Obituaries from the week of 10/22/09

She was born in Norway on March 13, 1950 to Gordon and G. Mary (Bean) Millett. Cheryl attended Norway schools and graduated from Oxford Hills in 1968. She married William Witham Jr. on Aug. 3, 1974 in West Minot and moved to Norway in 1978, where they resided for many years until recently moving to Oxford. She was employed at local shoe factories and worked at Millett’s Variety in Norway until her retirement. Cheryl was a member of the Norway Fireman’s Relief Association and attended Norway Baptist Church.

She is survived by her husband of 35 years, William Witham Jr., of Oxford; her daughter, Stephanie Witham of Oxford; brothers David Millett of Norway, Leslie Millett of Norway and Duane of Oxford; sisters, Debra Carpenter of Brownfield and Minola Boutilier of Bridgton; several nieces and nephews.

She was predeceased by her parents, Gordon and G. Mary Millett; sister, Linda; and two brothers, Carroll and Dean.

Family and friends are invited to attend a visitation on Saturday, Oct. 24 from 6 to 8 p.m. at Oxford Hills Funeral Services, 1037 Main Street, Route 26, Oxford. Funeral services will be held on Sunday, Oct. 25 at 1 p.m. at the funeral home with Rev. Donald Mayberry officiating. Interment will follow at the Fore Street Cemetery in Oxford. Online condolences may be expressed to the family at www.oxfordhillsfuneralservices.com

A memorial service will be held Monday, Oct. 19, 2009 at 2 p.m. at the Casco Village Church (Route 121, Casco). A gathering will follow at the church. In lieu of flowers, donations or contributions may be made to: Westbrook Animal Refugee League of Greater Portland, 449 Stroudwater St., Westbrook, ME 04092.

She was born to the late Frank Davis and Jean Merritt of Wayland, Mass. Debbie was a New England sports enthusiast, and an animal lover. She enjoyed reading and was talented at most any handcraft. She was best known throughout the family for her incredible holiday cooking. While her life ended too soon, her years were rich and full, shared with family and friends whose love knew no bounds. Nothing made her happier than returning that love in spades and sharing it with everyone she knew. While her body has passed her soul is no doubt full, as are the souls of all who were fortunate enough to embrace her in their lives. Through good times and bad, Debbie was caring, generous and had charity in her heart.

She is survived by her son, Jason Jewett, of Denver, Colo.; and her sisters, Barbara Dacko of Naples and Kim Stone of Etna.

She is predeceased by her brother, Frank Davis, Jr. 

A celebration of her life will be held at the Hall Funeral Home in Casco on Friday, Oct. 23 from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m.

He was born on June 11, 1958. Jeffrey’s love and passion with children was well known. He found great joy in taking care of them, making sure they got off to school, making a favorite meal or just being there. Jeffrey had a love of the outdoors. He especially loved to go hunting and fishing with his family and friends. Jeffrey was also an accomplished self-employed carpenter. He grew up in Gray attending schools there. Jeffrey served our country in the Navy, and received an honorable discharge. He will be remembered for his laughter, story telling, good times and ability to persevere through good times and bad.

He is survived by his mother, Jean Lomnick; his stepmother Sharon Shane; his children Jennifer Kneeland, Kimberly Hayford, Seth Morin and Kristopher Daniels; his brothers, John Walton, Paul Parker, Mark Walton, Carl Welborn, Stephen Morin, Paul Gunther, Peter Walton, and James Walton; his sisters, Emily Walton, Cathy Sparks and Marjorie Marquis; 13 grandchildren; and many nieces, nephews, cousins and loved ones.

He was predeceased by his father John A. Walton.

A graveside service was held on Wednesday, Oct. 21 at Forest City Cemetery, 232 Lincoln Street, South Portland. Following the service, there was a celebration of his life held at the American Legion Hall Post 197, 300 Conant St., Westbrook. Arrangements were by the Dolby Funeral Chapel, Windham

Fay was born in Trescott on April 6, 1920, the daughter of Erman and Edna (McLaughlin) Dinsmore. Fay married James W. Denbow on July 3, 1937 and lived in Lubec most of her life, leaving in 1964 to relocate to Old Town, where she was employed at the University of Maine book store in Orono as a floor supervisor. Fay retired in 1982 and returned with her husband Jim to Lubec, where they lived happily for many years. Fay enjoyed cooking for her family and many friends and visiting with her children and grandchildren.

Fay is survived by a son, Warren of Cedar Park, Texas.; a daughter Irma (Denbow) Cameron of Waterford; as well as five grandchildren, nine great-grandchildren and three great-great-grandchildren; two brothers, Carroll of Lubec and Glen of Leominster, Mass.; two sisters, Helen Morang of Portland and Marjorie Novotasky of Manchester, Conn.

She is predeceased by her husband James; two brothers, Ronald and Kenneth; and a sister, Hazel Lingley.

A memorial service will be held in Maine at a later date.

He is survived by his wife, Jean Hedrick Penley; son, James C. Penley; a brother, Wayne C. Penley Sr.; a sister, Dorothy P. Danner; and a stepbrother, Laurence Dunn of Denmark. 
He is predeceased by his parents, Harold Clark Penley and Myrtle Mae Herrick Dunn; and a son, Paul K. Penley.

Services were held at Grace Memorial Episcopal Church, Darlington, Md. on Saturday, Oct. 17, 2009. Interment was in Mt. Zion United Methodist Church Cemetery, Bel Air, Md. In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made in his memory to the Tall Cedar Foundation-Muscular Dystrophy Research, c/o Edgar Faulkner, 802 Paradise Road, Aberdeen, MD 21001 or St. Margaret’s Episcopal Church, 1819 Cromwood Road, Baltimore, MD 21234. Memory tributes may be sent to the family at mccomasfuneralhome.com

She was born in Westbrook, the daughter of Albert and Anna Richard Tanguay. Irene worked at the Dana Warp Mill and the Westbrook School Department for many years before retiring. She was a communicant of St. Hyacinth Church and a member of the Ladies of St. Anne. She loved St. Anne de Beaupre. She was a devoted Catholic with a strong faith, which she passed on to her family. During Lent, she enjoyed saying the Rosary daily with her children. Irene enjoyed shopping, trips to Foxwoods with her sisters, and mostly spending time with her family. She was a wonderful, caring Mom and Memere to her children and grandchildren.

She was predeceased by her husband Robert Trepanier; a son Joseph Trepanier; a brother Maurice Tanguay; and a sister Theresa Mondor.

Irene is survived by three sons, Michael of Westbrook, Christopher of Raymond and John of Parsonsfield; three daughters, Cynthia Cummings of Lyman, Susan Figucia of Westbrook and Diane Goulet of Westbrook; five brothers, Joseph Tanguay of Lyman, Leo Tanguay of Westbrook, Henry Tanguay of Gray, Philip Tanguay of Gorham and Richard Tanguay of Gorham; five sisters, Rita Tardiff of Gorham, Yvette Girouard, Annette Ledoux, Constance Baillargeon and Margaret Palmer, all of Westbrook; 17 grandchildren and eight great-grandchildren.

Visiting hours were Friday, Oct. 16 at Blais & Hay Funeral Home, 35 Church St., Westbrook. A funeral Mass was celebrated Saturday at St. Anthony’s Church, Brown Street, Westbrook. Interment followed in St. Hyacinth Cemetery.

He was born on Aug. 13, 1927, the fourth of 10 children, (eight of whom survived infancy) to William Douglas Ertha and Alice Mabel Winslow Ertha. His mother helped instill in him his love of poetry and great literature, encouraging him to develop his formidable intellect. He spent his earliest years in East Hodgdon. The Ertha family later moved to Bangor, where he met and married the love of his life, Darlene Handy, after serving three years in the Army infantry during World War II. He earned a bachelor’s degree in Philosophy from the University of Maine at Orono and later a master’s degree in the Art of Teaching from the New Haven Teachers College. And, teach he did. His methods and style challenged his students, forcing them to think outside of the usual boundaries. He discouraged rote memorization, insisting on a genuine intellectual investment from his charges. He taught at numerous schools, including Poquonnock Bridge Jr. High, in Connecticut, Newton North (where he was director of creativity), and Weeks Jr. High in Newton, Mass. (where he was also assistant principal), the Gibson Liberation School in Boston, and the Martin Luther King School also in Boston. He spent most of his career, however, at the Boston Latin Academy. Theater captured his heart early on and never let go. He regularly produced plays at his school, coached students to national level theater competitions, and founded the Community Theater in Bridgton. His crown jewel and greatest accomplishment was the theater and leadership development camp that he operated during the summer. Hundreds of children and teens attended his beloved camp. It started with Homestead, in Carmel, N.Y. The camp was relocated to Moose Pond at the base of Pleasant Mountain in Denmark and became Homestead Two. Metropolitan Leadership Development Camp was the final incarnation, on Trickey Pond in Naples. With theater as a vehicle, campers learned to work (and work hard) with others to achieve a common goal, they learned to set goals and speak on their feet. They learned to expect great things from themselves. Most importantly, they learned to value and respect differences between people and understand that everyone has a contribution if allowed to participate. The Unitarian Church was important to him, at one point he considered becoming either a minister or an actor. As a teacher, perhaps he combined the best of John Edward Ertha in both professions. Throughout his life he remained active in the workings of the Unitarian Universalist Church, among other things, working as an advisor for the Liberal Religious Youth Fellowship. Star Island held a special place in his heart. He attended the Unitarian conferences there nearly every year of his adult life, issuing challenges to all comers to meet him on the tennis courts, or on the other side of a chessboard. His generous, tolerant, adventurous spirit embodies the teachings of the Star Island conferences. Fiercely outspoken during the civil rights movement, he marched, spoke, and freely expressed his support of equal rights for all in a time when it was dangerous to do so. A talented public speaker, he generated numerous newspaper articles and was occasionally featured on TV. He was a talented boxer and judo competitor as a young man. He remained very active until the last few years of his life, along with tennis he also played table tennis, and would water-ski, fish and sail whenever he had the chance. He continuously sought out new adventures, trying his hand at downhill skiing and rollerblading in his 60s.

John is survived by Dr. Darlene Handy Ertha of Ipswich, Mass.; his sister Helene Roberta Ertha Vann of Alberquerque, N.M.; his children, Dr. Cherie Darlene Ertha, of Ipswich, Mass., Cori Jean Ertha Fukuchi of Arlington, Texas, Susan Kimberli Ertha Wiemer of Freeport and Marco Antonio Ertha of Portland; his four grandchildren; his three step-grandchildren; and a multitude of nieces, nephews, and grand and great nieces and nephews.

To say that he is greatly missed would be a profound understatement. The ripples of his influence will be felt for generations. John Ertha’s life will be honored and celebrated with an antebellum service to be performed Sunday, Oct. 25, 2009 at 2 p.m. at the First Parish, 23 Dedham Ave, Needham, Mass. To offer words of condolence, sign a guest book and share memories, go to the obituary page at www.independentdeathcare.com. Arrangements are under the guidance of Independent Death Care, 471 Deering Ave., Portland.

Larry was a summer resident of Naples and Casco for 42 years.

He is survived by his wife of 52 years, Betty Lou (Schacht); two daughters, Pauline and Lorraine; four grandchildren and two great-grandchildren.

He was laid to rest at Blue Hills Cemetery in Braintree, Mass.

She was born in Fairlawn, N.J. on April 12, 1947, the daughter of Garrett and Shirley French Zeegers. Nancy graduated in 1965 from Portland High School. Nancy was a past student at Gorham State Teachers College. In 1969, she married her high school sweetheart and love of her life, Stephen T. Dinsmore. In 1980, they relocated with their two daughters to Vero Beach, Fla. She worked for New England Telephone for 30 years and retired in 1999. After retirement, Nancy and her late husband, Stephen T. Dinsmore, spent many winters in Treasure Coast, Fla., and summers in Maine. Nancy was part owner of Connections Adoption Services in Raymond. Nancy loved animals especially her dog “Casey’ and her cat “Sadie.” She loved to go shopping in North Conway, N.H. with friends. Nancy did a lot of boating in her spare time on Sebago Lake. She loved to put on family gatherings at her house. Nancy was an incredible cook. She was a member of Faith Lutheran Church in Windham, and was a member of the Junior Women’s Club. She is well loved and missed by family and friends.

She is survived by two daughters, Helene Spasato of Vero Beach, Fla., and Arlene Dinsmore of Portland; two brothers, Rick Zeegers of Naples and Mark Zeegers of West Paris; one sister, Mary Guiseley of Raymond; three grandchildren; and several nieces and nephews.

Visiting hours were held Sunday, Oct. 18, at the Jones Rich & Hutchins Funeral Home, 199 Woodford Street, Portland. A memorial service was held on Monday, Oct. 19, at the Faith Lutheran Church, Route 302, in Windham with Pastor David Thorpe officiating. Arrangements by Jones, Rich & Hutchins Funeral Home & Cremation Service.

Warren was born in Beverly, Mass. on May 28, 1936, the only child of Clayton and Mary Jo Cressy. He graduated from Fryeburg Academy and then served in the United States Navy. Warren married Jean S. Wentz on Dec. 9, 1957 and they were married for almost 52 years. Warren and Jean moved to Fryeburg in 1962. He was the owner and operator of Wee Fix It small-engine repair in Fryeburg. He worked as a small engine repair extraordinaire, who could fix almost anything, except toasters. Warren worked for many auto-part stores in the Valley. He also partnered with Bob Merchant to start C&M Repair, which served Fryeburg for a number of years. Warren was an avid outdoorsman who enjoyed time in his shop, racing (especially NASCAR), cooking, drawing, as well Sunday dinners with his family. Warren also had a great sense of humor right up until his death.

Warren is survived by his mother, Mary Jo Cressy of Fryeburg; his wife, Jean Cressy of Fryeburg; a son, Michael Cressy of Fryeburg; two daughters, Andrea J. Bryan of Fryeburg and Joan M. McBurnie of Denmark; and by many grandchildren. 

A memorial service will be held at the Beach on Duck Cove Road, Fire Lane #25, Fryeburg, at 1 p.m. on Saturday, Oct. 24. Immediately following the service, a gathering for family and friends will be held at the New Church, Oxford Street, in Fryeburg. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to: Fryeburg Rescue, P.O. Box 177, Fryeburg, ME 04037 or The Interstate Snowgoers in care of David Richardson, 69 Stanley Hill Road, Fryeburg, ME 04037. Arrangements are made with Wood Funeral Home, Fryeburg. Online condolences may be expressed to the family at www.woodfuneralhome.org