, 66, of Hardwick, died peacefully at Central Vermont Hospital in Berlin after a courageous battle with cancer. He was born in Hardwick, January 29, 1945, a son of Paul E. and Arlene (Ross) Ainsworth. He attended school in Woodbury and Hardwick and served his country in the U.S. Army during the Vietnam Conflict in Okinawa as a medic. Following service in the Army, he joined the Vermont National Guard where he served another 22 years, retiring in March of 1992. On May 22, 1971, he married Orise Dufresne in Hardwick. Together they made their home and raised their children in Hardwick. Mr. Ainsworth was a lifetime member of VFW Post #9653 in Morrisville, American Legion Post #7 in Hardwick, and also a member of the Sons of the American Legion Squadron #7 in Hardwick. He had been a past member of the Hardwick Fire Department and had been active in the Cub Scouts when his boys were young. Mr. Ainsworth had been employed by Ethan Allen Manufacturing in Orleans, Whitcomb Furniture in East Barre, and he had purchased and operated an insulation company under the name of Four Seasons Insulation for many years until his recent retirement due to failing health. He enjoyed hunting and fishing, especially at the family camp on East Long Pond in Woodbury, and loved his time with family, especially with his grandchildren. He leaves his wife of just short of 40 years, Orise Ainsworth, of Hardwick; two sons, Scott and his wife, Karen, of North Monmouth, Maine, and Shawn of East Hardwick; a daughter, Laura, and her husband, Tony Rachatellelle, of Columbia, Missouri; his grandchildren, Elizabeth and Chase of North Monmouth, Paige of East Hardwick, and Cody of Columbia; and an anticipated new baby boy; two brothers, Paul Ainsworth of Eden, and Wendell Ainsworth and his wife, Ann, of Hardwick; twin sisters Jean Mancini and her husband, Thomas, of Barre and Ann Brown and her husband, Richard, of Woodbury; several nieces and nephews; and many extended family. He was predeceased by his parents, Paul and Arlene Ainsworth, and his parents-in-law, Armand and Therese Dufresne, as well as sister-in-law Wanda Grassette Ainsworth. A funeral service was held on April 26 at St. Norbert's Church in Hardwick. Burial followed in Fairview Cemetery. Contributions in his memory may be made to the Lamoille Area Cancer Network, P.O. Box 38, Lake Elmore, Vermont 05657.

, 68, of Glover, died at home after a long battle with cancer on April 23, 2011, surrounded by the love of those around him. He was born in Barton on March 24, 1943, a son of William A. and Genevieve (Ferrin) Baxter. Mr. Baxter took pride in his work. He operated heavy equipment principally for SCI and J.A. McDonald. Before returning home to Vermont, he had worked in the coal mines of Virginia. He served in the Army in the early 1960s and was a member of the Orleans American Legion Post #23. He especially enjoyed watching NASCAR races. He had a love for the great outdoors and so enjoyed living where he lived on Shadow Lake. He is survived by Pamela Peters, his soulmate of the past 16 years, and his beloved Labrador Brandy; also his children; grandchildren; and great-grandchildren; his sister and brother-in-law; sister-in-law; a couple of aunts, and nieces and nephews. A celebration of his life will be held later in May and will be announced at a later date. Memorial contributions, payable to Northeastern Vermont Regional Hospital and marked for Norris Cotton Cancer Center North, may be sent to Northeastern Vermont Regional Hospital, attention Jim Flynn, P.O. Box 905, St. Johnsbury, Vermont 05819.

, 78, of Westfield died on April 19, 2011, in St. Johnsbury. She was born September 26, 1932, in Lowell, a daughter of Edward and Lida (Gendreau) Darby. On November 12, 1951, she married John C. Brault Sr. who predeceased her. She and her late husband purchased the Brault Meat Market from his parents in 1962 and they ran the store until they sold it to Tony in 1991. Mr. and Mrs. Brault enjoyed traveling and they spent several winters in Florida. Mrs. Brault enjoyed playing bingo and attending senior meal sites. She loved her children and grandchildren very much and always delighted in their visits. She also took care of her mother for over ten years with tremendous love and affection. She is survived by her mother, Lida Darby; her children: John Brault Jr. and his wife, Melanie, of Texas, Carmen Menard and her husband, Rick, of St. Johnsbury, Kathy Couture and her husband, Jean, of Troy, Kim Smith of Massachusetts, and Tony Brault of Troy; by ten grandchildren; several great-grandchildren; by a brother, Edward Darby, and his wife, Gertrude, of Newport; and by a sister, Ann Racicot, and her husband, Andre, of Westfield. Funeral services will be held at 2:30 p.m. on Wednesday, April 27, at the Curtis-Britch-Converse-Rushford Funeral Home at 4670 Darling Hill Road (Sias Avenue) in Newport with Pastor Rick Menard officiating. Friends may call at the funeral home on Wednesday from 1:30 p.m. until the hour of the funeral. Interment will follow in St. Ignatius Cemetery in Lowell. Should friends desire, contributions in her memory may be made to Relay for Life/Cancer Society, care of Carmen Menard, 453 Main Street St. Johnsbury, Vermont 05819.

, 67, of Irasburg died peacefully on April 18, 2011, at the Dartmouth Hitchcock Medical Center following a long battle with sarcoidosis. She was born in Kingston, Massachusetts, on March 8, 1944, a daughter of Roger and Eva (Turcotte) Keenan. On December 15, 1962, she married Keith (Casey) Casavant who survives her. She was employed by the Irasburg school for 34 years before retiring. Among her many hobbies, she enjoyed attending casinos, baking, bowling, dancing, traveling, and the company of her family. Mrs. Casavant is survived by her husband, Keith (Casey) Casavant, of Irasburg: her daughters: Laura Potter and her husband, Jeff, of Albany, and Corinne Royer and her companion, Gary Guyer, of Lyndonville; four grandchildren: Justin Potter, Evan Royer, Mickayla Royer, and Connor Glass; and by several nieces and nephews. She was predeceased by her parents, Roger and Eva Keenan; her brothers Ronald and Donald Keenan; and by a sister Connie McKennan. Funeral services were held at the Curtis-Britch-Converse-Rushford Memorial Chapel in Newport on April 23 with the Reverend Robert Cargill officiating. Interment followed in the Derby Center Cemetery. Should friends desire, contributions in her memory may be made to the Frontier Animal Society, 502 Strawberry Acres, Newport, Vermont 05855.

, 44, a resident of Holland, died at his home on April 18, 2011, surrounded by his loving family. He was born January 14, 1967, in Newport, a son of Dewey and Patricia (Walker) Farrand. He was known by many knicknames: Doggie, the Great Grondini, Uncle Grizzley, and Bub. He graduated from North Country Union High School in 1985. Mr. Farrand was a construction worker for Spates Construction and Audet Construction, both of Newport, and J&L Foundations of Fairfax. He enjoyed fishing, motorcycling, four-wheeling, boating, and scootering with Barb. He was always willing to give a hand to help anyone who needed it. He enjoyed the many visits from his nephews. He is survived by his soulmate, April Blouin, and her children Kacie Morrison and Donovan Blouin; by his brothers and sisters: Michael Grondin and his wife, Carol, of Albany, Peter Grondin and his wife, Judith, of Newport, Terry Grondin and his soulmate, Katherine, of Morgan, Pedro Grondin of Coventry, Vicky Lewis and her husband, Daniel, of Derby Line, Barbara Fecteau and her husband, Randy, of Holland, and Kevin Grondin and his fiancé, Tina, of East Concord; and by several nieces and nephews. He was predeceased by his parents, Dewey and Patricia Farrand. A celebration of his life was held on April 21 at the home of Vicky and Daniel Lewis in Derby Line. Should friends desire, contributions in his memory may be made to the Children's Hospital at Dartmouth, 1 Medical Center Drive, Lebanon, New Hampshire 03756, or VFW Ladies Auxilliary Cancer Aid Research, P.O. Box 312, Newport, Vermont 05855.

, 81, of Newport Center died on April 19, 2011, at his home surrounded by his loving family. He was born on September 12, 1929, in St. Odilon, Quebec, a son of Antonio and Armoza (Cloutier) Labbee. On August 28, 1952, he married Yvette Mathieu who survives him. For most of his life he and his wife owned a dairy farm in North Troy. He most enjoyed spending time with his family and his cat Snoopy. Prior to his illness he loved hunting, fishing, trapping, carpentry, spending time outdoors mowing his lawn, and taking care of the flowers with his wife. Mr. Labbee is survived by his wife, Yvette Labbee, of Newport Center; a daughter, Raymonde Hill, and her husband, Allen, of Newport Center; a son, Marcel Labbee and his fiancé, Mary Blais, of North Troy; grandchildren: Danny Pepin and his wife, Holly, of Troy, Mike Pepin and his wife, Amanda, of Troy, Lisa Sargent and her husband, Jason, of Newport Center, and Dennis Labbee and his companion, Caitlyn, of North Troy; great-grandchildren: Darielle, Cadence, Kendra, and Trent Pepin, Travis and Ashley Pepin, and Taylor, Mercedes, and Kadia Labbee; a brother, Real Labbee, of St. Joseph Beauce, Quebec; twin brother Edmund Labbee of North Troy; sister Yolande Labbee of Quebec City, Quebec; sister-in-law Rachel Labbee of St. Joseph Beauce, Quebec; and by many nephews and nieces, all from Vermont and Quebec. He was predeceased by a brother, Adrien Labbee; brother Laurent Labbee; and sisters-in-law Mariette Labbee and Muriel Labbee. Funeral services were held on April 25 at the Curtis-Britch-Converse-Rushford Funeral Home in Newport with the Reverend Laurence Wall officiating. Interment followed at the St. Ignatius Cemetery in Lowell. Should friends desire, contributions in his memory may be made to the Vermont Lung Association, 372 Hurricane Lane, Suite 101, Williston, Vermont 05495.

, 91, of Georgia, died on April 17, 2011, in Newport surrounded by his loving family. He was born March 1, 1920, in Jericho, a son of Chauncey and Fannie (Hurlburt) Bicknell. Mr. Bicknell was born and raised in Jericho on a dairy farm. He graduated from high school and then went to the Vermont State Agricultural School where he also graduated. Mrs. Bicknell was born in Ithaca, Michigan, and then her family moved to East Barre when she was three years old. She graduated from Spaulding High School in Barre and worked at Heaton Hospital. Mr. and Mrs. Bicknell were married in 1941. A year later, in 1942, Mr. Bicknell went into the Army serving with the 750th Tank Battalion during World War II in Europe. He went through the Battle of the Ardennes (Battle of the Bulge) and, at the conclusion of the war, the occupation of Berlin, Germany, during the summer of 1945. Mrs. Bicknell worked in an airplane factory in Bridgeport, Connecticut, until their first son was born. After Mr. Bicknell returned from the war, he went into business with his father on the home farm where they had four more sons and one daughter. Beginning in 1955, the Federal Land Bank and Farmers Production Credit Association employed him for30 years. After retirement, he worked part time overseeing the operation of farms for a foreign investor. Their family has now grown to add 16 grandchildren and seven great-grandchilden. Mr. Bicknell is survived by his wife, Mildred (Partridge) Bicknell, and their children and families: his son Jim and his wife, Joan Bicknell, from Newark, Morgan, Lincoln, Cole, and Parker Mazzie, and Jericho Bicknell; his son Doug Bicknell from Burlington, and Kati and Will Sacks, Anna Bicknell, Erin Bicknell, and Luke Bicknell; his son Marvin and his wife, Helen Bicknell, Bridget, Brad, Makala, and Clay Erickson, Jesse, Monte, Caitlyn, Wesley, and Ryan Cassavant, and Ramon and Joyce Hunt; his son Stephan and his wife, Myrna Bicknell, from Montana, Melody and Jeremy Newmaster, Rebecca Bicknell, and Jennifer and Nick Eshleman; his son Raymond and his wife, Donna Bicknell, from Beebe, Jonathon Bicknell, Joshua Bicknell, and Kappas Emmons; and his daughter Nancy (Bicknell) Smith and her husband, David Smith, and their children Amanda Pruden and Thomas Smith. Until the last couple of years, Mr. and Mrs. Bicknell enjoyed winters in the park in Sarasota, Florida, and summers at the cottage on the shores of Lake Champlain in Vermont. Mrs. Bicknell is now at the Scenic View Community Care Home in Westfield. Mr. Bicknell was a past member of MacDonough F&AM Lodge Order of the Masons. A service will be held at the Grace Brethren Church in Irasburg, Vermont on Friday, April 22, at 2 p.m. Military honors will immediately follow the service. Should friends desire, contributions in his memory can be made to the VA Medical Center, (135) 215 North Main Street, White River Junction, Vermont 05009.

, 89, of North Troy died on April 13, 2011, in Glover. He was born May 20, 1921, in North Troy, a son of Walter and Yvonne (Letourneau) Dunn. On June 10, 1946, he married Shirley A. Webb who survives him. Mr. Dunn was a self-employed dairy farmer in North Troy for several years. He and his wife farmed two different farms that they owned for over 64 years. He loved sugaring and traveling to Texas, Florida, and Canada. He also loved hunting, trapping and fishing after they sold the farm. Mr. Dunn was a lister, constable, fence viewer, and selectman for several years in the town of Troy. He started the first snowmobile club in North Troy called the Ridgeriders. He was a 60-year member of the Masonic Union Lodge #16 of Troy and the Mt. Sinai Shrine. He is survived by his wife, Shirley Dunn, of North Troy; three children: Brian Dunn and his wife, Joanne, of Westfield, Deborah Dunn of North Troy, and Dennis Dunn and his wife, Susan, of Texas; by 14 grandchildren; 14 great-grandchildren; two brothers: Harvey and Richard Dunn, both of North Troy; and by a sister, Madeline Poulin, of North Troy. He was predeceased by a daughter, Pamela, by a brother, Raymond Dunn, and by his beloved dog Mitzi. Funeral services will be held at the Curtis-Britch-Converse-Rushford Funeral Home at 4670 Darling Hill Road in Newport on Thursday, April 21, at 2 p.m. with the Reverend Richard O'Hara officiating. Friends may call at the funeral home on April 21 from 1 p.m until the hour of the funeral. Spring interment will be in the North Troy Village Cemetery. Members of Masonic Union Lodge #16 of Troy will conduct a Masonic service at the funeral home on April 21.

, 69, of Derby died suddenly on April 12, 2011, in Newport. He was born July 6, 1941, in Colchester, the only son of Romeo and Eunice (Wheelock) Prevost. On November 29, 1974, he married Jennifer Poutre who survives him. Mr. Prevost loved his farm and the work that went with it along with his small construction business and working in the woods. He served in the U.S. Army in Thailand in the Army Corps of Engineers and was a member of the Veterans of Foreign Wars, American Legion Post #21 of Newport, and the Eagles Club. He held membership with the International Union of Operating Engineers and the Volunteer Fire Fighters Association. He is survived by his wife, Jennifer Prevost, of Derby; his son Thomas Prevost and dear friend Tasha Rodrigue of Derby, Traci Rodrigue (Tasha's sister) of Derby, both of whom were like daughters to Stan; Kevin Before, a close friend who was like a son to Mr. Prevost; mother-in-law Betty Poutre, sisters and brothers: Janet (Poutre) Lessard and her husband, Rejean, Marc Poutre and his wife, Mary, Kathy (Poutre) Blake and her husband, Jerry, Karen (Poutre) Morgan and her husband, Bernie, Martha (Poutre) Karpinski and her husband, Jim, Colleen (Poutre) Bullis and her husband, Tom; and by numerous nieces, nephews, cousins, uncles, aunts, and many close friends who he loved. Funeral services were held on April 18 at St.Mary's Catholic Church in Newport where a Mass will be celebrated. Should friends desire, contributions in his memory may be made to the Orleans Essex Visiting Nurses Association and Hospice, Inc., 46 Lakemont Road, Newport, Vermont 05855.

, 56, of Waterville, died peacefully at the home of her son in Morrisville on Friday, April 15, 2011. She was born April 10, 1955, in Morrisville, a daughter of Earl James Eldred and Barbara (Gonyaw) Wells. She loved gardening and cherished the times she was babysitting for her granddaughter Violet. She liked to cook and crochet and was an avid New York Jets fan. She is survived by her husband, Larry Wells; her children: Brandy Escamilla and her husband, Florencio, of Athens, Georgia, Benjamin Marcy and his wife, Desiree, of Morrisville, and Jacob Marcy and his girlfriend, Melinda, of Morrisville; by granddaughter Violet; by her mother, Barbara Wells, of Wolcott; her grandmother Evelyn Symonds Reynolds of Glover; her brother Keith Eldred and his wife, Amy, of Johnson; by sisters Stacey Foran and her husband, Michael, of Hardwick, and Melody Plante and her partner, Sarah Shirley, of Morrisville; by several step-children and step-grandchildren; and by nieces and nephews. She was predeceased by her father, Earl Eldred. A memorial service will be held on Thursday, April 21, at 4 p.m. at the White-Fiess Funeral Home in Morrisville. Visitation will be Thursday from 3 p.m. until the time of the service. Contributions in Mrs. Marcy-Wells' memory may be made to Lamoille Home Health and Hospice, 54 Farr Avenue, Morrisville, Vermont 05661.

of Monroe, Hew Hampshire, a retired real estate investigator for the Vermont Secretary of State, died on April 10, 2011, at the Littleton Regional Hospital in Littleton, New Hampshire. Despite an uphill ten-year battle with various types of cancer, and having lost most of his eyesight, Mr. Whipple remained upbeat until the very end. He was born in 1928 at the Whipple family farm on Whipple Hill in Lyndonville, a son of the late Henry and Hazel Whipple. He attended the Fletcher School and Lyndon Institute. In 1945 Mr. Whipple entered the U.S. Air Force where he obtained the rank of T/Sgt. as a flight engineer. Flying supplies and wounded, he saw many parts of the world. During his military career he obtained numerous medals and ribbons. The highlight was obtaining his silver wings. In 1953 he gave up his military career to aid his parents with the operation of the farm. Later, he moved to Boston, Massachusetts, and attended Boston University studying real estate and banking which later became his passion and vocation. Mr. Whipple and his wife of 55 years, Beverly, were married in Allston, Massachusetts, on July 16, 1955. Together they owned and operated several businesses in the North Shore area of Massachusetts. In 1975 they purchased a home in Monroe, New Hampshire, and Mr. Whipple became employed by the Time Sales Division of the Howard National Bank. In 1976 he joined the Vermont Secretary of State as that office's sole professional conduct investigator, covering the entire state of Vermont and parts of New Hampshire. He became a member of both the state and national real estate investigators associations, receiving many certificates and diplomas and becoming deemed the authority on real estate practices in a court of law. In June 1989 Yankee Homes Magazine, a division of Yankee Homes, featured an article about him, with his picture. Mr. Whipple had a great sense of humor and compassion which yielded him many friends in his life and travels. If one ever needed $5 and he had $10, he would give them the $10. He had the pleasure of having three previous secretaries of state attend his state retirement party, which spoke volumes about the type of person he was as an employee and friend to all. One of Mr. Whipple's pleasures in life was his 1928 Model A Roadster automobile, which won many prizes. He often provided it for parades and weddings or special occasion functions. During his residence in Massachusetts he became a member of the Danvers Mosaic Lodge of Masons, the Middleton Lions Club, the Board of Trade, a Trustee of the Middleton Library, and a member of various other civic organizations. For the past 11 years, Mr. and Mrs. Whipple made their winter home at the Twin Fountains Club in Lake Wales, Florida. Mr. Whipple will be greatly missed and always remembered by his loving and devoted wife, Beverly, of Monroe, New Hampshire; his two children and their spouses: son Daniel and his wife, Roberta Whipple, of Wallingford, and daughter Deirdre and her husband, Jonathan Gawne, of Framingham, Massachusetts; two precious grandchildren, Gabriana and Nathaniel Whipple of Wallingford, who meant so much to Grampy as he learned of their day-to-day accomplishments; by two sisters: Marion Sciarappa of Malden, Massachusetts, and Mildred Murtiff of St. Johnsbury; his sister-in-law Helen Fee of Florida who thought of him as a close brother; and by many nieces and nephews. He was predeceased by his parents, his infant son, his sister Marjorie Rexford, and his brother Henry Whipple of St. Johnsbury Center. Services were held at the Ricker Funeral Home in Woodsville on April 15. Remembrances may be sent to North Country Home Health and Hospice Agency, 536 Cottage Street, Littleton, New Hampshire 03561.

, 94, of Coventry, died on April 4, 2011, at the Bel-Aire Nursing Care Center in Newport. She was born June 18, 1916, in Templeton, Massachusetts, a daughter of Clarence F. and Orila N. (Perry) Kendall. She was a graduate of Gardner High School in Gardner, Massachusetts, and received her education to be a licensed practical nurse at Peter Bent Brigham in Boston, Massachusetts. She was a wonderful homemaker, an excellent cook, and she enjoyed gardening. Her grandchildren remember her working in St. Albans as the last matron at the Warner Home for Little Wanderers, a home that cared for children of absentee parents. It provided for children prior to any foster care programs in Vermont. She leaves her husband, Victor Andrews, whom she married in December of 2000; a son, Arthur (Pete) Roby Jr. of Douglasville, Georgia; daughter-in-law Kay Rundgren of Bremerton, Washington; and several grandchildren, great-grandchildren, and great-great-grandchildren. She was predeceased by husbands Joseph Rundgren, Arthur Roby Sr., Kenneth Atherton, and Adrian Lake; and by her sons John Rundgren, Ernest Rundgren, Conrad Rundgren, Ralph Rundgren, and Vernon Roby. A memorial Mass was held April 8 at St. Theresa's Church in Orleans. Her final resting place will be at Pleasant View Cemetery in Orleans in June. Arrangements by the Malcolm R. Davis Funeral Home of Craftsbury Common. Clarence "Junior" Ash Clarence P. "Junior" Ash, 85, of Sheffield, died on April 7, 2011, at Dartmouth-Hitchcock Medical Center in Lebanon, New Hampshire, with his children at his side. He was born May 27, 1925, in Irasburg, a son of Clarence and Emma (Taylor) Ash. He attended Bickford School in Sheffield and Lyndon Institute. He left school at the onset of World War II to help work the family farm in Sheffield. Mr. Ash was a lister and fence viewer for the town of Sheffield. He had been a substitute mail carrier for Dean McDowell and drove the "stage" from Lyndonville, Lyndon Center, Wheelock, and Sheffield for several years. Later he worked for Laperle's Construction in the late 1950s and early 1960s as a drill and dynamite operator. He had also worked as a roller operator for various contractors. In 1963 he purchased Charlie Chesley's propane gas business and ran that until he suffered a stroke in 1999 and sold his business to Twombly Plumbing. A generous man, Mr. Ash donated bottled gas to the Sheffield Federated Church, the Sheffield Town Hall, and the Sheffield Field Day cook shack, which was dedicated to him. He enjoyed football, playing poker, fishing, and vegetable gardening. Survivors include his three children: Sharon Hubbard and her husband, Bernie, of Lyndonville, Patty Weglarz and her husband, Reg, of Wells River, and Bernard Ash and his wife, Laurie, of Sheffield; two granddaughters, Jamie Lee and her husband, Ben, of Hartford, Connecticut, and Sarah Hubbard of Lyndonville; three sisters: Marvel Kittredge, Marlene Taylor and her husband, Don, and Muriel Nutter, all of St. Johnsbury; his former wife, Gladys Fisher, of Lyndonville; and many nieces and nephews. Funeral services were held on April 12 at the Sheffield Federated Church with John Sleeper officiating. Spring burial will be in William Dexter Cemetery in Sheffield. Donations in his memory may be directed to the Sheffield-Wheelock Fire Department, P.O. Box 161, Sheffield, Vermont 05866.