Our Obituaries

Stella Taylor, age 95, of Port Jervis, NY, passed away Monday, June 22, 2009 at her home.She was born on February 24, 1914 in Monesson, PA, the daughter of the late John and Mary Sagan.Her first paid employment was in a radio tube manufacturing plant in Clifton, NJ. After several months there, she left for a job with Wesson Biscuit Co. in Clifton, NJ where, at age 18, she was promoted to a floor supervisor position, directing 75 women. She remained at Wesson for 10 years.On August 8, 1936 in Clifton, she married Erie Railroader Douglas W. Taylor, who has predeceased her. In 1940, Stella and Doug moved from Clifton, NJ to Port Jervis, NY, where she has been a resident ever since. In Port Jervis, she worked at Novelty Slipper Co. as a sewing machine operator for 29 years. Stella was an active member of many organizations: the Drew United Methodist Church, Port Jervis, the United Methodist Women; Member and Past Matron of the River Valley Chapter #33, O.E.S, Port Jervis; member of the Order of the Amaranth Laurel Court #58, Port Jervis; The National AARP; Port Jervis Senior Citizens; the Port Jervis Garden Club; the Audubon Society, and Meals on Wheels Organization, Port Jervis. In recognition of her community involvement, the City of Port Jervis in 1981 declared a Stella Taylor Day in her honor. Stella was Orange County Senior Citizen of the Year in 1984 and in 1987 the AARP Chapter gave her official recognition.A family statement reads: "She was known for giving of herself to family, friends and her community throughout her entire life. She was a "doer" living as best she could by the motto, "never put off 'til tomorrow what you can do today". In her younger years, Stella was an avid and excellent roller skater. As she matured and into later life, she enjoyed dancing, bird watching, fishing and flower gardening."Stella is survived by her son, Douglas W. Taylor, Jr. and his fiancé, Claudia Capos of Brighton, MI; her sister, Anna Hamm of Dresher, PA; two nieces, Judith Davis and Linda Harrier; and two nephews, John and Scott Sagan. She was predeceased by her brother, John Sagan.Friends may call Thursday, June 25, from 2-4 and 7-9 p.m. at the Knight-Auchmoody Funeral Home, 154 E. Main St., Port Jervis. Eastern Star services will be held Thursday evening at 7:30 p.m. at the funeral home.Funeral Services will be held Friday, June 26, at 11 a.m. at the Drew United Methodist Church, Sussex St., Port Jervis, with Rev. Robert Cassidy officiating. Interment will take place at Pine Grove Cemetery, Matamoras, PA.Memorial donations may be made to the Drew United Methodist Church, PO Box 1015, Port Jervis, NY 12771 or to the Macular Degeneration Research Program, 22512 Gateway Center Drive, Clarksburg, MD 20871.Arrangements by Knight-Auchmoody Funeral Home; 845-856-3312. For information, directions or to send a condolence note to the family, visit www.knight-auchmoody.com.

Raymond L. Henry, Sr., age 66, of Port Jervis, NY, passed away Saturday, June 20, 2009 at Catskill Regional Medical Center, Harris, NY.Ray was born on November 18, 1942 in Port Jervis, NY, the son of the late LeRoy F. Henry and Edith Edwards Henry.He was a retired musician and was known for his band, Ray Henry's Night Life. He was a member of the Drew United Methodist Church, Port Jervis.Raymond was formerly married first to Patricia Heussy, who survives and second to Bonnie Lee VanLeuven Henry, who also survives. He is also survived by his son, Raymond L. Henry, Jr. and his wife, Vicki of Glen Spey, NY; his daughter, Michele A. Henry of Belvedere, IL; his step-son, Frank Birch; four grandchildren: Bryan, Lori and Kimberli Henry and Larz Shields; and his brother, David Henry of Cuddebackville, NY.Graveside services will be held Wednesday, June 24, at 11 a.m. at Pine Hill Cemetery, Sparrowbush, NY. Rev. Robert Cassidy will officiate.Arrangements by Knight-Auchmoody Funeral Home, 154 E. Main St., Port Jervis; 845-856-3312. For information, directions or to send a condolence note to the family, visit knight-auchmoody.com.

Thomas J. McGoey, age 81, of Port Jervis, NY, passed away Thursday, June 18, 2009 at St. Teresa's Nursing Home, Middletown, NY.He was born on June 27, 1927 in Port Jervis, NY, the son of the late Matthew and Della Lawler McGoey.Tom was a retired Watchmaker and repairman for Austin E. Gray Jewelers, Middletown and a retired salesman for Wells Candy Co., Port Jervis. He was a member of St. Mary's R.C. Church, Port Jervis; a life member of the Port Jervis Lodge of Elks #645 B.P.O.E.; a former member of the Port Jervis Civil Service Commission; and a member of the National Watchmakers and Clock Assoc. Lancaster, PA. Tom proudly served our country during World War II with the U.S. Navy. He was known by most of his friends as "Nibs".Tom married Shirley Conklin McGoey, who survives at home. He is also survived by his daughter, Della Marie Lounsbery and her husband, Jim of Middletown; his son, Timothy McGoey of Matamoras, PA; three grandchildren: Matthew, Katie and Libby Lounsbery; several nieces, nephews and cousins. He was predeceased by his brother, Jack McGoey and his brother-in-law, Carl F. Conklin.Friends may call Sunday, June 21, from 2-4 and 7-9 p.m. at the Knight-Auchmoody Funeral Home, 154 E. Main St., Port Jervis. The vigil wake service will be held Sunday afternoon at the funeral home. Elks services will be held Sunday evening at 7:30 p.m.Prayers will be offered Monday, June 22, at 9:15 a.m. at the funeral home followed by a Mass of Christian Burial at 10 a.m. at St. Mary's R.C. Church, Port Jervis. Interment will take place at Rural Valley Cemetery, Cuddebackvile, NY.Memorial contributions may be made to the Port Jervis Humane Society, Route 209, Port Jervis, NY 12771.Arrangements by Knight-Auchmoody Funeral Home; 845-856-3312. For information, directions or to send a condolence note to the family, visit knight-auchmoody.com.

Joyce M. Brady Baker, age 81, of Godeffroy, NY, passed away Sunday, June 14, 2009 at the home of her daughter, Joyce Cirulli.She was born on August 11, 1927 in Philadelphia, PA, the daughter of the late William and Emily Brehm Brady. Joyce married the late Andrew M. Zangl and then married Herbert W. Baker, who also predeceased her.She was a homemaker and retired owner of Baker's General Store in Cuddebackville.Joyce is survived by her four daughters: Gail Humphrey and her loving companion, Frank Smith of Binghamton, NY, Joyce Cirulli and her husband, Ray of Cuddebackville, Melinda Hurley and her husband, Robert of Utica, NY and Melissa Marshall and her husband, Ron of Harwich, MA. She is also survived by three sons: Richard Haring and his wife, Eileen of Dingmans, PA, Andrew Zangl and his wife, Jane of Port Jervis, and Keith Baker and his wife, Nancy of Port Jervis; her brother, Ralen Hummel and his wife, Patricia of Forestburg, NY; 12 grandchildren, 13 great grandchildren, and several nieces and nephews. Joyce was predeceased by her daughter, Mary Ferguson and her sister, Jill Ann Hummel.Joyce is a member of the Ladies Auxiliary of the Howard Wheat Engine Co. #4, Port Jervis, Fire Dept.Friends may call Tuesday, June 16, 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 on Wednesday, June 17, at 10:30 a.m. at the funeral home with Rev. Nancy Vonderhorst officiating. Interment will take place at Rural Valley Cemetery, Cuddebackville, NY.Memorial donations may be made to Hospice of Orange & Sullivan Counties, Inc., 800 Stony Brook Court, Newburgh, NY 12550.Arrangements by Knight-Auchmoody Funeral Home; 845-8563312. For information, directions or to send a condolence note to the family, visit knight-auchmoody.com.

Eileen "Ginky" Pratschler age 92 of Montague, New Jersey passed away Wednesday June 3, 2009 at her home. She was born on August 20, 1916 in Port Jervis, NY, the daughter of the late Frederick and Nettie Clark Cooke. Eileen was a retired payroll clerk for Kolmar Labs, Port Jervis. She married Charles T. Pratschler , who pre-deceased her. Eileen is a member of the Minisink Reformed Church, Montague, NJ and the Ladies Christian Circle of the Church. She is also a member of the Montague Seniors and the Montague Grange #140 and M.A.R.C.H., Montague, NJ.
Eileen is survived by her 2 daughters, Lynne Pakestein and her husband James of Montague, NJ, and Terry Pepper of Port Jervis, NY; her sister Alice Cullinan of Port Jervis,; 2 granddaughters, Joann Heckman and Rachel Quick; 3 great grandchildren, Jesse, Jared and Summer Ginky Heckman; 4 nieces, Marlea Carroll, Linda Sue Dinkeldein, Barbara Falkowski and Jocelyn Boyd.; 2 nephews, James Cullinan and Daniel Dinkeldein. She was pre-deceased by her sister, Lola Dinkeldein and her brother Fred Cooke.
Funeral services will be held Friday June 12, at 11am at The Minisink Reformed Church, Montague, New Jersey with Rev. Angelo Forleo officiating. Interment will be private. Memorial donations may be to the Minisink Reformed Church, PO Box 1787, Montague, New Jersey 07827. 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

Gerry l. Matthews age 62 of Port Jervis, NY passed away June 1, 2009 at Good Samaritan Hospital, Suffern, NY. He was born on October 8, 1946 at Port Jervis, NY, the son of the late George H. Matthews and Myrtle Conklin Matthews, who survives. Gerry was a self-employed painter. He is survived by his mother Myrtle Matthews of Port Jervis,, his 2 brothers Peter matthews and Jimmy Matthews both of Port Jervis, his aunt, Katherine Innella of Port Jervis and several nieces and nephews. Visitation and services were held at the Knight-Auchmoody Funeral Home, 154 E. Main St., Port Jervis, NY Cremation took place at HG Smith Crematory, Stroudsburg, Pa. Arrangements are by the Knight-Auchmoody Funeral Home, 154 E. Main St., Port Jervis, NY

Margaret L. Soto age 64, of Goshen, NY passed away Thursday May 28, 2009 a the home of her daughter, Rose Aviles in Port Jervis. She was born on October 16, 1944 at New York City, NY, the daughter of the late Peter and Margaret Williams Whitely. Margaret was a retired Deli clerk for Shop-Rite Food Store at Middletown, NY. She is survived by her daughter, Rose Aviles and her husband Damion of Port Jervis,2 sons, james Soto of Manhattan, NY and Danel Soto of Colorado, her sister Barbara Martin of Las Vegas, nevada, and 5 grandchildren, Chistina, Jonathan, Samantha, Danny and Jimmy. Private services were held at the convenience of the family. Arrangements are by the Knight-Auchmoody Funeral Home, 154 E. Main St., Port Jervis, NY

Mary E. Drake Donnelly, age 91 of Port Jervis, NY and a life-long resident of the area, passed away Wednesday May 27th a the Milford Senior Care Health and Rehabilitation Facility, Westfall Twshp. Mary was born on April 1, 1918 at Matamoras, Pa., the daughter of the late LeRoy and Addie Mae DeVore Drake. Mary was proud to be well known as the Walt-Mart Greeter, at the Westfall Township Walt-mart Store. Before Mary went to work at Walt-mart she was retired from Little Tots, manufacturer of Childrens clothing in Port Jervis, and then later retired as a trimmer from Andmore Sportswear. She was an active member of the Daughters of America, Jr. Delight Council #114, Port Jervis and Past Regional Councilor. She was also a member of the Clara Bradley Lodge , Ladies Auxiliary of R.R. Trainman.
Mary is survived by 3 beloved nieces, Kathleen Drake Ketcham of Matamoras, Pa., Diana wilson Freije of Port Crane, NY and Deborah Devore nason of Port Jervis, 2 nephews, Ralph Drake of Phillipsburg, NJ and David Drake of Port Jervis,, numerous grandchildren and great grandchildren. She was pre-deceased by her son, Russell Donnelly in 1979 and pre-deceased by 7 brothers and sisters.
Private services will be held at the convenience of the family. Graveside services will be announced at a later date. Memorial donations may be made to the Daughters of America, Jr. Delight Council, c/o Kathleen Ketcham, 903 Ave O, Matamoras, Pa. 18336. 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-auchmody.com

Graveside services for Joseph W. Mackey age 70, will be held with Military Honors and New York State Troopers Honor Guard on Saturday May 6, at 11am at the Glen Spey Cemetery, Glen Spey, NY. Rev. Anthony Moore will officiate. Joe was residing at Murphy, NC. and formerly was a life-long resident of Port Jervis. He passed away at Murphy, North Carolina. He was born at Port Jervis, NY on January 29, 1939, the son of the late Joseph Mackey and Mabel Mackechnie Mackey Fox, who survives. Joe was retired from the New York State Troopers as a law enforcement officer on the NYS Thruway, at Newburgh, NY. He was also an accomplished diver for the NYS Troopers. He was a veteran of the US Army, with the 101st Airborne Div. as a paratrooper and was discharged in 1963, after proudly serving our country. He married Lynn Fedorka Mackey, who survives at home. He is also survived by his mother Mabel Mackey Fox of Port Jervis,, 2 sons, Joseph Mackey of Tampa, Fla. and Jeffrey Mackey of Milford, Pa., his brother Robert Mackey and his wife Jackilyn of Port Jervis,, his grandson Chad and his aunt and uncle Russell and Peggy Mackechnie and several nieces and nephews. He was pre-deceased by his step-father Joseph Fox. Memorial donations may be made to the Port Jervis-Deerpark Humane Society, Route 209, Port Jervis, NY or to the American Cancer Society. Arrangemnets 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

Mildred I. Collette age 81, of Sparrowbush, NY passed away Monday June 1, 2009 at her home. She was born on September 23, 1927 at Granvile, Pa., the daughter of the late Gustave and Lulu Rowe Coven. Mildred was a retired housekeeper at the Eddy Farm Hotel, in Sparrowbush. She married Harold Collette, who pre-deceased her. She is survived by her son Glen Collette of Sparrowbush, 2 daughters, Joyce Horrevoets of Port Jervis, and Cindy Moyer and her husband Tim of Milford, Pa., 8 grandchildren, Nicholas, Matthew, Thomas, Joseph, Cristin, Amanda-Jo, Stacey, and Bryan, 3 great grandchildren, Samantha Jo, Rebekah and Sandra, and seveal nieces and nephews.
Private services and interment will be held at the convenience of the family. Memorial donations may be made 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. for information,directions or to send a condolence note to the family visit knight-auchmoody.com

Nora M. McDermott age 66, and a retired secretary of Port Jervis, NY passed away Sunday May 31, a the Milford Senior Care Health & Rehabilitation Facility, Westfall Twshp, Pa. She was born on april 9, 1943 at Jersey City, New Jersey, the daughter of the late Joseph and Mary Casey McDermott. Nora is survived by 2 cousins, Marina Gately of Amarillo, Texas and Marici Ulrich of Otisville, NY, her nephew John Lesch of NY, NY, and her 3 very close friends, Joan Cunningham of Godeffroy, NY Barbara Ann Baker of Cuddebackville, and Eileen Naughton of Hazlet, NJ. Private services were held at the convenience of the family. Memorial donations may be made to the Port Jervis,-Deerpark Humane Society, Route 209, Port Jervis, NY 12771. 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