Our Obituaries

Vivan G. VanLeuven, Sr. age 75, of The Town of Mt. Hope, NY, passed away Wednesday, January 21, 2009 at the home his son and daughter-in-law, Edwin and Mary VanLeuven.He was born on March 3, 1933, at Ellenville, NY, the son of the late Grant and Esther M. Davis VanLeuven.Vivan was the retired owner of Van's Auto Service, Town of Mt. Hope. He also was a retired maintenance director for the Milford Senior Care Health and Rehabilitation Ctr., Milford, PA. He married Shirley Muller VanLeuven, who predeceased him three weeks earlier on December 24, 2008. Vivan was a member of the Otisville Sportsman Club and an avid Ham Radio operator.He is survived by two sons, Vivan VanLeuven of the Town of Mt. Hope and Edwin VanLeuven and his wife, Mary of Otisville, NY; his daughter, Bonnie Lee Henry of Jeffersonville, NY; four brothers, Paul VanLeuven of Ellenville, NY, Patrick VanLeuven of Kerhonkson, Tony VanLeuven of the State of Florida and Roger VanLeuven of Ellenville. He is also survived by three sisters, Ella Dumond of Wawarsing, NY, Mary Sanderson of Kerhonkson and Rachel Gore of Naponoch, NY; his son-in-law, Paul Barth of Town of Mt. Hope; eight grandchildren, and several nieces and nephews. He was predeceased by his daughter, Anne Barth and his granddaughter, Sheryl Barth.Friends may call Saturday, January 24, from 11 a.m. to 12 noon at the Knight-Auchmoody Funeral Home, 154 E. Main St., Port Jervis, NY, funeral services will follow at 12 noon at the funeral home, with Pastor Steven Sumnick officiating. Interment will take place at Rural Valley Cemetery, Cuddebackville, NY.Memorial donations may be made to Hospice of Orange and Sullivan, 800 Stony Brook Court, Newburgh, NY 12550.Arrangements are by the Knight-Auchmoody Funeral Home, 154 E. Main St., Port Jervis, NY. For information,directions or to send a condolence note the family visit knight-auchmoody.com.

Lawrence M. Ward, age 44, of Glen Spey, NY, passed away on Thursday, January 15, 2009 at Bon Secours Community Hospital, Port Jervis, NY.He was born December 3, 1964, at Delhi, NY, the son of the late Gerald H. Ward and Marjorie Hunt Houck, who survives.Larry was a supervisor in the shipping department at Andmore Sportswear, Port Jervis, NY.Larry is survived by his wife, Jeannette McCabe Ward, at home; his two daughters, Taylor and Miranda, both at home; his mother, Marjorie Hunt Houck of Delhi, NY. He is also survived by three brothers: Jerry Ward and his wife, Cindy of Port Jervis, Darryl Ward and his wife, Ann of Godeffroy, NY, and William Houck Jr. and his companion, Jen of Eldred, NY; three sisters: Irma Humby and her husband, Dan of Frisco, TX, Jacquelyn Houck and her companion, Carlos of Port Jervis, and Beatrice Houck and her companion, Arthur of Port Jervis; several nieces, nephews and his two closest friends, Tag and Julie Hockenberry.A family statement reads: "Larry was an avid Hockey fan with his favorite team being the Detroit Red Wings, but most of all he adored his children and enjoyed having fun with his friends and family."Friends may call Monday, January 19, 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 Tuesday January 20 at 10:30 a.m. at the funeral home with The Rev. Patt Kaufmann officiating. Interment will be private.In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made in Larry's memory to benefit his children, c/o Michael McCann, Esq., 25 Main St., Goshen, NY 10924.Arrangements by Knight-Auchmoody Funeral Home, Inc.; Knight-Auchmoody

Alexander David Norris, age 77, of Barefoot Bay, Florida and formerly of Westbrookville, NY, passed away Wednesday, January 7, 2009 at his home in Florida.He was born on April 24, 1931 at Oceanside, NY, the son of the late Alexander and Jessie Williamson Norris.David was a retired Journeyman for I.B.E. W. Local Union #363, Rockland County, NY. He was a member of the Friendship Christian Community Church at Sebastian Florida and Veteran of the Korean War, serving with the U.S. Army.A Family statement read, "Chockie was a much loved family man who enjoyed football, fishing, camping and all the simple pleasures of life. He was a man of integrity who had a great sense of humor. He will be missed by all whose lives he touched, his family, friends and fellow electrical brothers."He is survived by his wife, Joan M. Leer Norris at home; his son, William Norris and his wife, Gail of Hilliard, FL, two daughters, Kathleen Perry and her husband, Paul of Westbrookville, NY and Wendy Ferrara and her husband, Anthony of Sparowbush, NY, and his brother John W. Norris of Sayeville, NY. He is also survived by seven grandchildren: Trisha Fuller and her husband, Anthony, Nicholas and Jessie Ferrara, Brandon, Ryan and Tarah Norris and Mark Perry, two great-grandsons, Shane and Brett, and several nieces and nephews.Friends may call Friday, January 16, from 5-7 p.m. at the Knight-Auchmoody Funeral Home, 154 E. Main St., Port Jervis, NY.Funeral services will follow at 7 p.m. at the funeral home, with Kathleen Perry officiaitng. Interment will be private.In lieu of flowers memorial donations may be made to the American Cancer Society or to the Friendship Christian Community Church, PO Box 780216, Sebastian, FL 32958.Arrangements are by the Knight-Auchmoody Funeral Home, 845-856-3312.

Kingsland R. Archer, 79, formerly of Port Jervis, passed away Thursday, January 8, 2009 at his home in Dansville, NY.He was born in Syracuse, NY on July 24, 1929, a son of the late Theodore and Elizabeth (Carter) Archer. He was also predeceased by a brother, Stephen W. Archer. On May 10, 1959, he was married to Diane (Cherry) Archer who survives.King was a loving husband, father, and grandfather. He was an avid sportsman who enjoyed hunting and fishing for many years in Canada. He also enjoyed playing on a horseshoe league where he won gold along with several bronze and silver medals at the Charlotte County Senior Olympics in Port Charlotte, Florida. He especially enjoyed going to 3-D Bow Shoots with his son, Stephen. King was a die-hard Yankee fan, who enjoyed watching the ball games on his Hi-Definition TV. He worked for 45 years for Orange and Rockland Utilities where he retired as an electrical supervisor. King was awarded a Korean Medal for serving four years on the USS Greenlet with the Navy during the Korean War. King will be forever missed by his family and friends. King was a member of Drew United Methodist Church in Port Jervis where he served as assistant treasurer and a member of the Pastor Parish Committee. His first priority all his life was God and his family. During the winter months, King was active in the Community Presbyterian Church in Englewood, Florida.Surviving in addition to his wife, Diane, are a daughter, Karen Archer-Conklin and son-in-law, Richard Conklin of Dansville; a son, Stephen Archer and daughter-in-law, Tammy Horton Archer of Sebring, FL; two sisters, Nancy Richards and Susan Burgess and husband, Quentin both of Englewood, FL; three grandchildren, Joshua Conklin, Luke and Remington Archer; several nieces and nephews.A memorial service will be held on Thursday, January 15, at 11 a.m. at the Drew United Methodist Church, Port Jervis. Interment with full military honors will be in Pine Hill Cemetery, Sparrowbush.In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to the Drew United Methodist Church, PO Box 1015, Port Jervis, NY 12771.Arrangements are by the Knight-Auchmoody Funeral Home, Inc., 154 East

Jack Munoz, age 75, of Port Jervis, NY, passed away Friday, January 9, 2009 at his home.He was born in Barcelona, Spain on August 16, 1933, the son of the late Avelino and Teresa Cuijo Munoz. Jack married Mary Gunderman Munoz who survives at home.He was a retired supervisor for Ames Rubber Co., Hamburg, NJ. Jack was an active member of Grace Episcopal Church, Port Jervis, and a dedicated Food Pantry Volunteer for Grace Church. He was a veteran of the U.S. Army and proudly served our country from 1956 to 1958. He was a member of the Port Jervis Lodge of Elks #645 B.P.O.E., Port Jervis, NY.In addition to his wife, Jack is survived by several cousins in Spain and his sister-in-law, Jean Munoz of Matamoras, PA. He was recently predeceased by his brother, Joseph Munoz.A Mass of Resurrection will be held on Wednesday January 14, at 11:30 a.m. at the Grace Episcopal Church, Port Jervis, NY, with Rev. David Lee Carlson officiating.Spring Interment will take place at Pine Hill Cemetery, Sparrowbush, NY.Memorial contributions may be made to Hospice of Orange and Sullivan, 800 Stony Brook Court, Newburgh, NY 12550 or to Roosa-Fleming VFW Post #161, Owen St., Port Jervis, NY 12771.Arrangements are by the Knight-Auchmoody Funeral Home, 154 E. Main St., Port Jervis, NY.

Dorothy "Dottie" L. Lowden, 95, of Montague, NJ, passed away Tuesday, January 6, 2009 at St. Joseph's Place, Port Jervis, NY.She was born January 17, 1913 in Chesapeake City, MD, the daughter of the late Wallace V. McCoy and Miriam Fillingane McCoy. Dottie married Ellwood Lowden, who predeceased her.She was a member of the Tri-State Bible Church and attended the Pine Island Bible Church.Dottie is survived by her son, Jay E. Lowden of San Pedro, CA; a nephew, Dan McCoy and two nieces, Debbie and Donna. She was predeceased by her brother, Rev. James D. McCoy and her sister, Miriam.Private services will be held at the convenience of the family. Interment will take place at Eglington Veterans Cemetery, Clarksboro, NJ.Memorial contributions may be made to the Tri-State Bible Conference, 2 River Road, Montague, NJ 07827.Arrangements are by the Knight-Auchmoody Funeral Home, 154 E. Main St., Port Jervis, NY.

Gregg R. Tonkin, 60, a longtime Westfall resident, died unexpectedly Dec. 27, 2008, at Bon Secours Community Hospital, Port Jervis, N.Y.
He was born Aug. 12,
1948, in Scranton, the son of Howard P. Tonkin and Lenore C. Spangenberg Tonkin.
Gregg worked as a sales consultant for AT&T in Dallas, Texas, and was a member of the Communication Workers of America.
He was married to Margery Hulst Tonkin, who survives at home.
In addition to his wife, he is survived by his mother, of Carbondale; his son, Raymond J. Tonkin, and his wife, Michelle, of Hawley; two daughters, Disa D. Tonkin and Corinne C. Tonkin, both of Matamoras; three grandchildren, Zatoria Brown, Garrett Tonkin and Grant Tonkin; three brothers, Gary G. Tonkin and his wife, Barbara, of Phoenix, Ariz.; Glenn Tonkin and his wife, Alice, of Carbondale; and Garth Tonkin and his wife, Marie, of Carbondale; and several nieces and nephews.
Gregg was a former chief of police and member of the Planning Commission for Westfall Township, a former supervisor for the Pike County Communications Center in Milford and a former member of the Westfall Fire Department.
Gregg was a businessman who operated several movie theaters, including the Tri-State Drive-in in Westfall, with his wife, Margery; they also once owned and operated the Flo-Jean Restaurant in Port Jervis, N.Y.
Visitation and services were Wednesday at the Knight-Auchmoody Funeral Home, Port Jervis.
Interment will be private.
Memorial donations may be made to the Westfall Fire Department, P.O. Box 154, Matamoras, PA 18336, or to a charity of the donor's choice.
Knight-Auchmoody Funeral Home

Louise C. Greening, 91, of Glen Spey, died Dec. 26, 2008, at Milford Senior Care, Westfall Township, Pa.
She was born May 7, 1917, in Glen Spey, the daughter of John and Margaret Fahlbusch Weber.
She was the widow of John Herbert Greening.
She is survived by her sister, Agnes Rhoades of Port Jervis, and several nieces and nephews.
She was predeceased by her brothers, Louis, John and Francis Weber, and two sisters, Margaret Kinne and Caroline Quick.
Graveside services were held Monday at Old Montoza Cemetery, Barryville, with the Rev. Anthony Moore officiating.
Memorial donations may be made to the Lumberland Fire Department, Glen Spey, NY 12737, or to a charity of donor's choice.
Knight-Auchmoody Funeral Home

Shirley M. VanLeuven, 79, of Mount Hope died Dec. 24, 2008, at Milford Senior Care, Westfall Township, Pa.
She was born June 24, 1929, in Port Jervis, the daughter of Edward and Geraldine Beirnes Muller.
Shirley was a retired secretary and bookkeeper for Van's Auto Service, which she operated with her husband, Vivan G. VanLeuven.
She is survived by her husband, at home; two sons, Vivan VanLeuven of Mount Hope and Edwin VanLeuven and his wife, Mary, of Otisville; a daughter, Bonnie Lee Henry, of Jeffersonville; eight grandchildren; and her son-in-law, Paul Barth of Mount Hope.
She was predeceased by her daughter Anne Barth and her granddaughter, Sheryl Barth.
Visitation and services were Tuesday at the Knight-Auchmoody Funeral Home, Port Jervis, with the Rev. Thomas Mortenson officiating.
Interment was in Rural Valley Cemetery, Cuddebackville.
Memorial donations may be made to the National Kidney Foundation, 30 E. 33rd St., New York, NY 10016 (www.kidney.org).
Knight-Auchmoody Funeral Home

John Carey Sr. of Cuddebackville died Dec. 17, 2008, at Bon Secours Community Hospital, Port Jervis. He was 80.
He was born Oct. 26, 1928, in Washingtonville, the son of James and Louise Van Der Mulen Carey.
John proudly served our country during World War II with the U.S. Army.
He was a retired custodian at the Orange County Government Center, Goshen. He was married to Mabel Stevens Carey, who survives at home.
In addition he is survived by his daughter, Bonnie Sue Ulrichs, and her husband, Gary, of Cuddebackville; one son, John Carey Jr., of Port Jervis; his brother, William Carey; and two grandchildren, Melissa Ulrichs and Heather Marie Carey.
He was predeceased by a son, Oliver Lee Carey, and a brother and sister.
Visitation and services were Monday at the Knight-Auchmoody Funeral Home, Port Jervis, with the Rev. Donald Coy officiating.
Interment was in Rural Valley Cemetery, Cuddebackville.
Knight-Auchmoody Funeral Home; www.knight-auchmoody.com

Stanley H. Sutton of Port Jervis died Dec. 17, 2008, at St. Joseph's Place, Bon Secours Community Hospital, Port Jervis. He was 89.
Stanley was born Aug. 8, 1919, in Port Jervis, the son of the late George and Genevieve Riggs Sutton.
He was a retired foreman for the Erie Railroad, Port Jervis, and a member of the Erie's Brotherhood of the Maintenance of Way.
Stanley is survived by his wife, Margaret Greenhalgh Sutton. They married Sept. 6, 1943, and celebrated 65 years of marriage.
He is also survived by his daughter, Linda Ramsay, and her husband, William, of Port Jervis; a granddaughter, Heather Trotta, and her husband, Mark; a grandson, Shaun Ramsay, and his wife, Jennifer; three great-grandchildren, Steven and Olivia Trotta and Avery Ramsay; two nephews; and his pet dog, LeRoy.
He was predeceased by his sister, Vera Sinley.
Visitation was Saturday at the Knight-Auchmoody Funeral Home, Port Jervis.
Private interment took place at Bloomingburg Cemetery, Bloomingburg.
Memorial contributions may be made to the Port Jervis-Deerpark Humane Society, 199 Route 209, Port Jervis, NY 12771.
Knight-Auchmoody Funeral Home; www.knight-auchmoody.com

John "Jack" Austin Carroll, 83, of Port Jervis died Dec. 15, 2008, at Vassar Brothers Medical Center, Poughkeepsie, surrounded by his loving family.
Son of Austin and Helen McAndrew Carroll, he was born June 4, 1925, in Port Jervis.
He is survived by his loving wife of 60 years, Antoinette "Toni" Mikulski Carroll, at home; son John Carroll of Oakland Park, Fla.; daughter Nancy Keeler and her husband, Gary, of Port Jervis; son Paul Carroll of Port Jervis; brother Tom Carroll and his wife, Marlea, of Port Jervis; grandson Austin Carroll and his fiancée, Allyson Wagner; four granddaughters: Erin and Meghan Keeler and Lindsay and Lauren Carroll, all of Port Jervis; and several nieces and nephews.
Jack proudly served his country in the United States Navy as a radio operator on the USS Castor during World War II.
He was a member of the Tri-State Naval Ship VFW No. 7241, Port Jervis; the Knights of Columbus; a former member of the Port Jervis Seniors; and a member of St. Mary's parish.
Jack was the proud owner of the Hotel Carroll in Port Jervis for more than 30 years.
His family said, "Jack was a loving husband, father and grandfather. His love was endless for his children and grandchildren; he lived for their happiness. He will be greatly missed."
Visitation and a vigil wake service were yesterday at the Knight-Auchmoody Funeral Home, 154 E. Main St., Port Jervis.
Prayers will be offered today at 9:15 am at the funeral home, followed by a 10 a.m. Mass of the Resurrection in St. Mary's Church, 46 Ball St., Port Jervis.
Interment will follow with military services at St. Mary's Cemetery, Port Jervis.
Knight-Auchmoody Funeral Home

Douglas C. Durland, 73, of Port Jervis died Dec. 15, 2008, at Bon Secours Community Hospital, Port Jervis.
He was born on June 1, 1935, in Middletown, the son of John H. Durland and Elsie M. Skinner Durland.
He was a tree trimmer retired from Orange and Rockland Utilities Inc., Port Jervis.
He was a member of the Middletown lodge of the Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks. He was an avid hunter and fisherman.
His family said, "Doug was the kind of loving and gentle person whom you would be hard-pressed to find."
He was married to Mary Youngman Durland, who survives at home.
He is further survived by his daughter, Cassie Durland, at home; a brother, Robert Durland, of Cuddebackville; and two nephews, Randy Durland of Ohio and Adam Durland of Alaska.
Visitation was Wednesday and services Thursday at the Knight-Auchmoody Funeral Home, Port Jervis, with Kathleen Perry officiating. Interment was in Westbrookville Cemetery, Westbrookville.
Knight-Auchmoody Funeral Home*