NEKG - 2008 Obituaries

, 83, of St. Johnsbury went home to her Lord Saturday, on Nov. 29, 2008. She was born in West Fairlee, Vt., on July 9, 1925, the daughter of James and Mary (Howard) Keneson. She and her husband Russell shared 60 years of marriage together this past Sept. 25th. Lois attended St. Johnsbury schools, Lyndon State College, and Heritage Bible Institute in Springfield, Mass. She worked as a secretary-bookkeeper in St. Johnsbury and Burlington, and as a certified nurse's assistant in the Morrisville/Stowe area. Lois heard the good news of forgiveness and salvation through the finished work of the Lord Jesus on the cross and spent many years knowing of His care for her in this life; 43 years to be exact, before she went to be with Him. She taught 4-5 year olds in Sunday school for many years. She and Russell spent years raising their family and greatly enjoyed spending weekends with Laurie at home, especially listening to music together. She enjoyed all the visits from Nate and David and families over the years. She is survived by her husband Russell (77 Third St. 05819); their very special daughter Laurie Butler of Lyndonville, Nathan Butler and wife Laura M. Gillis of Baltimore MD, Pastor David Butler and wife Ruth of Shamokin, Pa.; 7 grandchildren, 9 great-grandchildren; and 2 great-great-grandchildren; one sister Noella Fournier and husband Rene of Swanton; nieces and nephews. She was predeceased by three sisters Carrie Trembley, Iona Smith, and Agnes Young. Services will be held at the Lyndon Bible Church this Wednesday, Dec. 3, at 11 a.m. Pastor Joel Battaglia and her son, Pastor David Butler, will officiate. Following the service the family will receive friends at the church. Burial will be at the convenience of the family at the Groton Cemetery. Memorial contributions could be directed to the Lyndon Bible Church, Brown Farm Rd., Lyndonville VT 05851.

, 93, peacefully passed away at the Lafayette Center in Franconia on Thursday, Nov. 27, 2008. Louie was born on June 29, 1915, to Louis Joseph and Josie (Bemis) Derosia in Haverhill, N.H. Louie served in the Conservation Corps Camps in Glen and Warren, N.H. from 1935 to 1937. In 1937 he went to work for the United States Forest Service as a Forester, serving for 33 years before retiring in 1970. During the many years he was employed by the U.S. Forest service, his jobs included fire duty in lookout towers on mountain tops, search and rescue, scaling timber and fighting many forest fires. He hiked every mountain in the White Mountain District. He was a quiet, hardworking man who enjoyed living a simple life and had a lot of knowledge and fondness for the land, forests and mountains. He loved his summers at Lake Winnipausauke where he was known as "Mr. Fisherman" and caught many very large Lake Trout. Over the years he was also an avid hunter bagging many large bucks and also one albino deer. He will be remembered as the man on West Main Street, who had the woodstand by the side of the road, with flocks of turkeys on his lawn. Louie had a great love for his family and is survived by his devoted and loving wife of over 69 years, Earline, one son, Harold Derosia and wife Helen of Lisbon, three daughters, Carol Larose and her longtime friend Peggy Boynton of Chichester, N.H., Edie and husband George Merrill of Littleton, N.H. and Angela Hood of Bethlehem, N.H. Four sisters, Sadie Bruleigh of Groton, Vt., Lydia Belyea of Warren, N.H., Barbara Libbey and Ruth Giverson both of Checopee, Mass. Ten grandchildren, 16 great-grandchildren, and many neices and nephews. The family will receive friends at Ross Funeral Home from 1 to 2 p.m. on Thursday, Dec. 4, 2008, followed by a Celebration of Life presided by Pastor Samuel Newton of the First United Methodist Church in Littleton. Immediately following the service interment will take place at Glenwood Cemetery in Littleton. Those who wish can make donations in Louie's memory to: First United Methodist Church, Steeple Fund, Pleasant St, Littleton, NH 03561.

, 93, of 238 Scott Highway, Groton, died Nov. 30, 2008, at Northeastern Vermont Regional Hospital following a period of declining health. He was born in St. Johnsbury, Dec. 11, 1914, a son of Roger and Sarah Crocker (Lawton) Eastman. He served in the U.S. Army during World War II. Ken worked as a stone cutter at the former Davidson Granite Company in South Ryegate, and retired in 1969. He was an original school board member of the Blue Mt. Union School District, served for several years as a Groton Selectman as well as being a tax lister, fence viewer, and former road commissioner. An outdoorsman, he enjoyed golf, town team baseball, hunting and fishing, tying flies, and he carried a Gensing picker's permit. He had also been a member and former deacon of the First Baptist Church in Groton. Survivors include his wife Mary "Molly" (Birch) Eastman, to whom he was married on Sept. 18, 1946; a daughter Mary Vaeni of Taunton, Mass.; two sons, Kenneth A. Eastman of Campton, N.H., and David A. Eastman of Groton; five grandchildren; a sister Catherine Cochran of Morrisville; and two brothers, Robert Eastman of Groton, and Clifford Eastman of Ryegate; along with many nieces and nephews. Calling hours will be on Wednesday, Dec. 3, 2008, from 6 to 8 p.m. at Ricker Funeral Home, 1 Birch St., Woodsville, N.H. A memorial service will be held on Thursday, Dec. 4, 2008. Burial will be in Groton Village Cemetery. Proud of his service to country and community, donations to the Vermont Veterans' Home Business Office, Donation Account-Members Assistance, 325 North St., Bennington, VT 05201, would be appreciated.

, a Lyndon resident, passed away Monday, Dec. 1, 2008, at the Pines Health & Rehab Center at the age of 86. She was born June 2, 1922, in Sutton. She is the daughter of the late Archie R. & Lucile (Barker) Gray. She graduated from Lyndon Institute Class of 1940. She married Everett L. King on Feb. 22, 1946, in West Burke. He predeceased her in 1995. Ruberta enjoyed cooking especially with her grandchildren, sewing, gardening, bird watching, Sunday drives with her family, rocking on the front porch. Her family was her life, she will be greatly missed. Ruberta is survived by her two children, Patricia Richmond and husband Doug of Underhill, and Don King of Concord; six grandchildren; 12 great-grandchildren; two sisters, Norma Stevens of Oakman, Okla., and Alfreda Bumps of West Haven, Conn.; and many nieces, nephews and cousins. Visiting hours will be at Pearsons Funeral Home Wednesday, Dec. 3, between the hours of 6 p.m. and 8 p.m. A funeral service will be at the Lyndonville United Methodist Church Thursday, beginning at 1 p.m., with the Rev. Barbara A. Dwyer, officiant. Interment will be in the spring in the Hillside Cemetery, West Burke. Memorial contributions may be made in Ruberta's name to The Pines Health & Rehab. Activity Fund, 601 Red Village Road, Lyndonville, VT 05851.

, Franconia, N.H., died Dec. 1, 2008, at age 75. She was predeceased by her parents, John and Anna Keane, and sister Doris Sloane. She is survived by her loving husband, Richard Bennink; her children, Patricia (Martin) Sharpe, Kathryn (Bob Halliday) Hutton, Greg (Helen) Hutton, Jonathan Hutton; and five grandchildren. Mrs. Bennink was an English teacher on Long Island, N.Y. and enjoyed alpine skiing, traveling and the arts. Friends are invited to attend her Memorial Service 1 p.m. on Friday, Dec. 5, at Franconia Community Church of Christ, 44 Church Street, Franconia, NH 03580. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be directed to the church in Carole's memory.

, age 82, died peacefully in his sleep on Nov. 30, 2008, in Littleton, N.H., surrounded by his devoted wife and loving family. He was born in Waltham, Mass., on Aug. 20, 1926, the son of Eugene R. Clark Sr. and Evelyn (Lane) Clark. Gene and his wife, Peg, have lived in Littleton since 1960. Gene graduated from Waltham High School in 1944, having played on the Waltham High School State Championship football team. Immediately following high school, he served two years in the Navy, stationed in the Pacific Theater as a radar operator. After the service, he first attended Brown University and later graduated from Boston University with a Bachelors Degree, playing varsity football at both schools. After graduating from BU in 1950, he married his wife of 58 years and began a lifelong career in the YMCA. From 1950 to 1953, he served as Assistant Physical Director at the Newton, Mass., YMCA. In 1953, he became the Head Physical Director for the Attleboro Massachusetts YMCA, where he coached the undefeated high school varsity championship swim team in 1959. In 1960, Peg and Gene moved their family north to Littleton to become the Executive Director of the North Country YMCA and Director of YMCA Camp Belknap, where he served for 29 years retiring in 1988. During his tenure, Belknap experienced the greatest growth and expansion in its history. Most notably, Gene will be remembered for his vision, his land acquisition, and his leadership development, which is still the cornerstone of the Camp today. His accomplishments throughout his life include Littleton Chamber of Commerce Citizen of the Year in 1977; Member of the Littleton Rotary Club for more than 40 years, serving as President and receiving the Paul Harris Fellow; running the Rotary Santa Program for more than 40 years; Chairman of the Littleton School Board; 25-year Littleton Hospital Volunteer; Member of All Saints' Church and Choir, serving several terms as Warden of the church; 20-year volunteer of the Red Cross blood bank; a lifelong avid sportsman, golfer, skier, jogger, and volunteer coach. Gene is survived by his adoring wife, Peg; his three loving children, Gene III and wife, Caryn of Wolfeboro, N.H., Debi Valentine and husband, Mike of Lincoln, N.H., and Pami King and husband, Rob of Bradenton, Fla. He also leaves behind his three beloved grandchildren, Sean Clark, Christian Clark, and Morgan King. Gene will be most remembered for his leadership by example and for living the YMCA Camp Belknap motto - "God First, The Other Person Second, Myself Last." There will be a Celebration of Life at 1:30 p.m. on Saturday, Dec. 6, 2008, at All Saints Episcopal Church in Littleton, N.H., with Rev. Carl Schaller and Rev. Noel Bailey officiating, followed by a family reception in the church parish house. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to YMCA Camp Belknap, P. O. Box 1546, Wolfeboro, NH 03894 or All Saints' Episcopal Church, 30 School St., Littleton, NH 03561

, 82, of Lyndonville, died Tuesday morning, Dec. 2, 2008, at Dartmouth-Hitchcock Medical Center in Lebanon, N.H. He was born June 8, 1926, in Waterville, Vt., the son of Glenn and Stella (Martin) Leach. Durwood was raised on the family farm and graduated from Waterville High School in 1944. He then joined the U.S. Army Air Force serving in Germany during the reconstruction of Germany. When he returned to Vermont he worked as a Vermont State Trooper. Later he started his own business, D.G. Leach Construction Co. where he was a excavating and bulldozing contractor for more than 30 years. He had been a Village Trustee for Lyndonville for several years, and was a member of the VFW Post 10038 of Lyndonville. Durwood enjoyed attending equipment auctions, hunting, fishing, and going for rides throughout Vermont searching for a good place to fish, as well as a good place to eat. Spending time with his family, including his grandchildren, nieces, and nephews brought him much pleasure. Survivors include his wife, whom he married July 28, 1963, Priscilla (St. Onge) Leach of Lyndonville (P.O. Box 449, 05851); three sons, Mark Leach and wife Shirl of Wakefield, R.I., John Dwight Leach of Lafayette, La., and Rick Leach and wife Christine of Waukesha, Wis.; two daughters, Carol Smith and husband Howard of Milton, Vt., and Rosemary "Posie" Jardine and husband David of Tunnel Hill, Ga.; 12 grandchildren; nine great-grandchildren; a sister, Millie McCuin of New York; a sister in-law, Pat Leach of Barton, Vt.; a brother in-law, Kenneth Deuso of North Hyde Park, Vt.; and several nieces and nephews. He was predeceased by his parents; his brother, Martin Leach; and a sister, Muriel Deuso. Visiting hours will be held Sunday from 2 to 4 p.m. at the funeral home. Funeral services will be held Monday, Dec. 8, at 11 a.m., at the Guibord Funeral Home with Mr. John Sleeper officiating. Burial in Lyndon Center Cemetery will be held at the convenience of the family. Donations made in Durwood's memory may be directed to, Riverside Life Enrichment Center, 2104 East Burke Road, Lyndonville, VT 05851.

, 82, of Penacook, N.H., died Tuesday, Nov. 25, 2008, at Pleasant View Genesis Elder Care in Concord, N.H. Born on May 5, 1926, in St. Johnsbury, Vt., the daughter of William and Edith (McDowell) Bedor, she attended the local schools and was a graduate of St. Johnsbury Academy with the class of 1943. Mrs. Sampson has lived in Concord for 61 years coming from Hanover where she attended the Hitchcock School of Nursing in Hanover and graduated as a Registered Nurse. Alice worked as a Registered Nurse for many years at the New Hampshire State Hospital in Concord. She was a long time member of the West Congregational Church in Concord. Having lost her own mother at a very young age, she always put her family first. She was a devoted wife and mother. She was predeceased by her husband of 46 years Robert Carl Sampson Sr. in 1994. Also, she was predeceased by two brothers, Richard and Walter Bedor, as well as an infant sister. Mrs. Sampson is survived by three sons, Robert C. Sampson Jr. and his partner Patricia Hughes of Londonderry, N.H., William E. Sampson and his wife Christine of Sutton, Mass., and Douglas E. Sampson and his wife Jennifer of Bow, N.H.; three brothers, William Bedor of Littleton, N.H., Henry Bedor of Rutland, Vt., Peter Norton of Huntington, Pa.; a sister Helen Stickney of Penn Yan, N.Y.; and nieces and nephews. Visiting hours will be held on Friday, Dec. 12, from 9:30 to 11:30 a.m., at the West Congregational Church 499 North State Street Concord, N.H. Funeral services will begin at 11:30 a.m. at the church, with Pastor Bill Daniels officiating. Internment will immediately follow in in Maple Grove Cemetery Concord, N.H. In lieu of flowers the family request that memorial contributions be made to the CRVNA Hospice Services, 250 Pleasant St., PO Box 1797, Concord, NH 03301.

, 78, of South Wheelock, passed away peacefully at the hospital in St. Johnsbury Wednesday, Dec. 3, 2008, with her family by her side. She was born in Glover, Sept. 16, 1930, the second of seven children born to Albert and Evelyn (McLean) Brown. She and Charles J. Conroy were married Aug. 26, 1950. The Conroys moved to Vermont in mid 1970s after having resided in East Haven, Conn. Erma graduated from Hillhouse High School in New Haven with the class of 1949. In East Haven she was a longtime Girl Scout leader. She was co-owner and office manager of General Refrigeration and Air Conditioning. She is survived by her husband Charles of South Wheelock (PO Box 534, Lyndonville VT 05851); three daughters, Deborah Martone-Schwall and husband Edward of Branford Conn., Shelley Conroy-Chebuske and husband John of Madison, Va., and Edna McClure and husband Bill of Stratford Conn.; two grandchildren, Steven Martone of Branford, Conn., and Maria Saporito of Rome, Italy; two sisters, Edna Luysterborghs of Milford, Conn., and Miriam Conroy of Shelton, Conn.; and nieces and nephews. Two brothers and two sisters predeceased her, Earl, Robert, Virginia, and Rose. A Funeral Mass will be celebrated in Lyndonville Saturday, Dec. 6, 2008, at 1 p.m., at the St. Elizabeth Church. Burial will follow at the St. Elizabeth Cemetery. Visiting hours will be held at the funeral home Saturday morning from 10 a.m. to noon. Memorial contributions could be directed to Lyndon Rescue Inc., PO Box 401, Lyndonville VT 05851.

, 84, a 40-year summer resident of Cabot, died Wednesday, Nov. 26, 2008, at Kimball Farms Nursing Center in Lenox, Mass. Born in Washington, D.C., Jan. 2, 1924, the son of Rev. David R. Covell and Mary Scherman Covell, he was a graduate of Columbia University, earned his master's degree from the University of Michigan, his M. Divinity from Episcopal Theological School at Harvard University, Cambridge, and his ABD from New York University. During his long career David ministered to Episcopal churches in Ohio, Michigan, Connecticut, New Jersey, Pennslyvania, Massachusetts, and Toronto, Canada. He served as an executive member at the Episcopal Church Center in New York City, was the former executive director of the Massachusetts Bible Society, and in retirement served as a cruise chaplain for Holland America Lines. Throughout his career he had a great love of England and served as minister to four parishes there. David was one of the first exchange priests between the Episcopal Church and the Church of England serving at St. Thomas Hanwell, London during 1961-62. In his first year of retirement he volunteered and served as priest to the Benefice of Overbury, Diocese of Worcester (England). His wife of nearly 50 years, Carolyn D. Covell, died in 1998. David and his second wife, Nancy Graham Covell, were married Oct. 9, 1999. Besides his wife of Toronto, Canada, he is survived by two daughters, Anne B. Covell and husband William Higgins of New York and Lenox, Cynthia Schultz and husband Fred of Great Falls, Mo.; his son, David R. Covell III and wife Valerie of Cabot, Vt.; step-daughters Julia Graham, Anne and husband Simon Herriotts, and Margaret Graham and Stephen Hawken; one sister Randy Kuhn of Rochester Hills, Mich.; four grandchildren including Nathan, Christopher, Graham and Rebecca; and one step-granddaughter Feylin. Private burial will be in Cabot Plains Cemetery, Vt. There are no calling hours. In lieu of flowers, donations in David's memory may be made to the Episcopal Relief and Development Fund in care of Roche Funeral Home, 120 Main St., Lenox, MA 01240. Special thanks to Donna Besaw for her personal care and attention to David, the staff at Kimball Farms Nursing Center and Pine Hill who cared for him over the past two years, and also to Hospice Care of the Berkshires.

, 73, of Lyn-Haven Estates in Lyndonville, passed away peacefully Thursday evening, Dec. 4, 2008, in the presence of her family at Northeastern Vermont Regional Hospital. She was born in Poughkeepsie, N.Y., on Aug. 14, 1935, the third child of Walter J. and Frances (Rifenburg) Lewis Parker. She and Edwin Berry Sr. were married Feb. 26, 1955 in Poughkeepsie. He predeceased her in 1994. Ida Mae was a homemaker and was dedicated to her family. She loved shopping mostly for her family and spending time at the Darling Inn with their special functions and visiting her friends there. She was a member of the VFW Ladies' Auxiliary #10038 and the Lyndonville United Methodist Church. She is survived by her six children, Teresa Bedor and husband Paul of Lyndonville, Tina Mae Dion and husband Homer of Bath, N.H., Edwin Berry Jr. and wife Denise of Wheelock, Scott Berry Sr. and wife Cindy of Woodsville, N.H., Jesse Berry and wife Brigitte of Lyndonville, and April Fournier and husband Richard of Lyndonville; 12 grandchildren: Anthony and Michael; Crystal and Niki Lynn; Melissa; Michelle, Stacey, and Scott Jr.; Sean and Sara; Jamie and Holly; 17 great-grandchildren; her brothers and sisters, Hattie, Gussie, Walter, Shirley, Irene, Carol, Adlaide, Mary Lou, Patricia, Frannie, Betty Jean, and Charles; several nieces and nephews; and the Berry side of the family including Ed's sister Rita "Sis" Currence and brother Everett. She was predeceased by a brother William, Ed's brother Richard Berry and Ed's sister-in-law Pat. Funeral services will be held at the Lyndonville United Methodist Church on Tuesday, Dec. 9, at 10 a.m. The Rev. Barbara Dwyer will officiate. Burial will follow at Lyndon Center Cemetery. Visiting hours will be held at the funeral home Monday evening from 6 to 8 p.m. Memorial contributions may be directed to Darling Inn Meals Site, 42 Depot St., Lyndonville VT 05851.

, of East Concord, died peacefully at Northeastern Vermont Regional Hospital Thursday, Dec. 4, 2008, at the age of 42. He was born in St. Johnsbury on Aug. 14, 1966, the son of Irving and Rachel (Hale) Danforth. For the past four and a half years, Phillip valiantly battled his pulmonary fibrosis and kept working as best he could as a self-employed jack of all trades. His best friend in the whole world was his pug dog Comet. He is survived by his wife of 23 years Cindy (Shatney) Danforth of East Concord (93 Leonard Hill Rd., East Concord VT 05906); his mother Rachel Danforth of St. Johnsbury (Mt. View Drive Apt. B-6 05819); three children, Jennifer Knapp and husband James of Snowcamp, N.C., Phillip "PJ" Danforth, Jr., of Lyndonville, and Michael Danforth of East Concord; a grandson James Knapp, Jr.; two sisters Phyllis Jones and husband John of Concord, and Delores Boutin-Farley and husband Shawn Farley of Ryegate; his niece Brittany; five nephews, Adam, Darren, Daniel, Thomas, and Travis; three great-nephews who meant the world to him, Kyle, Tristan, and Collin; his beloved-in-laws Richard and Dorothy Shatney of Snowcamp, N.C.; Cindy's sister Linda Whitehead and husband Don of East Concord. He was predeceased by his father Irving and his two brothers Eddie and Keith. Friends and family will gather at the Sayles Funeral Home on Sunday from 1 to 4 p.m. Visiting hours will conclude with a prayer service led by NVRH chaplain Lynn Burgess who has been serving the family very closely throughout his stay at the hospital. Memorial contributions could be directed to Green Mt. Pug Rescue, 14 Pine Ridge Circle Lyndonville VT 05851.

of Waterford passed away at home Friday, Dec. 5, 2008, with wife Joanne and family by his side. Funeral services will be held Tuesday at 11 a.m. at St. John the Evangelist Church. Visiting hours will be held at the Sayles Funeral Home Monday evening from 5 to 8 p.m. Friends and family are planning their team Sullycat for this spring's St. Johnsbury Relay for Life. Memorial contributions, payable to the "American Cancer Society" and marked for "Team Sullycat," could be directed to Michael Lumbra at 3666 Severance Hill Road, Lyndonville VT 05851. A complete notice will be published in the Monday edition of this paper.

, 51, of Mt. Pleasant Trailer Park in St. Johnsbury, passed away at his home Friday, Dec. 5, 2008, surrounded by family and friends. He was born in St. Johnsbury on Jan. 10, 1957, the son of John and Alzada (Leo) MacDougall. Dick operated Dick's Automotive on Pearl Street in St. Johnsbury and was a self-employed auto mechanic most of his working life. He loved racing, boating and snowmobiling and doing things with his girls. He is survived by his companion Linda Young of St. Johnsbury; three children Georgia Hadley and husband Amadon of Newbury, twins Patricia and Samantha MacDougall and step-son Nathan Young all of St. Johnsbury; two grandchildren Dakota and Liam; three brothers Ernest MacDougall and wife Rose of Lyndonville, Lawrence MacDougall and companion Linda Chase of North Concord, John MacDougall and companion Judy McWilliams of Shelburne Falls, Mass.; nieces and nephews: Todd, Sherry, David, Glenn, Melinda, Tina, John, Kathy, Craig, Magen, and John; as well as many close and lifelong friends. Funeral services will be held at the Sayles Funeral Home Saturday, Dec. 13, at 3 p.m. Mr. John Sleeper will officiate. Committal services will be held at the funeral home with burial later at Danville Green Cemetery. Friends and family may gather at the funeral home from 2 p.m. to the start of the service. Memorial contributions, marked for "Hospice" could be directed to Caledonia Home Health, 161 Sherman Drive, St. Johnsbury VT 05819.