U.S., Obituary Collection, 1930-CurrentDeacon John J. Shepard
Ret. Principal, 72
Deacon John J. Shepard of Orange County, a 35-year resident of the area, died on Friday, October 12, 2007 while vacationing in California with his wife, Helene, and close friend, Jane Fobert and family. He was 72. He died as he lived, in the house of the Lord. He was attending Mass at Holy Angels Church in San Francisco.
He was born in his beloved Brooklyn, the son of John Shepard and Helen Cramer Shepard on December 5, 1934.
He attended Notre Dame University, Villanova University, Fordham University, and St. Joseph’s Seminary for Religious studies, and received Master’s degrees in both Educational Administration and Theology. He started his career in education as a Holy Cross Brother, teaching in the Bronx, Brooklyn, Hillsdale, N.J. and Washington, D.C. At a young age he was appointed Superior and Principal of the Holy Cross Brothers in Mt. Carmel Parish in the Bronx, where he reorganized and updated the school system. It was here that he began his lifelong friendship with the Pallottine Sisters.
After leaving the Holy Cross Brothers, he continued his love for children and education and served the Cornwall Central School District as middle school Principal for 25 years, retiring in 1995. While principal, he once more introduced and oversaw many new and innovative educational programs.
He became deeply involved by St. Mary’s Parish in Washingtonville, and served as a Lector, Eucharistic Minister, and teacher in the Confirmation Program. He was the first president of the Parish Council and served on the Building Committee for the Parish Center. In addition, the children of the parish eagerly awaited his arrival in a helicopter as Santa Claus each year.
In 1997, he was ordained a Deacon of the Archdiocese at St. Patrick’s Cathedral in New York City, to continue for the next ten years faithfully and lovingly serving at St. Mary’s Church in Washingtonville.
He is survived by his wife of 35 years, Helene Marilyn Shepard and son, Allen Shepard of Liberty; his brother, Arthur Shepard and wife of Long Island; sister, Cathy McCloskey and husband; sister-in-law, Joan Oram of Washingtonville; niece, Robin and husband, John Conklin; nephew, Christopher Oram and great nieces, Madison and Gianna Conklin; as well as several other nieces, nephews, godchildren and many close friends.
He was predeceased by his parents, son, Patrick Shepard of happy memory, and dear friend, Jim Fobert.
Viewing was at St. Mary’s Church, Washingtonville on Wednesday, October 17, with a service following by the Catholic Daughters of the Americas.
A Mass of Christian Burial was celebrated by Bishop Dominick Lagonegro, on Thursday, October 18, in St. Mary’s Church. Concelebrants were Msgr. John Keaveney, Fr. Paul Dmoch, Msgr. James Cox, the Rev. Jefferey Galens, and the Rev. Andrew Florez.
Burial was made in St. Mary’s Cemetery, Washingtonville.
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to St. Mary’s Church, 2 Father Tierney Circle, Washingtonville, NY 10992.
Arrangements are by David T. Ferguson Funeral Home, Washingtonville.
Maria Norman
Ret. Secretary, 99
Maria Norman of Neversink, died on Monday, September 3, 2007 at the Achieve Rehab & Nursing Facility in Liberty. She was 99.
She was the daughter of the late Franz and Anna Roth Kuelbs and was born on July 9, 1908 in Manheim, Germany.
Maria was the widow of Captain Carl Norman who died in 1977. She was a secretary for BASF in Brooklyn.
Survivors include the family of her niece, Ursula Lambrecht, and the family of her nephew, Wilhelm Jesler. She was predeceased by two sisters, Madalena Kuelbs and Katharina Jester.
A Memorial Mass was held Thursday, October 19 at St. Peter’s Church, Liberty.
Burial of the cremains was made in St. Peter’s Cemetery, Liberty.
Funeral arrangements are by Ramsay’s Funeral Homes Inc., Liberty.
Ida Guttman Levine
Homemaker, 92
Ida Guttman Levine of Liberty and Miami, Fla., passed away peacefully on October 17, 2007 in Miami, Fla. She was 92.
She was a life-long resident of Sullivan County, a member of Congregation Ahavath Israel, the Sisterhood, Hadassah and other charitable organizations. Ida graduated from Sullivan County Community College in her 50’s. She was an accomplished bridge player and golfer, and a renowned cook and baker.
Widow of Hyman C. Levine; mother of Phyllis Orseck Cotton, Carol Baim, Dr. Stephen Levine and the late Michael Levine; grandmother of Bonni Stephenson, Gary and Jonathan Orseck, Jason and Eric Baim, David and Valerie Levine, and Allison and Robyn Levine; great-grandmother of Bob, Sarah, Alexandra, Jamie, Michael and Robert. Sister of Diane Lehrer; and aunt and great-aunt to many.
Graveside funeral services were held October 18 in Ahavath Israel Cemetery, Liberty. Rabbi Marvin Goldman officiated.
Funeral arrangements by Joseph N. Garlick Funeral Home Inc., Monticello.
Beatrice Schmuckler
Ret. Bookkeeper, 92
Beatrice (Beaty) Schmuckler of Hurleyville, a retired bookkeeper and longtime area resident, died on Monday October 15, 2007 in the Sullivan County Adult Care Center. She was 92.
Beaty was born in Divine Corners on February 24, 1915, the daughter of the late Jacob and Bessie Babitsky. She attended elementary and high school in Hurleyville where she was very active in sports, starring on the girls’ basketball team and playing on the boys’ team as well.
While her late brother Charlie was away at college he brought home his roommate who was quickly smitten by Beaty and shortly thereafter they were married and lived on the Babitsky poultry farm in Loch Sheldrake.
After her children were grown Beaty went back to school becoming a full charge bookkeeper and established a thriving bookkeeping business. She was the first one to volunteer to help others. She was a member of the Loch Sheldrake Fire Department Ladies Auxiliary and the Fallsburg Chapter of Hadassah.
Beaty had a heart of gold and was always there lending a helping hand. When her grandchildren were little they went “to the country” every summer to be with Grandma Beaty and Grandpa Arnie, and to eat the blueberries from Grandma Beaty’s garden! She was a wonderful cook and never let anyone leave hungry. Her apple pie and blueberry pies were legendary.
Beaty will be missed by all those fortunate enough to have known her.
She is survived by her beloved daughter, Arlene and her partner, Richard Ward; her son, Michael Skyler and his wife, Mona, and her grandchildren, Jason and Amber; and numerous nieces, nephews, and great and great-great nieces and nephews.
Graveside funeral services were held on Wednesday, October 17, in the Hurleyville Synagogue Cemetery, Hurleyville.
Kenneth James Dupont
Mechanic, 62
Kenneth “Pop Pop” James DuPont of Ellenville, a longtime resident and a P.M. Mechanic for Snapple Dist, Inc., Newburgh, died October 15, 2007 at Westchester Medical Center. He was 62.
The son of Edward and Lydia Schaeffer DuPont, he was born on October 10, 1945.
Kenneth was an avid lover of bowling, people and his job at Snapple, but most of all his family. Ken loved life and laughter.
He was totally devoted to his wife, Laura Ahrens DuPont of 36 years and his children.
Kenneth leaves behind his wife, Laura at home; one daughter, Loretta DuPont at home; one grandson, Kenneth Pontbriand (Hot Shot), the love of his life; two sons, Fred DuPont and his wife, Patti of Ellenville, Christopher (Mike) Dupont and his wife, Lindsey of Spring Glen; an “adopted” son, Brian Horvath and his family of Kerhonkson; two brothers, Edward DuPont of Kingston and James DuPont of Tennessee; many friends from Snapple; the Ellenville Bowling League; and Ellenville itself; and several nieces and nephews.
He was predeceased by two brothers, Richard and Robert DuPont.
Friends may call at Loucks Funeral Home Inc., 79 N. Main St., Ellenville on Friday, October 19 from 2-4 and 7-9 p.m.
Funeral services will be held at 10 a.m. Sat., Oct 20 at the funeral home.
Burial will be in the Fantinekill Cemetery, Ellenville.
In lieu of flowers, contributions in Ken’s memory - to benefit his grandson Kenneth - may be sent to Laura DuPont, c/o 7 Hillcrest Ave., Ellenville, NY 12428.
Arrangements by Loucks Funeral Home Inc.
Nancy H. Nolan
Memorial Service
Memorial services for Mrs. Nancy H. Nolan of Kerhonkson, age 59, who passed away Saturday, October 13, 2007, will be held on Saturday, October 20th at 11 a.m. at the Knight-Auchmoody Funeral Home, 154 E. Main St., Port Jervis with the Rev. James Beukelman officiating.
Nancy moved to Deland, Fla. from Kerhonkson in 2002. While in Kerhonkson, she worked as a senior stenographer for the Roundout Valley Central School District for 25 years, earning a Secretarial Award for Excellence from the NYS Athletic Administrators Association. She was elected councilwoman for the Town of Rochester from 1986-1990.
When she moved to Deland, Fla., she began working as an office specialist for Spruce Creek High School. She enjoyed spending time with her family; especially with her grandchildren. Her other interests included sewing, crafts, boating, golf and gardening.
She is survived by her husband of 38 years, Thomas K. Nolan, Jr. and their two sons, Thomas and his wife, Lucinda of Loch Sheldrake and their children, Gabriela and John; Phillip and his wife, Billie Sue, of Freeville and their children, Britany Weaver and Colin; her father, Carl Highers of Deland, Fla. and her mother Shirley Eek of New Hartford; her mother-in-law, Elizabeth P. Nolan of Port Jervis; four siblings, Beverly Barenz, Carl Highers, Sally Campbell and Debbie Grimes; several nieces and nephews.
Interment will take place at Laurel Grove Cemetery, Port Jervis.
Arrangements are under the direction of Knight-Auchmoody Funeral Home, Port Jervis.
Iris C. Lucille, 65
Iris C. Lucille of Monticello, a longtime area resident, died unexpectedly on Tuesday, November 20, 2001, at the Westchester Medical Center in Valhalla. She was 65 years of age.
The daughter of the late Robert and Helen Kovacs Lucille, she was born January 20, 1936, in the Bronx.
She is survived by a sister, Diane Lucille of Monticello; three aunts; an uncle; and several cousins.
Private services were arranged by the VanInwegen-Kenny Funeral Home in Monticello.
Burial was made in St. John the Evangelist Cemetery in Lambertville, N.J.
Agnes Arthur
Homemaker, 81
Agnes Arthur of Fallsburg, a homemaker and a lifelong area resident, died Wednesday, November 28, 2001, at the Sullivan County Adult Care Center in Liberty. She was 81 years of age.
The daughter of the late William J. and Anna V. Paulowsky Hallenbeck, she was born July 13, 1920, in Livingston Manor.
Mrs. Arthur was a life member of the Ladies Auxiliary to the Clarence Hoyt Post No. 9217, Veterans of Foreign Wars, in Liberty.
She is survived by her husband, Robert C. Arthur, at home; a daughter, Joyce Ratner of Loch Sheldrake; a grandson, Robert Arthur Ratner of Swan Lake; a granddaughter, Melissa Ratner of Rochester; two brothers; three sisters; and several nieces and nephews.
Services were held Monday at the Sullivan County Veterans Cemetery in Liberty.
Funeral arrangements were made by the Colonial Memorial Funeral Home in Woodbourne.
