Milestones

Births

• In Brattleboro (Memorial Hospital), May 26, 2013, a son, Sylvester Sebastian Mayer, to Rebecca and Mark Mayer of Brattleboro; grandson to Heidrun Mayer of Brattleboro, and Rose Marie Thrane of Cambridge, N.Y.

College news

• Wendy Raymond of Putney, a nursing graduate from Saint Anselm College, received a Saint Anselm College nurse's pin at the 2013 pinning ceremony in the Abbey Church in Manchester, N.H., on April 27. She received a B.S. in nursing on May 18 at Saint Anselm's 120th commencement ceremonies.

• Alyssa A. Rollins of Dummerston and Beth E. Honsaker of Putney both graduated with a M.A. in teaching from Clark University in Worcester, Mass., on May 19.

• Carleen Busick of Wardsboro received a B.A. in English from Marist College in Poughkeepsie, N.Y.

• Eliza Warren-Shriner of Brattleboro graduated from Bowdoin College in Brunswick, Maine on May 25 with a major in Romance Languages-Environmental Studies and a minor in Chemistry.

• Chloe Ingalls, an art major from Dummerston, was awarded a B.A. from Connecticut College in New London, Conn., on May 19.

• Taylor Horn of Townshend recently graduated summa cum laude from Bard College at Simon's Rock in Great Barrington, Mass., with a B.A. degree in political studies and theater.

• Madison M. Hinrichs, a mathematics major from Halifax, was named to the Dean's List for the spring 2013 semester at Saint Anselm College in Manchester, N.H.

• Kori Huffman, a junior from Brattleboro majoring in sports & recreation management, and Shannon Weatherup, a senior from Vernon majoring in international studies, were both named to the Dean's List for the spring 2013 semester at American International College in Springfield, Mass.

• Caleb E. Wiley of South Londonderry was named to the spring 2013 dean's list at Lebanon Valley College in Annville, Pa., while in pursuit of a B.S. in early childhood education and special education.

• Davin Freeman, a senior management major from Vernon, has made the President's List at Coastal Carolina University in Conway, S.C., for the spring 2013 semester.

Transitions

• Youth Services has promoted Kristy Smith, a case manager with Big Brothers Big Sisters, to the position of Director of Mentoring for the organization. In addition to serving as program manager of Big Brothers Big Sisters, she will also provide oversight of the agency's Ready to Achieve Mentoring Program (RAMP), which serves youth ages 13-17 in need of extra support at three high schools in Windham County.

Honors

• On April 27, at the annual meeting of the Vermont Scottish Rite Consistory, at the Green Mountain Masonic Center in Williston, Brian Byrne and Marshall Patton, both members of Brattleboro Lodge #102 Free and Accepted Masons, received their 32nd Degrees. Byrne is a security officer at Vermont Yankee Nuclear Power Plant in Vernon and is a reserve officer in the U.S. Army. Patton is a retired veteran of the Army and serves as Amtrak's station master in Brattleboro.

Obituaries

• Rev. Victor L. Baer, D.D., 94, of Lititz, Pa. Died May 21 at Heart of Lancaster Regional Medical Center. Husband of Mary Louise “Molly” Baer for 56 years. Brother of Vera L. Nash. Born in Philadelphia, the son of the late Willis N. and Mary Emma Nissely Baer, he grew up in Lancaster County. During his sophomore year, the family moved to DeLand, Fla., where he graduated from DeLand High School and enrolled at Stetson University as a candidate for B.A. in history with a minor in political science and economics. While at Stetson, he was a member of National Science Fraternity and a member and officer of the local Delta Sigma Phi Social Fraternity. It was during these years, he became increasingly active in church work. Following graduation from college, he enrolled at Princeton Theological Seminary, graduating in 1944 with a Th.B degree. He received an Honorary Doctor of Divinity degree from Pikeville (Ky.) College. Following seminary graduation, he was ordained as Word and Sacrament Presbyterian Church USA on June 11, 1944, and was invited to be the first assistant minister of Kennedy Heights Presbyterian Church in Cincinnati, Ohio (1944-48) and organizing minister of Trinity Presbyterian Church, Cincinnati (1946-48). He enrolled for a masters degree in Religious Education granted by Teachers College and Union Theological Seminary in New York City. He spent the summer of 1949 in Finland in an international work camp. While in Finland, he went to visit England and was persuaded by the Presbyterian Church, England to spend a year to do rehabilitation work with youth at East India Dock Settlement House in the slums of East London. Returning to America, he was invited to be minister of youth and assistant in Religious Education at Madison Avenue Presbyterian Church in New York City (1950-53). He was later co-pastor (1954-59) responsible for recruitment of new members, pastoral care and social service programs. Other assignments included first associate pastor at Brick Presbyterian Church in New York City (1954-59); Senior Pastor at First Presbyterian Church, Ossining, N.Y. (1959-71); Pastor of the historic Presbyterian Church, Presbytery, Mount Joy (1978-88); and Minister Emeritus at Donegal (1988- present). He also served as pastor at Marlboro Meeting House in Vermont for 12 summers. He was also an international exchange minister with Cavandish Road Presbyterian Church, Leeds, England and also St. Andrews Presbyterian Church, New Zealand. His outside interests include reading, music, and travel. He was a member of Rotary International for more than 50 years, and also a Paul Harris Fellow. Memorial information: Funeral services will be held June 7 at Steinman Hall, Moravian Manor, 300 W. Lemon St., Lititz on Friday, June 7, at 1 p.m. Family will receive friends at Steinman Hall on Friday from 12:30-1 p.m. Private interment will take place in the Landisville Mennonite Cemetery. Donations to Victor Baer Seminar of Pastoral Care, Princeton Theological Seminary, PO Box 821, Princeton, NJ 08542, or Moravian Manor, 300 W. Lemon St., Lititz, PA 17543, or a charity of one's choosing.

• Virginia T. Campbell, 89, of West Brattleboro. Died May 23 at her home. Wife of the late Colin Campbell. Mother of Torrey C. Campbell of East Sand­wich, Mass., and Susan Campbell-Bonnett and her hus­band, Jim, of Brattleboro. Sister of Richard Torrey and his wife, Dora, of Bennington, and the late Barbara Fanning. Born in Hinsdale, N.H., the daughter of the late Harold L. and Louise (Bar­rett) Torrey, she was a lifelong West Brat­tleboro resident. She attended the local school system, graduating from Brattleboro High School, Class of 1941. Virginia was em­ployed as a secretary for Dr. Robert Walk­er in Brattleboro for many years. She then went on to work in the day care center at Brattleboro Me­morial Hospital until her retirement at the age of 72. She enjoyed flowers, gardening, cats, nature, memories of her trip to England and France, looking through travel books, classical music, spending time on the water, and sailing. She was a member of the sailing club in Whitingham. Memorial information: All services are private. Donations to the Windham County Humane Society, P.O. Box 397, Brattleboro, VT 05302. Arrangements under the direction of Ker-Westerlund Fu­neral Home.

• Sandra Lynn Dyer, 49, of Brattleboro. Died May 24 at Fletcher-Allen Health Center in Burlington, following a period of declining health. Daughter of Pris­cilla (Gundry) and the late Jo­seph Dyer. Sister of Stephen Dyer and his compan­ion, Terri, of Hinsdale, N.H.; Jo­seph Dyer and his wife, Regina, of Vernon; Jo Ann Handleman and her husband, Seth, of Hinsdale and Janice Nichols and husband, Tim, of Hinsdale. Born in Brattle­boro, she was raised in town, attending the former Fran­ces Hicks School and was a gradu­ate of Brattle­boro Union High School, Class of 1984. She loved to be at home and enjoyed sewing, embroidery, knit­ting, cooking, baking, and playing cards. More recently, she liked working on the computer. Every Christmas, she enjoyed making “care packages” for the less fortu­nate and our troops stationed abroad. She also enjoyed time spent with her family and with her beloved cats. She loved taking pictures and was the fami­ly photographer. Sandra was also an avid New England Patriots fan. She was known for her smile and the twinkle in her eye. She was an in­spiration to all who knew her. Steadfast in her walk of faith, she had attended Vernon Union Church and, more recently, West Brattleboro Baptist Church. Memorial information: Funeral services were conducted May 29 at West Brattleboro Bap­tist Church, with burial in the family lot in Meeting­house Hill Cemetery. Donations to The Windham County Humane Society, P.O. Box 397, Brattleboro, VT 05302. Arrangements are under the di­rection of the Atamaniuk Funeral Home.

• Henry F. “Hank” Ebbighausen III, 47, for­merly of Brattleboro. Died May 22 at his home in Fort Myers, Fla. Son of Henry and Judith (Goodenough) Ebbighausen, Jr. of Brattleboro. Brother of Greg Ebbighausen and wife, Christy, of Milton, Fla.; Rodney Ebbighausen and his fiancée, Lynn, of Hinsdale, N.H.; Randal Ebbighausen of Kodiak, Alaska; and Laurie Ebbighausen and her partner, Tracy, of Pflugerville, Texas. Born in Brattleboro, he was raised and edu­cated in Brattle­boro and graduated from Brattle­boro Union High School, Class of 1983. At the time of his death, he was employed at Cruisers Car Wash in Fort Myers. Previously, he had been a truck driver for several Brattleboro area busi­nesses. He enjoyed motorcycle riding, hunting, fishing, rock music, and time shared with his family. He es­pecially cherished his beloved dog, Kya, who he leaves behind. Memorial information: Graveside committal services were conducted on June 2 at Christ Church Cemetery in Algiers. Donations to the Windham County Humane Society, P.O. Box 397, Brattleboro, VT 05302. Arrangements are under the direction of the Atamaniuk Funeral Home.

• Ellery George Giles, 89, of Windham. Died May 21 at Springfield Hospital. Husband of the late Betty Ayers Giles. Father of Sandra Kidney of Wardsboro and the late Donald Giles. Stepfather of Robert and Frank Balch and Marlene Lavoile. Born in Londonderry, the son of the late Loren and Fannie (McKellip) Giles, he attended Chester High School and the Vermont Agricul­tural College in Randolph. He served in the Army during World War II as a rifle­man in the 1st Ranger Battallion. He received the Purple Heart Award while fighting in Venafro, Italy in 1943. After the war, he worked for the U.S. Postal Service and served as Postmaster for the town of Wardsboro. Memorial information: A graveside service will be held in the Wind­ham Center Cemetery at a date to be announced. Donations to American Legion Post 16, in care of Richard Omand, 284 Hill Road, Brookline, VT 05345, or the Alzheimer's Asso­ciation Vermont Chapter, 300 Cor­nerstone Drive, Suite 128 Willi­ston, VT 05495. Arrangements are under the direction of White Funeral & Cremation Service of Townshend.

• Gary David Illingworth, 65, of Bellows Falls. Died May 24 at Springfield Health and Rehab Center after a long period of declining health. Husband of Susanne Brattebo Illingworth for nearly 43 years. Father of Geoffrey, Chad, and the late Lindsey Illingworth. Brother of Keith Illingworth and the late Robert Illingworth. Born in Bellows Falls, the son of the late Robert and Nancie (Ober) Illingworth, he grew up in Bellows Falls with his brother Keith and was a 1966 graduate of Bellows Falls High School. He then pursued his phar­macy degree at the University of Connecticut. He worked at several pharma­cies and Springfield Hospital throughout his career until he was no longer able to work. He was an avid sports fan, golfer, reader, baseball card col­lector, and storyteller. There was no greater joy than to watch his children and grandchildren partici­pate in sports, but he especially loved baseball. He was a member of the Elks Club #1619, American Legion Pierce Lawton Post 37, and a volunteer scorer at Little League games. He was a man of few words to many, but his clever wit always made his family laugh. He was the turkey carver for Thanksgiving, the Santa at Christ­mas, and the scorekeeper at base­ball. He was always the first to tear up at any touching moment. He loved rare meat, vacationing in Maine, and watching his family enjoy the pool. Memorial information: There will be a graveside service in St. Pe­ter's Cemetery at the convenience of the family. Donations to The Lindsey K.J. Illingworth Schol­arship Fund, in care of TD Bank, 2 Church Street, Bellows Falls, VT 05101.

• Mary L. (Monte) James Kandrotas, 89, of Bellows Falls. Died May 29 at Vernon Green Nursing Home. Wife of the late Walter L. James, Jr. and the late Anthony Kandrotas. Mother of Paul James and his wife, Wendy, of Wil­mington; Robert James and his wife, Sandy, of Jaffrey, N.H.; John James and his wife, Linda, of Bellows Falls; and the late Donald and Walter James III. Sister of Irene Visone of Windsor Locks, Conn., and the late Olivia Arbo and Raul Monte. Born in Fall River, Mass., the daugh­ter of the John and Maria (Madiros) Monte, she married Walter James Jr., and eventually settled in Saxtons River with their five sons. Together, they owned and operated James Trucking until retirement. She also sold Avon, Stanley Prod­ucts, Beeline, and Friendly Home Parties until her retirement. She lived in Saxtons River until the death of her second husband in 2009. Memorial information: A funeral Mass was held June 3 at St. Charles Church, with burial in the Saxtons River Cemetery. Arrangements under the direction of Fenton & Hennessey Funeral Home in Bel­lows Falls.

• Henry L. Jones, 80, of Jacksonville. Died May 26 at his home. Husband of Joyce Pospesil Jones for 53 years. Father of Henry Jones Jr. and wife, Li­sa, of Shelburne, Mass.; Jaymes Jones of Searsburg; Dean Jones of Wilmington; Gail Jones of Westmoreland, N.H.; and the late Teresa Boyd. Brother of Ralph Jones of Leawood, Kan., Edith Kingsley of Broad Brook, Conn., and Laura Brissette of Wardsboro. Born in Williamsville, the son of the late Preston and Pauline (Hall) Jones, he re­ceived his ear­ly education in a one-room schoolhouse in Halifax and then in Wil­mington schools. He had worked faithfully at American Fiber and Finishing in Griswoldville, Mass., for 36 years, retiring in 2000. He was a 50-year member of the Unity Lodge F&AM. With his Yankee ingenuity, he could fix just about anything. He en­joyed old cars, especially his Model A Ford. Throughout his life, he enjoyed riding motorcycles, a passion he passed on to his fami­ly. A humble man by nature, he would do for others out of his own kindness without any expect­ations. He will be remembered as a solid, hardworking man who absolutely loved having his house full of family and friends. Memorial information: Funeral services were conducted May 31 at the Jack­sonville Community Church, with burial in the family lot in Jack­sonville Village Cemetery. Donations to The Bennington Free Clinic, in care of Covey, Allen & Shea Funer­al Home, P.O. Box 215, Wilming­ton, VT 05363.

• Louis Gerald “Lou” LeBreck Jr., 81, of Guilford. Died May 23 at Cheshire Medical Center in Keene, N.H., following a period of declining health. Husband of the late Marion Villa and the late Cecile Glidden. Father of Jeannine Phillips and her husband, Dean, of Rockville, Conn. Brother of Linda Michaud of Seymour, Conn. Born in Caribou, Maine, the son of the late Louis and Rose (Gagon) LaBreck, he was raised and educated in Caribou, where he attended local schools. A proud Army veteran of the Korean War, he served in Korea until his honorable discharge from active service. He later moved to Manchester, Conn., and worked as an inspector for Chandler & Evans, an aircraft parts manufacturer located in West Hartford, Conn., retiring from the company following over 30 faithful years of employment. He was an active member of the American Legion Brattleboro Post 5, serving with its Memorial Unit and Color guard. He enjoyed hunting, fishing, bowling, country music, and travel. Memorial information: Graveside committal rites with full military honors will be conducted May 31 at 11 a.m. in East Cemetery in Manchester, Conn. Arrangements are under the direction of the Atamaniuk Funeral Home.

• Ralph Kemp, 89, formerly of Bellows Falls. Died May 27 at Bridgeport (Conn.) Hospital. Partner of Jane Kondratovich of Bridgeport for 17 years. Wife of the late Nan Kemp for 40 years. Father of Joe Kemp and his wife, Deb, of Phoenix, Ariz,; Chet Kemp and his wife, Diane, of North Hampton, N.H.; Ted Kemp and his wife, Caren, of Trumbull, Conn.; Deanna Merrill and her husband, Winston, of Bel­lows Falls; Bill Kemp and wife, Patti, of Springfield, Vt.; Maryanne Francis and her husband Mike of Hamil­ton, Ohio; Mike Kemp and his wife, Mary, of Charlestown, N.H.; Lance Kemp of Brattleboro; Tim Kemp and wife Geniva of Seaside, Calif.; Lynn Helfer and her husband, Alan, of Sandy Hook, Conn.; Lee Kondratovich and Dawn Mahoney of Easton, Conn.; and Karen DeSantos and her husband, Alan, of Wallingford, Conn. Brother of Myra Welch of Walpole, N.H. Also survived by 23 grandchildren and 28 great-grand­children. Born in Blackstone, Mass., the son of the late Ralph and Annie (O'Neill) Kemp, he was a graduate of Bellows Falls High School and retired after 30 years from Northeastern Culvert in Westminster Station. He served in the Na­vy during World War II on the U.S.S. Wasp. He was a member of American Legion Post 37 in Bellows Falls. He en­joyed spending time with his fami­ly, vacationing in Lake Placid, N.Y., and spending his winters in Flori­da. He was also a sports fan. Memorial information: A funeral mass was held June 5 at St. Charles Church in Bellows Falls, with burial in St. Charles Cemetery in Westminster. Donations to American Legion Post 37, Rock­ingham Street, Bellows Falls, VT 05101 or to the Easton Senior Center, 650 Morehouse Road, Easton, CT 06612. Ar­rangements are under the direction of Fen­ton & Hennessey Funeral Home of Bellows Falls.

• Harold Douglas Ranney, 69, of Westminster West. Died May 24 at Pine Heights Nursing Home in Brattleboro. Husband of Joyce (Mudgett) Ranney of Westminster West. Father of Philip Ranney and his companion, Meghan McBean, of Westminster West and the late Gary Ranney. Brother of Charles H. Ranney of Dummerston and Robert A. Ranney and his wife, Julia, of Tennessee. Born in Rockingham, the son of the late George and Isabelle (Nuttal) Ranney, he spent all of his life in the Dummerston, Putney, and Westminster West area. He was educated in the Dummerston Elementary School, graduating from Brattleboro Union High School, class of 1962. He then went on to attend Vermont Tech and Windham College. He is the sixth generation of the Ranney Family to have owned and operated the Ranney Homestead Farm in Westminster West. He was a deacon at Westminster Congregational Church and a member of the American Farm Bureau. He enjoyed coaching baseball, was an avid sports fan, and had a passion for raising his Jersey cattle. He loved gardening, and loved spending time with his grandsons. Memorial information: A funeral service was held May 31 at Congregational Church of Westminster West, with burial in Westminster West Cemetery behind the church. Donations to Pine Heights Activities Department, 187 Oak Grove Ave., Brattleboro, VT 05301. Arrangements are under the direction of Ker-Westerlund Funeral Home of Brattleboro.

• Raymond A. “Ray” Riddel, 85, of Brattleboro. Died May 24 at Pine Heights Nursing Home, where he had been a resident since October 2011. Son of the late Adam and Ethel (Morris) Riddel. Brother of the late George Riddel of Norwich, Conn. Born in Brattleboro, he was raised and educated in Brattleboro and later served in the Navy. For many years, he worked as a construction worker in the Keene, N.H. area. In more recent years, he had been employed at Eden Park Nursing Home as a porter. He was a pleasant, cordial, quiet, and unassuming man who enjoyed visiting with his acquaintances and attending functions at the Brattle­boro Senior Center. He enjoyed fishing, especially ice fish­ing, taking his annual week-long cruises to the Caribbean, and daily walks through the neighborhood. Memorial information: In accordance with his final wishes, services will be pri­vate with burial in the family lot in Morningside Cemetery. Arrangements are under the di­rection of the Atamaniuk Funeral Home.