, 77, a lifelong St. Johnsbury resident, passed away Sunday, Aug. 21, 2005, at the Union House Nursing Home in Glover. The son of the late Elsworth and Edith (Holbrook) Freeman, he was born April 4, 1928, in St. Johnsbury. Robert was a member of the Catholic Church, worked many years for the railroad, had an interest in baseball and was an avid Cleveland Indians fan. Robert is survived by a brother, Charles Freeman and his wife Donna of Asheboro, N.C.; and several nieces and nephews. A graveside service will be held at the Mt. Calvary Cemetery Friday, Aug. 26, at 1 p.m., with the Rev. Patrick Forman, officiant.

, 87, of Danville, passed away Aug. 22, 2005, the same date her husband Kenneth died 13 years ago. Born June 18, 1918, in Groton to Zelma (Darling) and Robert C. Petrie, she grew up in the Green Bay section of Peacham, attended school in Peacham and graduated from Peacham Academy in 1935. Roberta married Kenneth R. Perkins of Danville in 1937. As a young wife and mother, she was busy as a homemaker and raising their two sons. She entered the work force preparing meals for the Danville School lunch program, which she did for nine years. Roberta worked for awhile in Sleeper's Store with kindly Dale Sleeper, and was later employed by the Caledonia National Bank for 26 years, until her retirement in 1983. Except for three years spent in Connecticut during World War II, Roberta and Kenneth spent most of their married life in Danville. However, beginning in 1984, they retired to Florida in the winter, while still maintaining a home in Danville. Roberta continued to winter in Florida after Kenneth died. The Danville Congregational Church was a very important part of Roberta's life. She sang in the choir for many years, was secretary of the Ladies Aid, worked on many church suppers and was the first woman to serve as a deacon. Roberta was loved by everyone who knew her, especially her children, grandchildren, great-grandchildren, nieces and nephews. Roberta was a neatnik and worked diligently at keeping things - her home, her surroundings, her family - neat and clean. She was a fabulous cook and could always be counted on to remedy anyone's cooking dilemma, if asked. She will be greatly missed, not only in these areas, but also by her dancing partners. She had a fondness for music and particularly loved dancing. Roberta is survived by one son, Robert K. Perkins of Ferrisburgh; two grandchildren, Nancy (Perkins) and Mike Charron of Ferrisburgh, and Brent J. Perkins and Stacey Miller of Addison; three great-grandchildren, Kyle and Kayla Charron and Madison Perkins; a brother, Delmar Petrie and his wife Donna, formerly from Peacham and now from Manchester, N.H.; a sister-in-law, Marilyn Petrie of Peacham; two ex-daughters-in-law, Harriet Perkins of Vergennes and Sun City, Ariz., and Judy Garland of Danville; and a dear friend, Gene Doby from New Jersey and his family. Besides her husband, she was predeceased by a son, Dwayne, in 2002; and by two brothers, Gordon and Albert Petrie, both of Peacham. A burial service will be held Tuesday, Aug. 30, 2005, in the Danville Cemetery at 1 p.m., with a memorial service immediately following in the Danville Congregational Church at 2 p.m. Memorial contributions may be made to the Danville Congregational Church, P.O. Box 161, the Danville Rescue Squad, P.O. Box 256, or the Danville Senior Meals, in care of Methodist Church, P.O. Box 35, Danville, VT 05828.

, 79, formerly of the St. Johnsbury area, died Monday, Aug. 22, 2005, in Plains, Ga. A complete notice will appear with service times locally in the Thursday Caledonian-Record.

, 68, of Dance Hall Road, Lunenburg, Vt., died Wednesday, Aug. 24, 2005, at Weeks Medical Center, Lancaster, N.H. Mrs. Pritchard was born in Richmond Hill, N.Y., on May 20, 1937, the daughter of John and Catherine (Helbock) Smith. She was raised in East Hartford, Conn., and was a 1955 graduate of East Hartford High School. For 20 years she was employed as an accountant for the state of Connecticut Department of Education. She was forced to retire in 1991 due to health and has been a resident of Lunenburg since 1992. She was a former member of the Loyal Order of Moose. Family members include a stepdaughter, Gail MacDonald of South Windsor, Conn.; a brother, John Smith of East Hartford, Conn.; three sisters, Catherine McFadden of New London, Conn., Estelle Watson of Moreno Valley, Calif., and Margaret Pellhemus of North Highlands, Calif.; and two grandchildren, Christa and Kyle. Her husband, Roger E. Pritchard, predeceased her in 2002. A visiting hour will be held Friday morning, Aug. 26, from 9-10 a.m., at the Bailey Funeral Home, Lancaster. A funeral service will follow immediately after at 10 a.m. at the funeral home. The Rev. Richard A. O'Donnell of St. Johnsbury, will officiate. Burial will follow in the Riverside Cemetery, South Lunenburg.

, 79, of 225 Hospital St., Plains, Ga., died Monday, Aug. 22, 2005, in Sumter Regional Hospital. Born Oct. 25, 1925, in Newbury, Vt., Mrs. Briggs was a daughter of the late George Bissell and Blanch Mason Bissell. A homemaker and registered nurse, she worked in Brightlook Hospital in St. Johnsbury, Vt. One of her favorite pastimes was playing cribbage. Survivors include a son and daughter-in-law, Norman and Judith Briggs of Concord, Vt.; a daughter and son-in-law, Gale and Don Brown of Americus, Ga.; granddaughters, Jennifer Davis of Douglasville, Ga., Krista Briggs of Clarksdale, Ga., and Jessica Brown of Americus, Ga.; two grandsons, Keven Briggs of Concord, Vt., and Edward Brown of Americus, Ga.; a brother, Calvin Bissell of Colliersville, N.Y.; a sister-in-law, Elaine Bissell of Colliers, N.Y.; and several nieces and nephews. Her husband, Edward Clayton Briggs; and one brother, Randell Bissell of St. Johnsbury, Vt., preceded her in death. Friends are invited to meet the family at Sayles Funeral Home Friday, Aug. 26, 2005, from 6-8 p.m. Graveside services will be conducted at 11 a.m. Saturday, Aug. 27, in Danville/Green Cemetery in Danville, Vt. The Rev. Henry "Hank" Cheney will officiate.

, 64, of St. Petersburg, Fla., died Monday evening, Aug. 1, 2005, at Palms of Pasadena Hospital Hospice Unit, South Pasadena, Fla. He passed away with his loving family by his side after a long courageous battle with melanoma. He was born April 12, 1941, in Lebanon, N.H., the son of Gordon Ballam and Bernard and Dorothy Hazen. David was schooled and graduated from St. Johnsbury Academy, Class of 1960. After moving to Florida in 1961, David attended radiology school. He then pursued a career as a radiology technician for 43 years at Bayfront Medical Center in St. Petersburg, Fla. Survivors include his companion, Howard Flannery; two sons, Brian and Doug, both of Ohio; a sister, Sandra Lavallee and her husband Earl of St. Johnsbury; and two brothers, Richard Hazen and his wife Pamela of Richford, and Bruce Hazen and his wife Debra of Waterford; and five nieces, nine nephews and four cousins. A memorial service will be held in St. Johnsbury at Mt. Pleasant Cemetery Saturday, Aug. 27, at noon. Memorial contributions in honor of David may be forwarded to Bayfront Medical Center, 701 6th St. South, St. Petersburg, FL 33701, Attention: Radiology Department.

of East Burke, Vt., died Aug. 25, 2005, at Dartmouth-Hitchcock Medical Center, after being transported from North Country Hospital by DHART. Born in Trenton, N.J., she attended Holy Cross Elementary School, followed by St. Anthony High School. She later earned an undergraduate and master's degree in archaeology from New York University. She was born Sept. 24, 1961, in Trenton, N.J. She is survived by her husband, William S. Mutschler; and her son, William H. Mutschler III. Her mother, Gail Perrine, resides in Yardville, N.J. Crystal worked as a stockbroker in New York City, and fell in love with Vermont as a ski instructor. She later taught high school and also assisted in the preparation of patent applications at a law firm in Cranbury, N.J. With her husband, she operated an Internet/mail order craft supplies business, Copper Moose. Crystal was an active sports enthusiast - an excellent skier, scuba diver and horse rider. Last year she was awarded the Best Skein of Yarn, New England, at the annual Vermont Sheep and Wool Association. A fine chef, a lover of animals and plants including rare orchids, she had a zest for life and a positive outlook that brought her through a nearly fatal car accident that occurred in July 2004. She will be deeply missed by the many who loved her. A memorial service is being planned.

, age 69, of Union Street, Littleton, N.H., passed away at his home Aug. 12, 2005, after declining health. Paul was born a son to Paul E. and Olga "Sally" (Brooks) Perry on Jan. 23, 1936, in Laconia, N.H. Paul served in the U.S. Air Force and ran many different businesses before moving to Florida where he resided for 25 years. He was employed at the J. A. Haley V.A. Hospital in Tampa, Fla., before retiring home to New Hampshire to be with his children and grandchildren. Paul is survived by wife, Marie Perry of Littleton, N.H.; children, Jon and Linda Larrivee of Littleton, N.H., Lennie Larrivee of New Bedford, Mass., Steven and Paula Pelletier of Littleton, N.H., Sid and Sara Walker of Jefferson, N.H., Angel Craig of Glenn Allen, Alaska, Rick Craig of Glenn Allen, Alaska, Michael and Tracia Craig of Valdez, Alaska, Linc and Tina Craig of Valdez, Alaska, Sallee and Mike Baltierra of Anchorage, Alaska, and Renee and Larry O'Connel of Fort Hood, Texas; as well as 34 grandchildren and two great-grandchildren. A graveside service will be held Aug. 30 at 10 a.m. in the Maple Street Cemetery in Bethlehem, N.H., with the Rev. Fr. Daniel J. Sinibaldi as celebrant. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in his memory to an animal shelter of one's choice, or the St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, 332 N. Lauderdale, Memphis, TN 38105.

, 78, pastor of Our Lady of the Holy Rosary Parish in Richmond since June 24, 1996, died unexpectedly Sunday, Aug. 28, 2005, in the parish rectory. Born in St. Johnsbury on Dec. 19, 1929, he was the son of the late Louis and Rose (Bernier) Benoit. Father graduated from St. Gabriel School in St. Johnsbury in 1942, St. Johnsbury Academy in 1946, Saint Michael's College in 1948 and St. Augustine Seminary in Toronto in 1955. He was ordained a priest in the Diocese of Burlington in the Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception, Burlington, on June 4, 1955, by the Most Reverend Edward F. Ryan, former Bishop. Father Benoit recently celebrated his 50th anniversary of ordination on June 19, 2005. Father Benoit's 50 years as a priest have taken him throughout the Diocese. He served as an assistant in St. Mary's Parish, Springfield, in 1955; St. Raphael Parish, Poultney, from 1955-59; St. Joseph Parish, Burlington, from 1959-64; and Christ the King Parish, Rutland, from 1964-66. He was then appointed pastor of St. Monica Parish, Forrestdale, from 1966-70; chaplain for Brandon Training School from 1970-71; pastor of St. Edward Parish, Derby Line, from 1971-77; chaplain for Fletcher Allen Health Care from 1977-91; pastor of St. Dominic Parish, Proctor, from 1991-96; and pastor of Our Lady of the Holy Rosary Parish, Richmond, from 1996 until his passing on Sunday. He was also serving as school board member for Rice Memorial High School since 1998. Father was currently serving as chaplain for several organizations in Richmond, including Rosary Counsel 4684, Knights of Columbus, Hale and Hearty Senior Citizens, and Beacon Light Grange 551. He was also very active with the Richmond Historical Society and oftentimes hosted tours in the Old Round Church on Sunday afternoons. From 1993-96, he served as chaplain for the Civil Air Patrol in Rutland. Father will be remembered as an avid skier who enjoyed the slopes at Bolton Valley and Smuggler's Notch. He leaves his brother, Paul Benoit and his wife Alice of Winooski; his sister, Virginia Burns and her husband Daniel of South Burlington; several nephews and nieces, Ronald and Julia Benoit, Christopher Benoit, Mary and James Rippin, Paula and John Horm, Susan and Christopher Turner, Mathew and Yvonne Benoit, Alicia and Michael Clark, Jeffrey and Mitzi Burns, Susan Cataldo, and Mark and Betsy Davison; and several grandnephews, grandnieces and cousins. In addition to his parents, Father was predeceased by his sister and brother-in-law, Priscilla and Quinton Davison. A Mass of Christian burial will be concelebrated by the Most Reverends Bishop Kenneth A. Angel and Bishop Salvatore R. Mantano, and priests from throughout the Diocese on Wednesday, Aug. 31, 2005, at 11 a.m., in the Our Lady of the Holy Rosary Church in Richmond. Interment will take place on Wednesday at 3 p.m. in Mount Calvary Cemetery in St. Johnsbury. Father Benoit will lay in state in Our Lady of the Holy Rosary Church Sanctuary today, Aug. 30, 2005, from 5-8 p.m., where his family will receive parishioners and friends. For those who wish, memorial contributions may be made to the Priest's Benefit Fund, P.O. Box 489, Burlington, VT 05402-0489.