Our Obituaries

Shirley S. Gandy, age 55 of Port Jervis, NY, passed away Saturday March 16, 2013 at her home. She was born in Vineland, New Jersey, on October 13, 1957, the daughter of the late Edward J. and Emma Haywood Gandy. Shirley was a retired assembler for Kolmar Labs, Inc., at Port Jervis, NY. She is survived by her companion, Daniel Leonard of Port Jervis, her 5 sons, Daniel S. Leonard and his fiancé Ashley Kutzler of Port Jervis, David W. Leonard of Port Jervis, Sam Leonard of Yonkers, NY, D. Ray Leonard of Port Jervis, and Jesse Gandy, 4 daughters, Samantha, Tamara, Maretta Leonard and Sherry Gandy all of Port Jervis, 2 brothers, James and Billy Gandy, 3 sisters and several nieces and nephews. Services were held Monday, March 18 at the Knight-Auchmoody Funeral Home, Inc., 154 E. Main St., 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.

David L. Van Dien, age 70 of Greeley, Pennsylvania, passed away Sunday, March 17, 2013 at Bon Secours Community Hospital, Port Jervis, NY. He was born on March19, 1942 in Greenpond, New Jersey, the son of the late James M. Van Dien and Leona Barrett Van Dien. David was a retired self-employed carpenter. He proudly served our country during the Viet Nam war with the U.S. Navy and is a member of the Milford American Legion Post #139. David married Stacy Compton Van Dien, who survives at home. He is also survived by his 4 daughters, Dianne Van Dien of Raytown, Missouri, Jennifer Van Dien Hernandez of Middletown, NY, Amanda Miller and her husband Jeremy of Stroudsburg, Pa., and Tiffanie Trentacosta and her husband Michael of Milford, Pa., , his son Sherwood Peters, Jr. and his wife Nicole of Bangor, Pa., 3 sisters, Phyllis Hammond of Sparrowbush, NY, Lee Kochenash of Naples, Florida, Reba McKernan of Block Island, Rhode Island, 2 brothers, James Van Dien of Dickerson, Md., and Ferris Van Dien of Pottersville, NJ, 13 grandchildren and several nieces and nephews. He was pre-deceased by his 3 grandchildren. Friends may call Thursday, March 21, from 2-4 pm at the Knight-Auchmoody Funeral Home, Inc., 154 E. Main St., Port Jervis, NY. Interment will be private. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributionsmay be made to the family of David L. Van Dien, c/o Tiffanie Trentacosta, 3491 Sunrise Lake, Milford, Penna. 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.

Henry H. Jenks, age 85 of Matamoras, Pennsylvania, passed away Sunday, March 17, at the Milford Senior Care Health and Rehabilitation Facility, Milford, Pa. He was born on January 16, 1928 in the Town of Deerpark, NY, the son of the late Forest and Helen Decker Jenks. Henry proudly served our country during WW II with the U.S. Army and was a member of the Roosa-Fleming V.F.W. Post # 161, Port Jervis. Henry was a retired custodian from the Delaware Valley School. He married Maggie Benedict Jenks, who survives at home. He is also survived by his 2 sons, Russell A. Jenks and his wife Sharon of Matamoras, William Jenks and his wife Linda of Scranton, Pa., his daughter, Susan M. Calvitti and her husband Jerome of Axton, Virginia, his grandchildren, Melissa and her husband Phil, Michael and his wife Cindy, Patrick, and Jonathan, 2 great grandchildren, Yadi and Taylor and several nieces and nephews. He was pre-deceased by his son, Kenneth Jenks, his brother George Jenks and his sister, Eileen Bodine. Friends may call Wednesday, March 20, from 10-11 AM at the Knight-Auchmoody Funeral Home, Inc., 154 E. Main St., Port Jervis, NY. Rev. Don Coy will officiate. Interment will take place at Westbrookville Cemetery, Westbrookville, NY. Funeral service will be held at 11:00am at the funeral home. Memorial contributions may be made to the Disabled American Veterans, att: gift Processing Unit, P.O. Box 1431, Cincinnati, Ohio 45250-030. 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.

Robert "Bob" Outten, age 83, passed away January 3, 2013, in his winter residence, Summerfield, FL. He was born on October 23, 1929, in Bayside, VA, the son of the late Robert Outten Sr. and Lilly Outten. Bob retired from Mid-Hudson Psychiatric Center, New Hampton, NY as a Stationary Engineer. He was a former social member of the Neversink Engine Co. # 1 and the Port Jervis Lodge of Elks #645 B.P.O.E. Bob was extremely-hard working. He was always willing to lend a hand, he was a "jack of all trades". He was an avid gardener and loved working in his wood shop. He was dedicated to his wife, children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren. There wasn't anyone who met him that didn't love him. He always made life look better and had a calming effect on those he loved. He is survived by his loving wife, Evelyn Outten; daughters: Clara Launt and husband, James of Port Jervis, Diane Gould and of Summerfield, FL; grandchildren: Shannon Caston of Cuddebackville, Sarah Launt and fiance, Christopher Long of Port Jervis, Robert Buckman, Ryan Buckman and fiance, Denise of Summerfield, FL; great-grandchildren: Mackenzie Caston and Christopher Long Jr. of Port Jervis, Travis Buckman, Makayla Buckman, Camron Mosley and Ada Buckman of Summerfield, FL. He is also survived by his brother, Jack Outten and predeceased by his sister, Evon Robinson, and son-in-law, Ronald Gould. Burial will be at Johnson Town Cemetery in Johnson Town, VA at the convenience of the family. A later date will be announced. Donations may be made in Bob`s memory to Saint Jude Children's Research Hospital, 262 Danny Thomas Place, Memphis, TN 38105 or to the D.A.V., Att: Gift Processing, P.O Box 14301, Cincinnati, OH 45250-0301. 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

Evelyn B. Outten, a longtime resident of Port Jervis, NY, passed away on Wednesday, February 27, 2013 at Bon Secours Community Hospital, surrounded by her loved ones. She was 82. The daughter of the late Booker Killmon and Susan White Killmon, she was born on January 5, 1931 in Nassawadoxdax, VA. She was predeceased by her beloved husband, Robert Outten, on January 3, 2013. They shared an incredible bond of 64 years. Their love for each other was indescribable. Their friends and family admired their enduring love and dedication to each other. Evelyn was retired from Arden Hill Hospital as a Nursing Assistant. She put her heart and soul into her work and was very dedicated. She was an avid shopper and loved her flowers. Her children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren were the love of her life. She was very understanding and was proud of all their accomplishments. She is survived by her daughters: Clara Launt and husband, James of Port Jervis, Diane Gould of Summerfield, FL; grandchildren: Shannon Caston of Cuddebackville, Sarah Launt and fiance, Christopher Long of Port Jervis, Robert Buckman, Ryan Buckman and fiance, Denise of Summerfield, FL; great-grandchildren: Mackenzie Caston and Christopher Long Jr. of Port Jervis, Travis Buckman, Makayla Buckman, Camron Mosley and Ada Buckman of Summerfield, FL. She is predeceased by her two brothers: Sherwood Killmon and Warner Killmon and two sisters: Veda Colonna and Hazel Carpenter-Wise and her son-in-law, Ronald Gould. Burial will be at Johnson Town Cemetary in Johnson Town, VA, at the convenience of the family. A later date will be announced. The family of Bob and Evelyn would like to thank Dr. Anthony Darmiento, Dr. Filomena Lombardi, and all of the staff at Bon Secours Community Hospital, from the ER, ICU, 3rd Floor and extened services, for their compassion and outstanding care. Donations may be made in Evelyn`s memory to Saint Jude Children's Research Hospital, 262 Danny Thomas Place, Memphis, TN 38105 or to the Disabled American Veterans, att: Gift Processing Unit, PO Box 14301, Cinncinnati, OH 45250-0301. 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

Joachim Seidel age 99 of Montague, New Jersey, passed away Wednesday, February 27, 2013 at the Milford Senior Care Health & Rehabilitation Facility, Milford, Pa. Services were private at the convenience of the family. Arrangements are by the Knight-Auchmoody Funeral Home, Inc., 154 E. Main St., Port Jervis, NY. For information, or to send a condolence note to the family visit knight-auchmoody.com.

Blake Scott Smith age 59 of Matamoras, Pennsylvania passed away Saturday, March 2, 2013 at Bon Secours Community Hospital, Port Jervis, NY. He was born on December 30, 1953 in San Diego, California, the son of Alvah and Ruth Lawrence Smith. Blake graduated from Delaware Valley High School with the class of 1972. He attended and graduated from the Art Institute of Pittsburg and continued his education at the School of Visual Arts in New York City, NY, where he attained his BA in photography. He became employed at the School of Visual Arts as an academic advisor, where he was still working. He is a member of the First Presbyterian Church, Port Jervis. He is survived by his son, Joshua Smith and his companion, Jessica Spears of Matamoras, Pa., his parents, Alvah and Ruth Smith of Matamoras, his brother, Kyle Smith and his wife Virginia of Westwood, NJ, 2 sisters, Roxanne Luhrs and her husband Thomas of Milford, Pa., and Amanda Smith of Matamoras. He is also survived by his former wife, Roberta B. Poe of Milford, Pa. and several nieces and nephews. He was pre-deceased by his sister, Bonna Smith. Memorial services will be held Tuesday, March 5, at 1 PM at the First Presbyterian Church, Broome St., Port Jervis, NY. Art Ridley will officiate. Memorial contributions may be made tot he First Presbyterian Church, 60 Sussex St., Port Jervis, NY or to the American Heart Assoc., 419 E. Main St., Suite 309, 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.

Charles "Jimmy" Vance, age 81 passed away, January 29, 2013 at Milford Senior Care, Westfall Township, Pennsylvania. He was born on January 22, 1932 in Yankee Lake, NY, the son of the late Charles and Caroline Arbinia Budd Vance. He proudly served our country during the Korean War for 14 months, with the U.S. Army. He received the Combat Infantryman badge, the Korean Service medal with 3 bronze service stars, the United Nations and the National Defense Service medals and the good conduct medal. He achieved the rank of Corporal. He was pre-deceased by his twin brother, who died in combat in Korea. He was a former member of the Roosa-Fleming, V.F.W., Post #161, Port Jervis. Jimmy worked in various jobs in Wurtsboro, Middletown and Unionville. He also worked for Ames Rubber Co. and the Sussex Queen Diner in Sussex, NJ. Jimmy was known as a kind man at heart and he was always happy to help his room-mates at the Milford Senior Senior Facility, where he resided since December 2002. Interment will take place at the Orange County Veterans Cemetery, Goshen, NY, on Monday, April 22, 2013,at 3:00 pm, with military honors. Deacon Wayne von Doehren will officiate. Memorial contributions may be made to the Milford Senior Care Facility, 264, Route 6 & 209, 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.