Honoring Abner Coburn in Skowhegan on March 22, 2018

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Katie Ouilette Wallsby Katie Ouilette

WALLS, faithful readers, we’re having a party and you and your friends are invited!

March 22 is the date. Why? Well, we of the Skowhegan Heritage Council and you will celebrate our Maine Governor Abner Coburn’s birthday! He was born on March 22, 1803, and the Skowhegan selectmen made this Declaration:

“In honor of all that Abner Coburn has done for the Town of Skowhegan and state of Maine and the exemplary life he lived, the Selectmen for the Town of Skowhegan have proclaimed have proclaimed March 22 forevermore to be Abner Coburn Day!”

There is a booklet about Abner Coburn, but WALLS, you surely don’t have to copy all of it. It does begin with his family history, but most important is the fact that his mother was Mary Weston and his father was a farmer and surveyor. You are right, WALLS. Abner grew up on the Back Road, received some education at the Pitt School ant then the family relocated to Bloomfield (the south side of the Kennebec River and Skowhegan’s name at one time). In Bloomfield, Abner attended Bloomfield Academy until he was 14 years of age and his father, Eleazer, felt that Abner and his brother, Philander, should leave their formal education and he would teach them surveying. Abner and Philander grew very wealthy and owned thousands of acres of land and tree growth and as a logger, Abner obviously valued education, as he gave so much to schools and colleges throughout the U.S.

Abner built the mansion on Main Street Hill in Skowhegan in 1848 and he and Philander lived there, Philander died in 1876 and Abner lived there all his life.

That brings us to the many positions of the man who became Maine’s governor. Actually, WALLS, because of space and word-count, I will leave much of this for our faithful readers to read at their libraries, but the fact that Governor Coburn stood beside Abraham Lincoln, as he took his oath of office when elected president, Wow! We surely had a famous governor.

Yes, all of us of the Skowhegan Heritage Council hope to see you at the Skowhegan Free Public Library and we will serve dessert. As a matter of fact, we will serve you cookies that Mary Marston, who lived in the Coburn mansion on Skowhegan’s Main Street Hill. The Marston family had four children who grew up there and, years ago, Lakewood stars visited the Marston’s often.

See you on March 22, as you will learn much of our Governor Coburn, as we celebrate him at 4 p.m.

Thank you for found dog

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Tucker

Lori Benson, of China, thanks all the kind and wonderful people in the town of China who helped look for her missing dog, Tucker. Your kindness is appreciated! He has been found and is doing well.

Somerville’s Lily Thompson is STAR student of the month

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Lily Thompson

Maine Connections Academy (MCA), the state’s first virtual public charter school, has selected Lily Thompson, an eighth grader from Somerville, as its January STAR Student. Lily was chosen due to her engagement in her lessons and her consistently excellent performance in and outside of school.

Lily enrolled in Maine Connections Academy in 2016, seeking more flexibility to devote additional time to her talents in music and horseback riding. Outside of MCA, Lily plays piano and violin and participates in multiple orchestral groups. Her favorite activity at MCA is the school’s Academic Summits, events where students from across the state come together with teachers and special guests for days of learning and fun.

Lily’s favorite subject is Gifted and Talented Literature Study. Lily enjoys literature study because of the opportunities it gives her to analyze short stories and engage in discussion with her peers. Algebra is her second favorite subject. Says Lily, “[Algebra] is like another language. Instead of words there are numbers. Numbers always have an exact definition, and words sometimes don’t.”

SOLON & BEYOND: Somerset Wood Trustees to celebrate Earth Day

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Marilyn Rogers-Bull & Percyby Marilyn Rogers-Bull & Percy
grams29@tds.net
Solon, Maine 04979

Good morning, dear friends. Don’t worry, be happy!

Received an e-mail from the Somerset Woods Trustees with an invitation: “Will you join Somerset Woods Trustees to celebrate Mother Earth on Earth Day?”

One way to celebrate Earth Day is to spruce up the Kennebec Banks Rest Area for spring. The trustees own and operate the rest area, an attractive, welcoming gateway to Skowhegan on the banks of the Kennebec River.

Many friends and visitors enjoy the covered picnic tables while enjoying the view of the mighty Kennebec. It’s the same view that Benedict Arnold’s soldiers saw on their way to Quebec City on a cold October autumn of 1775 as they prepared to portage over the falls.

They supply contractor bags to pick up trash, stain for the kiosk, and tools to attack invasive plants. All you need is to bring gloves. They’ll supply the doughnuts and hot chocolate. The date is April 22, 1 – 3 p.m.

For more information, please contact Nancy at somersetwoodstrustees@gmail.com with any questions.

The Solon Pine Tree 4-H Club met on March 10 for their fifth meeting with Cooper Delarma presiding. The members voted to donate a theme basket to the Somerset County Leaders Association Luck of the Draw Auction, to be held on May 5 at the American Legion Hall on Route 201, in Skowhegan.

Several members did their demonstrations. The rest of the members will give theirs at the April meeting.

The next meeting will be on Saturday, April 14, at 9:30 a.m., at the Solon Fire Station.

Because of the big storm last week, we were unable to pick up and deliver The Town Line papers until Saturday…. and speaking of all the snow… I’m not going to tell you what year it was, because perhaps Peter would not like you to know how old he is! Anyway, when Flagstaff was flooded out, many of us in the Rogers families moved to Solon, and Frank and I had purchased the Barney Wooster farm on the Solon River Road. Our first son Mark was born in Flagstaff, and David was born in April after we moved to Solon.

Then two years later Peter was due on March 7, and along came that BIG blizzard…. we were snowed in and they were not able to plow the River Road for awhile, but then, knowing there was a pregnant woman about to give birth on that road, they were able to plow as far as our house, and I was never so happy to see anyone in my life! But……the story continues: We had an old 1925 Studebaker car that was tired on the night I needed to get to Farmington Hospital, and Frank had to stay with Mark and Dave so we had a problem! But, one of those miracles happened, the doctor that I had was in North Anson, and he said he would be over to pick me up.

It was in the dark of night and the roads weren’t the best, and I really needed to get to the hospital, and I did feel better that at least I had a doctor in the car! It was a very cold night also, and over on the Anson Valley Road we came upon a very drunk man who definitely needed a ride, and so we picked him up and continued on our way!

It wasn’t too long after we got to the hospital when Peter entered the world, all nine-plus pounds of him and I welcomed him with open arms!

It seems to me that quite often we get a big storm around March 7 and it always brings back memories of days gone by, my apologies if I bored you with one of my stories.

And now for Percy’s memoir entitled, The Joy of Unselfish Giving:

Time is not measured by the years that you live
But by the deeds that you do and the joy that you give–
And each day as it comes brings a chance to each one
To love to the fullest, leaving nothing undone
That would brighten the life or lighten the load
Of some weary traveler lost on Life’s Road —
So what does it matter how long we may live
If as long as we live we unselfishly give.

(words by Helen Steiner Rice) She is my favorite poetry writer.

Battle of Maine set for March 24, 2018

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Hunter Moser, of Winslow, performing her kata during the 2017 Battle of Maine. Photo by Central Maine Photography staff

On Saturday March 24, the 38th annual Battle of Maine Martial Arts Championships returns to Thomas College, in Waterville. The event once again will help support the Children’s Miracle Network hospitals in Central and Northern Maine. To date, the Battle of Maine has helped raise over $75,000 for treatment of children in need of medical services. The day’s program will run from 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Shakespearean group to celebrate 25 years

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Contributed photo

Southern Maine Association of Shake­spearean Homeschoolers (SMASH) is a small theater group comprised of home school families who come together from the far reaches of central Maine. This year, the group is celebrating its 25th anniversary with the play Much Ado About Nothing. Students have been meeting to rehearse every Monday and Friday since the new year.

The program was founded by Pastor Samuel Richards, of Winthrop.

Show times are on Thursday & Friday, March 22 & 23 at 6:30 p.m., with a matinée on Saturday, March 24 at 2 p.m. All shows are performed at historic Cumston Hall in downtown Monmouth, 796 Main Street.

Read our review of last year’s SMASH performance of A Midsummer’s Night Dream here.

China Police log for January 2018

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The China Police Log is provided to The Town Line by Detective Sergeant Tracey Frost of the Oakland Police Department

MONDAY, January 8:

7 a.m., bad check followup.
5:40 p.m., DHHS complaint

TUESDAY, January 9:

7 a.m., School zone detail, Lakeview Drive.
7:32 a.m., traffic stop, Lakeview Drive. Warning for school zone speed.
7:44 a.m., traffic stop, Lakeview Drive. Warning for school zone speed. Summons for Insurance.

THURSDAY, January 11:

10 a.m., Field training.
11:15 a.m., fraud complaint Rte. 3, investigated.
11:30 a.m., traffic stop, Lakeview Drive warning for speed.

MONDAY, January 15:

10 a.m., business check, Lakeview Dr.
10:30 a.m., business check, Vassalboro Rd.
11:30 a.m., traffic stop, Lakeview Dr., warning for speed.
11:44 a.m., traffic stop, Lakeview Dr., warning for expired registration.
11:51 a.m., checked with ice fishermen, Causeway Rd.
12:12 p.m., business check, Rte. 3.
12:18 p.m., business check, Rte. 3
12:22 p.m., business check, Rte. 3
12:30 p.m., traffic stop, Rte. 3, warning for inspection.
12:45 p.m., business check, Windsor Rd.
12:50 p.m., traffic stop, Windsor Rd., warning for speed.
1 p.m., traffic complaint, Rte. 3, by Tobey’s, negative contact.
1:33 p.m., traffic stop, Alder Park Rd., summons for inspection violation.
1:45 p.m., traffic stop, Alder Park Rd., warning for speed.

SUNDAY, January 21:

9:32 a.m., property check, South China boat landing.
9:40 a.m., business check, Vassalboro Rd.
9:50 a.m., business check, Vassalboro Rd.
10 a.m., stationary radar, Rte. 3.
10:15 a.m., property check, Primary School.
10:40 a.m., property check, Middle School.
11:09 a.m., traffic stop, Main St., warning for speed.
11:26 a.m., business check, Lakeview Dr.
11:40 a.m., business check, Lakeview Dr.

MONDAY, January 22:

11:30 a.m., attempted burglary, Village Rd.

SUNDAY, January 28:

4 p.m., suspicious vehicle, Alder Park Rd.

China selectmen re-discuss Neck Road fire pond

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The Neck Road Fire Pond, in China. Photo by Roland D. Hallee

by Mary Grow

After an executive session that lasted more than an hour, China selectmen spent most of the rest of their March 7 meeting re-discussing the fire pond on Neck Road.

The executive session was called to consult with counsel and on a personnel issue. No action was taken afterward.

The fire pond was proposed by China Village Fire Chief Tim Theriault and endorsed by landowner Tom Michaud to give firefighters a source of water close to the end of Neck Road. After voters in November approved $8,500 for the project, an existing pond was enlarged, with the original plan amended to limit the work to Michaud’s land.

The almost-completed work was criticized sharply in late 2017 and early 2018. Selectmen and others said the steep sides, which made it impossible for a person or animal who fell in to get out, were dangerous; they were also unstable and would erode, perhaps threatening the shoulder of Neck Road.

Board members discussed fencing, redesign and other possible fixes.

They had also failed to get a written agreement with Michaud, leaving the town’s right to be on his property and any liability issues that might arise in doubt. The result was that at the March 7 meeting selectmen described the project as “out of whack” (Jeffrey LaVerdiere) and “somewhat of a real fiasco” (Chairman Robert MacFarland) as they discussed a draft memorandum of understanding with Michaud.

The non-final draft they asked Town Manager Daniel L’Heureux to forward to Michaud proposes that the town and Michaud agree on a sale, lease or easement giving the town the right to build and maintain the pond, if voters approve and if voters appropriate more money for additional costs. The additional costs are estimated at a minimum of around $25,000, not including paying a general contractor to oversee future work, as suggested by Selectman Donna Mills-Stevens.

The warrant for the March 24 town business meeting does not include any article related to the fire pond.

The warrant does include, with the annual appropriations for the fire departments and China Rescue, a request that voters authorize lump sum payments to the fire departments, as allowed under a new state law sponsored by Rep. Theriault.

L’Heureux said if voters approve, each department’s treasurer should be bonded. China Village department treasurer Dale Worster told selectmen he had submitted his bonding application; board members asked the manager to remind the other two departments.

L’Heureux asked selectmen’s permission to buy a new copier with money from the current year’s budget. They asked him to look into leasing instead of buying and postponed action until they have comparative prices.

China’s town report for the fiscal year ended June 30, 2017, was available at the meeting. Selectman Irene Belanger praised the committee reports, which she said should save time at the March 24 business meeting by answering many of residents’ questions. Budget committee member Wayne Chadwick objected that the town report includes too few details, especially on expenditures.

The next regular China selectmen’s meeting is scheduled for 6:30 p.m. Monday, March 19, with the Broadband Committee scheduled to meet simultaneously. Recently, however, China selectmen have repeatedly changed their announced meeting time, usually moving it earlier.

The board of appeals meeting postponed from March 8 due to snow is rescheduled for 7 p.m. Thursday, March 22. Ralph Howe, owner of Bio Renewable Fuels on Dirigo Road, has asked board members to reconsider their Feb. 15 dismissal, on procedural grounds, of his earlier appeals of actions by Codes Officer Paul Mitnik.

CHINA: Historic preservation, infrastructure needs top town meeting warrant

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by Mary Grow

China voters will have an unusual number of specific decisions to make at their annual town business meeting, scheduled for 9 a.m. Saturday, March 24, at China Primary School (off Lakeview Drive behind China Middle School).

A quorum of 120 registered voters is required to open the meeting.

Most of the new issues involve historic preservation and local infrastructure needs. With 2018 the 200th anniversary of the incorporation of the Town of China, Selectman and Bicentennial Coordinator Neil Farrington and others organized a Feb. 5 celebration, have plans for more activities in the summer and are trying to arouse interest in preserving tangible reminders of China’s history.

The town has already lost at least one historic church and one Masonic Hall; most of its one- and two-room schoolhouses and the two buildings that housed China Academy, one after the other; the tracks and most of the buildings associated with the Wiscasset, Waterville and Farmington narrow-gauge railway; and recently the Dinsmore mill in Branch Mills. The once-active China Historical Society has not met regularly for years.

At the March 24 meeting, voters will be asked to hear a report from Farrington and to appropriate funds for his work, for continued maintenance of the old town house and Weeks Mills schoolhouse and for two specific projects: installing water and septic systems in the Weeks Mills schoolhouse to make it useable for community purposes, and buying the Branch Mills Union Church. The schoolhouse project (Art. 25) is expected to cost up to $20,000. The price for the church is $100; the belief is that town ownership will make it easier to get grants and donations – Art. 41 asks that up to $80,000 be authorized – to preserve the building.

The proposed infrastructure projects are the purchase of a precrusher/compactor and a new forklift for the transfer station, at a maximum cost of $80,613 (Art. 17) and two specific road projects, repaving the north end of Dirigo Road and replacing a large culvert under Bog Road, at an expected cost of up to $200,000 (Art. 19).

Voters are also asked to appropriate up to $20,000 in Tax Increment Finance (TIF) funds for the LakeSmart program, which helps lakefront landowners control run-off (Art. 34), and to appropriate up to $22,000 from TIF funds, if applicable, or Unassigned Fund Balance (surplus) to update China’s comprehensive plan (Art. 43).

Selectmen and budget committee members recommend approval of all proposed expenditures, not always unanimously. Budget committee member Wayne Chadwick dissented on requests for up to $50,000 in TIF funds for administrative work (Art. 6); the transfer station purchases in Art. 17, joined in dissent by Tom Rumpf; and the schoolhouse waste and septic systems in Art. 25. Chadwick also opposed the $4,500 request from the Albert Church Brown Memorial Library, but endorsed the article (Art. 26) because it includes the same amount for the South China Library.

The budget committee splintered on the proposal to buy the Branch Mills church: Chairman Robert Batteese, Valerie Baker and Secretary Jean Conway voted to recommend it, Chadwick and Rumpf voted not to and Tim Basham and Kevin Maroon abstained.

The March 24 decisions do not include the 2018-19 school budget, which will be voted on later in the year.

Download the China Town Warrant from the Town Office website or click here!

 

Obituaries, Week of March 15, 2018

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FRANKLIN C. OUELLETTE

WINSLOW––Franklin Ouellette, 84, formerly of Ginger Avenue, Winslow, passed away on Friday, February 2, 2018, at his son’s home in Port St. Lucie, Florida. Franklin was born in Millinocket, on August 5, 1933, the son of Gertrude Cyr and William Ouellette.

Franklin was preceded in death by his daughter and son-in-law, Linda and Timothy Spaulding; his daughter-in-law, Barbara McDowell; and his son-in-law, John Garland.

He is survived by his wife, Gloria Ouellette; his children, Dan and Donna Ouellette, Leanne Garland, Anna and Paul Higgins, David and Paula Ouellette, and Matthew Ouellette; his grandchildren, George and Elizabeth Ouellette, Bodhi and Tobey Simpson, Timothy and Tiffany Spaulding, Fred and Amy Ouellette, David Ouellette, Billy Stubbert, Victoria Stubbert, Dan and Beth Ouellette, Franklin and Amanda Ouellette, Danielle Ouellette, Matthew Higgins, Aaron Higgins, and Renee Reich; his brother, Leland “Bill” Willette; and sister, Theresa Roman. Franklin also had many nieces, nephews, and great-grandchildren.

RICHARD C. SALMONSON

VASSALBORO––Richard Charles Salmonson, 73, passed away Saturday, March 3, 2018, at his home in Vassalboro. He was born June 12, 1944, in Olean, New York, the son of Carl Arnold and Rita Lucille (Gerringer) Salmonson.

He graduated from Allegany-Limestone High School in 1962. On June 15, 1978, he married the former Patricia Foshay, in Fairfield. He was a veteran who proudly served his country in the United States Navy for 20 years until his honorable discharge. He was employed by the Kennebec County Sheriff’s Office and the Allegany Public Schools, and volunteered at the Waterville Fire Department.

Richard was a member of the Center Vassalboro Baptist Church and enjoyed fishing, hunting, camping, woodworking, and spending time with family.

He was predeceased by his parents, Carl and Rita Salmonson; sister, Elsie Schultz; granddaughter, Britney LaBrie.

Richard is survived by his wife of 39 years, Patricia (Foshay) Salmonson, of Vassalboro; three daughters, Karen Gordon, of Virginia, Christina McGahey and husband Randy, of Lyman, Dianna Lee Garnett, of Woolwich; three step-daughters, Ruth Blaschke and husband Rick, of Clinton, Lisa Colfer and husband Todd, of Chelsea, Kim Wood and husband Kevin, of Oakland; two step-sons, Phillip Nadeau, of Waterville, William Rancourt, of Winslow; brother, Robert Salmonson and wife Barb, of Allegany, New York; mother-in-law, Anita Cole and husband Richard, of Oakland; 18 grandchildren; 21 great-grandchildren; one great-great-grandchild.

Arrangements under the direction and care of Dan & Scott’s Cremation & Funeral Service, 445 Waterville Road, Skowhegan ME 04976.

In lieu of flowers, friends wishing may make donations in Richard’s memory to: The Center Vassalboro Baptist Church, 365 Lyons Rd., Sidney ME 04330.

BARBARA A. TOUNGE

SOUTH CHINA––Barbara Ann Sutter Drouin Tounge, 69, died Saturday, March 3, 2018, at her home following a brief struggle with liver and lung cancer. She was born on August 8, 1948, in Augusta, at Augusta General and moved to Windsor on July 4, 1969, where she raised her four children, and then resided in South China.

She loved to do crafts, play bingo, going out to eat with her friends, playing cards, doing extreme couponing and being around family and friends. She cherished her four children, eight grandchildren and 13 great-grandchildren.

She worked at Health-Tex, Inc. for many years and retired after 25 at AMHI and continued the remaining nine years at Riverview Psychiatric Center.

She was a member of the American Legion Auxiliary Post #179 for 31 years and the Augusta Elks Lodge #964 for 18 years.

She was predeceased by her husband, Gregory C. Tounge and previous husband, Emile I. Drouin; her parents, Bertram J. Sutter, Sr. and Virgie Mae (Hyson) Sutter; her brothers, Bertram J. Sutter, Jr. and his wife Sherril Sutter and Richard A. Sutter, Sr.; and her sister, Gloria J. (Sutter) Nimon Grant.

She is survived by her four children, Tammy Cunningham and her husband Troy, of China, Timothy Drouin, Sr. and wife Dawn, of Windsor, Thomas Drouin, of South China, and Theresa Haskell and companion Ronald Brann, of Windsor; grandchildren, Meghan Sears, Felicia Durgin, Timothy Drouin, Jr., Barbarajean Drouin, Meagan Cunningham, Ashley Haskell, Katie Cunningham and Abby Haskell; great-grandchildren, James Drouin, Aidan Durgin, Jackson Drouin, Keegan Sears, Aurora Durgin, Carter Durgin, Jayden Drouin, Peytynn and Paisley Sears, Thea Haskell, Chase During, Emma Haskell.

Spring burial will be in Resthaven Cemetery, Windsor.

Condolences, photos and stories may be shared through the funeral home website at www.plummerfh.com.

AGNES A. DIFFIN

VASSALBORO––Agnes Arlene (Gray) Diffin, 94, of Waterville, passed away on Sunday, March 4, 2018, at the Lakewood Continuing Care Center, in Waterville. She was born in Wesley on April 3, 1923, the daughter of Roger A. Gray and Minerva (Sharman) Gray.

Agnes graduated from Washington Academy, in Machias, and Washington State Normal School, in Machias. She graduated froom the University of Maine, Orono, in 1948 with a bachelor of science degree in education. A thesis which she wrote at University of Maine was on the social history of Machias.

Agnes taught school in Marshfield, Greenville, Lincoln; Fairborn, Ohio; New Britain, Connecticut; Goose Bay, Labrador, Canada; Clark Air Force Base, Philippine Islands; Wiesbaden, Germany; Sculthorpe. England; Newfoundland, Canada; New Canaan, Connecticut; and Limestone. Many of these teaching positions were at Uniated States Air Force bases.

During her career teaching at the various Air Force bases, Agnes took the opportunity to tour dozens of countries around the world. She documented her travels, as well as many family gatherings, with thousands of photographs, slides, and home movies, which she enjoyed sharing with her parents and extended family of brothers, sister, cousins, nieces and nephews.

On June 24, 1967, Agnes married Darrell F. Diffin, a widower with one son who was also her second cousin once-removed. She and Darrell lived at the top of Sharman (also called Bearman) Hill, in Robbinston, with a beautiful view of Passamaquoddy Bay. Agnes continued to teach in Limestone until she retired. After retirement she enjoyed doing sewing and needlework projects, making apple pies for Darrell, and a few years later, helping care for her aging mother during the summers in Robbinston.

After her husband died in 1997, Agnes moved to East Vassalboro to be closer to family, and continued to help care for her mother. While living in East Vassalboro, she attended the Vassalboro Methodist Church and had many friends in the area. In her later years, due to health concerns, she moved into assisted living facilities in Waterville, the last one being Lakewood.

Agnes was predeceased by her husband Darrell; her step-son Gary L. Diffin; her brothers Allen S. Gray and L. Austin Gray, her sister and brother-in-law Maxine (Gray) Robbins and Gerald Robbins; and three nephews.

She is survived by one brother, James Gray, of North Vassalboro; one sister-in-law, Prudence (Bartley) Gray, of East Vassalboro; step-granddaughter, Jennifer Diffin and husband Keith Martin, of Washington, D.C.; several nieces; nephews; great- nieces and great-nephews; and great-grand nieces and great-grand nephews.

Notes of condolence may be expressed to the family at www.gallantfh.com.

MILTON W. BREAULT

EAST VASSALBORO––Milton W. Breault, 86, of East Vassalboro, passed away on Tuesday, March 6, 2018, following a brief stay at Mount St. Joseph Nursing Home, in Waterville. He was born in Waterville on December 21, 1931, where he attended school, graduating from Waterville High School in 1950.

Like his twin brother, he worked at C.F. Hathaway Shirt Co., in Waterville, before joining the U.S. Air Force in 1951, He was stationed in Merced, California, and in France until 1954, returning to C. F. Hathaway to work until his retirement in 1994, a total of 43 1/2 years.

On May 5, 1951, he married the former Barbara Rogers, and they started their successful marriage of 66 years. They started their family of five children in Waterville, then moving to East Vassalboro where they lived until the present time.

Milton was always depended upon by everyone because he was a “get it done” guy. He was always involved in the family and friends functions and events.

As a boy he worked setting up pins at the Metro Bowl, in Waterville, resulting in a lifelong passion for bowling. He also acquired early in life a love for horses, working for years at Meader’s Stables, in Waterville. Milton also enjoyed playing pool at Elks, playing long into his retirement.

He and his wife were very active in their church, St. Bridget’s Catholic Church, in North Vassalboro, and in their community of East Vassalboro through organizations like the East Vassalboro Grange and the local snowmobile club. Milton was a lifetime member of the American Legion Bourque-Lanigan Post #5, of Waterville, and Winslow MacCrillis-Rousseau VFW Post #8835 and a member of Waterville Elks Lodge #905 for 26 years.

He was predeceased by his father Arthur; his mother Rose; his sister Germaine Horvath; and his brothers Ralph and Alton.

Milton is survived by his wife of 66 years, Barbara; his five children, Deborah Rogers and husband Ben, of Winslow, Susan Watts, of Waterville, Christopher Breault and wife Lucille, of East Vassalboro, Andrew Breault and wife Peggy, of South China, and Douglas Breault, of North Vassalboro; nine grandchildren; and several great-grandchildren.

An online guestbook may be signed and condolences expressed at www.gallantgh.com.

MARY ELLEN PEASLEE

WINDSOR––Mary Ellen Peaslee, 84, of Legion Park Road, died Wednesday, March 7, 2018, in Florida, following a brief illness. She was born in Calais on October 24, 1933. the daughter of Herbert Leroy Hold and Minnie L. (MacDowell) Hold.

Mrs. Peaslee was a 1950 graduate of Erskine Academy, where she received high honors.

Prior to her retirement, she was employed in many and various jobs including: Excel Cleaners, of Gardiner and Augusta, payroll clerk at E. E. Taylor Shoe Co., Macomber, Farr and Whitten Insurance Co., Charles E. Dowing Insurance Co., State of Maine Department of Business Regulation, and she was a self-employed driver education and motorcycle instructor for 20 years.

Mrs. Peaslee was a member of the North Windsor Baptist Church and Penney Memorial United Baptist Church in Augusta.

She was very involved in activities in Windsor, a member of the Maine State Grange, and traveled far and wide.

A Memorial Service will be held at 3 p.m. on Sunday May 20, 2018, at Penney Memorial United Baptist Church, 393 Water St., Augusta. A reception will follow. Burial will be in Dyer Hill Cemetery, Windsor, at a later date.

Local arrangements have been entrusted to Plummer Funeral Home, 983 Ridge Rd., Windsor.

Condolences, stories and photos may be shared at www.plummerfh.com.

In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to: Penney Memorial United Baptist Church Memorial Fund, 393 Water St., Augusta ME 04330.

FRED VAN ORMAN

WINSLOW – Fred Van Orman, 82, passed away Monday, March 5, 2018, at his home in Winslow, following a courageous battle with cancer. He was born February 17, 1936, in Hornell, New York, the son of William Neal and Margaret (Smith) Van Orman.

He was educated in the schools of New York and graduated from Almond High School. He was a veteran who proudly served his country for 22 years in the United States Navy until his retirement. After serving his country, he was employed by Bath Iron Works for 12-1/2 years, then as a care taker of the Lincoln Ladd estate, in Wayne, for 12 years. He was involved in many civic and community activities including teaching hunter safety courses in West Gardiner for 32 years, with the Special Olympics for the Madison Bull Frogs, was a member of the Litchfield Masonic Lodge, member of the MacCrillis-Rousseau VFW Post #8835, in Winslow, and of the West Gardiner Rod and Gun Club, and a member of the Manchester Community Church.

Fred enjoyed fishing, hunting, boating, and camping with son, Fred II, family and friends at his cabin on Flagstaff Lake, and of course, football.

Fred will be remembered for his saying of “yumpin’ yimminy,” his Doctor Doolittle approach with animals, and love for Tippy, the family dog.

He is survived by his spouse of 57 years, Patricia M. (O’Brien) Van Orman, of Winslow; children, Donna Sears and husband Wallace, of Abbyville, South Carolina, Patrick Van Orman, of Sacremento, California, D. Fred Van Orman II and partner Gary Nadeau, of Winslow, Calvin Van Orman, deceased, William Van Orman and Dr. Billiones, of Germantown, Maryland; grandchildren, Van Sears, of Great Mills, Maryland, Raberta Sears, of Augusta, Georgia, Patrick Kelly, Jennah and Patricia Van Orman, of Sacremento, California; great-grandchildren, Phineas W. Roinhart, of Augusta, Georgia; 11 more that reside in California; nieces and nephews, Jim and Rose Hicks, of Boothwyn, Pennsylvania, Harold and Mark Vosburg, of Hornell, New York, Mindy and Brian Deschane, of San Antonio, Texas, Sherry Valerie, Becky and Jennifer O’Brien, of Pennsylvania, Megan and Tim Graffam, of Cape Elizabeth; sister-in-law, Roberta Moore and husband William, of Port St. Lucie, Flordia; sister-in-law, Anne O’Brien, of South Portland.

He was predeceased by his sister, Rosanne Waight.

A memorial service will be held, Saturday, March 17, 2018 at 11:00 am at the Manchester Community Church, 21 Readfield Road, Manchester, ME 04351. A Celebration of Life (social) will be held following the memorial service at the Manchester Community Church.

Memorial donations may be made to Hospice, 150 Dresden Avenue, Gardiner, ME 04345, or Hospice Alliance of Maine, 30 Association Drive, Waterville, ME 04901.

Arrangements under the direction and care of Dan & Scott’s Cremation & Funeral Service, 445 Waterville Road, Skowhegan, ME 04976.

OTHERS DEPARTED

RITA C. DELORME, 81, of Young Harris, Georgia, passed away on Thursday, February 15, 2018, at Northeast Georgia Medical Center, in Gainesville, Georgia. Locally, she is survived by a sister, Lucille LaPointe, of Winslow.

JAMES K. HARWOOD JR., 72, passed away on Thursday, February 1, 2018, at Central Maine Medical Center, in Lewiston, following a short illness. Jim worked at Diamond International, in Oakland, and in the maintenance department at Colby College, in Waterville.

EMERY CHAMBERLAND, 88, of East Madison, passed away on Saturday, February 3, 2018. He is survived by a sister-in-law, Van Chamberland.

PAULINE HOLT, 72, of Gardiner, passed away on February 23, 2018, on her birthday. She was born in Wytopitlock on February 23, 1946, the daughter of George and Irma (Hewey) Nelson. Locally, she is survived by a sistr, Mary Lemieux and husband Earl, of Whitefield.