Obituaries from the week of 12/17/09

She was educated in Lewiston and North Jay, but went back to Lake Region High School to earn her GED in 1979.

One of her biggest claims to fame was giving birth to the first set of triplets at the Northern Cumberland Hospital in Bridgton, Me. Julia raised her eight children and added two more adult children when she married Albert Rouleau on Feb. 14, 1999.

She enjoyed her family, friends, church activities, yard sales, dancing and traveling.

Julia's home was always a gathering place for family and friends. The more she had in the house, the happier she was. She spent much of her life being a caregiver to many, while being an example of the importance of community service.

She always said that besides spending time with her family, she enjoyed driving a school bus the most. She would like to make the occasional stop on the Naples Causeway to point out the water, sky and clouds to her young passengers, all the while singing with the children. Julia also enjoyed hunting, fishing and camping. She was a breast cancer survivor in 2004, which she believed to be another one of her Lord's miraculous healings.

She is survived by, and will be sadly missed by her husband, Albert Rouleau of Augusta, and her children and their families: Melodie (and Bill) Tims of Brunswick, Annie (and Phil) Bowman of North Windham, Bill Libby, Connie (and Andy) Madura, Ken Merrill of Naples, Tom and Edward Merrill of Augusta, Rebekah Merrill of Waterville, Lynn (and Ron) Seamon of Readfield, and Bill Rouleau of Augusta. Also missing her will be her brother, Charlie, 22 grandchildren, eight great-grandchildren, her many nieces, nephews and friends. Julia was predeceased by a grandson.

A memorial service will be held on Monday, Dec. 21, 2009 at 11 a.m. at the Family Worship Center, 2580 N. Belfast Ave., Augusta, Me. Pastor Kevin McAllister will be officiating. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in her memory to: The Salvation Army, 11 North Pearl Street, Augusta, ME 04330.

Born in Portsmouth, N.H., on March 25, 1939, to Irving Hibbard and Katherine Lavway, Irv spent his youth in South Portland. He attended South Portland High School and the University of Maine. After graduating, he took a job with Richardson, Dana & Co., where he worked for the next 37 years until his retirement in 1998. Irv married Nancy Welch in 1962; they raised their family in Portland. In retirement, Irv and Nancy spent their summers at Sebago Lake and the remainder of the year in Sun Lakes, Ariz. Irv was an enthusiastic golfer, and enjoyed exploring the ghost towns and other attractions of his adopted home state and, most recently, writing and publishing a detective novel. He was especially proud of the scholarship he and Nancy established for the benefit of Portland High School graduates.

Irving was predeceased by his parents; and his sister, Jacqueline Kisling.

He is survived by his wife Nancy; his son Stephen of Portland, Ore.; his daughter Julie of Durham; a sister, Joycelyn Perry of Auburn; and several nieces and nephews. A gathering of friends and family will be held in late spring in Maine. If desired, any donations should be made to: The Hibbard Family Scholarship Fund, care of the Maine Community Foundation, 245 Main St., Ellsworth, ME 04605.

He was born in Fryeburg, Jan. 23, 1925, the son of Viola Kiesman Mason Pike and Bertrum A. Mason Sr. of Laconia, N.H. Except for a few younger years, he had the loving guidance of his stepfather, Fred E. Pike Sr., whom he greatly respected. Bert attended schools in Fryeburg and graduated from Edward Little High School, Class of 1943. He served in the Pacific Theater during World War II as a T4 in the 832nd Signal Corp from 1943 to 1946. He married Betty Gould on May 16, 1948, and recently they celebrated their 61st wedding anniversary. He worked 40 years at the Lewiston Sun Journal, of which he was very proud, starting as an apprentice printer and retiring in 1987 as a production manager. He and his wife Betty retired the same day, Jan. 23, 1987, and walked out of the building hand in hand to enjoy 22 retirement years together. They traveled throughout the 50 states, wintered in Florida several times, enjoyed many theme parks as well as national parks and also enjoyed the beauty of Hawaii. He was a 55-year member of Ashlar Lodge No. 105 A.F. & A.M. and was a lifetime member of the American Society of Dowsers, enjoying his gift of finding water for many people. He also held positions as president and director of the Little Wilson Pond Improvement Association of Turner. He and Betty, for the most part, built their cottage on the pond in 1952 only to make it a year-round home in 1962, enjoying many happy years with family and friends.

He leaves his wife, Betty Mason of Turner; his son, Bruce A. Mason of Auburn; his four grandchildren, all of Lewiston; two great-granddaughters; his sister, Dora Marcum of Lewiston; his brother, Fred E. Pike Jr. of Auburn; and many nieces and nephews.

He was predeceased by a sister, Kathaleen Alexander of Auburn in 2008.

At his request, services are private and will be held at the convenience of the family. Interment will take place in the family lot at Gracelawn Memorial Park. Those wishing may make donations in his memory to American Cancer Society, New England Division Inc., 1 Bowdoin Mill Island, Suite 300, Topsham, ME 04086-1240. Arrangements were by The Fortin Group/Plummer & Merrill Funeral Home, Cremation and Monument Service, 217 Turner St., Auburn.

 

He was born in Strong, May 18, 1936, the son of Leland and Rose Parker Melvin. Jim was educated in the Farmington school system and served in the Vietnam War in the U.S. Army. He worked as a mechanic for most of his life and became a truck driver working for various companies. Jim was married to Irene Richards for 56 years. He was a member at large of the VFW and was very active in the Windham Plains Baptist Church. Jim enjoyed camping and hunting and loved his family especially his grandkids.

Besides his widow Irene, he is survived by his children, Dwayne Melvin of Windham, Phyllis Page of Tallahassee, Fla., Charlene Palmer of Saco, Lisa Coffin of Westbrook, Rose Lucas of Windham, James Melvin Jr. of Windham and Jodi Melvin of Naples; a brother, Sonny Melvin of Strong; 20 grandchildren; 16 great-grandchildren; and several nieces and nephews.

An hour of visitation was held on Saturday, Dec. 12, at the Dolby Funeral Chapel, 434 River Rd., Windham. A funeral followed at the chapel. Spring burial will be in Fairview Cemetery, Farmington. In lieu of flowers, donations in his memory may be made to: Windham Plains Baptist Church, care of Wayne Lamb, P.O. Box 589, Windham, ME 04062.

He was the beloved husband of Carol M. (Wright) DeLano. He was born in Bourne, Mass., the son of the late Roland and Jessie DeLano. He was a resident of Brownfield for 29 years and Falmouth, Mass. for 25 years. Howard was a retired contractor and builder running his own business on Cape Cod. He was a member of the Masonic Order having membership at the Marine Lodge, Falmouth, Mass. and the Mount Mariah Lodge in Brownfield. He was past District Deputy for the Grand Lodge of Massachusetts, past Master of Marine Lodge and secretary of Mount Mariah Lodge.

He was active in Rainbow Girls as Assembly Dad for Falmouth, Mass. and also Bridgton. He was a member of and treasurer for the Lake Kezar Country Club. He belonged to the Fish and Game Club in Fryeburg, where he was range officer and safety training instructor. He enjoyed hunting and snowmobiling. He was a veteran of WWII serving in the United States Navy. 

He is survived by his wife Carol DeLano of Brownfield; a daughter, Gail Gormley of Warwick, R.I.; a son Howard “Bud” DeLano of Iron Mountain, Mich.; and four grandchildren.

Visiting hours were held Sunday, Dec. 13 at Wood Funeral Home, 9 Warren Street, Fryeburg. A Masonic service by Mount Mariah Lodge was held Sunday night. A funeral service was held Monday, Dec. 14 at the First Congregational Church, Main Street, Fryeburg with Rev. Tim Leconey and Rev. Denis Dunn officiating. Burial will be in #4 Cemetery, Lovell. Online condolences may be expressed to the family at www.woodfuneralhome.org

He was born in Porter on Oct. 31, 1924, the son of Joseph and Grace Cole Locklin, and attended local schools. He proudly served his country during World War II in the U.S. Army in England. Lionel was a hard worker his whole life. He worked as a carpenter and millright for most of his life. He built two houses, three cottages and renovated an old farmhouse during the 1950s and 1960s. During this time, he also worked at the Kezar Falls Woolen Mill and the Kezar Falls Box Shop. He, along with his wife Geraldine, owned and operated a fried clam shack in Kezar Falls in the 1950s.

They started Locklin’s Campground on Stanley Pond in the late 1960s, which is still family operated today. He was a member of the Local #517 Carpenters Union since 1955, and retired from his carpentry and millwork in 1989. He was also a member of the Greenleaf Masonic Lodge #117 in Cornish. He was an avid outdoorsman and sportsman, enjoying hunting and fishing. He also loved traveling to Winter Haven, Fla. during the winters and taking care of his orange and grapefruit trees.

Besides his parents, he was predeceased by his sister, Leona Pierce; and his granddaughter.

Surviving are his beloved wife, Geraldine Jewell Locklin of South Hiram; his daughter, Janice Hounsell of Conway, N.H.; his son, Lionel “Butch” Locklin Jr. of South Hiram; two sisters, Joyce Perry of Porter and Beverly Therriault of Falmouth; six grandchildren; 12 great-grandchildren; and one great-great-granddaughter.

A memorial service will be held on Thursday, Dec. 17, at 3 p.m., at the Watson, Neal & York Funeral Home, 71 Maple St., Cornish. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to: Hospice of Southern Maine, 180 U.S. Route 1, Scarborough, ME 04074.

He was born on March 28, 1943, the son of Charles H. and Ferne (Whitlock) Adams of Naples. He attended Naples schools and was a 1961 graduate of Casco High School. He was a student of Southern Maine Vocational Technical Institute for a time before entering U.S. Army Engineering School. While in the Army, he spent time in South Korea. After his discharge from the Army, George moved to Maryland, where he was employed by various contractors as a draftsman. He was a manager of Harry Alexander Inc., project manager at Electric Contractors in Washington, D.C., and a few others before moving to Henderson, Nevada, where he worked for Valley Electric Supply in Las Vegas and Ingram Electric Supply, also in Las Vegas, until the present time. George joined the Elks Lodge in Riverdale, Md., and he became exalted ruler from April 1995 to March 1996. After moving to Nevada, he joined Lodge 2302 in Henderson and became exalted leader there from April 1998 to March 1999 — not many people have become exalted ruler in two different states. He also did commercials with some “big names” in his work in Nevada. He was an avid golfer, shooting in the high 60s and low 70s. In fact, George was on a golfing vacation with brother, Harry, and golf buddies, Bruce Plummer and Jimmy Hamlin at Myrtle Beach when he was hospitalized and later succumbed to a bacterial infection.

Besides his mother, Ferne, he is survived by his wife of 32 years, Barbara (Hodge); an adopted son, John of Henderson, Nev.; a son, Aaron of Washington, D.C.; a daughter, Tami Williams and three grandchildren from a previous marriage, in Florida; brothers, Richard, Jalen and Freddy of Naples, and Harry and Steven of Bridgton; sisters Sally Wentworth of Lisbon Falls, Elizabeth Chute of Casco and Charlotte-Ann Adams of Sebago; and numerous nieces and nephews.

Funeral arrangements will be finalized at a later date.

He was born in Strong, May 18, 1936, the son of Leland and Rose Parker Melvin. Jim was educated in the Farmington school system and served in the Vietnam War in the U.S. Army. He worked as a mechanic for most of his life and became a truck driver working for various companies. Jim was married to Irene Richards for 56 years. He was a member at large of the VFW and was very active in the Windham Plains Baptist Church. Jim enjoyed camping and hunting and loved his family especially his grandkids.

Besides his widow Irene, he is survived by his children, Dwayne Melvin of Windham, Phyllis Page of Tallahassee, Fla., Charlene Palmer of Saco, Lisa Coffin of Westbrook, Rose Lucas of Windham, James Melvin Jr. of Windham and Jodi Melvin of Naples; a brother, Sonny Melvin of Strong; 20 grandchildren; 16 great-grandchildren; and several nieces and nephews.

An hour of visitation was held on Saturday, Dec. 12, at the Dolby Funeral Chapel, 434 River Rd., Windham. A funeral followed at the chapel. Spring burial will be in Fairview Cemetery, Farmington. In lieu of flowers, donations in his memory may be made to: Windham Plains Baptist Church, care of Wayne Lamb, P.O. Box 589, Windham, ME 04062.

She was born in Harrison on Dec. 8, 1925, the daughter of Ralph D. Wentworth and Ruth M. (Jordan) Wentworth. She was predeceased by her husband of nearly 50 years, Bruce E. Robbins. Margaret served as Harrison’s town clerk for many years until her retirement. Margaret was a member of the Congregational Church (formerly known as the Calvary Community Church), Ladies Circle and the Fireman’s Auxiliary in Harrison. Also, she was a founding member of the Harrison Historical Society.

She is survived by two daughters, Debra R. Lippincott and Linda Kellough-Gazza, both of Harrison; a son, Douglas E. Robbins of Bridgton; a brother, Edward Wentworth of Florida; six grandchildren and eight great-grandchildren; and many nieces and nephews whom she loved.
She was predeceased by three brothers, Fred A., Joseph C. and Ralph Jr. Wentworth.

Family and friends are invited to attend a Celebration of Life on Saturday, Dec. 19, at the Congregational Church of Harrison and North Bridgton at 77 Main Street in Harrison from 1 to 3 p.m. In lieu of flowers, donations in Mrs. Robbins’ memory may be sent to the Maine Veterans’ Home Activity Fund, 477 High Street, South Paris, ME 04281 or to the Harrison Historical Society or to the Harvest Hills Animal Shelter in Fryeburg. Arrangements under the care of Oxford Hills Funeral Services, 1037 Main Street, Route 26, Oxford. Online condolences may be expressed to the family at www.oxfordhillsfuneralservices.com

She was born on May 20, 1935 in Gray, a daughter of Elmo and Ethel Foshay Greene. As a young girl, Shirley was baptized in South Windham Baptist Church, and when the family moved to North Fryeburg, she attended the Bradley Memorial Church, where she and her sisters sang in the choir. Shirley graduated from Fryeburg Academy in 1953, where she was a member of the National Honor Society. She was a secretary in the Scarborough School Department. When she moved to Denmark, she worked for Pike’s Insurance Company in Fryeburg. Flower gardening was one of the things she liked best, and often helped mow the five-acre lawns she and her husband Bob kept. Shirley was a beautiful woman with a great joie de vivre. She loved dancing and she and her husband were members of the Passé Grille Yacht Club on St. Pete Beach, where they actively participated in most of the events held there. She and both of her husbands were members of the Denmark Lion's Club. “You never have a hair out of place!” She was often teased with this saying because she always looked so perfect in her appearance. After retiring, she attended the United Methodist Church of Bridgton and the Pasadena Community Church in Florida with her sister. 

Shirley leaves a daughter, Deborah Shand Lanzillotti of Fryeburg; a son David Shand of Denmark; three grandchildren; two sisters, Mrs. Carl Lusky (Rosemary) of North Anson and Mrs. John Pecoraro (Ellen) of Denmark and St. Pete Beach, FL.; two brothers, Elmo Greene Jr. of Poland and Thomas Greene of Old Orchard Beach; along with many nieces and nephews.

Shirley is predeceased by her husbands John Bruce Shand and Robert W. Barber. 

There will be no visiting hours. A private ceremony will be held for family only. In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be made to the Androscoggin Home Care and Hospice at 25 Hospital Drive, Suite 3, Bridgton, ME 04009. Arrangements are made with Wood Funeral Home, Fryeburg. Online condolences may be expressed to the family at www.woodfuneralhome.org

He was born in North Conway, N.H., a son of Edwin and Gabrielle Merrill. He attended local schools and graduated from Fryeburg Academy. As a young man, Steven worked on a farm. He later worked at the Yield House for many years then at Just Cabinets. He also cut wood and did snow plowing. He enjoyed all kinds of sports and played softball for the Brownfield Boomers. He liked to fish with his dad and hunt for deer, duck, birds and rabbits. He enjoyed snowmobiling, four wheeling, ice fishing, canoeing, woodworking, cooking shows and cooking, and hanging out with his friends.

He was predeceased by a son Steven J. Merrill II in 1982; and his father Edwin W. Merrill in 2008.

He is survived by his mother, Gabrielle Merrill of Brownfield; one son, Jeffery Merrill of Fryeburg; one daughter, Tiffany Merrill of Brownfield; three brothers, Mark Merrill, Brian Merrill and Richard Merrill, all of Brownfield; two sisters, Elizabeth York of Brownfield and Catherine Bradbury of Conway, N.H.; and several nieces and nephews.

 

A graveside service will be held at Burnt Meadowbrook Cemetery later in the spring. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to Fryeburg Rescue, P.O. Box 177, Fryeburg, ME 04037 or Harvest Hills, 1389 Bridgton Road, Rt. 302, Fryeburg, ME 04037. Arrangements are made with Wood Funeral Home, Fryeburg. Online condolences may be expressed to the family at www.woodfuneralhome.org

Bob worked in the logging industry most of his life and also spent many years working for Phil Chaplin of Waterford. He loved being outside, and liked working in the garden. He spent most of his life on or around the farm in Sweden, where he grew up. He loved to tinker on the old Cub tractor, cars and trucks. He enjoyed spending time with his children, grandchildren and his companion, Madelyne  Eastman.

In addition to his companion Madelyne, he is survived by his son, Wyatt Ridlon of Sweden, and his daughters, Melanie Eldracher of Mass., Cheryl Boyd of Freeport and Tamara Heath, his grandchildren, Kori Boyd, Cody Boyd, Anders Eldracher, Elsie Eldracher and Brady Heath. He is also survived by his brother, Maynard Ridlon and sisters, Mary Brooks of Brunswick, and Gail Bartlett of Sweden, several nieces and nephews. He was predeceased by his parents and his brother Stanley Ridlon.

A graveside service will be held in the springtime in Bridgton.  

She was born on Sept. 28, 1948 in Otisfield, the daughter of Virginia and the late George Chesley. Shirley married Richard Leland of Harrison on Oct. 24, 1964, who survives her. Also surviving are her son, Richard F. Leland, of Illinois; two brothers, William Chesley and his wife Rosemary and Dennis Chesley and his wife Susan; her sister Eulalie and her husband Paul Buswell; brothers-in-law; Donnie, Mike, Harry and David; sisters-inlaw, Diane and April; her grandchildren, great-grandchildren, many nieces, nephews, and best friend Karen Marshall. She was predeceased by her daughter Juanita Leland, sister Juanita Chesley, brother-in-law Peter Leland, and her father.

A special thanks to the staff of Bridgton Hospital and Oncology Unit for all of their care and support. A private service will be held in the spring. Arrangements are by Hall Funeral Home. Online condolences may be left at hallfuneralhomeinc.com