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Richard Pominville
MIDDLEBURY — Long-time dairy farmer and former Middlebury selectman Richard Pominville, 74, died at his home in Middlebury on Friday, Dec. 16, 2005.
Tapped in 1966 as the Vermont Jaycees’ Outstanding Young Farmer, he was also active in civic life. He served on local elementary and secondary school boards, was state president of the Dairy Herd Improvement Association and was a member of a number of boards including the National Bank of Middlebury board of directors and, during the 1990s, the Middlebury Board of Selectmen.
A funeral service will be held at 11 a.m. on Wednesday, Dec. 21, at St. Mary’s Church in Middlebury.
GLADYS ELLIOTT WHEELER
PITTSFORD — Gladys Elliott Wheeler, 91, a former resident of Forestdale, died Saturday, Dec. 17, 2005, at the Rutland Regional Medical Center.
She was born in Chittenden on Oct. 20, 1914, the daughter of Arthur and Nellie (Chapin) Elliott. She graduated from Pittsford High School in 1934. Afterwards she attended Alfred University in Jamestown, N.Y.
In 1938 she married Guy R. Wheeler. She was a housewife and homemaker while raising her family. In 1959 she began work as an aide at the Brandon Training School. She retired in 1971 as a village supervisor. While residing in Forestdale she attended the Forestdale Wesleyan Church where she served as secretary to the Ladies Missionary Society. She belonged to the North Chittenden Wesleyan Church and served on the board of directors, as well as being a church pianist.
She is survived by two daughters, Janice A. Gearwar of Brandon and Jeanette E. Osterhout and her husband, Ken, of Forestdale; a sister, Shirley Matson and her husband, the Rev. Gerald Matson, of Glens Falls, N.Y.; nine grandchildren; 16 great-grandchildren; three great-great grandchildren; and several nieces, nephews and cousins.
She was predeceased by her husband in 1949; a son, the Rev. Earl A. Wheeler in 1989; a brother, Charles Elliott in 1971; and a grandson.
The funeral service was held on Wednesday, Dec. 21, at the North Chittenden Wesleyan Church. The Rev. Joel Tate, pastor, officiated. A private burial followed in the family lot at Horton cemetery in Chittenden.
Memorial gifts may be made to the North Chittenden Wesleyan Church, c/o Rev. Joel Tate, 27 Holden Road, Chittenden, VT 05737.
RICHARD POMINVILLE
MIDDLEBURY — On Feb. 19, 1931, in a farmhouse in Leicester, Richard Pominville was born the fourth of eight children to Eugene and Alberta (Larocque). On Dec. 16, 2005, Richard died at home encircled by his loving family.
From French Canadian decent, Richard learned to speak English at age five. He graduated from Middlebury High School in 1948. His parents and his mother and father-in-law, Doris and Harley Grice, nurtured his love of farming, his lifelong career.
A dream of owning a farm became a reality shortly before his marriage to Shirley Grice in 1953. Together, they raised five children on a growing dairy farm in Middlebury. In 1966, Richard was named Outstanding Young Farmer by the Vermont State Jaycees, a national honor that ignited Richard’s fondness of travel and the start of many new friendships across the country. Richard was a Farm Journal panelist and contributed to numerous other publications for innovative farming techniques. The many agricultural committees for which Richard served made him well known and respected for unique dairy farming practices.
Richard gave heartily of his time for civic duties, both for the town of Middlebury and the state of Vermont. These commitments included serving 12 years on local elementary and secondary school boards, state president of the Dairy Herd Improvement Association, a Middlebury Rotarian (1972-2005), a member of the National Bank of Middlebury board of directors (1973–2003), a board member of the Vermont Land Use Commission and a member of the Middlebury zoning board. Richard taught himself how to read music and became a talented organ player, while he sang lyrics to the great old songs of the fifties. He enjoyed “ski-doodling,” and also conquered the Vermont slopes by learning to downhill ski at High Pond in Brandon.
In the early ’80s, Richard’s life changed. He became an artist, a college student, an avid hiker of many Vermont peaks as well as the Long Trail, a cross-country skier, a biker who participated in triathlons, but most of all, a cancer survivor. At just 52, Richard was diagnosed with prostate cancer, a disease that ultimately took his life 22 years later.
Richard married Sandra Disorda in 1989 on the peak of Camel’s Hump. Together, they designed a wonderful island home, complete with a front window waterfall, on Munger Street in Middlebury. Richard enjoyed his new relationships with Sandra’s sons Jeff, Brian and Mike, as well as her extended family. During the 1990s, Richard continued serving his community as a member of the Middlebury board of selectmen. He gradually handed his farm over to his son Joel, which is now one of the largest organic dairy farms in the state of Vermont. Traveling, a good joke and laughter with friends peppered Richard and Sandra’s marriage. They also endured a roller coaster ride of recurring cancer and Parkinson’s disease trials with unceasing confidence of his ability to conquer those obstacles.
In addition to his wife, Sandra, and beloved dog, Teddy, he leaves his children, Charles, Kathy, Jon and his wife, Lori, Joel, and Beth and her husband, Dennis Smith. Richard’s grandchildren, Elizabeth West and her husband, Micky, Jonathan and his wife, Bobbi, Jessica, Jennifer, Joel, Sam, Lily and Phoebe, will always cherish and miss their grandfather. Richard is also survived by his first wife, Shirley; his sisters, Yvette Cook and her husband, Robert, Marie, and Susan and her partner, Roger Stone; and a brother, Maurice and his wife, Sonja.
Richard was predeceased by his parents and siblings, Frances, Charles and Patricia Simone.
Contributions may be made in Richard’s name to the Elderly Services Scholarship Fund in Middlebury. A funeral service was held on Wednesday, Dec. 21, at St. Mary’s Church in Middlebury.
CORBY PALMER
ADDISON — Corby N. Palmer, 18, died Thursday, Dec. 15, 2005, at Porter Hospital in Middlebury. He was born on March 2, 1987 in Middlebury, the son of Kathleen (Ball) Palmer and Whitney N. Palmer.
He enjoyed life and doing new things, especially bird-banding. Some of the red-tailed hawks and other birds of prey seen in the area were banded by him as part of a science class taught at the Patricia A. Hannaford Career Center.
He was a member of the Vergennes Post No. 14 Sons of American Legion.
He is survived by his mother, Kathleen Palmer of Addison; his father, Whitney Palmer of North Ferrisburgh; his grandmothers, Leah Ball and Eleanor Palmer, both of North Ferrisburgh; and several aunts and uncles.
He was predeceased by an uncle, Michael Ball.
Funeral services were held Tuesday, Dec. 20, at the Brown-McClay Funeral Home in Vergennes.
Memorial contributions may be made to Patricia A. Hannaford Career Center, 15 Charles Ave., Middlebury, VT 05753.
Ricki Paul Morin
SALISBURY — Ricki Paul Morin, 50, died early Tuesday morning, Dec. 20, 2005, at his home in Salisbury.
He was born in Middlebury on Oct. 21, 1955, the son of Rejean and Arlene (Whitney) Morin. He attended local schools and graduated from Middlebury High School in 1973.
He enlisted in the U.S. Army after high school and was honorably discharged. He was a member of the American Legion of Middlebury. He worked as a self-employed painter around Addison County.
He is survived by his parents; his companion of 19 years, Elaine Fregard of Middlebury; a daughter, Naomi Manning of Ripton; a son, Shane Morin of Middlebury; two sisters, Joyce Dupoise and Kathy Houle, both of Salisbury; four brothers, Oral Morin of Middlebury, David and Robert Morin of Salisbury and Jan Morin of Port Henry, N.Y.; a granddaughter and a grandson; several aunts and uncles; and numerous nieces, nephews and cousins.
He was predeceased by an infant son.
A graveside service will be held at a later date.
MARK STEPONAITIS
VERGENNES — Mark Steponaitis died unexpectedly on Friday, Dec. 16, 2005.
Born in Tampa, Fla., he was an athlete and a musician. He enjoyed dirt biking, hunting and outdoor sports. He attended the University of South Florida and served in the U.S. Air Force.
He was married for 24 years to his wife and best friend, Cookie. He had three children, Jackie, Rachel and Jacob.
He is survived by his wife and children; his mother-in-law, Irene Thomas; a brother, Terry Steponaitis and his wife, Donna, who helped raise him; a brother, Richard Steponaitis; and an uncle Russell Steponaitis and his wife, Yolie.
A celebration of his life was held on Monday, Dec. 19, at the American Legion in Vergennes.
Contributions may be made to the Mark Steponaitis Scholarship Fund, c/o Lenore Morse, Vergennes Union High School, 50 Monkton Road, Vergennes, VT 05491.
Robert Francis Cartland
MIDDLEBURY — Robert Francis Cartland, 99, died Dec. 18, 2005, in Middlebury. He was born Nov. 13, 1906 in Derby to Lawrence and Frances Cartland.
He was educated at Jericho Corners School and Jericho Center High School. He also took many correspondence courses including sign and show card lettering, store window merchandise display and store interior decorating.
He was employed by J.C. Penny and Montgomery Wards in the Northeast. He was also manager of Brown McDonald Department Stores in Kansas, Nebraska and Colorado in the Midwest. He then purchased the Grey Shop in Middlebury. He also served one year in the military with the 250th Engineers Combat Battalion.
He was a member of the American Legion; a member of the Libanus Lodge No. 47 Free and Accepted Masons; a 32nd degree Mason with the Valley of Burlington Scottish Rites; a member of the Vermont Consistory; and a member of Cairo Temple of Rutland. He was also a Green Mountain Boy and a member of the Congregational Church of Middlebury, where he was a deacon. He was a member of the Middlebury Lions Club and the Rotary Club.
He is survived by his wife, Marion, whom he married June 17, 1961, and his many nieces and nephews.
He was predeceased by two wives, Zella Shedd Cartland and Ethelyn Langdin Cartland; a sister, Evelyn McNally; a half-sister, Jessie Hitchcock; and a half-brother, Harley Sherman.
A memorial service will be held on Sunday, Jan. 8, 2006, at 1 p.m. at the Congregational Church of Middlebury. The Rev. Marthinus Riekert, pastor, will officiate. A private burial will take place at a later date.
Memorial contributions may be made to the Shriners Hospital for Children, c/o Charles Baker, 51 Washington St., Rutland, VT 05701; Addison County Home Health and Hospice, P.O. Box 754, Middlebury, VT 05753; or the Congregational Church of Middlebury, 27 N. Pleasant St., Middlebury, VT 05753.
Caroline Bonvouloir
BURLINGTON — Caroline Bonvouloir, 96, died Wednesday, Dec. 15, 2005, at Fletcher Allen Health Care after a long battle with Alzheimer’s disease.
She was born in Pawtucket, R.I., on Nov. 13, 1909, the daughter of Levi and Celina (Gauthier) Bonvouloir. In her youth, she also lived in New Bedford, Mass., and Shelburne, Vt. Following graduation from the School of Cosmetology in Hartford, Conn., she worked as a hairdresser in Springfield, Mass., most of her life.
She was survived by a nephew, Roger Bonvouloir and his wife, Phyllis, of Orwell, and many other nephews, nieces, grand-nieces and grand-nephews.
She was predeceased by 15 siblings.
A Mass of Christian burial was celebrated on Monday, Dec. 19, in Shelburne. The burial will be at a later date in St. Genevieve cemetery in Shoreham. In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to the Alzheimer’s Association, 338 River St., P. O. Box 1139, Montpelier, VT 05601-1139.
Helen Lathrop
MIDDLEBURY — Middlebury Friends Meeting (Quakers) will hold a memorial service for former member and former Lincoln resident Helen Lathrop. Lathrop, who lived in Reading, Pa., died in November. The memorial service will be Jan. 22 at 4 p.m. at Havurah House on 56 North Pleasant St. in Middlebury. All friends of Helen are welcome to attend.
Lathrop, who was born in Alberta, Canada, was a member of the Middlebury Friends Meeting until she moved away in 1988. She is survived by her son, Peter and his wife, Patricia; her daughter, Susan; two granddaughters; and two great-granddaughters.
Her husband, Milo, who was born in Lincoln, predeceased her in 1982.
She requested no gifts or donations, but asked that people continue to work for peace and justice.
John A. Berger
TUNBRIDGE — John A. Berger, 62, died Thursday, Jan. 5, 2006, at Dartmouth Hitchcock Medical Center in Lebanon, N.H., after a brief illness. He was born Nov. 8, 1943, in Middlebury, the son of Frank and Lucille (Warner) Berger.
He attended school in Middlebury, graduating in 1962 from Middlebury Union High School. He served in the U.S. Army during the Vietnam War. On May 28, 1966, he married Ruth Oliver of East Middlebury. They lived in Middlebury for a short time before moving to Tunbridge.
He worked a few years for the Middlebury Police Department, before attending game warden training school at the University of Maine in Orono. He became a game warden for the State of Vermont Fish and Game Department, where he had the Chelsea/Tunbridge district. He retired in 1996 after 30 years of service.
He enjoyed hunting, fishing and reading. He was a member of the Chelsea Fish and Game Club and the National Rifle Association.
He is survived by his wife; a daughter, Betsy L. Berger of Tunbridge; a sister, Joan Maloy and her husband, William, of East Middlebury; an aunt, Grace Warner of Middlebury; and a niece of Middlebury.
There will be no public calling hours or funeral service. Burial will be at a later date in the Hunt cemetery in North Tunbridge.
Memorial contributions may be made to the American Cancer Society, Vermont Division, 13 Loomis St., Montpelier, VT 05602
ELLEN E. BEECHER
MIDDLEBURY — Ellen E. Beecher, 66, died on Jan. 11, 2006 at the Vermont Respite House in Williston. She was born in Middlebury on Nov. 27, 1939, the daughter of Henry N. and Evelyn (Shea) Beecher.
She was a member of the last class to graduate from the old Middlebury High School in 1957. She graduated from Becker Junior College in 1959. She then joined the Navy and, upon discharge, lived in Burlington where she took courses at Champlain College.
She spent years volunteering at the YMCA, where she taught young children how to swim. She also volunteered at the Mary Fletcher Hospital.
Upon returning to Middlebury she volunteered at many nonprofit organizations, such as Round Robin and the Retired and Senior Volunteers program. She was a member of the Catholic Daughters of America, Disabled American Veterans Otter No. 21, Waves National, Green Mountain Girls No. 113 and St. Mary’s Catholic Church.
She is survived by a sister, Margaret Cole and her life partner, Phil Cote, of Huntington; a brother, Jerry Beecher and his wife, Claire, of Shelburne; and several nieces and nephews.
A Mass of Christian Burial was celebrated on Saturday morning, Jan. 14, at St. Mary’s Catholic Church. The Rev. Justin Baker, parish priest, officiated. Burial will be in the spring in St. Mary’s cemetery.
Memorial contributions may be made to Vermont Respite House, 99 Allen Brooke Lane, Williston, VT; the Visiting Nurse Association of Chittenden, County; or the charity of one’s choice.
Caroline L. (Zeno) Culver
BRISTOL, Conn. — Caroline L. (Zeno) Culver, 79, of Gaylord Street in Bristol, Conn., died on Tuesday, Jan. 10, 2006, at the Nursing Care Center of Bristol. She was born in Middlebury, Vt., on July 5, 1926, the daughter of Louis and Grace (Shepard) Zeno.
She is survived by four daughters, Susan Reinhard and her husband, Keith, of West Hartland, Pamela Raines and her husband, Herbert, of Southington, Lynn Danelio and her husband, Carmen, of Oaks, Pa., and Lisa Paquette and her husband, David, of Simsbury; a sister, Meta Cota; a brother, Glenn Zeno; nine grandchildren; and seven great-grandchildren.
She was predeceased by her husband, Vernon M. Culver, and two sisters, Irene McKinnon and Marie Collette.
A funeral service was held on Saturday, Jan. 14, at the Brown-McClay Funeral Home in Bristol, Vt. Burial followed in Greenwood cemetery.
Memorial contributions may be made to the American Cancer Society or the American Kidney Foundation.
