College news
• Kirsten Fox of Brattleboro, who is pursuing a B.A. in studio art, and Kazui Kusumi of South Londonderry, who is pursuing a B.S. in business administration, are members of the Class of 2020 at Colby-Sawyer College in New London, N.H.
• Brennen Zolnoski of Brattleboro was welcomed into Western New England University's chapter of Alpha Lambda Delta National Honor Society on Aug. 26, during the University's Convocation ceremony. Zolnoski is majoring in biomedical engineering.
• William Baker of Londonderry is a member of the Class of 2020 at Colgate University in Hamilton, N.Y.
Obituaries
• Burdette Bruce Bills, 87, of Wardsboro. Died Sept. 19. Born Sept. 3, 1929, in Wardsboro, the son of Melbourne L. and Mabel M. (Fitzpatrick) Bills. He was involved for many years at his family's saw mill, primarily trucking logs. Due to his trucking experience, he was a natural fit to be the Road Commissioner for the town of Wardsboro, a position he held for 12 years. He believed his biggest undertaking was re-building parts of Route 100 that washed out in the Flood of 1976. Later, he moved part of his family to Greenville, S.C. While there he worked for Tommy Tucker, a construction company that built Waffle Houses all around Greenville. He always looked forward to hunting, a love he instilled in each of his boys. He spent his retirement years learning the finer aspects of golf, but mostly just sticking around Wardsboro, growing a garden with the love of his life, Rosalee, and then canning the fruits of their labors every fall. He was proud of the accomplishments of his children and loved each one very much. He is survived by his wife and best friend of 67 years, Rosalee; seven children, Gary and his wife, Judy, of Belton, S.C., Michael and his wife, Karlam, of Marlboro, Beth and husband Jeff Smith, of Pelzer, S.C., Judy and her husband, Michael Lamson, of Brewer, Maine, Tracy Bills of Pelzer, S.C., Carol Satterfield of Pelzer, S.C., and Jeffrey and his wife, Spring, of Brownsburg, Ind.. He was “Bomp” to 12 grandchildren and 11 great-grandchildren. He is also survived by his siblings Everett and his wife Katherine, Alan Bills, Beverly Capen, and Kathleen and her husband John Meeks, all of Wardsboro; and many nieces and nephews. In addition to his parents, Burdette was predeceased by brothers, Lee and Milton Bills, brother-in-law Francis Capen, sons-in-law Tim Sherman and Bobby Satterfield, and three sisters-in-law, Inez Bills, Janet Bills, and Annette Bills. Memorial information: A graveside service was held Sept. 24 in West Wardsboro Cemetery. Donations to Grace Cottage Foundation, P.O. Box 1, Townshend, VT 05353. Atamaniuk Funeral Home of Brattleboro handled arrangements. To sign an online guestbook with messages of condolence, visit www.atamaniuk.com.
• Glen S. Euber, 42, of West Brattleboro. Died Aug. 10 in a house fire that also claimed the life of his sister, Michelle Blake. Born Jan. 30, 1974, in Middlebury, the son of the late Philip and Wilma (Cram) Euber. He attended school in Salisbury, then moved with his family to Brattleboro in 1980. Survivors include two brothers, Jamie Euber of Forest Dale and Stacey Euber of Bellows Falls, and nieces and nephews. He was also predeceased by two brothers, Philip Euber Jr. and Vincent Euber. Memorial information: A graveside committal service was held Sept. 26 at Forestdale Cemetery in Brandon.
• Lillian Carrie (Turner) Grout, 84, of South Londonderry. Died Sept. 17 at Springfield Health and Rehabilitation. She was born April 26, 1932, in Milton, the daughter of the late Elmer and Isabell Turner. She graduated from Milton High School in 1952. She lived in Londonderry most of her adult life. She worked in retail, restaurants and baking, her specialty being doughnuts. She loved reading, spending time with family. She is survived by her daughter, Deborah Derby and her son, Gary Grout; four grandchildren; one great-granddaughter; a brother, Walter Turner; and her former husband, Edwin Grout. Memorial information: A celebration of her life will be held in the near future and a private family burial will be held at a later date.
• William A. Johnson Sr., 82, of Vernon, formerly of Brattleboro and Rutland. Died Sept. 16, at Gifford Medical Center in Randolph. Born on Oct. 27, 1933 in Proctor, the son of John and Evelyn (Black) Johnson Jr., he grew up in Rutland, graduating from Mt. St. Joseph Academy in 1951. He also attended the University of Vermont. He married Carol A. Turner in 1962. He was a licensed professional engineer and worked for various companies in engineering and maintenance in Vermont and New Hampshire. He was a communicant at St. Michael's Roman Catholic Church in Brattleboro. He was a fourth degree member of the Knights of Columbus and past faithful Navigator. Over the years, he enjoyed hunting and fishing, especially ice fishing on Lake Champlain. He also enjoyed drawing portraits and oil/acrylic painting. He was the “adult in charge” with many projects with his grandchildren. Survivors include his wife of 54 years, Carol Johnson of Vernon; two daughters, Kathy (Johnson) Flynn and her husband, Brian. of South Burlington and Susan Johnson of Brattleboro,; a son, William Johnson Jr. and his wife, Karen, of Stockbridge; two sisters, Mary (Johnson) Mazzariello, and her husband, Tom, of Rutland and Evelyn Mae (Johnson) Lohmann and her husband Ray, of Amherst N.H.; two sisters-in-law: Connie Johnson of Wallingford, and Gay Johnson of North Clarendon; a brother, Michael Johnson and his partner, Laura, of Rutland. Also survived by six grandchildren, one great grandson, and nieces and nephews. He was predeceased by two brothers, John T. Johnson and Robert E. Johnson. Memorial information: A funeral Mass was held on Sept. 22 at St. Michael's Roman Catholic Church, with burial in Evergreen Cemetery in Rutland. Donations to First Branch Rescue Ambulance, P.O. Box 74, Chelsea, VT 05038.
• Albert “Albie” Lober, 68, of Westminster. Died Sunday, Sept. 18. He was born in Bellows Falls on Jan. 5, 1948, the son of Allen and Alice (Rousell) Lober. He was a 1966 graduate of Bellows Falls High School. He worked for Farr's Garage, Gleason's, Holmes Transportation, L&L Auto, and retired from ABF in 2009. After retirement, he drove a truck for Bucky Adams and Mr. G's. He enjoyed his grandchildren, hunting, fishing, boating, and spending time at the Kurkul Farm. Surviving is his wife of 50 years, Susan (Lynch) Lober; his sons James of Westminster and Thomas of Sharon; his brothers John of Bomoseen and Robert of Westminster; and five grandchildren. He is predeceased by his parents and his sister, Mary Lober. Memorial information: A memorial service will be held Sunday, Oct. 2, at 2 p.m., at Fenton & Hennessey Funeral Home in Bellows Falls, followed by a reception at the Westminster Firehouse. There are no calling hours. Donations may be made to the Westminster Fire Department.
• Eugene “Gene” L. Morse, 80, of Vernon,. Died Sept. 20 at his home, following a long bout with various health issues. Born in Jacksonville on Jan. 2, 1936 to Wendell P. and Hilma (Bishop) Morse. He graduated from Whitingham High School in 1953. He then entered the Navy and was honorably discharged as Electrican's Mate, First Class after serving four years on the USS Tarawa. He met Joan A. Braman from North Adams, Mass., at a Morse's Barn Dance and they got married in 1959 at the Burrington Hill Ski Resort in Whitingham. He has resided in Readsboro, Jacksonville, and Vernon. Gene had worked for the North River Dairy, New England Power Co., Sprague Electric, Morse & Burnett, Albee Mill, American Optical, Cersosimo Lumber, and Dompier Electric. He was also a Past Master of Unity #89, F & AM, of Jacksonville, VT and the Elks Lodge #1499 of Brattleboro, VT. He is survived by his wife; a daughter, Linda J. Millard and her husband, Matthew, of Jamaica; a sister, Roberta M. Kellogg of White River Junction; three grandchildren; one great-granddaughter and several nieces, nephews and cousins. Memorial information: A graveside service was held Sept. 23 at Sadawga Cemetery in Whitingham. Donations to the Whitingham Ladies Benevolent Society, in care of Covey Allen & Shea Funeral Home, P.O. Box 215, Wilmington, VT 05363.
• Robert “Bob” Murdock, 87, of Whitingham. Died Sept. 22 at home. Husband of Hildur Holland Murdock for 59 years. Father of Melody J. Eccher, and her husband, Robert, of White River Junction, Melissa J. Matz and her husband, Richard, of Canal Winchester, Ohio, and Betsey R. Huri of Manchester, Conn. Also survived by five grandchildren and four great-grandchildren. Predeceased by siblings Raymond Murdock, Catherine Teft, Forrest (John) Murdock and Harry Murdock. Born March 30, 1929, the son of the late Clara Lois Hicks Murdock and Harry Edgar Murdock of Whitingham, he operated Murdock Trucking in his early years and then worked for the town of Whitingham and retired as Road Commissioner. He was a lifelong resident of Whitingham and was very civic-minded. He was a member of the Whitingham Fire Department since the age of 16, retiring as Chief. He was a founding member of the Whitingham Rescue Squad, a member of the Selectboard and, previously, a member of the Masons, the North River Grange, and the 85 Club. He was an avid reader and, for fun, would listen to podcasts of various southern Vermont Selectboard meetings. Memorial information: A memorial service was held Sept. 25 at Jacksonville Community Church. Donations to the Whitingham Fire Department, P.O. Box 368 Jacksonville VT 05342 or Whitingham Historical Society, P.O. Box 125, Jacksonville VT 05342.
• Barbara M. (Johnson) Powling, 82, of Williamsville. Died Sept. 17 at Dartmouth-Hitchcock Medical Center in Lebanon, N.H. She was born in Keene, N.H., on May 7, 1934; the daughter of the late Cedric and Beatrice (Wright) Johnson. She was educated in the Guilford school system and was employed as a manager at Discount Beverage Redemption Center in Brattleboro until her retirement. She enjoyed gardening, hunting, fishing, raising farm animals, cooking, canning, music, Western movies, and trivia. She was a U.S. history buff and an avid reader. She will always be remembered by her family as a great, hardworking, determined woman who loved her family and never gave up. She is predeceased by a sister, Pauline Johnson. She is survived by three sons, Robert Powling of Marlboro, Bruce Powling of Brattleboro, and Mark Powling and his wife, Wannetta, of Williamsville; a daughter, Barbara Ann Young and her husband, Alan, of Marlboro; a brother, James Johnson and his wife Sue; five sisters, Yvonne Serrell of Guilford, Elaine Keyes of Athens, Sharon Caples of Newfane, Jaquelin Johnson of Denver, Colo., and Pamela Amidon of Athens; ten grandchildren; numerous great-grandchildren; as well as many nieces, nephews and cousins. Memorial information: A funeral service was held Sept. 23 at Ker-Westerlund Funeral Home in Brattleboro, with burial in Center Cemetery in Marlboro. Condolences may be offered at www.kerwesterlund.com.
• John Leon Rec, 96, formerly of Brattleboro, Died in his sleep at Vernon Green Nursing Home, where he and his wife, Arlene, have made their home for the past four years. Born on May 30, 1920, in Bondsville, Mass., the second of three sons born to Leon and Antonina (Szufnarowski) Rec. His family moved to Hinsdale, N.H., where he attended schools in the Class of 1938. His family moved to Brattleboro in 1936, where John worked first as a doffer at the Berkshire Hathaway Cotton Mill. After he was married, he studied and became an agent-telegrapher for the Boston & Maine Railroad. He worked at several locations, including Putney and East Northfield, Turners Falls, and Williamstown, Mass. Later, he was employed by the U. S. Postal Service. John served in the Army during World War II in the Pacific Theater of Operations, where he was among the first occupation troops in Japan, working in communications as a telegrapher. He was honorably discharged in August 1946. He married Arlene (Smith) Rec in 1939; they had just celebrated their 77th anniversary. He was a member of the B.P.O. Elks, Brattleboro Lodge #1499, the American Legion, and V.F.W. Carl M. Dessaint Post #1034. In his earlier years, he served as a Little League coach. In his leisure time, he enjoyed dancing, especially polkas, playing cribbage and golf, reading, doing crossword puzzles, and rooting for the Boston Red Sox. He liked playing the accordion and the harmonica. He was a faithful American Red Cross blood donor, credited with donating more than 10 gallons during his lifetime. In addition to his wife, he is survived by two children, Jeanne R. LaClair (Charles) of Shelburne, Vt., and Michael J. Rec (Carol) of Ocala, Fla. Additionally, they have three grandsons. His parents and his brothers, Francis and Thaddeus, predeceased him. Memorial information: A funeral Mass was held Sept. 27 at St. Michael's Catholic Church in Brattleboro, with committal rites and burial with full military honors in North Cemetery in Vernon. Donations to Vernon Green Nursing Home Activities Fund, 61 Greenway Drive, Vernon, VT 05354. To sign an online guestbook with messages of condolence, visit www.atamaniuk.com.
• Henry R. Shattuck, 89, a former resident of Winhall and Bondville. Died Sept. 11 at the Southwestern Vermont Medical Center in Bennington. Born in Winhall on Aug. 27, 1927, he was one of 11 children born to Harry and Ruth (Ross) Shattuck. He grew up on the family farm and had been a farmer most of his life. He also worked as a property caretaker for Randy Amidon and David Glabach. He enjoyed deer hunting and loved fishing, taking every opportunity to go whenever he could. In later years, he would spend his leisure time playing Yahtzee and completing puzzle books. He leaves his sisters Lilla Hall of Jamaica and Eunice Squires of Castleton, sisters-in-law Lena Shattuck, Lia Shattuck, Alice Shattuck and Arlene Shattuck, and many nieces, nephews and cousins. He was predeceased by siblings Almon, William, Eugene, Harold, Fran, Margaret, Frank and Robert. Memorial information: Graveside funeral services will be held at the Winhall Hollow Cemetery on Saturday, Oct. 1, at 2 p.m. Donations to the Londonderry Rescue Squad or Northshire Baptist Church, in care of Brewster-Shea Funeral Home, P.O. Box 885, Manchester Center, VT 05255.
• Graveside committal services for Emory “Sonny” Felch Jr. will be conducted Sunday, Oct. 2, at 2 p.m., in Meetinghouse Hill Cemetery in Brattleboro. Mr. Felch died on July 4, 2016 at Darmouth-Hitchcock Medical Center in Lebanon, N.H.