Our Obituaries

Harold E. "Mr. Raub" Thurston, a retired manager for J.S. Raub Shoe Store, Port Jervis and lifelong area resident, died Sunday, June 25, 2006 at Valley View Health and Rehabilitation Center, Goshen. He was 86.

The son of the late Earl Thurston and Ruth Lamb Thurston, he was born August 5, 1919 in Port Jervis.

He was a member of St. Mary's RC Church, Port Jervis; Knights of Columbus Council #471, Port Jervis; Port Jervis Lodge of Elks #645 BPOE; Port Jervis Lions Club; Veteran of WW II, US Army.

Survivors include his wife at home, Viola Onofry Thurston; his daughter, Cheryl Coleman of St. Petersburg, Ga.; two granddaughters, Jennifer Coleman of Sparrowbush, Kelly Tigue of Port Jervis; one great-grandson Eric Tigue; two great-granddaughters, Lauren and Emily Tigue; and several nieces and nephews.

Harold was predeceased by his brother, Robert Thurston and his sister Jean Valentia.

Private services will be held at the convenience of the family.

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

Memorial contributions may be made to The Alzheimer's Assoc., 2 Jeffersonville Plaza Ste 103, Poughkeepsie, NY 12601-4060.

Arrangements are 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 www.Knight-Auchmoody.com.

Paul "Pete" Thiele of Sparta, Tenn. and former lifelong resident of Glen Spey, N.Y., died Tuesday, June 20, 2006 in Sparta, Tenn. He was 70.

Son of the late Henry H. Thiele and Anna Jane Carr Thiele, he was born September 25, 1935 in Mongaup, N.Y.

Pete was a retired Firefighter with Local #2767 in the City of Monticello, N.Y. He was a member of Pond Eddy United Methodist Church, Pond Eddy, N.Y.; the Sparta United Methodist Church, Sparta, Tenn.; life member of the Sullivan County Fireman's Association; past Chief of the Lumberland Fire Department, Glen Spey, N.Y.; life member of Dekalb Fire Company in Smithville, Tenn.; life member of Monticello Fire Department; and Honorary Member of the Sparta Fire Department, Sparta, Tenn.

He was also a veteran of the Korean War, serving in the U.S. Marines, 3rd Division; member of the Tri-State Naval Ship V.F.W. Post #7241; member of the Sylvan-Liebla American Legion Post, Eldred, N.Y.; and member of American Veterans Post #01011, Smithville, Tenn.

Survivors include his wife of 48 years, Dare Reed Thiele; two sons, Wayne Thiele and his wife, Aileen, of Glen Spey, and Craig Thiele and his wife, Tammy, of Brush Creek, Tenn.; his daughter, Donna Rains and her husband, Mitch, of Aubrey, Texas; one brother, Howard Thiele and his wife, Gen, of Glen Spey; four sisters: Florence Hunt of Glen Spey, Deline Norris of Eldred, Louise McKerrell of Glen Spey, and Marjorie Bachelder and her husband, Douglas, of Belleview, Fla.; seven grandchildren; two great-grandchildren; and several nieces and nephews.

Funeral services will be held on Thursday, June 29, 2006 at 10:30 a.m. at The Pond Eddy United Methodist Church, Pond Eddy, N.Y. with the Rev. Nancy Vonderhorst officiating.

Private interment will take place at Glen Spey Cemetery, Glen Spey, N.Y.

Memorial contributions may be made to The Pond Eddy United Methodist Church, Pond Eddy, NY 12770.

Arrangements are 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 www.Knight-Auchmoody.com.

Barbara G. Wetmore, a lifelong area resident, died Monday, June 19, 2006 at her home. She was 71 years old.

She was the daughter of the late Raymond and Neva Backus Wetmore, born in Port Jervis on February 13, 1935.

Barbara was a retired telephone operator and business office manager for G.T.E. Telephone Co., Port Jervis. She was a member of and Sunday school teacher for Grace Episcopal Church, Port Jervis; member of the Altar Guild and Vestry; Port Jervis Seniors; local A.A.R.P. #2380 and former board member; National A.A.R.P.; Middletown Bowling Assoc.; and the National 600 Bowling Club.

Survivors include her sister, Joyce Senkiew and her husband, Russell of Port Jervis; two nieces, Karen Keezer and her husband, Bob, and Janet Shevchik and her husband, Mel; one nephew, Richard Senkiew and his wife, Judy; four cousins, several great nieces and nephews.

Friends may call at the Funeral Home Thursday, June 22, 2006 from 2-4 and 7-9 p.m. at the Knight-Auchmoody Funeral Home, 154 E. Main Street., Port Jervis.

A Mass of Resurrection will be held Friday, June 23, 2006 at 10:30 a.m. in The Grace Episcopal Church, 84 Seward Ave., Port Jervis, with Mother Jean Hendricks officiating.

The Vigil wake service will be held Thursday, June 22, 2006 in the evening at the funeral home.

Burial will be in Pine Hill Cemetery, Sparrowbush.

Contributions may be made to Grace Episcopal Church, 84 Seward Ave., Port Jervis, NY 12771 or to Hospice of Orange, 800 Stony Brook Court, Newburgh, NY 12550.

Funeral arrangements by Knight-Auchmoody Funeral Home, Inc.

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

Eugene J. Surowiec, a longtime resident of the area, died Sunday, June 11, 2006 at Bon Secours Community Hospital in Port Jervis, N.Y. He was 85.

The son of the late Adolf and Helen Koprowska Surowiec, he was born August 11, 1920 in Brooklyn, N.Y.

Mr. Surowiec was a veteran of the U.S. Navy, serving during World War II. He retired from Eastern Milk Dairy Company in New York City, N.Y.

He was the widower of Edna Jagodzinski Surowiec.

One sister, Viola Malski of Forked River, N.J. survives him.

Private services will be held at the convenience of the family. Burial will be in St. Mary's Cemetery in Port Jervis, N.Y.

Funeral arrangements are 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 www.Knight-Auchmoody.com.

John "Sparky" Viserta, a lifelong area resident, died Wed. June 7, 2006 at Bon Secours Community Hospital in Port Jervis. He was 88.

The son of the late Thomas Viserta and Rose DeAngelo Viserta, he was born Jan. 6, 1918 in Port Jervis.

He was the widower of Audrey Shaffer Viserta.

Sparky was a barber and owner of Viserta's Barber Shop, Pike Street, Port Jervis. He was a member of St. Joseph's RC Church, Matamoras, Pa.; member and past exalted ruler, Port Jervis, Lodge of Elks #645, B.P.O.E.

Survivors include his daughter, Riana Young of New Smyrna Beach, Fla.; grandson, Jon Young; granddaughter, Karolyn McCarte and husband Timothy; great-grandson, Steven Young; two great-great-grandsons, Dylan and Derek Young; sister, Mary Marko of Port Jervis; two brothers, Thomas Viserta of Napanoch, Michael Viserta of Seneca, S.C.; and several nieces and nephews.

Friends may call Tuesday, June 13 from 2-4 and 7-9 p.m. at the Knight-Auchmoody Funeral Home, 154 E. Main St., Port Jervis. Port Jervis Lodge of Elks conduct services at 7:30 p.m.

Funeral services will be held at 10:15 a.m., Wed. June 14 at the funeral home, followed by a Mass of the Resurrection at 11 a.m. at St. Joseph's RC Church, Matamoras, Pa. The Rev. August Ricciardi will officiate.

The vigil wake service will be held at 2:30 p.m. Tuesday at the funeral home.

Burial will be in Pine Grove Cemetery, Matamoras, Pa.

Funeral 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.

Joseph G. Lewis, a retired production manager for Kolmar Labs Inc., Port Jervis and lifelong area resident, died Tues. June 6, 2006 at Bon Secours Community Hospital in Port Jervis. He was 80.

The son of the late Joseph G. Lewis Sr. and Emma Raitt Lewis, he was born March 12, 1926 in Port Jervis.

He was a member of the Drew United Methodist Church, Port Jervis; Tri-State Naval Ship # 7241, Port Jervis; and D.A.V.

He was a US Navy veteran of WW II serving in the South Pacific.

Survivors include his wife at home, Doris A. Adams Lewis; one son Gary Lewis and his companion Suellen of Sparrowbush; nine grandchildren; several great-grandchildren and nieces and nephews.

He was predeceased by his brother, Eugene Lewis; and two sisters, Josephine Sarro and Frances Goetzman.

Private services will be held at the convenience of the family.

Burial will be in Pine Grove Cemetery, Matamoras, Pa.

Contributions may be made to the Port Jervis Deerpark-Humane Society, Route 209, Port Jervis, NY 12771.

Arrangements by Knight-Auchmoody Funeral Home, 154 East Main St., Port Jervis.

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

Florence T. Iller, a longtime resident of Port Jervis, died Sunday, June 4, 2006 at Bon Secours Community Hospital, Port Jervis. She was 82 years old.

The daughter of the late Stanilus and Josephine Felkowska Jagodzinski, she was born in Brooklyn, N.Y. on February 12, 1924. Florence was married to the late Edward Iller.

Florence was a member of St. Joseph's R.C. Church, Matamoras, Pa. and was a retired bookkeeper for A&P Food Store, Brooklyn, N.Y.

Survivors include several close friends, Mary Alice Starzan of Port Jervis and Dorean Reilly of Matamoras, Pa.

Funeral services will be held on Friday, June 9, 2006 at 9:15 a.m. in the Knight-Auchmoody Funeral Home, 154 East Main St., Port Jervis, NY.

Following will be a Mass of Christian Burial at 10 a.m. in St. Joseph's R.C. Church, Matamoras, Pa. The Mass will be con-celebrated by the Rev. August Ricciardi and the Rev. David DeSimone.

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

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

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

Joseph J. Fox of Port Jervis, died Saturday, May 6, 2006 at Palm Harbor, Fla. He was 90 years old.

The son of the late Angelo and Feliceta Fox, Joseph was born in Port Jervis on May 13, 1916. He was a life-long resident of the area. He was also married to Mable Mackechnie Mackey Fox, who survives.

He was a member of St. Mary's R.C. Church, Port Jervis; Our Lady Mt. Carmel Society, Port Jervis; life-member of Port Jervis Lodge of Elks; member of # 645 B.P.O.E.; Hawks Nest Hunting Club; N.Y.S. Civil Service. He was also a U.S. Navy Veteran of World War II and a retired Cottage Parent at Otisville Training School for Boys.

A family statement reads: "Joe enjoyed shuffle board, poker, Florida beaches and traveling."

Survivors include his wife of 53 years, Mabel Mackechnie Mackey Fox at home; two step sons, Robert Mackey and his wife Jackie of Port Jervis, Joseph Mackey and his wife Lynn of Murphy, N.C.; three grandchildren, Melissa Muller, Joe Mackey and Jeffrey Mackey; three great grandchildren, Michael and Amanda Muller, Chad Mackey and several nieces and nephews.

He was pre-deceased by his brother, John Fox and two sisters, Pauline Miracola and Virgie Alexander.

A Mass of Resurrection will be celebrated Saturday, June 10, 2006 at 10 a.m. in St. Mary's R.C. Church, Port Jervis, NY. The Rev. Dennis Dinan will officiate.

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

Arrangements by Knight-Auchmoody Funeral Home, Inc., 154 East Main Street, Port Jervis, NY 12771.

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

Edward R. Heffner of Huguenot, died Sunday, June 4, 2006 at Bon Secours Community Hospital in Port Jervis. He was 71 years old. The son of the late Joseph Heffner and Stella Buchalski Heffner, Edward was born on January 27, 1935 in Great Meadows, N.J. He was married to the late Alice M. Nicolaisen. He was a life long resident of the area; a retired Heavy Equipment Operator for Heffener's Home Improvement Co. in Huguenot and a member of St. Columba's R.C. Church, Chester. Survivors include two sons, Todd Heffner and his fiance, Holly Celinko of Huguenot, Chance Heffner and his fiance, Shayne Bazinet of Schenectady, N.Y.; one daughter, Darlene Schwarz and her husband, Fred of Fredericksburg, Va.; one sister, Frances Doremus of Chester; one brother, Joseph Heffner of Chester; four grandchildren, Edward J. Heffner, Amanda Lynn Ramm and her husband, Karl, Freddie J. Schwarz and Lindsay O. Schwarz; one great granddaughter, Jenna M. Ramm and several nieces and nephews. Friends may call at the funeral home Thursday, June 8, 2006 from 4-7 p.m. at the Knight-Auchmoody Funeral Home, 154 E. Main St., Port Jervis, NY. Prayers will be offered at 6:30 p.m. at the funeral home Thursday evening. Burial will be in St. Columba's Cemetery, Chester, NY. Funeral arrangements by Knight-Auchmoody Funeral Home, Inc. Contributions may be made to The American Heart Association.
For directions, information or to send a condolence note to the family, please visit
Knight-Auchmoody.com

Stephanie Marie Conklin, a lifelong resident of the area, passed away tragically on Friday, June 2, 2006 in the Town of Deerpark. She was 18.

The daughter of David W. Conklin and Sherri L. Topel Conklin, she was born February 27, 1988 in Port Jervis, N.Y.

Stephanie was a student at Port Jervis High School. She was an honor student at Orange-Ulster BOCES in Goshen, N.Y., where she was preparing to complete the business and Microsoft computer program. She was accepted and planned to attend SUNY Orange Hartwell College in the fall. She was also a cashier at McDonald's Restaurant in Montague, N.J., as well as a cashier at K-Mart in Westfall, Pa.

Survivors include her parents, Sherri L. and David W. Conklin, at home; one sister, Teresa Conklin of Lake George, N.Y.; paternal grandmother, Edna Conklin of Huguenot; maternal grandmother, Muriel Topel of Milford, Pa.; her loving friend, Sean Donnelly of Sparrowbush; and several aunts, uncles, cousins from surrounding areas, and many, many special friends.

Friends may call at the Knight-Auchmoody Funeral Home, Inc., 154 East Main St., Port Jervis, N.Y. on Wednesday, June 7, 2006 from 2-4 and 7-9 p.m.

Funeral services will be held on Thursday, June 8 at 10:30 a.m. in the funeral home with the Rev. Ben Willis officiating. Burial will be in Rural Valley Cemetery, Cuddebackville, N.Y.

Memorial contributions in Stephanie's name may be made c/o Sherri Conklin, 111 Ryan Street, Port Jervis, NY 12771.

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

Sara Beth Abramowitz, a lifelong resident of the area, died Friday, June 2, 2006 in the Town of Deerpark, N.Y. She was 17.

The daughter of Frederick Abramowitz and Amy Wheeler Cohen, she was born September 1, 1988 in Goshen, N.Y.

Sara was a student at Port Jervis High School. She was also employed at McDonald's Restaurant in Montague, N.J.

Survivors include her father, Frederick Abramowitz and his wife, Dena, of Walden; her mother, Amy Beth Cohen and her husband, Melvyn of Port Jervis; one brother, Michael Abramowitz, at home; her dear friend, NoreanCoral DiToto, at home; her paternal grandfather, David Abramowitz of Chester; her maternal grandmother, Hope Wheeler of Warwick; her loving boy friend, Jesse Snyder of Sparrowbush; and several aunts, uncles and cousins.

Friends may call at the Knight-Auchmoody Funeral Home, Inc., 154 East Main St., Port Jervis, N.Y., on Tuesday, June 6, 2006 from 3-4 and 7-9 p.m.

Funeral services will be held on Wednesday, June 7 at 10 a.m. in St. Mary's R.C. Church, Port Jervis, with the Rev. Dennis Dinan officiating. Burial will be in Warwick Cemetery, Warwick, N.Y.

Contributions in Sara's name may be made to the Port Jervis High School Senior All Night Graduation Party, c/o P.J.H.S., Route 209, Port Jervis, NY 12771.

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

Kathleen "Katie" Decker (Scholz), a lifelong resident of the area, died Friday, June 2, 2006 in the Town of Deerpark, N.Y. She was 18.

The daughter of Willi and Jody Decker Scholz, she was born July 16, 1987 in Port Jervis, N.Y.

A student at Port Jervis High School, Katie was a member of the Port Jervis High School Girls Basketball Team and was a member of the Peer Leaders at school. She was attending the Cosmetology Program at BOCES and was also a cashier for Shop-Rite Food Store in Montague, N.J.

A family statement reads: "Katie was a loving daughter, sister, granddaughter and niece. She was Our Angel."

Katie had a quote that was her favorite: "Dance as if no one were watching; sing as if no one were listening; and live every day as if it were your last."

In addition to her parents, at home; she is further survived by her brother, Willi Cody Scholz, at home; her maternal grandparents, Oliver and Kathleen Decker of Cuddebackville; her loving boy friend, Bert Eagle; and many aunts, uncles, cousins and friends.

Friends may call at the Knight-Auchmoody Funeral Home, Inc., 154 East Main St., Port Jervis, N.Y. on Monday, June 5, 2006 from 2-4 and 7-9 p.m.

Funeral services will be held on Tuesday, June 6 at 10 a.m. in the funeral home. Burial will be in Rural Valley Cemetery, Cuddebackville, N.Y.

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

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

Robert F. Mulvey of Godeffroy, died Sunday, May 28, 2006 at his home. He was 68 years old.

Robert was a long time resident of the area. He was born in New York, N.Y. to the late Francis J. Mulvey and Helen Collins Mulvey. Robert was married first to the late Marie Francis Duffy Mulvey and second to Lucille Evangelista Mulvey.

Robert was a retired Transit Police Officer, District 11, City of N.Y., as well as a Communicant of St. Mary's R.C. Church, Port Jervis, a Veteran of the U.S. Army, Korean War; as a member of Port Jervis Lodge of Elks #645 B.P.O.E.

Survivors include wife at home, Lucille Mulvey; four sons, John Mulvey and his wife Janet of Queens, N.Y., Robert Mulvey and his wife Nora of Queens, N.Y., Robert Lamphier of Colorado, and Wilfredo Delgado of Norfolk, Va., three daughters Patricia Mulvey of Raleigh, N.C., Jessica Delgado of Philadelphia, Pa., and Melody Delgado of Cuddebackville; one brother William Mulvey and his wife Jane of Scotts Plains, N.J. as well as a bunch of grandchildren, nieces and nephews.

He was predeceased by his daughter, Maria Serrano.

Friends may call Thursday, June 1, 2006, 2-4 and 7-9 p.m. at the Knight-Auchmoody Funeral Home, 154 E. Main St., Port Jervis, NY.

Mass of a Christian Burial will be held at 8 a.m. on Friday, June 2, 2006, at St. Mary's R.C. Church, Port Jervis, NY. The Rev. Dennis Dinan will officiate.

Lodge of Elks services will be held Thursday, June 1, 2006 at 7:30p.m.

Burial will be in Calverton National Cemetery, Calverton, Long Island with military honors.

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

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