U.S., Obituary Collection, 1930-CurrentDanny Mitchell
Former Race Car Driver, 74
Former Orange County Race Car Driver, Danny Mitchell, of Bloomingburg, known as D-J #1, a contributor of maintenance and equipment and sponsor at Orange County Speedway, passed away on Friday January 5, 2007 at O.R.M.C. Horton Campus in Middletown. He was 74.
The son of the late William and Bertha Davis Mitchell, he was born November 30, 1932 in Warwick.
Danny loved the sport of auto racing and was a past feature winner. He was a past owner of Citgo Gas Station in Bloomingburg, the Mobil Station in Wurtsboro and the owner of D&J Auto Body for many years. He was also in the towing services for both the Orange and Sullivan county areas. He enjoyed riding his Harley-Davidson with his friends here in New York, and in the State of Florida.
In a family statement, it was said, “Danny will be terribly missed by his family.”
He is survived by his loving wife, Cathy R. Crotty Mitchell at home; his children, Daniel P. Mitchell and his wife, Pauline of Bloomingburg, Dana Marie McCormick of New Windsor, Michael Mitchell of Las Vegas, Nev. and Dara Unruh and her husband, Daniel of Las Vegas; a stepdaughter, Tina Moore of Fort Lauderdale, Fla.; brothers, Clifford Mitchell and his wife, Mary; brother-in-law, Harry Romer; grandchildren, Stephanie McCormick, Ethan and Trevor Unruh, Cathy and Daniel Mitchell, and Matthew Mitchell; and one great-granddaughter.
A Memorial service will be held on Tuesday, January 9 at 10 a.m. at Applebee-McPhillips Funeral Home, Inc., 130 Highland Avenue, Middletown.
Cremation will be made at Cedar Hill Crematory, Middle Hope, at the convenience of the family.
Carl Jeffrey Davis
Restaurant Employee, 21
Carl Jeffrey Davis, an employee of Sal’s Restaurant in Liberty, died unexpectedly in Baltimore, Md. on Wednesday, January 3, 2007. He was 21.
The son of Essie Louise Reeder Davis and the late Bernard Goldie Davis, he was born April 28, 1985 in Harris.
He is survived by his mother, Essie Louise Davis of Monticello; two brothers, Paul Davis and Bernard Davis, both of Monticello; and several aunts, uncles and cousins.
Visitation will be held on Tuesday, January 9 from 5 to 7 p.m. at the VanInwegen-Kenny, Inc. Funeral Home, 401 Broadway in Monticello.
Funeral services will follow from 7 to 9 at the VanInwegen-Kenny, Inc. Funeral Home.
Graveside services will be held at 11 a.m. on Wednesday, January 10 in the Liberty Cemetery, Liberty.
Ruth M. Sickles
Ret. Endicott-Johnson Emp., 85
Ruth M. Sickles of Binghamton, formerly of Jeffersonville, died Friday, January 5, 2007 in Gouverneur. She was 85.
She was born May 10, 1921 in Jeffersonville, the daughter of the late John and Hattie Wehner.
Ruth was a retiree of the Endicott-Johnson Corp. and a member of its 30 Year Club.
She was a member of East Side Congregational Church of Binghamton, volunteered with the CHOW Program, and was a faithful volunteer with the Meals On Wheels program for over 20 years.
She is survived by a special son and daughter-in-law, Kenneth and Nancy Leamon of Antwerp; her grandchildren, Cyndy Leamon Martell and her husband, David of Baldwinsville, Caren Leamon Speich and her husband, Douglas of Pennellville; her great-grandchildren, Emily Rose Martell and Abigail Elaine Speich; a niece, Ruth Baumgardt Duncan and her husband, Kenneth of Jeffersonville, and a nephew, Walter Baumgardt and his wife, Ann of Tonawanda.
She was predeceased by her husband, Kenneth Sickles, and a sister, Catherine Baumgardt.
Friends are invited to call on Wednesday, January 10 from 2-4 and 7-8 p.m. in the funeral home prior to services.
Funeral services will be held on Wednesday, January 10 at 8 p.m. in the Thomas J. Shea Funeral Home, Inc., 137 Robinson St., Binghamton, N.Y., with the Rev. Carol Krause officiating.
Burial will be in Riverview Cemetery, Roscoe at the convenience of the family.
In lieu of flowers, contributions in her memory may be made to the Antwerp Congregational Church, Organ Repair Fund, 47 Main St., PO Box 154, Antwerp, NY 13608.
Elizabeth M. Weiss
Homemaker, 103
Elizabeth M. Weiss, formerly of Callicoon and the widow of Edwin Weiss, died January 5, 2007 in Sebring, Florida. She was 103.
The daughter of the late Emma Eggler and Michael Klein, Betty was born September 21, 1903 in Jeffersonville.
Survivors include one son, Gary and his wife, Evelyn; four grandchildren, Debbie, Douglas, Donna and Greg; and four great-grandchildren, Christian, Kyle, Gabrielle and Gary.
Interment will be made at a later date.
Becky Brenner
Artist, 98
Becky Brenner of Grahamsville and Manhattan died August 2, 2007. She was 98.
She was born April 26, 1907.
She was the widow of David S. Brenner, a theatrical CPA, who died March 10, 1979.
Becky and David were co-founders of The Tax Center, a multi-office income tax preparation service started in 1941 in New York City. She was a writer, sculptor, painter and classical pianist.
Becky wrote short stories of raising a “city farmer” family and the weekly commute from Brooklyn. She was published in various papers including the Forwards.
Her unique, original and funny art works and creations were exhibited at the Grahamsville Little World’s Fair, Woodstock Art Exhibits and the Metropolitan Museum of Art. She was a member of The Catskill Art Society. Becky’s collages consisted of the commonplace: a dismantled woodstove on a door (“Ye Ole Stove”), decorated newel posts (“The Old Colonel” complete with WWII Army helmet,) presently under the steps at the Sullivan County Courthouse, painted milk pails, and deer horns with earrings. She earned the title “Becky from Grahamsville who works in antique junk.”
In her senior years, Becky entertained senior citizens on her porch atop Brenner Pass, at charitable events, and senior citizen homes, with her concerts of Yiddish music. She always received sitting ovations.
She is survived by two sons, Robert and his wife Carol of Long Beach and William of Grahamsville; grandchildren, Gisa Schaeffer, Alexander and his wife, Trish Brenner, Shauna and her husband, Marcus Horvath, David E. Brenner, Benjamin and his wife, Yasmin Brenner, Rose and her husband, Michael Devito, Gregory Brenner and friend, Jessica; and great-grandchildren, David, Alicia and Kurt Doerbecker, Lukas Schaeffer, Alexa and Max Horvath and Jackson DeVito.
Services were held Sunday, August 5 at Sinai Chapel in Fresh Meadows, Queens.
Immediately after the ceremony, the family and all others who cared drove up to the Brenner Family Cemetery, atop Brenner Mountain in Grahamsville.
The family observed shiva on Monday at the Robert and Carol Brenner residence in Grahamsville and will continue to do so on Tuesday and Wednesday at the Robert and Carol Brenner residence at 849 Oceanfront Street, Arizona Avenue, Long Beach.
Kenneth S. Pierce
Truck Driver, 52
Kenneth S. Pierce of Cochecton, a truck driver and a lifelong resident, died Saturday, August 4, 2007 at Catskill Regional Medical Center in Harris. He was 52. The son of Edward T. and Katherine Nelson Pierce, he was born April 23, 1955 in Nyack.
Ken served in the U.S. Army, and was a graduate of Delhi College, where he received an associate’s degree.
A family statement reads, “Ken was a loving, caring father, husband, son, brother and family member. Things won’t be the same without him. He will be greatly missed.”
He is survived by his wife of 21 years, Ginger Neer Pierce at home; his two daughters, Ginger and Roxanne Pierce, at home; his parents, Edward T. and Katherine Pierce of Cochecton Center; his brother, Edward K. Pierce of Cochecton Center; his sister, Kathy J. Pierce of Mechanicsville, Va.; and many nieces, nephews and friends.
Friends may call from 2-4 p.m. and 7-9 p.m. Thursday, and from 10-11 a.m. Friday at Rasmussen Funeral Home, 90 Main St., Narrowsburg.
Funeral services will be held at 11 a.m. Friday, August 10 at the funeral home. The Rev. Phyllis Haynes will officiate.
Burial will be made in Laurel Cemetery, Cochecton Center.
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the American Cancer Society, 95 Schwenk Drive, Kingston, NY 12401.
Marie C. Griffin
LPN, 57
Marie C. Griffin, a licensed practical nurse for KDL Nursing Service in Bloomingburg, died suddenly Wednesday, August 1, 2007 in Middletown. She was 57.
The daughter of the late Francis Griffin and Frances Furman Griffin, she was born in Port Jervis on August 18, 1949.
She was a member of St. Peter's Lutheran Church, Port Jervis and the Vietnam Veterans of America, Chapter #140. She graduated from Orange County Community College with a degree in Nursing.
Survivors include her daughter, Dawn Essig and husband Bill Gorres of Poughkeepsie; her son, Timothy Essig and wife Jodi of Forestburgh; her mother, Frances Griffin of Matamoras, Pa.; two sisters, Annette Griffin of Bloomingburg and Charlotte Moran of Tucson, Ariz.; four brothers, Howard Griffin of Goshen, Gary Griffin of Pine Bush, Keith Griffin of Ledyard, Conn. and Wesley Griffin of Goshen; her loving companion, Ed Pavlich, at home; six grandchildren, Kelsea, Tristan, Ashley, Thomas, Frances and Marissa; and several nieces and nephews.
Friends may call from 2-4 and 7-9 p.m. Tuesday, August 7 at the Knight-Auchmoody Funeral Home, 154 E. Main St., Port Jervis.
The Vietnam Veterans of America will conduct services at 8 p.m. Tuesday at the funeral home.
Funeral services will be held at 10:30 a.m., Wednesday, August 8 at the funeral home with the Rev. Betsy Diver officiating.
Burial will be in Westbrookville Cemetery, Westbrookville.
Contributions may be made to St. Peter’s Lutheran Church, Port Jervis, NY 12771 or the Vietnam Veterans of America, PO Box 171, New Hampton, NY 10958.
Loretta Mae Conklin
Homemaker, 87
Loretta Mae Conklin, a homemaker and 30-year resident of Wurtsboro, died Wednesday, August 1, 2007 at the Valley View Nursing Home in Goshen after a courageous battle with multiple cancers. She was 88.
The daughter of the late Alfred and Harriet Baisley, she was born August 21, 1919 in Garnerville.
She was the widow of the late William F. Conklin, who was a detective on the Clarkstown Police Force in Rockland County and died in 1971 during a drug raid in Spring Valley. She moved from Spring Valley to Wurtsboro in 1977 and was an avid Bingo player who enjoyed fishing at the local lakes.
A family statement reads, "Loretta was a devoted and loving mother, grandmother and great-grandmother, and was loved beyond words and will be greatly miss by all of her surviving family."
Loretta is survived by her two daughters, Nancy O'Neill and her fiancé Eric Schaeffner of Yankee Lake and Bonnie Price and her husband Kenneth of Wolf Lake; two granddaughters, Susan Bennett and her husband, Robert of Wurtsboro and Lori Price and her fiancé, Mark Zurawski of Mountain Top, Pa.; one great-granddaughter, Emma Rose Bennett of Wurtsboro; several nieces and nephews; and many dear friends.
She was predeceased by four sisters, LuElla, Dorothy, Beatrice and Elsie; and seven brothers, Alfred, Edward, William, Robert, Roy, Kenneth and Brewster. She was the last remaining sibling of a family of 12.
A funeral service was held Monday at the VanInwegen-Kenny Inc. Funeral Home, Wurtsboro. The Rev. Robert Hoag officiated.
Burial followed in the Germonds Cemetery in Bardonia.
Memorial contributions can be made to Hospice of Orange & Sullivan Counties, 800 Stony Brook Court, Newburgh, NY 12550 or to the Valley View Nursing Home, Quarry Road, Goshen, NY 10924.
