Author: Canaan Town Library

James Andrew Mellow

From the February 12, 2001 issue of The Country Chronicle

Grantham, NH–James Andrew Mellow, 10, died Saturday, February 3, 2001 at his home surrounded by his family following a long illness. He was born in Hanover, NH, September 22, 1990, the son of Andrew J. & Susan (Rowland) Mellow. James was a 4th grade student at the Grantham Village School, and was a member of the Sacred Heart Parish in Lebanon, NH. He loved golf, skiing, kneeboarding, basketball, baseball and soccer. He also loved to read books and to be read to. He had a wonderful sense of humor and enjoyed spending time with his sisters Meagan & Erin.

He leaves his parents: Andrew J. & Susan (Rowlan) Mellow and 2 sisters: Meagan M. Mellow and Erin F. Mellow; his maternal grandparents; Joan & Howard Suizek of Berlin, MD; his paternal grandmother; Betty Larkin of Southwick, MA.

Friends may call at the Ricker Funeral Home, 56 School St., Lebanon, NH, Tuesday evening from 6-9 pm. The family respectfully requests that children not attend.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated Wednesday afternoon at 1:30 pm in the Sacred Heart Church of Lebanon. The Rev. Gilles Genest M.S. will officiate.

The family requests the in lieu of flowers, memorial contributions be made to: The Make a Wish Foundation, 66 Hanover St.-Suite 101, Manchester, NH 03101-2230.

Josh F. Harder Sr.

from the February 12, 2001 issue of The Country Chronicle

Woodsville, NH–Joseph Paul Harper Sr., 70, died Sunday afternoon February 4, 2001 at the Dartmouth-Hitchcock Medical Center in Lebanon, NH.

He was born in Lebanon, NH May 14, 1930, a son of the late Joseph P. & Gladys (Amell) Harper. A lifelong resident of the Upper Valley, he was the owner/operator of Superior Painting & Decorating for many years.

He was predeceased by his former first wife: Joyce Leonard who died in 1995; and by his second wife: Ruby (Hutchins) Harper who died in 1981.

Survivors include 1 daughter: Charay Rogers of Woodsville, NH; 4 sons: Terry P. Harper of Littleton, NH; David R. Harper of Enfield Center, NH; Kenny Rogers of St. Johnsbury, VT; and Joseph P. Harper Jr. of Woodsville, NH; 2 sisters: Luella Grace of Lebanon, NH and Gladys Sanders of Cape Cod, MA; 2 brothers: Ernest Harper of Ascutney, VT and Richard Harper of Lebanon, NH; 8 grandchildren and many nieces, nephews and cousins.

There will be no calling hours. A Memorial Service will be held Thursday morning at 11 am in the Ricker Funeral Home, 56 School St. in Lebanon, NH with the Rev. Patricia Williams officiating. Burial will be in the spring in the Highland Cemetery in Lyme, NH.

Memorial contributions may be made to: The American Heart Association, 20 Speen St., Framingham, MA 01701-4688 or to: The American Lung Association, 9 Cedarwood Dr., unit 12, Bedford, NH 03110.

Earl J. Brooks

From the February 12, 2001 issue of The Country Chronicle

Lebanon, NH–Earl J. Brooks, 82, died Thursday, February 1, 2001 at the Dartmouth Hitchcock Medical Center in Lebanon, NH. He was born in Lebanon, NH April 22, 1918, a son of the late Charles and Lillian Brooks. He was a longtime Lebanon resident and was a communicant of Sacred Heart Parish of Lebanon. He had been employed as a cab driver in Lebanon, a buss driver for VT Transit, and had retired as a truck driver for Decato Brothers Trucking of Lebanon. His life was dedicated to his family and his wife of 60 years Mary (Conroy) Brooks.

Survivors include his wife, Mary (Conroy) Brooks of Lebanon, NH. A daughter, Hazel Hollenbeck of Enfield. Two sons, Earl F. Brooks (address unlisted) and Daniel J. Brooks of Somersworth, NH. A sister, Katherine Deveney of Enfield, nine grandchildren and many nieces, nephews and cousins.

He was predeceased by a son, Ernie Brooks, and a daughter, Marlene Marsh; three brothers-Charles, Roger and Leon Brooks and a sister, Lillian (Brooks) Deveney.

Friends may call at the Ricker Funeral Home, 56 School St. in Lebanon Monday evening from 7-9 pm. A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated Tuesday morning at 10 am in the Sacred Heart Church of Lebanon. The Rev. Gerald Baril M.S. will officiate. Burial will follow in the Sacred Heart Cemetery in Lebanon.

Dorothy F. Packard

From the February 12, 2001 issue of The Country Chronicle

Lebanon, NH–Dorothy F. Packard, 79, died Wednesday evening February 7, 2001 at the Lebanon Center of Genesis Eldercare in Lebanon, NH following a long illness. She was born in Canaan, NH November 13, 1921, and was the last surviving of 9 children home to the late George & Lucy (Senacal) Decato. A resident of Lebanon for most of her life, she attended local schools and was married to the Donald A. Packard who died in 1983. She had been employed by the former Rockdale Store and by KLEEN Laundry of Lebanon Emblem Club and a longtime volunteer at the Lebanon Senior Center. She loved baking, crocheting and many other crafts.

She was predeceased by her husband: Donald A. Packard; Son: Robert A. Packard Sr.; 2 sisters: Stella Williams and Etta Fontaine; 6 brothers: Eugene Decato, James Decato, Edgar Decato, Forest Decato, Harry Decato and Clarence Decato; and a grandson: Robert A. Packard Jr.

She leaves 2 daughters: Stella Butterfield of Canaan, NH and Marie Jenkins of Lebanon, NH; 4 granchildren: Mark Packard of Orange, NH, Donald Butterfield of Canaan, NH, Daniel Butterfield of Royal Oaks, MI and Jeffrey Jenkins of Lebanon, NH; and many nieces, nephews and cousins.

Friends may call at the Ricker Funeral Home, 56 School St. in Lebanon, NH Sunday from 3-4 & 7-9 pm. A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated Monday morning at 11 am in the Sacred Heart Church of Lebanon. Burial will be in the spring in the Valley Cemetery in Lebanon, NH.

The family requests that in lieu of flowers, memorial contributions in memory of Dorothy be made to: The Lebanon Senior Center, PO Box X33, Lebanon, NH 03766 or to: The American Diabetes Association, 249 Canal St., Manchester, NH 03101.

Harry E. Powell

From the March 13, 2000 issue of The Country Chronicle

Orange, NH–Harry Powell, 97, died on Saturday, March 11, 2000, at the McCoy Nursing Home in Newport following a long illness. He was born in Danbury, NH on May 18, 1902, a son of the late Oria and Carrie (Wescott) Powell. He lived 18 years on the Height of the Land area in Grafton, NH, before moving to Orange, where he spent most of his life as a logger. He had also worked in the Baltic Woolen Mills in Enfield, and was a former road agent for the town of Orange. He loved animals and kept a small farm in Orange. He was married May 15, 1923 to Martha R. (Brown) Powell.

Mr. Powell is survived by: Barbara Dauphiniais, daughter, of Grafton, NH; Ruby McAllister and Rose Buckwold, daughters, of Canaan; Arlene Normandin, daughter, of Hillsboro, NH; Louise O’Shea, daughter, of North Pole, Alaska; many nieces, nephews and cousins; many grandchildren, great-grandchildren, several great-great-grandchildren.

He was preceded in death by: Martha R. Powell, wife, who died Oct. 7, 1984; Walter R. Powell, son, who died June 30, 1988; Laura Ford, daughter, who died December 26, 1996; Florence, sister; Thurman Powell, brother; Harold Decato, half-brother, and Ora, Doris and Bernice, half-sisters.

Friends may call at the Ricker Funeral Home, 56 School St., Lebanon, NH, on Monday evening, March 13th, from 7-9 pm.

Graveside services will be held in the spring in the Pine Grove Cemetery in Grafton, NH.

Memorial contributions may be made to; The Arthritis Foundation, 59 School St., Concord, NH 03301-3930.

Phyllis E. Rogers

From the March 13, 2000 issue of The Country Chronicle

Lebanon, NH–Phyllis E. Rogers, 74, died at her home Thursday, March 8, 2000 following a long illness. She was born in Dorchester, NH on July 5, 1925, and had been a resident of the Canaan, NH area most of her life until moving to Lebanon when she was married to her husband of 30 years, Stanley F. Rogers, Sr. on Feb. 18, 1970. She enjoyed arts and crafts; crocheting; and wreath making for the Enfield-Mascoma Lions Club. She was a member and past-president of the Ladies Auxiliary of the VFW Post of White River Jct., VT where she was also Buddy Poppy Chairman.

A memorial service will be held Monday afternoon at 2 pm in the Ricker Funeral Home, 56 School St., Lebanon, NH. The Pastor John Crilley will officiate. Friends may visit one half hour prior to the service.

The family requests that in lieu of flowers, memorial contributions be made to: Hospice of the Upper Valley, 325 Mt. Support Rd., Lebanon, NH 03766-2813 or to: Make-A-Wish Foundation, 1492 Elm St., Suite 1, Manchester, NH 03101.

Survived by:

Stanley Francis Roger Sr., Husband, Lebanon, NH

Francis “Butch” LaBelle, Son, White River Jct., VT

Robert LaBelle, Son, Colebrook, NH

Stanley Rogers Jr., Step-son, Fairlee, VT

David Rogers, Step-son, Lebanon, NH

Joe Rogers, Step-son, Lebanon, NH

Carol Felix, Daughter, Enfield, NH

Penny O’Day, Daughter, Laconia, NH

Florence Sanville, Daughter, Canaan, NH

Ella Wimett, Daughter, Laconia, NH

Gloria Moon, Daughter, Indianapolis, IN

Rosemarie Lawton, Step-daughter, Hartland, VT

Debbie Fioraventi, Step-daughter, Lebanon, NH

Lorianne Agan, Step-daughter, Lebanon, NH

Oscar Greenwood, Brother, CO

Annie Jenna, Sister, Canaan, NH

Many many Grandchildren, great-grandchildren, nieces, nephews and cousins.

Ramona Marie St. Amand

From the January 29, 2001 issue of The Country Chronicle

East Hartford, CT–Ramona Marie St. Amand, 71, a former longtime resident of East Hartford, CT, died Saturday, January 13, 2001 at the Dartmouth Hitchcock Medical Center in Lebanon, NH. She was born in Hartland, VT on May 24, 1929, a daughter of the late Horace W. & Lyndall M. (Alger) Sawyer, and was a graduate of Hartland, VT High School-Class of 1947. She received her Masters Degree in Education from Central CT State University. For 19 years, she worked for the City of Hartford, CT as an instructor in the Adult Education Dept. She also taught at the Morse School of Business in Hartford, CT. She had been a resident of the Upper Valley area NH for the last year after living in East Hartford, CT for over 30 years.

She is survived by on daughter: Sherry Demers of Grantham, NH; three sons: Steven Rocke and Scott Rocke, both of Canaan, NH and Gary Rocke of Enfield, NH; one sister: Geneva Day of Vernon, CT; four grandchildren; and six nieces and nephews.

A Memorial Service was held Wednesday, January 17th at 11 am in the Community Lutheran Church of Enfield, NH. The Pastor John Crilley officiated. Arrangements were under the direction of the Ricker Funeral Home of Lebanon, NH.

Ada M. Sleeper

From the February 28, 2000 issue of The Country Chronicle

Enfield, NH–Ada M. Sleeper, 86, of Enfield, died on Saturday, February 19th at the Dartmouth Hitchcock Medical Center in Lebanon. She was born in Grafton, NH on July 25, 1913 a daughter of Edwin E. and Lizzie (Martin) Morse. She had been a resident of this area most of her life and was the widow of Lee V. Sleeper who died in 1957. She had worked as a nurse’s aide at Northwood Nursing Home in Manchester for several years. She enjoyed her pets, traveling and country music.

She leaves 6 children; Elizabeth Guerin of Enfield, Betty Dion of Gilford; Sharon Pillsbury of Canaan, Larry Sleeper of Canaan, Kenneth Sleeper of Enfield and Forest Sleeper of Enfield, 12 grandchildren, 6 great grandchildren, many nieces and nephews. She was predeceased by 13 brothers and sisters, 2 sons; Lee and Ralph, and a daughter Glenda Ada Sleeper Johnson.

Friends were able to call at Ricker Funeral Home in Enfield on Tuesday, February 22nd. Funeral services were held on Wednesday, February 23rd at the Community Lutheran Church of Enfield with Pastor John Crilley officiating. Burial will be in the spring in the Pine Grove Cemetery in Grafton.

Elwyn Baxter Chamberlin

From the February 14, 2000 issue of The Country Chronicle

Lebanon, NH–Elwyn Baxter Chamberlin, 82, of Lebanon, died Saturday, February 5th at Dartmouth Hitchcock Medical Center.

He was born in West Swanzey, NH, on Dec. 23, 1917, a son of Clifford Harvey Chamberlin and Lena Vera (Starkey) Chamberlin. He grew up in West Swanzey and was a graduate of Keene High School. He was married to Irene Brown in 1973 and had been a resident of this area for the past 26 years. He was employed at Mascoma Savings Bank in Lebanon before his retirement. He had also been a carpenter in this area for many years. He will be remembered for helping out recently at the Beverage King in West Lebanon following his retirement.

He was an active member, lay minister and past chairman of the Board of Trustees of the First Baptist Church in Lebanon. He was also active in the Grange, holding many offices, including overseer of the New Hampshire State Grange. He also was the recipient of a 65 year membership medal for the Grange. He was also a member of the Lebanon Lodge of Elks and a past member of the Free and Accepted Masons.

Mr. Chamberlin served as a justice of the peace, notary public and on the Bicentennial Commission of Lebanon. He enjoyed singing, woodworking, public speaking, fishing and especially spending time with his granddaughter.

He leaves his wife, Irene Chamberlin, of Lebanon; two daughters, Sarah of Lebanon and Sally of Keene; and a granddaughter.

Friends were able to call at the Ricker Funeral Home in Lebanon on Tuesday, Feb. 8th from 7-9 pm. The Elks held a memorial service at 7:30 pm at the funeral home. Funeral services were Wednesday, Feb. 9th at 2 pm at the funeral home with Rev. Dale Edwards officiating.

Memorial contributions may be made to the Upper Valley Humane Society, HC 63 Box 52A, Lebanon, NH; or to the First Baptist Church Handicapped Access Fund, School St., Lebanon, NH 03766.

Mary L. Niles

From the January 8, 2001 issue of The Country Chronicle

Augusta, ME–Mary L. Niles, 99, formerly of Kennebec Plaza, died Monday, December 18, 2000 at Hanover Terrace Healthcare, Hanover, NH.

She was born in Manchester, NH on March 29, 1901, the daughter of Frank and Maude (Oakes) Goodwin.

Mary worked on the family farm in Augusta, ME for over 25 years. She also attended schools in Augusta. She married Walter L. Niles Sr. on June 30, 1920. During WWII, Mary worked at Bath Iron Works as a burner and a welder. Mary graduated from the Augusta State Hospital on July 12, 1959 then worked as a psychiatric aide for many years at the same hospital. She lived in Bath for several years and attended Woolwich-Wiscasset Baptist Church where she played the piano. Mary later worked in Boston as a seamstress at the Boston Naval Yard for 12 years. After her return to Maine, Mary was the Commissioner of the Augusta Housing Authority, from 1987 to 1991. All her life she had been connected with music; as a vocalist and violinist, playing a musical saw, piano, organ or alto horn. She played the violin with the Augusta Symphony Orchestra at the old City Hall, under the direction of Earnest R. Hill.

She was a past member of the American Legion, Post #2 Auxiliary. She was also an active member of the Kennebec Valley Assembly of God Church in Chelsea for over 10 years. Mary also did volunteer work on a monthly basis for the church as well as for Kennebec Long Term Nursing Care at Graybirch.

She was predeceased by her children, Kimber Niles, Kenneth O. Niles, Donald Niles and Walter Niles, Jr. Also a brother, Vincent A. Goodwin. She is survived by a son, Norman Niles, and his wife Marie, of Weeks Mills. Two daughters, Constance Boggs and her husband Robert, of Augusta and Eleanor Barney and her husband Reginald, of Canaan, NH

24 grandchildren, 36 great-grandchildren and 3 great-great-grandchildren. Visiting was held on Thursday, December 21 from 10 to 11 am at the Knowlton and Hewins Funeral Home, 1 Church St., Augusta, ME, where a funeral service followed at 11:00. Pastor Mikko Tervo officiated. Burial took place at Mount Hope Cemetery in Augusta, ME.

In lieu of flowers memorial contributions may be made to the Assembly of God Church, Music Dept., Chelsea, ME 04330.