Obituaries

William J. Funari, 80, of Dry Brook Road in Arkville, died peacefully, Friday, Jan. 27, 2012 surrounded by all of his family in his home on the “Boulevard.”
He was born May 8, 1931, at the Margaretville Hospital, the son of Edward and Delia Funari of Dry Brook Road in Arkville.
He married Elizabeth Funari of Needham, Massachusetts on December 5, 1953, in Newton, MA. Bette and Bill had remained as one for the last 58 years and will continue to do so in eternity.

Margaret Mary Biase, 94, of Elm Street in Pine Hill, died Thursday, Jan. 26, 2012 at the Golden Hill Health Center.

She was born November 29, 1917 in the Bronx, daughter of the late Frederick and Mary Gastel Schmitt.

Harold E. West, 87, of Highmount, died Saturday, Jan. 28, 2012 at the Stratton Memorial Veterans Medical Center in Albany after a lengthy illness.

A native and lifelong Catskill Mountain resident, he was born February 9, 1924 in Hobart, the son of the late Charles and Bertha Kelly West.

He was a veteran of the United States Marine Corp. and a member of the Margaretville American Legion Post and Veterans’ of Foreign Wars.

Margaret Mary Ackerley, 78, of Andes, passed away on Saturday, Jan. 21, 2012 at home in Andes.
She was born on November 18, 1933, the daughter of Martin and Adele (Lutjen) Jobmann.

Surviving are her twin brother, Henry Jobmann and his wife, Judy. Also surviving are several nephews.
She was predeceased by her husband, Roland Ackerley; her parents and her brother, Albert “Jigger” Jobmann.

A graveside service will take place in the spring in Sanford Cemetery, New Kingston.
The family wishes to thank Catskill Area Hospice for their wonderful care over the past few days.

Brian Arthur Mattice, 41, of Gilboa, passed away Wednesday, Jan. 18 2012. He was born October 8, 1970, in Stamford.

Brian attended Gilboa Central School, graduating in 1989.

He enjoyed camping and fishing. Brain was a wonderful father and outstanding friend to all who knew him. He always loved to see a smile on your face. Brian will be loved and missed always!
He always placed everyone before himself, and his untimely death will be felt forever. The world was a better place having Brian in it.

Chloe Maxim Kratochvil Pebler, 77, formerly of Roxbury, died Saturday, Jan. 21, 2012 at Mountainside Residential Care Center in Margaretville.

She was a native and lifelong resident of the Catskill Mountains.

Chloe was born in Fleischmanns on May 19, 1934, the daughter of the late Hiram and Chloe Vermilya Maxim.

She was a graduate of Fleischmanns High School, former member of the Fleischmanns United Methodist Church and a trophy winning league bowler. Chloe was a talented knitter and one who loved to crochet many afghans.

Bessie Balcom, 95, left her earthly home on January 19, 2012, just 10 days prior to her 96th birthday.

She was born on Johnny Cake Lane in New Kingston, the daughter of Bruce and Beulah (Bronson) Easley. Her parents divorced and she was raised by her maternal grandparents, Adelbert and Grace (Frayer) Bronson. They moved to Margaretville where she attended and graduated from the grade 1-8 school system.

Richard Balcom ran a general store down the street from where they lived. Richard and Bessie were married by the Clovesville Baptist Minister in 1931.

Murray Schrier, 89, of Pickett County Care and Rehab in Byrdstown, TN, passed away peacefully Sunday, Jan. 22, 2012 at 7:30 a.m. at the Pickett Co. Care and Rehab.
He was born July 30, 1922 in Margaretville, the son of William I. Schrier and Dora Fanny (Cohan) Schrier.

Anthony C. (Tone) Locasto, 96, of Margaretville, died Friday, Jan. 13, 2012 at his residence.
He was born in Brooklyn December 19, 1915, the son of Fred and Rose (DiFazio) Locasto.
He graduated from Grover Cleveland High School in Ridgewood, Queens.

Tone marred Joan Stevenson July 15, 1955 at Greenwich, CT.

Arminda Couto Pinto, 90, of Andes, passed away Sunday, January 15, 2012 at the home of her daughter in Andes.

She was born August 27, 1921 in Portugal, the daughter of Luiz and Maria (deJesus) Couto.
She married Americo Pinto April 2, 1941. He predeceased her in 2000.

Arminda worked as a book processor for the Pleasantville Packing Company in Pleasantville.
She was a resident of Ossining until moving to live with her daughter, Maria, in Andes 12 years ago.