Edward J. Furchak Jr.
Funeral Director, 61

Mr. Edward J. Furchak Jr. of Monticello, NY, a lifetime resident of the area, died Tuesday, December 29, 2009 at the Kaplan Family Hospice Residence in Newburgh, NY, with his family by his side. He was 61.
He was born September 19, 1948 in Monticello, the son of the late Edward Sr. and Pauline Solomon Furchak.
Ed married his childhood sweetheart, Carol P. Norris, on October 18, 1969. They recently celebrated their 40th wedding anniversary.
Ed proudly served his country in the U.S. Army during Vietnam where he worked in the morgue in Saigon.
He was a graduate of the Monticello Schools, Sullivan County Community College and the McAllister School of Mortuary Science in New York City. Ed was tops in his class in the McAllister School of Mortuary Science, graduating with honors and he was inducted into the Mortuary Science Honor Fraternity.
Following graduation he began his career at Gray-Parker Funeral Home where he worked side by side with his mentor and lifelong friend the late Don Parker. The remainder of his career Ed worked at Ramsay’s Funeral Homes in Sullivan County.
Ed was a member of the United Methodist Church of Monticello where he served on several committees. He was a member and Past President of the Monticello Lions Club and the Monticello Kiwanis Club. He currently served as the President of the Sullivan County School Boards and the Sullivan County BOCES Board of Education. He was a past board member of the Rural School Boards Association of NYS. As a young man, he was a devoted member of the Monticello Volunteer Fire Dept.
A family statement read: “Ed’s commitment was to the community he served as a funeral director. It has been said that God only makes a few special people to be funeral directors. Ed certainly was one of the special ones.’’
Surviving are: his wife, Carol P. Furchak; his mother, Pauline Solomon Furchak; his beloved daughter, Jennifer Shamah and her husband Al and their children Sarah and David of Rock Hill, NY; his beloved son, Jason and his wife January Furchak and their children Jorja and Jenna of Clinton, Maine; his sister, Sharon Thomas and her husband Don of Old Forge, PA; his brother-in-law, Robert Norris of Forestburgh; his cousin Franci “Frank” Solomon-Kirtack and her husband Paul; his uncle Murray Solomon and his wife Yaeko; two aunts, Helen Solomon Faro and her husband Dan and Theresa Furchak Krebs; Ed’s beloved Maine Coon cat Emma; and many cousins, friends and his church family.
Funeral services were held Thursday, December 31, 2009 at the United Methodist Church of Monticello with the Rev. John Thomason officiating.
Burial with military honors was made in Stewart Cemetery, Swan Lake, NY.
Memorial contributions may be made to Monticello UMC Steeple Fund, 445 Broadway, Monticello, NY 12701 or the Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, 1275 York Avenue, New York, NY 10065.
Arrangements by GRAY-PARKER FUNERAL HOME, 100 E. Main St., Port Jervis, NY 12771 845.856.5191 For additional information, directions or to send a condolence note to the family visit www.grayparkerfuneralhome.com

Dorothy L. Gerhardt
Ret. BCC Employee, 85

Dorothy L. Gerhardt of Binghamton passed away Friday, December 25, 2009 at Lourdes Hospital. She was 85.
The daughter of the late Amy and Preston Theiss, she was born June 15, 1924 in Fosterdale.
She was a retired employee of Broome Community College and an active volunteer in church and community activities. She was a member of the Nimmonsburg United Methodist Church and the Town of Chenango Senior Citizens.
She is survived by her husband of 64 years, Millard, at home; son and daughter-in-law, Paul and Karen Gerhardt of Boulder, Colo.; three grandchildren, Nicole Gerhardt Driskill of St. Louis, Mo., Megan Gerhardt of Leawood, Kan., and Jason Gerhardt of Nederland, Colo.; her sister, Eleanor Muller of Middletown; and her niece, Ann Muller of Middletown.
She was predeceased by her son, Douglas Gerhardt, and her brother-in-law, Walter Muller.
Funeral services were held Tuesday, December 29, 2009 at the Wm. R. Chase Funeral Home, 737 Chenango St., Port Dickinson, with the Rev. Robert J. Kazinski officiating.
Burial was made in the Chenango Valley Cemetery.
Memorial contributions may be made to the Nimmonsburg United Methodist Church, 918 Front St., Binghamton, NY 13905.

Ella Bartholomew
Oct. 3, 1913-Dec. 28, 2009

Ella Bartholomew, 96, of Youngsville, passed away peacefully at home on Monday, December 28, 2009.
Born October 3, 1913 in Youngsville, she was the daughter of the late Fritz and Caroline Sammann. She was predeceased by her husband Chester L. Bartholomew; her son, Frederick E. Bartholomew; and also be her brothers, Julius, William “Dick” and Edmund Sammann.
She is survived by her daughter, Helen Muzuruk of Youngsville; her grandchildren, Dwight Muzuruk and his wife Debbie of Callicoon Center, Douglas Muzuruk and his wife Kerri of Youngsville, Scott Bartholomew and his wife Terri of Greene, NY, Louise Hurlburt and her husband Guy of Greene, NY; her great-grandchildren, Devon and Daphne Muzuruk, Kara and Kurt Bartholomew, Morgan and Nathan Hurlburt; several nieces and nephews; and a very special great-nephew who called her grandma, Brent Sammon.
Friends may call from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. on Saturday, January 2, 2010 at the Stewart-Murphy Funeral Home, Jeffersonville.
Funeral services will be held at 1 p.m. Saturday at the funeral home.
Memorial contributions may be made to the Youngsville United Reformed Church, c/o Patricia Norris, P.O. Box 251, Youngsville, NY 12791.