We remember our Dear friends Barbara, Jan and Walt!

Jan Cheripko crossed the veil to be with the Lord of Light on May 29, 2024, at 8PM. Jan was preceded in death by his parents, John Cheripko and Frances Conine Cheripko; sister, Shari Slegona, and is survived by his wife, Valray Lynn Cheripko; his daughter, Julia; his son-in-law, Jason Kromko; and their children Gavin and Madison; his nephew, Justin Knapp and his wife, Liz; and their children Jonah, Fin, Emerson, and Cordelia; his niece, Jill Van Cook; and his mother-in-law, Peggy Wills. 

Jan was born on August 3rd, 1951, in West Point, NY where he spent his younger years as a military child, moving to whichever duty station his father was assigned, including a deployment to Germany. While living in Germany at around the age of five, Jan's mother passed away. 

After returning stateside and through an extraordinary act of charity, Jan and his sister Shari were taken in and raised by Kay Van Cook and her husband Loyd. Aunt Kay and her family were instrumental in changing the trajectory of both of their lives, seeing them through their formative and adolescent years. In 1969, Jan graduated from Valley Central High School in Montgomery, NY, where he thrived athletically, especially in football and wrestling.  

Jan went on to graduate from St. Thomas Aquinas College with a BA in English and then on to a full and varied professional career: His love of writing and photography led him to the Sullivan County Democrat where he worked as a photographer, reporter, and editor, and later to a career in the world of publishing at Boyds Mills Press. His love of teaching led him to many roles as a consummate educator and lecturer. In the late 1970s, he met his life-long love, Val. The two married in 1981 and became the proud parents of Julia in 1987, later settling in Bethany, PA. In recent years, his love of community led him to becoming a member of the Bethany Borough Council, the Bethany Library Board, and a founding member of the Bethany Collective. He was a long-time friend of the Highlights Foundation, having served as faculty and mentor to many writers. More recently, he took on the work of videography for the Highlights Foundation. 

Jan would say that the most important thing about him was that he was a friend of Bill W’s and continued to share his experience, strength, and hope to anyone who needed to hear it. He would also tell you that he lived a blessed life, full of grace and a peace that transcends all understanding, especially in the trying times. Jan was an incredible friend to all he met, full of good advice, intelligent conversation, wit, and humor. He had a love for language and was a published author. He wrote till the end. Jan grew to love the simple things in life: the good earth of a garden, the fragrant chill of Pennsylvania mornings, breaking bread with friends and family, a long winter night conversation about things that really matter, and the quiet solitude of a prayerful, country life. He was proudest of his daughter and her family and constantly humbled by his wife’s love and grace. He was a great man and will be missed by all who knew him. 

Funeral Services will be held on Monday, June 3, 2024 at 10:00 A.M. at the Howell Family Funeral Home, Inc., Edward R. Howell, Funeral Director, 269 Belmont Street, Waymart, PA, with Jan's friend, Archimandrite Sergius (Bowyer), the Abbot of St. Tikhon's Monastery officiating.

A visitation will be held on Sunday, June 2, 2024 from 3-5 P.M. at the funeral home.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made in Jan's memory to:  The Highlights Foundation, 814 Court Street, Honesdale, PA 18431, The Bethany Library, 8 Court Street, Bethany, PA 18431 or St. Tikhon's Monastery, 175 St. Tikhon's Road, Waymart, PA 18472.

Interment will be in St. Tikhon's Monastery Cemetery.

Walter Lindner Jr. a 50-year resident of Montgomery, passed away Sunday, May 19, 2024, in Middletown. He was 78.

The son of the late Walter and Maria Lindner, he was born March 14, 1946, in Munich, Germany.

Walter immigrated to America with his parents at the age of six, speaking only German. Through going to school he learned English, which allowed him to help his parents learn to speak English as well. He went on to earn a bachelor's degree in political science from Villanova University.
He retired from Dow Chemical, Reading, PA, after over 40 years as Eastern Sales Manager.
Upon retirement, he served in his hometown of Montgomery in many capacities- he was a village Trustee, served on the village Planning Board, served on the town Board of Assessment, a commissioner for the Montgomery Fire District, and served on the Valley Central Education Fund board of directors.

Walt also volunteered as a little league coach for over 15 years and coached CYO Basketball. He served as chairman for Taste of Montgomery, as well as the Oktoberfest at St. Mary's, where he also helped with multiple other events. He was on the Board of Directors for the Cerebral Palsy Center, now known as Inspire.

Walter was a part of the committee that worked to establish the bandstand located in the center of the Village of Montgomery. During the past several years he was actively involved as a key member of the Master Plan Downtown Revitalization committee...and personally participated in developing the Final application and video production that led to the recent NY State Forward $4.5 Million Grant Award for the Village. He also Co Chaired the Summer Concert Series.
Perhaps his most proud achievement was to be a founding member of the Montgomery Men's Breakfast Club.

Survivors include his wife Mary Ann, daughter Alison Lindner, son Michael Lindner and his wife Heather, granddaughters Cameron and Taylor, and many close friends.
Visitation will be Thursday, May 23, 2024, 4pm-7pm at Overhiser Funeral Home, 78 Union St., Montgomery, NY 12549.

A Mass of Christian burial will be Friday, May 24, 2024, at 10:30am at Holy Name of Mary Church, 89 Union St., Montgomery, NY 12549. Burial will be in St Mary's Cemetery in Montgomery, NY. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions can be made to the Montgomery Food Pantry Inc. or charity of your choice.