Obituaries
• Allan W. Blank, 84, of Bellows Falls. Died at his home on Dec. 4, 2024. Allan was born on May 5, 1940, in Johnson City, New York, to William and Pauline (King) Blank. After Allan graduated from high school, he entered the Air Force. He later served in the Air Force Reserve. After retiring from the Air Force Reserve, Allan owned and operated several businesses, spending most of his time with his last business decorating trade shows. Allan married Mary (Doe) Blank in November 1990; she predeceased him in April 2023. Allan is survived by his children, Patrick Blank, Patricia Adams, and Mary Elizabeth Morgan. Memorial information: Burial of Allan's ashes will take place at Oak Hill Cemetery in Bellows Falls in the spring.
• Rev. Roger L. Brown, 81, of Brattleboro. Died in his home from a heart attack on Dec. 8, 2024. He was born in Brattleboro on Dec. 31, 1942, to Maynard P. and Estelle H. Brown, the oldest of two sons. Roger was a lifelong learner who loved to share his knowledge with others. This was through formal schooling, workshops, the Writers Group, piano lessons, and painting classes, to name a few. He graduated from Brattleboro Union High School in 1960 and received a B.S. and M.S. from the University of Vermont. He also held a Master's of Divinity from Andover Newton Theological School. Roger served churches as a called, or interim, pastor in Wyoming, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, and Vermont. In his retirement, he was very active in Centre Congregational Church in Brattleboro and in conference activities. He was a member of the Institute of Religion in an Age of Science (IRAS) and was a ham radio operator. He took workshops and language classes at the School for International Training and met students from all over the world. He was able to support many of them while they were studying here and eventually got to visit some of them in their native countries. Throughout his life, he delighted in relating to people and was an enthusiastic traveler. He also enjoyed hiking and the coast. and would often share the photos he took. Roger is survived by his brother, David; sister-in-law Linda from Phoenix, Oregon; and a multitude of cousins. Memorial information: A memorial service to celebrate Roger's life will be held later this coming spring and will be announced. Donations to Centre Congregational Church, UCC, 193 Main St., Brattleboro, VT 05301. To offer condolences, visit atamaniuk.com.
• Nancy Ervin Butterfield, 94, of Keene, New Hampshire. Died on Dec. 1, 2024, at Covenant Living in Keene, following a long period of declining health. Born in Wadestown, West Virginia, on Sept. 17, 1930, Nancy was the first child of Patrick Bhurman and Hellen Lumma (Hibbs) Ervin. She grew up on the family farm in Harrison County, graduating as salutatorian of her class at Clarksburg's Victory High School in 1947. She attended Fairmont State College for two years before her mother's illness required her to care for her five young sisters. Nancy moved to Washington, D.C., in 1949, seeking a summer job. She remained in the city 13 years, employed in the records branch of the FBI. Taking night classes at George Washington University, Nancy met Charles Butterfield, an Air Force officer from New Hampshire. The couple married in Washington on Aug. 10, 1957. Nancy and Charles moved to Hinsdale, New Hampshire in 1962 and lived on Oxbow Road for 57 years before becoming residents of Covenant Living of Keene in 2019. Nancy, a diligent and efficient manager, was employed by several institutions in the Brattleboro area, beginning with the Experiment in International Living where she held secretarial positions, including assistant to the founder, Donald Watt. After Nancy earned her B.Ed. degree from Keene State College in 1971, she briefly taught English at Hinsdale High School before becoming a teacher of English as a second language at the School for International Training (SIT). There she held a number of supervisory and instructional posts, among them supervising and instructing bilingual secretaries from abroad who sought employment with U.S. companies. Nancy formed some lasting friendships among this unique group of women. Nancy left SIT to become office manager at the Brattleboro Music Center where her primary duties were concert management and staff supervision. At BMC, Nancy formed a warm working relationship with the late Blanche Honegger Moyse, BMC founder and conductor of the Blanche Moyse Chorale. Nancy attended Simmons College Graduate School in Boston, earning a master's degree in library and information science in 1984. She then joined the staff at the Mason Library at Keene State College. In addition to working as a reference librarian, Nancy taught classes in research methods. She was made assistant professor in 1987 and was granted tenure in 1990. She retired in 1997 from her post as head of technical services at the Mason Library. Nancy served her town of Hinsdale as a member of the solid waste committee and, for 25 years, she was clerk for the Hinsdale School District. She was an active member of the Hinsdale Historical Society. An ambitious gardener, Nancy also enjoyed working in the pine forest at her home. An accomplished baker and skilled decorator and seamstress, Nancy was seldom idle. In retirement, she devoted several years to family history research, tracing her own and her husband's lineages. Nancy was an active member of All Souls Church in Brattleboro, and was well known for her decorated wreaths featured in the church's holiday bazaar. She is survived by her husband, Charles of Keene; sisters, Sandra Rodriquez of San Gabriel, California, Barbara Materazzi (Maury) of Warrenton, Virginia, Erra Jane Purdy of Blacksburg, Virginia, Mary Murphy of Belmont, West Virginia; and a nephew, nieces, and cousins. Her parents, and a sister, Patty Warters, predeceased her. Memorial information: Following internment at Maplewood Cemetery, Antrim, New Hampshire, a celebration of Nancy's life will be held at All Souls Church in the spring at a date and time to be announced. To offer condolences, visit foleyfuneralhome.com.
• John "Jack" Mitchell Chapman, 80, of Brattleboro, Died Dec. 8, 2024, in the comfort of his home, following a brief illness of acute leukemia. Jack was born in Beverly, Massachusetts, on April 7, 1944, the son of Philip B. and Alice (Mitchell) Chapman. With his family, he moved to Vermont at a young age, attending Academy School and graduating from Brattleboro Union High School with the Class of 1962. He went on to attend Currie College in Massachusetts, then Windham College in Putney before enlisting in the Navy, where he served as an aviation electrician for four years aboard the aircraft carrier U.S.S. Franklin D. Roosevelt. Upon his honorable discharge from active service, he returned home to Brattleboro. He was employed by New England Telephone and transitioned through 34 years of telecommunications, eventually retiring from Verizon. Jack was a member of American Legion Post 5 and VFW Carl M. Dessaint Post 1034 in Brattleboro. He enjoyed fishing and hunting with his friends in Holland, Vermont. He became infamous for being lost for five days in the Northeast Kingdom during hunting season in 2016. On Oct. 15, 1983, in Brattleboro, he married Debra Miller, who survives. Besides his wife of 41 years, he leaves a son, John L. Chapman (Erika) of Washougal, Washington; a daughter, Elizabeth Gazo (Matthew) of Colchester; his grandchildren, Cody and Alac Chapman and Leland, and Louis and Isabella Gazo; a sister, Nancy Sprague of Brattleboro; and a nephew, Tad Pritchard. Additionally, he leaves Frankie, his beloved Golden Retriever. Jack was predeceased by a son, Tyler W. Chapman in 2010. Memorial information: In keeping with Jack's final wishes, there are no formal funeral services scheduled. He will be laid to rest next to his son in Dummerston Center Cemetery in the springtime. Donations to Rescue Inc., P.O. Box 593, Brattleboro, VT 05302; or to New England K9 Search & Rescue, P.O. Box 407, Grantham, NH 03753. To offer condolences, visit atamaniuk.com.
• Robert "Bob" Haseltine, 94, of Grafton. Died on Nov. 28, 2024. He was born on Jan. 4, 1930, in Charlestown, New Hampshire, and grew up in Chester. His parents were the proprietors of A.F. Haseltine General Store, where Chester Hardware is today. He graduated from Chester High School in 1947. He married Mildred "Millie" Johnson in 1958 and soon moved to Hall Brook Farm in Grafton where he kept a watchful eye on the farm, forest, and field for the Ellsworth family. He worked for The National Survey in Chester as a mapmaker and, later, for the Grafton Cheese Company as a cheesemaker. At the time of his retirement, he was Grafton Cheese's vice president. He instilled a strong work ethic in both his children and co-workers. Bob and Millie were members of The Grafton Church for many years, with Bob serving as a Deacon for a period of that time. Bob disliked winter (who knew?) and preferred summer and green grass. He was a man of sharp wit and humor, his commentary bringing laughter to many. His genuine nature made him easy to love and impossible to forget. He was predeceased by his wife and his son, David. He is survived by his children, Kevin (Megan), Ann, and Matt (Mary Ellen). He is also survived by his eight grandchildren and one great-grandchild. Memorial information: A celebration of his life will take place on Saturday, Jan. 4, from 1 to 3 p.m. at The Phelps Barn in Grafton. In lieu of flowers, an act of kindness in Bob's memory would be appreciated.
• Deborah Ann Miller, 71, of Hinsdale, New Hampshire. Died Dec. 10, 2024, at Brattleboro Memorial Hospital following an extended period of declining health due to Alzheimer's disease. Deborah was born in Key West, Florida, on Oct. 21, 1953, the daughter of Lewis and Jean Marie (Bishop) Rivers. Being from a military family, she was raised and educated where her father and family were stationed at the time which included Virginia Beach, Virginia, several locations in California and, finally, Willimantic, Connecticut, where she graduated from Windham High School, Class of 1971. She worked for several years in the food/café services for the Hinsdale Public School system, which she retired from as a manager. Previously, Deborah had been employed at the former Page's Ice Cream, Riverview Diner, and Green Door Restaurant in Brattleboro, which she helped co-manage. She enjoyed trips to local casinos. Of her other interests, she liked crafting, looking for bargains at area tag sales, and working in her flower garden. On Aug. 17, 1991, in Hinsdale, she married James A. Miller, who survives. Besides her husband of 33 years, she leaves her five siblings: brothers Lewis Rivers of Florida, John Rivers of New York, and Kevin Rivers of Michigan; and sisters Jean Marie Repik of South Carolina and Janice Rivers of Florida. Additionally, she is survived by many nieces and nephews and a host of close friends. She was predeceased by her sister and best friend, Diana Rivers. Memorial information: In keeping with her final wishes, no funeral services are scheduled. Donations to the Windham County Humane Society, P.O. Box 397, Brattleboro, VT 05302. To offer condolences, visit atamaniuk.com.
• Arthur V. "Art" Millette, 85, of Brattleboro. Died at his home on Dec. 7, 2024. Art was born on April 30, 1939, in Leominster, Massachusetts. He was the 10th and youngest child born to the late Arthur J. and Clara A. (Rivard) Millette. After attending Leominster High School, Art enlisted in the Marine Corps in 1956, served faithfully, and was honorably discharged. Art met his wife Sandy when he returned to Leominster. In 1960, they were married at St. Anna's Parish and, settling in Leominster, they started a family. He found work at Modern Dispersions (Ticonderoga) in Leominster's pioneering plastics industry, gaining valuable knowledge and experience. Art then worked for Allstate Insurance for a number of years, and eventually returned to the plastics industry where he proved to be highly gifted in sales and management. He worked for eight years with Georgia Pacific Corporation (polymer materials group) selling commodity thermoplastic and color concentrates. He then was vice president of sales for Plastic Distributing Corporation, where he directed the outside sales force and managed the distribution of 80 million pounds of commodity materials annually. In 1988, Art became a founding partner and senior vice president of Performance Polymers, distributors of thermoplastic resins, and utilizing his extensive customer contacts he developed and managed an exceptional field sales force. He helped lead the company to unparalleled growth and profitability over the next decade, displaying a high level of integrity and a strong work ethic that his sons inherited. After retiring, Art and Sandy lived at Lake Shirley in Lunenburg, Massachusetts, then moved to Timber Greens retirement community in New Port Richey, Florida. While there, Art built a bocce court for the residents at Timber Greens. In 2018, they relocated to Brattleboro to be closer to their sons and grandchildren. He was always an outgoing man who loved to laugh, and enjoyed making others laugh. Art loved competitive sports, playing basketball, hockey, golf, tennis, billiards, softball, bocce, fishing, and was tough to beat in any card game. He also was an excellent cook, noted for his backyard pig-roasts with Renzo Desantis, and his Pasta Fagioli at the Knights of Columbus. His sausage and winemaking skills were legendary and delighted the residents of Timber Greens. Art was a generous man, quietly and selflessly assisting others in times of need. He easily made lifelong friends with many people, everywhere he went. His sons and their families were precious to him, and he loved being with them. Art was a born-again follower of Jesus Christ, attending Calvary Chapel Southern Vermont in West Townshend, where both of his sons serve. He was a member of the Lion's Club, Knights of Columbus, and was a notary public. He is survived by his loving wife of nearly 65 years, Sandra (Tocci) Millette, and his sons, Pastor Peter Millette and his wife Karolyn (Doe) Millette of Brattleboro, and Pastor Ronald Millette and his wife Kelly (Bresnahan) of Brookline. He is also survived by five grandchildren, Kara (Millette) Leone and her husband Ben, Robert Millette, Bethany (Millette) Drewke and her husband Brian, Carly (Millette) LeBlanc and her husband Pastor David, and Zoe Millette. Additionally, Art is survived by eight great-grandchildren and many nephews and nieces. In addition to his parents, Art was predeceased by a daughter, Alice; his brothers Armand, Gerry, Donald, Robert, Clement, and Paul; and his sisters, Gloria, Theresa, and Annette. Memorial information: Services are being planned to take place after Jan. 1 at Calvary Chapel Southern Vermont, and in Leominster. Dates and times are pending and will be announced. To offer condolences, visit csnh.com.
• Betty Joan Spiller, 94, of Vernon. Died peacefully at Vernon Green Nursing Home on Nov. 16, 2024. Betty was born on Sept. 30, 1930, in Worcester, Massachusetts, to Alfred and Elizabeth Anderson. She grew up in Shrewsbury, Massachusetts, and, along with her sister Alva, loved going to school dances, skiing at Ward Hill, sewing dresses, and sharing a Swedish smorgasbord every Christmas with lots of uncles, aunts, and cousins. In 1952, Betty graduated from Framingham State College with a degree in home economics. She met Merrill Spiller on a blind date while at college, and the two were married on May 15, 1954. After Merrill's term of service in the Army was up, the couple settled in North Easton, Massachusetts, where they raised their two children. Betty worked as a teacher and then as a substitute teacher in the Easton school system for more than 20 years; she taught in every one of the town's schools and willingly stepped in to cover any subject, from music to math, physical education to English. She was an expert seamstress who created countless outfits for her children and grandchildren (and their dolls), reupholstered furniture, and even sewed a 9-by-12-foot canvas extension for the family camping tent. Betty was an active member of Holy Trinity Lutheran Church for many years and an integral part of the church's women's service groups. Betty was also involved with Girl Scouts and Boy Scouts; she chaperoned several snowy winter camping weekends, gamely and cheerfully sleeping in the cold and cooking over an open fire. Betty and Merrill both loved the outdoors, and camping vacations were a highlight of every summer, first in that big canvas tent and later in a motorhome. In 1978, they and their two teenagers took a six-week cross-country trip. Over the next four decades the couple continued to travel the United States while nurturing connections with family and friends; eventually they visited all 50 states. In 2017 Betty and Merrill moved from North Easton to Vernon. Their loving partnership lasted almost 70 years, until Merrill's death in January 2024. Betty is survived by her son, Douglas (Yong Hee) Spiller and daughter, Cheryl (Stephen) Redmond; as well as granddaughters Laura (Adam) Sobel, Kimberly Spiller (Marc Weiss), and Genevieve Redmond. In addition to her husband, she was predeceased by her sister, Alva Struzziery. Memorial information: A memorial service celebrating Betty's life will be held at Guilford Community Church on March 22, 2025, at 1 p.m. To offer condolences, visit atamaniuk.com.
• Thomas W. "Peach" Stockton, 32, of Brattleboro. Died unexpectedly and peacefully on Dec. 1, 2024. Born on Dec. 8, 1991, in Worthington, Minnesota, Thomas graduated from Keene (N.H.) High School with the Class of 2009 and later continued his education at River Valley College. At the time of his death, he was enrolled at Vermont Technical College pursuing a degree to become a veterinary technician. Thomas's passion for working with horses developed during his time with Stoneleigh-Burnham School in Greenfield, Massachusetts, as one of their equine care coordinators. Prior to joining Stoneleigh-Burnham, Thomas attributed his knowledge and love of horses to the many hours spent working at a horse barn in Guilford, where his passion for animal care began. While he was taking classes, he was able to continue working at the Putney Food Co-op, working whatever hours he could squeeze in, thanks to the amazing supportive environment they provided. Thomas's interests outside of the barn included his love for playing his guitar, singing, and writing music. He enjoyed drawing, taking pictures, and playing soccer with his great friend Rey. Thomas loved being outside, whether it was hiking, fishing, or just going for a walk. One of the most important things to Thomas was his beloved Scrabble Saturdays with his sister. Thomas loved his family time with his sister and mom. Thomas is survived by his mother, Michelle Stockton, and her partner, David Segal; his father, Thomas Stockton, Sr., and his sister, Britt Stockton. Thomas is also survived by grandparents Penny Ojala and Earl Wilson; cousins Tyler and his partner, Sara, Lacie and Carmen Berardi, Hanah and James Mitchell, Hillarie, Campbell, Graham, Duncan, and Chelsea and her partner Adrian, along with his aunties Steffie and Dawne. Most importantly, he is survived by Binx, his beloved panther of a cat. Memorial information: Donations in his memory may be made to the Monadnock Humane Society, 101 W. Swanzey Rd., Swanzey, NH 03446, or Stoneleigh-Burnham School, 574 Bernardston Rd., Greenfield, MA 01301. To send condolences, visit cheshirefamilyfh.com.
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