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  OBITUARY ARCHIVES Established 1891 Callicoon, New York  
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August 22, 2006

Pearl Last Feldman
Homemaker, 94

Pearl Last Feldman of Hurleyville and Margate, Fla. died Friday, August 18, 2006. She was 94 years young.
The daughter of Isaac and Yetta Meyerhoff, and the youngest surviving member of a family of eight siblings, she was born August 11, 1912 in Hurleyville.
Pearl was the loving and devoted mother of Joan Last Pletter; grandmother of Timothy Pletter and his wife, Nili, Adam Pletter and his wife, Jennifer; and great-grandmother of Jack, Olivia and Dana Pletter. She was also a special aunt to many nieces and nephews. She was pre-deceased by Joseph Last and Abraham Feldman.
She will be greatly missed.
Pearl was the matriarch of a large family, who often looked to her for advice. She had great insight into the human condition, and was always ready with a helpful solution to just about any situation.
Pearl was also known for her quick wit and her great sense of humor. Her ability to tell a joke for any occasion was legendary. She always believed that laughter is the best medicine.
Pearl’s childhood summers were spent at the family’s hotel, The Woodside House in Hurleyville. In the winter, the Bronx was her home. Pearl spent her adult career caring for her daughter, Joan, while working full time for Roux Cosmetics and The American Automobile Association. She was the first woman salesperson hired by AAA, where she won many awards for her salesmanship. She was a true pioneer.
Graveside funeral services were held Sunday at Congregation Anschei cemetery, Hurleyville.
Funeral arrangements were made by Joseph N. Garlick Funeral Home, Monticello.

Ida Mae Finn
Homemaker, 85

Ida Mae Finn, of Monticello, a retired cook and longtime area resident, died Thursday, August 17, 2006 at the Catskill Regional Medical Center in Harris. She was 85.
The daughter of the late Richard Davis and Allie Warren Davis, she was born April 4, 1921 in Franklinton, La. She was the widow of Solomon Buster Finn.
She was a member of the Bethlehem Temple Church in Monticello and the Sullivan County Branch of the NAACP.
She is survived by her two daughters, Gladys Walker and her husband James Madison Walker, and the Hon. Josephine V. Finn, all of Monticello; two grandchildren, Todd Jay Walker and Nicole Jamie Walker, both of Los Angeles, Calif.; and a host of nieces, nephews, cousins and friends.
In addition to her husband, she was predeceased by a son, Solomon Finn Jr; and her siblings, Luther Davis, Oscar Davis, Mattie Hart, Hattie Magee, Artis Davis, BJ Davis, William Davis, Clara Mae Taylor, Maurice Davis, Curley Davis, Olevia Davis, Willie J. Davis and Alton Davis.
Visitation will be from 10 to 11 a.m. Tuesday, August 22 at the Bethlehem Temple Church, Fairground Road in Monticello.
A funeral service will follow at 11 a.m. at the church. The Rev. Mervin Armstead will officiate.
Interment will be made in Rock Ridge Cemetery in Monticello.
Memorial contributions may be made to the Bethlehem Temple Church Missionary Dept, P.O. Box 178, Monticello, NY 12701.
Arrangements are under the direction of the VanInwegen-Kenny, Inc. Funeral Home of Monticello.


John J. Langan
Ret. Ins. Co. Owner, 81

John J. “Jack” Langan of Suffern, a retired owner of John J. Langan & Co. Insurance of Ft. Lee, NJ, died Thursday, August 17, 2006 at Nyack Hospital in Nyack. He was 81.
The son of the late Joseph G. and Katherine Smith Langan, he was born July 8, 1925 in Brooklyn. He was the widower of Joyce Meadows Langan.
Jack was a Communicant of St. Mary’s Church, Obernburg, and a graduate of St. Cecelia’s High School in Englewood, NJ and Fordham University.
Survivors include one son, John J. Langan, Jr. and his wife Susan of Greenwood Lake; three daughters, Virginia Kenny and her husband Robert C. of Suffern, Patricia DeVantier and her husband Peter of Roscoe, and Elizabeth Gordon and her husband Mark of Armonk; two sisters, Alice Brady and her husband Richard of Wyckoff, NJ and Katherine Quick and her husband, John of Rocky Mount, NC; 15 grandchildren; a great-granddaughter; and several nieces and nephews. He was predeceased by two sons, Philip C. and Michael M. Langan.
A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated Tuesday, August 22 at 11 a.m. in St. Mary’s Church in Obernburg. The Rev. Gus Richardson will officiate.
Burial will be made in St. Mary’s Cemetery, Obernburg.
Memorial contributions may be made to Roscoe-Rockland Vol. Amb. Corps, Box 321, Roscoe, NY 12776.
Funeral arrangements have been entrusted to the Harris Funeral Home, Roscoe.

Alma Senor
Homemaker, 91

Alma Senor, formerly of Grove St., died Tuesday, August 15, 2006 at Kingston Hospital. She was 91.
Born in Kingston on July 18, 1915, she was the daughter of the late Louis and Francis Tierney Kolts. She was the widow of Jacob Senor.
Mrs. Senor was former president of the St. Joseph’s Senior Citizens; a 45-year member and past president of the VFW Ladies Auxiliary; president of Rapid Hose Ladies Auxiliary; and vice-president of the Golden Age Club.
Surviving are her four daughters, Alma Cross of Hurley, Margaret “Peggy” Healy of Maumelle, Ark., Dorothy “Sugar” Rogaski of Albany, and Diane Boyd of Kingston; four sons, Louis of Hurleyville, George of Kingston, Michael of Enfield, Conn., and Robert of Kingston; 29 grandchildren; 17 great-grandchildren; and nieces and nephews. She was predeceased by four sons, Jacob, Charles, Joseph and Thomas Christopher; and one sister, Dorothy Bolukas.
A Mass of Christian Burial was celebrated at St. Mary’s Church. Burial will be in St. Mary’s Cemetery.
Arrangements are under the direction of the Joseph V. Leahy Funeral Home, Inc. in Kingston.

Crystal Rose Nipitella
Walmart Dist. Center, 23

Crystal Rose Nipitella, a longtime area resident, died as a result of an automobile accident on Sunday, August 13, 2006 in Dade City, Fla. She was 23.
The daughter of Nicholas and Lynda Ditto Nipitella, she was born March 16, 1983 in Brooklyn.
Crystal was employed at the Wal-Mart Distribution Center in Springhill, Fla.
Survivors include her parents, Lynda Nipitella of Loch Sheldrake and Nicholas Nipitella of Edwardsville, Pa.; her paternal grandmother, Katherine Nipitella of Brooklyn; her maternal grandparents, Vincent and Rosemarie Ditto of Kiamesha Lake; two brothers, Nicholas Nipitella and his wife, Lindsey, who are stationed in Germany while serving in the Army in Iraq, and Jonathan Nipitella at home; a nephew, Nicholas Matthew Nipitella; and several aunts, uncles, cousins and many friends.
A Mass of Christian Burial was held Monday at St. Peter’s Church, Liberty. Monsignor Edward Straub officiated. Burial was made in St. Peter’s Cemetery, Liberty.
Arrangements are by Ramsay’s Funeral Homes, Inc. in Liberty.

Pamela J. Mootz
Teacher’s Aide, 55

Pamela J. Mootz of Jeffersonville, a teacher’s aide for the Sullivan County BOCES and a lifelong area resident, died Saturday, August 19, 2006 at her home. She was 55 years of age.
The daughter of Melvina E. Belmont Kelly and the late Edward “Mike” Kelly, she was born January 16, 1951 in Liberty.
She is survived by her husband, David A. Mootz, at home; a son, Chad Mootz of Jeffersonville; a daughter, Stacey Lyon and her husband Chris of Germany; her mother, of Jeffersonville; two sisters, Peggy Osterhout and her husband Duke of Calif. and Pat Willliams and her husband Eric of Jeffersonville; a brother, Joseph Kelly of Ariz.; a granddaughter, Jessica Lyon; and several cousins, nieces and nephews. She was predeceased by her father in 2006, and a brother, Kevin Kelly, in 2002.
Friends may call from 2-4 and 7-9 p.m. Wednesday, August 23 at the Harris Funeral Home, West St. at Buckley, Liberty.
Funeral services will be held Wednesday evening at 8 p.m. at the funeral home. Monsignor William Collins will officiate.
Burial will be private in the family cemetery.
Memorial contributions may be made to the American Cancer Society, 95 Schwenk Drive, Kingston, NY 12401.

Charles E. Prussia
Ret’d. Carpenter, 64

Charles E. Prussia Sr., a lifelong area resident, died Thursday, August 17, 2006 at Bon Secours Community Hospital in Port Jervis. He was 64.
Son of the late Charles and Elizabeth Jones Prussia, he was born June 27, 1942 in Port Jervis.
Charles was a retired carpenter for John Inella Building Co. in Sparrowbush, a veteran of the U.S. Army serving during the Vietnam War, and a member of the Roosa-Fleming VFW Post #161 in Port Jervis.
Survivors include his wife, Betty L. Rupp Prussia, at home; two sons, Charles Prussia Jr. of Clarksville, Tenn. and David Raymond Prussia of Colbert, Ga.; four daughters, Tina Kerr of Glen Spey, Karen Reome of Port Jervis, Margaret Reeves of Port Jervis and Cassandra Prussia of Colbert, Ga.; three sisters, Donna Hahn of Golden, Colo., Paula Mercer of Port Jervis and Ruth Mercer of the state of Florida; ten grandchildren; his aunt, Joan Roach of Port Jervis; a great-granddaughter; and several nieces and nephews. He was predeceased by an infant son; a brother, David Raymond Prussia; and a sister, Janet Abbadessa.
Funeral services were held Sunday, August 20 at the Knight-Auchmoody Funeral Home in Port Jervis.
Burial was made in Mill Rift Cemetery, Mill Rift, Pa.
Memorial contributions may be made to Roosa-Fleming VFW Post #161 Scholarship Fund, 47-51 Owen St., Port Jervis, NY 12771.

Mabel I. Wagner
Ret. Office Mgr., 96

Mabel I. Seaman Wagner, a lifelong resident of Middletown, died Thursday, August 17, 2006 at Orange Regional Medical Center in Middletown. She was 96.
The daughter of Henry Benjamin and Sophie Martin Seaman, she was born May 5, 1910 in Goshen. She was the widow of Henry Wagner.
She retired as an Office Manager at LeRoy Horton Insurance Agency and she was also an office manager for Rosen Glass, Middletown. She was a charter member of New Hampton Fire Company Ladies Auxiliary and a member of the Denton Presbyterian Church having served as the church's treasurer for many years.
She is survived by her daughter, Katherina Wagner and her companion, Chick Barcoe of Middletown; her son, George H. Wagner and his wife, Laura of Paso Robles, Calif.; four grandchildren, Scott Potter and his wife, Pam of Livingston Manor, Sandra Potter and her partner, Jen Franz of Connecticut, Shaun Potter and his wife, Wendy of Wilmington, N.C., Laurinda Wagner of Paso Robles, Calif.; and four great-grandchildren, Brett Potter, Margaux Potter, Kymberlee Potter and Andre Potter.
She was predeceased by her brothers, James, Oscar, Frank and Clifford Seaman; a sister, Amy Huser; and her nephew, Little Henry Seaman.
Cremation will be made at Oxford Hills Crematory, Chester.
Funeral services will be private.
In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to the Walter DuVal Scholarship Fund, PO Box 72, New Hampton, NY 10958.
Arrangements are under the guidance of Morse Funeral Home Inc., Middletown.

Dennis S. DeGroat
Business Owner, 45

Dennis S. DeGroat of Matamoras, Pa., a lifelong area resident, died Friday, August 18, 2006 in Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center in Manhattan. He had been a patient there for several weeks before finally losing his battle with cancer. He was 45 years of age.
The son of Dennis and the late Marion Conklin DeGroat, he was born July 22, 1961 in Port Jervis.
He was a 25-year veteran of the New York State Dept. of Corrections at Otisville, and operated his own business of DeGroat’s Plumbing and Heating in Matamoras, Pa.
A family statement read, “Dennis was a devoted husband and loving father and grandfather. He was an avid outdoorsman, who enjoyed hunting with his father; he will be loved and cherished forever, and sadly missed by all.”
He is survived by his wife, Jody Bennan DeGroat, at home; two daughters, Ashley and Carissa DeGroat, both at home; his father, of Port Jervis; two brothers, Harry DeGroat of Watertown and Fred DeGroat of Port Jervis; five sisters, Harriet VanTuyl of Glen Spey, Susan DeMarco, Pat Shaw, and Connie Mandakis, all of Port Jervis, and Marion Konikowski of Glen Spey; a grandson, Jace Steven DeGroat; as well as several nieces and nephews.
Friends may call from 2-4 and 7-9 p.m. Tuesday, August 22, 2006 at the Knight-Auchmoody Funeral Home, 154 E. Main St., Port Jervis.
Funeral services will be at 10:30 a.m. Wednesday at the funeral home.
Burial will be made in Pine Hill Cemetery, Sparrowbush.

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