Obituaries
• Harry N. Bevis, 77, of West Chesterfield, N.H. Died June 5 at Brattleboro Memorial Hospital after a period of failing health. Husband of Lana M. Martin for nearly 53 years. Father of Martin M. Bevis of Patterson, N.Y., and Laurie A. Leduc and her husband, Greg, of Vernon. Brother of Dorothea Temple of St. Johnsbury, Ann Lavalla and Steve Bevis of Hinsdale, N.H., David Bevis of Texas, and the late Chester Bevis. Born in Chesterfield, N.H., the son of the late Esther (Darling) and Shirley Bevis, he was educated in Brattleboro and graduated from Brattleboro High School, Class of 1952. He served in the Army during the Korean War era, and was honorably discharged in 1956 at the rank of private first class. He worked as a warehouseman for the Book Press Company in Brattleboro for 43 years before retirement in 2000. He could be found most any morning walking along the Connecticut River in Chesterfield for his daily constitutional. He loved sports, especially the Boston Red Sox, and loved spending time with his grandchildren. Memorial information: Funeral services will be private. Donations to Chesterfield Fire and Rescue, 492 Rt. 63, Chesterfield, NH. 03443.
• George J. Butterfield, 84, of Guilford. Died June 13 at Baystate Medical Center in Springfield, Mass. Husband of Susan M. (Cote) Lake Butterfield for 21 years. Father of Catherine M. Butterfield of Greenfield, Mass.; Debra M. Kozlakowski and her husband, Joseph, of Guilford; Doreen M. Breed and her husband, Jon, of Wales, Mass.; Cindy M. Molitoris of Guilford; Linda A. Shedd and her husband, Robert, of Bernardston, Mass.; James E. Lake and his wife, Louisa, of Charleston, S.C.; and John E. Lake and his wife, Doris, of Orange, Mass. Brother of Lawrence Butterfield of Warwick, R.I. Born in Guilford, the son of the late Lawrence and Catherine (Hennessy) Butterfield, he attended local schools in Guilford and Brattleboro and was a graduate of St. Michael's High School. He continued his education at Smith Vocational School in Northampton, Mass. He was a plant engineer at the former Champion International Packaging Co. in Chicopee, Mass., for more than 25 years before retiring in 1986. He enjoyed chain saw carving, whittling, and hunting, and was known as a “Jack of all trades.” Memorial information: A funeral Mass was held June 16 at Holy Trinity Church in Greenfield. Burial will be at the convenience of the family. Donations to Holy Trinity Church Memorial Fund, 133 Main St., Greenfield, MA 01301.
• Larry R. Cobb, 69, of Bellows Falls. Died June 8 at Springfield Hospital. Husband of the late Janice Martin Cobb. Father of Toby Houghton of Charlestown, N.H., and Lori Altfather of Rochester, N.Y. Stepfather of Jeff Martin of Bellevue, Neb. Brother of Arthur Cobb of Florida, Steve Cobb of Claremont, N.H., and the late Sandra Seale. Born in Walpole, N.H., the son of the late Harold and Annabel (Humphrey) Cobb, he worked in purchasing at Bryant Grinder Corp in Springfield. He was an avid golfer who was a member of the Bellows Falls Country Club for many years. He was also a member of the Elks Club in Bellows Falls. Memorial information: Funeral services will be held at the convenience of the family.
• Virginia E. (Koegel) Jones, 89, of Brookline. Died May 22 at Embracing Hospice in Cumming, Ga., where she made her home with her son for the last two months. She was a resident of Brookline for 37 years, moving to the area from Granite City, Ill. in 1975. Wife of the late John Paul Jones for 47 years. Mother of Allen M. Jones of Cumming, Ga., and Keith R. Jones of Breckenridge, Colo. Sister of Dorothy K. Peterson of San Francisco, and the late James D. Koegel. Born in Center Moriches, N.Y.,, she was the daughter of the late James and Emma (Howard) Koegel. She was a graduate of Center Moriches High School, Class of 1939. For a number of years, she worked as a secretary for Mager Brothers in New York City. She was a member of the Newfane Congregational Church, and was very active with her husband in church activities teaching Sunday school, being a member of the choir and serving as a deacon. Besides church activities, she enjoyed reading, music, gardening and handiwork, including knitting for R.S.V.P. and for the Reformer Christmas Stocking. She was an active volunteer with R.S.V.P., working with residents at the Heins Home in Townshend. Memorial information: Funeral services were held June 19 at First United Methodist Church in Brattleboro, with burial in the family lot in Riversside Cemetery in Brookline. Donations to First United Methodist Church, 18 Town Crier Drive, Brattleboro, VT 05301. Online condolences may be sent to Atamaniuk Funeral Home at www.atamaniuk.com.
• Marie A. Kane, 60, of Westminster. Died June 12 at home after a short illness. Wife of Paul Kane for 30 years, and the late Roy Stowell. Mother of Rodney Stowell of Mount Juliet, Tenn., and Jaime Kamel of Rockingham. Sister of Walter Madore of Enfield, N.H., Dennis Wayne Madore of Barre, Joseph Madore of Atlanta, Arthur Madore Jr. of Nashville, Tenn., Leo Madore of Bellows Falls, Claudia Zombeck of Claremont, N.H., and Theresa Woolbert of North Walpole, N.H. Born in Lebanon, N.H., the daughter of Marjorie (Judd) and the late Arthur Madore, she attended schools in Saxtons River and was a 1970 graduate of Bellows Falls High School. She was a clothing designer and seamstress and also worked for Green Mountain Gazebo, the Saxtons River Market, and was co-owner and manager of PK's Pub. She was an honorary member of the Chamber of Commerce, served as president of Together We Can, Inc. in Bellows Falls, and was a member of the Rotary Club. She loved spending time with her children and grandchildren. Memorial information: Funeral services were held June 15 at St. Charles Church in Bellows Falls, with burial in Oak Hill Cemetery.
• Dale W. Martelle, 43, of Brattleboro. Died June 9. Former husband of Tina Murphy. Son of Patricia Butler and Clifford W. Martelle. Brother of Diana Butler and Deborah Martelle, both of Brattleboro, and Denise Martelle of Rutland. Stepbrother of Amie Jaimes, April Sherer, and Amanda Edwards of North Carolina. He attended Brattleboro schools, and drove for Daniels Trucking for many years. He also worked at G.S. Precision and for Rick Kenyon. He enjoyed NASCAR racing and wrestling. Memorial information: A graveside service was held June 15 at Meetinghouse Hill Cemetery in Brattleboro.
• Beatrice B. Morse, 84, of Whitingham. Died June 11 after suffering a massive stroke. Wife of the late Byron Morse for 53 years. Mother of George D. Morse of Harrodsburg, Ky.; Steven Morse and his wife, Terry, of Whitingham; and Kathleen J. Gunning of Lexington, Ky. Sister of the late Mildred and June Briggs, Alice Rounds, and Clement and Cedric Briggs. Born in Bennington, the daughter of George and Corris (Clement) Briggs, she received her education in the one-room schoolhouse in Searsburg and Wilmington High School. She and her husband moved to Whitingham and together operated Maple Hill Farm. She was very active on the dairy farm, milking, haying, sugaring and cutting spruce brush. The farm was turned over to her son Steve in 1987. She and her husband stayed on the farm, where she kept active as housekeeper, answering the phone, selling syrup, and making breakfast and lunch for “her boys.” After her husband's death in 1998, she continued as matriarch of the farm in her usual role. She will be remembered as a wonderful mother and dedicated wife with an extraordinary nature for anyone from infants to the elderly. She took great pride in her home and yard. She enjoyed her flowers and plants, and the birds that would visit her yard. She was well known in the area for her delicious apple pies which she baked for any occasion. In earlier years, she had worked as a waitress at The Silver Skates in Marlboro, and drove school bus for Barry Gerdes, signing on each morning “This is Busy B on Bus 3.” She was a trustee of the Whitingham Historical Society and leader of the local 4-H in the 1960s. Memorial information: A memorial gathering was held June 17 at the family farm. Donations to either the Whitingham Ambulance Service or Whitingham Historical Society, in care of the Covey & Allen Funeral Home, P.O. Box 215, Wilmington, VT 05363.
•Theodore F. Pratt, 90, of Vernon. Died June 8, 2012 at Vernon Advent Christian Home. Husband of the late Virginia (Gregory) Pratt. Father of Donald Pratt of Vernon and Patricia Reneris of Greenfield, Mass. Born in Brattleboro, the son of the late Joseph and Elizabeth (French) Pratt, he served in the Army during World War II. He worked for Crosby Milling in Brattleboro for 20 years and later was the Road Commissioner for the town of Vernon for 19 years. Memorial information: Private interment services will take place in the North Vernon Cemetery.
• Merrill Alphis Sheltra, 90, of Brattleboro. Died June 10 at his home on June 10, 2012. Husband of the late Arlene Taylor for 65 years. Father of Sharon Adams and her husband, Bill, of Wilmington; Douglas Sheltra and his wife, Doreen, of Guilford; and the late Bradley Sheltra. Born in Lowell, Vt., the son of the late Ethel Hoadley and Alphis Sheltra, he attended schools in Lowell. He joined the Navy during World War II, and served in the SeaBees in the Pacific. His service earned him the World War II Victory Medal, Philippine Liberation Ribbon, and the Asiatic-Pacific Medal. After the war, he moved his family to southern Vermont, where he was employed as herdsman at Poly Meadows in Shaftsbury, and a herdsman and manager at Beaver Brook Farm in Wilmington. From 1961 to 1989, he was herdsman and manager of the Brattleboro Retreat Farm. After 1989, he semi-retired and continued on a part time basis. He enjoyed volunteering at Linden Lodge Nursing Home, where he served as bus driver for the residents, drove them for hay rides in the farm wagon and occasionally volunteered for Bingo at the home. He was a 32nd Degree Mason and received the Meritorious Service Award in June 1983 at Burlington. Memorial information: Funeral services were held June 16 at Curtis-Britch-Converse-Rushford Funeral Home in Newport, with interment at Mountain View Cemetery in Lowell, with military honors conducted by the Navy.
• Sanford Alvah “Jack” Smith IV, 52, of Boynton Beach, Fla. Died May 27. Husband of James Clair Devereaux for 21 years. Brother of Mary Ellen Barrett of West Chesterfield, N.H., Charles Alvah Smith of Towson, Md., and the late Thomas Maxwell Rodden Smith. Born in Pittsfield, Mass., he earned a B.S. in marketing and advertising at Keene State College, where he was President of the Kappa Delta Phi fraternity and founder of the Kappa Delta Phi, Gamma Chapter. Old friends from childhood and school, and friends and neighbors from Pittsfield, Brattleboro, Keene, Boston, Austin and Boynton Beach will miss his hospitality, dry wit, and sangria. Memorial information: A private cocktail reception will be held in August, when he will be buried beside his parents, Sanford Alvah Smith, III and Mary Putney Wood Smith, and his brother Thomas in Guilford. Donations to the Guilford Historical Society, 236 School Rd., Guilford, VT 05301.
• Barney Clifford Squiers, 78, of Locust Grove, Va. Died June 11 at his home. Husband of B. Allene Squiers. Father of Barney A. Squiers, and his wife, Suzie, of Orange, Va.; Victoria Squiers, and her fiance, Bubba, of Starkville, Miss.; Barbara Hoskins and her husband, Chuck, of Aldie, Va.; and Patricia LaCava and her husband, Paul of Unionville, Va. Brother of Donald Squiers and his wife, Esther, of Townshend and Steb Squiers and his wife, Shirley, of Guilford. Born in Vermont, after serving in the Army, he went into the automobile business and was the owner and operator of Barney's Auto Service at Bailey's Crossroads, Va., for nearly 40 years.Memorial information: Funeral services were held June 19 at Johnson Funeral Home in Locust Grove, with burial at Culpeper National Cemetery. Donations to the Wildlife Rescue League at www.wildliferescueleague.org, or to the Disabled American Veterans at www.DAV.org.
• Beatrice H. Tuttle, 87, of Bellows Falls. Died June 5 at Maplewood Nursing Facility in Westmoreland, N.H. Mother of Vernard J. Tuttle Jr. and Susan O'Neill. Daughter of the late Greyson P. and Lilla Mae (Colburn) Guptill, she graduated from Bellows Falls High School in 1944. In her early years, she cared for the elderly at her home in Alstead, N.H. Working until the age of 75, her last 33 years were as head cook for McGirr's Nursing Home in Bellows Falls. Memorial information: A committal service will be held Wednesday, June 27, at 1 p.m., at Oak Hill Cemetery.
• Wheatleigh Wheelock, 96, of Alburgh. Died June 11 at St. Albans Healthcare and Rehabilitation Center after a lengthy illness. Husband of the late Donna Elizabeth Davison for 30 years. Longtime companion of the late Ruth Boyce. Father of Earl Wheelock of Moses Lake, Wash., and Larry Wheelock of Bloomingrove, N.Y. Born in Melrose, Mass., the son of the late Lyman and Bessie (Wheatley) Wheelock, he grew up in Woodsville, N.H., and Wells River, where he graduated from high school in 1938. He served in the Army in the Phillipines during World War II. After the war, he joined the Vermont Fish and Game Service and worked as a Game Warden for 18 years in the Brattleboro area, and for another 20 years in northwest Vermont, where he retired from a supervisory position. Memorial information: A memoriall service was held June 20 at Heald Funeral Home in St. Albans. Donations to St.Albans Healthcare & Rehabilitation Center Staff Appreciation Fund, 596 Sheldon Rd, St Albans, VT 05478, or to the Alburgh Volunteer Fire Department, 4 Fire House Rd, Alburgh, VT 05440.
College news
• The following area students graduated from the Community College of Vermont (CCV) on June 2: Lesley Adams of Whitingham, Alexa Buisa of Vernon, Brian Campbell of Brattleboro, Mamadou Cisse of South Newfane, Quinn Field of Putney, Erica Fifield of Putney, Jessica Finnell of Brattleboro, Rhianna Kendrick of Brattleboro, Doreen Lincoln of Brattleboro, Sarah Marzelli-Sebby of Wilmington, Martha Schoonmaker of West Dover, Cindy Struthers of Vernon, Amy Sullivan of Brattleboro, Kelly Therieau of Brattleboro, and Stacey Woods of Whitingham.
According to the college, 587 students received associate degrees, the largest graduating class in CCV's history. The graduates ranged in age from 19 to 71, 63 percent were first-generation college attenders, and 29 were military veterans. Students from all 14 Vermont counties, eight other U.S. states, and from Bosnia-Herzegovina, Canada, Costa Rica, Hungary, Lithuania, Moldova, Nepal, Senegal, and the United Kingdom all received degrees.
• Two area residents earned degrees from Clark University in Worcester, Mass, on May 20. Beth E. Honsaker of Putney graduated cum laude with a Bachelor of Arts in global environmental studies, while Alyssa A. Rollins of Dummerston graduated cum laude with a Bachelor of Arts in psychology.
• Matthew Cunningham-Cook of Brattleboro was awarded a Bachelor of Arts degree from Earlham College in Richmond, Ind., during commencement ceremonies on May 5. Cunningham-Cook majored in social thought at Earlham, and graduated with honors.
• Leila Clark of West Townshend graduated with a bachelor's degree in political science from Colorado College in Colorado Springs, Colo.
• Rebeccah Bizon of Brookline, a senior communications and Spanish major, was named to the Spring 2012 Dean's List at Lycoming College in Williamsport, Pa.
• Madison M. Hinrichs of West Halifax, a Mathematics major and member of the Class of 2015, was named to the Dean's List for the Spring 2012 semester at Saint Anselm College on Manchester, N.H.
• The following local residents were named to the Spring 2012 Dean's List at St. Michael's College in Burlington: Samantha Harris of Brattleboro, a first-year classics major; Megan Majonen of Guilford, a first-year exploratory major; and Megan Woodcock of Putney, a sophomore biochemistry major.
• Kyra Pelz-Walsh of Dummerston was named to the Spring 2012 Dean's List at the University of Connecticut.
School news
• The following local high school students were awarded the 2012 St. Michael's College Book Award for Academic Achievement with a Social Conscience: Bailey Whelchel of Newfane and Anna Cashman of West Wardsboro, students at Leland & Gray Union High School; Benjamin Greene and Alexandra Kennedy of Wilmington, students at Twin Valley High School; Jeffrey Kahler of Brattleboro, a student at Brattleboro Union High School; and Kellie Schiller of Brattleboro.
The award recognizes students who demonstrate a commitment to leadership in volunteer service and academic achievement.
• The Bellows Falls Union High School Concert Choir, Madrigal Singers, and Jazz Ensemble recently traveled to Six Flags New England in Agawam, Mass., to participate in competition at the Music in the Parks Festival. Choral groups are under the direction of Mary Westbrook-Geha, and the band is under the direction of Nick Pelton. The students came home with six beautiful trophies and an individual medal. The medal was presented to Tim Jones, saxophone, for “Outstanding Soloist” with the Jazz Ensemble.
The Jazz Ensemble received an “excellent” rating of 85 and first Place for High School Jazz Ensemble. They also received a trophy for best overall jazz ensemble. The Concert Choir also received a “excellent” rating of 84.5 and took second place in the High School Mixed Choir division. The Madrigal Singers received a “superior” rating of 91 and received first place for Madrigal Choir. They also received a trophy for Best Overall High School Choir.
In addition, the students from Bellows Falls received the highest honor of the day, the trophy for Espirit de Corps, which goes to the students from a school who demonstrated proper social behavior as well as musical behavior/encouragement. All schools are eligible for this award, but only one group will have the honor of taking this trophy with them back to their school.