Obituaries

Obituaries December 21, 2016

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Bernard D. Butler

Bernard D. Butler, 97, of Barton, died peacefully on December 14, 2016, in Barton.

He was born on August 14, 1919, in Irasburg to Arthur and Glenna (Huntington) Butler. On July 12, 1941, he married Shirley Kimball who predeceased him in 1997.

He served his country during World War II and was stationed in France and Italy. All of his life he was a very hard worker. He was a farmer on the Glover-Barton Road from 1953 to 1969, worked at Butler’s Bus Service for a few years, and then worked for Barton Motors for many years where he retired. He was also a transporter for the Area Agency on Aging in the Barton area, serving senior citizens for years.

He was a member of American Legion Post #76 of Barton.

He is survived by his son Willis Butler and his wife, Sandra, of Barton; by his grandchildren: Sarah Butler-Collins, and Bernard Dana Butler and his wife, Tammy; by his great-grandchildren: Brandon Dana Butler and his companion, Caitlin Jones, Keira Butler, and Alyssa Butler. He is also survived by his brother Francis Butler and his wife, Phyllis; by his sister Florence Tillinghast; and by 34 nieces and nephews.

He was predeceased by the following siblings: Arland, Faye, Stanley, Pauline, Annette, Shirley, and Beatrice

A graveside service will be held in the spring at the Irasburg Cemetery with full military honors.

Should friends desire, contributions in his memory may be made to the Lake Region Meal Site, 15 Main Street, Orleans, Vermont 05860.

Online condolences can be made at curtis-britch.com.

 

Granby-Joseph Albert Currier Jr.

Granby-Joseph Albert Currier Jr. died on Monday, December 12, 2016.

He was born February 28, 1933, in Newport to Joseph Albert and Maria Boulanger Currier. He was the eldest of four boys.

Having spent his childhood in Newport, he graduated from Sacred Heart High School and enlisted in the United States Air Force (USAF) in June of 1950.

He was well decorated with numerous USAF meritorious ribbons of commendation for exemplary service and leadership and was proficient in Atlas, Titan, and Minuteman missile strategies. He was stationed in Texas, Washington State, Maine, Florida, California, and Massachusetts, and often flew out of country on various tactical missions. He retired at the rank of senior master sergeant in 1970 with the 8th Air Force Strategic Air Command at Westover Air Force Base.

Mr. Currier went on to work as a Prudential Insurance agent in Granby, Massachusetts, for 23 years. After enjoying full retirement with Prudential, he was employed by Hulmes Transportation operating Pioneer Valley Transit Authority vehicles to assist community members throughout Belchertown and Granby for ten years. He enjoyed being part of his community and fostered many longstanding relationships with the families he met through the years.

He was a past president and member of the Granby Lions Club for many years. He was adorned as a eucharistic minister at the Immaculate Heart of Mary Parish where he also taught CCD. He was a third-degree member of the Knights of Columbus, the local post of the American Legion, and the DAV.

He leaves behind his wife of 58 years, Lorraine Currier; four children: Diane Janas, James Currier, Donna Halon, and Michael Currier; and six grandchildren: Melinda, Chelsea, Mitchell, Jake, Emma and Brady.

He was predeceased by his son John in 1982; by his brother Louis in 2014; and most recently by his brother Bob on December 9, 2016.

He loved fishing, boating, reading, and the green hills of Vermont, where he enjoyed part-time residency on the Bluffs of Lake Memphremagog in Newport for over 30 years. His family and many friends will miss him dearly.

Visitation was on December 18 at the Beers & Story S. Hadley Funeral Home. A Mass was held December 19 at the Immaculate Heart of Mary Church in Granby. Burial with military honors followed at West Cemetery.

 

Harold Vernon Duckless

Harold Vernon Duckless, 86, of Newport Center, died on December 14, 2016, at his home, with his family at his side.

He was born on December 25, 1929, in Newport Center to Forrest and Lillian (Butlar) Duckless. On July 3, 1954, he married Lucille Godin, who survives him.

Mr. Duckless was a mail carrier for the U.S. Postal Service for 27 years. He entered the U.S. Army and was a veteran of the Korean War. He was owner and operator of the Duckless Service Station in Newport Center for 27 years. He held membership with the Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks, Lodge #2155, the American Legion Post #21 and the Veterans of Foreign Wars, Post #798.

He is survived by his wife, Lucille Duckless, of Newport; by his daughter Darlene Duckless of Newport; and daughter-in-law Gail Duckless. He is also survived by his grandchildren: Jeffrey, Cody, Jason, and Jonathan; by his great-grandchildren: Colin, Caleb, and Aquilla. He is survived by his brothers: Robert Duckless of Brattleboro, and Elwood Duckless and his wife, Louise, of Newport Center; by his brother-in-law Charles Nadeau of Coventry; and by several nieces and nephews.

He was predeceased by his son Brian Duckless; by his siblings Kenneth and Louise Duckless and Myrna Nadeau; and by his sister-in-law Marilyn Duckless.

A graveside service will be held in the spring at Newport Center Cemetery with full military honors. Should friends desire, contributions in his memory may be made to the Silver Towers, 56 Silver Towers Road, Ripton, Vermont 05766.

Online condolences can be made at curtis-britch.com.

 

Wayne Roland Meredith

Wayne Roland Meredith of Island Pond died peacefully at North Country Hospital on Thursday December 8, 2016, following a long period of ill health. Funeral services will be held in the spring at the convenience of the family.   The family would love for people to share their memories and view further information about Mr. Meredith’s life online at www.awrfh.com.

 

David Stewart Rowden

David Stewart Rowden, 70, died December 17, 2016, at his home in Brandon.

Mr. Rowden was born on May 3, 1946, the eldest son of Scott and BettyMae (Stewart) Rowden. He was born in Haverhill, New Hampshire, but his family lived for short times in Wells River and Manchester, Vermont, later settling in Derby. He graduated from Derby Academy, class of 1965. He joined the United States Navy after graduation and served until October 1969. Following his honorable discharge, he returned home and worked in construction during the building of Jay Peak. He was instrumental in the construction of the Jay Peak Tram. Mr. Rowden served as a police officer for the city of Newport. He later began a career as a game warden with the Vermont Department of Fish and Wildlife. He served for 30 years and retired in June, 2005.

Mr. Rowden and his family have made Brandon their home for many years. Following his retirement he had served the town of Brandon as a police officer for several years, and more recently had worked at ACE Hardware / Brandon Lumber. He was an avid hunter and fisherman. He enjoyed riding his motorcycle and was a member of the Brandon American Legion Post #55, where he belonged to the Legion Riders. Mr. Rowden was active in his community. He was a former member of the Brandon Fire Department and Brandon Area Rescue Squad, and the Lions, as well as Friends of the Town Hall. He was also a proud member of Life Bridge Christian Church.

Surviving is his wife Sally (Thomas) Rowden of Brandon, whom he married on August 10, 1974, in Poultney; his son Scott T. Rowden and his wife, Lori, of Cincinnati, Ohio; and his daughter Jennifer Lynn Charter and her husband, Scott, of Brunswick, Georgia. He is also survived by one brother: Richard Rowden of Burlington; and two sisters: Janet Howard of Hardwick and Susan Fortin of Derby; his grandchildren: Emaleigh Rowden, Zoe Kate Charter, and Hunter Rowden. Several nieces, nephews, and cousins also survive him.

The funeral service will be held on Friday, December 23, at 11 a.m., at the Brandon Congregational Church. The Reverend Roger Foster, pastor of Life Bridge Christian Church will officiate. Following the ceremony the family will receive friends at Brandon American Legion for a time of remembrance. The graveside committal service and burial, with military honors, will take place at a later date in Poultney Village Cemetery.

Friends may call at the Miller & Ketcham Funeral Home in Brandon on Thursday, December 22, from 3 to 7 p.m.

Memorial gifts in lieu of flowers may be made in his memory to Life Bridge Christian Church Community Service Fund, P.O. Box 404, Brandon, Vermont 05733.

 

Shirley L. Turner

Shirley L. Turner, 94, of Newport died on December 10, 2016, in Newport.

She was born on April 18, 1922, in Newport Center to Lucius and Florence (Ouiment) Allen.

She was married to Harold Turner, who predeceased her.

Mrs. Turner was a bookkeeper by trade, and her training followed her all of her life. She kept meticulous records, and made sure that everything balanced every month. She had a wonderful sense of humor and loved to discuss current events. She said that the recent elections provided her the opportunity to combine those two traits.

Mrs. Turner was a member of the United Church of Newport. She loved traveling to Maine to be near the ocean, doing crossword puzzles, and she really enjoyed the company of her dog Bella, who provided her with many hours of joyous entertainment.

She loved all of her friends, including Kim and Gary Small, Naomi Bryant and her sisters, as well as very special friends Steve and Alma Marsh.

She is survived by her stepson Graydon and his wife, Joyce, of El Paso, Texas, and by her step-grandchildren.

She was predeceased by her sister and her husband, Jessie, and by Warren Mitchell.

A graveside service will be held in the spring at Pine Grove Cemetery in Newport.

Should friends desire, contributions in her memory may be made to the Mary Wright Halo Foundation, 1073 Upper Quarry Road, Newport, Vermont 05855.

Online condolences are at curtis-britch.com.

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