Our Obituaries

Donna Jean Conkling, age 45, late of Port Jervis, entered into rest with her husband and family by her bedside on Tuesday, March 25, 2008 at Good Samaritan Hospital, Suffern, NY.Donna was born in Sussex, NJ on August 24, 1962, the daughter of Barbara Condit.Donna was employed by Shop-Rite Bakery in Montague, NJ.She is survived by her husband, Brian C. Conkling, at home; her mother, Barbara Condit of Matamoras, PA; two daughters, Sessa Condit of Watertown, NY, Amanda Lindblad and her husband, Paul of Highland Lakes, NY; two grandchildren, Hayden and Ecko; two brothers, Bryan Condit and his wife, Lisa of Matamoras, PA, Mark Condit and his wife, Samantha of Watertown, NY; three nieces: Heaven, Kayla, and Miranda; four nephews: Andrew, Alex, Adam, and Aiden; her father-in-law, Chic Conkling and sister-in-law, Dawn Higgins, both of Port Jervis, NY. Donna was predeceased by her mother-in-law, Helen Conkling.Funeral Services will be private at the convenience of the family. Internment will take place at Rural Valley Cemetery, Cuddebackville, NY.Memorial contributions may be made to The American Cancer Society. Arrangements by Knight-Auchmoody Funeral Home, Inc., 154 E. Main St., Port Jervis, NY. For information, directions or to send a condolence, please visit Knight-Auchmoody.com or call 845-856-3312.

Myrtle Abby D. Fitzpatrick, age 95, late of Port Jervis, passed away on Tuesday, March 25, 2008, at the home of her daughter and son-in-law Nancy and Peter Koenig.Myrtle was born in Barryville, NY on September 15, 1912, the daughter of the late Sidney J. Decker and Lillie McDermott Decker. She resided on Maiden Lane in Port Jervis for most of her 95 years. She was married to the late James S. Fitzpatrick for 50 years.Mother Myrtle will be greatly missed but always remembered by many good friends and family. Myrtle lead a very active life and was happiest doing good for others. In the early 40's, she had a thriving homemade pie business. In the 50's, she worked at Kolmar Labs, Port Jervis. In the 60's, she went back to baking pies for Homer's Coffee Shop. She was a dedicated church worker serving on almost every board and committee. She was a Sunday School Teacher, president of the Ethelon Circle, and dinner chairman for the Delaware Valley Methodist men's dinner. She and her kitchen and committee baked over 100 pies for the fall bazaars. Myrtle served as Altar Flower Chairman for many years. She was currently a member of the Stewardess Board at Wickam Methodist Church.In addition to her church work she was involved in many organizations. She was a member of the River Valley Chapter #33 O.E.S. and was the Point of Esther, member of the Port Jervis Community Club, treasurer of the Port Jervis Garden Club and past Regent and current Chaplain of the D.A.R., Old Mine Road Chapter.She is survived by her beloved daughter, Nancy Koenig and her husband, Peter of Port Jervis; her sister, Marjorie Ranich and her husband, Henry of Cahoonzie, NY; two grandchildren, Timothy and Patricia; two great-grandchildren, Logan and Stephanie; and several nieces, nephews and cousins.Friends may call Thursday, March 27, from 2-4 and 7-9 p.m. at the Knight-Auchmoody Funeral Home, 154 E. Main St., Port Jervis, NY.Funeral services will be held Friday, March 28, at 11 a.m. at the Wickham Methodist Church, Bruce St., Port Jervis, NY, with the Rev. Robin Martineau officiating. Interment will take place at Pine Hill Cemetery, Sparrowbush, NY.Memorial contributions may be to the Wickham Methodist Church, Bruce St., Port Jervis, NY 12771 or Sid's Barn, Port Jervis-Deerpark Humane Society, Route 209, Port Jervis, NY 12771.Arrangements are by the Knight-Auchmoody Funeral Home. For information, directions or to send a condolence, please visit Knight-Auchmoody.com or call 845-856-3312.

Frances B. Homer, age 91, of Port Jervis, NY, passed away Tuesday, March 25, 2008 at Belle Reve in Milford, PA.A lifelong resident, Frances was born in Port Jervis, NY on November 4, 1916, the daughter of the late Theodore and Jennie Camp Balmos.She was the former owner of Homer's Coffee Shop in Port Jervis. Fran was a member of St. Peter's Lutheran Church, Port Jervis, member of the Port Jervis AARP and former member of the Milford Bridge Club.She is survived by her two daughters, Jane Nolan and her husband, Thomas of Gales Ferry, CT and Maryann Ey of Sparrowbush, NY; four grandchildren: Jeff, Jennifer, Amy and Matthew; four great-grandchildren: Jonathan, Jared, Derek and Jerika, and her nephew, Breck Balmos.She was predeceased by her brother, Theodore Balmos and her son-in-law, Robert Ey.Friends may call Friday, March 28, from 1-3 p.m. at the Knight-Auchmoody Funeral Home, 154 E. Main St., Port Jervis, NY.Funeral services will be held Friday, March 28, at 3 p.m. at the funeral home, with the Rev. Phyllis Haynes officiating. Private interment will take place at Laurel Grove Cemetery, Port Jervis, NY.Memorial contributions may be made to St. Peter's Lutheran Church, Port Jervis, NY 12771.Arrangements by Knight-Auchmoody Funeral Home. For information, directions or to send a condolence, please visit Knight-Auchmoody.com or call 845-856-3312.

Gerald "Jerry" Lovelace, 78, of Pond Eddy, NY, passed away Tuesday, March 18, 2008 at his home. He was born at Buckhammon West Virginia on June 15, 1929, the son of the late Clarence and Minnie Lovelace.Jerry was the founder and former owner of Jerry's Three River Campground in Pond Eddy, NY. He was also a retired heavy equipment operator with Local Union #825, Newark, NJ. He was a US Marine veteran serving during WW II. Jerry married Elizabeth May Constance Gilson Lovelace, who predeceased him. He is survived by 4 sons, Pete Lovelace and his wife Debra of Pond Eddy, NY, Gerald Lovelace and his wife Laurie of Matamoras, PA, John Lovelace of Port Jervis, NY, James Lovelace and his wife Mary Lynn of Norwich, NY; one daughter, Pamela Muller and her husband John of Schenectady, NY; 3 brothers, James Lovelace of Port Jervis, NY, Paul Lovelace of Indiana and Douglas Lovelace of Middletown, NY; 1 sister, Gail McKinley; 12 grandchildren including, Super Pete Lovelace; 8 great-grandchildren; and several nieces and nephews. Friends may call Thursday, March 20, 7-9 p.m. at the Knight-Auchmoody Funeral Home, 154 E. Main St., Port Jervis, NY. Funeral services will be held Friday, March 21 at 2 p.m. at the funeral home. The Rev. Robert Mayer will officiate. Interment will take place at Pine Hill Cemetery, Sparrowbush.Arrangements are by the Knight-Auchmoody Funeral Home. For info, directions or to send a condolence note, visit knight-auchmoody.com; 845-856-3312

LeRoy A. Gurdineer Jr., 66, of Port Jervis, passed away Monday, March 17, 2008 at Bon Secours Community Hospital, Port Jervis, NY. He was born August 29, 1941 in Nyack, NY, the son of the late LeRoy Gurdineer Sr. and Ruth Cronk Gurdineer. LeRoy was a plant supervisor for Pike County Environmental, Matamoras, PA. He was a member of the Tri-State Rod & Gun Club, and the N.R.A. He married the late Marie Belle Cantwell Gurdineer. He is survived by his daughter, Kim-Marie Melnick and her husband George of Port Jervis; his granddaughter, Jessica Melnick; his grandson, Noah Melnick; and 1 niece. He was predeceased by his sister Dawn. Friends may call Thursday, March 20 from 2-4 and 7-9 p.m. at the Knight-Auchmoody Funeral Home, 154 E. Main St., Port Jervis. Funeral services will be held Friday March 21 at 10:30 a.m. at the funeral home. The Rev. Robert Mayer will officiate. Interment will take place at Pine Hill Cemetery, Sparrowbush, NY. Memorial contributions may be made to charity of the donor's choice. Arrangements are by the Knight-Auchmoody Funeral Home, Inc. For info, directions or to send a condolence note, visit knight-auchmoody.com; 845-856-3312

Maude W. Abbott, age 92, resident of Wantage, NJ, passed away Monday, March 17, 2008 at St. Joseph's Place, Port Jervis, NY.She was born May 26, 1915 in Hackensack, NJ, the daughter of the late Frank Campbell and Edith Banta Campbell. She was married to the late James Abbott, Jr.She is survived by one son, James Abbott, III and his wife, Mary of Wantage, NJ; one daughter, Edith Link and her husband, Frank of Dahlonega, GA; one brother, Dolph Campbell of La Hoya, CA; one sister, Helen Petrovitz of Viroqua, WI; five grandchildren, Jessica, Sarah, James, Jennifer, Andrew; two great-granddaughters, Lindsey and Ashley; several nieces. She was predeceased by two brothers, Frank and James Campbell.Private Graveside services will be held at Clove Cemetery, Sussex, NJ, with The Rev. Robert Mayer officiating.Contributions may be made to St. Joseph's Place, 160 East Main St., Port Jervis, NY.Arrangements are by the 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 or 845-856-3312

Stanley F. Prynkiewicz, age 67, a resident of Port Jervis since 1964, passed away Saturday, March 15, 2008 at his home. He was born May 26, 1940 in Dickson City, PA, the son of the late Anthony and Stella Klastawa Prynkiewicz. He attended St. Mary's Parochial School and High School in Dickson City, PA. He was a communicant of St. Mary's R.C. Church, Dickson City. Stanley was employed by Murphy Buick, Inc., Port Jervis and Philips Fiber, Port Jervis as a mechanic. He then was employed by Kolmar Labs, Port Jervis, as a machinist and maintenance worker, retiring after a total of 39 years at Kolmar. He was a member of Mahopac VFW Post 5491 Men's Auxiliary; Sons of American Legion Post #665, Dickson City, PA; and the Italian-American Club in Olyphant, PA. He was affiliated with Roosa-Fleming VFW Post 161, Port Jervis; and Tri-State Naval Ship #7241, by volunteering at Castle Point Veterans Hospital and many other civic organizations in the area. He is survived by his wife, Connie McBride Prynkiewicz at home; his stepson, Walter "Chip" Newman Jr. and his wife Colleen Conlon of Glen Spey, NY; a stepdaughter, Dawn Renee Newman of Port Jervis; 2 brothers, Joseph Prynkiewicz of Dickson City, PA and Edward Prynkiewicz and his wife Cora of Charleston, SC; 3 sisters, Rose Nagy of Montrose, PA, Mary-Ann Lahotsky and her husband Eugene of Blakely, PA and Dolores Prynkiewicz of Dickson City, PA; his grandchildren, Jessica Smith and husband James, Walter John Newman, III, Rhawnie Reil and Emily Newman all of Port Jervis; great-grandchildren, Nathaniel Newman, Victoria Rae Newman and Ann Catherine Smith all of Port Jervis; and several nieces and nephews. He was predeceased by his brothers, Anthony and John Prynkiewicz; sisters, Pauline Malewicz and Fran Baron; and his nephews, Eugene Lahotsky and Wayne Kazlawski. A family statement reads, "Stan was a hard-working man. He quit school when he was a junior in high school to take care of his mother and younger brothers and sister when his father passed. He met and married Connie and raised her children as his own. He was very proud of his family.:Friends may call Tuesday, March 18 from 2-4 and 7-9 p.m. at the Knight-Auchmoody Funeral Home, 154 E. Main St., Port Jervis, NY. Funeral services will take place Wednesday, March 19 at 11 a.m. at the funeral home. Interment will be private.Memorial contributions may be made to Hospice of Orange and Sullivan, 800 Stony Brook Court, Newburgh, NY 12550.Arrangements are by the Knight-Auchmoody Funeral Home; 845-856-3312

Joseph M. Lombardo, age 60, of Port Jervis, passed away on Thursday, March 6, 2008 at Bon Secours Community Hospital, Port Jervis, NY.He was born August 14, 1947 in Port Jervis, NY, the son of the late Joseph "Shorty" and Ethel Hopkins Lombardo. He worked for North Fork Southern Railroad, Port Jervis. He was a member of St. Mary's R.C. Church, Port Jervis and member of The Hawks Nest Hunting Club, Sparrowbush, NY. He served with the U.S. Air Force during the Vietnam War. Joe was a loving husband and dad. He was an avid hunter, loved to fish, and could prepare and mean meal. He touched so many lives."Good-byes are not forever; Good-byes are not the end; They simply mean we'll miss you; Until we meet again."He married Donna Cole Lombardo, who survives. He is further survived by his son, Brad and his daughter, Lisa Lombardo, both at home; his mother-in-law, Marion Cole of Sparrowbush; his sister-in-law, Janet Young and her husband, Bill of Yulan; his brother-in-law, Robert Cole of Cliff Side Park, NJ; a niece, Regina Young; and several aunts, uncles and cousins. He was predeceased by his infant brother, Robert.Friends may call Tuesday, March 11, from 2-4 and 7-9 p.m. at the Knight-Auchmoody Funeral Home, 154 East Main St., Port Jervis. The vigil wake service will be held Tuesday, March 11, at 3 p.m.Prayers will be offered Wednesday, March 12, at 11:15 a.m. at the funeral home, followed by a Mass of Christian Burial at 12 noon at St. Mary's R.C. Church, Port Jervis. Interment will take place at St. Mary's Cemetery, Port Jervis.Memorial contributions may be may to a charity of the donor's choice. Arrangements are by the Knight-Auchmoody Funeral Home. For information, directions or to send a condolence, please visit knight-auchmoody.com or call 845-856-3312.

Doris A. Lewis, age 69, of Port Jervis, NY, passed away on Monday, March 3, 2008, at her home.Doris was a retired Customer Representative for Kolmar Labs, Inc. in Port Jervis.She was born on August 11, 1938 in Port Jervis, NY, the daughter of the late Edward Stanley Adams and Ethel Scott Lord, who survives. She was married to the late Joseph G. Lewis.Doris was a member of the Drew United Methodist Church in Port Jervis.She is survived by her mother, Ethel Scott Lord of Milford, PA; her brother, Edward Adams and his wife, Carolyn of Port Jervis; two sisters, Denise Osterhout and her husband, John of Mohican Lake, NY and Debra Orben and her husband, Gary of Milford, PA, and several nieces and nephews.Graveside services will take place in the spring at Pine Grove Cemetery, Matamoras, PA, and will be announced at a later time.Memorial contributions may be made to the Port Jervis-Deerpark Humane Society, Route 209, Port Jervis, NY 12771.Arrangements by Knight-Auchmoody Funeral Home, 154 E. Main St., Port Jervis, NY. For information, directions or to send a condolence, please visit knight-auchmoody.com or call 845-856-3312.

Otto C. Burger, Sr., age 81, late of Huguenot, NY, passed away on Sunday, March 2, 2008, at Milford Senior Care in Westfall Twp., PA. He was retired owner of M & O Service Station and Transmission Repair at Minehill, NJ.He was born in Newark, NJ on July 17, 1926, the son of Otto and Martha Mohr Burger.He is survived by three sons: Otto Burger, Jr. and his wife, Jennifer of Huguenot, NY, David Burger and his wife, Robin of Budd Lake, NJ, Mike Burger and his wife, Natalie of Branchville, NJ; two daughters, Diane Knapp and her husband, James of Rockaway, NJ, and Evelyn Metzler and her husband, Robert of Lake Lackawanna, NJ; his longtime companion, Lois Steele, at home; his sister, Josephine Angele of Union, NJ; nine grandchildren: Jean Ellen, Heidi, Otto III, Danielle, Trevor, Paul Henry, Grace, Melissa and Dan; one great-grandson, Denzel, and several nieces and nephews. He was predeceased by his brother, Paul Burger and his sister, Frances.Memorial services will take place on Sunday, March 9, at 2 p.m. at the home of Otto and Jennifer Burger, 145 Big Lake Road, Huguenot, NY.Arrangements are by the Knight-Auchmoody Funeral Home, 154 E. Main St., Port Jervis, NY. For information, directions or to send a condolence, please visit knight-auchmoody.com or call 845-856-3312.

Janis Lee (nee Curry) Osborne, of Port Jervis, New York, died on March 1, 2008 at Westchester Medical Center in Valhalla, New York of complications from diabetes, congestive heart failure and leukemia. She was sixty four. She was born at St. Francis Hospital in Hartford, Connecticut April 17, 1943, but was a resident of Port Jervis for most of her life. She was the daughter of John Curry and Zita Codichini Curry Innella, and the granddaughter of Ercole and Rose Codichini and Ted and Bernice Curry. She was the stepdaughter of Sam Innella. Her husband was Peter Osborne, executive director of the Minisink Valley Historical Society. They were married Dec. 24, 1994, in the Iris Inn at High Point State Park. Earlier in life, she was married to William G. McCann. The marriage ended in divorce. For many years, she was an editor and writer for The Union Gazette, The Tri-State Gazette and The Gazette (all the same newspaper) in Port Jervis and wrote a popular column that chronicled her life and times. She won several awards from her peers for her writing. She was the author of a book of her favorite newspaper columns written over twenty years, "Put The Dog On The Phone: The Collected Newspaper Columns of Janis Osborne." She was also instrumental in the restoration of the Port Jervis Erie Depot with her husband, having served as one of the chairmen of the Depot Preservation Society. The restoration project was started by the two of them. She was a member of the Port Jervis Salvation Army Advisory Board, the Port Jervis Centennial Committee, Friends of the Port Jervis Library and a monthly Book Discussion Group at the library. She was a member of the Unitarian-Universalist Fellowship of Sussex County in Newton. Mrs. Osborne loved to read. Her favorite authors were Anne Morrow Lindbergh, P.D. James, Naio Marsh, Agatha Christie and Dorothy Sayers. She loved the music and lyrics of John Denver's songs. She was an avid thrift store shopper and traveled extensively with her husband who shared her love for adventure. She also loved to do the Sunday New York Times Sunday Crossword Puzzle and often completed it without the aid of a dictionary.She is survived by her beloved husband who was her hero and best friend. She is also survived by three beloved children and their spouses: Thomas and Gina McCann of Port Jervis; Michael and Melissa McCann of Port Jervis; and Megan McCann and her husband, David Earl, of Plano, TX; and a stepson, Ryan Osborne of Goshen; her grandchildren include: Cassie, Ryan, Nicole, Joshua and Cody McCann, children of Michael; Natasha and her husband, Robert Gurliacci; Bradley, Brittany, Liam and Robert Bauer, children of Thomas and Jacob Scott and Lucas and Zoe Earl, children of Megan; a great-grandson, Dominick Gurliacci and great-granddaughter, Bryanna McCann. She is also survived by a half brother, Michael Innella of Port Jervis and his wife, Charlene; two sister-in-laws and brothers-in-law, Beth and Gary Stenftennagel, of North Haledon, NJ, and Mary and Steve Schwake of Hewett, NJ; and several nieces, nephews, and cousins. She was predeceased by her mother, Zita Innella; her step father, aunt, Anita McCoy, cousins, Joseph and John Codichini; and her beloved cats Tilly and Elspeth.Mrs. Osborne's family will receive friends and relatives at Knight-Auchmoody Funeral Home, 154 E. Main St., Port Jervis on Thursday, March 6, from 2-4 and 7-9 p.m. A celebration of her life will be held at the First Presbyterian Church on Broome St., in Port Jervis, NY on Saturday, March 8, at 1 p.m. with the Rev. Mary Tiebout and the Rev. Stephen Houston will officiate. Mrs. Osborne's ashes will be commingled with her husband's when he dies and be scattered on the Appalachian Trail in Stokes State Forest and at Cape May, NJMemorial contributions may be made to the Port Jervis Free Library for books and toys for the children's room in honor of Mrs. Osborne's grandchildren or to the Port Jervis Salvation Army Needy Fund. Arrangements are by Knight-Auchmoody Funeral Home, Inc., 154 East Main Street, Port Jervis, NY. For directions, information or to send a condolence note to the family please visit knight-auchmoody.com or 845-856-3312

Otto C. Burger, Sr. age 81, late of Huguenot, NY passed away Sunday March 2, at Milford Senior Care., Westfall Twshp., Pa. He was retired owner of M&O Service Station and Transmission Repair at Minehill, New Jersey. He was born at Newark, New Jersey on July 17, 1926, the son of Otto and Martha Mohr Burger. He is survived by three sons- Otto Burger, Jr. and his wife Jennifer of Huguenot, NY, David Burger and his wife Robin of Budd Lake, NJ, Mike Burger and his wife Natalie of Branchville, NJ. Two daughters- Diane Knapp and her husband James of Rockaway, NJ, and Evelyn Metzler and her husband Robert of Lake Lackawanna, NJ. His long time companion, Lois Steele at home. His sister, Josephine Angele of Union, NJ, 9 grandchildren, Jean Ellen, Heidi, Otto III, Danielle, Trevor, Paul Henry, Grace, Melissa and Dan, 1 great grandson, Denzel, and several nieces and nephews. He was pre-deceased by his brother Paul Burger and his sister Frances. Memorial services will take place Sunday march 9 at 2 Pm a the home of Otto and Jennifer Burger, 145 Big Lake Road, Huguenot, NY. Arrangements are by the Knight-Auchmoody Funeral Home, 154 E. Main St., Port Jervis, NY. for information, directions or to send a condolence note to the family visit knight-auchmoody.com