Lida Rose Anne Darby, 96, formerly of Westfield died on March 13, 2012, in Newport, after a long illness.
She was born on August 29, 1915, a daughter of William and Ellen (Mossa) Gendreau. On June 15, 1931, she married George who predeceased her on July 11, 1971.
She worked for several years as an assistant dietician at the Gaylord Rehab Hospital in Connecticut. She was a very devoted Catholic and became a member of the Sacred Heart Church in Troy when she moved back to Westfield in 1978.
She loved gardening and baking, much to the delight of her family. She also loved the family gatherings and just having them stop by to see her for a visit.
She is survived by her daughter Ann Racicot and her husband, Andre; by her son Edward and his wife, Gertrude; by 11 grandchildren; by 16 great-grandchildren; by six great-great-grandchildren; and by her sister-in-law Rosa Gendreau. She was predeceased by her daughter Ellen and her husband, John Brault; by her brother Omer Gendreau; and by her sisters: Angelina and Marie Anne Gendreau.
Funeral services were held on March 19, in Troy. Spring interment will be at St. Ignatius Cemetery in Lowell.
Should friends desire, contributions in her memory may be made to the Bel-Aire Activities Fund, 35 Bel-Aire Drive, Newport, Vermont 05855. Online condolences may be sent to the family through the funeral home website at www.curtis-britch-converse-rushford.com.
Richard A. “Dick” Dresser Sr.
Richard A. “Dick” Dresser Sr., 71, of West Burke died on Monday, March 12, 2012, at home surrounded by his family.
Born on January 6, 1941, in East Barnet, he was the son of Elwin and Lottie (Agon) Dresser. He grew up in Gilman.
He was employed as a roofer for Rodd Roofing in St. Johnsbury and also had worked at Gilman Paper Mill, East Burke Log Yard, and Roy’s Manufacturing in the past.
His pastimes included restoring old clocks, fishing, riding on his lawn tractor, being in the outdoors, and working on automobiles.
He will be remembered for helping other people in need. He just enjoyed life to its fullest and being with friends and family.
He is survived by his children: Don Dresser and his wife, Angel, of West Burke, Erica Dresser of Queensbury, New York, Richard Dresser Jr. of Utah, and June Dresser and Joan Dresser both of Gilman; by his siblings: Elwin Dresser of Gilman, Marg Dresser of St. Johnsbury, and Beverly Walker of Gilman; by his friends: Donna Gray of Newark, Tim Gilman of Newark, Moe Carr of Burke Hollow, Brenda Martin and her family of West Burke, Edward Brown of South Wheelock, and Kazuo Ota Cottrell of Lyndonville; and by many grandchildren, nieces and nephews. Besides his parents, he was predeceased by his siblings: Pauline Dresser, Louise Wood, Howard Dresser, and Margret Williams.
Calling hours will be held from 10 a.m. to noon, on Saturday, March 24, at Pearsons Funeral Home, 70 Church Street, in Lyndonville. A memorial gathering will also be held at a later date.
Elizabeth Gilpin, 92, of Williamstown, formerly of Newport and Coventry, died on March 16, 2012.
She was born in Cogan House, Pennsylvania, on December 27, 1919, the daughter of Elsie Carson Taylor and Jesse Taylor.
On October 6, 1946, she married Roger W. Gilpin and they began their married life in Richford. In 1952, they moved to Newport where they spent many years and where they raised their family, later moving to a small home in Coventry.
Betty, as she was better known, was a long time member of the First Baptist Church of Newport where she was a member of the TUXIS club, taught Sunday school, sang in the choir and was choir director for several years. She also sang or played the organ at several weddings and funerals.
After moving to Coventry, she joined the Coventry Congregational Church where she was organist, a member of the church board and was instrumental for many church suppers.
She was well known in the community and had been a member of the Newport Women’s Club, and attended many senior citizens group activities and luncheons in Newport and Derby.
Mrs. Gilpin was a member of Lakeside Chapter Order of Eastern Star #27 of Newport for over 60 years. She went up through the chairs, being Past Matron on more than one occasion. She was organist for Lakeside Chapter, and held several offices.
She began her employment with the Newport Daily Express on a part-time basis, assisting her husband during town report time. She spent hours correlating the pages for town reports in order to get them out in time for Town Meeting. She was later employed full-time as proofreader at The Express where she spent many years before retiring along with Mr. Gilpin.
She accompanied her husband to Vermont Printers Association meetings and conventions becoming well known to many in the newspaper circle.
She and Mr. Gilpin spent winters in Florida after their retirement, where they made new friends and enjoyed winter golf and learning new crafts.
She loved to sing, cook, golf, sew, quilt, collect antiques, read and especially liked spending time with her family. She looked forward to family reunions and getting together with her friends.
She is survived by three daughters and their husbands: Marjorie and Delbert Cote of California, Susanna and Edward Hardy of Maine, and Mary and Avon Robertson of Montpelier. She is also survived by her grandchildren: William Cote, Michael Cote and his wife, Gina, and Jennifer Cote Ilusorio, all of California, John Hardy and his wife, Rebecca, of Derby Line, Jessica Hardy of Maine, Karin Barrup and her husband, Nelson, of Derby Line, and Shanna Moody and her husband, Rob, of New Hampshire; by a step-grandchild, Christopher Hardy of Orleans; by her great-grandchildren: Katie and Brooke Cote, Anna, Abigail and Alexander Ilusorio, Thomas and John Curtis Hardy, Breana and Paul Joseph Doherty II, Benjamin, Aaron, Hannah and Caleb Barrup, and Adam and Seth Moody; by her step-great-grandchildren: Ryan and Rebecca Hardy; by a brother, Alan Taylor of Pennsylvania; as well as by several nieces and nephews. She was predeceased by her husband Roger, and by a brother, Leon Taylor.
Mrs. Gilpin will be sadly missed and lovingly remembered by all who walked by her side through her long and wonderful life. She passed away peacefully with her family by her side.
A memorial service will be held at The Gardens in Williamstown. A graveside service and interment at Coventry Cemetery will be at the convenience of the family. Funeral arrangements are in charge of Guare & Sons Funeral Home of Montpelier.
Gerald Edward Glaser
Gerald Edward Glaser, 62, of Newport Center died on March 4, 2012, after a long illness.
He was born in Detroit, Michigan, on November 25, 1949. He lived in and loved Vermont for 25 years.
Mr. Glaser was a great carpenter and worked on many chalets and houses in Alpine Haven, Jay, and around the Northeast Kingdom. He led on roofs and brought up the rear with his fine finish work. He patiently mentored many young apprentices and a few older guys. Before he retired, he ran his own business and was a good boss. He worked unbelievably hard and had the talent to integrate recycled windows, doors, and wood into new structures. His beautiful work will stand strong for years to come.
Mr. Glaser absolutely loved skiing. He went downhill for many years but switched to backcountry in later years. His tracks could be found out his back door and all over the Northeast Kingdom hills and mountains. He skied with his friends Celia, Davey, and Jane, and Roger and Sue in Westfield and Balanced Rock.
He loved to visit Roger and his horses. He always enjoyed hanging out with his friend Chuck and enjoyed organizing apple pickings and making apple cider with the Hamels.
Mr. Glaser was a nurturer and enjoyed taking the whole family out to eat and enjoyed many ethnic cuisines. He used a cooler as a table and would serve Cabot cheese and snacks on skis. During his last couple years, he would invite a small group to his house for pizza and a movie.
He loved his family and traveling to see them when they needed him. He cared for his beloved mother in his home during her final years.
Mr. Glaser had a special place in his heart for his relatives in Ontonagon, Upper Peninsula, Michigan, where he spent many childhood days on Lake Superior.
He never forgot his in-laws in Colorado, including Wilma, Debbie, and his kindhearted sister-in-law Donna Marie Wolf, and her family. Remember Pike’s Peak?
Mr. Glaser had an extended adoptive family from Massachusetts to California that included Lucky, Celia, Dominic, and Amrita Parry, Naryan and Travis Rollins and their family, Penny Jensen, Bill Kelly, and many more.
He loved recording and listening to music. He loved the blues. He always played the Neville Brothers’ version of “Will the circle be unbroken, by and by, Lord, by and by? There’s a better home awaitin’ in the sky, Lord, in the sky. Undertaker, undertaker, won’t you please drive real slow. That’s my brother, that’s my brother, I hate to see him go.”
He is survived by his son Aaron Joseph Glaser; his brother Michael Glaser; and by his nephew Daniel Hecht. He was predeceased by his son Eric Glaser; his mother Mary W. Glaser; his father George Glaser; and by his sister Patricia Ann Hecht.
A graveside service at the Coventry Cemetery will be held in the spring.
Beverly Jane Labounty (Sheltra-Mason)
Beverly Jane Labounty (Sheltra-Mason), 75, of Newport died on March 16, 2012, in Newport surrounded by her loving family.
She was born on January 13, 1937 in Barton, a daughter of Francis and Myrtie (Patrick) Labounty. On May 30, 1953, she married Ronald (Frog) Sheltra who predeceased her, and on February 20, 1970, she married Earl Mason Sr. who also predeceased her.
She was a very kindhearted person who loved to give to others. She also enjoyed writing cards, going to bingo and yard sales, and spending time with her grandchildren and friends.
She is survived by her six children: Peggy Poulin and her husband, Donald, of Derby, Ronald Sheltra, Joyce Hillis and her companion, Danny Hutchins, all of Brattleboro, Bradley Sheltra and his wife, Penny, of Okeechobee, Florida, Randy Sheltra of Derby, and John Mason and his companion, Patty, of Derby; her stepchildren: Earl Mason Jr. of Florida, Kevin Mason and his wife, Sue, of Virginia, and Linda Mason of Brownington; by her grandchildren: Donald and his wife, Wanda, Jason and his wife, Crystal, LeShea and her husband, Taylor, Chris, Morgan, Dustin, Abbie, Justin, Blake, Derrick, Chad and his wife, Billie Jo, Lynn, Ryan, Derrick, and Tullia; and by 19 great-grandchildren. She is also survived by a sister, Rachel Daigle, and her husband, Ronald, of Granville, New York; and by special friends: Caroline Elliott and Peter Thurston. She was predeceased by the following brothers and sisters: Kenneth, Robert, Richard and Raymond Labounty, Marion Griffin, Pauline Shafey, and Dot Morgan; by her step-grandsons: Shawn and Dakota Mason; and by her special friends: Dennis Shannon and Beverly Miller.
Funeral services will be held at 2 p.m. on Wednesday, March 21, at the Curtis-Britch-Converse-Rushford Funeral Home, 4670 Darling Hill Road in Newport, with Pastor Paul Essaff officiating.
Should friends desire, contributions in her memory may be made to the Pope Memorial Frontier Animal Society, 502 Strawberry Acres, Newport, Vermont 05855. Online condolences may be sent to the family through the funeral home website at www.curtis-britch-converse-rushford.com.
Ronald L. Pepin
Ronald L. Pepin, 70, of Newport died on March 16, 2012, in Newport.
He was born on November 25, 1941, in Newport, a son of Lewis and Bertha “Sally” Pepin.
Mr. Pepin was owner of a tool manufacturing company. His hobbies included fishing, hunting, boating, playing and listening to music, playing cribbage, nature in general and spending time with his cat, George.
He was secretary for the Newport Alumni Association as well as a substitute teacher for North Country Union High School for several years.
He is survived by his beloved companion Diana Beaton of Newport; by his children: Derick Pepin and his wife, Kathleen, of Maine, Darci LaCroix and her husband, Thomas, of Milton, Darin Pepin and his wife, Kristen, of Lake Tahoe, California, and Robin and Tammy Beaton of Irasburg; by his grandchildren: McKenzie and Rylee Pepin, Skyler, Spencer, and Josh LaCroix, and Autumn and Shaylyn Beaton; by his brother Larry Pepin and his wife, Laura, of Springfield; by his nephew Erroll Pepin and his wife, Laura, of New Hampshire; by the mother of his children, Jean Shepard of South Burlington; and by many friends, aunts, uncles, and cousins.
Funeral services were held on March 20 in Newport.
Should friends desire, contributions in his memory may be made to Alcoholics Anonymous, 55 Seymour Lane, Newport, Vermont 05855; or to the Church of God, 295 Crawford Road, Newport, Vermont 05855. Online condolences may be sent to the family through the funeral home website at www.curtis-britch-converse-rushford.com.
Dennis Henry Sheltra
Dennis Henry Sheltra, 63, of Derby died suddenly on March 14, 2012, at his home.
He was born on December 9, 1948, in Lowell, a son of Henry and Christine (Bullis) Sheltra. On February 20, 1999, he married Rosemary Batchelder who survives him.
Mr. Sheltra graduated from Newport Center High School in the Class of 1966 and he was a veteran of the Vietnam War.
Over the years he was a parts pro at several local businesses. He recently retired on January 27, as the commercial parts manager at Advance Auto after six years. He most recently worked part-time at South Bay Auto.
He was a member of the Veterans of Foreign Wars Post #798 of Newport, American Legion Post #21 of Newport, and he was president of the Derby Mobile Home Park Association and constable for the town of Derby.
He enjoyed spending Friday nights at jam sessions and his Sunday’s watching NASCAR with his wife, Rosemary, and cheering on Tony Stewart and Rusty Wallace. He spent a lot of his time with his grandchildren just hanging out at home with them or going to their sporting events. He also enjoyed hunting and fishing with his sons and going to the shooting range.
He is survived by his wife Rosemary Sheltra of Derby; by his children: Mathew Sheltra and his wife, Jessica, of Derby, and Andrew Sheltra and his wife, Ruth, of Derby Line; by his stepchildren: Tina Lucas and her fiancé, Shawn Mason, of Albany, Cassandra Dailey and her husband, Harry, of Woodbury, Becky Rice and her fiancé, Eric Miller, of Newport, Stanley John Crowe II of Morgan, and Kimberly Bingham and her husband, Jason, of Island Pond; by his sisters: Marilyn Siney and her husband, Phil, of Massachusetts, and Carol Laplume of North Carolina; by 18 grandchildren; by five great-grandchildren; by his sister-in-law Nickolet Simpson and her friend, David LaBelle, of Derby and West Charleston; by Joi Merritt and her husband, Rory, of Springfield; and by many nieces and nephews.
Funeral services were held on March 19, in Newport. Spring interment will be at the West Village Cemetery in West Charleston with full military honors.
Should friends desire, contributions in his memory may be made to the Victory Junction, 4500 Adams Way, Randleman, North Carolina 27317; or victoryjunction.org/donate or tonystewartfoundation.org. Online condolences may be sent to the family through the funeral home website at www.curtis-britch-converse-rushford.com.
Memorial service
A memorial service and musical tribute to honor Dr. James W. Chapman will be held on Saturday, March 24, at 2 p.m. at the United Church of Newport. His sudden passing on December 24, 2011, was preceded by a long and inspired recovery from a massive stroke.
Dr. Chapman’s musical experience and background enabled him to make an indelible and notable mark on his students at North Country Union High School (NCUHS) and elsewhere. A university professor and administrator for 14 years, he taught at NCUHS for 17 of what he regarded “the best years.” He truly relished his work at NCUHS.
Dr. Chapman’s passing has been replete with sad responses from his students and the public at large. Some of his favorite music will be sung and played by friends and colleagues Melinda Ens and Ross Osman of Bishop’s University in Canada. Other musicians and students will come forward to participate. There will be a reception following.
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