Our Obituaries

Joan B. Christensen 

 

Joan B. Christensen age 83 of Port Jervis, NY passed away Sunday, January 24, 2021 at Garnet Health Medical Center in Middletown, NY. She was born November 29, 1937 in Weymouth, MA to the late Harry and Alice (Dixon) Elms.  Joan was a Graduate of New England Baptist Nursing School and worked as a Registered Nurse in Massachusetts, Connecticut, Maine, New Hampshire before finishing her nursing career at Orange Regional Medical Center, Tower 4 in Middletown, NY. Joan married her best friend and the love of her life, Rev. A. Roy Christensen who predeceased her in 2012. She is survived by her three sons; Stephen & Alison Christensen of Windham, NH, Thomas & Donna Christensen of Matamoras, PA, and Timothy & Julie Christensen of Nanaimo, British Columbia, her brother, Aubrey & Betty Elms of Marlborough, MA, her brother-in-law, Ashley Peckham of Portsmouth, RI, six grandchildren; Eric, Greg, Luke, Andrew, Alex, and Nathan Christensen, and several nieces and nephews. Joan was predeceased by her twin brother John Elms and her sister Judy Elms.  

 

She was a loving wife and mother, helped run children and youth programs at her church all while working as a nurse.  When her husband had leukemia, she nursed him at home 24/7 and then for weeks at a time in hospital, sleeping in chairs and on a camping pad to stay by his side, sometimes even teaching new nurses tricks she had learned over the years.  She loved to laugh, goof around and could even hang a spoon on her nose.  She was a musician, camped with us, wore crazy costumes and taught us about Jesus through her kind words and actions.  She taught us to love.  Over the past few years when we’d call, she’d often talk about Roy who is already in heaven, “I’m going to see him again, but not today!”  Today is here, they’re together and for now it’s our turn to miss her.  We’ll see her again, but not today.  

 

Cremation took place privately and a celebration of life will be held when the family feels it is safe to gather together.  The family requests that in lieu of flowers and as a reflection of Joan’s wishes that donations would go to support Tim & Julie’s ministry with NAIM.  Donations can be made at https://www.naim.ca/donation/tim-julie-christensen/  or by mailing a check to NAIM, PO Box 499, Sumas, WA 98295 with project #321 on the memo line.

 

Arrangements are by the Knight-Auchmoody Funeral Home, 154 E. Main St., Port Jervis, NY 12771. For information, or to send a condolence note to the family please visit www.knight-auchmoody.com

 

 

 

Lester R. Taylor, Sr. age 87 of Huguenot, NY passed away Saturday, January 23 at his home with his family by his side.  He was born on May 11, 1933 in Huguenot, NY, the son of Edwin and  Mildred Conklin Taylor.  Les retired as a foreman for the Town of Deerpark Highway Dept. after many years of dedicated service.  Dad loved taking walks with his pet dog, Princess, along with Scooby and Sparky on his property.  He had special love for his family, all animals and his home of 55 years that he built on the mountain. He married Doris M. Labold Taylor who pre-deceased him on February 10, 1998. Lester is survived by his son, Steven Taylor of Milford, PA, his two daughters; Linda Predmore of Middletown, NY, Patricia Lovelace of Port Jervis, step-daughter Cynthia Lucarelli and her companion Evelyn Ioanna of Laflin, PA, his beloved yorkie, Princess; his sister Joyce Shaffer and her husband Richard of Glen Spey, his beloved grandchildren; James Lovelace, Jr, Tanya Brett, Jamie Talmadge, Bobbie Jo Weidner, Robby Predmore, Ryan Taylor, Jeff Taylor, Samantha and Gabrielle, his beloved great grandchildren; Sarah, Ariella, Kelsey, Isabella, Parker, Brandon, Cody, Hunter, Jaden, Kaylin, Kiley, Kolten, Greyson, Mckyla, Devon, Caleb and Emilia, his four great great grandchildren; Cameron, Olivia, Maison, Keagan and several nieces and nephews.  Lester was pre-deceased by his longtime companion, Mary Tippens, his son, Lester Taylor, Jr., his granddaughter, Dawn Lovelace, his great grandson, Devon  Grant, his siblings; Doris Labold, Betty Savannah, Raymond, Monty and Gene Taylor. Private graveside services will be held at Rural Valley Cemetery, Cuddebackville, NY.  Pastor Jose Rodriguez will officiate.  A celebration of Les’s life will be held at a later date.  Due to COVID, restrictions will apply, masks must be worn and safe distancing must be maintained. The Taylor family will be forever grateful to Mike, Lori, Megan, and Johnny for the special bond like family with “Pop."  They brought so much love and joy to Dad, to the very end.  A special thank you to the Hospice nurses, Kristen, Laurie, and Gina, for all their loving care, compassion and support.  Memorial contributions can be made to Hospice of Orange/Sullivan, 800 Stony Brook Court, Newburgh, NY 12550 or Pike County Humane Society PO Box 255, Milford, PA  18337. 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 visitknight-auchmoody.com.

Donald Bruce Eckes age  85 of Sparrowbush, NY passed away Friday, January 22, 2021 at the Woodlands Nursing Center, Andover, New Jersey.  He was born on November 10, 1935 in Sparrowbush, New York, the son of  Frederick and Florence Conley Eckes.  Don retired from the parts department at A& M Truck Center in Westfall, Pennsylvania.  He was a life member, past president and past vice president of the  Sparrowbush Fire Dept. He was a former commissioner of the Fire Dept, and a   member of the fire police.  Don was an avid hunter and a member of the Red Rock Hunting Club and the Cahoonzie Club.  He is survived by his brother Wilbur Eckes and his wife Carol of Sparrowbush, his sister-in-law Helen Eckes of Sparrowbush, his niece Lennie Eckes Schiefer and her husband Mark of Newport Richie, Florida, his nephew David Eckes and his wife Mischelle of Sparrowbush, his niece Debra Eckes-Krentz  and her husband Robert of Port Jervis, his nephew George Eckes and his wife Darlene of Cornelius, North Carolina, and his cousin Alfred Eckes, of the state of Florida. Don is also survived by  several nieces, nephews, great, and great great nieces and nephews.  He was pre-deceasde by his brothers,  David, Frederick, Herbert,  Edward, and his nephew, Wilbur Eckes, Jr.  Visitation will be held 10 AM-12 Noon, Thursday, January 28, at the Knight-Auchmoody Funeral Home, 154 E. Main St., Port Jervis, NY.  Funeral services will follow at 12 noon, Thursday at the funeral home with Rev. Amy Garrett officiating.  Due to COVID restrictions, masks must be worn at all times.  There is a limited capacity and there may be a wait time.  Interment will follow at Quarry Hill Cemetery, Rio, NY.  Memorial contributions may be made to the Sparrowbush Fire Dept., PO Box 530, Sparrowbush, NY 12780.  Arrangements are by the Knight-Auchmoody Funeral Home, 154 E. Main St., Port Jervis, NY.  For information, directions or to send condolence note to the family visit knight-auchmoody.com.

 

John M. Hensz, Jr. age 74 of Narrowsburg, NY and life-long resident of Port Jervis, NY passed  Monday, January 11, 2021 at his home.  He was born on November 21, 1946 in Port Jervis, NY the son of the late John and Bernice Johnson Hensz.  John proudly served our country with the US Navy during the Vietnam War.  He owned and operated John’s Refrigeration and Air Conditioning in Port Jervis for many years. He was a faithful and active member of the New Life Christian Fellowship Church in Matamoras, Pennsylvania.  John married Linda Clark who survives at home.  He is also survived by his six children, his sons; Alex Vance, Caleb, Jacob and Jason Hensz all at home, his two daughters; Rebekah and Isannah Hensz both at home, his sisters Mary Stevens of Port Jervis and Ann Miglionico of Thousand Oaks, California, his  mother-in-law, Elaine Clark of Port Jervis, his sisters-in-law, Susan Martin and her husband Tony of Port Jervis,  and Karen and Ed Predmore of Port Jervis, several nieces and nephews.  In addition to his parents, John was pre-deceased by his father-in-law Gene Clark. Due to COVID restrictions, services will be private at this time.  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.

Marilyn C. Rath age 83 of Barryville, New York passed away Sunday, January 10, 2021 at the Milford Health and Rehabilitation Center, Milford, Pennsylvania.  Marilyn was born in Auburn, New York on June 10, 1937, the daughter of  Loren C. and Margaret LaRoe Copley.  She held many clerical positions with various companies throughout her lifetime.  Marilyn married Robert E. Rath on June 8, 1957, celebrating sixty-three years.  She is survived by her husband at home, her three sons, Bob and wife Stephanie, Rick and wife Robin, Steve and wife Tammy, her daughter Lee Ann Leduc, her beloved nine grandchildren, seven great grandchildren, her two sisters, Phyllis Van Hooker, Ellen Casey and husband Edward, her brother, Richard Copley and wife MaryAnn and several nieces and nephews.  Services are private at this time.  Memorial services will be held at a later date.  Arrangements are by the Knight-Auchmoody Funeral Home, 154 East Main St., Port Jervis, NY.  For information, directions or to send a condolence note to the family, please visit knight-auchmoody.com

Greyson Parrilla  Kaegi infant son of Shawn Kaegi and Ashley Parrilla passed away December 31, 2020 at Garnet Heatlh, Middletown, NY.  He is survived by his parents  of Matamoras, Pennsylvania, his three brothers; Ashton Parrilla, Abel Parrilla, and Marley Kaegi of Rhode Island, his sister Autumn Parrilla, his maternal grandfather Scott Heckman of Matamoras, Pennsylvania, his paternal grandmother Rudy Kaegi of Portland, Pennsylvania, his aunt, Bryonna Parrilla of Matamoras, and two cousins.  Services will be private at the convenience of the family.  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.