Sullivan County Democrat
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  OBITUARY ARCHIVES Established 1891 Callicoon, New York  
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February 19, 2002

Austin Smith
Town Historian, 91

Austin Smith of Barryville, a retired machine operator for the Sullivan County Highway Department, a lifelong area resident, and the Town of Highland historian since 1945, died Friday, February 15, 2002, at the Virtua West Jersey Hospital in Marlton, N.J. He was 91 years of age.
The son of the late Edward and Mabel Austin Smith, he was born July 13, 1910, in Barryville. He was the widower of Dorothy Kuen Smith.
Mr. Smith is survived by a son and daughter-in-law, Dale and Patricia Smith of Medford, N.J.; and a grandson, Kevin.
Cremation and funeral services were private.
Memorial contributions may be made to the Sullivan County Historical Society, c/o The Museum at Hurleyville, P.O. Box 247, Hurleyville, N.Y. 12747.
Funeral arrangements were made by the Gray-Rasmussen Funeral Home in Barryville.

Emmett Van Aken Jr.
Auto Mechanic, 67

Emmet C. Van Aken Jr. of Livingston Manor, an automobile mechanic for Kirchner Chevrolet in Roscoe and a lifelong area resident, died Tuesday, February 12, 2002, at the Seelig Division of the Catskill Regional Medical Center in Harris. He was 67 years of age.
The son of the late Emmett C. and Lillian Wilson Van Aken, he was born November 7, 1934, in Livingston Manor.
A veteran of the U.S. Army, he was a member of the Roscoe NY O&W Railway Association in Roscoe.
He is survived by a stepdaughter, Lee Sedlack of Deposit; a friend, Melody Nodhturft and her family of Monroe; and three grandchildren.
Burial will be made in the East Branch Cemetery in the spring.
Memorial contributions may be made to the charity of one's choice.
Funeral arrangements were made by the Harris Funeral Home in Roscoe.

Louise M. Perkins
Homemaker, 81

Louise Marie Perkins of Roscoe, a homemaker and longtime area resident, died Thursday, February 14, 2002, at the Delaware County Countryside Care Center in Delhi. She was 81 years of age.
The daughter of the late Franklin G. and Elizabeth C. Ensminger De Hart, she was born August 17, 1920, in Staten Island.
Mrs. Perkins was a member of the Beacon Light Chapter, Order of the Eastern Star, and had been very active as a volunteer in the PTA in Staten Island. She was also a member of the Colchester Community Church and the Downsville Senior Citizens Group, both in Downsville.
She is survived by her husband, Frank Perkins Jr., at home; two sons and daughters-in-law, Roger and Pat Perkins of Staten Island and Frank and Christine Perkins of Kent; a brother and sister-in-law, Harold and Olga De Hart of Syracuse; six grandchildren, Brian, Christopher, Daniel, Frank, Paul and Emily Perkins; two great-grandsons and a great-granddaughter.
Memorial services will be held on Saturday, March 9, at 1 p.m. in the Colchester Community Church in Downsville with the Rev. Belle Renzi officiating.
Memorial contributions may be made to the Downsville Emergency Squad, Downsville, N.Y. 13755.
Funeral arrangements were made by the Harris Funeral Home in Roscoe.

Lawrence McAdams
Ret. Hvy. Equip. Oper., 80

Lawrence H. McAdams of Roscoe, a retired heavy equipment operator for the Downsville Stone Company in Shinhopple and a lifelong area resident, died Saturday, February 16, 2002, at the Roscoe Community Nursing Home in Roscoe. He was 80 years of age.
The son of the late Charles J. and Leila Marble McAdams, he was born September 12, 1921, in Acidalia. He was the widower of Genevieve "Jennie" McAdams who died May 20, 1994.
A World War II veteran of the U.S. Army, he was a charter member of the Methol Hunting Club and played baseball for the Acidalia Baseball Team.
He is survived by four sons, Larry McAdams of Jefferson, Tex., David McAdams of Roscoe, Peter McAdams and Scott McAdams, both of Livingston Manor; four daughters, Debbie Fiske of Livingston Manor, Sherrie Robinson of Yankeetown, Fla., Judy Frisbie of Roscoe, and Patricia Muller of Midland, Tex.; three brothers, Grant McAdams of Roscoe, Bernard McAdams of Roscoe and Luke McAdams of Fremont Center; a sister, Velma Strait of Texas; 17 grandchildren; and several great-grandchildren, nieces and nephews.
Friends may call at the Harris Funeral Home in Roscoe on Tuesday from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m.
Services will be held at 1 p.m. on Tuesday at the funeral home with the Rev. Gerald L. Wondra officiating.
Burial will be made in the Tennanah Lake Cemetery in Tennanah Lake.
Memorial contributions may be made to the Residents' Council Holiday Fund at the Roscoe Community Nursing Home, Rockland Road, Roscoe, N.Y. 12776 or to the R & R Volunteer Ambulance Corps, Old Route 17, Roscoe, N.Y. 12776.

E. Edward Au Clair
Correctional Officer, 48

E. Edward Au Clair of Livingston Manor, a correctional officer at the Woodbourne Correctional Facility in Woodbourne and a lifelong area resident, died Saturday, February 16, 2002, at the Northeast Center for Special Care in Kingston. He was 48 years of age.
The son of Celestine Houser Au Clair and the late Ernest E. Au Clair Jr., he was born April 24, 1953, in Liberty.
Mr. Au Clair was an avid outdoorsman and a hunter, who had a love for life.
He is survived by his wife, Barbara Budd Au Clair, at home; his mother of Liberty; two daughters, Jodi Au Clair and Kaitlyn Au Clair, both at home; a sister and brother-in-law, Kathleen and Lester Huebsch of Pine Bush; a granddaughter, Ariana Au Clair, at home; his father-in-law and mother-in-law, Robert and Cindy Budd of Parksville; a sister and brother-in-law, Linda and Gene De Carlo of Liberty; and several aunts, uncles, nieces and nephews.
A Mass of Christian Burial will be offered at 10 a.m. on Tuesday at St. Peter's Roman Catholic Church, 264 North Main St., Liberty with Monsignor Edward Straub officiating.
Burial will be made in the Laurel Hill Cemetery in White Sulphur Springs.
Memorial contributions may be made to the American Heart Association, 255 Greenwich Ave., Goshen, N.Y. 10924.
Funeral arrangements were made by the Harris Funeral Home in Liberty.

Jack W. Sheley Sr.
Truck Driver, 60

Jack W. Sheley Sr. of Napanoch, a truck driver for Aero Transport and a lifelong area resident, died Friday, February 15, 2002, at his home. He was 60 years of age.
The son of Helen Keator Sheley and the late Wilton Sheley, he was born April 5, 1941, in Kingston.
He served in the National Guard.
Mr. Sheley is survived by a son and daughter-in-law, Jack Jr. and Deirdre Sheley of Woodbourne; his mother of Napanoch; two brothers, Wilton Sheley of Napanoch and Paul Sheley of Florida; three sisters, Lois Tompkins of the state of Florida, Linda Gillis of Grahamsville and Donna Coombs of Napanoch; three grandchildren, Jason, Timothy and Jennifer; and several nieces and nephews.
Services were held at the Loucks Funeral home in Ellenville on Monday with the Rev. Wendell Hauber officiating.
Burial was made in the Grahamsville Rural Cemetery in Grahamsville.

John Christoff
Ret. Laborer, 73

John Christoff, an 8-year resident of Jeffersonville and a retired laborer for Laborers District Council of Western Pennsylvania, died Friday, February 15, 2002.
The son of the late John and Julia Radvononsky Christoff, he was born December 20, 1928, in Manhattan. He was the widower of Mildred George Christoff.
A U.S. Marine Corps veteran, Mr. Christoff was a member of Laborers District Council of Western Pennsylvania, St. George's R. C. Church in Jeffersonville.
He is survived by a sister, Pauline Orr of Youngsville; a brother, William Christoff of Youngsville; and several nieces and nephews. He was predeceased by two sisters, Georgette Christoff and Madeline Rhodes, and a brother, Robert Christoff.
There will be no visitation.
Cremation was made at the Twin Tiers Crematory in Endicott.
Services will be announced at a later date.
Memorial contributions may be made to the charity of one's choice.
Arrangements were made by the Stewart-Murphy Funeral Home in Jeffersonville.

Anton Zytynsky
Ret. Carpenter, 81

Anton Zytynsky of Parksville, a 50-year area resident and a retired union carpenter for Local 255 in Middletown, died Friday, February 15, 2002, at the Seelig Division of the Catskill Regional Medical Center in Harris. He was 81 years of age.
The son of the late Mark and Anna Shamro Zytynsky, he was born August 26, 1920, in Ukraine.
Mr. Zytynsky was a member of Holy Trinity Ukrainian Catholic Church in Kerhonkson.
He is survived by his wife of nearly 50 years, Anne Bratkowsky Zytynsky, at home; and a nephew, Vologjo Jarushevski. He was predeceased by a brother, Alex Zytynsky.
A Funeral Mass was offered Monday at Holy Trinity Ukrainian Catholic Church in Kerhonkson with the Rev. Iura Godenciuc officiating.
Burial was made in Holy Spirit Ukrainian Catholic Cemetery in Hamptonburgh.
Funeral arrangements were made by the Ramsay's Funeral Home in Liberty.

Harry Markarian
Carpenter, 71

Harry Markarian of Glen Wild, a self-employed carpenter specializing in homes and home improvements and a 35-year area resident, died Wednesday, February 13, 2002, at the Veterans Administration Medical Center in Albany. He was 71 years of age.
The son of the late Edward and Mary Boughossian Markarian, he was born October 9, 1930, in Cyprus, Greece.
Mr. Markarian was an Air Force veteran of the Korean War, was commander of the Ruddick-Trowbridge Post #73, American Legion, in Monticello and a member of AmVets Post #315 in Roscoe. An avid bowler, he had achieved a 300 game and a 700 series.
He is survived by his wife of 27 years, Virginia Konlian Markarian, at home; three sons, Gregory Markarian and Jeffrey Markarian, both of Glen Wild, and Kenneth Markarian of New York City; a daughter, Cathy Colt of Novato, Calif.; a brother, James Markarian of New York City; a sister, Mary Konlian of New City; and seven grandchildren. He was predeceased by a brother, Michael Markarian.
A Mass of Christian Burial was offered on Monday at St. Peter's Church in Liberty with Monsignor Edward Straub officiating.
Burial was made in the Sullivan County Veterans Cemetery in Liberty.
Funeral arrangements were made by the Ramsay's Funeral Home in Monticello.

Michaline Messner
Homemaker, 80

Michaline V. Messner, a 32-year resident of Bloomingburg, died Friday, February 15, 2002, at the Middletown Park Manor in Middletown. She was 80 years of age.
The daughter of the late Michael and Martha Wojcenowicz, she was born January 1, 1922, in Maspeth.
In a family statement, it was said "With her husband, she enjoyed traveling and looking for treasures at garage sales. She was a dedicated wife who was talented at wallpapering and sewing. She spent her spare time sewing dresses and other clothing and making homemade dolls. She was cherished by her husband and will be sorely missed."
She is survived by her husband of 58 years, Walter Messner, at home; and many nieces and nephews.
A prayer service was held at the Applebee-McPhillips Funeral Home in Middletown Sunday evening.
Cremation was private.

Howard E. Barner
Ret. Electrician, 74

Howard Earl Barner of Neversink, a retired electrician for The Port Authority of New York and New Jersey and a 30-year area resident, died Saturday, February 16, 2002, at his home. He was 74 years of age.
The son of the late George and Lottie May Parker Barner, he was born February 17, 1927, in Ohio.
A veteran of the United States Coast Guard, he was a member of the Senior Citizens of the Town of Neversink and the Grahamsville United Methodist Church.
He is survived by a daughter, Eileen Kay Barner of Arizona; a son, Howard Barner of Grahamsville; two granddaughters, Stacy and Christine Barner, both of Grahamsville; three sisters, Wilma Baldwin, Marianne Fuleky and Alva Pribe, all of Ohio; a daughter-in-law, Janet Carey of Grahamsville; and a dear family friend, Donna Smith. He was predeceased by three brothers and a sister.
Funeral services will be held at 11 a.m. Tuesday at the Grahamsville United Methodist Church with the Rev. Lorraine Ackerman officiating.
Cremation will be made at the Cedar Hill Crematory in Middle Hope.
Memorial contributions may be made to the Grahamsville United Methodist Church Hall Fund, Grahamsville, N.Y. 12740.
Funeral arrangements were made by the Colonial Memorial Funeral Home in Woodbourne.

Elwood Seeley
Ret. Carpenter, 89

Elwood Seeley of Grooville, a retired carpenter and a lifelong area resident, died Thursday, February 14, 2002, at the Millenium Health and Rehabilitation Center in Glen Burnie, Md. He was 89 years of age.
The son of the late Alfred and Roshel Davenport Seeley, he was born December 6, 1912 in Parkston on the Seeley homestead.
Mr. Seeley was a member of the Grooville Free Methodist Church.
He is survvied by his wife, Charlotte Rodney Seeley, at home; a son and daughter-in-law, Richard and Ruth Seeley of Glen Burnie, Md.; two granddaughters and their husbands, Christine and Andrew Rasch of York, Pa., and Pamela and Jeff White of Jefferson, Md.; a grandson, Richard G. Seeley of Glen Burnie, Md.; five great-grandchildren; and a niece, Regina Beaudrot and her husband, John, of Grooville.
A memorial service is planned to be held at the Grooville Free Methodist Church at a later date, with the Rev. Craig Saunders officiating.
Burial was made in the Lew Beach Cemetery in Lew Beach.
Memorial contributions may be made to the Grooville Free Methodist Church, DeBruce Rd., Livingston Manor, N.Y. 12758.
Funeral arrangements were made by the Herbert C. Bryant Funeral Home in Livingston Manor.

Richard Kole, 77
Hairdresser/Teacher

Richard Kole of Hyde Park, the owner of Richard Kole Coiffure in Poughkeepsie and a former resident of Monticello and Queens, died Sunday, February 17, 2002 at Vassar Brothers Hospital in Poughkeepsie. He was 77 years of age.
The son of the late Edward and Dorothy Metz Kole, he was born August 15, 1925, in Brooklyn.
Mr. Kohl was also a trip planner for Automobile Association of America in Garden City and a teacher of English as a Second Language at the International School in Manhattan.
He was a member of the Free and Accepted Masons and was a founding member of Temple Sholom in Monticello. Mr. Kole was a World War II and Korean War veteran of the U.S. Navy.
He is survived by his wife, Clair Constance Lyons Kole, at home; a son, Andrew Kole of Ft. Myers, Fla.; a daughter, Jocelynn M. Banfield of Poughkeepsie; two brothers, Shephard Kole of the state of Florida and James Kole of New York City; three sisters, Joyce Gorfine of Danbury, Conn., Susan Johnson of Bradford, Mass., and Ellen Kole of New York City; five grandchildren, Ross and Courtney Banfield, Silky Devon and Summer and Tyler Kole; and a great-grandson, Justin Kole.
Shiva will be observed from 3 to 9 p.m. on Wednesday at the home of Jocelynn and Bill Banfield in Poughkeepsie.
Memorial contributions may be made to the Carol Solov Abbani Foundation, c/o Ms. Rose Bendick, Treas., 68-63 108th St., Forest Hills, N.Y. 11375.
Burial will be private.

Gaetano Ragusa
Ret. Supervisor, 71

Gaetano "Tommy" Ragusa of Wurtsboro, a retired supervisor for Material Research Corp. in Orangeburg and a longtime area resident, died Monday, February 18, 2002, at his home.
He was born July 4, 1930, in the Bronx.
Mr. Ragusa was a member of St. Joseph's R.C. Church in Wurtsboro, and was active in the Holy Name Society. A veteran of the United States Marine Corps, he was a member of the Mamakating American Legion Post #1266 in Wurtsboro and a member of the Mamakating Senior Citizens
He is survived by his wife of 50 years, Geraldine Anderson Ragusa, at home; two sons, Anthony Ragusa of Pomona and Gaetano Ragusa Jr. and his wife, Vickie, of Congers; two daughters and sons-in-law, Anna and Eddie Natale of Pomona and Annette and Joe Ortiz of Wurtsboro; a sister, Rosalie Corvino of the Bronx; seven grandchildren, Jennifer, Eddie Jr., Tommy, Anna-Marie, Michelle, Michael and Amy; a great-grandson, A.J.; and several nieces and nephews. He was predeceased by a son, John Ragusa.
Friends may call at the VanInwegen-Kenny Funeral Home, 111 Sullivan St., Wurtsboro, on Tuesday from 7 to 9 p.m., and on Wednesday from 2-4 and 7-9 p.m.
The American Legion will hold services at the funeral home at 7:15 p.m. on Wednesday.
A Mass of Christian Burial will be offered at 11 a.m. on Thursday at St. Joseph's R.C. Church, Sullivan St., Wurtsboro, with Fr. Peter Madori officiating.
Burial will be made in the Bloomingburg Rural Cemetery in Bloomingburg.
Memorial contributions may be made to St. Joseph's Church, P.O. Box 277, Wurtsboro, N.Y. 12790 or to the American Legion Post #1266, P.O. Box 42, Wurtsboro, N.Y. 12790.

Charlotte V. Moore
Retired Clerk, 92

Charlotte V. Moore of Glens Falls, a former clerk at Howland's Department Store in Queensbury and the South End Market in South Glens Falls, died Monday, February 18, 2002, at the Eden Park Health Care Center in Glens Falls. She was 92 years of age.
The daughter of the late John and Sophie Bishoff Lowe, she was born June 20, 1909, in Hortonville. She was the widow of Sidney D. Moore.
Mrs. Moore loved reading and visiting with friends and family.
She is survived by a son and daughter-in-law, Glenn L. and Rosemary Moore of South Glens Falls; three grandchildren, Lisa Ireland of South Glens Falls, Julie Cook and her husband, Bryon, of Gansevoort, and Christopher Moore and his wife, Karlin, of Apex, N.C.; six great-grandchildren, Maria Ireland, Trevor Ireland, Heather Ireland, Logan Ireland, Shannon Bashant and Taylor Cook; a sister-in-law, Eleanor Dorrer of South Glens Falls; and a special niece, Joyce Salimeno and her husband, Pat, of Wurtsboro. She was predeceased by a brother, Kenneth W. Lowe.
A memorial service will be held at 11 a.m. Thursday at the M.B. Kilmer Funeral Home in South Glens Falls with the Rev. Father C. Michael Abraham, pastor of the Chapel of the Archangel Michael, officiating.
Burial will be made in the Southside Cemetery in the Town of Moreau in the spring.
Memorial contributions may be made to the Moreau Emergency Squad, Inc., Box 2439, Saratoga Rd., Fort Edward, N.Y. 12828.

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