Sullivan County Democrat
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  OBITUARY ARCHIVES Established 1891 Callicoon, New York  
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July 27, 2004

Leanord Cavallerno
Sportsman, 55

Leanord "Lenny" Cavallerno of Yulan, an avid horseback rider and fisherman, died Thursday, July 22, 2004, at the Morristown Memorial Hospital. He was 55 years of age.
The son of Mary Landsfield Cavallerno and the late Rinaldo L. Cavallerno, he was born March 27, 1949, in Port Chester.
In a family statement, it was said, "Lenny was loved by everyone who met him. He enjoyed the hobbies of horseback riding and fishing with his friends."
He is survived by his mother of the Bronx; a sister, Carol Cavallerno Evangelist of the state of Florida; a close friend, Elizabeth; and his extended family for many years at Crystal Run Village.
Services were held Monday at the Colonial Memorial Funeral Home in Woodbourne with Pastor Nancy Vonderhorst officiating.

John G. Zembriski
Ret. ConRail Wkr., 74

John G. Zembriski of Glen Spey, a retired conductor and brakeman for ConRail, died Saturday, July 24, 2004. He was 74 years of age.
He was a World War II veteran of the U.S. Army.
Mr. Zembriski is survived by his wife, Alice Hemion Zembriski, at home; a step-daughter, Joyce Margillo of Glen Spey; two step-sons, David Cronk of Hillburn and Roger Cronk and his wife, Judith of Tuxedo; three brothers, Walter Zembriski of Orlando, Fla., and Stanley Zembriski and Edward Zembriski, both of Mahwah, N.J.; and three sisters, Pauline Selemo of Mahwah, N.J., Rose Arone of Sloatsburg and Theresa Miholk of Port St. Lucie, Fla.
Friends may call at the Van Emburgh-Sneider Funeral Home, 109 Darlington Ave., Ramsey, N.J., on Wednesday from 10 a.m. to noon.
Services will be held at noon on Wednesday at the funeral home.
Burial will be made in the Maryrest Cemetery in Mahwah.
Memorial contributions may be made to Hospice of Orange and Sullivan Counties, 800 Stony Brook Court, Newburgh, N.Y. 12550.

Richard Romolo
Ret. Tile Setter, 65

Richard "Chico" Romolo, a lifelong resident of Livingston Manor and a retired self-employed tile setter, died Thursday, July 22, 2004, at the Seelig Division of the Catskill Regional Medical Center in Harris. He was 65 years of age.
The son of Ruby M. Seeley Romolo and the late Joseph Romolo, he was born April 6, 1939, in Livingston Manor.
Mr. Romolo was a life member of the Livingston Manor Fire Department, a member and an elder of the Livingston Manor Presbyterian Church and a member of the Hunter Road Hunting Club.
He is survived by his wife of 43 years, Joanne McKenzie Romolo, at home; a son and daughter-in-law, Patrick and Kristi Romolo, two daughters and sons-in-law, Tammy and Victor Diescher and Sheri and Robert Tuttle, his mother, and three grandchildren, Tara Diescher, Paul Tuttle and Melissa Diescher, all of Livingston Manor; and three sisters, Diane Kowalewski of Omaha, Angela Romolo-Iorio of Millwood, and Lori Romolo of Blufton, S.C. He was predeceased by a grandson, Ryan Patrick Romolo.
Services were held Saturday evening at the Herbert C. Bryant Funeral Home in Livingston Manor with the Rev. Robert Hoag officiating.
Cremation was private.
Memorial contributions may be made to the Family Council at the Sullivan County Adult Care Center, P.O. Box 671, Liberty, N.Y. 12754 or to the Town of Liberty Volunteer Ambulance Corps, 180 Mill Street, Liberty, N.Y. 12754.

Lillie M. Drayton
Ret. Housekeeper, 72

Lillie Mae Drayton of Monticello, a retired housekeeper for The Center for Discovery (SDTC) and Community General Hospital in Harris, died Saturday, July 24 2004, at the Achieve Rehabilitation and Nursing Facility in Liberty. She was 72 years of age.
The daughter of the late James and Hattie Flowers McNealy, she was born July 21, 1932, in Philadelphia, Pa. She was the widow of the Rev. Benjamin M. Drayton Sr. who died May 12, 1988.
Mrs. Drayton was a member of the Bethlehem Temple Church in Monticello.
She is survived by three sons and daughters-in-law, Benjamin Jr. and Marcelle Drayton of Montgomery, James and Doris Drayton of Monticello and Frank and Erica Drayton of Utica; three daughters, H. Virginia McDowell of Las Vegas, Nev., and Rebecca Mitchell and Ledora Drayton, both of Monticello; 26 grandchildren; 16 great-grandchildren; and many nieces, nephews and friends. She was predeceased by a son, Robert McNealy a daughter, Mary Drayton , and a sister, Mildred Newsuan.
Funeral services will be held at noon on Tuesday at the Bethlehem Temple Church, Fairground Rd., Monticello with the Rev. Mervin Armstead officiating.
Burial will be made in the Rock Ridge Cemetery in Monticello.
Memorial contributions may be made to the Bethlehem Temple Church Building Fund, Fairground Rd., Monticello, N.Y. 12701.
Funeral arrangements were made by the VanInwegen-Kenny Funeral Home in Monticello.

Paul Bennett Sr.
Maintenance Super, 64

Paul Maurice Bennett Sr. of Lake Como, Pa., a maintenance supervisor at Tone Mountain Ski Area in Lake Como, Pa., died Friday, July 23, 2004, at his home. He was 64 years of age.
The son of the late William A. and Mary Esther Bennett, he was born July 26, 1939, in Cochecton.
He served in the United States Marine Corps for over 20 years and retired with the rank of Master Sergeant. He was a member of the Damascus Ambulance Corps, the Northern Wayne Fire and Ambulance Corps, The Wayne County Young Marines and the Equinunk Fire Department, where he was awarded the Mark M. Hausslear Memorial Award.
He is survived by his wife, Donna Rutledge Bennett of Damascus, Pa.; a son and daughter-in-law, Paul Jr. and Tina Bennett of Honesdale, Pa.; a daughter, Tammy Geer of New Hampton; a brother, William V. Bennett of Springfield, Mass.; two sisters, Carol Shampine of Long Eddy and Rosa Mary Ballard of Bushnell, Neb.; three grandchildren, Jonathan Shannon and Alyssa and Bradley Bennett; and several nieces and nephews. He was predeceased by a brother, Robert Bennett.
Funeral services will be held at 11 a.m. on Tuesday at the Stewart-Murphy Funeral Home in Callicoon with the Rev. James O'Rourke officiating.
Memorial contributions may be made to the Northern Wayne Fire and Ambulance, P.O. Box 253, Lakewood, Pa. 18439; the Equinunk Fire Dept., P.O. Box 67, Equinunk, Pa. 18417 or the Damascus Ambulance Corps, P.O. Box 63, Damascus, Pa. 18415.

George M. Knox Jr.
Plumber, 43

George M. Knox Jr. of Neversink, a plumber for the Eastern Correctional Facility in Napanoch and a lifelong area resident, died Saturday, July 24, 2004, at the Westchester Medical Center in Valhalla. He was 43 years of age.
The son of George Sr. and Rose Ann Bowers Knox, he was born January 16, 1961, in Liberty.
Mr. Knox was a member of the Grahamsville Reform Church and the Neversink Fire Department. He was president of the Cherry Ridge Hunting Club, coached the Tri-Valley Little League for many years and was also a member of the Sullivan County Sportsmen's Federation.
In a family statement, it was said, "He was a loving and devoted husband, father, son and brother."
He is survived by his wife, Mary, and three children, George III, Jill Marie and Daniel Patrick Knox, all a home; his parents of Neversink; two brothers and sisters-in-law, Greg and LaurieAnn Knox of Neversink and Andrew and Sabra Knox of Abilene, Tex.; a sister and brother-in-law, Christine and Thomas Huebar of Plattsburgh; and several aunts, uncles, nieces and nephews.
Friends may call at the Colonial Memorial Funeral Home, 396 Main St., Woodbourne, on Tuesday from 2-4 and 7-9 p.m.
Services will be held at 11 a.m. on Wednesday at the Grahamsville Reform Church with the Rev. Paul Ruter officiating.
Interment will be made in the Grahamsville Rural Cemetery.
Memorial contributions may be made to The Leukemia, Lymphoma Society, 1311 Mamaroneck Ave., 3rd Floor, White Plains, N.Y. 10605.

Leroy Stucker, 72
Ret. Div. of Youth Offc.

Leroy M. Stucker of Port Jervis, a retired officer for the Division of Youth, State of New York, at GoshenSecured and a lifelong area resident, died Friday, July 23, 2004, at St. Joseph's Place in Port Jervis. He was 72 years of age,
The son of the late Florence Stucker, he was born February 3, 1932, in Manhattan.
A U.S. Army veteran of the Korean War, Mr. Stucker was a member and past commander of Roosa-Fleming Post #161, Veterans of Foreign wars, in Port Jervis. He was also a former chaplain and past county commander of the Orange County Veterans Association. Mr. Stucker was also a member of the National Rifle Association, a member of American Legion Post 0486 in Matamoras, Pa., and a member of the Tri-State Rod and Gun Club.
He is survived by two daughters and sons-in-law, Linda and Donald Cook of Yulan and Alice and John Berth of Canoga Park, Calif.; his former wife, Elaine Lambert Race of Ft. Lauderdale, Fla . ; a grandson, Dustin Cook; three cousins, Sally Von Sauers and Karen Hinkley, both of Port Jervis, and Jane Stucker of New Jersey; and an aunt, Helen Stucker of Port Jervis.
Friends may call at the Knight-Auchmoody Funeral Home, 154 E. Main St., Port Jervis on Tuesday from 2-4 and 7-9 p.m.
VFW services will be held at the funeral home on Tuesday at 7 p.m.
Funeral services will be held at 11 a.m. on Wednesday at the funeral home with the Rev. Richard Carton officiating.
Burial will be made with military honors in the Pine Hill Cemetery in Sparrowbush.
Memorial contributions may be made to the American Cancer Society, 95 Schwenk Ave., Kingston, N.Y. 12401 or to Roosa-Fleming VFW Post No. 161, Port Jervis, N.Y. 12771.

Ruth E. Keesler
Ret. Seamstress, 74

Ruth E. Keesler of Damascus, Pa., a retired seamstress, died Saturday, July 24, 2004, at the Moses Taylor Hospice in Scranton, Pa., after an illness. She was 74 years of age.
The daughter of the late Ainsley and Muriel Wood Keesler, she was born in Conklin Hill, Pa.
A graduate of Damascus High School, she was of the Methodist faith.
Ms. Keesler is survived by a daughter, JoAnne Ristics of Conklin Hill, Pa.; two grandchildren, Heather Ristics Taylor of Conklin Hill and Jason Ristics of Damascus, Pa.; two sisters, Helen Geer of Starlight, Pa., and Kathleen Keesler of Waymart, Pa.; two brothers, Philip Keesler of Damascus, Pa., and Guy Keesler of Honesdale, Pa.; two great-grandchildren, Haley and Dustin Taylor, both of Conklin Hill, Pa.; and several nieces and nephews. She was predeceased by two sisters, Betty Miller and Barbara Keesler, and two brothers, Ward Keesler and Johnnie Keesler.
A memorial service will be held at 11 a.m. on Thursday at the Conklin Hill Church.
Burial of the cremains will be made in the Hillcrest Cemetery in Galilee.
Memorial contributions may be made to the Conklin Hill Church, c/o Lillian Lahm, Route 371, Damascus, Pa. 18415 or to the Damascus Volunteer Ambulance Corps, Tyler Hill, Pa. 18469.

Anna Dirie, 87
Ret. Dairy Farmer

Anna Dirie of Youngsville, a dairy farmer and a lifelong area resident, died Monday, July 26, 2004, at the Seelig Division of the Catskill Regional Medical Center in Harris. She was 87 years of age.
The daughter of the late Anthony and Josephine Kille Schick, she was born June 24, 1917, in Obernburg. She was the widow of George Dirie who died April 26, 1991.
Mrs. Dirie was a member of the Dairymen's League Co-op.
She is survived by two sons and daughters-in-law, James and Joan Dirie and Richard and Mary Ann Dirie, all of Youngsville; a sister, Margaret Peake of Obernburg; two brothers and sisters-in-law, Albert and Evelyn Schick of Obernburg and Lawrence and Margaret Schick of Bethel; three grandchildren, Janice Diehl, Michael Dirie and Douglas Dirie; two great-grandchildren; and several nieces and nephews. She was predeceased by a son, Glenn Dirie, and two brothers, Francis "Frank" Schick and Anthony "Chess" Schick.
Friends may call at the Stewart-Murphy Funeral Home in Jeffersonville on Tuesday from 2-4 and 7-9 .
A Mass of Christian Burial will be offered at St. Mary's Church in Obernburg at 11:30 a.m. on Wednesday with Father John Richardson, O.F.M., officiating.
Burial will be made in Green Hill Cemetery in Youngsville.
Memorial contributions may be made to the Jeffersonville Volunteer First Aide Corps, Jeffersonville, N.Y. 12748 or to St. Mary's Church, Obernburg, N.Y. 12767.

Lisa Ann Horton, 41
Teacher/Social Worker

Lisa Ann "Sunny" Horton of Mitchell, N.D., an elementary teacher and a social worker, died Saturday, July 24, 2004, at Avera Queen of Peace Hospital in Mitchell. She was 41 years of age.
The daughter of Frederick and Myrna Goldman Hutt, she was born February 21, 1963, in Liberty.
Mrs. Horton attended elementary school in Liberty and moved to Las Vegas, Nev., in 1975 with her family. She graduated from El Dorado High School in Las Vegas in 1981 and from the University of Nevada in Las Vegas in 1985, earning a degree in social work. She received a teaching certificate in elementary education in 1987 and taught for two years in the Las Vegas school system. Mrs. Horton moved to Mitchell in 1996 and was involved as a volunteer at Longfellow School, coached soccer, swimming, football and track. She was a member of the Church of Christ in Mitchell.
She is survived by a son, Cody Horton Mitchell; her parents of Las Vegas, Nev.; a brother, Eric Hutt of Carson City, Nev.; and many cousins, uants, uncles, nieces and nephews.
A Celebration of Life Service will be held at 11 a.m. on Wednesday at the Bittner Funeral Chapel in Mitchell, N.D.

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