Our Obituaries

Thor Bjorn Jorgensen, age 76 of Sparrowbush, NY passed away Tuesday, January 22, 2013 at Good Samaritan Hospital, Suffern, NY. He was born on November 13, 1936 in Norway, the son of the late Godtfred and Genda Hammerlund Jorgensen. Thor was a retired carpenter with Local 964, Carpenter's Union, New City, NY. He is survived by his 2 brothers in Norway and several close friends including Gary and Kathy Phillips of Port Jervis. Memorial services will be announced at a later date. Cremation took place at HG Smith Crematory, Stroudsburg, Pennsylvania. 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

Deline P. Norris, age 84, of Glen spey, NY passed away Saturday, January 26, 2013 at Bon Secours Community Hospital, Port Jervis. She was born in Mongaup, NY on December 6, 1928, the daughter of the late Henry and Anna Carr Thiele. Deline married Edward C. Norris, who pre-deceased her. She is survived by her son, Edward H. Norris of Glen Spey, 2 daughters, Pamela Osiecki and her Thomas of Sparrowbush, NY, and Shelly Brundage of Glen Spey, her grandchildren, Christina Procak, Michael Erickson, Stanley and Jason Osiecki, Amanda Haas and Justin Brundage, her great grandchildren, Lauren, and Richard Procak, Abigail, Ava and Audrey Haas, her brother Howard Thiele of Glen Spey, and her sister Louise McKerrell of Glen Spey, several nieces and nephews. Deline was pre-deceased by her daughter, Kathleen Erickson , her sisters, Eleanor Roberty, Audrey Wheeler, Marge Bachelder, and Florence Hunt, and her 2 brothers, Hank and Pete Thiele. Services and interment will be private. Cremation took place at HG Smith Crematory, Stroudsburg, Pa. Memorial contributions may be made in Deline's name to the Pond Eddy United Methodist church, 122 Berm Church Road, Pond Eddy, NY 12770. 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.

Elsie Martha Haycook 98 of St. Joseph’s Home in Ogdensburg, N.Y., formerly of Cuddebackville, N.Y. passed away January 26, 2013. She was born in Passaic, N.J. on April 2, 1914 to Eugene Schmidt and Martha Eckhardt Schmidt. Elsie married Edward Haycook on September 10, 1938 in St. John’s Lutheran Church, Passaic, N.J., where she had been an active member. She held many offices in the church and Bergen County Luther Leagues and was secretary of the New Jersey State Luther League. She was preceded in death by her husband; by her sisters Gertrude Heilman and Emma Cooper; and by a granddaughter, Trisha Haycook. Survivors include her brother, Eugene Schmidt of Concord, N.H.; her daughter, Barbara Hanson and her husband Richard of Germantown Hills, IL; son, Edward Haycook and his wife Janet of Canton, N.Y.; grandchildren, Mark Hanson; Michael Haycook and his wifeTriva; Margit Alderson and her husband Todd; Lisa Klumpp and her husband Scott; and Kirsten Hanson; and by nine great-grandchildren. She graduated from Clifton High School, Clifton, N.J., Drakes Business College, and American Savings and Loan Institute of New Jersey. Elsie worked from 1947 to 1985 at Kolmar Laboratories in Port Jervis, N.Y. as Secretary to the Vice President of Eastern Operations, in Personnel , and as Purchasing Agent. She had been a member of St. John’s Lutheran Church in Middletown, N.Y. for over 50 years and was active in the Lutheran Church Womens group. She also had been a 4-H leader, a member of BPW, Deerpark Seniors, Golden Seniors of Sparrowbush, N.Y. and AARP Chapter 2380 of Port Jervis. Funeral services will be held Thursday, Janaury 31 at St. John's Lutheran Church, 391 Mount Hope Road, Middletown, NY 10940 at 10:30am. Rev. Peter Rustico will officiate. Interment will take place at Rural Valley Cemetery, Cuddebackville, N.Y. Memorial contributions may be made to St. John's Lutheran Church, 391 Mount Hope Road, 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.

Ruth "Midge" Barber, age 79 of Port Jervis, NY, passed away Friday, January 25, 2013 at St. Joseph's Place, Port Jervis, NY. She was born on February 3, 1933 in Port Jervis, NY, the daughter of the late Asher and Wilhelmina Koenig Pelton Ryerson. Midge was the retired co-owner of Bill's Tavern in Port Jervis, which she operated with her late husband Bill. She attended St. Mary's R.C. Church with her family. A family statement read " Mom was loved and esteemed by all who knew her. Her tremendous courage, in the face of adversity was demonstrated each and every day. She loved and was loved by her children, grandchildren and great grandchildren. " She will be greatly missed." The Barber family would like to extend a special thanks to all her friends at Machhackemach Village, especially Lois Anderson, her most trusted and beloved friend. The wonderful staff at St. Joseph's Place and to Dr. Saeeda Mahmoud for her long term care. Midge married William K. Barber, who pre-deceased her. She is survived by her son, Michael Barber and his wife Diane of Sparrowbush, her daughter. Nancy Allpress and her husband Robert of Naper, Nebraska, 4 grandchildren, Matthew, Megan, Hannah and Jaime, 6 great grandchildren, Cameron, Mia, Ethan, Liam, Asher and Lexi, her brother, George Pelton and his wife Mable of Sparrowbush, her sister-in-law Blanche Aber of Port Jervis, several nieces, nephews and cousins. Midge was pre-deceased by her grandson, Jason Allpress. Friends may call Sunday, Jan. 27, 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 Monday, January 28 at 10:30 AM at the funeral home. Rev. George LaGrutta will officiate. Interment will take place at Rural Valley Cemetery, Cuddebackville, NY. Memorial contributions may be made to the Library of Congress for the Blind, 1291 Taylor St. NW, Washington, DC 20542. 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

Peter J. Matthews age 67 of Port Jervis, NY passed away Tuesday, January 22, 2013 at Bon Secours Community Hospital, Port Jervis, NY. He was born on May 16, 1945 in Port Jervis, the son of the late George H. and Myrtle Conklin Matthews. Peter was a retired auto mechanic for American Motors in Middletown, NY. He is survived by his brother Jimmy Matthews of Port Jervis, , 2 aunts, Katherine Innella of Port Jervis and Karen Matthews of Ellenville, NY, several nieces, nephews and cousins. Peter was pre-deceased by his 2 brothers, George and Gerald Matthews. Friends may call Thursday, January 24 form 10-11AM at the Knight-Auchmoody Funeral Home, Inc., 154 E. Main St., Port Jervis, NY. Funeral services will follow at 11 AM at the funeral home. Cremation will take place at HG Smith Crematory, Stroudsburg, Pa. 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.

Craig R. Benedict age 64 of Middletown, New York, passed away unexpectedly on Sunday, January 20, 2013 at his home. He was born on September 7, 1948 in Manhattan, New York, the son of the late Martin and Margaret Raynsford Benedict. Craig graduated from Ramapo College where he achieved his BA in Business and Marketing. Just this past April, Craig retired from the Journal News in White Plains, NY, where he had worked for over 20 years as an executive account manager. A family statement read "Craig was a loving husband, step-father, grandfather, and brother. He enjoyed spending time with his family, especially his grandchildren. All of the grandkids loved and adored “Papa Craig”. Craig loved working outside, shopping, and had even recently started purchasing items to start an ebay business. He was an avid golfer, who spent many early mornings on the golf course. Craig was a caring, compassionate, and genuine man, who will truly be missed by all who knew him. Craig married Nancy M. Hunt Benedict, who survives at home. He is also survived by his 2 stepsons, John Ewbank and his fiancée Leslea Eblen of Waynesville, Mo., and Neil Ewbank and his wife Kelly of Palm Coast, Florida, his stepdaughter Jennifer Fitzgerald and her husband Michael of Middletown, NY, his sister, Helen Vermes and her husband John of Coral Springs, Florida, 7 adoring grandchildren, Ryan, Brooke, Gavin, Colin, Logan, Landon, and Cayden, his nephew, Andy, his niece Jenny and several cousins. Friends may call Tuesday, January 22, from 4-6 PM at the Knight-Auchmoody Funeral Home, Inc., 154 E. Main St., Port Jervis, NY. A prayer service will be held at 5 pm, with Rev. Nancy Vonderhorst officiating. Interment will be private. Memorial contributions may be made to the Port Jervis-Deerpark Humane Society, Route 209, 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,

Catherine "Kosh" Pelenski age 83, of Port Jervis, NY passed away Monday, January 14,2013 at Milford Senior Care, Milford Pennsylvania. She was born on October 27, 1929 in Port Jervis, New York, the daughter of the late Michael and Natalie Kardoz Pelenski. Kosh was a retired sewing machine operator for Little Tots, Inc, in Port Jervis. She was a member of St. Mary's R.C. Church, Port Jervis. Catherine is survived by her nephew James M. Hendry and his wife Virginia of Port Jervis, 3 nieces, Anne Matyiku and Catherine Andranski both of Red Bank, NJ and Natalie Wellser of Texas, and her nephews, Walter Pelenski and Michael Conklin. Graveside services were held Wednesday, January 16, at 11AM at St. Mary's Cemetery, Port Jervis. Rev. George Hafemann officiated. 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

Willard J. Kent, Jr. age 82 a life-long resident of Sparrowbush/ Port Jervis, NY passed away Saturday, January 12, 2013 at Bon Secours Community Hospital, Port Jervis after a long illness. He was born on August 21, 1930 in Sparrowbush, NY, the loving son of the late Willard J. Kent, Sr. and Martha M. Skinner Kent. He was raised in Sparrowbush and spent his entire youth and adulthood living locally. The only time he left the area was when he joined the United States Army. Willard proudly served our country during the Korean War and was very proud to be a veteran. He was a member of the Sparrowbush United Methodist Church. From a young man to his elder years his membership of 64 years being a volunteer firefighter for the Sparrowubsh Fire Dept., Past Chief and Fire Commissioner was always an extremely big part of Willard and Lenas lives. It has been a lifetime family. Willard love to hunt and loved being a member of the Run-A-Muck Hunting Club. As ill as he has been the last few years he eagerly anticipated hunting season. When the season arrived, hunting camp with his son Kenny and the "guys" was the only place he wanted to be. Thank you "guys" for visiting, he was tickled . He was an avid Yankee fan. To Willard and anyone who loved him (and did not want to be disowned)-the only team worth talking about and "rooting" for, was, and is, the YANKEES. "That is all we have to say about that!" Willard worked at many things during his life, from being a golf caddy at the Eddy Farm Resort and Golf Course to operating a crane during combat in the Korean War. After returning home from the service he worked as a polisher for Crescent Silverplate in Port Jervis, and then as a cook and bartender for Scully's Restaurant in Sparrowbush, later to become the Hafbrau Restaurant, a cook at the Eddy Farm Resort , the Alexander Hotel and also the Best Western Inn in Matamoras, Pa. He married the love of his life, Lena L. Donahue Kent of Glen Spey on May 24, 1958, celebrating 54 years of marriage. He is survived by his wife at home, Lena Donahue Kent, his son Kenny Kent and Debra Rowe of Sparrowbush, 2 daughters, Deborah Miller and her husband Glendon of Milford, Pa., and Donna Hutt and her husband Daniel of Slate Hill, NY, his brother Robert c. Kent of Middletown, Rhode Island, 2 grandsons, Christopher Miller and Jonathan Hutt, 3 sisters-in-law, Elizabeth Tiny Brown and Nellie King Hjerrild both of Milford, Pa., and Adele LaBarr of Liberty, NY, his brothers-in-law, John "Wicky" Donahue of Shohola, and Lester "Chappy" Donahue of Wurtsboro, several nieces, nephews, cousins and friends. He was pre-deceased by his brother Thomas R. Kent. The last few years he has been a resident on and off at St. Joseph's Place in Port Jervis, due to his illness. He cared about and loed everyone there even though his goal was always to come home. Friends may call Tuesday, January 15, from 2-4 and 7-9 pm at the Knight-Auchmoody Funeral Home, Inc., 154 E. Main St., Port Jervis, NY. Firematic services will be held Tues. evening at the funeral home. Funeral services will be held Wednesday, Jan. 16 at 1 PM at the funeral home with Rev. Amy Garrett officiating. Interment will take place at Pine Hill Cemetery, Sparrowbush, NY with military honors. Memorial contributions may be made to the Sparrowbush Engine Co. # 1, Box 530, Sparrowbush, NY 12780. 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

Virginia P. Rippon, age 93 of Goshen, NY passed away Thursday, January 10, 2013 at Glen Arden, Goshen, NY. She was born on November 30, 1919 in Port Jervis, the daughter of the late Stewart and Phyllis Avery Rippon. Virginia was a graduate of Pratt Institute where she achieved her BA in Art. She worked as a lithographer, creating maps at Columbia University in New York. During WW II Virginia traveled to India serving with the American Red Cross. She is survived by her nephew John Waycie of Milford, Pa., her great nephew Matthew Waycie, her great niece Amy Waycie, 1 great great niece and 1 great great nephew. Graveside services will be held Monday, January 14, at 2 pm at Pine Hill Cemetery, Sparrowbush, 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 to the family visit knight-auchmoody.com.

Malcolm "Mac" Steel, age 67 of Mill Rift, Pennsylvania, passed away Saturday January 5, 2013 at Bon Secours Community Hospital, Port Jervis, NY. He was born on April 21, 1945 in New Britain, Connecticut, the son of the late Malcolm and Ann Anderson Steel. He graduated from Bloomfield College in Bloomfield, New Jersey earning his BA in Business. Mac was a retired bank teller for United Penn Bank in Matamoras, Pennsylvania. He married Joan Shadler Steel, who survives at home. He is also survived by his sister, Janet Gelb and her husband Michael of Vienna, Virginia, his mother-in-law, Shirley Shadler of Mill Rift, Pa., 2 brothers-in law, Ronald Shadler of Shohola, Penna. and John Shadler of Storrs, Conn., 4 nephews and 2 nieces. Memorial services will be held Thursday, January 10, at the Knight-Auchmoody Funeral Home, Inc., 154 E. Main St., Port Jervis, NY at 11 AM. Keith Rasor will officiate. Memorial contributions may be made to the Pike County Humane Society, P.O. Box 255, Milford, Pennsylvania 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 tot he family visit knight-auchmoody.com.

Herbert E. Little, age 82 of Port Jervis, New York, passed away Tuesday, January 1, 2013 at Bon Secours Community Hospital, Port Jervis, NY. He was born on July 1, 1930 in Lafayette, New Jersey, the son of the late William and Eva Campbell Little. Herb proudly served our country during the Korean War with the U.S. Army. He is a member of the American Legion Post #213 in Wantage, New Jersey. A family statement read, " Herb devoted his entire life to his family, who were so very dear and important to him." He worked as press operator for Ames Rubber Corp. in Hamburg, New Jersey until his retirement. Herbert married Leona Aumick Little, who survives at home. He is also survived by his 4 sons, Albert Casterlin and his wife Joy of Port Jervis, Thomas Casterlin and his wife Lisa of Lafayette, New Jersey, Alan Casterlin and his wife Joan of Sussex, New Jersey and Herbert Little of York, Penna., his daughter, Janice Karstetter and her husband Gary of Branchville, New Jersey, his brother John Little of Port Jervis, and his sister, Connie O'Dell of Vernon, New Jersey, 11 grandchildren and 11 great grandchildren and several nieces and nephews. Services were private at the convenience of the family. Cremation took place at HG Smith Crematory, Stroudsburg, Pa. Memorial contributions may be made to the American Diabetes Assoc., NY Office, 333 Seventh Ave., 17th Floor, New York, NY 10001

Gerald "Jerry" Moore, age 81 of Wurtsboro, New York passed away Friday January 4, 2013 at Orange Regional Medical Center, Middletown, NY. He was born on April 3, 1931 in Queens, New York, the son of the late Patrick and Clara Brinkman Moore. Jerry proudly served our country during the Korean War with the U. S. Navy and then with the U.S. Marines. He was a truck driver with the Teamsters Union Local 707 in Queens, NY. Following his retirement he continued working as an auto mechanic for Pete's Auto in Westbrookville, NY for many years. He then he worked for Blue Sky Homes in Wurtsboro, where he resided. Jerry was a member of the N.R.A. and a former member of the Westbrookville Fire Dept. He was an excellent craftsman with his woodworking, he enjoyed motorcycling, and sailing his antique sailboat on Toronto Lake. Above all spending time with his family was most important to him. He is survived by his son, Gregory Moore and his wife Jessie of the Town of Grreenville, NY, his daughter Elizabeth Genova and her husband Joseph of Westbrookville, and his grandson Giuseppe Genova. Visitation will be held on Wednesday, January 9, from 2-4 PM at the Knight-Auchmoody Funeral Home, Inc., 154 E. Main St., Port Jervis, NY. A Blessing service will follow at 4 PM at the funeral home, with Rev. Michael Palazzo officiating. Interment will be private. Memorial contributions may be made to the American Cancer Society, 419 E. 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

Ronald W. Gorley, Jr, age 47 of Port Jervis, NY passed away Thursday, January 3, 2013 at Bon Secours Community Hospital, Port Jervis. He was born on February 27, 1965 in Patterson, NJ, the son of the late Ronald and Joyce Gorley. Ronald was a self-employed truck driver. He married Georgianna M. Potter Gorley, who survives at home. He is also survived by his father-in-law and mother-in-law, Harvey and Florence Potter of Port Jervis. Friends may call Monday, January 7, from 2 to 4 and 7 to 9 p.m. at the Knight-Auchmoody Funeral Home, Inc., 154 E. Main St., Port Jervis, NY. Funeral services will be held Tuesday, January 8 at 10:30 a.m. at the funeral home. Rev. Vincent Odikanro will officiate. Interment will follow at Pine Hill Cemetery, Sparrowbush, NY. Arrangements are by the Knight-Auchmoody Funeral Home, Inc.; for information, directions or to send a condolence note to the family, visit knight-auchmoody.com.

William J. Buhre, age 89 of Port Jervis, NY passed away Friday, Dec. 28, 2012 at his home. Services will be private. Arrangements are by the Knight-Auchmoody Funeral Home, Inc., 154 E. Main St., Port Jervis.

Mabel J. Shields, age 93, of Port Jervis, NY passed away on Friday, December 28, 2012 at St. Joseph's Place, Port Jervis, NY. She was born on March 3, 1919 in Warren, PA, the daughter of the late John and Hattie M. Montague Jaggie. She was a graduate of the Port Jervis High School class of 1938 and a graduate of the Middletown State Hospital Nursing Program, class of 1940. She was a retired payroll clerk and personell secretary at Doctor's Sunnyside Hospital in Port Jervis. Mabel was the first woman elected to public office in the Town of Deerpark as Tax Collector on November 6, 1962. She was a member of the Deerpark Seniors, the Ladies Home Bureau, a leader and member of the Port Jervis Girl Scout Council. She was a member and former officer of the Sullivan Avenue P.T.A., Port Jervis School District, a member of the Ladies Auxiliary of Doctor's Sunnyside Hospital. Mabel married Kenneth D. Shields, who predeceased her, on April 6, 1940. She is survived by her two grandchildren, Bridgette Backus and her fiancé, Anthony Barlotta and Brian Backus; her son-in-law, Edward Backus of the Town of Greenville; her sister, Virginia Wood of Russell, PA, and several nieces and nephews. She was predeceased by her daughter, Dee Dee Backus; five brothers: Casper Jaggie, Vernon, Joseph, Alfred and Clifford Jaggie, and her sister, Dora. Friends may call Wednesday, January 2, from 2 to 4 and 7 to 9 p.m. at the Knight-Auchmoody Funeral Home, Inc., 154 E. Main St., Port Jervis, NY. Graveside services will be held Thursday, January 3, at 11 a.m. at St. Mary's Cemetery, Port Jervis. Arrangements are by the Knight-Auchmoody Funeral Home, Inc.; for information, directions or to send a condolence note to the family visit knight-auchmoody.com.