By TOM RUE
MONTICELLO - All who spoke at Sunday's memorial service at the United Methodist Church of Monticello recalled Ken Wells' infectious laugh. Many spoke of his search for truth and meaning in the theater and society. Filling the pews to capacity were some 200 who came to remember and to celebrate a friend's devotion of 67 years to Sullivan County life.

Wells, who died suddenly on September 6, was a charter member of the Sullivan County Dramatic Workshop (SCDW), active throughout its 46 years. He served as president, historian, stage-sweeper, actor, and director, according to longtime friend Barbara Newman. "The phrase 'Ask Ken' was inevitable whenever someone needed help."

Another of Wells' passions was better local government, said Town of Thompson Democratic Committee Betty Friedland. He became secretary of the Democratic committee at the same time Friedland was elected chair, she noted.

"It was a new experience for some people to have a woman as chairperson, and in some cases it was hard for them to understand that a woman could do the job," she added, calling Wells "one of the most principled people I've ever known in my lifetime."

"He said to me, `If it takes a cigar to have them accept you, I'll buy you a cigar,'" Friedland smiled.

He never had to buy the cigar.

Victor Gordon, 82, of Monticello, spoke of Wells' role in the Sullivan County People for Action, a taxpayer group of which Gordon was president. Since December 1991, Gordon said, part of his morning ritual has been to have coffee with Wells and a few others at a local diner, discussing government and politics on adjacent stools. "Few problems were solved, but we left the diner in a good mood."

Wells served as membership chairman of the group, and as on the executive committee. He also co-chaired the 100th Anniversary of Monticello High School in 1994, which brought thousands of alumni back to their alma mater to celebrate its centennial.

Norman Duttweiller of the SCDW acknowledged Wells' companion of 35 years, "Any celebration of Ken's life is a celebration of Bob's."

"Some people build bridges or are great politicians. And those are certainly important. But a real achievement is making everybody feel good and making everybody happy. Ken Wells did that," Duttweiller said.

An associate at the U.S. post office, where he began working in 1964, Carol Scannell described him as a respected postmaster who consistently greeted the public and employees with a smile.

Wells served in the U.S. Navy during the Korean war.

In recent years, Wells acted in La Cage Aux Folles, South Pacific, Steel Magnolias, and at Forestburgh Playhouse. His last play was And Miss Reardan Drinks a Little. "He put all his energy into every character he played, complete with the sweat dripping down his face," Scannell said.

The final speaker, Wells' companion, Robert J. Nartoff, Jr., closed tearfully, "And so, Ken, the curtain has descended a final time. Bravo! Rest in peace my friend, and may the heavenly spotlight shine on you forever."

The son of the late William H. and Josephine VanKeuren Wells, born April 16, 1929 in Monticello, he is survived by Nartoff; an older brother, William E. Wells of DeLeon Springs, Fla.; a younger sister, Laura Murran of Monticello; and several nieces and nephews.

Cremation and a private interment was arranged by VinInwegen-Kenny Funeral Home. Memorial donations may be made to Sullivan County Dramatic Workshop or the American Heart Association, both of Monticello.