Category: Uncategorized

Valma Bertha Coutermarsh

From the October 8, 2001 issue of The Coutry Chronicle

Enfield, NH–Valma B. Coutermarsh, 87, of Enfield died on Saturday, September 30, 2001 at the Dartmouth-Hitchcock Medical Center in Lebanon. She was born in Lebanon on February 2, 1914, a daughter of Albert and Leda (Lambert) Bassett. She was a lifelong resident of this area and attended Lebanon schools. On November 25, 1937 she was married to Robert P. Coutermarsh. They made their home in Lebanon, Crystal Lake in Enfield and wintered in Florida until 1993. Mr. Coutermarsh died on May 6, 2000. Prior to her retirement she had worked at the Lebanon Woolen Mill, Baltic Mill in Enfield, and H.W. Carter & Son in Lebanon. She and her husband rented cabins on Crystal Lake in Enfield for 55 years. They enjoyed spending time with their family at the Lake.

She is survived by two daughters, Betty Daigle and Donna Roberts, both of W. Lebanon, 5 grandchildren, 12 great-grandchildren, many nieces and nephews. She was predeceased by a brother, Stanley Bassett, and two sisters, Alda Chagnon and Blanche Leonard.

Friends called at the Ricker Funeral Home in Lebanon on Tuesday afternoon from 2-4 and Tuesday evening from 7-9. A Mass of Christian Burial was celebrated on Wednesday at 11 a.m. at the Sacred Heart Church in Lebanon. Burial followed in the Sacred Heart Cemetery in Lebanon.

Madeline Grace Kilton

From the November 19, 2001 issue of The Country Chronicle

W. Canaan, NH–Madeline Grace (Smith) Kilton, 83, died Sunday November 11, 2001 at the Alice Peck Day Extended Care Facility in Lebanon, NH. She was born in Lebanon, NH December 17, 1917, a daughter of the late Perley & Iva (Royce) Smith. She attended Enfield schools and had lived locally all of her life. She was married to her husband of 64 years John “Roger” Kilton Sr. on February 6, 1937. She had worked at the Baltic Woolen Mills, ran a campground, did housecleaning, and spent many years taking care of neighborhood children. She and her husband owned and operated the family farm in W. Canaan for many years. In addition to raising her own three children, she also raised her sister’s children, Pat, Jeannie and Jim Thornton. She enjoyed watching birds, knitting, reading, walking, playing cards with friends and her “babies.”

She was predeceased by a brother, Malcom J. Smith of Hartford, VT. She is survived by her husband: John “Roger” Kilton Sr. of Canaan, NH; her three sons: John “Roger” Kilton Jr. of Canaan, NH, Grant A. Kilton of Newport, NH and Theodore A. Kilton of Canaan, NH, one sister: Shirley Oldenburgh of Daytona Beach, FL; two brothers: Wendell A. Smith of Daytona Beach, FL, and Perley “Bill” Smith of Bradford, VT; 10 grandchildren; several great-grandchildren; and many nieces, nephews and cousins.

There were no calling hours. Graveside committal services were held Thursday afternoon at 1 p.m. in the Canaan Street Cemetery in Canaan, NH. The Rev. Patricia Williams officiated.

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

Ruth Holt Hadley

From the December 3, 2001 issue of The Country Chronicle

Enfield, NH–Ruth Holt Hadley, 96, of Enfield died on November 22, 2001 at the Genesis Eldercare Center in Lebanon. She was born on November 10, 1905 a daughter of Clinton Howard Holt and Ida May (Ames) Holt. She grew up in Milford and Amherst, NH and graduated from Keene State College in 1926 with a Bachelors Degree in Education. She returned to Amherst where she taught high school. On June 26, 1937 she married Harold Hadley, they moved to Hanover, NH where they made their home for 23 years. They later moved to Mascoma Lake in Enfield. Mr. Hadley died in 1964. Mrs. Hadley was a dedicated teacher for 40 years. She taught in Whitefield, Woodsville and Orford where she served as principal and later at Lebanon Junior High School for 23 years retiring in 1971. She was an 80 year member of the Grafton Star Grange #60 in Hanover and a member of the Hartford Emblem Club #150, and the Mascoma Valley Retired Educators.

She is survived by a son Robert W.H. Hadley of Duxbury, MA, a sister Barbara Kuligren of Woodenville, WA, 2 granddaughters, 5 great grandchildren, many nieces and nephews.

She was predeceased by 3 brothers; William, Herbert, and Donald Holt, and a sister Gertrude Benotti.

Friends called at the Ricker Funeral Home in Lebanon on Monday afternoon from 2-4 and in the evening from 7-9 pm. Funeral services were held on Tuesday at 2 pm at the First Congregational Church in Lebanon with the Rev. Richard N. Slater officiating. Burial will be at a later date in the Glenwood Cemetery.

Memorial contributions may be made in her name to the Lebanon Dollars for Scholars Scholarship Fund c/o Raymond Plante, 15 Dana St, W. Lebanon, NH 03784.

Jessie G. “Thug” Roberts

From the December 3, 2001 issue of The Country Chronicle

Lebanon, NH–Jessie “Bing” Roberts, 77, died suddenly early Sunday morning at the Dartmouth-Hitchcock Medical Center in Lebanon, NH. He was born in Canaan, NH on June 9, 1924 a son of Cyrus and Annabelle (Beaton) Roberts.

He grew up in Canaan, where he later enlisted in the US Army during WWII. He served in the European Theatre and following discharge returned to Lebanon where he was married to Eleanor Jardine on September 14, 1946. They made their home in Lebanon for 43 years. Mrs. Roberts died in 1991. He had been employed by W.C. Eaton, Inc. and Evans Motor Fuels for 28 years retiring in 1983. On May 25, 2000 he was married to Florence King. They enjoyed traveling to Arizona together during the winter. He was a member of the Lebanon Lodge of Elks, American Legion, the Eagles Club and the VFW in White River Jct, VT. He loved his family, working around his home, and spending time at his cabin in Strafford, VT.

He is survived by his wife Florence of Lebanon, 2 sons; James Roberts of W. Lebanon and Donald Roberts of Grantham, 4 grandchildren, 4 great-grandchildren, many nieces and nephews, 6 step-children; David King of Arizona, Bruce King of Lyme, Douglas King of Grantham, Debra Thurston of Lyme, Daniel King of Lancaster and Steven King of Lebanon. Many step-grandchildren and great step-grandchildren.

He was predeceased by 3 brothers; John, Leonard and Walter Roberts.

There were no calling hours. Funeral services were held on Wednesday at 2 pm at the First Baptist Church in Lebanon with the Rev. Dale Edwards officiating. Burial followed in the W. Lebanon Cemetery. The family suggested in lieu of flowers memorial contributions be made in his name to the Alopecia Foundation.

Ricker Funeral Home was in charge of arrangements.

Leon E. Armstrong

From the January 14, 2002 issue of The Country Chronicle

Enfield, NH–Leon E. Armstrong, 81, of Enfield, died on Friday morning, January 4, 2002, at his home. He was born in Stark, NH on August 29, 1920 a son of George and Hattie (Abbott) Armstrong. He grew up in Percy, NH and attended schools in Conway. He enlisted in the US Army during WWII serving in the European African Middle Eastern Theatre. Following discharge he moved to the Upper Valley in 1946. He was a life member of the American Legion in Lebanon and Newport, NH. He served as a Grafton County Deputy Sheriff and was a part-time police officer for the town of Enfield. He enjoyed hunting, fishing, reading Westerns and was known for his kindness and the help he often gave to many elderly people.

He is survived by his fiancee Pat Boucher of Enfield and was predeceased by a brother, James Armstrong. At his request there will be no services. Burial will be in the Conway Village Cemetery at a later date. Ricker Funeral Home of Lebanon is in charge of arrangements.

Donna Rae Moore

From the August 13, 2001 issue of The Country Chronicle

N. Providence, RI–She leaves her husband: John F. Moore of Canaan, NH; her mother: Alice (Castro) Bociek of Central Falls, RI; a daughter: Roberta “Misti” Rose of N. Providence, RI; a son: Donti Rosciti of Cranston, RI; a sister: Roberta Corsi of Pawtucket, RI; two brothers: Alfred Benoit Jr. of N. Providence, RI and Allen Benoit of Riverside, RI; two grandchildren; and many nieces, nephews and cousins.

There were no calling hours. A Mass of Christian Burial was celebrated Monday morning at 10 a.m. in the St. Mary’s Church in Canaan. The Rev. Paul Rainville M.S. officiated. Burial followed in the Canaan Street Cemetery.

The family requested that in lieu of flowers memorial contributions in her memory be made to: The Canaan F.A.S.T. Squad, Canaan, NH 03741; or to The Visiting Nurse Alliance of VT & NH (VNA/VNH), or Hospice of the Upper Valley, both at 325 Mt. Support Rd., Lebanon, NH 03766.

Arrangements were under the direction of the Ricker Funeral Home in Enfield, NH.

Thomas O. Ireton

From the September 10, 2001 issue of The Country Chronicle

Canaan, NH–Thomas G. Ireton, 72, of Canaan died on Wednesday evening at the Dartmouth-Hitchcock Medical Center in Lebanon. He was born in New York, NY on April 21, 1929 a son of John and Caroline (Brinkmann) Ireton. He came to Canaan at the age of 2 where he grew up and attended schools. He enlisted in the US Air Force in 1947 during WWII and remained with the Air Force until his discharge in 1961 as a Staff Sergeant. Following discharge he moved to Fairfield, CA where he owned and operated automobile service stations and repair shops. In 1972 he moved back to Canaan and was married to Judy Arnold on Nov. 11, 1972. He has been self employed in this area operating Ireton Construction and Tom’s Used Cars in Canaan. He served as road agent and several terms as a selectman for the town of Canaan. He was a member of the Canaan arid Fairfield, CA Lions Clubs and held his private pilots license. While in California he flew with the Solano County Sheriff’s Department search and rescue air squadron. He enjoyed traveling, camping, town and national politics, and wintering in Inverness, FL.

He is survived by his wife Judy Ireton of Canaan, 2 sons Lanny Thomas Ireton of Benicia, CA, Terry Lynn Ireton of Vacaville, CA, a brother John Ireton of Canaan, a sister Louise Poell of Concord, NH, 3 grandchildren, nieces and nephews.

Friends may call at the Ricker Funeral Home in Enfield on Sunday evening from 7-9 p.m. Funeral services will be held on Monday at 10:00 a.m. at the Canaan Methodist Church in Canaan. Burial will be at a later date in the Sawyer Hill Cemetery in Canaan. Memorial contributions may be made in his name to the Canaan Senior Center, Church St., Canaan, NH 03741.

Phyllis C. Withington

From the August 6, 2001 issue of The Country Chronicle

Canaan, NH–Phyliss C. Withington, 75, of Canaan died suddenly on Monday, July 30, 2001 at the Dartmouth-Hitchcock Medical Center in Lebanon. She was born in Orange, NH on June 29, 1926 the daughter of Pearl and Bertha (Grace) Cross. She was a lifelong resident of this area and was married to Robert H. Withington on June 29, 1953. Mrs. Withington had been employed at Dartmouth College for many years before her retirement in 1988. She enjoyed crafts work and camping with her family. She is survived by her husband of Canaan, two children-Diane Boisvert of Claremont and Douglas Withington of Canaan, three granddaughters, two great-grandchildren, two sisters-Dorothy Kendall of Canaan and Gloria Machon of Vicksburg, MS, nieces and nephews. She was predeceased by a sister, Ellen Gowing and a brother, George Cross.

Friends called at the Ricker Funeral Home in Enfield on Thursday evening from 7-9 pm. Funeral services were held at the Canaan United Methodist Church Friday at 11 am with the Rev. Patricia Williams officiating. Burial followed in the Wells Cemetery in Canaan.

William A. LaFountain

From the August 6, 2001 issue of The Country Chronicle

Enfield, NH–William A. LaFountain, 90, died Saturday, July 28, 2001 at the Veterans Hospital in White River Jct., VT following a brief illness. He was born in Chicopee Falls, MA on October 13, 1910, a son of the late Albert & Sophie (Murk) LaFountain, and as a young boy had lived on his father’s freighter. He was a U.S. Army Veteran of WWII and served as a canoneer with the 172nd Field Artillery. A resident of Enfield, NH since 1930, he had worked as an auto mechanic for several years and was the owner/operator of Bill’s Tidol Station. He later went into the carpentry business. He was known as a man who never said “no” to anyone, and would do anything for anyone regardless of their ability to pay. Mr. LaFountain was a member of the Elks for over 30 years. He was married June 1, 1983 to Marion L. (Smith) at St. Helena’s Church in Enfield. Mrs. LaFountain died October 19, 1993.

He was predeceased by his wife, two sisters-Sylvia LaFountain and Laura LaFountain, and a brother, Francis LaFountain. Mr. LaFountain leaves several nieces and nephews.

Friends called at the Ricker Funeral Home on Rte 4 in Enfield on Tuesday evening from 7-9 pm. A Mass of Christian Burial was celebrated Wednesday morning at 10 am in St. Helena’s Church in Enfield with the Rev. Paul Rainville M.S. officiating. Burial followed in the Oak Grove Cemetery in Enfield, NH.

In lieu of flowers memorial contributions in memory of Mr. LaFountain may be made to a charity of one’s choice.

Barbara M. Christ

From the August 13, 2001 issue of The Country Chronicle

Harrison, AR–Barbara M. Christ, 50, died suddenly at her home in Harrison, AR on July 30, 2001.

She was born May 19, 1951 in Manchester, NH, daughter of Margaret (Connoly) and Robert G. Bressett. She was educated in the Manchester schools and graduated from St. Anselm’s College with a B.S. RN.

She enlisted in the U.S. Army Medical Corps becoming an anesthesiologist and was assigned to duty in Germany where she met her husband, Paul Christ.

After their retirement in 2000 they relocated to Arkansas.

Survivors include her husband, parents, sister, Ann Nistler of Sartell, MN and a niece and nephew.

Interment will be in Arkansas at later date.