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Robert William Prosser

From the January 22, 1997 of The Country Chronicle

Grafton, NH–Robert William Prosser, 49, died on January 15, 1997 at the Dartmouth-Hitchcock Medical Center in Lebanon. He attended North Providence, RI high school and lived in North Providence until moving to NH in 1976. While in RI he was self-employed as a commercial fisherman in Warwick. He was married on June 5, 1965 to Rachel Vaillant. They made their home in Canaan and Grafton, NH since their marriage. He owned and operated Bob’s Classic Auto Body in Grafton for many years, restoring classic street rods. He enjoyed prospecting for gold and was in the process of forming a business “Week-Enders Gold” prospecting equipment in Grafton.

Friends called at the Ricker Funeral Home in Enfield on Saturday from 9 a.m. until noon. Memorial contributions may be made to the Grafton Police Department, c/o Merle Kenyon, Grafton, NH 03240.

Survivors include: his wife, Rachel Prosser of Grafton; his mother, “Betty” Prosser Jackson of Cumberland, RI; a daughter, Michelle Mullen of Groton, NH; a daughter, Barbie Lemire of Gilford, NH; a brother, Stephen Prosser of Eden Mills, VT; a sister, Barbara Semenkow of Lincoln, RI; a sister, Betty-Jo Jackson of Woonsocket, RI; his maternal grandmother, Beatrice Meenan of Smithfield, RI; five grandchildren, aunts, uncles, nieces, nephews and cousins.

Adrian Lionel “Boots” Jette

from the January 22, 1997 issue of The Country Chronicle

Lebanon, NH–Adrian L. “Boots” Jette, 80, died Saturday morning, January 18, 1997, at the Dartmouth-Hitchcock Medical Center in Lebanon. He was born in Lebanon, NH April 5, 1916, the son of Napoleon A. and Albina (LaLiberte) Jette. He graduated from Sacred Heart School and attended Lebanon High School where he was proud to have been on the Class of 1934 undefeated season football team. He enjoyed hunting and fishing and had a great interest in football. Mr. Jette was a 23 year volunteer fireman on the Lebanon Fire Department; was a life member of the NH State Fireman’s Association; and was a past president of the Lebanon Fireman’s Association. He was also a life member of the Hartford, VT Lodge of Elks. He had been employed as a spinner in the Lebanon Woolen MIlls, and later became Supervisor of the Buildings and Ground Dept. of Dartmouth College in Hanover, NH; retiring April 1, 1979. He was married to Regis (Heath) on Sept. 5, 1938.

Friends called at the Ricker Funeral Home, 56 School Street in Lebanon, and a Mass of Christian Burial was celebrated Tuesday, January 21, at 10:00 a.m. in Sacred Heart Church of Lebanon. Burial followed in the Valley Cemetery.

In lieu of flowers, the family requested memorial contributions be made to the Upper Valley Senior Center, 10 Campbell St., Lebanon, NH 03766.

Survivors include: Wife Regis H. (Heath) Jette, Lebanon; Sons: Earl R. Jette, Lebanon; and James J. Jette of Enfield; Daughters: Marguerite E. Baliko, Valley Lee, MD, and Anne M. Jette, Lebanon. Sisters: Yvonne St. Jean, Lebanon and Helen Bonneau of Williston, VT and brother Philip Jetter of Silver Springs, FL; 11 grandchildren, 7 great-grandchildren and many nieces, nephews and cousins.

Preceded in death by: 4 Brothers: Theodore-Antonio-Roland-Olivia; 3 sisters: Blanche-Eva-Rose and 1 grandson, Tyree John Baliko.

Helen Irene Blanchard

from the February 19, 1997 issue of The Country Chronicle

Lebanon, NH–Helen Irene Blanchard, 79, died at the Dartmouth Hitchcock Medical Center in Lebanon on Friday, February 7, 1997. The daughter of Leon & Lula (Taft) Hackett, she was born on April 28, 1917 in Springfield, VT. Mrs. Banchard was an Upper Valley resident all of her life and was a graduate of Springfield High School. In 1941 she was married to Herman Blanchard, Mr. Blanchard died in 1956. For 29 years she was employed as a Nursing Associate at Mary Hitchcock Memorial Hospital in Hanover retiring in 1982. She was a caregiver her all of her adult life. She was a member of the West Lebanon Congregational Church; The Meriden Grange; The Kings Daughters; and was a volunteer for the hospice of the Upper Valley after retiring in 1982.

Friends called at the Ricker Funeral Home on Sunday afternoon from 3-4 p.m. and Sunday evening from 7-9 p.m. Funeral services were held at 11 a.m. at the First Congregational Church in West Lebanon. Burial will be in the spring in the Moulton Cemetery in Meriden. Memorial contributions may be made to: Hospice of the Upper Valley, Mt. Support Rd, Lebanon, NH 03766 or to The West Lebanon Congregational Church, Maple St, W. Lebanon, NH 03784.

Survivors include: a son, George Blanchard of Lebanon; a daughter, Sue Ann Gallant of Salina, KS; a daughter, a daughter, Mary Lou Hannah of Lebanon; five grandchildren, eight great-grandchildren, several cousins.

The Ricker Funeral Home of Lebanon was in charge of arrangements.

Evelina M.A. Packard

from the February 19, 1997

West Lebanon, NH–Evelina M.A. Packard, 89, of Lebanon, died Friday, February 7, 1997 in Lebanon. The daughter of George & Anna (Couture) Levesque, she was born on May 30, 1907 in Lisbon, ME. She had lived in Claremont for many years where she attended St. Mary’s School. She had been a resident of this area since 1930 when she married Hersey Packard. Mr. Packard died on May 29, 1988. She was employed for many years in the patients service kitchen at Mary Hitchcock Memorial Hospital in Hanover until retirement in 1981. She was a member of Holy Redeemer Church in West Lebanon.

Graveside services were held on Tuesday at 11 a.m. at the West Lebanon Cemetey with the Rev. Donald Jeffrey officiating. Memorial contributions may be made to the Diabetes Foundation or to the Holy Redeemer Church, Maple St, W. Lebanon, NH 03784.

Survivors include: a son, Brent Packard of Millsboro, DE; two grandchildren, many nieces and nephews.

The Ricker Funeral Home was in charge of arrangements.

Florence Atwood Guthrie

from the February 19, 1997 issue of The Country Chronicle

Lebanon, NH–Florence Atwood Guthrie, 108, died Monday, Feb. 10, 1997 at the Grafton County Nursing Home in North Haverhill, NH. She was born in Lubec, ME June 1, 1888, and was the last surviving of five children born to the late David & Sarah (Lake) Moore. She had been a longtime resident of Lebanon, NH where she attended the First Baptist Church. She loved to cook and was a devoted mother, grandmother and great-grandmother. She was the widow of Henry E. Guthrie who died Oct. 29, 1974.

Friends called at the Ricker Funeral Home in Lebanon on Thursday evening from 7-9 p.m. Funeral Services were conducted Friday afternoon at 2 p.m. in the First Baptist Church of Lebanon with the Rev. Dale Edwards officiating. Burial followed in the Valley Cemetery in Lebanon.

Survivors include: his son, Clifford Guthrie of Quechee, VT; a son, Gleason Guthrie of Canaan, NH; a son, Douglas Guthrie of West Canaan, NH; a daughter, Vivian Tinker of West Canaan (formerly Lubec, ME); a daughter, Daisy Sunn of Canaan, NH; a daughter, Jennie Biggs of North Walpole, NH; 28 grandchildren; 31 great-grandchildren; several great-great-grandchildren, nieces, nephews and cousins.

The Ricker Funeral Home of Lebanon was in charge arrangements.

Warren Douglas Proctor

from the February 19,1997 issue of The Country Chronicle

Enfield, NH–Warren Douglas Proctor, 86, died Monday morning, Feb. 10, 1997 at the Alice Peck Day Memorial Hospital in Lebanon, NH. He was born in Freemont, NH April 26, 1910, the son of the late Percy and Jennie (Brooks) Proctor. He attended schools in Freemont, later graduated from Manchester, NH Central High School, and attended the University of New Hampshire. He had been employed by Cote Buick in Derry, NH from 1934-1942. Mr. Proctor was a U.S. Army Veteran of WWII and served from 1942-1946. He was involved in various battle including the Battle of the Bulge, and received a Purple Heart. The Government of Belgium nominated Warren as a Fellow in the Court of Leopold II, and award him with the Croix de Guerre with Palm for bravery and wounds received in the liberation of Belgium. Following his discharge he worked as a salesman until 1950 when along with his wife Dorothy, operated the Proctor’s General Store in Enfield Center until it was sold to his son in 1979.

Mr. Proctor was a longtime member and had served as trustee at the Enfield Center Union Church. He was also a 32nd Degree Mason; and was a member of the V.F.W. in White River Jct.,VT.

There were no calling hours. Funeral services were conducted on Wednesday morning at 11 a.m. in the Enfield Center Union Church. Burial will be in the spring in the Mt. Calm Cemetery in Enfield Center.

Memorial contributions in memory of Mr. Proctor may be made to: The Enfield Center Union Church, P.O. Box 82, Enfield Center, NH 03749.

Survivors include: his wife, Dorothy Mae (Wilson) Proctor of Enfield Center; a daughter, Sandra Pregent of Lebanon; a son, James Proctor of Enfield Center; a sister, Eva Clark of Lynchburg, VA; a sister, Doris Oakes of Salisbury, NH; a sister, Carrie Magoon of Dover, NH; a grandson, Ethan Pregent of Lebanon, NH; many nieces, nephews and cousins.

The Ricker Funeral Home of Lebanon was in charge of arrangements.

Harriet F. Welch

from the February 26, 1997 issue of The Country Chroncicle

Canaan, NH–Harriet Foster Welch, 84, died Friday, Feb. 20, 1997 at the Alice Peck Day Memorial Hospital in Lebanon, NH. She was born in Newport, VT June 29, 1912 the daughter of the late Walter A. and Bertha (Aldrich) Dane. She attended schools in Newton Center, MA and was a graduate of Smith College with a degree in French literature. An accomplished musician and dancer, she taught ballet and tap dance in the Boston area. During WWII she served with the U.S. Army Air Corps in the China/Burma Theatre as a Staff Asst. for the American Red Cross in India. Her home on Canaan Street was the setting for annual summer shows featuring her family as instructors and musicians and including a wealth of locally recruited talent. Harriet was married to Austin H. Welch, a former Professor at Dartmouth Hitchcock College, The University of New Hampshire, and the First President of the former Canaan College. Mr. Welch died in 1983.

She is survived locally by her dear friend and caretaker Velma Adams of Canaan, NH.

Harriet was preceded by her parents; and 2 sisters: Barbara and Helen Dane. There are no known surviving family members.

Robert E. Lawson, Sr.

from the February 26, 1997 issue of The Country Chronicle

Canaan, NH–Robert Edward Lawson, Sr., 51, died Sunday, Feb. 16, 1997 at his home following a long illness. He was born in Laconia, NH Sept. 13, 1945, the son of Kenneth and Viola (Bragg) Hooker Sr. He attended schools in Epsom, Canaan, and was a graduate of Lebanon High School – Class of 1964. He had been employed by NYNEX in Lebanon as a mechanic for 25 years. He was a member of the Lebanon Lodge of Elks, and a member of the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers Local #2320 of Manchester. He enjoyed working out in the gym and flower gardening. He was married to Esther Woodley, May 7, 1994. Memorial Contributions in memory of Robert may be made to: The Norris Cotton Center, 1 Medical Center Drive, Lebanon, NH 03756.

Survivors include: Wife, Esther (Woodley) Lawson, Enfield, NH; Mother, Viola (Bragg) Hooker, Meriden, NH; Son, Robert Lawson, Jr., Claremont, NH; Daughter, Laurie Ulbricht, Yorktown, VA; Stepdaughter, Vicki McAlister, Canaan, NH; Stepdaughter, Karen Hammond, Lebanon, NH; Sister, Linda Bean, Deerfield, MA; Sister, Cindy Passner, Hanover, NH; Sister, Carole Kennedy, Philidelphia, PA; Sister, Donna Clark, Haverhill, NH; Sister, Linda Labbie, Ryegate, VT; Brother, Ken Hooker, Jr., Canaan, NH; Brother, Richard Hooker, Cambridge, NY; Brother, Timothy Hooker, Claremont, NH; Brother, Kevin Hooker, Meriden, NH; Brother, Thomas Hooker, Lebanon,NH; 2 grandchildren, many aunts, uncles, nieces, nephews and cousins.

Preceded in death by: Father Kenneth Hooker, Sr.

Mary Frances Grace

from the March 5, 1997 issue of The Country Chronicle

Orange, NH–Mary Frances Grace, 76, died Saturday, February 22, 1997 at Genesis Elder Care in Lebanon, NH following a long illness. She was born in Lynn, MA September 28, 1920, the daughter of Dr. Frank & Edith (Lister) Mitchell. She attended schools in Grafton and Canaan, NH. She had lived in this area most of her life and had been a member of the Mt. Cardigan Square Dance Club. She was married to Elwin H. Grace–her husband of 56 years–in 1941. She was a homemaker all of her life and was dedicated to her family.

Friends called at the Ricker Funeral Home, Route 4 in Enfield on Tuesday evening from 7-9 p.m. Funeral services were conducted Wednesday afternoon at 2 p.m. in the Canaan United Methodist Church. Burial will be at a later date in the Canaan Street Cemetery.

Memorial contributions in memory of Mrs. Grace may be made to: Mascoma Home Health Care, Main St, Canaan, NH.

Survivors include: her husband, Elwin H. Grace of Orange; a daughter, Jean Ollis of Enfield; a daughter, Linda Lashua of Canaan; her twin sister, Jeanne Evans of Canaan; a sister, Dottie Lull of Potter Place, NH; a sister, Bernice Houze of Franklin; three grandchildren; five great-grandchildren; many nieces, nephews and cousins. She was preceded in death by her brother, Allan Mitchell.

Lane Dwinell

from the April 2, 1997 issue of The Country Chronicle

Hanover, NH–Lane Dwinell, 90, of Hanover, the only person in New Hampshire history to hold the offices of House Speaker, Senate President and Governor in successive terms, died Thursday, March 27th, 1997, in his home at Kendal at Hanover.

He was born Nov. 14, 1906 in Newport, VT, the son of Dean and Ruth (Lane) Dwinell. He attended schools in Newport and Pasadena, CA before moving to Lebanon for his senior year in high school. He graduated from Lebanon High School in 1924, from Dartmouth College in 1928 and from Amos Tuck School of Business at Dartmouth College in 1929.

In 1932 he married Elizabeth Cushman of Lebanon, and they lived for a time in New York City where Gov. Dwinell was employed in the Treasurer’s office of General Motors Corp. from 1929 to 1936. They returned to Lebanon in 1936 when Mr. Dwinell joined his father in Carter & Churchill Co., the family-owned clothing manufacturer that was later known as Profile Skiwear. He was actively involved in that business for 31 years, most of them as Chief Executive Officer and it grew to become a nationally recognized maker of skiing apparel.

In 1946 and 1947 he was president of the New Hampshire Manufacturer’s Association. He was also involved over the years as a director of the Northern Railroad, Granite State Electric Co., Currier & Co. in Lebanon, the Lebanon Industrial Development Authority, the New England Council Vermont Motor Inns, and the New Hampshire Business Development Corporation. He was a longtime trustee of Mary Hitchcock Memorial Hospital, and also served as a trustee of Colby-Sawyer College in New London, Dartmouth College, and the University of New Hampshire. He was given honorary degrees from the later two, as well as Suffolk University and New England College.

He was associated with the National Bank of Lebanon (now Citizens Bank) for more than 30 years beginning in 1947, when he was elected to the Board of Directors. He was chairman of the board from 1968 to 1979, during which time the bank became the first in the state to open a branch office.

He became active in local affairs shortly after his return to Lebanon, winning election to the town budget committee and serving as a Special Justice of the Lebanon Municipal Court.

His entry into state politics came when he was elected to represent Lebanon at the 1948 Constitutional Convention. He was also elected to the legislature that year, by which time he had already served four years on the state Board of Education.

He chaired the House of Ways and Means Committee in his first term, and in his second he was elected Speaker. Following that term, he was elected in 1952 to the stat Senate, where he was chosen President. He followed up that two-year stint by winning the Governor’s office in November 1954, and was re-elected in 1956.

During his gubernatorial tenure he applied private sector principles to state government by tightening accounting procedures and gave state employees healthy raises to diminish excessive turnover. He also signed a bill that provided state aid for school construction, and another that allowed groups of school districts to band together to form cooperative districts. Under that bill, districts that banded together were given extra money for school construction.

The state’s interstate highway system also was laid out during his tenure, and he also hosted President Dwight D. Eisenhower, which set the stage for the next phase of his career.

After leaving state government in 1959, Gov. Dwinell was appointed by President Eisenhower to be Assistant Secretary of State for Administration, overseeing the department’s budget, personnel, and embassy operations, a job that took him and Mrs. Dwinell to U.S. embassies around the world.

He left that post in 1961 and returned to Carter & Churchill, but re-entered the federal government in 1969, when President Richard M. Nixon appointed him an administrator of the Agency for International Development. That job also entailed much foreign travel, and he held it until 1971. He also was appointed by Nixon in 1971 to the Board of Foreign Scholarships, and reappointed in 1974 by President Ford.

In 1972 he was chairman of President Nixon’s re-election campaign in New Hampshire, and Nixon’s official announcement of his intention to seek a second term was made in the form of a personal letter to Gov. Dwinell, which he was authorized to make public.

He also served as chairman of President Ronald Reagan’s New Hampshire campaigns in 1980 and 1984.

His involvement in politics at the state and federal levels led to his attending seven Republican National Conventions from 1952 to 1988. He chaired the New Hampshire delegation to those conventions in 1956, 1968, 1972, 1980 and 1984.

He and Mrs. Dwinell underwrote many community causes during their more than 60 years in Lebanon, including a wing of the Lebanon Library, the pool at the Carter-Witherall Center, and the publishing of a new Lebanon history in 1994.

He was a member of the Lebanon Rotary Club, Theta Delta Chi Fraternity, Sons of American Revolution, Sons of Colonial Wars, Moose and Grange.

He was predeceased by a sister, Eleanor Boreilla, and his wife Elizabeth C. Dwinell, who died on Oct.29, 1996. He is survived by nieces and nephews.

Memorial services following a private burial will be held on Monday, March 31, at 11 am in the First Congregational Church of Lebanon. The Rev. Richard N. Slater will officiate. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to: The Alice Peck Day Memorial Hospital, 10 Alice Peck Day Drive , Lebanon, NH 03766. Arrangements are under the direction of the Ricker Funeral Home of Lebanon, NH.