Obituaries
Editor's note: The Commons will publish brief biographical information for citizens of Windham County and others, on request, as community news, free of charge.
• Caroline Arletta Palmer Bailey, 84, of Brattleboro. Died Feb. 15 at Thompson House. Wife of the late Jackson Holbrook Bailey for 43 years. Mother of Jay and his wife, Janet, of Brattleboro; Christopher and his wife, Nadya Belianina, of Tucson, Ariz.; and Bruce and his wife, Lucy, of Hesperus, Colo., and Linda Bailey and her husband, Edwin de Bruijn, of Brattleboro. Sister of Stuart Palmer of Medford, N.J. Born in Indianapolis, daughter of C. Mervin and Esther Allen Palmer, she attended George School in Newtown, Pa., and received her high school diploma there in 1943. Attended Earlham College in Richmond, Ind., graduating with a B.A. in Biology in 1949. Moved to Japan with her husband, whom she met at Earlham, under the auspices of the American Friends Service Committee, doing relief work in Tokyo from 1951 until 1954. Over the next 40 years, they returned to Japan many times. In the early 1980s, they spent a year in Japan doing research on the history and people of Tanohata village in northeastern Japan. That work was the basis for a book published in 1991, Ordinary People, Extraordinary Lives. Her work focused first on the family, but also included being active in the Society of Friends wherever she lived, and traveling with and supporting her husband in his various collegiate and international activities. When her husband officially retired from Earlham in 1994, they moved to Brattleboro. Memorial information: A memorial service will be held March 26 in Brattleboro. Donations to American Friends Service Committee, 1501 Cherry St, Philadelphia, PA 19102.
• Carol Anne Bradeen, 49, of Athol, Mass. Died Feb. 12 at her son's home in Athol. Mother of Jessica and Steven McGivern of Athol. Sister of Mary Farrar. Stepsister of Mark Harris of Boulder, Colo.; Raymond Harris of Tucson, Ariz.; and Daniel Harris of Lafayette, Colo. Born in Newport, Vt., the daughter of Harold and the late Eloise (Thurber) Bradeen, and grew up in Brattleboro and Vernon. Graduated from Brattleboro Union High School, Class of 1980. Moved to Athol in 1986 and was employed at MBW, where she worked for 14 years and had many friends. Memorial information: Funeral services were held Feb. 15 at Fiske Funeral Home in Athol. Donations to the Carol Bradeen Memorial Fund, in care of Athol Savings Bank, P. O. Box 937, 444 Main Street, Athol, MA 01331.
• Winifred R. Clark, 97, of Brattleboro. Died Feb. 14 at Hilltop House in Brattleboro, where she had been a resident since 1998. Born in North Bennington, the daughter of Rev. James S. and Edith (Clawson) Clark, she graduated from high school in Northboro, Mass., in 1930 and then came to settle in West Brattleboro in 1936, where family members had lived since 1815. She attended Middlebury College and was a graduate of Marlboro College. Taught fourth grade in the Hinsdale (N.H) Elementary School for eight years, was later was a secretary at the Northfield-Mount Hermon School. She had also been employed by the Experiment in International Living, and held various sales positions for a number of stores in Brattleboro as well. For the past 73 years, she was an active member of the First Congregational Church of West Brattleboro, where she served as Sunday School teacher, historian, and as a missions committee member. She was also involved during the early years of the Brattleboro Habitat for Humanity and gave generously of her time and money to many other charitable organizations. She appreciated local musical concerts and special times with friends, and loved knitting, crocheting, and sketching. Memorial information: A time of remembrance was held at the First Congregational Church on Feb. 20. Donations to the First Congregational Church Memorial Gift Fund, P.O. Box 2389, Brattleboro, VT 05303.
• Alton L. Cutler, 86, of Brattleboro. Died Feb. 19 at Vernon Hall. Husband of the late Shirley A. Whitney for 54 years. Father of Pamela Layman and husband, Keith, of Port Jefferson Station, N.Y.; Cindy Manley and partner, David Fredericks, of Harrisburg, Pa.; and Sheila Starkey of Columbia, S.C.; and Joseph Cutler and partner, Kelly Brown, of Holden, Mass. Brother of Barbara Cutler of Vernon; Sadie Shippa of Northfield, Mass.; Shirley Cutler of Newfane; Robert Cutler of Ohio; and Richard Cutler of Vernon. Predeceased by three sisters, Joyce Dunklee, Madeline Aldrich and Phyllis Holmes. Born in Ware, Mass., the son of Leroy and Doris (Goldsmith) Cutler. He was raised and educated in Ware and attended schools in Athol. Served in the Army during the Korean War. Spent 10 years working for Perkins Home Center in West Chesterfield, N.H. Prior to that, he worked at Brown & Roberts Hardware in Brattleboro for 20 years. Was a communicant of Vernon Advent Christian Church and was a member of the Vernon Seniors. Enjoyed woodworking, clock building, fishing, hunting, snowmobiling, and vegetable gardening. Memorial information: A funeral service will be conducted on Feb. 24 at 10 a.m. at the Vernon Advent Christian Church. Burial in North Cemetery in Vernon will take place in the springtime. Donations to Grace Cottage Hospital, c/o Dr. Robert Backus, P.O. Box 216, Townshend, VT 05353, or to Vernon Hall, 13 Greenway Drive, Vernon, VT 05354. Condolence messages may be sent to www.atamaniuk.com.
• Frank Wilder Johnson Jr., 61, of Vernon. Died Feb. 18 at his home. Husband of Nancy J. Fitts for 10 years. Father of Mark Johnson and his partner, Michael Smith, of Florida; and Martha Dubois and her husband, Ricky, of Barre. Brother of Dennis Johnson and wife, Cheryl, of Henderson, N.C.; Alane Bruce of Brattleboro; and Paula Ewen and her husband, Rod, of Athol, Mass. Predeceased by a brother, Douglas Johnson. Born in Brattleboro, the son of Frank and the late Evelyn (Sanderson) Johnson. Raised and educated in Vernon and was a graduate of Brattleboro Union High School. Class of 1967. Mr. Johnson earned many certificates of excellence and accreditations as a licensed power plant engineer. For the past 19 years, he was the power plant engineer for the Brattleboro Retreat. He also worked as a maintenance supervisor at the Grafton Village Cheese Co. After high school, he worked at the Molly Stark Furniture Co., and spent 19 years at the Smead Lumber Co., both in Vernon. He was a very caring person who had a love for nature and enjoyed hunting, vegetable gardening, making maple syrup and going on cruises. He also took pride in the fact that he built his own home, where he enjoyed cooking and hosting gatherings for his many friends and family. Memorial information: A funeral service was held Feb. 23 at the Vernon Union Church. Burial in West Dummerston Cemetery will take place in the springtime. Donations to the Windham County Humane Society, P.O. Box 397, Brattleboro, VT 05302. Condolence messages may be sent to www.atamaniuk.com.
• Evelyn Kerber, 89, of Vernon. Died Feb. 10 at Vernon Hall Assisted Living. Wife of the late Paul Kerber. Mother of Arthur Kerber and his wife, Akemi, of Millerton, N.Y.; and Peter Kerber and his wife, Beverley, of Guilford. Sister of Helen Auletta of Melville, N.Y.; and George Deal of Northport N.Y., Predeceased by brothers Adam and Walter Deal, and a sister, Alice Bliss. Born in Hicksville, N.Y., the daughter of Bertha and Joseph Deal of Oyster Bay, N.Y. During World War II, she worked on airplanes as a “Rosie the Riveter” at Republic Aviation. After the war, she and her husband established and ran Kerber Poultry Farm in Huntington, N.Y., for 25 years. In 1967, they moved to Antrim, N.H., and went into the real estate business. Oil painting, dried flower arrangements and gardening were her interests and pastimes. She was known for her high energy, good spirits and catching smile. Memorial information: A spring graveside service will be held in Maplewood Cemetery in Antrim N.H. Donations to the Activity Programs at Vernon Hall, 15 Greenway Drive, Vernon, VT 05354 or Hillsboro House, School Street, Hillsboro, NH 03244.
• Irving G. Laycock, 74, of New Smyrna Beach, Fla. Died Feb. 11 at the Southeast Volusia Hospice Care Center in Edgewater, Fla. Husband of the late Nowana Laycock and the late Catherine Layock. Father of Debra (Joe) Gilman and Cindy Steel, both of Guilford. Brother of Donald Laycock of Mesa, Ariz. Born in Providence, R.I., he was an industrial food caterer and co owner of Food Service of New Hampshire in Keene, N.H. He moved to New Smyrna Beach 24 years ago. An Air Force veteran, he was a life member of the Elks Lodge in Keene and a member of the American Legion Post 17 and AMVETS, both in New Smyrna Beach. He was also a single engine flight instructor and enjoyed flying, playing cards, traveling and fishing. Memorial information: No service information was available. Donations to Hospice of Volusia/Flagler, Southeast Volusia Care Center, 4140 S. Ridgewood Ave., Edgewater, FL 32141.
• Kermit Reilly, 80, of Londonderry. Died Feb. 17 at home. Born on the family farm on Reilly Road, the son of Tressie and Floyd Reilly, he was the first of his extended family to go to college, graduating from the University of Vermont in 1953. In the years after college, he continued to work with his parents on the farm while picking up jobs in the community, including the Swiss Inn and at Bromley Mountain. For more than a decade, he was a postal route driver in Londonderry. As Justice of the Peace, he presided at hundreds of weddings over the past 40 years. He became a Deacon of the Peru Congregational Church at age 33. He took that calling seriously and began to preach, preaching there through the many years when it was without a pastor. Soon, he found himself doing funerals for friends and neighbors, weaving wonderful memories of those who had died. Memorial information: A memorial service will be held at the Peru Congregational Church at 10 a.m. on March 12, with a burial to follow in the spring. Donations to the Peru Congregational Church Bathroom Fund, P.O. Box 212, Peru, VT 05152.
• Viola Bonnell Rivera, 69, of Brattleboro. Died Feb. 13 at Pine Heights in Brattleboro. Daughter of Peter and Isabel Bonnell. Mother of Kim Clement and Cornelia Rivera. Sister of William Bonnell. Memorial information: A memorial visitation was held Feb. 17 at Ker Westerlund Funeral Home in Brattleboro.
• Albert “Al” Schutzman, 95, of Greenwood, S.C., formerly of Brattleboro. Died Feb. 3 at Hospice House in Greenwood. Husband of the late Veronica Fedorovich for 68 years. Father of Geraldine “Geri” Grant and husband, Ed, of Keene, N.H.; Mary Ann Wren and husband, Timothy, of Abbeville, S.C.; and Miles Schutzman of the Philippines. Predeceased by three brothers, Joseph, Edward, and Julius Schutzman, and a sister, Shirley Gassman. Born in New York City, the son of Harry and Rae (Jacobs) Schutzman, he served in the Army in Europe during World War II. Following the war, he returned to New York City, where for many years he worked as a cab driver. He later worked in the restaurant business with his wife where they owned and operated Burger Chef in Boyertown, Pa. In 1982, the Schutzmans relocated to Brattleboro and opened a restaurant on Putney Road under the same name. The restaurant eventually was leased and became Hardees. Active fraternally, he was a 32nd degree Mason and a former member of Brattleboro Lodge #102 F&AM. His membership within the Masons spanned 60 years. Enjoyed horseback riding, travel, socializing with other people, watching Western movies and time shared with his family. He was known for his generosity and spirit of friendship. Memorial information: Burial in St. Michael's Parish Cemetery in Brattleboro will be in the springtime. Donations to Brattleboro Area Hospice, 91 Canal Street, Brattleboro, VT 05301 or to a hospice program of one's choice.
• Edna C. Whidden, 85, of Brattleboro. Died Feb. 14 at Dartmouth-Hitchcock Medical Center in Lebanon, N.H. Wife of the late Junie Whidden for 60 years. Mother of Diana Page of Brattleboro; Dennis Whidden of Brattleboro; and Edward Whidden of Arkansas. Predeceased by a son, Randolph, and three sisters and four brothers. Born in Long Island, Maine, the daughter of Harry and Clara Alexander Clarke, she was raised and educated in Portland, Maine, and was a graduate of Portland High School. She was a faithful and devoted homemaker for most of her life and for a number of years had worked as a telephone operator in Portland after graduating from high school. Of her pastimes and interests, she enjoyed crocheting and time shared with her family, especially her grandchildren. Memorial information: A memorial service was held Feb. 18 at the Atamaniuk Funeral Home in Brattleboro. Donations to Shriners Children's Hospital, 516 Carew Street, Springfield, MA 01104-2396. Condolence messages may be sent to www.atamaniuk.com.
• Harriet (Taylor) “Bonnie” Wood, 84, of Brattleboro. Died Feb. 15 at Dartmouth-Hitchcock Medical Center. Wife of the late Joseph Wood for 19 years. Stepmother of Robert Wood of Venice, Fla., and Douglas Wood of Guilford. She was predeceased by a sister, Dorothy Yeltema. Born in Fort Myers, Fla., the daughter of Arthur and Mada (Driggers) Taylor. She was a lifetime member of the Eagles and the VFW Auxilliary. Memorial information: A memorial gathering will be held Saturday, Feb. 26, at the High Rise at 107 Elliot St., from 1 to 4 p.m. Graveside services will be held at Morningside Cemetery in the spring.
Births
• In Brattleboro (Memorial Hospital), Feb. 22, 2011, a son, Ethen Michael Lenois, to Sarah Cassell and Michael Lenois Jr. of Bellows Falls; grandson to Michael Lenois Sr., Denise Jordan and Pamela Gleason.
• In Doylestown, Pa., (Doylestown Hospital), Jan. 9, 2011, a daughter, Haley Marie Shepard, to Angela (Holloway) and Corey Shepard of East Norriton, Pa.; granddaughter to Donna and Harvey Noel of Northfield, Mass., the late David Holloway, Gary Shepard of Vernon, and the late Marline Shepard; great-granddaughter to Isabell and Clifford Grover of Bernardston, Mass.
College news
• Seniors Ryan Patterson of Brattleboro and Alison Rowell of Townshend, both of whom attend Elmira (N.Y.) College, were recognized as Cowles Scholars at the college's recent Winter Convocation. Patterson is majoring in Business Administration and is the son of Ann and Tom Patterson. Rowell is majoring in Biology and is the daughter of Robert and Susan Rowell.
• Isabel McLoughlin of Brattleboro is one of 781 students at the University of Mary Washington in Fredericksburg, Va., recently named to the university's Dean's List for the fall semester of the 2010-11 academic year.