Our Obituaries

Donald J. Blumenberg, age 64 of Port Jervis, NY passed away, Sunday, May 23, 2021 at his home.  He was born on August 13, 1956 in Teaneck, New Jersey, the son of Robert C. Blumenberg and the late Virginia Schwacke Blumenberg.  Donald worked as a welder for Wilder Mfg, in Port Jervis.  He  married Liz Blumenberg, who pre-deceased him. He is survived by his  father, Robert C. Blumenberg of Horse Cave, Kentucky, his daughter, Tara Marchese and her husband CJ of Washingtonville, NY, his sons; Eric Blumenberg and his wife Stephanie of the Town of Greenville, DJ Blumenberg and his wife Amy of Middletown, NY, his daughter, Tanya Quijano and her husband Hector of Fort Myers, Florida, his son Dennis Parent and his wife Tara, of El Paso, Texas, his beloved grandchildren; Shane, Drew, Brianna, Landon, Erik, Amelia, Lyla, Evelyn, Brooklyn, and Hector, Jr., his three sisters; Kathy Stringer and her husband Ron of Washingtonville, NY, Jan Travella and her husband Bob of Highland Falls, NY, Lillian Blumenberg and her fiance Ron Shaw of Horse Cave, Kentucky, his brother Thomas Blumenberg and his wife Lori of Horse Cave, Kentucky.  Donald was pre-deceased by his brother, Skip and his sister Suzie.  Donny will always be remembered by his family and friends for his free spirit and loving heart. Private memorial services will be at the convenience of the family. Arrangements are by the Knight-Auchmoody Funeral Home, 154 E. Main St., Port Jervis, NY. For information, or to send condolence note to the family, visit knight-auchmoody.com.

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William S. Decker age 68, of Shohola, PA, passed away May 23, 2021 at Park Manor, Middletown, NY. Services: Private.  Arrangements are by the Knight-Auchmoody Funeral Home 154 E. Main St., Port Jervis, NY.  knight-auchmoody.com

Mabel Lauer Trotta was born on November 15, 1925. She was the daughter of Henry Lauer, Josephine Stanton Travis and the step daughter of Floyd Travis. Mabel was the loving and devoted wife of Michael Trotta for more than 67 wonderful years until his passing in 2012. Mabel graduated from Milford High School in 1943 and went on to work at Rome Army Airfield which was the setting of the Kardex Installation. She then transferred to the Newark Army Base. After the war, Mabel was the office manager for Kaplan Lipman until its closing. She opened and operated the Colonial Dress shop from 1962-1973. After closing her shop, she worked at First Federal Savings and Loan until her retirement in 2002.

Mabel was fiercely patriotic and dedicated much of her life to community service. She was extremely proud of both her Milford roots and the life she built with her husband Mike in Port Jervis.  She was a founding member of the Port Jervis Business and Professional Women’s Club and was twice named “The Woman of the Year”. She was a lover of all animals, and a loyal and dedicated friend. She was an amazing Aunt who never missed a family function or forgot a special occasion. She will be missed by her many friends and relatives near and far.

Mabel is survived by her loving sister Virginia Lauer Ridgely and her husband Louis of Bath, ME, her nieces Susan Ridgely Gray and her husband Randy of Richmond, ME, and Virginia Ridgely Burgus and her husband William of Great Falls, MT. She is also survived by her Trotta nieces and nephews: Pat and Nell Trotta, Sis Leeper, Anne Sacco, Gerry and Mary Sacco, Joseph and Barbara Trotta, James and Linda Trotta, Jan Stevenson and Patrick O’Malley, Claudia and Jack Barry, and Chip and Maura Wilson. Mabel leaves behind several more great nieces and nephews and great-great nieces and nephews. She is further survived by her cousins Melanie Stitik, Matthew Gatzke and Steven Gatzke. Mabel had the privilege of having many close and adoring friends throughout her life including Fred and Sandy Hammond. In addition to her parents and husband Mabel, was pre-deceased by her sisters and brothers-in-law; Patsy and Velma Trotta, Dominick and Carmella Trotta, Kay and Red Sacco, Antoinette and Cy Wilson, her nieces Merrie Ridgely Chaisson and Tisha Petito.

Visitation will be held 10 Am-12 Noon,Friday, May 28, at the Knight-Auchmoody Funeral Home, 154 E. Main St., Port Jervis, NY.  Funeral services will follow at 12 noon at the funeral home with Rev. Nancy Vonderhorst officiating.  Interment will follow at Milford Cemetery,Milford, Pennsylvania.  

In lieu of flowers if you wish to honor Mabel’s memory, we ask that you consider making a donation to the Port Jervis Business and Professional Women’s Club “Stars of Tomorrow Scholarship Fund” as that was something Mabel was extremely passionate about and worked on for many years of her life. Please send donations to Port Jervis BPW P.O. Box 720 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 knight-auchmoody.com.

Edwin Muhlbeck, age 86 of Montague, New Jersey, passed away peacefully at home on May 22, 2021 with his family by his side.

Ed was born on July 3, 1934 in Paterson, N.J., the son of Ernest and Minnie Daniel Muhlback.

After graduating from Pompton Lakes High School with the class of 1953 Ed joined the U.S. Marine Corps, and proudly served our country from 1954 until 1957. Following discharge, he entered the New Jersey State Police Academy and graduated with the 53rd class in 1958. After 19 years of dedicated service, Ed became Chief of Detectives for the Sussex County Prosecutor’s Office, serving from 1977 until his retirement in 1991.

After retirement, Ed, along with his wife Joanna, built a retirement community in Montague known as the Old Mine Road Commons. He also was very proud of the 53 homes he designed, built by Future Home Technology in Port Jervis, N.Y.

Ed was an active and dedicated community member. He was a founding member of the Hampton Township Rotary Club and a Paul Harris Fellow. He was also instrumental in the building of the Sussex County YMCA and was a member of the Board of Managers. Ed was a member and trustee of M.A.R.C.H. (Montague Assoc. for Restoration of Community History), and a 58-year member of the Port Jervis Elks Lodge #645.

Ed is survived by his loving wife, Joanna, who he married on October 7, 1961, and their “Swedish daughter” Pernilla Larsson and her husband Niclas and their children, Johanna and Isabelle of Sweden. Ed is also survived by his brother Albert Muhlbeck of Georgia, his brother-in-law and sister-in-law Richard and Betsy Reinhardt of Montague, his nephews Richard Reinhardt and wife Holly of Port Jervis, and Michael Reinhardt and wife Jennifer of Sparrowbush, his cousins Charles Bierlein, Jaime Hizynski and husband Chris, Jeff Bierlein and wife Carrie, his nieces Linda, Alice, Sandra, and Doreen, his nephew Ernest, and his beloved pet Sheltie “Freya.” Ed was predeceased by his brother Ernest Muhlbeck.

Ed enjoyed the “Montague Dinner Club” and his many dear friends.

At Ed’s request, services will be private.

Memorial contributions may be made in Ed’s memory to The Sussex County YMCA, 15 Wits End Road, Hardyston, NJ 07419, M.A.R.C.H., PO Box 1101., Montague, N.J. 07827 or to Karen Ann Quinlan Hospice, 99 Sparta Road, Newton, N.J. 07860.

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

Sherry Alane Cramer age 69 of Port Jervis, NY passed away on Tuesday May 18, 2021 at Garnett Health Medical Center in Middletown, NY. She was born on June 26, 1951 in Port Jervis and is the daughter of the late Ernest W. Cramer and Marie A. Casterlin. Sherry worked as a nurses aide for Garnett Health Medical Center.  She enjoyed working her garden and was dedicated and compassionate with her patients at the Mother Baby unit at Garnett Medical Center. She is survived by her sister Darlene Amarilla of Port Jervis; three brothers Allan Cramer and wife Judith of Town of Greenville, NY, Lee Cramer and wife Mary of Port Jervis, Brian Cramer and wife Denise of Town of Greenville, NY; several nieces and nephews, and her companion Layshawn Mitchell.  Graveside services will be held 11 AM, Friday, May 21, 2021 at Manning Cemetery, Town of Greenville, NY.  Rev. Diane Sommers  will officiate.  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

Thomas F. Hines, age 86, of Milford, Pennsylvania passed away Monday, May 17, 2021 at the Delaware Valley Skilled Nursing Facility in Matamoras, Pennsylvania.  He was born on August 15, 1934 in Manhattan, NY the son of  Thomas F. Hines, Sr. and Rose Lioi Hines.  Thomas proudly served our country during the Korean War with the US Army.  He retired as a meeting planner for IBM in White Plains, NY, after many years of dedicated service.  Thomas was a member of St. Mary’s R.C. Church in Port Jervis.  He married Constance  Bologna, who survives at home.  He is also survived by his son, Scott Hines, MD and his wife Mary, his daughter Tiffany Bullard and her husband Michael, his brother James Hines and his wife Trudy, his sons Thomas and Alan Hines and his daughters; Elise Daley, Chris Ann Kroner and her husband Arthur, his beloved grandchildren; Andrew, Lucy and James Hines, Rory and Kylie Bullard.  Visitation will be held from 4-6 PM, Wednesday, May 19, at the Knight-Auchmoody Funeral Home, 154 E. Main St., Port Jervis, NY.  A Mass of Resurrection will be held 10 AM, Thursday, May 20 at St. Mary’s R.C. Church, Port Jervis, NY.  Rev. Matthew Newcomb will be the celebrant. Interment will take place in St. Mary’s Cemetery. In lieu of flowers memorial contributions may be made to St. Jude’s Children’s Tribute Program, PO Box 1000, Dept.142, Memphis, TN. 38101-9908.  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

Stephen M. Bryk, age 69 of Johnson, NY passed away May 13, 2021 at home with his family by his side.  He was born on August 16, 1951 in Somerville, New Jersey, the son of the late Joe Bryk and Doris V. Gulick Bryk.  Stephen owned and operated Stephen M. Bryk Professional Land Surveyor in Johnson, New York. He was a graduate of Minisink Valley High School, OCCC, and Texas A & M University.  He was a long time member and Past Chief of the Rutgers Fire Dept. in Johnson and a past member of the Kiwanis. He is survived by his sister, Debra Hutt and her husband George of Hyde Park, NY, his two nieces; Kim Hutt Mayhew and her husband Jesse, and Katie Hutt, his great nephew, Levin Mayhew, his great niece, Elin Mayhew,  several cousins and an aunt. Steve also will be missed by his two dogs, Belle and Oliver. Visitation will be held 1-2 PM, Friday, June 4, 2021 at the Knight-Auchmoody Funeral Home, 154 E. Main St., Port Jervis, NY.  Memorial services will follow at 2 PM, Friday, at the funeral home.  Rev. Nancy Vonderhorst  will officiate.  Interment will be private.  Memorial contributions may be made in Stephen’s name to the charity of your 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 knight-auchmoody.com.

Elaine E. Clark, age 84, of Port Jervis, NY passed away peacefully Friday, May 14, 2021 at her home. She was the loving wife of 58 years of Gene H. Clark, who pre-deceased her, and the most wonderful loving mother to daughters Susan, Linda and Karen. 

Born on March 17, 1937, she was the daughter of the late Frank and Sadie Barbarino Winters. She was born and raised in Port Jervis, NY where she raised her family and worked side by side with her husband Gene in their business, Clark Motor Sales, Inc. since 1957.  She was a member of St. Mary’s R.C. Church, Port Jervis.

  

Elaine/mom was the most loving, compassionate, selfless person, always putting others before her. Her yard was filled with songbirds as she always extended her hand and her heart even to the smallest of creatures. She truly had a heart of gold. Mom, we were so lucky to have you as our Mother. You taught us everything we needed to know in this life, except how to live without you. We will miss and love you forever. 

She is survived by her three daughters; Susan Martin and her husband Tony of Port Jervis, Linda Hensz of Narrowsburg, NY,  Karen Predmore of Port Jervis, son-in-law Ed Predmore of Port Jervis, her beloved grandchildren; Lauren, Ryan, Devin, Zach, Alex, Caleb, Jacob, Jason, Rebekah and Chris, her great grandchildren; Kayla and David.  She is also survived by her sister, Mary Jane Simpson and her husband Bud,  Uncle John Barbarino and wife Irene, niece Doreen Semerano all of Port Jervis, NY, several nephews, and her very special little dog, “Pooh”.  Elaine was pre-deceased by her brother, Frank Winters, Jr. and his wife Julene, her sons-in-law  David Culver and John Hensz.  Visitation will be held 4-7PM, Thursday, May 20, at the Knight-Auchmoody Funeral Home, 154 E. Main St., Port Jervis, NY.  Prayers will be offered at 6:30 PM, Thursday, at the funeral home. Rev. Matthew Newcomb will officiate.  Private interment will take place at Pine Hill Cemetery, Sparrowbush, NY.  Memorial contributions may be made to the ASPCA., 520 8th Ave., 7th Floor, NY, NY 10018.  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.

John E. Haas age 87 of the Town of Greenville, NY passed away May 12, 2021 in Suffern, NY. He was born on October 8, 1933in the Town of Wawayanda, NY, the son of George and Florence Ball Haas. He proudly served our country during the Koren War, with the US Navy. John retired from General Telephone Company in Port Jervis, after many years of dedicated service. He was a life member of the North American Hunting Club and a life member of the National Rifle Association. He was an avid big game hunter, having hunted in many states and Canada, he was especially fond of Wyoming. John enjoyed restoring antique Ford tractors and participated in Antique Tractor Pulls for 25 years. John married the love of his life, Patricia A. Kurtz on February 12, 1955. She pre-deceased him on December 17, 2006. He is survived by his two sons, John H. Haas of Yankee Lake, NY, and George A. Haas of Huguenot, NY his beloved grandchildren; George and his wife Leann, Shawn and his wife Rebecca and Sarah Haas, his five great grandchildren; Anthony, Myah, Carter, Gabriel and Grace, three nephews Leo Green Jr., Kenneth Ackerly and Robert Ackerly, one niece Georgianna Potter, and close family friend, Edward VanBuren Jr. He was pre-deceased by his brother William Haas and sisters Helen Green, Betty Bridge and Bessie Potter. Visitation will be held 11 am -12 noon, Monday, May 17, at Knight-Auchmoody Funeral Home, 154 E. Main St. Port Jervis, NY. Funeral services will follow at 12 noon, Monday at the funeral home with Rev. Nancy Vonderhorst officiating. Interment will follow at Worzel Cemetery, Shohola PA, with military honors. 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.

Eleanor B. Morgiewicz Roll age 94, of Sparrowbush, NY passed away May 10, 2021 in Matamoras, Pennsylvania.  She was born on December 27, 1926 in Middletown, NY, the daughter of  Frank and  Bertha Kiliman Brozdowski. Eleanor was a faithful member of St. Joseph’s R.C. Church in Matamoras, a member of the Catholic Daughters of the America, Court Madonna #114, Port Jervis, and a former member of the Ladies Auxiliary of the Sparrowbush Fire Dept. For many years, along with her parents,  Eleanor helped to manage the Alexander Hotel and Restaurant in Sparrowbush. In her later years she owned and operated the E&M Deli in Sparrowbush. Eleanor was an excellent baker and loved to cook.  She traveled extensively throughout the world with her husband John and later with her two daughters, Ann and Carol. They traveled to  Europe, the Mediterrean, the British Isles, Bermuda and the Caribbean. Eleanor married John  W. Morgiewicz, who pre-deceased her.  She is survived by her two daughters, Ann Dilger and her husband Richard of Sparrowbush, and Carol Burns of Jacksonville, Florida, her son,  John Morgiewicz and his wife Debra of Latham, NY, her daughter-in-law Laurie Morgiewicz of Moon Township, PA, her beloved grandchildren; Tammy, Katy, Michael, Riele, Carrie Ann and Rebecca, her great grandchildren; John, Natalia, and Aidan.  Eleanor was pre-decesed by her son, Frank Morgiewicz, her sister Lillian Mink and her beloved grandson Jerry Dilger.  Visitation will be held 2-6 PM, Thursday, May 13, at the Knight-Auchmoody Funeral Home, 154 E. Main St., Port Jervis, NY.  Prayers will be offered 10:15 AM, Friday, May 14 at the funeral home followed by a Mass of Resurrection at 11AM at St. Joseph’s R.C. Church, Matamoras, PA.  Rev. Joseph Manarchuck will be the celebrant.  Interment will follow at Pine Hill Cemetery, Sparrowbush, NY.  Memorial contributions may be made to Boys Town, 14100 Crawford St., Boys Town, NE 68010.  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.

William E. Tinsman Sr., 93, a lifelong resident of Matamoras, PA died on May 9. 2021 at home. The son of the late Charles R. Tinsman and Bertha Brown Tinsman he was born on November 21, 1927 at the home of his parents in Matamoras. Bill attended and graduated along with 17 other individuals from Matamoras High School in 1945. Shortly after his graduation he was called to service for his country and served in the US Army at the General Headquarters of General Douglas McArthur during the initial occupation of Japan following the end of World War II. While a teenager still attending high school, he became employed as a part time clerk for the Grand Union Company in Port Jervis at the corner of Sussex and Ball Street (Present day M&T Bank). Upon his discharge from the Army, he returned home and resumed his employment as a full-time clerk with the Grand Union. Bill worked his way up the ladder becoming Assistant Manager and then General Manager in 1957. In 1959 he opened the new Grand Union store on Jersey Avenue in Port Jervis (Present Day Dollar General). He worked at that location as the General Manager until his retirement in 1989 when he had accrued 46 years of service. Upon his retirement Bill was employed at the Pro Shop at Eddy Farm Golf Course for the next 8 years. As most young people did in the Tri State area after World War II, he enjoyed roller skating at Joyland Beach in Port Jervis where he met the love of his life, the late June P. McCreery. They were married on March 14, 1954 and celebrated 58 years of marriage prior to her death on June 26, 2012. He missed her dearly and has now joined her in eternal rest. Bill was a lifelong Democrat and served on the Matamoras Borough Council from 1958 to 1974. He was instrumental for bringing up the borough to the modern standards at that time. He also served on Board for the Matamoras Municipal Authority. He was a member of the Matamoras and Westfall Fire Departments and was active in both departments in his earlier days. He is also a member of the Hope Evangelical Free Church. He enjoyed hunting, fishing, and traveling. His wife and he traveled throughout the USA, Canada, and the Caribbean. As a lifelong citizen whose ancestry goes back to the early days of Pike County, he was well known throughout the Tri State area. He was among the last survivors of the Greatest Generation from Matamoras. He always had fond memories and good stories to the tell of the old days of Matamoras, Milford, Westfall and Port Jervis. Bill is survived by his two children, William Tinsman Jr. and Susan Briggs both of Matamoras. He is further survived by his cousin, Marjorie Bloom of Warwick, NY, nieces and nephews. Bill was predeceased by his older brother Charles H. Tinsman, his older sister Catherine M. Johnson and his younger sister Frances B. Williams. He was also predeceased by his son-in-law Lance Briggs. Due to current Covid conditions a memorial service will be announced by the Knight-Auchmoody Funeral Home, 154 E. Main St., Port Jervis, NY.. and conducted later in the year.  In memory of Bill, donations may be made to the Matamoras or Westfall Fire Departments. Interment will take place at the Pine Grove Cemetery in Matamoras.   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 knight-auchmoody.com.

Cheryl A. Smith age 66, of Port Jervis, NY passed Monday, May 3, 2021 at Bon Secours Community Hospital, Port Jervis, NY.  She was born on March 17, 1955 in Morristown, New Jersey, the daughter of  Frederick and Donna May Leavitt Applegate.  Chery retired  and assembler from Kolmar Labs, Inc in Port Jervis.  She  married Samuel Smith, who pre-deceased her.  Cheryl is survived by her long time companion, Gregory Hust at home, her son Robert and her daughter Dorothy Applegate.  She is also survived by her nieces; Maryann DeGroat and her husband Thomas Hull of Dingmans Ferry, Pennsylvania, and Jennifer  Snyder and her husband Aaron of Milford, Pennsylvania, her nephew, Timothy Applegate and his wife Mary of Port Jervis, her two step-daughters; Sue Vogt and her husband Richard of the Town of Greenville, Brenda  Mizerek and her husband David, Sr. of Woodbourne, New York, her beloved three granddaughters, three grandsons, eight great grandchildren and several great nieces and nephews. Cheryl was pre-deceased by her sister, Linda A. DeGroat. Memorial services will be held 4 PM, Sunday, May 8, 2021 at the Salvation Army  Port Jervis Corp. Community Center, 99 Ball St., Ball St., Port Jervis, NY.  Captains Jonathon and Kelly Ross will officiate.  Interment will be private.  Arrangements are by the Knight-Auchmoody Funeral Home, 154 E. Main St., Port Jervis, NY.  For information, directions or to send ac condolence note to the family visit knight-auchmoody.com.