of Derby died Thursday, October 7, 2004. Mrs. Elfin is survived by her brother-in-law John W. Davidson of Ocala, Florida; by two nieces, Joan Binz and Patricia Johnson; by two grand-nieces; and by two grand-nephews. She was predeceased by her parents; by her husband, Sidney Elfin; and by her sister Janet Shaw Davidson. The family will honor Mrs. Elfin's request for cremation.

, 82, of Derby Line died peacefully October 9, 2004, in Newport. Mr. Drown was born July 6, 1922, in North Troy, a son of Victor and Maude (Lake) Drown. He was a veteran of World War II. He entered the United States Army Air Corp 58th Wing Command on October 8, 1942, and was honorably discharged on October 27, 1945. He received the Good Conduct Medal, Victory Medal for World War II, the American Campaign Medal, and the EAME Campaign Medal for his valor. He served in Metfield, London, British Guyana, and Trinidad, and after the war he spent time in Paris and Germany. He was on the Queen Mary to Europe when it was a troop ship. In February 1953 he married Jean Smith, who predeceased him on May 24. During his lifetime he was employed by Weyerhauser in North Troy and later for Ethan Allen Manufacturing in Orleans. He held membership with North Troy Jay Peak Post No. 28 and Veterans of Foreign Wars Post No. 798 of Newport. As a youth he loved baseball and was an excellent pitcher. He was also an avid golfer. He is survived by his children: Robert Drown and Carmen Ercolini of California, Stephen Drown and his wife, Maria, of Massachusetts, and David Drown and his wife, Deborah, of Massachusetts; by his granddaughter Katherine Drown of Massachusetts; and by a stepgranddaughter, Dr. Lisa Ercolini-Bhatia of Iowa. Funeral services were held at the North Troy United Church on October 12 with the Reverend Carl Shoemaker officiating. Interment followed in the North Troy Cemetery with full military honors. Should friends desire, contributions in Mr. Drown's memory may be made to the North Troy United Church, North Troy, Vermont 05859.

, 88, died and attained peace Monday, September 20, 2004, at home, under the devoted care of his loving wife and son after a long battle with cancer. Born in Barton on December 24, 1915, Mr. Prescott was a son of Ellis and Mabel Prescott. He attended Barton Academy and worked for telephone and electric companies until he entered the service during World War II, serving from September 1942 and receiving his discharge in December 1952. He married Madeline Hanson of Newport in August 1942. He attended Officer's Candidate School at Fort Belvoir, Virginia, received his commission, and then completed mechanical engineering equipment school. He served in the European Campaign, attaining three bronze stars and various other medals. He was discharged as captain, serving as company commander in the 310th Signal Operations Battalion. After returning home from active service, he worked for many years for the Vermont Electric Co-op in Johnson. While line superintendent there he built the first electric substation in Vermont. He later accepted the managers position at the Delaware County Electric Co-op in Delhi, New York, where he was awarded the Senator Aiken Award for dedication to rural electrification. After retiring in 1981, he and his wife spent part of their time in Venice, Florida, and the other in Laurens, New York. Other than his great interest in his work, he enjoyed his family, relatives and friends. He liked working with wood, from remodeling his home to crafting cherished items. He enjoyed sports: basketball, baseball, swimming, boating, and skiing, and music and dancing. Various surgeries changed his lifestyle but he was still the same "Charlie" with a great sense of humor, winning personality, and a kindness to people and animals. He kept his old friends and made many new ones. He will be dearly missed. He is survived by his wife of 62 years, Madeline; by his son Brian and his wife, Anne, of Laurens; by his sister Marjorie of St Johnsbury; by his grandchildren: Jonathan Hemmings and his wife, Corynn, of Virginia, Tiffany Stefanyk and her husband, Bob, of British Columbia, and Devin Prescott of Laurens; by two great-grandchildren, Jessica Stefanyk and Matthew Hemmings; and by several cousins, nieces, and nephews. He was predeceased by his beloved daughter Rae; by his precious granddaughter Nicole; by his sister Gertrude; and by brothers Milton and Ceylon. There will be no calling hours. A service of remembrance was offered for family, relatives, friends, and neighbors on October 4 at the Embury Chapel at the First United Methodist Church in Oneonta, New York, with Hospice Chaplain Allison Bookhout officiating. Gifts of remembrance may be made to Hospice, 542 Main Street, Oneonta, New York 13820; or to Hospice of Southwest Florida, 220 Wexford Boulevard, Venice, Florida 34293.

, 86, of East Charleston died at his home on Friday, October 15, 2004. Mr. Nielsen was born in Glendale, Queens, New York, on November 18, 1917, the son of Helenius and Hermine (Zick) Nielsen. On March 15, 1941, he married Marie Bechtel, who survives him. He served in the U.S. Army and was a veteran of World War II. He worked as an electrical foreman for the Long Island Railroad for over 30 years and has been retired for the last 31 years. He was a deacon and trustee of the Plymouth Congregational Church in East Charleston and spent a lot of time helping out at the church. He loved his family and enjoyed helping them with building and fixing things; they thought of him as "Mr. Fix-it." He liked to travel with his wife, going on cruises and visiting all of the United States, seven European countries, four Scandinavian countries, and many other areas. He was a quiet, fun-loving, kind-hearted family man. He enjoyed working around his home and would always lend a helping hand to others whenever needed. He was a giving and loving husband and father who totally supported his family in every way. Besides his wife, Marie, he is survived by his daughters Carolyn Cesare and her husband, Julius, of Dover Plains, New York, and Diane Colburn and her husband, Richard Jr., of East Charleston; by his granddaughter Krista Hogge of Derby; by his stepgranddaughter Sarah Colburn of East Charleston; by his grandsons: Mark Cesare and his wife, Jennifer, of Raleigh, North Carolina, Michael Cesare of Brewster, New York, and Matthew Cesare and his wife, Patsy, of St. Peters, Missouri; by his great-granddaughters Nicolette Cesare of Brewster and Christianna Cesare of Raleigh; by his stepgreat-grandson Stephen St. John of Raleigh; by his nephew Roger Chappell and his wife, Pat, of Wayne, New Jersey; and by his niece Barbara Turner and her family of Colorado Springs, Colorado. He was predeceased by one brother and by one sister. Funeral services were held October 18 at the Plymouth Congregational Church in East Charleston with the Reverend Richard Miller officiating. Interment followed at Hillside Cemetery in East Charleston. Should friends desire, contributions in Mr. Nielsen's memory may be made to the Plymouth Congregational Church, East Charleston, Vermont 05833; or to Orleans-Essex Visiting Nurses Association and Hospice, 46 Lakemont Road, Newport, Vermont 05855.

, 54, of Craftsbury died on Monday, October 11, 2004, at the Woodridge Nursing Home in Berlin, following a long illness. Mrs. Jenkins was born in Hardwick on February 28, 1950, a daughter of Robert and Elizabeth (Wehncke) Merrill. She was a graduate of Craftsbury Academy and the University of Vermont. She had been employed at the Vermont Center for Independent Living, the Vermont Department of Taxes, and the Washington County Agricultural Stabilization and Conservation Service. On October 7, 1979, she married Jeffrey Jenkins in Montpelier. She enjoyed nature walks, art, music, and photography. Survivors include her mother, Betty Merrill, of Craftsbury; sisters: Mary Ann Merrill, Jane Linck and her husband, David, of Craftsbury, and Nancy Merrill of Burlington; uncles: John Wehncke of Chilmark, Massachusetts, Leland Merrill and his wife, Beverly, of LaCrescent, Minnesota, and Everett Merrill and his wife, Phyllis, of Cobleskill, New York; several cousins; a niece, Jennifer Linck, of Milton; a nephew, Robert Linck, of Craftsbury; and a special friend, Brent Martin, of Brookfield. She was predeceased by her father, Robert Merrill. A memorial service was held on October 16 at the United Church of Craftsbury Common with the Reverend Neil Carr officiating. Contributions in Mrs. Jenkins' memory may be made to the Central Vermont Home Health and Hospice, in care of Diana Pierce, 600 Granger Road, Barre, Vermont 05641; or to a library of one's choice.

of Cheshire, Connecticut, died Friday, September 3, 2004, at MidState Medical Center in Meriden, Connecticut. She was the wife of George S. Gyuricsko. Mrs. Gyuricsko was born in Waterbury, Connecticut, daughter of the late Hugh and Alice (Stewart) Erskine. She was educated in Waterbury schools and earned her licensed practical nurse degree from Warren F. Kaynor Technical School in 1970. She was at the top of her class. She worked in Waterbury Hospital's nursery. She had resided in Cheshire since 1955. Her friends and family will remember her exceptional knitting and sewing talents as well as her lifelong love of Willoughby Lake and the bravery and dignity she showed in the face of her increasing physical struggles. Besides her husband of 52 years, she leaves three sons: Douglas Gyuricsko and his wife, Donna, of Tallahassee, Florida, Stephen Gyuricsko of Alaska, and Gregory Gyuricsko of Cheshire; a daughter, Sherrie G. Fairbrother, of Cheshire; four granddaughters: Lori Gyuricsko of Meriden, Terry Selden and Deborah Gyuricsko of Jacksonville Beach, Florida, and Kelly Fairbrother of Cheshire; two great-grandchildren, Veronica and Maxwell Selden, of Florida; and a dear friend, Mary Cresotti, of Cheshire. She was predeceased by a sister, Shirley Erskine Coviello. Burial will be at the convenience of the family in East Charleston. There are no calling hours. Memorial contributions may be made to Connecticut Humane Society, 788 Amity Road, Bethany, Connecticut 06524; or to Meow Incorporated, 10 Naser Road, Litchfield, Connecticut 06759.

, 77, beloved husband of Joan McCahey, died Thursday, October 7, 2004, in Newport. Mr. de Souza leaves his children: Daphne Reid and her husband, David, Geoff de Souza and his wife, Lisa, and Craig de Souza; his grandchildren Pamela and Christopher Reid; his brother-in-law Mervyn Cater; and his nieces Donna and Jennifer. Funeral services were held October 15 at St. Barnabas Anglican Church in St. Lambert, Quebec. Donations in Mr. de Souza's memory may be made to the Lung Cancer Association or the Canadian Cancer Society.

, 66, of Northfield, New Hampshire, died Sunday, October 17, 2004, at the Catholic Medical Center in Manchester, New Hampshire, with her loving family at her side, following a period of failing health. Mrs. Blanchard was born in Laconia, New Hampshire, on April 13, 1938, a daughter of Leon G. and M. Antoinette (Valliere) Small. She lived in Vermont for many years, moving to her daughter's home in Northfield over 15 years ago. She worked for several years at the Tilton Endless Belt Company in Tilton, New Hampshire, Ethan Allen Furniture Company in Orleans, and Webster Valve-Watts Regulators in Franklin, New Hampshire. She enjoyed camping, gardening, four-wheeling, traveling with her brother Roy, and visiting with family. Her family includes two sons, Roy A. Blanchard of St. Johnsbury and Donald E. Blanchard Jr. of Orleans; three daughters: Marie A. Hall of West Glover, Donna M. Aulis of Northfield, New Hampshire, and Shirley D. Nadeau of Coventry; eight grandchildren; two brothers, Roy J. Small of Lakeport, New Hampshire, and Arnold A. Small of Franklin; nieces and nephews; and her companion of 21 years, Ronald Hart, of Gilford, New Hampshire. A funeral service was held October 20 at the William F. Smart Sr. Memorial Home in Tilton with burial at Sacred Heart Cemetery in Laconia. Expressions of sympathy may be made to either the American Cancer Society, 30 Speen Street, Framingham, Massachusetts 01701; or to the American Heart Association, 2 Wall Street, Manchester, New Hampshire 03101.

, 82, of Franklinton, North Carolina, died Tuesday morning, October Mrs. Wheeler was born October 19, 1923, a daughter of the late Grace Mae Driskell and Joseph Roy Feuquay. Her mother lived in Orleans County. She is survived by her daughters and sons-in-law: Claudia R. and Harry Goad of Maryland, Hattie Grace Wheeler of Franklinton, and Mary Anne and David Smith of Franklinton; by sons and daughters-in-law Harold W. and Sharon Wheeler of Mississippi and Richard and Eleanor Wheeler of Pennsylvania; by her sister Virginia Detrick of Indiana; by seven grandchildren; and by 13 great-grandchildren. She was predeceased by her husband, Harold W. Wheeler; by her grandson Richard Wheeler; and by sisters Beverly McGurik and Doris Ditzenberger. A funeral service was held October 22 at Oxford Church of God in Oxford, North Carolina, where she was a member. Pastor Milton Abbott officiated. Burial was October 26 at Fort Indiantown Gap Veterans Administration National Cemetery in Annville, Pennsylvania. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to the Alzheimer's Association, 400 Oberlin Road, Suite 220, Raleigh, North Carolina 27605.

, 93, of Craftsbury died Sunday, October 24, 2004, at Union House Nursing Home in Glover following a long illness. Mr. Houston was born in Walden on April 20, 1911, the son of Joseph R. and Myrtie (Wilcox) Houston. He attended grade school in Walden. On May 29, 1935, he married Avis Harvey. He owned and operated a dairy farm in Walden and Craftsbury. He was a former member of the South Walden Methodist Church and a past member of the Craftsbury Grange. He had served the town of Walden as a selectman and school director and the town of Craftsbury as a lister. Besides his wife, Avis, he leaves a son, Gary Houston, and his wife, Nioka, of Hyde Park; six daughters: Sarah Houston of Walden, Susan Slosek and her husband, Stephen, of West Glover and Nantucket, Amy Curtis of Newport, Judy Forester and her husband, Arthur, of East Albany, Anne Starr of Omaha, Nebraska, and Rebecca Young and her husband, Robert "Ted," of West Glover; three sisters: Louise Salls of Hardwick, Rachel Bailey of Woodbury, and Beverly Houston of Zephyrhills, Florida; 19 grandchildren; and 18 great-grandchildren. He was predeceased by a daughter, Lillian, who died in 1944 at age eight; by a brother, Joseph W. Houston; and by three sisters: Leona Stratton, Olive Robertson, and Joyce Panagopoulis. A memorial service will be held at the Hope Community Church in South Walden at 11 a.m., on Saturday, October 30. Final interment will be in the Houston Hill Cemetery in Walden at the convenience of the family. In lieu of flowers, contributions in Mr. Houston's memory may be made to a charity of one's choice.

, 97, of Palmer, Massachusetts, died October 18, 2004, at Baystate Medical Center in Massachusetts. Born in North Troy on September 25, 1907, Mrs. Hemphill was a daughter of the late Charles B. and Metta B. (Bannister) Chase. She was a 62-year resident of Palmer. She worked at New England Telephone in Palmer for over 30 years, where she met and befriended many of the townspeople. She was a longtime member of the Second Congregational Church in Palmer, and she was a telephone pioneer. She was also very active in the Palmer and West Warren, Massachusetts, senior centers and attended functions with the Red Hat Society. She is survived by a daughter, Norma Hitchcock, of Agawam, Massachusetts; by three grandchildren: James Hitchcock of West Springfield, Massachusetts, Alan Hitchcock and his wife, Susan, of Feeding Hills, Massachusetts, and Linda LeClair and her husband, William, of Agawam; by five great-grandchildren: Amy, Daniel, and Matthew LeClair of Westfield, Massachusetts, and Allison and Kimberly Hitchcock of Feeding Hills. She was predeceased by her husband, Raymond, in 1970; and by a grandson, Richard, in 1998. Funeral services were held October 23 at the Beers & Story Palmer Funeral Home. Burial followed in Oak Knoll Cemetery in Massachusetts. Donations may be made in Mrs. Hemphill's memory to the Second Congregational Church, 1080 Pleasant Street, Palmer, Massachusetts 01069.

, 76, of Derby Line died at his home on Thursday, October 21, 2004. Mr. Flynn was born in Holland on October 22, 1927, the son of Herbert and Sfa (Calkins) Flynn. On September 26, 1953, he married Betty Lou Bronson, who survives him. He was a self-employed car salesman. He served in the Vermont National Guard and the U.S. Army including a tour of duty in Europe as well as Fort Benning, Georgia, retiring as a major. He was a longtime member of the Newport Memphremagog Lodge No. 65 of Free and Accepted Masons, a longtime member of the Newport Benevolent Protective Order of the Elks No. 2155, and a lifetime member and first president of the Vermont Association of Snow Travelers. He was very sports-minded and coached several of the area Little League teams. He enjoyed traveling with his wife, Betty, including going to their home in Bushnell, Florida, each winter. He also enjoyed being in the outdoors with his family and friends, fishing and hunting. He particularly enjoyed baseball and was an ardent fan of the Red Sox. He lived long enough to know that the Red Sox won the American League pennant. He was a very family-oriented man who derived great pleasure from his grandchildren, especially following their experiences in baseball, softball, and hockey. Besides his wife, Betty, he is survived by his sons: Keith and his wife, Kim, of Derby Line, Kim and his wife, Lisa, of Manchester, New Hampshire, and Kurk and his wife, Carmen, of Newport Center; by his grandchildren: Courtney and Adam of Derby Line, Katy and Matthew of Manchester, and Tanner and Travis of Newport Center; by his brother Lyman and his wife, Lucille, of Morgan; by his brother-in-law Bill West of Concord, New Hampshire; and by his sister-in-law Ruby Flynn of Derby Line. He was predeceased by three brothers and by three sisters. Funeral services were held at a Curtis-Britch Converse-Rushford Funeral Home in Newport October 26 with the Reverend Paul Essaff officiating. Interment followed at the Derby Center Cemetery with full military honors. Should friends desire, contributions in Mr. Flynn's memory may be made to the American Red Cross, Armed Forces Emergency Service, 29 Mansfield Avenue, Burlington, Vermont 05401.

, 92, of Derby died in Newport on Thursday, October 21, 2004. Mr. Brown was born in Derby on June 2, 1912, the son of Rufus and Elfrieda (Welch) Brown. On September 7, 1935, he married Geneva Wheeler, who predeceased him on August 29, 1995. He farmed for many years, then worked as a janitor at the Hillside Elementary School in Newport, working until he was 90. He was a member of the Welcome Club in Beebe Plain and the Coventry Grange. He and his wife were members of an American Legion Dart Team for years. He was an avid hunter and enjoyed gardening. He loved playing cards with his friends. Using his Yankee ingenuity, he would find a way to help those who needed something made or repaired. He was a devoted husband and father. He is survived by his children: Sanford Brown of Derby, Arthur Brown and his wife, Mary, of Derby, and Bonnie Haas and her husband, David, of Stratham, New Hampshire; by his grandchildren Steve and Ryan Haas and Roger Brown, all of Stratham, New Hampshire; by his great-grandchildren Colby and Zachary Brown; and by his sister Helen Smith of St. Johnsbury. He was predeceased by his infant daughter, Sheila Ann Brown, on November 3, 1945; and by 16 brothers and sisters. Funeral services will be held on Wednesday, October 27, at the Curtis-Britch Converse-Rushford Funeral Home on Darling Hill Road in Newport at 4 p.m., with the Reverend Roger Fletcher officiating. Friends may call at the funeral home from 3 p.m. until the time of the service. Interment will follow at Pine Grove Cemetery in Newport. Should friends desire, contributions in Mr. Brown's memory may be made to the Derby Line Ambulance Service, in care of Brian Fletcher, P.O. Box 105, Derby Line, Vermont 05830; or to the American Heart Association, Vermont Affiliate, P.O. Box 485, Williston, Vermont 05495.

, 69, a civil engineer and longtime resident of Albany died at his home Thursday, October 21, 2004, following a long battle with cancer. Mr. Brow was born in Albany on January 14, 1935, the son of Winfred P. and Irene (Boucher) Brow. He attended grade school in Albany and was a graduate of Craftsbury Academy. He received his bachelor of science, cum laude, from Norwich University in Northfield where he was in the Reserve Officers' Training Corps. He was commissioned a second lieutenant and served with the Vermont National Guard. On September 1, 1956, he married Zoe Sweatt in Craftsbury. Together they made their home in Albany and raised their family. He was employed for many years with the state of Vermont Agency of Transportation as a civil engineer. He later was self-employed as a consulting engineer. He had served the town of Albany as a selectman for many years and was currently the treasurer of the Craftsbury Academy Board of Trustees. He was a member of the Lions Club and American Legion Post No. 23 in Orleans. Besides his wife, Zoe, of Albany, he leaves two sons, Douglas Brow of Albany and Steven Brow of San Jose, California; two daughters, Linda Johnson of Waterboro, Maine, and Cathie Melvin and her husband, Andy, of Yuma, Arizona; a sister, Barbara Stone, and her husband, Keith, of Albany; two brothers, Lawrence "Lonnie" Brow and his wife, Marla, of Orleans and Roger Brow of Palmetto, Florida; six grandchildren; and several nieces and nephews. He was predeceased by a brother, Raymond "Peno" Brow. A memorial service was held October 24 at the Albany recreation field. Contributions in Mr. Brow's memory may be made to the Albany Fire Department, P.O. Box 316, Albany, Vermont 05820.