U.S., Obituary Collection, 1930-CurrentHerbert Watkins
Retired machinist, 93
Herbert Joseph “Joe” Watkins, of Circleville passed peacefully Friday, August 10, 2007 while in the company of family members at his home. He was 93.
The son of Herbert Joseph and Elizabeth Mahoney Watkins, he was born June 23, 1914 in Utica.
He was retired from being a machinist at Kiely and Mueller, Middletown. He was a member of the Teamsters Union, the American Federation of Musicans Local #804, and the United States Trotting Association. Joe was an accomplished musician playing with many local bands; he also loved horses. He owned and operated Misty Meadows Farms in Circleville for many years where he trained standard-bred horses.
He is survived by his loving wife of 69 years, Eleanor Woerner Watkins, at home; three daughters, Patricia McQueen of Bloomingburg, Barbara Sleight and her husband Russell of Horseheads, and JoAnne Talmage and her husband John of Dunedin, Fla.; grandchildren Jeffrey Reid, Brian Reid, James McQueen Jr., Keith McQueen, Lisa Schuhle, Russell Sleight, John Talmage, Jennifer McNeil and Jill Talmage; 15 great-grandchildren; and several nieces and nephews.
He was predeceased by his three brothers Richard, John “Jack,” and Robert “Bob” Watkins.
Memorial services will be held at Morse Funeral Home Inc., 33 Railroad Ave., Middletown at 3 p.m. on Thursday, August 16 with the Rev. Kenneth Wonderland officiating.
Entombment of the cremains will be made in the Mother, Queen of Peace Mausoleum, Middletown.
The family would like to extend their heartfelt appreciation to Dr. Robert Dinsmore for his compassion.
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to Hospice of Orange and Sullivan County, 800 Stony Brook Road, Newburgh, NY 12550.
Louise Ferguson
Retired Nurse, 71
Louise Marie Ferguson was reunited with her Lord and Savior on Thursday, August 9, 2007 after a long battle with cancer. She was 71.
Louise was born in Monticello to the late Johanna and Herman Gluck.
She attended Monticello High School (Class of '53) and Atlantic City Nursing School, graduating with a degee in nursing in 1956. She spent many years in hospital nursing on Long Island and in Sullivan County before becoming the school nurse at Livingston Manor Central School in 1973. Louise retired from LMCS after 20-plus years of service and commitment. During her full life she dedicated herself to helping others through service, most notably with the local volunteer ambulance corps and her church, Livinsgton Manor Presbyterian. Her time in service to others was returned ten-fold by her friends and family during her last weeks and days.
Recently, her husband Vincent Ferguson preceded her in death after 46 years of marriage; as well as her brother William Gluck.
Survivors include three children: Michael Ferguson and wife Laura of Bryant, Ark., Sean Ferguson and wife Allison of Deer Park, N.Y. and Ellen Quiros and husband Jorge of North Richland Hills, Texas; seven grandchildren, Sara, Patrick, Grant, Emily, Matthew, Samuel and Hannah; a sister, June Villani and husband Anthony of Norwich; seven nieces and nephews and their respective children.
Funeral services were held Monday, August 13 at Livingston Manor Presbyterian Church. The Rev. Nancy Asbury officiated.
Memorial contributions may be made to the Livingston Manor Presbyterian Church or the Livingston Manor Volunteer Ambulance Corps.
Arrangements are under the direction of Herbert C. Byrant Funeral Home in Livingston Manor.
Arlene Stalter, 72
Arlene R. Stalter, of Greenfield Park, a resident since 1976, died August 9, 2007 in the Ellenville Regional Hospital. She was 72.
The daughter of Lawrence and Alberta Durie Ryan, she was born August 18, 1934 in Nyack.
She was the widow of John F. Stalter Sr. They were married 50 years.
She was a member of the Ellenville First Aid and Rescue Squad Auxiliary.
Survivors include three sons, Kenneth Stalter and wife Susan of Woodbourne, Kevin Stalter and wife Joanne of Napanoch, and John Stalter Jr. and wife Diana of Greenfield Park; one daughter, Arlene Baty and husband Raymond of Greenfield Park; her aunt, Mildred Vranisky of Spring Valley; nine grandchildren, Jeanine, Jonathan, Kenneth and Heather Stalter, Raymond, Danielle and Katlynn Baty, Jennifer and William Simpson; one great-grandchild, Baby Kyle Kucker; and several nieces and nephews.
She was predeceased by a sister, Joan Thamsen.
Funeral services were held Monday at Loucks Funeral Home, Inc., Ellenville.
Burial will be in Fantinekill Cemetery, Ellenville.
Memorial contributions may be made to the Ellenville Regional Hospital, Route 209, Ellenville, NY 12428.
Iris L. Haas
Iris L. Haas of Harris died Friday, August 10, 2007 at the Orange Regional Medical Center, Middletown. She was 60.
She was born in Brooklyn on December 2, 1946, the daughter Eli and Francis Lucash.
Iris was a retired New York City school teacher, who taught English at South Shore High School in Brooklyn for 28 years. Upon retirement, she and husband, Michael moved up to a small farm in Harris. She was a tutor for Literacy Volunteers of America. She was also a member of, and vice president of, Catskill Region Hadassah, and an active member of the Sisterhood of Temple Beth Shalom in Florida, New York.
Iris is survived by her husband Michael, at home; her daughter Francie Israeli of Washington, D.C.; her son, Avi Israeli of New Paltz; her stepdaughter, Cheryl Haas Geller and her husband Bruce of Long Island; her grandson, Jordan Lucas Geller; and her stepson, Eric Scott Haas and his wife Anna of Staten Island.
Funeral services will be held at 10 a.m. Tuesday, August 14 at Temple Beth Shalom, 13 Roosevelt Avenue, Florida.
Burial will be in New Montefiore Cemetery, Pinelawn.
Memorial contributions may be made to Temple Beth Shalom or to one’s favorite animal charity.
Funeral arrangements are by Joseph N. Garlick Funeral Home Inc., Monticello.
Medwin Benton Sr.
Ret. business owner, 97
Medwin A. Benton Sr. of Cody, Wyoming and formerly of Liberty, died in Wyoming on July 27, 2007. He was 97.
He was born July 20, 1910 on the family homestead in White Sulphur Springs to Warren and Mamie Smith Benton.
As a boy, he enjoyed hunting, trapping and working on the family farm. In 1925, his life changed completely when his father died unexpectedly. As the oldest son, he became head of the household and helped his mother run the farm and care for his siblings.
In 1935, he married Carolyn Low and they had four children. Carolyn died in 1972 and he later married Anna Mae Shields. They moved to Cody in 1983.
He, along with his three brothers, owned and operated the Benton Brothers Gas Service business in Liberty for many years and he also served three terms as the Mayor of Liberty from 1957 to 1963. He was active in the Gideons of Sullivan County and the Liberty Baptist Church.
He is survived by his wife, Anna Mae Benton, at home; sister Mildred of New Mexico; children, Medwin Jr. (Carol) of Cody, Wyom., Curtis (Barbara) of White Lake, Sheila of Liberty, and Barth (Kathy) of Gladewater, Tex.; six grandchildren; six great-grandchildren; and many nieces and nephews.
Medwin was preceded in death by his brothers, Paul, Harold and Warren Jr.; sisters, Marjorie Gorton, Marion Edwards, Martha Wilbur and Myrtle Benton; and his first wife, Carolyn.
Funeral services were held August 1, 2007 at the Grace Baptist Church in Cody, Wyom. Interment was made in the Cody, Wyom. Riverside Cemetery.
Richard Niblock
Ret. business owner, 85
Richard Niblock of Vero Beach, Fla., formerly of the Bronx, died Wednesday, August 8, 2007 at BNA Hospice Home, Vero Beach, Fla. He was 85.
Born in Bronx, N.Y. on July 30, 1922, he was the son of Walter and Lauretta Coburn Niblock.
He served in the U.S. Army Intelligence Corps in WWII. He owned and operated, until his retirement, Niblock’s Bar in the Bronx.
A family statement reads: “Richard was a loving and caring son, father, grandfather, uncle and friend. He was adored by us all. We will cherish all the memories we have made together with him and keep them close in our hearts. We Love You !”
Survivors include his beloved son, Robert Niblock of Vero Beach, Fla.; his daughter, Laurie Niblock of Irvington; his grandchildren, Kelly Stroh and her husband Ronald of New Windsor, Jody Niblock and her fiancé Michael Oleary of Bloomingburg, Scott Niblock of Bronx, Kerry Niblock of Bronx, and Ryan Bloise of Irvington; great-grandchildren Samantha Vohl of New Windsor, Keara O'Leary of Bloomingburg, Connor Stroh and Tyler Stroh, both of New Windsor.
He was predeceased by his wife Loretta Cole Niblock and three brothers, Walter, Horace and Lester Niblock.
Following cremation, interment with military honors will be made in the Gate of Heaven Cemetery, Valhalla.
Arrangements are under the guidance of Morse Funeral Home Inc., Middletown.
Robert Smith Sr.
Ret. business owner, 63
Robert “Bob” Smith Sr., proprietor of Smiths Scrap Metal in Harris, passed away on Saturday, August 11, 2007 at his residence. He was 63.
Bob was the son of Leslie and Lillian Keifer Smith. He was born November 23, 1943 in Bainbridge, N.Y. He was predeceased by his wife Georgianna and son Randy Hillriegel.
As a proprietor of Smiths Scrap Metal, he was as dedicated and passionate about his work as he was towards his family.
He is survived by one son, Robert Jr. and his wife Katie Smith of Harris; one daughter, Roxanne Smith of Roscoe; two brothers, Dick and his wife Linda Smith of Harris and Charlie Smith; two sisters, Barbara of Hancock and Rosie of Buffalo; three grandchildren, Tisha and her husband Dan Curry, Valerie Smith and her fiancé Jerry Kingeter, and Bobbi-Jo Smith; two great-grandchildren Danielle and Emily Curry all of Harris; and many nieces, nephews and numerous friends.
Visitation will be held Tuesday, August 14 from 6 to 9 p.m. at Colonial Memorial Funeral Home, 396 State Route 52, Woodbourne.
Funeral services will be held Tuesday evening at 8 p.m. at the funeral home. The Rev. Bonnie Pinto will officiate.
Cremation will be made at the convenience of the family.
Arrangements were made by Colonial Memorial Funeral Home, Woodbourne.
ZaZa I. Van Tuyl
Homemaker, 93
ZaZa I. Van Tuyl of Barryville, a lifelong resident of the area and a homemaker, died Monday, July 23, 2007 at St. Teresa's Nursing Home, Middletown. She was 93.
The daughter of the late Ira and Susie Conklin Turner, she was born November 12, 1913 in Conklin Hill, Pa. She was a widow of Howard Van Tuyl.
She was a member of The Pond Eddy United Methodist Church.
Survivors include three sons, Kenneth Van Tuyl and his wife, Joyce of Barryville, Edward Van Tuyl and his wife, Marcie of Highland Lake, and Roger Van Tuyl and his wife, Harriett of Barryville; sixteen grandchildren, several great grandchildren, two great great grandchildren; and several nieces and nephews.
She was predeceased by her son, Ernest D. Van Tuyl and three brothers, Donald, Harold and Irving Turner.
Funeral services were held Thursday, July 26 at the Knight-Auchmoody Funeral Home, Port Jervis. The Rev. Nancy Vonderhorst officiated.
Burial will be in Van Tuyl Cemetery, Hillside.
Contributions may be made to The Pond Eddy United Methodist Church, Pond Eddy.
Funeral arrangements by Knight-Auchmoody Funeral Home, Inc.
