Our Obituaries

Frederick M. Smith,Sr. age 89 of Sparrowbush, NY passed away Tuesday, April 25, 2017 at Goshen, NY. He was born on December 25, 1927 in Wantage Township, NJ, the son of Henry and Thelma Lott Smith. Fred proudly served our country during WW II with the US Army. He married Emiline Sliker Smith on December 25, 1949. She pre-deceased him in 2011. He is survived by his daughters, Deborah Davenport and her husband Richard of Sparrowbush, Betty Scites and her husband Edward of Huguenot, NY, his three sons; Frederick Smith, Jr. and his wife Terri of Sussex, NJ, John Smith and his wife Lisa of Sussex, and Paul Smith of Wharton, NJ. He is also survived by his sister Naomi Smith, 12 grandchildren, 12 great grandchildren, several nieces and nephews. He was pre-deceased by his great grandson Zachary R. Russman and his daughter-in-law Ralene Smith. He retired from Sussex Royal Electric as a chief lineman after many years of service. Fred was a member of the V.F.W. Post #8441, Vernon, NJ. He was an avid hunter, fisherman and thoroughly enjoyed the great outdoors. He was a talented dancer and enjoyed dancing as often as he could. Visitation will be held 2-4 and 6-8 PM Sunday, April 30 at the Knight-Auchmoody Funeral Home, 154 E. Main St., Port Jervis, NY. Funeral services will be held 11 AM Monday, May 1, at the funeral home. Rev. Patt Kauffman will officiate. Interment will follow at Pine Hill Cemetery, Sparrowbush, NY with military honors. Memorial contributions may be made to The Alzheimer’s Assoc., Hudson Valley/Rockland NY Chapter, 2 Jefferson Plaza, Ste. 103, Poughkeepsie, NY 12601-4060. 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 knightauchmoody.com.

Ione E. Ellison age 68 of New Hampton, NY passed away Thursday, April 20, 2017 at Middletown, NY. She was born on April 6, 1949 in Port Jervis the daughter of the late William S. and Ione Gill Howell. She married Kenneth V. Ellison who survives at home. Ione is also survived by her two sons Kenneth Ellison and his wife Becky of Bremerton , Washington, Joseph Ellison and his wife Annie of Middletown, NY, her sister Nancy Ellison, her brother William H. Howell and his wife Deborah all of Spring Hill, Florida, five grandchildren, Mandy, Emily, Joseph, Lorelai and Payton, several nieces, nephews and cousins. Ione was a member and Past President of the Slate Hill Pacers. She enjoyed playing cards regularly with them at the senior center. Visitation will be held 2-6 PM Sunday, April 23 at the Knight-Auchmoody Funeral Home, 154 E. Main St., Port Jervis, NY. Funeral services will be held at 3 PM Sunday at the funeral home with Rev. Ann Akers officiating. Interment will take place at a later time at the Ridgebury Cemetery, Ridgebury, NY. Memorial contributions may be made to the American Cancer Society, 121 Executive Drive, New Windsor, NY 12553 or to a charity of donor’s choice. 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 knightauchmoody.com

Howard A. Sweet age 74 of Newton, New Jersey passed away Tuesday, April 11, 2017 at Milford Senior Care, Milford, Pennsylvania. He was born on October 22, 1942 in New Jersey the son of Howard and Asnith Sweet. He was a veteran of the Viet Nam War serving with the US Army. He worked as a bank teller in Newton, New Jersey. He is survived by his long time friends Stephen and Eileen Westward of Atkin, Minnesota and Fred and Arlene Schneider. Services will be private. Interment will take place at Mettler Cemetery in Sandyston, New Jersey. Arrangementsare 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.

Kathleen Blood age 84 died Jan. 9, 2017. A Memorial Mass of Christian Burial will be held 10 AM Tues. April 18, 2017 at St. Mary’s R. C. Church, Port Jervis, NY. Rev. Matthew Newcomb will be the celebrant. Interment will follow at St. Mary’s Cemetery, Port Jervis. Arrangements are by Knight-Auchmoody Funeral Home, 154 E. Main St., Port Jervis, NY.

Micheline M. Bidault age 88 of Port Jervis, NY passed away Monday, April 10, 2017 at Port Jervis, NY. She was born on June 20, 1928 in Paris, France the daughter of Andre and Germaine Courbet Bidault. Micheline retired as a secretary for Smith-Barney, Inc. at the World Trade Center in NY and later from the European-American Bank in New York City. She was faithful member of St.Mary’s R.C. Church, Port Jervis. Micheline is survived by her son Ron Barbier and his wife Kathi of Kingston, PA, her daughter Christine Quagliano and her husband Gerard of Piscataway, NJ, , her six grandchildren, Michael, Nicholas, Timothy, Suzanne, Richard and Valerie, her beloved great grandchildren, Natalie, Marissa, Jake, Cody, Nicholas, Briana, Bronson, Arilynne, one great great granddaughter. She was pre-deceased b her devoted life time partner Jack Lennon. Visitation will be held Monday, April 17 prior to prayers at 10:15 AM at the Knight-Auchmoody Funeral Home, 154 E. Main St., Port Jervis, NY. A Mass of Christian Burial will follow at 11 AM at St. Mary’s R.C. Church, Port Jervis, NY. Rev. Matthew Newcomb will be the celebrant. Entombment will take place at Madonna Cemetery, Fort Lee, NJ. 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.

Lance Corporal Justin F. Ropke (Ret.), 27, of Port Jervis, NY died Wednesday, April 5, 2017 in Saranac Lake, NY. Justin was born December 12, 1989 at Mercy Community Hospital in Port Jervis. He graduated from Port Jervis High School in 2008, attended college at Coastal Carolina University and Orange County Community College subsequently. In 2009, Justin enlisted in the U.S. Marine Corp., where he faithfully served for 4 years with one combat deployment in February 2011 to Afghanistan in support of Operation Enduring Freedom. He served with the Scout Sniper platoon 3/2 Battalion, one of the most elite units in the Corp. He loved his military family without end. Semper fi. Justin was everyone's best friend, from his beloved brother Brad to any homeless person on the street. His smile lit up a room. His personality was beyond compare. He had that rare gift of making anyone feel like the most important person on the planet. His ability to deliver horribly inappropriate jokes at the worst of times was nothing short of flawless. No shirt, tattoos; bullets and Bible verses. Justin hiked up Ampersand Mountain in February in nothing but a towel. He strode from Saranac to Lake Placid and back like it didn't matter. He loved all people, all animals, all every-thing. He just LOVED. Justin tried to heal and quiet his demons. The war didn't help. He was a man who lost his father far too early, and it seemed to send him into a certain kind of chaos. Justin was a veteran who, in his heart, wanted to stay here with us, but who ultimately didn’t have enough light left to offset the darkness. His quote: “Everyone has a story”. Remember that, in his legacy. He is the son of the late Mark F. Ropke and Lisa Ghegan Ropke who survives at home. Justin is also survived by his brother Brad Ropke and his fiancé Alana of W. Palm Beach, Florida. In addition he is survived by the Great Love of His Life, Nicholette Rohrer of Port Jervis, maternal grandmother Giovanna “Joann” Ghegan of Matamoras, PA, his paternal grandfather Frederick Ropke and his wife Sue of Matamoras, his aunts Erika Ropke-Polanis and her husband Matt of Port Jervis, Sue Ropke-McAllister and her husband Joe of Indialantic, Florida, his uncles Fred Ropke of Matamoras, PA, David Ghegan and his wife Marsha of Los Angeles, Calif., his cousins; Tanner and Megan Ropke, Ryan, Devin and Alec McAllister, Max and Ava Polanis, his very special friends; Chris Jensen of Rhinebeck, Peter Caiafa of Forestburgh, Christine and Jeff Rohrer of Port Jervis, and Christopher Rohrer. Justin was pre-deceased by his paternal grandfather Gaston “Lou” Ghegan and his maternal grandmother Toni B. Crellin. Visitation will be held 3-7 PM Wednesday April 12th at the Knight-Auchmoody Funeral Home, 154 E. Main St., Port Jervis, NY. Funeral services will be held 11 AM Thursday, April 13h at the funeral Home with military honors. Rev. Richard MacDonald will officiate. Interment will take place at Pine Hill Cemetery, Sparrowbush, NY. Memorial contributions may be made to the Port Jervis-Deerpark Humane Society, Route 209, Port Jervis, NY. or to the Habitat For Humanity of Greater Middletown, Box 2375, Middletown, NY 10940. 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.

Edith M. Ashworth age 79 of Westbrookville, NY passed away Thursday, April 6, 2017 at her home. She was born on December 28, 1937 in Middletown, NY the daughter of Louis H. and Marjorie M. Appley Van De Mark. Edith married Robert E. Ashworth who survives at home. She is also survived by her son Thomas Ashworth and his wife Michelle of Milford, PA, her three brothers, Thomas Van De Mark and his wife Rose of the Town of Greenville, Leonard Van De Mark and his wife Joyce of Newport Richey, Florida, John Van De Mark and his wife Jean of Eldred, her beloved grandchildren; Gary Karr and his wife Sara, Dylan Karr and his fiancé Ashley, Caleb Karr, Terrie Tindel, Deanna Cherry and her husband Robert, Adrienne Karr, Lauren and Keaton Ashworth, several great grandchildren, several nieces and nephews. Edith was pre-deceased by her son Gary R. Karr, Sr.. Services will be private at the convenience of the family. Cremation will take place at HG Smith Crematory, Stroudsburg, PA. 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 knightauchmoody.com.

John F. Martin age 85 of Sparrowbush, NY passed away Sunday, April 2, 2017 at Montefiore Hospital, Bronx, NY. He was born on March 5, 1932 in Ironton, Ohio the son of Harrison and Ruth Brown Martin. John proudly served our country from 1949-1952 with the US Army. He was employed by the Boy Scouts of America prior to his employment as the Building Director at St. Teresa’s Nursing Home in Middletown, NY until his retirement. He was an avid fisherman and hunter enjoying the great outdoors. He was a former member of the Sparrowbush Engine Co. 1, Fire Dept. John married the love of his life Margaret “ Micki” Quinn Martin who survives at home. He is also survived by his two sons David J. Martin and his wife Patricia of Huguenot, Daniel H. Martin and his wife Eva of Glen Spey, his daughter Diane Amell and her husband Steven of Sparrowbush, his sister Helen of the State of Florida, his beloved grandchildren; Jessica Lynn Martin, Jillian F. Martin, John G. Martin and his wife Jessica, Cassandra L. Martin, Danielle Fairchild and her husband Matthew, Candice N. Spanks and her husband Jonathan, six great grandchildren , several nieces and nephews. John was pre-deceased by seven sisters and five brothers. Memorial services will be announced at a later date. Cremation will take place at HG Smith Crematory, Stroudsburg, PA. Memorial contributions may be made to: The Disabled American Vets, DAV.org or to the Wounded Warrior Project, P.O Box 758517, Topeka, Kansas 66675-8517 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.

Betty L. Rupp age 92 of Port Jervis, NY passed away April 1, 2016 at Milford Senior Care, Milford, PA. She was born on October 11, 1924 in Wilkes-Barre, PA the daughter of Charles F. and Esther Thomas Jenkins. Betty retired as a manager for F.W. Woolworth Co. in Middletown, NY. She married Paul G. Rupp who pre-deceased her. Betty is survived by her son Paul S. Rupp and his wife Karen of Rushville, Nebraska, her daughter Betty Prussia of Port Jervis, her beloved grandchildren; Patrick Kerr, Karen L. Reome and her husband Frank, Paul G. Rupp and his wife Katharine, Margaret Kowinsky and her husband Todd, Kristina Lanterman and her husband Gary, Cassandra Prussia and her husband David, and Kory Rupp and companion Miguel Fernandez, her great grandchildren; Patrick Kerr and Adriana, Tyler Kowinsky, Heather James, Gary and Colin Lanterman, Cody and Hunter Prussia, Jonathon Reome, her great great grandson, Nathan R. Kowinsky, her brother Charles F. Jenkins, Jr. and his wife Sandra of Circleville, NY, her brother-in-law Herbert “Bud” Stewart, her sister-in-law Louise Briard, several nieces and nephews. Betty was pre-deceased by her two sisters Sara Moore and Dorothy Stewart and her granddaughter Tina M. Kerr. She was a faithful member of St. Peter’s Luthern Church in Port Jervis and a a member of the altar guild. She was also a member of the River Valley Chapter #33, O.E.S., Port Jervis, a member of the Ladies Auxiliary, Rosa-Fleming V.F. W. Post #161, Port Jervis, a member of the Order of the Amaranth, Laurel Court #58, Port Jervis, and a member of the Ladies Auxiliary, Howard Wheat Engine Co., Port Jervis. Visitation will be held 2-4 and 6-8 PM Tuesday, April 4th at the Knight-Auchmoody Funeral Home, 154 E. Main St., Port Jervis, NY. Rosa-Fleming Ladies Auxiliary will conduct services Tues. evening at 6:30 PM, Eastern Star services will be conducted at 7 PM. Funeral services will be held 11 AM Wednesday, April 5th at St. Peter’s Luthern Church, Port Jervis, NY. Rev. Aaron Baughman will officiate. Interment will follow at Pine Hill Cemetery, Sparrowbush, NY. Memorial contributions may be made to: Karin Ann Quinlan Hospice, 99 Sparta Ave., Newton, NJ 07860 or St. Peter’s Luthern Church, 31 W. Main St., 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 knightauchmoody.com