, 70, of Essex Center died peacefully on Wednesday evening, July 14, 2010, at the Burlington Health and Rehabilitaion Center in Burlington. Mrs. Custeau was born January 9, 1940, in Barton, a daughter of the late Amri and Beatrice (Martel) Vezina. She graduated from Barton Academy and Graded School on August 2, 1958. She married James Joseph Custeau in St. Paul's Catholic Church in Barton. She was a nurse's assistant for a short while at the Green Mountain Nursing Home in Colchester. Mrs. Custeau enjoyed reading, listening to music, and spending time with her sisters. She was a resident of Essex Center for 45 years and most recently had moved to the Burlington Health and Rehabilitaion Center. She was a caring homemaker who provided loving care for her in-laws for many years and later for her husband, Jim, in his last years of life. She was especially proud of her family. She deeply loved her husband, her children, and her grandchildren. Her family was blessed in having such a good mother and grandmother. She will be deeply missed by her family and friends. Mrs. Custeau is survived by her sons: Charles Custeau and his wife, Ruth, of Milton and Thomas Custeau and his wife, Pam, of St. Albans; by her daughter Michelle Duke and her husband, Richard, of Mebane, North Carolina; by her grandchildren: Elizabeth, Heather, Kyle, Kevin, Conor, and Jessica; her sisters: Jeannine Berard and her husband, Gilles, of Barton, Alice Cooke and her husband, Robert, of Milton, and Suzanne Kwiatkowski and her husband, Tim, of Barre; her brother Henry Vezina and his wife, Priscilla, of Barton; and by numerous nieces and nephews. She was predeceased by her husband on August 13, 1999. A Mass was celebrated on July 19, 2010, at Holy Angels Catholic Church in St. Albans with Father Maurice Roy as celebrant. Burial followed in the Riverside Cemetery in Lincoln, New Hampshire. Memorial contributions may be made to the Humane Society of Chittenden County, 142 Kindness Court, South Burlington, Vermont 05403.

, 80, of Newport died on July 25, 2010. She was born on August 9, 1929, in St. Jean de Matha, Quebec, a daughter of Leopold and Edouilda (St. Georges) Bonin. Mrs. Brault and her family immigrated to Troy in 1946. In 1949 she married Marc-Aurele Brault, also of St. Jean de Matha. They moved to Connecticut shortly after to find work and raise their family. Mrs. Brault worked as a seamstress out of her home for several years and later worked in a number of factories. Later in life, she worked as a live-in nanny in East Hartford, Connecticut, taking care of two children. In 1986, she moved back to Newport and worked as a live-in caretaker for a few years. She enjoyed music, doing word search puzzles, and watching Animal Planet. She loved looking at books of animals. She is survived by three daughters: Madeline Quirion and her husband, Norman, of Newport Center, Fran Sicotte and her husband, Reynold, of Newport, and Irene Daigle of Georgia; by seven grandchildren: Christine Quirion and her husband, Christopher Rosol, of Cambridge, Massachusetts, Karen Lane and her husband, Jonathan, of New Britain, Connecticut, Matthew Sicotte and his wife, Margaret, of Georgia, Corey Sicotte and his wife, Jessica, of Derby, Stephanie Sicotte and her fiance, Daniel Higgins, of Newport, Emily Daigle and Erin Daigle, both from Georgia; by two great-grandchildren: Aubrey Sicotte of Derby and Claire Sicotte of Georgia; by sister-in-law Marielle Bonin of Orleans; and by nieces and nephews in Vermont, Connecticut, and Quebec. She was predeceased by her husband, Marc-Aurele, in 1981; her brother Germaine Bonin of Orleans; her sister Yvette Lavarierre of East Hartford; and by her son-in-law Paul Daigle of Georgia. Friends may call from 6 to 8 p.m. on Wednesday, July 28, at the Curtis-Britch-Converse-Rushford Funeral Home at 4670 Darling Hill Road in Newport. Funeral services will be held at 11 a.m. on Thursday, July 29, at St. Mary's Star of the Sea Catholic Church in Newport where a Mass will be celebrated. Interment will follow in St. Mary's Cemetery in Newport. Mrs. Brault was an animal lover. Therefore, should friends desire, contributions can be made to the Frontier Animal Society, 502 Strawberry Acres Road, Newport, Vermont 05855.

, 95, of Island Pond died on July 22, 2010, in Barton. She was born April 23, 1915, in Newport Town, a daughter of John and Almeda (Parsons) Aldrich. During her lifetime she was employed by Ethan Allen Manufacturing. She and her first husband, Sherman Heath, farmed for many years before she went out to work. She married Alvin Coe five years after her first husband died. Mr. Coe predeceased her in 1985. She enjoyed knitting, sewing, crocheting, and doing crossword puzzles. She was very family oriented and delighted in her grandchildren and great-grandchildren. She is survived by two sons: William Heath and his wife, Gleigh, of Island Pond, and Milton Heath and his wife, Fay, of Newport; by her grandchildren: Shirley Mooney and her husband, Steve, William Heath Jr. and his wife, Donna, Lorrie Heath, Peggy Reed and her husband, Earl, Robert Heath and his wife, Janet, Diana Beryle and her husband, Peter, Beverly Heath, John Heath, Stephen Heath and his wife, Tracy, Aaron Heath, Ann Marie Heath, Leslie Heath and his wife, Cindy, Joanne Young and her husband, Steve; and by 14 great-grandchildren. She was predeceased by a son Sherman, a grandson Ricky, and by two brothers and two sisters. Funeral services were held on July 20 at the Curtis-Britch-Converse-Rushford Funeral Home, in Island Pond with the Reverend Richard Whitehill officiating. Interment followed in Lakeside Cemetery in Island Pond. Should friends desire, contributions in her memory may be made to the Activities Fund at Maple Lane Nursing Home, 60 Maple Lane, Barton, Vermont 05822.

, 86, of Barton died on July 25, 2010, in Glover. He was born May 6, 1924, in Newport, a son of Augustus and Grace (Bishop) Mossa. On May 17, 1947, he married Leah Turcotte who predeceased him on December 31, 2005. He entered the U.S. Navy and served his country during World War II. At one time, Mr. Mossa worked for the Canadian Pacific Railroad as a freight agent. He opened his own television sales and service business in 1955, which he operated for several years. He also repaired electric fencers, which were sent to him from all over the U.S. He and his wife played golf for many years, and he was past president of the Orleans Country Club. He held membership with the Barton American Legion Post #76 and the Barton Bishop Ryan Council #2933. Mr. Mossa enjoyed gardening and took great pride in having his property looking topnotch. He is survived by his daughter Rose Harper and her husband, Woodie, of Barton; by his grandchildren: Sean Harper and his fiance, Stephanie Piette, of St. Albans, and Alexis Harper of Barton; by his sister-in-law Jeanne Perry of North Carolina; and by several nieces and nephews. He was predeceased by two half-brothers: George and Kenneth Percy. A graveside service will be held at 2 p.m. on Wednesday, July 28, at the Pine Grove Cemetery in Newport with military honors. Should friends desire, contributions in his memory may be made to the Rudy Mossa Memorial Bench Fund in care of the Orleans Country Club, Orleans, Vermont 05860.

, 84, of Orleans, died on July 23, 2010. A full obituary and services will be listed in the Chronicle next week.

, 69, of Norfolk, Connecticut, died at his home following an illness. He was the husband of Ellen (Wilcox) Arel for 48 years. He was born April 11, 1941, in North Troy, a son of Clovis and Alice (Davignon) Arel. Mr. Arel, a carpenter by trade, founded Arel Building and Remodeling in 1984. Although he officially retired at age 62, he continued to offer his expertise to his sons, who took over the business and operated it right up through last year. He enjoyed camping and country music, but his passion was his family. His wife, children, and grandchildren were what made him happy and content. In addition to his wife, Mr. Arel is survived by his children and their families: Tim and Karen Arel and their children Ben, Kevin, and Hannah Arel of North Canaan, Connecticut; Karen and Mark Kolasinski and their children James and Tamra D'Amico of Winsted, Connecticut; Craig and Heather Arel and their children Megan, Austin, Kelsey, Marissa, and Natalie Arel and Kaitlyn Weatherwax of Norfolk; and Raymond and Debbie Arel Jr. and their daughter Emily Arel of Winsted. Mr. Arel also leaves his siblings Roger Arel of Derby; Gerard Arel of Torrington, Connecticut; Cecile Forand of Ocala, Florida; and Aurore Tetreault of West Charleston; and by his wife's family, which he considered his own. He was predeceased by brothers Albert Arel of Newport and Armand Arel of Nashua, New Hampshire; sisters Doris Douglas of Yorba Linda, California, Juliette Durocher of Coventry, and Jeanette Coderre of Lowell. A memorial service was held on July 16 at the Newkirk-Palmer Funeral Home in Canaan, Connecticut. Burial followed in the Norfolk Center Cemetery. Memorial donations may be sent to the Foothills Visiting Nurses Association, 32 Union Street, Winsted, Connecticut 06098.

, 82, of Athol, Massachusetts, died on July 12, 2010, at the Heywood Hospital in Gardner, Massachusetts. She was born in Hardwick on December 30, 1927, a daughter of the late Perley and Irma (Dunn) Anair. Mrs. Ashe was raised and educated in Hardwick. She had lived in Barton and West Burke before moving to Winchendon, Massachusetts, many years ago. In the 1980s, she worked as an assembler for Dis-Com Electronics in Westford, Massachusetts. Mrs. Ashe was a resident of Athol for seven years and was a member of the Winchendon American Legion. She was a homemaker for most of her life and enjoyed baking. She also enjoyed singing and sang professionally with her sister many years ago. She was an avid gardener and loved feeding and watching birds. She was a great caretaker and a wonderful mother. She leaves one son, Vergil R. Allen, of Athol; two daughters: Irma A. Robinson and Tina L. Semler, both of Athol; a sister, Pauline Conley, of Vermont; five grandchildren: Lisa Sargent of Athol, Norman Sargent of Fitchburg, Massachusetts, Shawn Allen of Athol, Amanda Cooper of Gardner, Dustin Cooper of Athol; 13 great-grandchildren; two great-great-grandchildren; and many nieces and nephews. She was predeceased by her husband, Earl Malcom Ashe, in 1991; by her son Lloyd Q. Allen; by her daughter Liza Ashe, in 1963; and by her sister Leona Cote. A celebration of life will be held on Saturday, July 24, from 1 to 5 p.m. at the Winchendon American Legion Post #193 in Winchendon. In lieu of flowers, the family suggests that memorial contributions be made in her memory to the Alzheimer's Association, 311 Arsenal Street, Watertown, Massachusetts 02472.

, 87, of North Troy died on July 18, 2010, at the Bel-Aire Center Nursing Home in Newport where she had lived since November 1999. She was born September 23, 1922, in Troy, a daughter of Eben and Ardis (Norris) Wilcox. She graduated from Newport Center High School in 1940 and was valedictorian of her class. On July 24, 1941, she married Morris Carter who predeceased her on December 22, 2002. She enjoyed cooking, crocheting, at-home carpentry, and watching baseball games, especially the Brooklyn Dodgers and Boston Red Sox. She is survived by her children: Roger Carter and his wife, Theresa, of Athol, Massachusetts, James Carter and his wife, Phyllis, of West Charleston, and Diane Carter of Brownington; by five grandchildren and several great-grandchildren; and by a sister Ardis Sykes and her husband, Raymond, of Morgan. She was predeceased by sisters Audrey Knight and Merna Ashman; and by five brothers: Wendall Sr., Marshall, Basil, Kenneth, and Cecil Wilcox. Funeral services will be held at 1 p.m. on Friday, July 23, at the Curtis-Britch-Converse-Rushford Memorial Chapel at 37 Lake Road in Newport with the Reverend Richard Whitehill officiating. Interment will follow in the North Troy Village Cemetery. Should friends desire, contributions in her memory may be made to the Frontier Animal Society, 502 Strawberry Acres, Newport, Vermont 05855.

, 45, of East Berkshire died on Thursday, July 15, 2010, at Fletcher Allen Health Care in Burlington. Mr. Choquette was born on August 11, 1964, in Newport, a son of Ernest and Louise (Robillard) Choquette. He was a 1982 graduate of North Country Union High School where he was an active member of the Future Farmers of America. On September 21, 1985, he married Lisa Morse. Mr. Choquette had been a dairy farmer all of his life. He first farmed in partnership with his parents in Newport Center. In 1993, he moved to East Berkshire to operate his own farm. He had a lifelong love of farming, especially of rotational grazing. He was a communicant of All Saints Church in Richford and was serving as Grand Knight of St. Anthony's Council # 2610, Knights of Columbus. He served on the Berkshire school board for 11 years. He especially enjoyed sugaring and snowmobiling. In addition to his wife, Lisa, of East Berkshire and his parents of Newport Center, Mr. Choquette is survived by his children: Adam Choquette and his wife, April, and their daughter Katherine, Paul Choquette, Andrew Choquette, and Elizabeth Choquette, all of East Berkshire; his brothers Jack Choquette and his wife, Susan, of Palo Alto, California, Fred Choquette and his wife, Sondra, of Concord, North Carolina, and Gary Choquette and his wife, Lorm, of Bangkok, Thailand; his sisters Lise Couture and her husband, Daniel, of East Montpelier, Jane Burroughs and her husband, Peter, of East Montpelier and Dr. Rose Kenney and her husband, Christopher, of Bend, Oregon; his sister-in-law Sara LeBlanc and her husband, Andre, of Lowell; his mother-in-law, Annette Morse, of Lowell; and by nieces and nephews. The liturgy of Christian burial was celebrated on July 19 at All Saints Catholic Church in Richford. Interment followed in St. Ignatius Cemetery in Lowell. Should friends desire, gifts in Mr. Choquette's memory may be made to the Mark Choquette Memorial Scholarship Fund for Agricultural Education, care of Knights of Columbus, attention John Chalifoux, 41 Wightman Hill Road, Richford, Vermont 05476.

, 89, of Gainesville, Florida, died on Sunday, July 4, 2010, at her daughter's home in Hawthorne, Florida. She was born January 3, 1921, in Newport and lived and worked most of her life there. She received her bachelor of science degree from the University of New Hampshire and completed graduate courses at Cornell University, the University of Vermont, Colorado State University, Florida State University, and the University of Florida. She was employed 19 years at the University of Vermont as a county extension home economist (now called family and consumer sciences), serving families across the state. She wrote a weekly column for 19 years in the Newport Daily Express, hosted a weekly radio show at WIKE, and also appeared in four TV shows a year for the university, showcasing various cooking tips and techniques. In 1974, Mrs. Coleman moved to Gainesville and was employed at the University of Florida as a county extension home economist. In Gainesville, she wrote a weekly column in The Gainesville Sun for four years and also appeared in several TV shows on WCJB providing household tips. She is known in Gainesville for her outstanding service and leadership to many community organizations such as the Gainesville Women's Club, the Gainesville Garden Club, and Shands at UF Auxiliary. Mrs. Coleman was very proud to be an American and cherished her family heritage. She was a member of the Daughters of the American Revolution and a member of Colonial Dames. One of her favorite holidays was Independence Day, which happened to be the very day that she departed. She loved to cook and entertain as well as develop recipes. She created a maple dressing, which was sold nationally by Hickory Farms and other food stores under the label of Vermont Kitchens by American Maple Products. She wrote a cookbook entitled Treasured Recipes for the Gainesville Business and Professional Women's Club. Mrs. Coleman loved music and played the electric organ and piano, often playing at special events for the organizations she served. She told of times when she used to go out dancing to the big bands of the 1940s, such as the Glenn Miller Orchestra. She gladly served the Gainesville community in multiple organizations: past president and member of the Shands at UF Auxiliary; past president and member of the Gainesville Women's Club; past president and life member (Hall of Fame) of the Gainesville Garden Club; past chairman of the Amaryllis Circle, Gainesville Garden Club; past president of the Gainesville Business and Professional Women's Club; past chaplain and member of the Daughters of the American Revolution, Gainesville Chapter; and a member and state music chairman of the Colonial Dames of the XVII Century. In Vermont, Mrs. Coleman also served as past president of the Vermont Extension Home Economics Agents Association, and past chief of the Psi Chapter of Epsilon Sigma Phi (Extension Honorary Society). She received multiple achievements awards, such as a Shands Volunteer Service Award, for serving over 5,000 hours at Shands Hospital at the University of Florida; a Woman of Achievement award from the Gainesville Business and Professional Women's Club; a Distinguished Service Award from the National Association of Extension Home Economics Agents; and she was listed in Who's Who of Women. Mrs. Coleman worshiped at Westside Baptist Church. She was also a past member of the Tower Road Baptist Church, playing music for services and teaching a ladies' Sunday school class. She was predeceased by her first husband, Charles G. Buckland, and her second husband, Howard S. Coleman. She is survived by her daughter Janet Lucas and her husband, Earl; by three grandchildren: Daniel Lucas and his wife, Renee, Sarah Malphurs and her husband, Toby, and Andrew Lucas and his wife, Gina; and by four great-grandchildren: Joshua Cook, Erik Lucas, Regan Lucas, and Joseph Malphurs. In lieu of flowers, the family suggests memorial contributions be made to Haven Hospice, 4200 NW 90th Boulevard, Gainesville, Florida 32606. Graveside funeral services were held July 20 at the Pine Grove Cemetery in Newport.

, 49, of North Troy died suddenly on July 11, 2010, in Newport. He was born February 2, 1961, in Newport, a son of Clifford and Madeline (Santaw) Dillon Sr. In 1997, he married Donna Miskimen who survives him. He was employed by Columbia Forest Products of Newport for 34 years where he was a drag saw operator. He was a member of the North Troy Fire Department, Newport Eagles, and American Legion Post #21, Sons of the American Legion. He officiated at many area softball games, and he was a member of the ASA Softball Association. He worked for several years at Jay Peak on the "village chair." He enjoyed playing horseshoes, and he was a New York Yankees and New York Giants fan. He loved NASCAR racing, hunting, and going to the family camp. He loved being with his wife, Donna, and their children and spending quality time together whenever possible. He is survived by his wife, Donna Dillon, of North Troy; his children: Joshua Dillon and his companion, Jamie, of Johnson, Jenna Dillon of Johnson, and Michael and Bobby Dillon of North Troy; by three brothers: Clifford Dillon Jr. and his wife, Jackie, of Newport Center, Terry Dillon and his wife, Esther, of Newport Center, and Chris Dillon and his companion, Lori, of Newport; by his sister Linda Choquette and her husband, Richard, of North Troy; by several nieces and nephews: and by special friends Scott and Peggy Lamonda, Tiger and Jennifer Premont, Joyce and Howie Arzt, and Joe Bonneau. Funeral services were held on July 16 with the Reverend Mike Descena officiating. Should friends desire, contributions in his memory may be made to the North Troy Fire Department, North Troy, Vermont 05859.

, 97, of North Troy died peacefully on July 11, 2010, in Newport. She was born January 19, 1913, in Newport, a daughter of Arthur and Gertrude (Schwartz) Smith. On May 29, 1937, she married Charles O. Miller who predeceased her on April 27, 2000. Mrs. Miller was a member of the United Church of Christ in North Troy where she also sang in the choir. For 43 years, she was a member of American Legion Auxiliary Unit 28 where she was first- and second vice-president, chaplain, and historian. She also loved to play bingo, enjoyed dancing, doing word puzzles, cooking, and working in her flower garden. In her earlier years, she worked as a waitress, and she was a housekeeper in private homes. She and her late husband, Charles, were active for many years working on dinners and bingo, and she continued to be active until 1994. She is survived by two sisters-in-law: Pauline Terwilliga of Fairfax and Ruth Judd of St. Albans; by dear friends Denise Pigeon and Walter and Tessie Smith, all of North Troy; and by several nieces and nephews. She was predeceased by the following brothers and sisters: Evelyn, Walter, Everett, Leigh, Edna, William, and Robert. Funeral services were held on July 16 at the United Church of Christ in North Troy with the Reverend Richard O'Hara and the Reverend Rick Shover officiating. Interment followed in the North Troy cemetery. Members of American Legion Auxiliary Unit 28 conducted a service at the church. Should friends desire, contributions in her memory may be made to the American Legion Post 28, 254 Dominion Avenue, North Troy, Vermont 05859.

, 85, of Barton died on Friday, July 16, 2010, at the Maple Lane Nursing Home following a lengthy illness. She was born October 21, 1924, in Sutton, a daughter of Clarence and Bernice (Gray) Sylvester. She loved crafts, sewing, playing cards, traveling, dancing, and music. She worked in the kitchens of various nursing homes in the area. She is survived by her children: Judith Pace of Anaheim, California, Valvete Mason and her husband, Gary, of Albany, Crystel McFarland and her friend Bernie Boulay of Lyndonville, Melody Hackett and her husband, Wesley, of Burke Hollow, Ivan Larabee and his wife, Betty, of Ludlow, Beverly Ross and her husband, Dan, of Woodbury, Connecticut, Sandra Knight of Springfield; by a sister, Fayelene Hall of Orleans; several grand- and great-grandchildren; and by nieces and nephews. She was predeceased by the love of her life, Ike Larabee; by her parents; by children Jim, Rod, and Gail; and by her siblings Lila, Eula, Orene, Earlene, Ruby, Reginald (Bill), Roland, and Lloyd. A graveside service will be held on Saturday, July 24, at 11 a.m. at the Hillside Cemetery in West Burke. Memorial contributions may be made in Mrs. Randall's name to the Norris Cotton Cancer Center North, 1080 Hospital Drive, St. Johnsbury, Vermont 05819