Our Obituaries

Lois Elaine Hackett Harris Stevens was born to Charlie and Beatrice Highby Hackett on January 22, 1930 in Port Jervis, NY and passed away on the morning of June 26, 2010 at the age of 80. She lived her entire life in Port Jervis, NY. At the age of 3, Lois suffered serious burns on her body. This tragic event was turned into a life-changing devotion to God for Lois who even said at the end of her life, "God has led me all my life, and I want to be a witness for Him until it's time for me to go...until the very end.” Lois was an avid writer who wrote poetry, narrative, patriotic, and spiritual essays, and many letters to the editor. She had over 70 subscribers to her writings.

Lois was preceded in death by her parents, her only brother Dave Hackett, her first husband and the father of her children, Jesse Harris, and her beloved best friend Pat Haas.

Lois is survived by her daughter Alicia Westmore of Richmond, IN; son Daniel Harris and wife Carol of Norman, OK; grandchildren Jonathan Westmore and wife Ashley, Melissa Westmore; Kristy Yancer and husband Matthew, Hannah Wahpepah-Harris, and Mackenzie Wahpepah-Harris, great-grandchildren Megan, Joshua, and Owen Yancer ; and Abby and David Westmore ; nephew Craig Hackett ; and niece Nancy Horner, her 2 sisters-in law, Shirley Hackett of Salisbury, Md. and Marilyn Parks of Livingston Manor, NY

A private family service will be conducted in Port Jervis, New York. Funeral arrangements are by the Knight-Auchmoody Funeral Home, Inc., 154 E. Main St., Port Jervis, New York. Interment will be at Pine Grove Cemetery, Matamoras, Pennsylvania

The family of Lois Stevens would like to thank the volunteers of The Faith in Action Orgainzation: Ann, Linda, James, JoAnn, and Jessica for helping Lois during her time of need and for becoming a friend to Lois.

With the excellent care from these volunteer care givers, Lois was able to maintain her independence in her own home for three years. Arrangements are by the Knight-Auchmoody Funeral Home, Inc., 154 E. Main St., Port Jervis, NY. for information,directions or to send a condolence note to the family visit knight-auchmoody.com

Mary Ann "Annie" Kostka age 73 of Montague, New Jersey passed away Tuesday June 22, 2010 at St. Joseph's Place, Port Jervis, NY. She was born on May 2, 1937 at Rock Lake, Pennsylvania , the daughter of the late Jens and Margaret Rowe Larsen. Annie was a retired waitress for the Flo-Jean Restaurant and Wine and Roses Restaurant in Port Jervis. She married the late John R. Kostka, who was her best friend. A family statement read, "Annie" was an avid Bingo Player and enjoyed the Monticello Casino, but above all, she enjoyed spending time with her family." She is survived by her daughter, Carolanne Toth and her husband Gary of Laurel Hill, Florida, 2 brothers, Calvin and William Oney, 5 grandchildren, Mathew, Tiffany, William, Amanda, and Jeremy, 10 great grandchildren several nieces and nephews, and her two very Special Friends, Lee and Mary Kleso of Montague, NJ. She was pre-deceased by her son, Charles Miller and her daughter, Suzanne Coykendall.

Friends may call Friday June 25th from 2-3 pm at the Knight-Auchmoody Funeral Home, Inc., 154 E. Main St., Port Jervis, NY. Funeral Services will take place at 3 pm at the funeral home, with Rev. Thomas Fox officiating. Interment will be private. Memorial contributions may be made to St. Joseph's Place, 160 East Main St.,Port Jervis, NY 12771. Arrangements are by the Knight-Auchmoody Funeral Home, Inc., 154 E. Main St., Port Jervis, NY. for information,directions or to send a condolence note to the family visit knight-auchmoody.com

Joseph O'Byrne, age 57, of Sparrowbush, NY passed away Saturday June 19, 2010 at Good Samaritan Hospital, Suffern, NY. He was born on June 23, 1952 at Wilkes-Barre, Pa., the son of the late Joseph and Ada Thompson O'Byrne. Joseph was a retired plumber for Temp-Rite Corp, at Greenwood Lake, NY.He married Roseann Parks O'Byrne, who survives. He is also survived by his son, Brendan O'Byrne and his wife Elizabeth of New Bern, South Carolina; 2 daughters, Kimberly Knesel and her husband Kristian of Port Jervis, and Courtney O'Byrne of Sparrowbush, NY, 2 grandchildren, Karrington and Kameron, his niece Dylan Parks and his nephew Timothy Parks. Memorial services will be held Thursday June 24 at 10:30 am at the Knight-Auchmoody Funeral Home, Inc, 154 E. Main Street, Port Jervis, NY. Arrangements are by the Knight-Auchmoody Funeral Home, Inc., 154 E. Main St., Port Jervis, NY. for information,directions or to send a condolence note to the family visit knight-auchmoody.com

James Anthony Fontana, former resident of Matamoras PA, died on June 21, 2010 at Valley Manor Skilled Nursing Facility in Coopersburg, PA after a long debilitating illness. He was 66.
Born April 23, 1944 in Port Jervis, NY, he was the son of the late James and Anna Wilson Fontana.
He was a retired custodian for the Tri-State Drive-In., Matamoras, Pa.
James attended Matamoras School, St. Michael's Catholic School in Scranton, PA, and was a communicant of St. Joseph's Catholic Church in Matamoras. Having lived a difficult life and born a "special child", his years were full of his love for music, a love for Elvis, and the Rock 'N Roll 50's with Dick Clark. He will be remembered for his smile, his laughter, and his love for family.
He is survived by his sister Suzanne Bailey and husband David of Maryland, cousin Tina Hess and husband John of Matamoras, cousin Patrick Fontana of Matamoras, cousin John Fontana and wife Nancy of Missouri, cousin Rolf Ziegler and wife Marianne of Germany, good friend Keith Raser of Milford, PA, as well as his loving caretakers and friends at Valley Manor.
The family would like to extend their deepest gratitude to Valley Manor for the expertise and compassionate care he received, as well as appreciation extended to Lehigh Valley Hospice.
Visitation will be held at Knight-Auchmoody Funeral Home in Port Jervis, NY, 154 East Main, Port Jervis, New York, on Friday, June 25, from 9:30am-10:30am.
Prayers will be offered at the funeral home Friday morning, followed by a Mass of Christian Burial at 11:00 am at St. Joseph's R.C. Church, Matamoras, Pa.. Rev. August Ricciardi will be the Celebrant. Interment will take place at St. Mary's Cemetery, Port Jervis, New York. Memorial contributions may be made to Valley Manor Skilled Nursing, 7650 Route 309, Coopersburg, PA 18036.
Funeral arrangements by Knight-Auchmoody Funeral Home, 154 East Main Street, Port Jervis, New York.
For directions, information or to send a condolence note to the family please visit knight-auchmoody.com.

Dorothy I. Kolvenbach, age 91, of Port Jervis, NY passed away Wednesday June 9, 2010 at St. Joseph's Place, Port Jervis, NY. Dorothy was born on May 22, 1919 in Port Jervis, NY, the daughter of the late Raymond and Edith Coleman Goble. She married John M. Kolvenbach, Sr., who pre-deceased her. Dorothy was a retired Assembler for Kolmar Labs, Inc., Port Jervis. She was a member of the Drew United Methodist Church, Port Jervis, and the Clara Bradley Lodge, Ladies Auxiliary of R.R. Trainman.

Dorothy is survived by her 2 sons, John M. Kolvenbach, Jr. and his wife Dolores of Matamoras, Pa., and Raymond D. Kolvenbach also of Matamoras, Pa., her daughter, Joan M. Doss of Port Jervis; 9 grandchildren, Darcy Brodmerkel, Mitchell Kolvenbach, Gregory Kolvenbach, Jonell Kilmer, Scott Doss, Tracy Doss, Tammy Bisland, Megan and Jennifer Kolvenbach
13 great grandchildren, Hunter, Abigail, Braelyn, Garrett, Hailie, Bill, Sean, Jessica, Tyler, Sara, Christopher, Matthew and Hannah; 2 great great grandchildren, Nicholas and Emma and several nieces and nephews. She was pre-deceased by her Daughter-in-law Joann M. Kolvenbach, her son-in-law Robert H. Doss, her grand daughter Elizabeth Bisland and her sister, Marjorie Lefferts.

Friends may call Monday June 14, from 2-4 and 7-9 pm at the Knight-Auchmoody Funeral Home, Inc., 154 E. Main St. Port Jervis, NY. Funeral Services will be held Tuesday June 15, at 10:30 am at the Knight-Auchmoody Funeral Home, Inc., 154 E. Main St., Port Jervis, NY. Rev. Robert Cassidy will officiate. interment will take place at Pine Hill Cemetery, Sparrowbush, NY. Memorial donations may be made to a charity of donor's choice. Arrangements are by the Knight-Auchmoody Funeral Home, Inc., 154 E. Main St., Port Jervis, NY. for information,directions or to send a condolence note to the family visit knight-auchmoody.com

Charles L. Schoch age 82, of Port Jervis, NY went to be with the Lord, Tuesday June 8, 2010 at Bon Secours Community Hospital, Port Jervis, NY. He was born on February 12, 1928 in Port Jervis, NY, the son of the late Sandaman and Mary Edwards Schoch. Charles proudly served our country with the US Army during WW II, from 1946-1947. He served as an engineer with the 3013 rd Engineer Maintenance Co., in Japan, performing maintenance on heavy construction equipment. Charles was a life member of Roosa-Fleming V.F.W. Post !61, Port Jervis, and a a former Fire Police with the Port Jervis Fire Dept. and a life member of Maghogmock Hook and Ladder Co. #1, Port Jervis F.D. He was an active member of the Milford Bible Church, Milford, Pa. He was a retired Supervisor of the Housekeeping Dept. at Doctors Sunnyside Hospital, Port Jervis, and previously employed by Pry J Dry Cleaners, Port Jervis.

He is survived by his wife Helen Freer Schoch at home , with whom he celebrated 59 years of marriage on February 2. He is also survived by his 5 children, daughter, Terri Schoch of Port Jervis, Son, Chuck Schoch and his wife Cindy of Sparrowbush, NY, Jeffrey Schoch and his wife Sherie of Sparrowbush, Paul Schoch of Barryville, daughter, Patti Martell and her husband Chad of Glen Spey, NY, 12 grandchildren, Matthew Schoch and his companion Michelle Coleman, Danielle, Joshua, Amanda, Heather, Noah, Eli, Jacob, Adam, Ben Schoch, Alec and Marisa Martell, his sister-in-law Helen E. Schoch of Maine, 1 nephew, and his beloved pet, Winston. He is also survived by his former daughter-in-law, Kimberly Harripersad. He was pre-deceased by his brothers, William, Willard, and Adam Schoch, and his sisters, Maggie May Schoch and Dorothy Miller.

Friends may call Thursday June 10, from 7-9 pm at the Knight-Auchmoody Funeral Home, Inc., 154 E. Main St., Port Jervis, NY. Memorial services will be held Saturday June 12, at 12 noon at the Milford Bible Church, 110 Foxcroft Drive, Milford, Pa., Rev. Robert Elliott will officiate. Interment will follow at Pine Hill Cemetery, Sparrowbush, NY. Memorial donations may be made to the American Foundation for the Blind, 2 Penn Plaza, Suite 1102, NY, NY 10121 or to the Milford Bible Church, 110 Foxcroft Dr., Milford, Pa. 18337. Arrangements are by the Knight-Auchmoody Funeral Home, Inc., 154 E. Main St., Port Jervis, NY. for information,directions or to send a condolence note to the family visit knight-auchmoody.com

Karin Corrado, age 67 of Glen Spey, NY, passed away Sunday May 30, 2010 at her home. She was born on April 15, 1943 in Slovakia. She is the daughter of the late Gustav and Maria Minarikova Matysek . Karin was an Accounts Payable Clerk for HGI Skydyne, Inc., Port Jervis, NY and a retired Assembler for Kolmar Labs, Inc., Port Jervis, NY. Karin married the late Robert Conlon and then she was formerly married to Neil Corrado. Karin is survived by her daughter Colleen Conlon and her husband Walter Newman, Jr. of Glen Spey, NY.

The family will receive friends Thursday June 3, 2010 from 9:45 am to 10:45am at the Knight-Auchmoody Funeral Home, Inc., 154 E. Main St., Port Jervis, NY. Memorial Services will be held Thursday,June 3, at 10:45 am a the Funeral Home with Rev. George Hafemann will officiate. Interment will take place at Rural Valley Cemetery, Cuddebackville, NY. Memorial donations may may be to the American Cancer Society 419 East Main St., Suite 307 B., Middletown, NY 10940. Arrangements are by the Knight-Auchmoody Funeral Home, Inc., 154 E. Main St., Port Jervis, NY. for information,directions or to send a condolence note to the family visit knight-auchmoody.com