, 85, of Melbourne, Fla. died Sunday, Oct. 11, 2009. She was born Feb. 25, 1924 in Peacham, Vt., daughter of Claude and Zedena Somers. She worked at Palmer Brothers in St. Johnsbury, Vt. for several years. She moved to Florida in 1960. She is survived by four daughters, Sheila Sheppard, Marcia Carlin, Sandra Deprosky all of Palm Bay, Fla., and Beverly Zeigler of North Carolina. She was pre-deceased by her daughter Laurie Sheppard. She is survived by one sister Vivian Placey, Lyndonville, Vt. and two sisters-in-law, Ann Somers of Barre, Vt. and Virginia Somers of Barnet, Vt. She had two sisters and three brothers pre-decease her: Rena Hooker, Verna Benway, Leon Somers, Melvin Somers and Ray Somers. She has seven grandchildren: Tony, Terri, Dawn, Michael, Shawn, Nicole and Matthew. She also has fifteen great-grandchildren and many nieces and nephews.

, 57, of St. Johnsbury died unexpectedly at his home on Monday October 12, 2009. He was born in St. Johnsbury on Feb. 15, 1952, the son of Floyd and Muriel (Mackay) Taylor. David graduated from St. Johnsbury Academy in 1970. He then entered the US Marine Corp where he was injured and became disabled in 1972. He loved the out-of-doors and was an avid trapper, hunter, and fisherman. He also enjoyed traveling throughout the United States. Survivors include six children, Floyd, David Jr., Mary Lou, Daniel, Martha Rose, and Sara Grace Taylor; five grandchildren; two sisters, Pamela Bach and husband Ralph of North Carolina, and Jeannie Heywood and husband Myron of St. Johnsbury; two brothers, Brian Taylor and wife Chris of North Haverhill, N.H., and Craig Taylor and wife Rhonda of St. Johnsbury; four aunts and uncles, Don and Marlene Taylor, William and Kay Mackay, Margaret Irwin, and Maitland and the Rev. Sue Mackay; and many nieces, nephews, and cousins. David was predeceased by his parents, Floyd and Muriel Taylor. Services will be private and held at the convenience of the family.

, 79, of Clarksburg, Mass., died Tuesday, Oct. 6, 2009, at Berkshire Medical Center of complications from Parkinson's Disease. He was born in Gloucester, Mass., on April 2, 1930, son of the late Joseph and H. Ruth (Leach) Thurston. He received his FCC Broadcast Engineering license following graduation from the Massachusetts Radio and Telegraph School in 1949 and immediately began his broadcasting career at the age of 19 as an engineer at WTWN in St. Johnsbury, Vt. From 1952 to 1960, Don built and managed WIKE in Newport and in 1960 moved to the Berkshires to head operations of WMNB in North Adams. In 1966, under the banner of Berkshire Broadcasting Co., Don purchased WMNB and WNAW and expanded the family business with the purchase of WSBS in Great Barrington, as well as several stations in the eastern part of the state and Connecticut. Don was an active member of the First United Methodist Church of North Adams, a former Rotarian and a longtime member and past president of the Northern Berkshire Chamber of Commerce. Don was the first recipient of the organization's Francis E. Hayden Award. He was an early advocate and supporter of MASS MoCA and a trustee and chairman of the board at Massachusetts College of Liberal Arts, serving for a short time as interim president. He was a member and served on the board of directors of the Taconic Golf Club and was a director for the former Berkshire Bank & Trust Company. Don ran in the Republican primary for the United States Congress, following the death of the late Silvio Conte. Don received an Honorary Degree of Doctor of Humanities from North Adams State College in 1977 and an Honorary Degree of Doctor of Humane Letters from Emerson College in 1995. He served as chairman of the joint board of the National Association of Broadcasters (NAB) and received the industry's highest award, the Distinguished Service Award in 1980. During Don's tenure with NAB, he founded the Broadcast Capital Fund, a venture capital firm that helped fund minority ownership of broadcast properties, and served on its board of directors. For 15 years, Don was a director of Broadcast Music Inc., one of the largest international music licensing organizations, and served as chairman of the board from 1994-1997. He was inducted into both the Massachusetts and Vermont Broadcasters Halls of Fame. While Don's business, industry and civic achievements were important to him, his greatest joy in life was his wife 58 years, Oralie Alice (Lane) Thurston, whom he married Sept. 9, 1951, in West Burke, Vt., and his family: daughter Carolie Lane Collins and her husband Robert B. Collins of St. Paul, Minnesota; son, Corydon Leach Thurston and his wife Marie of Williamstown, Ma.; five grandchildren, Sarah Thurston, Thomas Thurston and his wife Julie, Ross Thurston, Sean and Patrick Collins; two great-grandchildren, Emma and Anna Thurston; one brother, J. Allen Thurstonl and several nieces and nephews. He was predeceased by twin brothers Walter and George Thurston. Services were held on Sunday, Oct. 11, 2009. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations are suggested to the Donald A. Thurston Communications Scholarship at MCLA or to the First United Methodist Church of North Adams

, 88, of Baker Sign Co. in St. Johnsbury Center, passed away Wednesday, October 14, 2009 after a month's illness. He had been making his home at The St. Johnsbury House for past several years. He was born on April 16, 1921 in Worcester, MA, the son of John and Josephine (Lamb) Baker. After graduating from Worcester South High School, her served as an Army medic in the Phillipines during WWII. Upon his return he studied three years at art school and two years in sign design. In 1956 he founded Baker Sign Studio in West Newton, Massachusetts. The Bakers moved to St. Johnsbury Center in 1969 and started Baker Sign Co. on US Rt. 5; he retired in 2000. John was known for his technically perfect hand-lettering on trucks and windows, neon and plastic signage, silk screening and sign installation. He was a life member of American Legion Post #58, VFW Post #793, and the Elks BPOE #1343. He was predeceased by his son Kenneth A. Baker in 1997, grandson Richard J. Baker in 1979, and brother Richard N. Baker. He is survived by his wife Roberta whom he married Dec. 18, 1948; Roberta resides at The Pines in Lyndon; also by 4 children: Richard Baker and wife Carolyn of Barre, John 'Jack' Baker and wife Trudie of St. Johnsbury, Sherry O'Hare and husband Kevin of Framingham MA, and Julie Baker of Groton; 7 grandchildren: Brian Baker, James Baker, Elizabeth Baker, Jason Piselli, Sean O'Hare, Kasey O'Hare, and Nathan Courage; 2 great-grandchildren: Analise and Jason Piselli Jr.; 2 brothers: Henry 'Zeke' Baker of Greenfield MA, Stephen Baker of Auburn MA; nieces and nephews. Visiting hours will be held at the funeral home tonight, Friday evening, from 6-8PM with an Elks service scheduled for 7:30PM. Graveside services will be held at the Fairview Cemetery in Hardwick Saturday, Oct. 17, at 2PM. The Rev. William Cotte, pastor of the First Congregational Church in St. Johnsbury Center, will officiate. John and Roberta's daughter Julie first visited the Elks Silver Towers in Ripton some 35 years ago and looked forward to her return each and every year. Memorial contributions, payable to "Silver Towers Foundation", could be directed to St. Johnsbury Elks Lodge, 118 Western Ave., St. Johnsbury VT 05819.

, age 44, of Wheelock, passed away Thursday, Oct. 15, 2009 surrounded by his family. Peter was born Sept. 25, 1965 in Rutland. He is the son of Kenneth J. and Judith (Alexander) Blackbird. Peter attended Fairhaven Union High School, he worked on several farms, and at the slate quarries as a teenager he then worked as a carpenter with his father at Best Way Homes. Peter is survived by his parents Jim and Judy Blackbird of Wheelock; sister Katherine Bruno and nephew Jonathan Bruno, both of Rutland; grand niece Abby Bruno of Rutland; a brother, Jim Blackbird Jr., of Bennington; sister Brenda and husband William Jones of Poultney; nieces Emily and Rachel; aunts and uncles Karen and Dennis Barrett of Fair Haven; Thomas and Linda Blackbird of Hampton, N.Y.; James and Barbara Alexander of Castlton; Charles and Cathy Book of West Haven; Mason and Susan Alexander III of Benson; paternal grandmother, Grace Blackbird of Rutland; 23 cousins; special friends Larry and Barbara Genier of Essex Junction; Ed Brown and family of Wheelock; Jason Bora and family of Wheelock; Brian Genier and family of Hampton, N.Y.; former wife Eileen Blackbird of St. Johnsbury. He was predeceased by maternal grandparents, Mason and Dorothy Alexander, Jr., paternal grandfather Ira K. Blackbird.

, of Littleton, N.H., went to be with the Lord on Oct. 13, 2009, with his wife, family and loving friend at his side. He was born May 30, 1931, in Boston, Mass., to Thomas and Florence (Pawlinski) Collins. He lived his youth in Somerville and Cambridge, Mass., and worked in Massachusettes until 1971 when he moved to Gilman, Vt., and worked at Morris Lumber Co/Central Building Supply for 13 years, then at the Outlet for years and Sherwin Dodge Printers and The Courier until 2008. He married Nancy E. Cornelius on Oct. 7, 1989, and accepted her children as his own with all his love. Charlie was a loving and caring member of the families at the First United Methodist Church in Littleton where he served on many committees throughout the years and gave his time helping bring the older ladies who he loved to church. He was a faithful worker and member of the Littleton Lions Club and the Littleton Area Historical Society. Survivors include his wife Nancy; his loving daughter Judi L. Cornelius and her finance' Roy Hazlett (who will be married Oct. 17, 2009); his caring son David T. Cornelius and his loving and caring wife Rita, Elizabeth City, N.C.; and his son Bruce E. Cornelius whom he had such a close bond with; and his caring wife Tammy, Merrimack, N.H. (He so loved "his" girls!). He also leaves his adoring grandchildren, Justin D., Brianna A., and Kayla M. Cornelius, Elizabeth City, N.C., along with his special friend Sylvi Magown, Sugar Hill, N.H. A Memorial Service will be held at the First United Methodist Church on Monday, Oct. 19, 2009 at 11 a.m. with a luncheon reception to follow at the church. Burial will be following the reception for close friends and family. Memorial donations may be made to the FUMC, Handicap Access Fund.

, 85, of Woodbury, formerly of Hardwick, died Wednesday, Oct. 14, 2009, at the Central Vermont Medical Center in Berlin. She was born April 12, 1924, in New Britain, Conn., the daughter of the late Clifford and Flora (Hyneck) Dickinson. She graduated from New Britain High School in the class of 1942 and continued her education at Hartford Hospital School of Nursing. On April 9, 1945, she married Howard Blake Fletcher in Berlin, Vt. Following their marriage they moved to Hardwick where she and her family made their home for many years before relocating to Woodbury. In her earlier years Joyce was employed as a clerk for the Connecticut General Life Insurance Co. She later worked for the State of Vermont, Department of Human Services Division in Montpelier and St. Johnsbury and was a dispatcher for the Vermont Fish and Game Department. She retired in 1979. She was a member of the East Craftsbury Presbyterian Church, a charter member of the Hardwick Rescue Squad, a member of the D.A.R. Rebecca Chapter in Barre, the American Legion Post # 7 auxiliary in Hardwick, Past member of the Cadette Nurse Corp. in Hartford, Conn., past secretary and president of the womens fellowship and the Hardwick Hospital Assn. Survivors include: three sons, Clifford Fletcher and his companion, Glenda Berry of Skagway, Ala., Howard Fletcher and his companion, Pat Benway, of Calais, and David Fletcher of Woodbury; three daughters, Patricia Young and her husband, James, of West Glover, Meredith Putvain and her husband, Bradley, of Walden, and Anita Fletcher of Albany; Rachel Fletcher of Greensboro; 16 grandchildren; 24 great-grandchildren; and several nieces, nephews and cousins. She was predeceased by her husband Howard on Oct. 16, 1987; and a brother Clifford M. Dickinson Jr. A Graveside Service will be held Monday, Oct. 19, 2009, at 1 p.m. in the Main Street Cemetery in Hardwick with the Rev. Jack Cabaness and the Rev. Michael Caldwell officiating. In lieu of flowers contributions in her memory may be made to the Hardwick Rescue Squad, P.O. Box 837, Hardwick, VT 05843.

, 71, of Newark, and formerly of Gardner, Mass., died June 3, 2009 at the VA Hospital in White River Jct. Edward was a marksman who shot rifles and pistols in team competition on the local and national level. He had worked for Simplex Time Recorder Co. in Gardner for 40 years, and was also a photographer. A Celebration of his life will be held Saturday, Oct. 24, 2009 at 10 a.m. at the Faith Lutheran Church located on 627 Green Street, Gardner, Mass. Family, friends and former co-workers are welcome to attend.

, 87, died at Harvard Square Assisted Living in Denver, Colo., on Tuesday, Oct. 13, 2009. Alice was born in Ryegate, Vt., on Sept. 3, 1922, a daughter of Charles E. and Gladys (Smith) Hooper. She graduated with her business degree from Bay Path Business College in Springfield, Mass. Following graduation she worked as a secretary and receptionist for Otis Elevator Company and later as a secretary to the president of the Borden Company, both in New Jersey. She lived in New Jersey for 50 years prior to moving to Denver in August of 2002. She was predeceased by her husband David Gibbons on May 31, 1992, an infant sister, and her sister Carolyn Aris Haskell on March 17, 2006. She is survived by her daughter Susan Bertocchini of Denver; her son Thomas Gibbons and wife Joy of Hilton Head, S.C.; three grandchildren, Carol Berg, Kelly Hickey and Alane Gaspari; six great grandchildren; several neices, nephews, and cousins; and a special granddog, Cookie. There will be no calling hours. A graveside service will be at the Groton Village Cemetery, Groton, Vt., on Tuesday, Oct. 20, 2009, at 1 p.m. with Pastor Candace Ricker of the Groton United Methodist Church officiating.

, 90, of Granite Hill Estates, died Tuesday, Oct. 6, 2009 at the Maine General Medical Center in Augusta. She was born in Evanston, Ill., on April 16, 1919, the daughter of Edward A. and Leonora (Share) Kracke. During her childhood, her father's work kept the family traveling in Europe where she was home schooled. Upon their return she attended her first school, the Kimberley School in Montclair, N.J., (now Montclair Kimberley Academy), from which she graduated in 1937. She then attended Wellesley College and graduated in 1941. She began her working career as the assistant to the Editor of Music at Silver Burdette in New York City, and then worked in editing at the University of Chicago Press from 1949 to 1951. Virginia returned home to care for her aging parents, devoting herself to them until their deaths. From 1951 to 1969, she served in a variety of positions in the Adult School of Montclair, which during that period became the largest adult school in New Jersey and received the Award of Excellence from the New Jersey Association for Adult Education. She was very active with the College Women's Club of Montclair, the local branch of the American Association of University Women, including the annual Book Sale. She was a member of the Three O'Clock Club, producing extensively researched papers. One of the professors she hired to teach at the Adult School was Charles Leavitt, and in 1969 she married him in a ceremony in Madison, N.H. On their honeymoon, they circled the globe, and throughout their marraige they travelled extensively. (In 1995 Charles calculated that they had visited over 75 countries.) In her marriage to Charles she supported his teaching and the work he did with the New York theatre. They resided in Montclair (where she spent over 70 years of her life), and summered in Peacham, Vt., where they spent half of each year after Charles retired. In 2001 they moved to Hallowell, Maine. They were devoted to each other until his death in Hallowell in 2004. Virginia was the great granddaughter of noted Civil War artist Alfred R. Waud and granddaughter of artist H.P. Share. She is survived by her nephew, Waud H. Kracke of Chicago, Ill.; her niece, Ernesta K. Kraczkiewicz of Watertown, Mass.; and two grand-nephews, Peter Kracke of Arlington, Mass., and Andrew Kraczkiewicz of New York City. A Celebration of her life will be held at Granite Hill Estates in Hallowell on Oct. 29, 2009, at 3 p.m. in the Media Room. Burial will be in the spring in Peacham, Vt., where her husband is buried.

, 96, died Thursday evening Oct. 15, 2009, at Country Village Genesis Elder Care, Lancaster, N.H. Mrs. White was born March 19, 1913 in Boston, Mass., the only child of Frederick and Charlotte (Horan) Tucker. Her family moved back to the Jefferson/Lancaster area when she was three years old. She is a descendant of Benjamin Hicks, one of the early settlers of Jefferson, and of Emmons Stockwell, an early settler of Lancaster. Because she was the 6th generation from Benjamin Hicks, Virginia helped raise the flag at the dedication of Jefferson's Soldiers Monument in 1920. As a child Virginia spent many happy days with her grandparents Annie and James Horan on their farm in Riverton. At the age of 92, Virginia wrote a book about her time there, entitled Memories of Crow Hill. She graduated from Lancaster Academy in 1931 and then attended nurses training at Mary Hitchcock Hospital in Hanover, N.H., where she became a LPN. For several years she worked at the Blythewood Hospital in New Jersey as a night supervisor. On Oct. 8, 1940 she married her high school sweetheart Roland H. White. Early in the marriage they lived in Buffalo, N.Y., where Roland supported the war effort by helping build fighter airplanes. At the conclusion of the war they returned to Lancaster. Roland was employed by Geo M. Stevens Insurance Company and later became a partner in the business. Virginia was active in her church and her children's activities. She was a member of the All Saints Tabernacle Society and a member of the Lancaster Unity Club and DAR. She was a Girl Scout Leader and neighborhood chairman for the Girl Scouts. Many of her scouts will remember fondly her camping trips to the family cottage in Scarborough, Maine. Her family was most important to her. She enjoyed sharing family events especially Christmas. Her grandchildren have been a great blessing to her and her constant joy. She loved being active and in later years enjoyed oil painting and crossword puzzles and watching the Boston Red Sox and Boston Celtics. She was predeceased by her parents; husband, Roland; infant daughter, Patricia Lynn; and a son, Terrence. Surviving family members include two daughters, Joan Carrier and her husband Edward of Cape Elizabeth, Maine, and Sharon Chamberlain and her husband Gary of Danville, Vt.; a daughter-in-law, Darlene White of Groveton; seven grandchildren, Karen Degreenia, Lawrence White, Kristen Letourneau, Jeffrey Chamberlain, Kathleen Shastany, Heidi Carrier, James Carrier; eight great-grandchildren; one great-great-granddaughter; and step-grandchildren, Scott Alley, Melissa Simonelli and Stephen Alley. A visiting hour will be held Monday, Oct. 19, from 9:30 to 10:30 a.m., at the Bailey Funeral Home, Lancaster, N.H. A Mass of Christian Burial will follow at 11 a.m. at All Saints Church, Lancaster. Rev. Raymond Ball, pastor, will officiate. Burial will follow in Calvary Cemetery. Donations in lieu of flowers may be made to the William D. Weeks Book Endowment Capital Campaign, 128 Main Street, Lancaster, NH 03582 or to a charity of ones choice.

, 86, passed away Monday, Oct. 19, 2009, at Fletcher Allen Health Care in Burlington. Among survivors are his wife Joyce Langmaid Bennett. A complete notice will appear in tomorrow's paper.

died of cancer on Oct. 7, 2009 at the Long Green Nursing Home in Baltimore, Md. She was 64. Stephanie made her home in Reisterstown, Md. Stephanie Sue Smith was born in St. Johnsbury on Sept. 24, 1945 to Morris and Iona (Keneson) Smith of South Main Street. After graduating from St. Johnsbury Academy in 1963, she worked as a secretary at the Fairbanks Museum until her marriage to Edward Colburn. She then moved out of state and continued to visit Vermont throughout her life; she was always proud to claim she was from the state of Vermont. Stephanie enjoyed camping, painting, bird watching, canoeing, and crafts of all kinds. She was active in her church, The Northminster Presbyterian Church in Reisterstown where there will be a service held in her memory. She is survived by five children: Gregory Colburn of Highland Ranch Colo., Scott Colburn of Aliquippa, Pa., Jeffrey Colburn of Upper Marlborough, Md., Amy White of Chesapeake Va., and Bethany Hayward of Amherst, N.H.; four grandsons; two brothers: Barrett Smith of Milton and Lawrence Smith of St. Johnsbury; a sister: Debra Parrish of St. Johnsbury; nieces and nephews. A memorial service will be held this Saturday, Oct. 24 at 1 p.m. in St. Johnsbury at the North Congregational Church, 1325 Main St. Her cousin, Pastor David Butler, will officiate. Her remains will be buried in Peacham.

, 95, formerly of Smith Street, Woodsville, N.H., died on Sunday, Oct. 18, 2009, at the Grafton County Nursing Home in North Haverhill, N.H. She was born in Haverhill, N.H., June 20, 1914, the daughter of William and Flora Mae (Nelson) Jolin. She married Leon A. Getchell. Cyrena was an Avon representative in the Woodsville area for many years. She was member of the Pythian Sisters and the Woodsville United Methodist Church. She was predeceased by her husband, Leon A. Getchell on Oct. 31, 1966, and a sister, Nathaleen Getchell on Oct. 14, 1998. Survivors include three sons, Claude Gadwah Jr. and wife Jackie of Woodsville, N.H., Gene Gadwah of Woodsville, N.H., and Dean Gadwah and wife Bernice of Lebanon, N.H.; eight grandchildren, 12 great-grandchildren, and one great-great-grandchild; and several nieces and nephews. There will be no calling hours. A private burial service will be held at the convenience of the family.

, 81, of Brockton, Mass., died peacefully at the Brockton Hospital surrounded by her family, Sunday, Oct. 18. She was the beloved wife of the late Donald F. Kerrigan Sr., of East Bridgewater, Mass. Born in East Bridgewater to Wilrose and Sarah LaBelle, she graduated from East Bridgewater High School, class of 1946. Until recently, she was a lifelong resident of East Bridgewater. Lorraine was a Registered Nurse at the Brockton Hospital where she spent many years in the Labor and Delivery ward assisting in the birth and care of thousands of newborn babies. She was a communicate of St John's Catholic Church in East Bridgewater, loved to draw, paint, read and travel. Lorraine's greatest pleasure was to joke and laugh with her family and friends. Mrs Kerrigan was the loving mother to her six children, Don Kerrigan Jr., and his wife Maggie of Virginia Beach, Va.; Jim Kerrigan and his wife Jean of Melbourne, Fla.; Terry McKinley and her husband Bill of Brockton, Mass.; Joan Hurwitz and her husband Eric of Walpole, Mass.; Tom Kerrigan and his wife Anne of East Bridgewater; and Dave Kerrigan and his wife Judi of West Burke, Vt. Lorraine was also the beloved grandmother to 14 grandchildren: Dina, Mike, MaryKate, Sean, Sarah, Dan, Patrick, Alexis, Emily, Katie, Jennifer, Melanie, Keri, and Ashley. She was blessed with six great grandchildren as well: Davin, Paul, Dorothy, McKenna, Arianna, and Abigail. Funeral will be held on Friday, Oct. 23, from the Prophett-Chapman, Cole & Gleason Funeral Home, 35 Spring St., East Bridgewater, MA at 8 a.m. A Mass of Christian burial will be held at St. John the Evangelist Church, East Bridgewater at 9 a.m. Interment Central Cemetery, East Bridgewater. Visitation will be from 4 to 8 p.m. on Thursday. Donations in lieu of flowers may be made to St John's Evangelist Church, East Bridgewater, in the name of Lorraine Kerrigan.

was born in Baltimore, Md., on Oct. 15, 1942, a son of Clarence and Geraldine (Bloss) Neal. Raymond served in the U.S. Army in Vietnam and was a truck driver for most of his life - owning his own rig, a life's dream for him - and most recently for Stiles Fuel. He was a member of the Masons and was once an officer for the Whitefield Police Dept. In 1989, he was inducted into the South Baltimore Softball Hall of Fame, as were his father and brother prior to that. He was infamous for his softball reputation and he even played against the King and his Court in 1989. He enjoyed hunting with his granddaughter, Amanda, and was teaching his granddaughter, Kristy, to drive. Family was everything to Raymond. Family members include his wife of 33 years Patricia (Lee) Neal of Dalton, his daughter Tracy Jillie and two granddaughters, Kristy and Amanda Stiles of Whitefield. He also leaves two brothers Cookie Neal of Zephyrillis, Fla., and Darrell Neal of Inwood, W.V. He is predeceased by two brothers Clarence (Huck) Neal and Gilbert Neal. Calling hours will be held Tuesday, Oct. 20, 2009, from 5 to 7 p.m. at the Bailey Funeral Home, Lancaster. A funeral service will be held Wednesday afternoon at 2 p.m. at the funeral home. Burial will be held at the convenience of the family in Park Street Cemetery. In lieu of flowers donations maybe made in his memory North Country Home Health and Hospice Agency, 536 Cottage Street, Littleton, NH 03561.