Our Obituaries

Dorothy "Dot" Geary age 76 of Matamoras, Penna. and formerly a life time resident of Pond Eddy, NY passed away Saturday, May 26, 2012 at Bon Secours Community Hospital, Port Jervis. She was born on December 13, 1935 in Pond Eddy, NY, the daughter of the late Harold R. and Gladys White VanTuyl. Dot was a member of the Pond Eddy United Methodist Church for many years. She was a retired Deputy Town Clerk for the Town of Lumberland, NY. Dot is survived by her 2 sons, Allen Geary of Allentown, Penna. and Dale "Scot" Geary and his wife Tanya of Matamoras, Penna. and 2 grandsons, Joel and Hunter Geary. Memorial services will be held 2:00pm Sunday, June 3, 2012 at the Pond Eddy United Methodist Church, Berme Church Road, Pond Eddy, NY. Rev. Nancy Vonderhorst will officiate. 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 tot he family visit knight-auchmoody.com.

Doris "Mimi" Cole age 81 of Montague, New Jersey, passed away Monday May 28, 2012 at St. Joseph's Place, Port Jervis, NY. She was born on July 5, 1930 in Matamoras, Pennsylvania, the daughter of the late Arthur J. and Gertrude Vandervort Theodore. Doris was a beautician and former owner of Culver's Beauty Shop in Matamoras, Pa. She was a member of the United Methodist Church of Matamoras. Doris was married first to the late William "Buck" Culver and second to the late Richard C. Cole. She is survived by her 3 sons, William Culver, Jr. and his wife Jackie of Matamoras, Pa., Richard "Punky" Cole of Montague, NJ, and Mark Cole and his wife Rosie of Saugerties, NY, her daughter Linda Brink of Matamoras, Pa., her sister Eleanor Cherry of Syracuse, NY, her brother, Paul Theodore and his wife Sherry of Syracuse, 5 grandchildren, Sydney, Darryl, Jeremy, Jonathan and Cheyenne, 3 great grandchildren, Cameron, Michael and Jacob and several nieces and nephews. Mimi was pre-deceased by her 2 brothers, Arthur and Earl Theodore. Private graveside services will take place at Westbrookville Cemetery, Westbrookville, NY. Rev. Lora Villinger will officiate. 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, Inc., 154 E. Main St., Port Jervis, NY. For information, directions or to send a condolence note to the family visit knight-auchmoody.com

Alma Biccum, age 83, of Montague, New Jersey, passed away on Sunday, May 20, 2012 at Bon Secours Hospital. She was born on December, 28, 1928 in Port Jervis, New York, the daughter of the late Edward Norris and Anna Storms Norris Innella Biccum. Alma attended the Grace Episcopal Church in Port Jervis, New York. Survivors include her husband Delbert "Derby" Biccum, 3 sons: Gary Biccum and his wife Debra of Glen Spey, New York, David Biccum and his wife Trudy of Matamoras, Penna., Daniel Biccum of Montague, New Jersey; 8 Grandchildren: Mandy Scully, Greg Biccum, Joseph Biccum, Ryan Biccum, Rebecca Biccum, Emily Biccum, Ashley Biccum, Sarah Biccum; 3 Great Grandchildren: Jack Scully, Henry Scully, Amelia Biccum. Alma was pre-deceased by her son Alan Joseph ( Joey "AJ" ) Biccum. Services will be private. Contributions may be made to Charity of One's Choice. Arrangements are by the Knight-Auchmoody Funeral Home, Inc., 154 East Main Street, Port Jervis, New York. For information,directions or to send a condolence note to the family visit knight-auchmoody.com

Helen Ruth Morgan Smith, age 87 of Milford, Penna., passed away Wednesday, May 16, 2012 at her home. She was born on September 15, 1924 in Paterson, New Jersey, the daughter of the late Roy and Sophia Marks Morgan. Helen married Rev. Newell J. Smith, who pre-deceased her on February 25, 2003. She is a member of the Frankford Plains United Methodist Church, Augusta, NJ, and the Wickham Methodist Church in Port Jervis, NY. Helen is survived by her son, David Newell Smith and his wife Adriana of Hallendale, Florida, 2 grandchildren, Michael Smith and his wife Victoria and Lauren Smith, 4 great grandchildren, Aidan, Logan, Emily and Colin, and 1 nephew. She was pre-deceased by her brother Roy Morgan, Jr.. Friends may call Friday May 18, 2012 from 2-4 and 7-9 pm at the Knight-Auchmoody Funeral Home, Inc., 154 E. Main St., Port Jervis, NY. Funeral services will take place at the Frankford Plains United Methodist Church, Augusta, NJ on Saturday, May 19, at 12 noon. Rev. David Tillisch will officiate. Interment will take place at the Frankford Plains Cemetery, Augusta, New Jersey. Memorial contributions may be made to the Wickham Methodist Church, 32 Bruce 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

Elmer G. Masurack, Jr, age 75 of Matamoras, Pennsylvania passed away Monday May 7, 2012 at his home, with his family at his side. He was born on July 7, 1936 in Port Jervis, NY, the son of the late Elmer J. and Mildred Furman Masurack. Elmer proudly served our country with the United States Army, during the Viet Nam War. He was a member of the Marsch-Kellogg V.F. W. Post # 139, Milford, Pa., the Matamoras, Rod & Gun Club, and the N.R.A . and retired from the maintenance dept. at Bon Secours Community Hospital, Port Jervis. Elmer was formerly married to the late Joan Norrell and then to Virginia McGeagh of Brooklyn, NY, who survives. He is survived by his son Jeffrey "Mazzy " Masurack of Port Jervis, his 3 daughters, Laura May and her husband David of Shohola, PA ., Heidi Falkowski and her husband Tom of Port Jervis, and Diana Mann and her husband Michael of Milford, P A .; 2 sisters, Joyce Zitone and her husband Ed of Montague, NJ and Dolores Kolvenbach and he husband John of Matamoras, PA .; 7 grandchildren, Nicholas and his wife Joanne, Aaron, Karley, Lara, Stephanie, Serita and Alexandra, 2 great grandchildren, Rylee and Reagan and several nieces and nephews. He is also survived by his long time companion, Janis Moureaux of Shohola, PA and his beloved pet cat, "Cutie Pie." A family statement read, Our beloved Father was a simple man. A true to form "country boy" who enjoyed the simple pleasures of playing his guitar and singing a tune, hunting and fishing, an iced cold bottle of Coca-Cola on a hot summers day, laboring in his garden harvesting fruits and vegetables for his family and friends, sitting on his front porch telling stories of times gone by, listening to his "old" country tunes and jamming on Saturday nights with his guitar buddies. Many mornings he could be found pulling up a stool at "Chrissie's" enjoying a hot cup of coffee while shooting the bull and catching up on the news with his town cronies. A gifted artisan, he treasured quiet moments when he could pick up his guitar - composing incredible music and lyrics of which we all treasured throughout the years. In addition to his musical and farming talents, he took great ownership in all that he did - and did it "meticulously" - whether it was at work or building and fixing things around his home. His craftsmanship even extended in his later years in hand-carving and designing his own fishing lures, and refurbishing old furniture. Playing horseshoes and tractor pulling were some of his favorite fun past times as well as treasure-hunting at area flea markets and auctions , and running his cider mill. Dad took great pleasure in documenting his family. Never a family gathering went by when he wasn't capturing the moment behind the lens of his camera. He had an incredible memory and was an amazing conversationalist - greatly knowledgeable about many things. Serving for his country, he was deeply patriotic and always concerned about our country and its future state. We will deeply miss our "Foggy Mountain Man" and his profound presence in our lives. Memorial services will be held Saturday , May 12, at 2 PM at the United Methodist Church of Matamoras, 209 Ave H, Matamoras, PA . 18336. Rev. Lora Villinger will officiate. Private interment will take place at Pine Grove Cemetery, Matamoras, PA . Memorial contributions may be made to the DAV (Disabled Veterans), P.O. Box 1430, Cincinnati, OH 45250-0301 (www.dav.org). Arrangements are by the Knight-Auchmoody Funeral Home, Inc., 154 E. Mian St., Port Jervis, NY. For information, directions or to send a condolence note to the family, visit knight-auchmoody.com

Margaret Hitt Squires, 67, passed away Sunday, April 22, 2012 at Baptist Memorial Hospital - Memphis. A memorial service will be held at 11 a.m. Saturday, May 5 at Ave Maria Chapel, 2805 Charles Bryan. Mrs. Squires was preceded in death by her parents, Orrie and Charlotte Tucker Hitt and brother, David Hitt. She is survived by her husband, Robert Squires; children, Donald (Krista) Howell, David (Tina) Howell, Dawn Howell, and Donald (Ginger) Squires; sisters, Nancy (Robert) Gooding and Joyce (Mike) Gordon; ten grandchildren; eight great-grandchildren and several nieces and nephews. She will greatly missed by all who knew and loved her. Local arrangements are by the Knight-Auchmoody Funeral Home, Inc., 154 E. Main St., Port Jervis, NY. Condolences may be offered at www.MemorialParkOnline.com

Fred Stoll, Jr., age 81 of Port Jervis, NY and formerly of Cuddebackville, NY passed away on Saturday, April 28, 2012, after a brief illness. He was the first child born to the late Fred Stoll, Sr. and Elsie Caskey Stoll, on June 2, 1930 in Port Jervis, NY. Fred was a unique man who wore many hats during his life. A dairy farmer for 16 years, he helped to teach his daughters the satisfaction and respect of country living. This gratification came whether it was helping to tend the huge garden he grew for many years, raising chickens or ducks, and even a pony that he surprised his daughters with. Fred was a retired farm equipment salesman for Gor-Dun's Farm Machinery in Goshen, NY, and a long time Agway Farm Store manager in Westtown, NY, and a part-time school bus driver for the Port Jervis School District. He was also Town Justice for the Town of Deerpark for 13 years, and a former member of the Cuddebackville Vol. Fire Dept. A family statement read, " No grass ever grew under Fred's feet, he was always busy doing something. He was a very generous and caring man, always offering to help anyone in need. He thrived on his routines of "dump trips", mowing lawns, visiting friends, and always being there for his loved ones." Fred is survived by his 2 daughters, Linda Molé of Cuddebackville and Brenda Madsen and her husband Gene of Liberty, NY. He is also survived by his loving, long time companion, Sally Russell at home, his 4 grandchildren, Katherine Sanchez and her husband Emilio, Kristin Dawood and her husband Sameer, Erin and Kevin Madsen. He was also privileged and so proud of his 2 great grandchildren, Damion Sanchez and Aaliyah Dawood. He is further survived by his 2 sisters, Carol Bowser and her husband Dahl of Howells, NY, and Anna Parlamis of Brooklyn and several nieces and nephews. Fred's extended family includes several step-children, Gail Byeff , Robert, Nancy, Joseph and John Russell, Pamela Russell, Lynn Russell,and Patricia Cal, several step grand and great grandchildren. He loved his extended family as part of his own. Fred was formerly married to the late Edith Racine Stoll and he was pre-deceased by his brother-in-law Dr. Nicholas Parlamis. Respectful of their Dad's wishes for no funeral, Linda and Brenda will have a celebration of Fred's life for his family and friends. The Memorial service will be held and announced at a later time. Interment will take place at Rural Valley Cemetery, Cuddebackville, NY. Memorial contributions may be made to St. Joseph's Place, 160 East Main St., Port Jervis, NY 12771 or 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