Sullivan County Democrat
O n l i n e  E d i t i o n
www.sc-democrat.com National Award-winning, Family-run Newspaper info@sc-democrat.com
  OBITUARY ARCHIVES Established 1891 Callicoon, New York  
home  |  archives
August 6, 2002

Carl E. Watters Jr.
Oper. Engineer, 50

Carl E. Watters Jr. of Bloomingburg, an operating engineer with Dutchess Quarry in Goshen, and a lifelong area resident, died Thursday, August 1, 2002, at the Horton Medical Center in Middletown. He was 50 years of age.
The son of the late Carl E. Sr. and Elsie Ballard Watters, he was born August 17, 1951, in Middletown.
Mr. Watters was a member of Local 825 in Springfield, N.J.
He is survived by his wife, Josephine Jenks Watters, at home; a son, Carl E. Watters III of Whitehall; two daughters, Dawn Watters of Bloomingburg, and Tammy Watters, at home; a brother, Milford Watters of Pennsylvania; three sisters, Pearl Ward of Pennsylvania, Joan Watters of St. Louis, Mo., and Ruth De Roberts of Warwick; several nieces and nephews; and a good friend, Sam Wixon. He was predeceased by a brother, Walt Watters.
Graveside services and burial were held Monday at the Bloomingburg Cemetery in Bloomingburg.

Reginald C. Walter
Founded Maplecrest, 91

Reginald C. Walter of Yulan, a previous owner and the founder of the Maplecrest on Washington Lake and a longtime area resident, died Thursday, August 1, 2002, at the Belle Reve Senior Living Center in Milford, Pa. He was 91 years of age.
The son of the late Cyrus and Ella Cooper Walter, he was born June 6, 1911, in Osterhout, Pa. He was the widower of Joyce Greening Walter who died in 1989 after 52 years of marriage.
Mr. Walter was a charter member and a former president of the Yulan Fire Department; a charter member and former president of the Town of Highland Lions Club; a life member of the Elks Lodge #645 in Port Jervis; a member of Masonic Lodge #328, F.&A.M., in Port Jervis; and a former member of the Eldred Central School Board.
He is survived by three sons, Edward Walter and Raymond Walter of Yulan and Glenn Walter of Las Vegas; his companion, Louise Greening of Glen Spey; seven grandchildren; two great-grandchildren; and several nieces and nephews.
A memorial service will be held at 11 a.m. on Thursday at the Gray-Rasmussen Funeral Home in Barryville with the Rev. Nancy Vonderhorst officiating.
Cremation was made at the HG Smith Crematory in East Stroudsburg.
Burial of the cremains will be private at the Montoza Cemetery in Barryville.
Memorial contributions may be made to the Yulan Fire Department, Yulan, N.Y. 12792 or to the Eldred American Legion Ambulance Service, P.O. Box 63, Eldred, N.Y. 12732.

Clarence Decker Sr.
Ret. Bus Dispatcher, 82

Clarence V. Decker Sr. of Liberty, a retired bus driver and dispatcher for Mary's Bus Service and other various companies in Sullivan County, died Friday, August 2, 2002, at the Seelig Division of the Catskill Regional Medical Center in Harris. He was 82 years of age.
The son of the late Charles B. and Mary Mae Frey Decker, he was born March 9, 1920, in Bradley.
A World War II veteran of the U.S. Army, he was a life member of both the Bailey-Richman Post No. 9588, Veterans of Foreign Wars, and the Ruddick Trowbridge Post No. 73 of the American Legion, both in Monticello, and had held many offices in both organizations. He was a founder of the Birch Hunting Club and the E-Z Hunting Club. Mr. Decker was also an instructor for the mandatory bus driver safety training course.
In a family statement, it was said, "Clarence was an avid fisherman, hunter and musician. He would often play his sousaphone at home. He was the drum major for the Liberty Municipal Band as well as an exceptional roller skater and dancer. Clarence was very proud of the fact that, under the Federal Operation Recognition Bill for WWII Veterans, he was able to receive his high school diploma from Liberty High School in June of 2001. This program was to allow veterans who left school to protect our country to be able to complete their high school education."
He is survived by his wife of 56 years, Violet Coney Decker, at home; a son, Clarence V. Decker Jr. of Eldred; a sister, Bernice Masten of Wurtsboro; two granddaughters, Wendy Bullaro of Liberty and Tricia Decker of White Sulphur Springs; and six great-grandchildren, Darian, Jasmine and Audrey Bullaro and Tristan, Richard and Sarah Klein. He was predeceased by a son, Charles Frederick Decker, and a sister, Bertha "Billy" Menninger.
Services were held Monday at the Ramsay's Funeral Home in Liberty with the Rev. Donna Lepsky officiating.
Burial was made with military honors at the Claryville Cemetery in Claryville.
Memorial contributions may be made to the Alzheimer's Association Mid-Hudson Chapter, 2 Jefferson Plaza, Suite 102, Poughkeepsie, N.Y. 12601-4027.

Mabel A.M. Brock
Ret. Housekeeper, 84

Mabel A. Meckle Brock of Narrowsburg, a retired housekeeper for the Catskill Regional Medical Center - Grover Hermann Division in Callicoon and a lifelong area resident, died Friday, August 2, 2002, at the Mercy-Fitzgerald Hospital in Darby, Pa. She was 84 years of age.
The daughter of the late Edward and Loretta Whitbeck Drake, she was born August 31, 1917, in the Town of Cochecton. She was the widow of Herbert Meckle who died in 1981 and Robert Brock who died in 1984.
She is survived by a son, William Meckle of Dover, Vt.; a daughter, Eleanor Nober of Narrowsburg; a brother, Emmet Drake of St. Petersburg, Fla.; 14 grandchildren; 22 great-grandchildren; and several nieces and nephews. She was predeceased by a daughter, Florence; a son, Herbert; two brothers, Leonard Herb and Joseph Drake; and a sister, Florence Haggerty.
Services will be held at 10 a.m. Tuesday at the Rasmussen Sons Funeral Home in Narrowsburg.
Burial will be made in the Lava Cemetery in Narrowsburg.
Memorial contributions may be made to the Tusten Volunteer Ambulance Corps, Narrowsburg, N.Y. 12764.

Joanne M. Exley
Amscan Packer, 45

Joanne Marie Exley of Middletown, a packer for Amscan in Chester and a lifelong area resident, died Saturday, August 3, 2002, at the Horton Medical Center in Middletown. She was 45 years of age.
The daughter of Lillian Shorton and the late James Shorten, she was born October 17, 1956, in Suffern.
She is survived by her husband, Bruce Exley, at home; a daughter, Ria Gutowski of Middletown; her mother of Bloomingburg; and several brothers, sisters, nieces and nephews.
Friends may call at the Donovan Funeral Home, 82 South Church St., Goshen, on Wednesday from 1 to 2 p.m.
Services will be held Wednesday at 2 p.m. at the funeral home.
Interment will be made in St. John's Cemetery in Goshen.
Memorial contributions may be made to the American Cancer Society, 6725 Lyons St., P.O. Box 7E, East Syracuse, N.Y. 13057.

Michael Perna, 84
Ret. Occup. Therapist

Michael Perna of Middletown, a retired occupational therapist for the Middletown Psychiatric Center, died Friday, August 2, 2002, at the Horton Medical Center in Middletown. He was 84 years of age.
The son of the late Michael and Laura Buff Perna, he was born January 21, 1918, in Middletown.
Mr. Perna was a member of the Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks Lodge #1097; the Musicians Union, the Stardust Orchestra, all of Middletown, and was a past member of the Circleville Drum Corps and Circleville Presbyterian Church.
He is survived by his wife of 62 years, Katherine Keegan Perna, at home; two sons, Thomas Perna and his wife, Sharon, of Middletown, and Michael L. Perna of Wurtsboro; three grandchildren, Michael of Chicago, Julie of Washingtonville and Kate of Middletown; a brother, Frank Perna of Port Lucy, Fla.; and several nieces, nephews and cousins. He was predeceased by a brother, Carmen Perna.
Services will be held at 11 a.m. on Tuesday at the Circleville Presbyterian Evangelical Church.
Burial will be made in the Hillside Cemetery in Middletown.

Nick Domingo
Ret. Exec. Chef, 77

Nick Domingo of Bethel, a retired executive chef for the Concord Resort Hotel in Kiamesha Lake and a lifelong area resident, died Friday, August 2, 2002, at the Seelig Division of the Catskill Regional Medical Center in Harris. He was 77 years of age.
The son of the late Charles and Anne Mihalechko Domingo, he was born December 10, 1924, in Smokeless, Pa.
A United States Navy veteran of World War II, Mr. Domingo was an owner and breeder of Standard Bred Horses at the Monticello Raceway.
He is survived by his wife of 53 years, Jean Domingo, at home; two sons and daughters-in-law, Steven J. and Christina Domingo of Spotsylvania, Va., and Nicholas J. and Gale Domingo of Massapequa, L.I.; two brothers, Anthony and Metro Domingo, both of Fallsburg; three sisters, Helen Keiser of Kiamesha Lake, Ann Tunis of Deerpark, L.I., and Irene Lotozoa of Philadelphia, Pa.; five grandchildren, Jason, Ashley, Joseph, Anastasia and William; and several nieces and nephews. He was predeceased by two brothers, Michael and John Domingo; and four sisters, Eva Weinheim, Mary Domingo, Pauline Celedonia and Kathryn Yerkov.
Services will be held at 11 a.m. Tuesday at the VanInwegen-Kenny Funeral Home, 195 Broadway, Monticello.
Burial will be made in Luna Cemetery in Rock Hill.
Memorial contributions may be made to the American Cancer Society, 159 Green St., Kingston, N.Y. 12401 or to EISEP Office of the Aging, 100 North St., Monticello, N.Y. 12701.

Ralph Meyer, 88
Former Town Supervisor

Ralph Meyer of Tamarac, Fla., a former longtime resident of Monticello and former Town of Thompson Supervisor with 18 years of service, died Sunday, August 4, 2002, in Florida. He was 88 years of age.
The widower of Janice Cohen Meyer, he was born May 30, 1914, on the Lower East Side of New York City, the son of the late Sam and Anna Schorr Meyer. The family moved to Divine Corners when he was about two years of age.
Mr. Meyer was also a longtime owner/operator of the Yellow Cab and Bus Co. in Monticello. He was a member and past chief of the Monticello Fire Department and a member and past master of the Monticello Lodge of Free and Accepted Masons, both in Monticello, member of the Monticello Elks and a member of the Knights of Pythians. When he visited in the summer, he stayed at a bungalow colony in his beloved Sullivan County.
He is survived by two sons, Irwin Meyer and his companion, Frances, of Suffern and Dr. Norman and his wife, Joyce Meyer, of Vero Beach, Fla.; his companion, Sophie Herman of Tamarac, Fla.; a sister and brother-in-law, Pauline and Sam Silver of Tamarac, Fla.,; two brothers and sisters-in-law, Walter and Shirley Meyer, and Irving Meyer and his companion Marie, all of the state of Florida; two sisters-in-law, Florence Cohen of Aventura, Fla., and Corinne Meyer of Tamarac, Fla.; three grandchildren, Kimberly, Joshua and Gregory; many nieces and nephews, including Ira Cohen of Monticello, Herb Cohen of Hollywood, Fla., Robert Cohen of Aventura, Fla., Mark Silver of California, Gary Silver of Liberty, Ann Silver of New York City, Andrea Miller, Tracy Meyer and Seth Meyer of the state of Florida, Stuart Meyer of New Jersey, Nancy Meyer of Massachusetts, Casey Sirkin, Danny Winkler, his wife, Renee, and their daughter, Karli, and Richard Meyer. He was predeceased by two brothers, Abe Meyer and Sol Meyer.
Funeral services will be held at 11 a.m. on Thursday at the Garlick Funeral Home, 186 Broadway, Monticello.
Burial will be made in the Landfield Avenue Synagogue Cemetery on Thompsonville Road, Monticello.

Richard Traverse
Ret. Truck Dr., 78

Richard L. Traverse of Barryville, a retired truck driver with Teamsters Local No. 445 in Newburgh and a 15-year Barryville resident, died Saturday, August 3, 2002, at Bon Secours Community Hospital in Port Jervis. He was 78 years of age.
The son of the late Andrew and Willeta Cherry Traverse, he was born May 15, 1924, in New Hampton.
Mr. Traverse was a charter member of the Beaver Brook Rod & Gun Club in Yulan.
He is survived by his wife, Vivian Martin Traverse, at home; three sons, Mark Traverse of upstate New York, Wayne Traverse of Bloomingburg and Blace Traverse and his wife, Laurie, of Barryville; a daughter and son-in-law, Richa and Paul Markoff of Newburgh; two brothers and sisters-in-law, Paul and Nancy Traverse of Denver, Pa., and Jack and Marion Traverse of New Hampton; eight grandchildren, Joshua, David, Stacey, Danielle, Jason, Nicholas, Andrea and Erich; two great-grandchildren; and several nieces and nephews. He was predeceased by a brother, Robert Traverse, and a sister, Molly Cosgrove.
Services were private followed by burial in the Montoza Cemetery in Barryville.
Memorial contributions may be made to the Yulan Fire Department, Yulan, N.Y. 12792.
Funeral arrangements were made by the Gray-Rasmussen Funeral Home in Barryville.

Ruth E. Oelkers
Owned/Oper. Store, 81

Ruth Emily Oelkers of Barryville, the owner/operator of Oelkers' General Store in Barryville and a lifelong area resident, died Saturday, August 3, 2002, at her home. She was 81 years of age.
The daughter of the late Thomas and Matilda Thorkelsen Olsen, she was born February 25, 1921, in North Branch.
Mrs. Oelkers was a member of the United Methodist Church in Eldred and a member of Sons of Norway.
She is survived by her husband of 60 years, Gustave H. Oelkers, at home; three daughters, Norma Notzold and her husband, Richard, of Westchester, Pa., Emily Oelkers of Barryville and Verna Jones of Hawley, Pa.; a brother and sister-in-law, Norman and Bette Olsen of Odessa, Fla.; five grandchildren, Kirsten Hamrahi, Paul Notzold, Britte Notzold, Thomas Jones and Brian Jones; a great granddaughter, Sofia Hamrahi; and 10 nieces and nephews. She was predeceased by a brother, Thomas Olsen, and a sister, Helen Bohs.
Services will be held at 1 p.m. on Tuesday at the Gray-Rasmussen Funeral Home, Route 97, Barryville, with Pastor Linda Bohs of the Eldred United Methodist Church officiating.
Burial will be made in the Lutheran Cemetery in North Branch.
Memorial contributions may be made to Hospice of Orange and Sullivan Counties, 800 Stony Brook Court, Newburgh, N.Y. 12550.

Morris Zimmerman
Ret. Businessman, 85

Morris Zimmerman, a short time resident of Alexandria, Va., formerly of Wyoming, Pa., and the retired owner/operator of Community Bottled Gas Corp. in Yatesville, Pa., died Saturday, July 27, 2002, at his home. He was 85 years of age.
A Captain in the Army Air Corps during World War II, he was the widower of the late Mary Birnbaum Zimmerman who came from Kauneonga Lake.
He is survived by three sons and daughters-in-law, Jerry and Rhona Zimmerman, Steven and Nancy Zimmerman and Corey and Margaret Zimmerman; two sisters, Helen Hefty and Ruth Kurnitz; eight grandchildren, Kay, Douglas and Noah Zimmerman and Jordan Weisman, Evan and Jay Zimmerman and Jason and Scott Ramsey; and a sister-in-law and brother-in-law, Jean (Birnbaum) and Seymour Rosenheck of Glen Wild.
Graveside services and burial were held on July 28 at the Temple Beth-El Cemetery in Bethel.
Memorial contributions may be made to the Special Olympics International, Inc., 1325 G Street N.W., Washington, D.C. 20005.
Local arrangements were made by the Joseph N. Garlick Funeral Home in Monticello.

top of page  |  home  |  archives