William Ashburn (1944-2017)
William Ashburn, 72, of Beacon, died at home on Jan. 19, 2017, with his wife and children at this side.
Bill was born May 17, 1944 in Beacon to Dr. Harry V. and Evelyn (Kimble) Ashburn. He joined the Beacon Police Department on July 26, 1965, and rose through the ranks before retiring as chief in 1985. After his retirement, he began a career in construction estimation at Merritt Meridian Construction in Beacon until his full retirement in 1996.
As a police officer Bill was recognized with many awards, including for a citation he shared with Lt. William Penn for saving two people from a house fire.
Bill was a life member of Lewis Tompkins Hose Company No. 1, Mase Hook and Ladder Fire Company, New York State Chiefs of Police Association, Retired Police Association of New York, Police Conference of New York, Fraternal Order of Police, the Elks Lodge and past president and co-founder of the Beacon Retired Police Officer Association.
Bill is survived by his wife Cherry; his son Edward Ashburn and granddaughters Alexandra, Evelyn and Ella of Cold Spring; his son Eric Ashburn (Nicole) and grandsons Mason, William and Harrison of Poughkeepsie. He is also survived by his brother John Ashburn (Cindy) of Wappingers Falls.
Visitation will be held Tuesday, Jan. 24 from 2 to 4 p.m. and 7 to 9 p.m. at Libby Funeral Home. 55 Teller Ave. Beacon. Graveside services will be held Wednesday, Jan. 25 at 1 p.m. at St. Joachim’s Cemetery in Beacon.
Memorial donations may be made to the Animal Rescue Foundation, P.O. Box 1129, Beacon, NY 12508, or to the charitable foundation of your choice.
Betty Robinson (1933-2017)
Betty D. Robinson, 83, died on Jan. 13, 2017 in Laconia, New Hampshire.
She was born in Beacon on Nov. 10, 1933 to Michael and Helen (Gruendle) Dunay. Betty loved sports and enjoyed playing basketball during high school. Upon graduation, she played softball while working at the Texaco Research Laboratory. She was a resident of Laconia for the past 30 years.
Betty is survived by her daughter Karen (Ippolito) Moctezuma, her granddaughter Rachele (Moctezuma) Higgenbottom, and her grandson Aamari Higgenbottom.
A funeral service was held in Laconia on Jan. 20. A mass and burial will be held in the spring at St Joachim’s in Beacon. Memorial contributions be made to the Society of St. Vincent DePaul, P.O. Box 6123, Lakeport, NH 03247.
Christine Schepers (1948-2017)
Christine A. Schepers, 68, a lifelong resident of Beacon, died on Jan. 18, 2017 at St. Luke’s Cornwall Hospital in Newburgh.
She was born in Beacon on Oct. 30, 1948, the daughter of Francis J. and Paulita D. (Root) Moranski.
She is survived by her sons, Tristan Schepers of Poughkeepsie and Alec Schepers of Beacon; granddaughters, Kiara and Harper; siblings Joseph Moranski (Jeanne) of North Carolina, Susan Moranski of Beacon, Frank Moranski (Carol) of Florida, Peter Moranski (Patricia) of Fishkill, Donna Moranski of South Carolina, Judith Moranski Barr of Beacon and Mary Moranski (Bernhard Schmadtke) of Beacon.
Visitation will be held on Monday, Jan. 23 from noon to 1:30 p.m. at Halvey Funeral Home, 24 Willow St., Beacon. A funeral service will be held at 1:30 p.m. at the funeral home. Burial will be private.
