Our Obituaries

Linda A. DeGroat age 62 passed away on Sunday June 17, 2018 at Calvary Hospital in Bronx, NY. She was born on February 3, 1956 in Washington Township, NJ and is the daughter of the late Frederick Applegate and Donna May Leavitt. Linda was predeceased by her husband Wayne DeGroat. She is survived by two daughter: Maryann DeGroat and husband Thomas Hull of Dingmans Ferry, PA, and Jennifer Snyder and husband Aaron of Dingmans Ferry, PA; one son: Timothy Applegate and wife Mary of Port Jervis, NY; three sisters: Karen Applegate, Cheryl Smith and husband Gregory Hust, and Nancy Applegate; thirteen grandchildren: Tammy Marie, John, Darlene, Jessica, Megan, Carlee, Latasha, Julia, Chelsie, Thomas, Savannah, Daniel, and Hunter; eight great-grandchildren: Annabelle, Addison, Leland, Ryan, Cameron, Payton, Jace, and Ren-Ren. Linda was predeceased by her daughter Tammy DeGroat, and two grandchildren: Sierra Snyder and Amber Conklin. Visitation was held on Thursday, June 21, 2018 from 10:00 - 11:00am at the Knight-AuchmoodyFuneral Home, 154 East Main Street, Port Jervis, NY 12771. Funeral services followed at 11:00am. Interment took place privately at the convenience of the family. Arrangements are by the Knight-Auchmoody Funeral Home, 154 E. Main St., Port Jervis, NY 12771. For information, directions, or to send a condolence note to the family please visit www.knight-auchmoody.com

Elisabeth Appelquist Cologne, age 78 of Matamoras, Pennsylvania ,passed away Monday, June 18, 2018 at Orange Regional Medical Center in Middletown, NY. Elisabeth was born on December 14, 1939 in New York City, NY, the daughter of Richard and Wanda Appelquist. She graduated as Valedictorian the class of 1958, Bayonne High School. A 1962 graduate of Jersey City State College, she earned her Masters Degree at Yale University School of Public Health in 1964. for a time, Elisabeth served as Director of the Jersey City Dept. of Health and Welfare, becoming in 1970, the Director of Epidemiology and Public Health. Elisabeth took an early retirement to raise her daughter, traveling overseas and within the United States with her husband for his business. She was a member of the Metropolitan Opera House and a member of a regional dog club. She spent time volunteering in Northeast Pennsylvania with several local organizations. Her little dog Louie could always be seen with her at these many events. Elisabeth’s husband Carl Cologne, pre-deceased her in 2004, followed by her brother Larry Appelquist in 2008.. She is survived by her daughter Elisabeth Szymanski wife of James of Milford, Pennsylvania, and a nephew, Justin Appelquist. Services will be private. Arrangements are by the Knight-Auchmoody Funeral Home, 154 E. Main St., Port Jervis, NY. For information or to send a condolence note to the family visit knigt-auchmoody.com. Memorial contributions may be made to Take the Lead, http://www.takethelead.org and to St. Jude, P.O. Box 1000, Dept. 142, Memphis, TN, 38101-9908

Russell C. Barnett age 79 of Westbrookville, NY passed peacefully June 3, 2018 at home with his wife, son and daughter by his side after a long battle with Alzheimer’s Disease. Russ was born in the Bronx, NY, to Clyde Barnett and Caroline Smith Barnett. The family then moved to Maywood, NJ, where he met his childhood sweetheart and life long love, Janet White. They married in 1962. In 1969 they had a son, Tyler, and moved to Westbrookville. Three years later their daughter, Jessica, was born. Russ graduated from Bogota High School, he continued his education graduating from Fairleigh Dickenson University in NJ. and City College in NYC, philosophy being his passion. He had a full and varied life, pitching in the minor leagues of the Washington Senators and Giants baseball teams, then joining the Marine Reserves, NJ State Police, and ultimately teaching for over 30 years. He was a beloved and esteemed teacher at Minisink Valley High School and an adjunct instructor at Lady Cliff College and Orange County Community College. He and Janet were blessed to have many years of retirement to spend together often traveling. Beloved husband, father, brother, grandfather, uncle and friend, Russ will be forever in our hearts. He had such passion for life and was a kind and compassionate soul. He is survived by his wife and children and their extended families as well as his brother, Randy, sister, Nancy, and their families. A celebration of Russ’s life and memorial service will be held Saturday, JUNE 30 from 11:00 am to 1:00 pm, the service beginning at 12:00 noon at the Knight-Auchmoody Funeral Home, 154 E. Main St., Port Jervis, NY If you wish to make a donation in Russ’s memory, we would appreciate Alzheimer’s Assoc., Hudson Valley, Rockland NY Chapter, 2 Jefferson Plaza, Ste. 103, Poughkeepsie, NY 12601-4060; Doctors Without Borders, or your own favorite charitable organization. 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. MEMORIAL SERVICE WILL BE HELD ON JUNE 30TH FROM 11:00 AM TO 1:00 PM. FUNERAL SERVICE WILL BE HELD AT 12:00 PM NOON.

Kathleen Elizabeth Eissing age 70 of Westbrookville, NY died Monday, June 11, 2018 at her longtime family home in Westbrookville, NY. She was born on October 1, 1947 in Brooklyn, NY, the daughter of Thomas and Mary Clune Hanrahan. She retired as a Teacher’s Assistant at Hamilton Bicentennial Elementary the school each of her 3 children attended. She was a member of Holy Name RC Church in Otisville, NY, Town of Mt. Hope Seniors, and Beginning Experience. Kathleen was predeceased by her longtime husband and the love of her life Kenneth Eissing Sr., they were married on September 28, 1968. She is survived by her son Ken Eissing of Austin, TX, her two daughters, Kristine Eissing of Boston, MA, and Kerri Murphy and her husband Justin of Wallkill, NY, five grandchildren, Danny, Michael, Caitlyn, Ryan, and Alexandra, several nieces and nephews, and her daughter-in-law Leslie Glusman Eissing. She is also survived by brother-in-law Gerard Eissing and his wife Maryann of Franklin Square, NY, and her sister-in-law Carol King and her husband Jack of Smithtown, NY. Kathleen was pre-deceased by her three sisters; Mary Cunningham, Eileen Lynch, and Theresa Hanrahan. A wonderful wife, mother, grandmother, and a friend to many, the greatest joy of her life was spending time with her family and friends whom she loved so dearly. Visitation will be held Thursday, June 14, from 2-4 and 6-8 PM at the Knight-Auchmoody Funeral Home, 154 E. Main St., Port Jervis, NY. A Mass of Christian Burial will be held Friday, June 15 at 10:00 am at Holy Name RC Church, Otisville, NY. Rev. Michael L. Palazzo will be the celebrant. Interment will be private. Contributions may be made to the Ken Eissing Sr Memorial Fund https://charitysmith.org/memorial-funds/ken-eissing-memorial-fund 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

Mary L. Tippens age 77 of Sparrowbush, NY passed away June 4, 2018 at Campbell Hall, NY. She was born on April 8, 1941 in Newton, New Jersey the daughter of Lawrence O. And Esther S. McKeeby Bensley. Mary retired as a supervisor for Kolmar Labs, Inc. in Port Jervis. She was a life member of the auxiliary of the Tri-State Naval Post #7241, Port Jervis. Mary was married to the late William C. Dicks and then to the late John W. Tippens. She is survived by her daughters Carol Ricciardi and her husband Donald of Port Jervis, Betty Conklin and her husband Richard of Port Jervis, Susan Bloomer and her husband Russell of Matamoras, Pennsylvania, Karen Aragon and her husband Rudolph of Colorado Donna Mendoza and her husband Ramon of California,She is also survived by a lomg time companion Lester Taylor of Sparrowbush and her sisters; Latricia Skinner of Lakeland, Florida, Sandra Olver and her husband Robert of Sparrowbush, Sheila Delgado and her husband Ramon of Fruitland Park, Florida, her brothers; Gary Bensley and his wife Diane of Punta Gorda, Florida, Charles Bensley and his wife Cheryl of Palm Coast, Florida, Neal Bensley and his wife Michelle of Matamoras, Pennsylvania, her beloved grandchildren; Paul, Steven, Aaron, Cristi, Rebecca, Richard, Jr., Michael, Ashley, and Russell, Jr., several great grandchildren, several nieces and nephews. Mary was pre-deceased by her brothers, Randy and Lawrence Bensley, Jr. and her sister Valerie Beschinski. Graveside services will be held 2 PM Friday, June 8, at Pine Hill Cemetery,Sparrowbush, NY. Rev. Diane Sommers will officiate. Memorial contributions may be mad to the Alzheimers Assoc. of Hudson Valley, Rockland, Westchester, NY Chaper, 2 Jefferson Plaza, Suite 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 knight-auchmoody.com.