Ronald K. Baker Jr.

Ronald K. Baker Jr., 65, died Saturday, March 31, 2018, at Gifford Medical Center in Randolph.

He was born May 11, 1952, in Cambridge, New York, the son of Marion (Lilley) and Ronald K. Baker Sr.

He graduated from Springfield High School, class of 1970.

Mr. Baker married Carri M. Stewart on March 18, 1978, in North Springfield.

He worked for Bryant Grinder Co. in Springfield, Fresenius in Lebanon, New Hampshire, GW Plastics in Bethel, and was a lieutenant at the Springfield Fire Department.

He enjoyed hiking, camping, reading and riding motorcycles.

Survivors include his wife, of Bethel; daughters Emily Frappier, of Berkshire, Dori Baker, of Winooski; brother Bruce Baker, of Bellows Falls, sister Karen Baker Beardsley, of Springfield; and two grandchildren.

Mr. Baker was predeceased by his parents and a brother, Kim.

The private gathering will be held at the convenience of the family. There are no calling hours.

Memorial contributions may be made to Multiple Myeloma Research Foundation at www.themmrf.org/donate-to-mmrf; or Springfield Humane Society at www.spfldhumane.org/donations.html.

Arrangements are by Day Funeral Home in Randolph.

For online condolences, visit www.dayfunerals.com.

Ron and wife Carri

Ron with daughter Emily

Ron with daughter Dori

  (Click on photo to enlarge)

Read More »

Robert M. Siddall

Robert M. Siddall of Springfield passed away at his home on Friday, March 30, 2018 surrounded by his

loving family.

He was born Jan. 20, 1943 in Bantam, Connecticut, the son of Russell and Edith L. (Snyder ) Siddall. He attended and graduated high school and tech school in Connecticut.

On May 14, 1966, he married Claudia Jane Rice in Trumbull, Connecticut.

He was employed as tool and die maker with AFCO in Stratford, Connecticut and later with Peoples Bank as a computer programmer.

He enjoyed working with computers, woodworking, and camping. He loved spending time with his family. He was an avid New York Yankees fan and an avid New York Giants fan.

He is survived his wife Jane, a son, Robert and his children Victoria and Ryan; daughters, Becky, Kathy and Christie; a sister, Carol; a brother, Leslie, nine grandchildren and many nieces, nephews and cousins.

He was predeceased by two brothers, Tom and Jim.

A memorial gathering will be held at the convenience of the family.

Davis Memorial Chapel is assisting with arrangements.

  (Click on photo to enlarge)

Read More »

Nicholas Lynch

Nicholas Lynch, 37, died Friday, March 30, 2018, in Springfield.

He was born Sept. 15, 1980, in Springfield, the son of Scott A. and Cheryl (Emerson) Lynch.

He graduated in 1999 from Springfield High School.

Mr. Lynch was a self-employed petroleum equipment technician and also operated a car detailing business over the years. He enjoyed riding dirt bikes and racing, hunting and fishing, mechanics and rebuilding trucks. He also enjoyed watching football and was a Washington Redskins fan.

Survivors include his mother, father and stepmother Shawna Lynch, all of Springfield; a son, Cory "CJ" Lynch, and a daughter, Morgan Lynch; a stepbrother, Todd Aiken; numerous aunts, uncles and cousins.

He was predeceased by a brother, Corey Lynch.

Calling hours are from 6 to 8 p.m. Thursday, April 5, at Davis Memorial Chapel in Springfield.

The funeral service will be held at 11 a.m. Friday, April 6, at the funeral home with the Rev. Malcolm Fowler officiating. Burial will follow in Oakland Cemetery in Springfield.

Memorial contributions may be made to Davis Memorial Chapel, 99 Summer St., Springfield, VT 05156.

  (Click on photo to enlarge)

Read More »

Jodi L. Gadai

Jodi L. Gadai, 48, passed away unexpectedly on Wednesday, March 28, 2018, at her parents' home in Hartland, Vermont. She was born May 29, 1969, in Springfield, Vermont, the daughter of Nelson and Sherry (Knisley) Smith. She attended Springfield High School, graduating with the class of 1987. She later graduated from Western New England University in Massachusetts.

She worked in finance for several years, but was focused on being a mother and raising her children.

She lived in North Carolina for many years, moving back to Vermont in October 2017.

Jodi was fun-loving and enjoyed time with her family.

She is survived by her parents, Nelson and Sherry Smith of Hartland; one son, Gregory Gadai and one daughter, Hannah Rose Gadai both of North Carolina; one niece, Megan Savoir, and one nephew, Shawn Savoir.

She was predeceased by her sister, Kimberly Smith Savoir, in 2016.

A graveside service will be held at a later date in the Pleasantview Cemetery in Chester, Vermont.

Davis Memorial Chapel in Springfield is assisting with arrangements.

  (Click on photo to enlarge)

Read More »

William R. Guy

William R. Guy of North Springfield, Vermont, died Friday, March 23, 2018, peacefully at his home after a courageous battle with cancer. Bill was born Nov. 26, 1939, in Lebanon, Maine, to Eugene N. and Zelma (Nichols) Guy.

Following the death of his father in 1945, he along with his mother and brother moved to Alton, New Hampshire. In 1955 they moved to Chester, Vermont, where Bill graduated from Chester High School in 1958. After graduation he joined the Army Reserves in Chester. In 1962, Bill married Evelyn Crossman at the First Baptist Church in Chester, Vermont.

Bill became a skilled machinist and over the course of the next five years he was employed at Pratt and Whitney, Cone Automatic and Bryant Grinder.

In 1967 Bill became co-owner of Idlenot Family Restaurants with his brother Eugene, then over the course of the next 20 years, they built up a chain of 12 restaurants in Vermont, New Hampshire and New York, later selling to the Friendly’s Corporation in 1986.

He was a member of the Springfield Elks Club and bowled in leagues for more than 30 years at the Plaza Bowl in Springfield.

Bill’s favorite hobby was restoring and driving his classic cars.

Survivors include his wife Evelyn of North Springfield; his son, Douglas, granddaughters Gillian and Grace Guy and their mother, Georgeann Guy, and brother Eugene (Carol ) Guy, all of Springfield, Vermont; also nieces and nephews. Services will be held at 2 p.m. Saturday March 31, at First Baptist Church on Main Street in Chester, Vermont.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the Springfield Humane Society, 401 Skitchewaug Trail Springfield, VT 05156.

  (Click on photo to enlarge)

Read More »

Russell Roy

Russell Roy, 79, of Weathersfield, passed away Friday, March 23, 2018, at his home. He was born June 13, 1959, in Claremont, the son of Elmer and Evelyn (Valley) Roy.

He attended Springfield High School and graduated in 1956. He and his wife remained active in the affairs of the Class of ’56. After graduation, Russell served in the U.S. Marine Corps from 1956 to 1958. He then went on to work in the area machine tool industry for years at Pratt & Whitney, and for 23 years at Jones, Lamson & Co.

On June 13, 1959, on his 21st birthday, Russell married his high school sweetheart, Betty Lou Partridge. The two remained devoted to each other for the next 58 years.

Russell loved his family, and enjoyed spending time with them; especially giving them a “hard time.” He was also very involved in the raising, training and racing of standardbred trotting horses. He competed at many regional fairs, Saratoga Raceway and Plainridge Raceway. His involvement in horse racing also included a long-time membership in the U.S. Trotting Association. Russell was also an avid outdoorsman, and enjoyed hunting and fishing in his spare time. advertisement

Russell is survived by his wife of 58 years, Betty Lou Roy of Weathersfield. He also leaves behind a brother, James Roy and his wife Gwen, of Tequesta, Florida; two sisters, Hazel Roy of Claremont and Sharon Kramer of Sarasota, Florida; a daughter, Deanna Ballek and her husband Frank of Hartley, Delaware; two sons, Michael Roy of Baltimore, Vermont and Joseph Roy and his wife Jackie, of Springfield, Vermont; five grandsons, Samuel Lau, Benjamin Lau and his fiancee Alexx, Jesse Roy and his fiancee Rochelle, Brady Roy, Justin Roy, and one great-grandson, Kahn Lau.

A private service will be held at a later date.

Contributions may be made in Russell’s memory to the Visiting Nurse and Hospice Association of VT & NH at www.vnhcare.org or P.O. Box 881, Brattleboro, VT 05302. The Davis Memorial Chapel in Springfield, Vermont has been entrusted with arrangements.

  (Click on photo to enlarge)

Read More »

Janice L. Martin

Janice Louise Martin, 95, of Springfield, passed away peacefully on the first day of spring, Tuesday, March 20, 2018, at the Springfield Health and Rehabilitation Center in Springfield.

Janice was born on Aug. 31, 1922, to Edward and Mamie Held in Milwaukee, Wis. She joined a brother Donald, four years her senior. She attended schools in Menomonee Falls, Wis., graduating high school in 1940. Janice attended Whitewater State Teachers College and Prospect Hall Business College and graduated with honors in 1941.

Janice worked at A.O. Smith in Milwaukee as a secretary from 1942-1943. Between 1949 and 1955 she worked as a secretary and bookkeeper, making her home in Minnesota, California, and Illinois where she met her husband Roy Ertler. They were married in 1955.

In 1968 the Ertler family moved to Hollywood, Fla. Janice was a homemaker, a mother to two daughters, and the bookkeeper for her husband’s business, Miami Typesetting Company. After Roy’s passing in 1976, Janice and family moved to Fort Lauderdale where she found employment as a secretary and bookkeeper for a mirror and glass company.

In 1978 through a mutual friend, Janice met Donald Martin from Springfield and in 1979 they were married. They made their home in Charlestown, N.H. and Springfield, until 1984 when Don retired from Jones and Lamson. In retirement, they traveled extensively throughout the United States, then came back to Springfield. Don passed away in 1992.

Janice enjoyed helping others through volunteer work with RSVP and Community Care Network. She loved life. Her warmth, smile, and sense of humor will always be remembered.

In addition to her husbands, Janice was predeceased by her parents, brother, a daughter, a stepson and a niece. Survivors include her daughter, Lori Lull and husband, Robin of Weathersfield, Vt.; stepson, Chris Ertler and wife, Peggy of Wheat Ridge, Colo.; nephew, Robert Mels and wife Marianne of Bartlett, Ill.; and several grandchildren; great-grandchildren; great-nieces and great-nephews.

The family would like to thank the staff at Springfield Health and Rehabilitation for their compassion and care of Janice. Donations in her memory may be made to the Springfield Humane Society, 401 Skitchewaug Trail, Springfield, VT 05156.

There will be no calling hours. A graveside memorial service will be announced at a later date. Arrangements are under the direction of Davis Memorial Chapel, Springfield.

---

UPDATE 04/10/18:

The graveside service for Janice L. Martin, 95, who died March 20, 2018, will be held at 11 a.m. Saturday, April 21, in Oakland Cemetery in Springfield.

The Rev. Gerry Piper will officiate.

Arrangements are by Davis Memorial Chapel in Springfield.

  (Click on photo to enlarge)

Read More »

Janet Rollins

On a sunny afternoon in Rutland, Vermont, March 18, 2018, two days after her 70th birthday and surrounded by her loving family, Janet Rollins took her last breath in this life as she journeyed into her next life to join her parents, and grandson.

Janet was born in Springfield, Vermont, March 16, 1948, to Charles and Thelma Cole (Curtis). She was raised in Andover, Vermont, and graduated from Springfield High School.

Surviving are her four children: a son, Dan Pelkey, his partner, Cindy Pelkey, and their son, Ben Pelkey, of Wallingford, VT; a daughter, Kim Denis, her husband, Kipp, and their sons MJ Denis and Jared Denis, of Proctor, VT; a son, Kevin Pelkey, his wife, Wendy Pelkey, and their daughters Devyn Pelkey and Alissa Pelkey, of Mount Dora, FL; a son, Craig Pelkey, his wife, Laurie Pelkey, and their children Spencer Pelkey, Kaitlyn Pelkey, Evan Perry and Emily Perry, of Pittsford, VT. Also surviving are a sister, Christine Quinn, her husband, Hollis Quinn, and their daughter, Jill Sandonato, of Cavendish, VT; her first husband and father of their children, Steve Pelkey, of Proctor, VT; and second husband, Mark Rollins.

She is also survived by the wonderful staff of nurses at The Pines Nursing Home who cared for her in her last four years of life and who became an extension of her family. Janet's family would like to express their deep gratitude to the nursing staff at The Pines for their dedication and compassion.

Janet was predeceased by her parents; stepfather, Ralph Gamble; and grandson, Samuel Pelkey, son of Dan and Cindy Pelkey.

Janet will be remembered for her spunky, no-nonsense personality and sense of humor, she loved to tease and be teased, and held onto her witty humor until her final weeks. She loved music, pink carnations, hummingbirds and maple trees. She enjoyed swimming, playing Cribbage and Yahtzee, family gatherings and a good visit over coffee. When her home was filled with her loved ones, you would find mom in her kitchen cooking up a storm and it's when her heart was most content. She will be missed.

There will be no calling hours. The family will have a private celebration of her life in the spring.

Arrangements are under the direction of Clifford Funeral Home in Rutland.

  (Click on photo to enlarge)

Read More »

Marlene L. McLeod

Marlene L. (Cochran ) McLeod 81, passed away on Sunday morning March 18, 2018 at the Springfield Health & Rehab. Center in Springfield, Vt. She was born January 22, 1937 in Morrisville, Vermont the daughter of Clyde and Ruth (Churchill) Cochran. She attended schools in Morrisville, graduating from Peoples Academy.

On February 10, 1955 She married Lyle M. McLeod in Burlington, Vermont. He predeceased her on June 27, 2015.

She worked in Food Service at the Fellows Gear Shaper in Springfield for many years, and later worked at the Dunkin Donuts in Springfield.

She was a mother and homemaker and enjoyed knitting and crocheting.

She is survived by 2 sons – Emery McLeod and Steven McLeod, 3 daughters – Penny Hawkins, Shirley Manning, and Janet Kennett, 2 sisters – Adlee Cochran Greenough, and Carolyn Cochran Sanders. Also by numerous grandchildren and great grandchildren, nieces, nephews and cousins.

She was predeceased by 1 brother Calvin, and by 2 sisters – Regina and Modena.

A graveside service will be held at the Vermont Veterans Cemetery in Randolph, Vermont at 11:00 AM on Friday July 20, 2018.

Arrangements are under the direction of the Davis Memorial Chapel in Springfield, Vermont.

  (Click on photo to enlarge)

Read More »

William G. Basso Sr.

William G. “Bill” Basso Sr., 92, of Chester, passed away March 10, 2018, at the Vermont Veterans Home in Bennington.

He was born July 10, 1925, in Springfield, Vt., to Arthur and Marcella Basso, of Baltimore, Vt.

After graduation from Springfield High in 1943, he enlisted in the United States Army Air Force.

Honorably discharged in 1945, he returned to the Springfield Jones & Lamson company completing his fifthyear co-op machinist course.

Bill married Eveleth M. Call in 1946 and they had 72 years together.

Bill also worked for E.R. Wiggins for several years and began professional truck driving until retiring early to travel and camp in the USA and parts of Canada until 2008.

Bill was an avid hunter, camper and loved to drive.

He belonged to the American Legion, Teamsters Retirement Club, Free and Accepted Masons, Holiday Ramblers and Good Sam clubs.

Survivors include wife Eveleth (Call) Basso and children William ll and wife Margo, of Mount Tabor, Vt., Robert, of Port Orange, Fla., Cynthia and husband Richard Farnsworth, Chester, Vt., Anita and husband Peter Dregallo, Andover, Vt., James, of Clayton, Del.; a brother, Edmund Basso, of Springfield, Vt.; six grandchildren and 12 great-grandchildren.

He was predeceased by his parents and sister Marguerite Bryant Davis.

Contributions are to be made to Vermont Veterans Home, 325 North St., Bennington, VT 05201.

Graveside services to be held at a later date.

  (Click on photo to enlarge)

Read More »

Jeffrey M. Duling

Jeffrey M. Duling, 51, of Springfield, died Wednesday, March 7, 2018, at Dartmouth- Hitchcock Medical Center in Lebanon, New Hampshire.

He was born Oct. 15, 1966, in Windsor, the son of Francis and Donna (Hood) Duling.

He graduated in 1984 from Windsor High School.

On June 23, 1990, Mr. Duling married Patti J. Morse in Windsor.

He was employed in maintenance at Springfield Health & Rehabilitation Center for several years and most recently, was employed as a counselor with HCRS in Springfield.

He was a two-time past governor of Springfield Moose Lodge, Loyal Order of Moose # 679, and a president of the North East Legion (Maine, New Hampshire and Vermont).

Mr. Duling enjoyed hunting, forestry planting and habitat preservation.

Survivors include his wife and two daughters Jessica and Nicole Duling, all of Springfield; his mother, of Windsor; and a brother, Francis Duling Jr., of St. Johnsbury.

He was predeceased by a sister, Theresa.

The memorial service will be held at 3 p.m. Saturday, March 17, at Davis Memorial Chapel in Springfield, with the Rev. Gerry Piper officiating.

Memorial contributions may be made to Children at Mooseheart, in care of Springfield Moose Lodge, 39 South St., Springfield, VT 05156, or call 885-5370.

  (Click on photo to enlarge)

Read More »

John C. Stearns

John C. Stearns 66, passed away unexpectedly at his home in Springfield on Tuesday March 6, 2018. He was born April 18, 1951 in Springfield, Vermont the son of John M. and Marguerite (Bunting) Stearns. He graduated from Bellows Falls High School.

He served in the United States Army during the Vietnam Era.

John apprenticed at Lucas Pattern Shop in Springfield, Vt. and worked at Lucas for several years. He later owned and operated Precision Valley Pattern Company for 30 + years. He was also a Carpenter and Contractor.

He was a member of the Chester American Legion Post 67 in Chester, Vermont.

He is survived by 1 Son Tyler J. Stearns and his wife Amanda of Chester, 1 daughter Mercedes Kubisek of Proctorsville, 7 grandchildren, 1 sister Carol Mcgrotty and her husband Bill of Bangor, Maine and nieces, nephews and cousins.

A memorial service will be held at 2:00 P.M. on Wednesday March 14, 2018 at the Davis Memorial Chapel in Springfield, Vt. Reverend Gerry Piper will officiate.

Burial will be at a later date in the Brookside Cemetery in Chester, Vermont.

  (Click on photo to enlarge)

Read More »

Margret H. Kolbjornsen

Margret H. Kolbjornsen, a resident of Summerhill Assisted Living in Peterborough, New Hampshire, died Feb. 3, 2018, at the age of 94.

She was the daughter of Hermann and Elisabeth Sieck Haertel, born in Hannover, Germany, in 1923. Her family came to New York City aboard the M/V Thuringia in 1926 and settled in New York City. In a neighborhood snowball fight in 1933 she met the just-off-the-boat Norwegian boy who would become her husband. She attended Staten Island schools and earned a Bachelor of Science Degree in mathematics from Douglass College in 1946.

Margret loved the outdoors and chose a career as national field director with the Girl Scouts of America. In 1948, Margret married John Kolbjornsen and moved to Denmark, where he served in the American Embassy, Copenhagen, and where their first child was born. They returned in 1952 and settled in Cambridge, Mass., where John attended Harvard Divinity School and where they welcomed a second daughter. Two sons were born in the next few years. After John’s ordination to the Unitarian ministry, they served churches in Sharon, Mass., Williamsville, N.Y., Norwell, Mass., Sioux City, Iowa and Springfield, Vt.

In 1971, Margret received an Master of Education degree and began teaching 6th-grade math and science in the Durham Schools. After her retirement and their move to Peterborough, she served as a substitute teacher in the ConVal School District elementary schools. Like her mother, Margret had a beautiful singing voice and she sang throughout her life, beginning in church choirs as a child, and in all their churches and the Buffalo Schola Cantorum, the Scituate Choral Society, the Morningside Singers in Sioux City, the Seacoast Singers in Durham, and for the past 26 years, the Monadnock Chorus, from which she retired two days before her 93rd birthday.

Her summer vacations were spent visiting her German cousins and traveling in Europe. She enjoyed the Christmas markets in Munich. In several trips she sailed the Danube from its source to the Black Sea. Star Island, a UU Conference Center off Portsmouth, was part of her summers as well; she attended the Natural History Conference, beginning in 1974, and volunteered in the island gift shop.

Margret was born into a family of professional gardeners, and her love of gardening brought her and others much joy.

Her hands were always busy with knitting, and she spearheaded the creation of “Comfort Dolls” by her friends and relatives, which have been taken by local physicians on medical missions to Ethiopia, Haiti, the Dominican Republic, Cuba and Peru. advertisement

On New Year’s Day, 2015, she moved to Summerhill Assisted Living, where she bloomed under their extraordinary care, made wonderful new friends and kept the house plants watered.

Margret’s caring spirit and optimistic outlook on life will be missed by many.

Margret was predeceased by her parents; her husband, Rev. John M. Kolbjornsen; her sister, Christa Kinne of Key West, Fla.; and her brother, Major Hermann Haertel (Ret.) of San Antonio, Texas. She is survived by her brother, Dr. Manfred Haertel and his wife, Leone, of Columbus, Ohio; by her children and their spouses: Susy and Tom Mansfield of Peterborough; Elise and Phil Anton of Palmer, Mass.; Peter and Debbie Kolbjornsen of York, Maine; Dr. Paul and Kim Kolbjornsen of Northampton, Mass.; 18 nieces and nephews; and her grandchildren, Molly and Sam Mansfield, Doug, Arianna and Ben Anton, Kate, Andrew and Tory Kolbjornsen; and her great-granddaughter, Madelyn Alice Anton.

A memorial service will be held on Saturday, March 24, at 1 p.m., at the Peterborough Unitarian Universalist Church, 25 Main St.

At her request, memorial donations in her name may be made to the Church and to Summerhill Assisted Living, 183 Old Dublin Road, Peterborough, N.H., 03458.

  (Click on photo to enlarge)

Read More »