Ann's R.C. Church in Shohola, Pa.

The widow of James A. Shand, who predeceased her on August 14, 1976, she is survived by one son, James Shand and his wife, Ann, of Westtown; two daughters, Mary Ellen VanLear and her husband, George, of Hampstead, N.C., and Joan VanBourgondien and her husband, James, of Stamford, Conn.; grandchildren: Melissa Joyce, Gregory Yepez, Renee Shand, Peter Shand and Joseph Shand; and great-grandchildren: Nicole Yepez and Lila Faye Joyce.

He was predeceased by her brother, Bernard Gerlis in August, 1948.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated on Friday, September 9, 2005 at 10 a.m. in St. Ann's R.C. Church in Shohola, Pa., with the Rev. Thomas Petro officiating.

Burial will be in German Hill Cemetery, Shohola, Pa.

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

Douglas C. Metz, a lifelong resident of the area, died September 5, 2005 in Mill Rift, Pa. He was 83.

Son of the late Earl W. Metz and Anna Deuchler, he was born August 16, 1922 in Staten Island, N.Y.

A U.S. Marine veteran, he served during World War II, and was a recipient of the Purple Heart. He worked for the 69th Street Ferry and retired from Con Edison Power Plant. He was a member of the Roosa-Fleming V.F.W. Post #161 in Port Jervis.

The widower of Pearl E. Olsen Metz, he is survived by one daughter, Janet Byrne and her husband, Denis, of Oldbridge, N.J.; one son, Ronald Metz of Cape Coral, Fla.; grandchildren: Danielle, Damien and Jillian Byrne, Ronald Metz Jr., and Douglas and John Metz Jr.; great-grandchildren: Hailey, Tommy, Jyles, Dorien, Michael and Douglas; and several nieces and nephews.

He was predeceased by one son, John Metz.

The funeral will be held on Monday, September 12, 2005 at 10 a.m. in the Knight-Auchmoody Funeral Home, Inc., 154 East Main St., Port Jervis, N.Y. with the Rev. Betsy Diver officiating.

Burial will be in Mill Rift Cemetery, Mill Rift, Pa.

Contributions in his name may be made to the Port Jervis-Deerpark Humane Society, Route 209, Port Jervis, NY, 12771; or the Roosa-Fleming V.F.W. Post #161, Port Jervis, NY 12771.

Arrangements by Knight-Auchmoody Funeral Home, Inc., Port Jervis, New York.

For information, directions or to send a condolence note to the family, please visit Knight-Auchmoody.com.

Gary R. Fuller, Sr., a Caster at C & D Technology, Inc., in Huguenot, and a life-long area resident, died Monday, August 29, 2005 at Bon Secours Community Hospital in Port Jervis. He was 54.

The son of Walter R. Fuller, Sr. and Louise Canfield, he was born May 4, 1951 in Port Jervis.

Survivors include his wife, Cheryl Mills Fuller, at home, two sons, Gary R. Fuller and wife Karen of Port Jervis, Brian Fuller and wife Rachel, five grandchildren, Cody, Chase, and Mitchell Fuller, and Kurtis and Karly Rumsey, three brothers, Walter Fuller, Jr. of Sparrowbush, Edward Fuller of Port Jervis, and LeRoy Fuller of North Carolina, two sisters, Arlene Stewart of Port Jervis and Susanne VanNostrand of Matamoras, Pa. as well as several nieces and nephews.

He was predeceased by Louis Fuller.

Friends may call on Thursday, September 1, 2005 from 2-4 and 7-8 p.m. at the Knight-Auchmoody Funeral Home, Inc.

Interment will be private.

Funeral arrangements by Knight-Auchmoody Funeral Home, Inc., 154 East Main Street, Port Jervis, N.Y.

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

Donald L. Smith, 81, a lifelong resident of Matamoras, Pa., died Sunday, August 28, 2005 at the Milford Senior Care Facility in Milford, Pa.

A retired Foreman for Crescent Silverplate in Port Jervis, Don also retired from the Delaware Valley School District; and the Water Department for the Borough of Matamoras, Pa., and from the Milford Valley Convalescent Home.

Son of the late Danile and Lavina Smith Smith, he was born April 19, 1924 in Port Jervis, N.Y.

He was a member of St. Joseph's R.C. Church in Matamoras, Pa.; he was a longtime Eucharistic Minister and usher of St. Joseph's; and member of the Holy Name Society of St. Joseph's. He was a U.S. Navy veteran of World War II serving in the South Pacific. He was a member of the U.S.S. Saratoga Association, CV3, U.S. Navy; and a member of Roosa-Fleming V.F.W. Post #161 in Port Jervis.

He is survived by his wife, Lucille Skelenger Smith, at home; one daughter, Susan P. Strechay and her husband, Robert, of Parsippany, N.J.; three grandchildren: Robert Strechay and his wife, Kristen, Daniel and Joseph Strechay; and one great-grandson, Samuel R. Strechay.

He was predeceased by his brother, Ralph Smith.

Friends may call on Tuesday, August 30, 2005 from 2-4 and 7-9 p.m. at the Knight-Auchmoody Funeral Home, Inc., 154 East Main St., Port Jervis, N.Y.

A Vigil Wake Service will be held Tuesday evening at 7:30 p.m. in the funeral home with Father Gus Ricciardi officiating.

Funeral services will be held on Wednesday, August 31 at 10:15 a.m. in the funeral home, followed by a Mass of Christian Burial at 11 a.m. at St. Joseph's R.C. Church in Matamoras, Pa. The Rev. August Ricciardi will officiate.

Burial with military honors will be in St. Mary's Cemetery in Port Jervis, N.Y.

Memorial contributions may be made to The Foundation Fighting Blindness, P.O. Box 17279, Baltimore, MD 21203-7279.

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 Knight-Auchmoody.com.

William R. "Bill" Olver, Jr., retired owner of Bill's Auto in Milford, Pa. and lifelong area resident, died Sunday, August 28, 2005 at Bon Secours Community Hospital in Port Jervis, N.Y. He was 58.

Son of Frances Brown Olver and the late William R. Olver, Sr., he was born November 17, 1946 in Port Jervis, N.Y.

He was a U.S. Air Force veteran of Vietnam; member and past Chief of the Mill Rift Fire Department; member of the N.R.A.; and a member of the Pennsylvania Fish and Game Commission.

He is survived by his mother, Frances Brown Olver of Matamoras, Pa.; one son, Marshall Dane; one daughter, Mary; two brothers, Thomas Olver and his wife, JoAnn of Flanders, N.J., and Russell Olver and his wife, Cheryl, of Milford, Pa.; and three sisters: Jane Storm and her husband, Robert, of E. Stroudsburg, Pa., Holly Hite and her husband, Harold, of Port Jervis, and Connie Ast and her husband, Jeff, of Sparrowbush.

Graveside services and burial will be held on Thursday, September 1, 2005 at 2:30 p.m. at the Pine Grove Cemetery in Matamoras, Pa.

Memorial contributions may be made to the Mill Rift Fire Department, Mill Rift, PA 18340.

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

Olga "Pat" Petito, a retired Supervisor for the Non-Foods Department at Shop-Rite in Montague, N.J., and lifelong resident of the area, died Saturday, August 27, 2005 at the Orange Regional Medical Center in Middletown, N.Y. She was 81.

Daughter of the late Frederick and Pauline Pelek-Foriss, she was born October 3, 1923 in Everettsville, W.Va.

She was a member of St. Mary's R.C. Church in Port Jervis, and a member of the Ladies Auxiliary V.F.W. Post #161 in Port Jervis.

The widow of Rocco A. Petito, she is survived by one daughter, Roxanne Mesiti and her husband, Guilio; one son, Michael Petito and his wife, Patty; his grandchildren: Ami Lemieaux and her husband, Bill, January Mesiti and Anthony Mesiti; one great-grandson, Jesse; one sister, Kathleen Sheldon; her longtime best friend, Peggy Calben; and several nieces and nephews.

She was predeceased by her son, Rocco Petito.

Visitation will be private.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated on Tuesday, August 30, 2005 at 11 a.m. in St. Mary's R.C. Church, Port Jervis, N.Y. with the Rev. Antony Iqnaci officiating.

Burial will be in St. Mary's Cemetery, Port Jervis, N.Y.

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