Search Archived Marriage Records
Clair G. Melius
NEW BURN, NC- Clair G. Melius, 77, of New Bern, formerly of Southport, CT, and West Dover, VT, passed away peacefully Wednesday, December 5, at his home.
Born in Alverda, PA, the son of the late Leroy and Clara Melius, he was raised in Southport, and was a graduate of Fairfield High School, class of 1948 where he played on the varsity football team.
Mr. Melius served in the United States Air Force during the Korean War. He received a B.S. in engineering from the University of Bridgeport. His career included positions at Electrolux, Hasbro, and Davis and Geck of Danbury, CT. He loved the outdoors and actively participated in golf, hiking, skiing, and racquetball.
Survivors include his beloved wife, Joan Schneider Melius, of New Bern; four children, Lori A. Makowski, of Stratford, CT, Bradford C. Melius, of Cheshire, CT, Jeffrey J. Melius, of Boonton Township, NJ, and Elizabeth J. Melius, of LaConner, WA; nine grandchildren, Scott, Victoria and Meghan Makowski, Bradford C. Melius II, John and William Melius, Mckenzie and Jake Melius and Ian Hamilton; two great-grandchildren, Alexandra and Scott Makowski; a sister, Dean Kohlman, of East Greenwich, RI; and several nieces and nephews.
In addition to his parents, he was predeceased by his first wife, Trudy Sutay Melius, and a brother, Max Melius.
A Mass of Christian Burial was celebrated on Tuesday, December 11, at St. Thomas Aquinas Church. Interment with military honors followed in St. Thomas cemetery. In lieu of flowers memorial contributions may be made to Craven County Hospice, 2818 Neuse Blvd., P.O. Drawer 12610, New Bern, NC 28561 or the Parkinson’s Association of the Carolinas, 501 East 5th Street, Suite 140, Charlotte, NC 28202. To offer online condolences visit www.spearmillerfuneralhome.com.
Arlene H. Austin
BENNINGTON- Arlene H. Austin, 85, formerly of Milton Avenue in Syracuse, NY, died Saturday, December 8, at the Centers For Living and Rehabilitation in Bennington.
Mrs. Austin was born in Syracuse on May 14, 1922, the daughter of the late Bernard J. and Anna (Lanigan) Hanley. She received her education in Syracuse schools and graduated salutatorian of Central High School in Syracuse, class of 1940.
She was formerly the vice president of trusts at Marine Midland Bank, which is now known as HSBC.
She enjoyed going to craft and antique shows, enjoyed traveling, especially visiting her son Gary and his wife Karen in Maine and various historical sites. She was an avid reader and would make weekly trips to the library and bring home stacks of books. She was a big New York Yankees baseball fan, supported the humane society, was a former member of St. Brigid’s Church in Syracuse, and cherished times spent with her family.
Mrs. Austin is survived by her son Gary R. Austin, and his wife Karen, of Wilmington, and her nieces Susan, of Arkansas, and Nancy, of Los Angeles, CA.
She was preceded in death by her longtime companion Robert Sheridan, who died on December 7, 2005, and her brothers Bernard J. Hanley Jr. and Donald P. Hanley.
Graveside funeral services for Mrs. Austin were held on Wednesday, December 12, in the family lot in Assumption cemetery in Syracuse. Memorial gifts may be made to the Humane Society, c/o Hanson-Walbridge Funeral Home, P.O. Box 957, Bennington, VT 05201.
To send e-mail condolences visit www.sheafuneralhomes.com.
Raymond S. Plumb
BENNINGTON- Raymond S. Plumb, 81, formerly of Whitingham, died peacefully Sunday December 9, at the Vermont Veterans Home in Bennington where he had been a resident for 22 years.
Mr. Plumb was born in Whitingham on July 25, 1926, the son of Grover and Agnes (Shippee) Plumb and attended local schools. He worked as a heavy equipment operator for many years for several area contractors. He was a United States Navy veteran, serving from 1943-1945. Raymond enjoyed building any kind of models. He was an avid Boston Red Sox and Dale Earnhardt fan. When he was able he helped maintain the grounds of the Veterans Home including taking care of the animals. He was also a member of the American Legion Post 29, in Readsboro, and the Carl Dessaint VFW Post 1034, in Brattleboro.
Mr. Plumb is survived by his son Keith Plumb; his daughter Juanita; his brother Austin Plumb, of Whitingham; grandchildren, nieces, and nephews. He was preceded in death by his brother Sydney Plumb, who died in infancy.
Funeral services for Mr. Plumb were held Thursday, December 13, at the Vermont Veterans Home All Faiths Chapel, in Bennington. Interment followed in the Vermont Veterans Home Memorial cemetery.
Memorial gifts in Mr. Plumb’s memory may be made to the Vermont Veterans Home Activity Fund, c/o Hanson-Walbridge Funeral Home P.O. Box 957 Bennington, VT 05201. For directions or to send e-mail condolences visit www.sheafuneralhomes.com.
Lowell W. Livezey
NEW YORK, NY- Lowell W. Livezey, 64, longtime Whitingham, VT, summer resident, and professor of urban and religious studies and director of the ecologies of learning project at the New York Theological Seminary, passed away on Sunday, December 9. He died of pancreatic cancer at his home with his wife, Dr. Lois Gehr Livezey, at his side.
Born on February 15, 1943 in Erie, PA, Dr. Livezey directed large studies of urban congregations in Chicago and Boston—the Religion in Urban America Program at the University of Illinois, and the Metropolitan Congregational Studies Project at Harvard Divinity School. The Chicago project (1992-2002) resulted in the book “Public Religion and Urban Transformation,” as well as more than 35 scholarly papers and conferences. He studied, taught, and wrote on the agency of religious organizations—especially churches, synagogues, mosques, and other worship centers—in large urban areas. Using ethnographic data assembled in collaboration with colleagues and students in Chicago, Boston, and New York, he argued that the “religion factor” is more salient than often recognized in the economic, demographic, and spatial restructuring of modern industrial cities.
Dr. Livezey received his B.A. from Swarthmore College and Master of Theology and Doctor of Ministry degrees from the University of Chicago School of Divinity. He also studied at the University of Keele in Staffordshire, England. While an undergraduate at Swarthmore, he founded the Chester Home Improvement Project in Chester, PA where his commitment to urban ministry began. After receiving his doctorate, Dr. Livezey spent two decades in the peace movement. His first job was with the World Without War Council, first in Chicago, then as the organization’s national director in New York. He then went on to serve as administrative director, undergraduate program, of the Woodrow Wilson School at Princeton University. This work inspired him to conduct a study of how NGOs conceived of human rights, beginning his second career in studying communities, meanings, culture, and social change. After publishing “Nongovernmental Organizations and the Ideas of Human Rights,” Dr. Livezey turned his attention to congregations, founding the Religion in Urban America Program. He then taught at Harvard as Luce Lecturer in Urban Ministry at Harvard Divinity School and director of its Metropolitan Congregational Studies Project. In 2005, Dr. Livezey became Professor of Urban and Religious Studies and Director of the Ecologies of Learning Project (EOL) at New York Theological Seminary, funded through a major $2 million grant from Lilly Endowment, Inc. of Indianapolis. With EOL, Dr. Livezey considered the entire New York metropolitan area to be his research laboratory.
Dr. Livezey is survived by his wife, Dr. Lois Gehr Livezey, who retired in 2006 as professor of Christian Ethics at McCormick Theological Seminary and currently serves as director of the Globalization Project of the Center for World Christianity at New York Theological Seminary.
Contributions in Dr. Livezey’s memory may be made to the Lowell W. Livezey Fund, Ecologies of Learning, New York Theological Seminary, 475 Riverside Drive, Suite 500, New York, NY 10115.
A memorial will be held in January 2008 at The Riverside Church, 490 Riverside Drive, New York City, at a date to be announced.
Cecile E. (Huestis) Briggs
BRATTLEBORO- Cecile E. (Huestis) Briggs, 99, formerly of Maple Street, died Thursday, December 20, at the Thompson House, after an illness. Her husband, Gordon Briggs, died in 1997.
She was born in Crown Point, NY, on December 16, 1908, the daughter of William and Ruby Huestis, and attended grade school in Schenectady, NY. She was a graduate of Brattleboro High School and lived in the area most of her life.
Mrs. Briggs assisted her husband in the grocery business where he managed the Economy Store in Wilmington. She was a noted photographer and wrote articles for several years for Vermont Life magazine. She volunteered at the Brattleboro Memorial Hospital and the Thompson House. She also contributed to several charities assisting countries in Latin America and Africa. She enjoyed flower and vegetable gardening.
Survivors include her son, Larry Freeman and his wife Patricia, of St. Petersburg, FL; and a sister, Katherine Hall of Chester. A son, Robert Freeman predeceased her.
Funeral services were held Thursday, December 27 at the Ker-Westerlund and Fleming Funeral Home. Rev. Suzanne Curtis, pastor of the First Baptist Church of Brattleboro, officiated. Burial followed in West Brattleboro cemetery.
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the Thompson House Entertainment Fund, Maple Street, Brattleboro, VT 05301.
Gerald J. Peterson Jr.
WEST DOVER- Gerald J. Peterson Jr., 22, of Watervliet, NY, died suddenly Sunday, December 9. Born in Albany, NY, he was the son of Heather McElroy Peterson, of Arkansas, formerly of Watervliet, and Gerald J. Peterson Sr. of Mechanicville, NY.
Mr. Peterson had been working as a cook at the Dover Bar and Grill. He was very involved with motors and enjoyed anything that was mechanical.
In addition to his parents, he is also survived by his sisters, Tiffany Peterson Elliott and her husband Mike, of Little Rock, AR, and Brittany Peterson of Mechanicville, NY. He was the grandson of Mary King, of FL, and Mary Lou Peterson, of Minnesota, and of the late Eleanor Martinez, James McElroy, and Stephen Peterson; great-grandson of the late Ruth and Guy DeMarco, Ruth Hawkins, and Charles and Alice Allen. He is also survived by his aunts and uncles, Brenda and Paul LaCombe, Aaron and Kim McElroy, Shannon McElroy, Jeff Peterson and Lance Peterson both of Minnesota, Brent Peterson of Florida, and Stephanie Peterson of New York. He was the uncle of Dylan Elliott and also is survived by several cousins.
Funeral services were held Saturday, December 15, at the Wm. Leahy Funeral Home in Troy, NY. Interment followed in Albany the Rural cemetery, in Menands, NY. A remembrance cross was lovingly handmade by Jordin Mayle and erected by Mr. Peterson’s mother.
Janet L. Bills
TOWNSHEND- Janet Lynn Bills, 62, of Bills Road, died Tuesday, January 22, at Grace Cottage Hospital, surrounded by her loving family.
Mrs. Bills was born in Troy, NY, on October 23, 1945, the daughter of Everett and Lorna (Bulson) Eddy.
She was raised and attended grammar school in both Troy and School #18 in Sycaway, NY, and in Avon, CT. She graduated with high honors from Simsbury High School.
Following high school she went to work for several years for the Prudential Insurance Company in Hartford, CT. From 1981 until 1999 Mrs. Bills was employed by Vermont National Bank, working as a teller in VNB’s Jamaica branch location. When Vermont National Bank was acquired by Chittenden Bank she transferred to the Dover location where she was employed until the time of her passing. She especially loved her job as a teller and the many customers who she came to know throughout her 27 years with the bank.
Civically active, she was the first woman moderator for the town of Wardsboro and served as the town’s delinquent tax collector. For several years she was chairperson for the annual Wardsboro Fourth of July street fair committee.
Mrs. Bills was a member and trustee of the Wardsboro Methodist Church, and sang in the church choir. She also held membership in, and was treasurer of, the Wardsboro Yoked Parish. Additionally, she served as treasurer for the Wardsboro Food Pantry.
During her earlier years, while in Connecticut, she served as Worthy Advisor for the Rainbow Girls of the Order of Eastern Star in Simsbury.
She enjoyed music and loved to sing with the West River Chorus in Townshend.
Of her many leisure time activities, she enjoyed square dancing with her husband, camping, taking walks with her grandchildren, and snowmobiling. She was a member and secretary of the Wardsboro Pathfinders Snowmobile Club.
Mrs. Bills was especially fond of the ocean and mountains as well as nature in general.
Her greatest passion in life was her family. She was a faithful and devoted wife, loving mother and grandmother, and a friend to many in the West River Valley area.
Mrs. Bills was known for her wonderful sense of humor and her happy-go-lucky personality. In spite of her health issues, she always kept a positive and grateful attitude. In 1991, she was the recipient of a kidney transplant that was performed at Hartford Hospital in Hartford, CT.
On July 30, 1966, in Avon, CT, she was married to Alan L. Bills, who survives.
Besides her husband of 41 years, she leaves two sons, Norman Bills and his wife Melissa, and Timothy Bills and his wife Valerie; and one daughter, Alison Brown and her husband David, all of Wardsboro; two brothers, Nelson Eddy and his wife Marilyn, of Manchester, CT, Leonard Eddy and his wife Beth, of Sebastian, FL; six grandchildren, Robert Brown, Andrew Brown, Olivia Brown, Nicholas Bills, Madison Bills, and Alecia Bills. Additionally, she leaves many nieces, nephews, cousins, and her beloved pet sheltie “Spot.”
Funeral services will be held on Saturday, January 26, at 11 am, at the Wardsboro Methodist Church with Rev. Peter Carlson, pastor, officiating. A reception will follow the services at the Wardsboro Town Hall. Committal services and burial will be held in the spring at a date and time to be announced. Friends are invited to call at the Atamaniuk Funeral Home on Friday from 5 to 8 pm.
Memorial contributions may be made to Grace Cottage Hospital, c/o Dr. Robert Backus, Route 35, Townshend, VT 05353.
Winifred P. Rogers
TOWNSHEND- Winifred P. Rogers, 92, died at Grace Cottage Hospital on Friday, January 18.
Mrs. Rogers was born in Townshend on March 7, 1915, the daughter and oldest child of Fred and Pauline Lawrence.
She grew up and attended schools in Townshend. She joined the Townshend Church in her teens and had been an active member until her health declined. She married the late Leslie Rogers Sr. in South Carolina on December 5, 1942. After her husband’s discharge from the United States Army they returned to Vermont and lived in Wardsboro and Cambridgeport before settling in Grafton in the late 1950s.
Mrs. Rogers was an active member of the Grace Cottage Auxillary. She was also a member of the Grafton Grange where she proudly accomplished all seven degrees. She also served with the Saxton’s River Pomona Grange, the Evening Star Grange, and state and national Grange organizations. She also served on the board for the Council on Aging of Southeastern Vermont for many years.
After her retirement, Mrs. Rogers spent her time tirelessly volunteering for her beloved organizations. In 1992 she received the Auxilian of the Year award from the Grace Cottage Hospital Auxiliary and in 1998 she received the award for public service from the Saxton’s River Valley Pomona Grange. Along with volunteering for her many organizations, Mrs. Rogers was well known for her baking skills, in particular, apple pies. Her Grafton kitchen was filled with the aromas of apple pies, biscuits, and cookies on a frequent basis.
As Mrs. Roger’s health declined she was granted the privilege of residing at her beloved Grace Cottage Hospital. Under the care of Dr. Tim Shafer, Dr. Robert Backus, and the Grace Cottage “angels” she never spent a day without hugs and kisses, acts of kindness, and visits from her many friends on staff. With a sharp wit and the ability to vividly recall memories of the past she loved nothing more than to share memories of her early years growing up in the hills of Townshend.
She is survived by her daughter, Janet Severance and son-in-law Donald, of Townshend; a daughter-in-law, Barbara Rogers, of South Londonderry; and a sister, Clara Perry, of Vernon. She is also survived by seven grandchildren, Tamara Evanson and Christopher Severance, of Brattleboro; Timothy Severance, of Putney; Leslie Smith, of Hinsdale, NH; Julie Yankowsky, of Fulton, NY; David Rogers, of Grafton; and Patrick Rogers, of Johnson. She is also survived by 11 great-grandchildren, five step-grandchildren, and many nieces and nephews.
Mrs. Rogers was predeceased by her husband, a son, Leslie Jr., her brother, Oliver Lawerence, and stepdaughter Marjorie Vaillancourt.
Contributions in her memory may be made to the Grace Cottage Hospital, c/o Robert Backus, P.O. Box 216, Townshend, VT 05353-0216.Services will be held in the spring at Burgess Cemetary in Grafton.
Frank Stetson Brown
SHELBURNE FALLS, MA- Frank Stetson Brown, 81, of Shelburne Falls, died Sunday, February 17, at Baystate Franklin Medical Center in Greenfield.
Born March 30, 1926 in Wilmington, VT, he was the son of Leonard and Ida (Sparrow) Brown of Heath, MA. He attended local schools in Marlboro, VT and served in the U.S. Marines during World War II, attaining the rank of corporal. He was self-employed as a woodsman for most of his life.
He also worked at the Greenfield Glassine Paper Mill at Monroe Bridge and during retirement worked part time at the Shelburne Transfer Station until 2001. He was a former two-term selectman of Rowe, and a member of the Shelburne Falls VFW Post 8503.
He is survived by his three sons, Craig Brown, of Charlemont, Brad Brown and his wife Cherie, of Jupiter, FL, and Chris Brown of Rowe; two grandchildren, Marie Gates, of Greenfield, and Amanda Brown, of Mammoth Lakes, CA; one great-grandchild, Brianna Gates-Yobst, of Greenfield; five brothers, Leonard (Pete) and his wife Norma, of Rowe, Roy and his wife Rita, of Whitingham, VT, Wendell and his wife Erma, of Heath, Roger and his wife Sue, of Readsboro, VT, and Reggie and his wife Loraine, of Colrain; three sisters, Lillian Benz, of Greenfield, Janet Nido and her husband Guy, of Wilmington, VT, and Annette Lee and her husband Willey, of Whitingham, VT.
He was predeceased by two sisters, Eleanor Maynard, of Charlemont, and Marilyn Ball, of Greenfield, and a brother Robert, who died during infancy. He also leaves his best friend, Nick Doneilo, of Shelburne, MA, great-grandson of his life-companion Betty Warger.
Calling hours will be held Thursday, February 21, from 6 to 8 pm, at the Johnson Funeral Home, 104 Bridge Street, Shelburne Falls. A funeral service officiated by Rev. David Neil will be conducted at 7 pm, with committal to be held in the spring.
Donations may be made to Hospice of Franklin County, 329 Conway Street, Suite 2, Greenfield, MA 01301.
Nellie White
WILMINGTON- Nellie Visser White, 95, of Wilmington, died peacefully at home on February 16. She was born July 18, 1912, in Lyndonville, the daughter of Jacob and Mensje (deBruyn) Visser. The family moved to the Hollandia Farm in Halifax in the early teens.
Mrs. White attended Grove School in Halifax before beginning work at the Austine School in Brattleboro. She married Stuart Walter White in 1947 at the Green River Church in Guilford and moved to the White Acre Farm on Whites Road in Wilmington. She worked as a housekeeper for Emma Brown Crump at the Averill Stand, Dr. Tiltney and Dr. VanCullen, and Dr. and Mrs. Stuart Porter, and for a variety of local businesses including The Long Jim Inn, The White House of Wilmington, and The Old Red Mill Inn.
In her early years Mrs. White was a talented painter and loved to play the accordion. She enjoyed life on the farm, especially tending to her vegetable garden and working in her flower beds. She took pride in her blueberry bushes, enjoying them with family and selling the fruit roadside. One often saw her relaxing on the porch waving to neighbors on their daily walks and passing traffic.
She is survived by two sons, Walter White, of Wilmington, and Jacob White and his wife Monique, of Wilmington; three grandchildren, Peter White, of Pennsylvania, Michelle White and Jeremy White, of Wilmington; and sisters, Rena Amidon, of Brattleboro, and Mensje Crosier, of Halifax; and nieces and nephews.
She was predeceased by her husband Stuart White, brother Sebastian Visser, sisters Mary Ashworth and Johanna Dessaint, and grandson Jason Stuart White.
Funeral services were held on Wednesday, February 20, at the Covey & Allen Funeral Home. A private family graveside service followed at Riverview cemetery. Friends joined the family at the Old Red Mill for a period of fellowship and refreshment.
In lieu of flowers, contributions in memory of Mrs. White may be made to the Wilmington Fire Department, c/o Covey & Allen Funeral Home P.O. Box 215, Wilmington, VT 05363.
To send condolences visit www.sheafuneralhomes.com.
