Our Obituaries

Barbara E. Rockwell, a longtime resident of the area, died Tuesday, December 26, 2006 at St. Teresa's Nursing Home in Middletown, N.Y. She was 98.

The daughter of the late Jacob and Minnie Helbling Mohr, she was born September 27, 1908 in Brooklyn, N.Y. She was the widow of Edwin A. Rockwell.

Mrs. Rockwell was a retired Seamstress in Ridgewood, N.Y. She was also a member of the Otisville Seniors and the Deerpark Seniors.

Survivors include one daughter, Edith V. Hadey of Middletown; three brothers: William Mohr of Delaware, N.Y., Albert and Henry Mohr; five grandchildren and several great-grandchildren.

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

Burial will be in Westbrookville Cemetery in Westbrookville, N.Y.

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

Robert Crane, a lifelong resident of the area, died Wednesday, December 27, 2006 at Mercy Scranton Hospital in Scranton, Pa. He was 90.

Born July 3, 1916 in New York City, N.Y., Robert was a retired Engineer for the Erie Railroad in Port Jervis, N.Y.

He was a veteran of the U.S. Army serving during World War II; was a member of the United Methodist Church of Matamoras, Pa.; member of Brotherhood of Locomotive Engineers; member of Wayne-Pike Shrine Club and the Milford Lodge of Masons #344 F&AM, Milford, Pa.

Survivors include his wife, Maybert Arthur Crane at home; three sons: Robert A. Crane of Virginia Beach, Va., James R. Crane and his wife,Joyce of Denver, Colo., and Raymond Crane and his wife, MaryJane of Murraysville, Pa.; seven grandchildren and several great-grandchildren.

Friends may call on Tuesday, January 2, 2007 from 1 to 2 p.m. at the Knight-Auchmoody Funeral Home, Inc., 154 E. Main St., Port Jervis, N.Y.

Funeral services will follow at 2 p.m. in the funeral home on Tuesday, January 2, with the Rev. Glen Scheyhing officiating. Burial will be in Pine Grove Cemetery, Matamoras, Pa.

Memorial contributions may be made to the United Methodist Church of Matamoras, Matamoras, PA 18336.

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

Eugene W. Fountain, a lifelong resident of the area, died Monday, December 25, 2006 at Bon Secours Community Hospital in Port Jervis, N.Y. He was 58.

The son of the late Lewis A. Fountain and Lorine E. Aumick Fountain, he was born October 16, 1948 in Poughkeepsie, N.Y. He was the widower of the late Jeannette Rosendall Fountain.

A veteran of the U.S. Air Force, serving during Vietnam, he was a retired Mail Truck Driver for Miller Mail Delivery in Forestburg, N.Y. He was a member of the Sparrowbush United Methodist Church; 40-year member of the Sparrowbush Fire Department, and member of the Runamuck Hunting Club in Sidney, N.Y.

Survivors include one son, Dennis Fountain and his wife, Lori of Glen Spey; daughter, Amy Sandifer and her husband, James of Sacramento, Calif.; three brothers: Robert Fountain of Sparrowbush, Wayne Fountain and his wife, Terri of Glen Spey and George Fountain of Glen Spey; five grandchildren: Nate, James, Harley, Jeannette and Jerry; his longtime companion, Stella Schram; and several nieces and nephews.

Friends may call today, Thursday, December 28, from 2-4 and 7-9 p.m. at the Knight-Auchmoody Funeral Home, Inc., 154 E. Main St., Port Jervis, N.Y. The Sparrowbush Fire Department will conduct services on Thursday evening at 7:30 p.m.

Funeral services will be held on Friday, December 29 at 10 a.m. in the funeral home with Joyce Davis officiating. Burial will be in Pine Hill Cemetery in Sparrowbush, N.Y.

Memorial contributions may be made to the Port Jervis Volunteer Ambulance Corps, Box 33, Port Jervis, NY 12771.

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

Dorette "Dory" Whitley Bolzan, a longtime area resident, entered into rest on Monday, December 25, 2006 at Bon Secours Community Hospital in Port Jervis, N.Y. She was 81.

The daughter of the late Ernest A. Sanders and Dorothy Raunck Sanders, she was born May 22, 1925 in Morristown, N.J. She was the widow of the late Edward Bolzan.

Dory was a retired Stock Broker for Bache & Co. in Paramus, N.J., and a retired Insurance Agent for Mutual of Omaha Insurance Co.

Survivors include her three sons: John R. Whitley of Salem, Va., Roger Whitley and his wife, Carol of Salem, Va., and the Rev. Claude "Skip" Whitley and his wife, Michelle of Sparrowbush; five grandchildren: Judy Pierce and her husband, Jason, Marianne Thomasson, Laura Rizkallah and her husband, Mouhab, Alissa Duerr and her husband, Erik, Paul Whitley; three great-grandchildren: Nicolas, Savannah and Alice; and several nieces and nephews.

Friends may call at the Knight-Auchmoody Funeral Home, Inc., 154 E. Main St., Port Jervis, N.Y. on Friday, December 29 from 1 to 1:30 p.m.

Funeral services will be held at 1:30 p.m. in the funeral home on Friday, December 29 with the Rev. Philip Pieros officiating. Burial will be in Clove Cemetery, Sussex, N.J.

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

Mary E. Bascelli, a longtime resident of the area, passed away Monday, December 25, 2006 at Orange Regional Medical Center, Horton Hospital in Middletown. She was 86.

The daughter of the late Walter and Matilda Grover Richardson, she was born September 2, 1920 in Paterson, N.J. She was first married to the late Edward Klaus and second to the late John Bascelli.

Mary was a retired care giver for Disabled Persons, Town of Greenville. She was also a member of the National A.A.R.P.

Survivors include her two daughters, Gayle Klaus of Riverdale, N.J. and Lynne Thoreson and her husband, James of Chico, Calif.; one son, Edmund Klause of Spokane, Wash.; one sister, Joan Liotard of New Port Richey, Fla.; her longtime companion, Jack Sheeley of Matamoras, Pa.; 13 grandchildren; several great grandchildren; and several nieces and nephews.

She was predeceased by her two sons, Daniel and Richard Klaus.

Private services will be held at the convenience of the family. Interment will be private as well.

Contributions may be made to The American Diabetes Assoc.

Funeral arrangements by Knight-Auchmoody Funeral Home Inc., 154 East Main St., Port Jervis. For information, directions or to send a condolence note to the family visit: knight-auchmoody.com

Arlene H. Decker, age 90, of Port Jervis, a retired floor lady for Little Tots, Clothing and a life-long resident of the area passed away Thursday, December 22, 2006 at The Valley View Health and Rehabilitation Center in Goshen.

She was the daughter of the late Clarence and Evelyn Moore Edwards. She was born on February 29, 1916 in Port Jervis. She was the widow of the late Stanley Decker.

Arlene was a member of the Drew United Methodist Church, Port Jervis.

She is survived by one son, Stanley Decker and his wife, Wendy of Sparrowbush; three daughters, Nancy Sexton and her husband, James of Port Jervis, Linda Griffin and her husband, Melvin of Port Jervis and Jean Wehinger and her husband, John of Port Jervis; one brother, Jack Edwards of Port Jervis; and two sisters, Alice Keeler of Port Jervis and Glenda Frizzel of Saugerties; ten grandchildren; 14 great grandchildren; one great great grandchild; and several nieces and nephews.

She was predeceased by her daughter, Diana; and her two brothers, Clarence and Walter Edwards.

Private services will take place at the convenience of the family.

Spring Interment will take place at Pine Grove Cemetery, Matamoras, Pa.

Memorial contributions may be made to the Drew United Methodist Church, Port Jervis, NY 12771.

Arrangements are by the Knight-Auchmoody Funeral Home, 154 E. Main St., Port Jervis. For information, directions, or to send a condolence note to the family visit knight-auchmody.com

Daniel E. Sheare, a lifelong resident of the area, passed away Thursday, December 14, 2006 at his home. He was 77.

The son of the late Daniel F. and Gertrude Genley Sheare, he was born March 30, 1929 in Port Jervis.

Daniel was a retired Engineer for the Erie R.R. in Port Jervis. He was a member of St. Mary's R.C. Church, Port Jervis, a life member of Mahogomock Hook and Ladder Co. #1, Port Jervis, Fire Dept.; a Veteran of the U.S. Army 82nd Air Born Div., U.S. Army; a life member of the American Legion, Marsch-Kellogg Post, Milford, Pa., member of the Erie Depot Preservation Society, Port Jervis.

Dan was an avid Boston Red Sox Fan and a frequent visitor to the Irish Pub at Atlantic City, N.J.

He is survived by his sister, Shirley Sheare Storms of Port Jervis; several nieces and nephews including, Susan Kellam of Sparrowbush and Cassandra Kellam; and several cousins.

He was predeceased by a sister, Marion Hart; a niece, Patricia Kellam and his nephew, Daniel Hart.

Friends may call Thursday, December 21, 2006 from 9:30-10:30 a.m. at the Knight-Auchmoody Funeral Home, 154 E. Main St., Port Jervis.

Prayers will be offered at 10:30 a.m. on Thursday at the Knight-Auchmoody Funeral Home. Followed by a Mass of Resurrection at 11 a.m. at St. Mary's R.C. Church, Port Jervis. The Rev. Dennis Dinan will officiate.

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

Contributions may be made to The Port Jervis Fire Dept., Attn: Rocco Giauanello, P.O. Box 1002, Port Jervis, N.Y. 12771.

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

Patricia A. Haas, a lifelong resident of the area and a homemaker, passed away Sunday, December 17, 2006 at her home. She was 68.

The daughter of the late Kenneth and Pearl Ayers Kurtz, she was born January 24, 1938 in Queens, N.Y. Patricia married John E. Haas on February 12, 1955.

She is survived by her husband at home, John E. Haas; two sons, John H. Haas of Yankee Lake and George Haas of Huguenot; one sister, Florence Potter of Town of Greenville; three grandchildren, George, Shawn and Sarah Haas; one great grandson, Anthony; as well as several nieces and nephews.

She was predeceased by her brother, Kenneth Kurtz.

Friends may call Tuesday, December 19, 2006 from 2-4 and 7-9 p.m. at the Knight-Auchmoody Funeral Home, 154 E. Main St., Port Jervis.

Funeral services will be Wednesday, December 20, 2006 at 10:30 a.m. in the Funeral Home.

Burial will be in Worzel Hill Cemetery, Shohola, 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

James M. Nolan, a longtime resident of the area, died Wednesday, December 13, 2006 at Bon Secours Community Hospital in Port Jervis, N.Y. He was 64.

Son of the late James J. and Muriel Crinnion Nolan, he was born September 16, 1942 in Queens, N.Y.

A retired Fireman for the City of New York Fire Department, he was the former owner of Bagels & More in Liberty, N.Y. and former owner of Nolans Restaurant in Pond Eddy. Presently, he was the Code Enforcement Officer for the Town of Highland. James was a veteran of Vietnam War, serving with the U.S. Army. He was a member of B.P.O.E. Elks Lodge in Liberty and member and Lion Tamer for the Lumberland Lions Club.

A family statement reads: "Jim was the best husband, father and man that ever lived, and a friend to all."

Survivors include his wife, Virginia Mehlmann Nolan at home; three sons: Robert Nolan and his wife, Jennifer of Wantagh, N.Y., James Nolan of Port Jervis, and Douglas Nolan and his wife, Susan of Thompsonville; one daughter, Kelly Aukward and her husband, John of Salisbury, Md.; his sister, Arlene Harnett of Binghamton, N.Y.; four grandchildren: Danielle, Douglas, Matthew and Taylor; his mother-in-law, Edna Mehlmann of Pond Eddy, and two very close friends, Fred and Joanne Novelli.

Friends may call at the Knight-Auchmoody Funeral Home, Inc., 154 East Main St., Port Jervis, N.Y. on Friday, December 15, 2006 from 2-4 and 7-9 p.m.

Funeral services will be held on Saturday, December 16 at 2 p.m. in the Pond Eddy United Methodist Church in Pond Eddy, with the Rev. Nancy Vonderhorst officiating. Burial will be in Glen Spey Cemetery, Glen Spey, N.Y.

Contributions may be made to Meeghan's Team, NARR Association, 7 Sylvan Place, Valley Stream, NY 11580.

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

Richard Turner, a lifelong resident of the area, passed away peacefully with the Lord, Sunday, December 10, 2006 at Bon Secours Community Hospital, Port Jervis. He was 85.

The son of the late LeRoy Turner and Florence Lester Turner, he was born March 13, 1921 in Port Jervis. He was married to Mildred Decker Turner. They were married on November 27, 1948.

Richard was a retired Set-up Mechanic for Kolmar Labs, Inc., Port Jervis. He was a member of the First Presbyterian Church, Port Jervis, also of Mahogomock Hook and Ladder Co. #1, Port Jervis Fire Dept.; he was an Honorary Life Member of Fearless Hook and Ladder Co., Walden; Port Jervis Lodge of Elks #645 B.P.O.E.; Veteran of World War II, U.S. Air Corps.; Port Jervis Seniors; American Legion #799, Pleasureville, Pa.

Survivors include his wife of 58 years, Mildred Decker Turner at home; one son, Steven Turner and his wife, Jeanie of Port Jervis; two daughters, Susan Christiano of Owego, N.Y. and Janey Beck of York, Pa.; six grandchildren, James Christiano and his wife, Tara, Michael Christiano and his fiance, Melissa Morgan, Jason Turner, Kaitlynn, Jaclyn and Devin Beck; one great grandson, Caleb Christiano; as well as several nieces and nephews.

Friends may call Tuesday, December 12, 2006 from 2-4 and 7-9 p.m. at the Knight-Auchmoody Funeral Home, 154 E. Main Street, Port Jervis.

Funeral services will be Wednesday, December 13, 2006 at 10:30 a.m. in The Knight-Auchmoody Funeral Home. Rev. Stephen Huston will officiate.

Burial will be in Scotchtown Cemetery, Scotchtown.

Contributions may be made to The First Presbyterian Church, 8 Broome St., Port Jervis, NY 12771 or the Port Jervis Salvation Army Sorp., 99 Ball St., Port Jervis, NY 12771.

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

Roman Zaleski, a longtime resident of the area, passed away Wednesday, December 6, 2006 at Castle Point Veterans Hospital, Wappingers, N.Y. He was 82.

The son of the late Joseph and Frances Nawrocka Zaleski, he was born August 9, 1924 in Paterson, N.J.

Roman was a retired Shipping and Receiving Clerk for Paterson Storage and Warehouse Co., Paterson, N.J. He was a Veteran of World War II in the U.S. Army. Roman was a member of Roosa-Fleming V.F.W. Post #161, Port Jervis, as well as a member of The Former Prisoner of War Association.

Survivors include his wife at home, Lillian Haring Zaleski; two daughters; one sister; and one step daughter, Nancy Adams.

Funeral services will be private and held at the convenience of the family.

Burial will be in Arlington National Cemetery, Arlington, Va.

Funeral arrangements by Knight-Auchmoody Funeral Home Inc., 154 East Main St., Port Jervis. For information, directions or to send a condolence note to the family visit: knight-auchmoody.com

Retallick, Christopher D.

Formerly of Port Jervis, N.Y.

Christopher D. Retallick, a lifelong resident of the area, passed away, Sunday, November 26, 2006 in Boca Raton, Fla. He was 43.

The son of Roy and Ann Lackner Retallick, he was born November 15, 1963 in Port Jervis.

Christopher was a Licensed Electrician and a talented artist and enjoyed his music extensively.

He is survived by his two daughters, Alyce and Madison Retallick, both of Port Jervis; his parents, Roy and Ann Retallick of Port Jervis; five brothers, Wayne Retallick of Port Jervis, Brian Retallick of Hartsdale, N.Y., Arthur Retallick of Austin, Texas, Roy Retallick and his wife, Kathy of Milford, Pa. and Michael Retallick and his wife, Laura of Mahomet, Ill.; as well as several nieces and nephews.

The family will receive friends Tuesday, December 5, 2006 from 4:30 - 5:30 p.m. at the Knight-Auchmoody Funeral Home, 154 E. Main St., Port Jervis.

Funeral Services will be Tuesday, December 5, 2006 at 5:30 p.m. in the Knight-Auchmoody Funeral Home. The Rev. August Ricciardi will officiate.

Interment will be private.

Funeral arrangements by Knight-Auchmoody Funeral Home Inc. For information, directions of to send a condolence note to the family visit: knight-auchmoody.com