Our Obituaries

Gertrude B. Giananti, age 97, of Port Jervis, NY, passed away Saturday, March 21, at her home.She was born on October 16, 1911 in Phonecia, NY, the daughter of the late Arthur Kelsey and Florence Shultes Kelsey. Gertrude married Rudolph Giananti, who predeceased her.She was a retired Supervisor for White Castle Restaurants in Queens, NY.Gertrude is survived by her daughter, Victory Kraus and her husband, Richard of Port Jervis; two grandsons, David and Dennis Sardo; and four great grandchildren: Kaitlin, Samantha, Michael and David.Funeral services will be private and at the convenience of the family. Cremation will take place at H.G. Smith Crematory, Stroudsburg, PA.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.

Beverly J. Denk, age 63, of the Town of Greenville, NY, passed peacefully into the arms of Jesus on Thursday, March 19, 2009, at Orange Regional Medical Ctr., Horton Campus in Middletown, NY.She was born June 15, 1945 in Port Jervis, NY, the daughter of the late Milton. J. Clark and Marion Riggs Clark.Beverly was a retired floorlady for Andmore Sportswear, Inc., Port Jervis, NY. She was an active member of the Greenville United Methodist Church, choir member and former Sunday school teacher. She was a former member of the Ladies Auxiliary Rutgers Engine Co., Johnson, NY.She married Kenneth W. Denk, who survives at home. Beverly is also survived by her daughter, Doreen Smith and her husband, Robert of Shippensburg, PA; three sons: Kenneth Denk and his wife, Krista of Columbia, SC, Michael Denk, U.S. Navy of Virginia Beach, VA, and Christopher Denk and his wife, Jennifer, U.S.M.C., Miramar, CA; six grandchildren: Bobby, Matthew, Ashley, Derek, Madison and Matthew; one great-grandson, Evan; three brothers: James Clark of Howells, NY, Hugh Hall of the State of Florida, Stanley Hall of the Town of Greenville; three sisters: Gail Faulkerson and Renee Hustins, both of the Town of Greenville, and Gwen Kolak of Brewster, NY; several nieces and nephews.Friends may call Tuesday, March 24, from 2-4 and 7-9 p.m. at Knight-Auchmoody Funeral Home, 154 E. Main St., Port Jervis, NY. Funeral Services will be held Wednesday, March 25, at 11 a.m. at the Greenville United Methodist Church, Town of Greenville, with The Rev. Lora Villinger officiating. Interment will take place at Manning Cemetery, Town of Greenville, NY. Memorial contributions may be made to the Susan G. Komen for the Cure, Attn: Gift Management Services, 5005 LBJ Freeway, Suite 250, Dallas, TX 75244. Arrangements by Knight-Auchmoody Funeral Home, Inc., 154 East Main Street, Port Jervis, New York, 845-856-3312. For information, directions or to send condolences, please visit Knight-Auchmoody.com.

R. Patrick Purcell, age 61, of Matamoras, PA, passed away Friday, March 20, 2009 at Community Medical Center, V.N.A. Hospice, Scranton, PA.He was born on August 27, 1947 in Port Jervis, NY, the son of the late Robert Patrick Purcell and Rosemary Stead Purcell.Patrick was a retired Treatment Assistant at the Mid-Hudson Psychiatric Center, New Hampton, NY. He was a communicant of St. Joseph's R.C. Church, Matamoras, PA. He proudly served our country during the Vietnam War with the U.S. Marines, and is a recipient of the Purple Heart Medal. He is also a member of The American Legion, Milford, PA, and the Tri-State Naval Ship #7241, Port Jervis.He is survived by two sisters, Mickey Celestina and her husband, Frank of Milford, PA and Mary Codichini and her husband, Richard of Matamoras, PA; his nephews, Shane Cady and John Codichini; nieces, Amanda Meltzer and Bridget Celestina; and several cousins. He is also survived by his childhood and lifelong friend, Bill Carroll.Friends may call Sunday, March 22, from 2-4 and 7-9 p.m. at the Knight-Auchmoody Funeral Home, 154 E.Main St., Port Jervis, NY. The vigil wake service will be held Sunday afternoon at the funeral home with Rev. August Ricciardi officiating.Prayers will be offered Monday, March 23, at 10:15 a.m. at the funeral home, followed by a Mass of Christian Burial at 11 a.m. at St. Joseph's R.C. Church, Matamoras, PA with Rev. August Ricciardi as celebrant. Interment will take place at St. Mary's Cemetery, Port Jervis, NY with military honors.Memorial contributions may be made to the American Kidney Fund, 6110 Executive Blvd, Suite 1010, Rockville, MD 20852-9813 or to the Disabled American Veterans, PO Box 14301, Cincinnati, OH 45250-0301.Arrangements are by the Knight-Auchmoody funeral Home. For information, directions or to send a condolence note to the family, visit knight-auchmoody.com.

Memorial services for Lois M. Hahn, age 69, of Westbrookville, NY, will be held on Sunday, March 15, at 12 noon in the Westbrookville United Methodist Church, Westbrookville, NY. Interment will take place at the Westbrookville Cemetery, Westbrookville.Arrangements are by the Knight-Auchmoody Funeral Home, 154 E. Main St., Port Jervis, NY; 845-856-3312 or knight-auchmoody.com.

Elsie M. Bruce, age 104, of Swiftwater, PA and long time resident of Port Orange, FL, passed away Thursday, March 5, 2009 at the Golden Living Health Care Facility, East Stroudsburg, PA.She was born on October 20, 1904 at Port Jervis, NY, the daughter of the late Milton and Nonna Rake Pierson. She was a retired secretary for the Sussex County Farm Bureau, Newton, NJ.Elsie married Howard P. Bruce who predeceased her. She was an active member of the First Baptist Church, in Port Orange FL and a member of the River Valley Chapter #33, Order of the Eastern Star, Port Jervis, NY.She is survived by her nephews, Ralph S. Pierson, Jr. of Columbia, SC, Robert Milton Pierson of Cape Corals, FL, Wayne Pierson of Swiftwater, PA; her niece, Diane Wulff of Westbrookville, NY, several great-nieces and nephews and great-great-nieces and nephews.Friends may call Thursday, March 12, from 2-6 p.m. at the Knight-Auchmoody Funeral Home, 154 E. Main St., Port Jervis, NY. Eastern Star services will be held Thursday at the funeral home.Funeral Services will be held Friday, March 13, at 10:30 a.m. at the funeral home, with The Rev. Mark Malcolm officiating. Interment will take place at Green Gates Cemetery, Hawley, PA.Memorial contributions may be made to the First Baptist Church, 316 Church St., Port Orange, FL 32127.Arrangements are by the Knight-Auchmoody Funeral Home, 845-856-3312. For information, directions or to send a condolence note to the family visit knight-auchmoody.com.

Viola S. Wehinger age 85, of Port Jervis, NY passed away Saturday March 7, 2009 at Milford Senior Care Westfall Twshp, PA.She was born on September 18, 1923 at Dingman's PA, the daughter of the late Harry and Lulu Bosler Snyder.Viola was a retired assembler for Kolmar Laboratories, Port Jervis, NY. She was a member of the Drew United Methodist Church, Port Jervis, NY.Viola was predeceased by her first husband, Peter Ogrodnick and her second husband, Arthur Wehinger. She is survived by her daughter, Christina Skinner of Port Jervis; her sister, Myrtle Kotar of Milford, PA; her brother, David Snyder of Dingmans, PA; four grandchildren, Robin Ellison, Debbie Dunmire, Peter Ogrodnick, Jr. and Brian Ogrodnick; six great-grandchildren and several nieces and nephews. She was predeceased by her son, Peter Ogrodnick; three sisters, Lillian, Lucy and Bonnie; her son-in-law, Loren Skinner.Memorial services will be held at the Drew United Methodist Church and will be announced at a later time. The Rev. Robert Cassidy will officiate. Interment will take place at St. Mary's Cemetery, Port Jervis, NY.Memorial contributions may be made to he Drew United Methodist Church, Sussex St., Port Jervis, NY 12771.Arrangements are by the Knight-Auchmoody Funeral Home, 154 E. Main St., Port Jervis, NY, 845-856-3312. For information or to send a condolence note to the family visit knight-auchmoody.com.

Dolores Ruth Schildt, formerly a longtime resident of Port Jervis, passed away suddenly at home in Albany, NY on Wednesday, March 4, 2009. She was 71.Dolores was a loving wife, mother, grandmother, sister, aunt, cousin, niece and friend. She was the daughter of the late Rev. Ernest & Ruth (Klug) Boening, born October 1, 1937 in Chester, Illinois. She married the late Harry Schildt in Brooklyn, NY in 1959 & after a few years in Wisconsin, settled down & lead a long fulfilling life in Port Jervis, NY before moving to Albany last year following Harry's death.Following her father's ministry, Dolores grew up in Haysville, IN, Altoona, PA & Brooklyn, NY and then attended Wagner College on Staten Island, NY. She worked for Bell Telephone in Brooklyn and later was a manager in real estate and a travel agent for over 25 years.Dolores is survived by her loving son, Timothy Schildt; daughter-in-law, Susan; two grandchildren, her pride and joy, Debra and Michael Schildt, all of Albany, NY. She is also survived by her brother and sister-in-law, Robert & Merriam Boening of Kingston, NY; sister-in-law, Emma Bishon and husband, Daniel of Flagler Beach, FL; three nieces: Pamela Barton, Amanda Boening and Elizabeth Sellers; nephew Kenneth Fritz; many cousins, aunts and uncles.Dolores was predeceased by her beloved husband, Harry of 48 years; son, Stephen Gregg Schildt; and by her parents, Ernest & Ruth Boening.Dolores was a member of St. Peter's Lutheran Church in Port Jervis. She always had God in her heart. In earlier years, she taught Sunday School, played the piano and organ in church, sang in the choir, and was a greeter for services. Dolores was a loving and very generous person who touched many lives. We will always remember her beautiful smile, overwhelming generosity and kindness, the notes and cards she would send not only to relatives, but to strangers performing random acts of kindness, and her uplifting personality.Funeral services will be held on Wednesday, March 11, at 9:30 a.m. at the Knight-Auchmoody Funeral Home, 154 East Main Street, Port Jervis, with Rev. Patt Kauffman officiating.Memorial contributions may be made to St. Peter's Lutheran Church, East Main Street, Port Jervis, NY.Arrangements by Knight-Auchmoody Funeral Home. For information, directions or to send a condolence note to the family, please visit knight-auchmoody.com.

Janie C. Nielsen, age 92, of Matamoras, PA, passed away Thursday, March 5, 2009, at St. Joseph's Place, Port Jervis, NY.She was born on March 20, 1916 at Hainesville, NJ, the daughter of the late Joshua and Bessie Conklin Aber.Janie was a retired Assembler for Sparkomatic Corp., Milford, PA. She was a member of The First Baptist Church, Port Jervis, and the Port Jervis AARP.A Family Statement read, "Her favorite pastime was her love for crocheting for her family and friends. She loved to dance with friends at St. Joseph's and she would keep everyone entertained when she would get up to dance to the music. Mom will be missed by all of us who love her."Janie married Henry L.E. Nielsen, who predeceased her. She is survived by two daughters, Shirley Swartwood of Milford, PA and Mary Tumasian and her husband, Joseph of Shokan, NY; two sons, Frank Nielsen and his wife, Carol of Port Jervis, NY and Henry Nielsen and his wife, Gail of Sparrowbush, NY; three sisters, Helen Kline of Hopewell Jct., NY, Betty Ricena of Mifflinville, PA, and Marie Roach of Port Jervis, NY; seven grandchildren: Bernie, Susan, Deborah, Angelina, Karen, Sandy, and Tracy; seven great-grandchildren, one great-great-grandchild, and several nieces and nephews. She was predeceased by her son-in-law, J. Bernard Swartwood on March 1, 2009, she was also predeceased by her two brothers, Charles and Leon Aber and two sister, Frances Hulse and Doris Aber.Friends may call Saturday, March 7, from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the Knight-Auchmoody Funeral Home, 154 E. Main St., Port Jervis, NY.Funeral Services will be held Saturday, March 7, at 1 p.m. at the funeral home. with The Rev. James Broslus officiating. Interment will take place at Rural Valley Cemetery, Cuddebackville, NY.Memorial contributions may be made to St. Joseph's Place, 160 E. Main St., Port Jervis, NY 12771.Arrangements are by the Knight-Auchmoody Funeral Home, 845-856-3312.

Wilma Linkey Walder, age 72, of Crossville, TN and formerly a lifelong resident of Sparrowbush, NY, passed away suddenly, Monday March 2, at her home in Crossville.She was born on October 22, 1936 in Port Jervis, NY, the daughter of the late William L. Sayre and Mary Linkey Sayre.Wilma was a Director and Bookkeeper for the Pine Hill Cemetery, Sparrowbush, NY. She was member of the Neversink Valley Museum, the Port Jervis, and National AARP.She married Paul E. Walder, who predeceased her.She is survived by her sister, Lillian Dudko of Lansdale, PA; her step-son, Alexander P. Walder and his wife, JoAnn of Newtown, PA; two step-daughters, Pamela Cammishion of Burlington, NJ and Sandra Sholenholtz of Philadelphia, PA; several step-grandchildren including Paul and Mark Walder; several nieces and nephews, including William and Ginny Dudko of Sparrowbush, NY and Peter and April Dudko of Telford, PA.Private services will be held at the convenience of the family. Interment will take place at Pine Hill Cemetery, Sparrowbush, NY.Memorial contributions may be made to a charity of donor's choice.Arrangements are by the Knight-Auchmoody Funeral Home, 154 E. Main St., Port Jervis, NY. For information or to send a condolence note the family, visit knight-auchmoody.com.

Frances J. Hodson 1918 - 2009
Former Myers Grove, Huguenot, New York resident, Frances Hodson, died Friday, February 13, in Point Pleasant Beach, New Jersey. She was 90 years old and had moved from Myers Grove to New Jersey to live with her daughter’s family in 2004.
Frances was born and raised in New York City before moving to Long Beach, New York in 1951 with her husband, John, and young family. She worked for the Long Beach City Schools in the business office, where she helped organize a union representing office workers. As a political activist, she was elected to the Long Beach City Council and successfully fought to keep the Lloyd Aquifer from over-pumping, as well as salt-water incursion from happening.
After retirement, she and husband John moved to Myers Grove, in 1983, where she continued her civic involvement as an environmentalist for 21 years. At age 82, she was awarded a certificate of lifetime achievement from Orange Environment for her efforts to defend trees, keep clean water and oppose a toxic incinerator and landfill. She regularly attended Deerpark Town Board meetings, where her voice was heard in defense of the environment. Her letters to the editor appeared often in support of the environment.
Frances and John shared a generosity of spirit, and their open-door hospitality extended to a large family and many friends and children. The quiet pace of life in Myers Grove agreed with them as they enjoyed watching the birds and seasons change on the river. They enjoyed entertaining, parties, dancing, cooking, a good joke, gardening, and playing cards and games. Frances’ ready smile and gentle manner will be missed by family and friends.
She was predeceased by her husband, John, in 1995 and sister, Alice Marsh, in 1999.
Surviving are a daughter, Anne, and her husband, Bob, of Point Pleasant Beach, New Jersey; and a daughter, Jeanette Radosta, and husband, Joe, of Easton, Pennsylvania.
Also surviving are seven grandchildren, 14 great grandchildren, three sisters-in-law and 17 nieces and nephews.
On February 28th , a memorial luncheon was held in her memory in Queens, New York where she had grown up and lived until 1951.
Local arrangements by Knight-Auchmoody Funeral Home, 154 East Main Street, Port Jervis, New York.
To send a condolence note to the family please visit knight-auchmoody.com

Lois M. Hahn age 69, of Westbrookville, NY passed away Saturday February 28, at the home of her son, in Sparrowbush, NY.She was born on November 24, 1939, in Westbrookville, NY, the daughter of the late Clifford "kip" Ashworth and Ethel VanSickle Ashworth. Lois retired from records management at Shaw Enterprises, in Harriman, NY. She was an active member with the Westbrookville United Methodist Church, Westbrookville, NY.Lois is survived by her son, Michael Hahn and his wife, Donna of Sparrowbush, NY; her step-daughter, Tina Lane and her husband, Michael of Port Jervis, NY; two sisters, Ginny Ashworth of Westbrookville, NY and Linda Bush and her husband, Parshall of Athens, GA; six grandchildren: Dana, Heather, Steven, Aaron, Jason, and Rachel; one nephew, Daniel Bush.Memorial services will be held Sunday, March 15, at 12 noon at the Westbrookville United Methodist Church, with The Rev. Louise Thomas officiating. Interment will take place at Westbrookville Cemetery, Westbrookville, NY.Memorial contributions may be made in Lois's name to Hospice of Orange & Sullivan 800 Stony Brook Court, Newburgh, NY 12550.Arrangements are by the Knight-Auchmoody Funeral Home, 154 E. Main St., Port Jervis, NY, 845-856-3312. For information, directions or to send a condolence note the family visit knight-auchmoody.com.