OBITUARIES for Thursday, April 25, 2024

JOHN MICHAUD JR.

AUGUSTA – John Michaud, Jr., 83, of Windsor, passed away peacefully, at Glenridge Nursing Home, in Augusta, on Sunday, March 17, 2024, following a lengthy battle with Alz­heimer’s. John was born on May 10, 1940, in Augusta, the oldest son of John Sr. and Yvette Michaud.

Most of his childhood years were spent in Windsor. Like many of his generation, he entered the workforce early. At the age of 15 he began working. On August 19, 1961 he married Muriel Whittaker.

John tried various jobs which included driving trucks for the State of Maine and a short stint at Edwards Manufacturing, in Pittsfield, before finding his true love of being self-employed in the forest industry.

He supplied wood and logs to an assortment of pulp and sawmills. Later in his career, he enjoyed working for his son Jeff in the same industry.

John loved working outdoors and spending free time outside as well. During the early years of raising a family, he spent much of time camping with his family and brook fishing with his boys.

Over the years he fished many places, finally finding the place he loved the most: The Great Northern Maine Woods. Once his favorite fishing spot was discovered, he took many friends along to share his joy of the sport. For over 30 years, any chance he could get, you would find him fishing his favorite brook with friends, family, his sons, and grandson James.

John was predeceased by both his parents; one sister Lena Irish; and one granddaughter Kara Michaud.

He is survived by his wife Muriel; children Tim and wife Sandy of Topsham, Jeff and wife Michelle, of Vassalboro, and Tammy and husband Nelson, of Windsor; four grandchildren; and six great grandchildren; siblings Cecile Babcock, Raymond Michaud, and Joanne Gagne.

A private celebration of John’s life will be held in the summer.

Condolences may be expressed at http://www.funeralalternatives.net .

In honor of John’s memory, donations may be made to Alzheimer’s Association, 383 US-1 #2C, Scarborough, ME 04074 or the KennebecHumane Society, 168 Leighton Rd., Augusta, ME 04330.

SHIRLEY ANN WARE

WATERVILLE – Shirley Ann Ware, of Waterville passed away peacefully on Monday, March 25, 2024. She was born to mother Marie Ware, father unknown, at Sacred Heart.

She was raised in convents for most of her childhood, as a young adult she was at Pineland, Heartland and the Muskie Center until she bought her own home, on Carrean Street, in Waterville.

Shirley never had any education in all the places she had ever been. It was only until she went with her brother Gerry and sister-in-law Janice that she had any simple education, however she was street smart and learned quickly due to the disadvantage she faced her whole life.

She worked at Goodwill, in Waterville, Waterville Boys and Girls Club, in the kitchen, and volunteered at soup kitchens and local food pantries. She enjoyed being helpful and was always a busy body, always asking how or what she could help.

Shirley loved to help, she took care of her brother and anyone who needed it. She saw the best in people so much so that she allowed people to live with her multiple times which in turn allowed for more abuse to happen. Shirley did not hold grudges and she forgave those that wronged her, her spirit was pure and heart was full of love and compassion. Shirley gave all she had and all she could to those she loved. If you were lucky enough to have felt her love you knew what unconditional love was.

Shirley was predeceased by her mother, Lori Ware; her niece, Janice Ware; her sister-in-law.

She is survived by her brother Gerry Ware and his family, her best friend and advocate Ruth and her family, and many friends she made along the way.

Celebration of life will be held Saturday, April 27, 2024, at 11 a.m. in Brunswick, at Pathway Vineyard Church, 2 Columbus Dr., Brunswick, ME 04011. Reception to follow. Her ashes will be buried at St Francis Cemetery, in Waterville, on Monday, April 29, 2024, at 10 a.m.

They ask in lieu of flowers please donate to these organizations per one of Shirley’s request. Mr Drew And his Animals Too, HerpHaven Reptile Rescue and Sanctuary Wolves of Maine Sanctuary.

ELEANOR DORVAL

WINSLOW – Eleanor “Ellie” Dorval, 83, of Winslow, passed away peacefully on Wednes­day, April 3, 2024, following a long illness, at Oak Grove Center, in Waterville. She was born in Waterville on June 13, 1940, at the Former Sister’s Hospital, the daughter of John Fehlman Bigelow and Orlean Bigelow Weaver.

Ellie attended all schools in Waterville and graduated from Waterville High School in 1958.

Ellie started working at Thayer Hospital, in Waterville, at the age of 23 as a Nurse’s Aide. After eight years, she attended Licensed Practical Nursing School, in Waterville, and graduated in 1972. She continued her career at Thayer Hospital / MaineGeneral Medical Center, until age 65, a total of 42 years, just like her mother! Ellie was a true giver and definitely loved to help everyone around her, including many patients over the years. She was caring, loving, thoughtful and kind to all who knew her.

She was proud of raising a happy family with two sons in the ‘60s and ‘70s, in Waterville, and in the ‘80s, in Benton. In 1994, she married Ray Dorval and enjoyed living in their beautiful home in Vassalboro, until his passing in 2015. She then moved to Winslow to live out her final years surrounded by family and friends.

Ellie and Ray enjoyed 22 years wintering in Bonita Springs, Florida. They had many good friends and really enjoyed the sunshine away from the cold and snowy winters in Maine. When she was younger, she enjoyed visiting the Family Farm, in Mercer, picking apples, roller skating, and many fun times with friends and family. Later she was known for charity work belonging to the Elks Ladies Auxillary of Waterville and the VFW Ladies Auxillary, of Winslow, becoming an officer and life-long member.

Ellie was predeceased by her parents, step-father Harold Weaver; former husband and father of her sons, Arthur Gagne; daughter-in-law Lisa Gagne; and her Uncle Francis and Aunt Dolly.

Surviving are her sons, Randy Gagne, of Brunswick, and Todd Gagne and wife Jessica, of Singer Island, Florida, step-daughters Becky and Debbie Dorval of Florida; and step-son Michael Dorval, of Oakland; grandchildren, Eric and wife Laura, of Wellesley, Massachusetts, Ashley and husband Jeremy, of Brunswick, Sydney Gagne, of Skowhegan, and Dylan Gagne, of New Haven, Connecticut; and four great-grandchildren, Bryce, Aidan, Burke, and Miles; sisters Gloria Moxcey and husband Blaine, and Martha Johnson, all of Waterville; nephew Jeff Moxcey and wife Cindy, of Waterville, and niece Kim Moxcey and partner Robert Croteau, of Oakland.

At Ellie’s request, there will be a graveside service, at 10 a.m., Friday, June 7, at St. Francis Catholic Cemetery, 78 Grove St., Waterville.

A Celebration of Life will follow at the MacCrilliss-Rousseau VFW Post #8835, Winslow, 175 Veteran Drive, Winslow.

Services are under the care and direction of Veilleux Funeral Home, 8 Elm St., Waterville. http://www.veilleuxfuneralhome.com.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to: MaineGeneral Health at https://give.mainegeneral.org/give-today.

KATHERINE L. DEVINE

WATERVILLE — Katherine Louise Joly Devine, 88, passed away peacefully on Friday, April 5, 2024, at Maine­General Medi­cal Center, in Augusta. Katherine was born on Jan­uary 19, 1936.

Katherine was truly a proud child of Waterville, spending summers at the family lake home and remembering later in life how much she loved taking the canoe out on the lake by herself. As a happy, bright student she was a member of the Waterville Junior High School’s Republican Club and grduated cum laude.

Always gracious, she wrote: “One of the greatest joys of my life was when you appointed me Editor in Chief of the Panther News. I consider this a great honor; it is one ambition fulfilled, and I thank you so much.”

After graduating from Waterville High School, Katherine attended (as her father insisted) Trinity College, in Washington, D.C., an all-girls Catholic school, where she earned her bachelor’s degree in English and Drama in 1957.

The Trinilogue described her as “an auburn crown turned toward Broadway … Lady Hathaway’s super saleswoman … tailored look by day, the sophisticate by night … verbatim notes … innate poise … green-eyed, gracious Anastasia, Kay.” While at Trinity, she was as the nuns described her “extremely active”: wrote for the Trinity Times; secretary of the Literary Society; officer of the Dramatic Society; officer of the Wekanduit Society, which created projects to raise money for the missions; and wrote and directed three of the four annual class plays, a spoof on campus life. She also was selected as the Maine Cherry Blossom Princess while at Trinity.

After college, Katherine moved to New York City to pursue a career as an actress and studied at the American Academy of Dramatic Arts alongside her friend Robert Redford, where she earned a degree in Drama in 1959 and worked as a page at NBC, in Rockefeller Center. It was in New York that Katherine “famously” met J.P. Devine on the escalator in Bloomingdales Department Store, where they both worked but didn’t yet know one another. When JP needed a partner for his important audition at the Actors Studio, a friend sent Kay to meet him. Kay at that time was a dancing, singing waitress in an exclusive night club where JP waited outside in the alley each night for her and she handed him glasses of champagne out the back door, after which they walked back home to her apartment in the snow. Two months later, the proper daughter of a Maine judge allowed him to move in, but insisted he sleep on the floor near the kitchen — and their six-decade love story began.

After performing together in the theater in New York and on road shows throughout the Northeast, they married in JP’s hometown of St. Louis, Missouri, at City Hall and then quickly traveled back to New York City in a rainstorm aboard a Greyhound bus to perform in a play together. The newlyweds then moved to Los Angeles, California,where Kay, after studying at both Mount St. Mary’s College for Education and Cal State LA for Spanish, began her new life in education, touching the lives of countless students, parents, and faculty for decades to come. Kay taught elementary school for more than a decade at Budlong Avenue in the underserved area of a neighborhood in South Central, where, as one of the only white teachers, she stood shoulder to shoulder with the African American faculty during racial tensions in the ‘70s in Los Angeles.

In 1984, Kay turned to her husband and asked, “Why don’t we move back to my little town in Maine, and you can be a real writer?” And so they did, and the final chapter in their love story began. Kay became a faculty member at the Waterville Junior High School, teaching sixth grade from 1984; Spanish from 2000, and Drama from 1990 to 2009. She held the title of Drama Director from 2001-2009. She also was a member of the Colby Admissions team in the summers. She retired from Waterville Junior High School in the fall of 2013 but returned to teach and tutor part-time in Spanish until she permanently retired in 2017. “Kay was truly special to me and the staff here,” writes Janie Buzzell of Waterville Junior High School. “I have very fond memories of her time here. I used to love chaperoning her field trips to Margaritas restaurant!”

In addition to JP and daughters, Dawn and Jillana, Katherine is survived by two sons-in-law, Richard Sieloff and Wayne Knickel, both of Los Angeles, California; several nieces and nephews, including Ann Joly, daughter of her late brother Robert.

She was predeceased by her brothers Waterville Mayor Cyril M. Joly, Jr. and Robert M. Joly.

In lieu of flowers, the family asks that you consider a donation to one of Kay’s favorite charities, the Waterville Food Bank.

The family will plan a celebration of life in the summer in Maine.

SISTER PAULINE BELANGER

WATERVILLE – Sister Pauline Belanger, OSU, 98, died peacefully on Wednesday, April 10, 2024, in Waterville. The daughter of Salomon and Olive (Cyr) Belanger, she was born June 7, 1925, in St. David, Maine.

She entered the Ursuline community on July 16,1943, and professed her vows on January 16,1946. She earned a bachelor’s degree from the College of New Rochelle and a master’s degree in art from Sienna Heights University.

Sister Pauline was a much respected and well-loved art teacher during her many decades of ministry in Maine, Massachusetts and New York. In Maine, she taught at Notre Dame School, in Waterville, St. Mary’s School, in Lewiston, and St. John’s Catholic School, in Brunswick. In Massachusetts, she taught at Ursuline academies, in Springfield and Dedham. She also taught at St. Angela Merici School, in Bronx, New York.

In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her nine siblings.

A private interment will be held at St. Angela Way Cemetery.

Memorial gifts may be made to the Ursuline Sisters Retirement Fund, 353 S. Sappington Road, St. Louis, MO 63122 or Ursuline Sisters, 1 St. Angela Way, Waterville, ME 04901.

SANDRA L. DOYON

FAIRFIELD – Sandra “Sandy” L. Doyon, 81, peacefully passed away at home on Thursday, April 11, 2024. She was born August 4, 1942, in Stockton Springs, to Charlotte Keast (Smith) and Kenneth Bracy.

Sandy worked at Walmart for several years as a price clerk, was a substitute teacher and also fostered children. She enjoyed music, reading, doing puzzles, and playing card games. Her favorite places to visit were Mount Desert Island and Cadillac Mountain.

She loved all animals, but her all-time favorite was the raccoon. She was known for her sense of humor and extreme competitiveness in playing games. Sandy was a thoughtful and giving person. She will be missed and remembered by all who knew her.

Sandy leaves behind her four sons, Michael R Doyon, of Fairfield, and fiancée Brenda Bolduc, Gerard (Jay) Doyon and partner Wanda Landry, of Fairfield Center, Timothy P. Doyon, of Edmond, Oklahoma, and Jon B Doyon, of Ontario, Canada; 14 grandchildren,; several great-grandchildren; many nieces and nephews.

In addition to her parents, Sandra was predeceased by her sister Madeline Lockard and brother James Bracy.

A private gathering will be held at a later date.

Arrangements are in the care of Lawry Brothers Funeral Home, 107 Main St., Fairfield where messages and memories may be shared, and an online register book signed by visiting http://www.lawrybrothers.com.

In lieu of flowers, you may donate in her name to a charity of your choice

LEON E. FOWLER

OAKLAND – Leon E. Fowler, 87, passed away peacefully Thursday April 11, 2024, at Woodlands Assisted Living, in Waterville. Leon was born in Albion on September 4, 1936, the son of Edgar M. Fowler and Meta (Rowe) Fowler.

He graduated from Besse High School, in Albion, in 1954, where he played basketball and baseball. He continued his education and training in the U.S. Air Force National Guard serving at the Loring AFB, and Bangor reservist air bases.

Leon was a self-made businessman always looking for his next financial investment. His work ethic came at an early age while working on the family farm and at his grandfather’s store. He bought and sold cars before pursuing his passion for real estate.

In his early 20s, he started his 35-year career at Sears & Roebuck and Co., where he met his wife, Betty, his soulmate of 64 years. Successful at sales, Leon soon became the appliance department manager where he excelled in business and won numerous performance awards. He dedicated his career to the company and because of his hard work he was able to retire at the age of 55.

Leon’s family was the center of his world. His wife, Betty, was the love of his life. Together, they made a perfect team. They always treated each other with respect and made it a priority to never go to bed with ill feelings toward one another.

Their connection really shined when they took the floor to dance the jitterbug. People would watch with admiration and feel the joy and excitement fill the room. With love and devotion, they built a life and raised their three children. Leon was a strong supporter of all his children’s sporting events and their other extracurricular interests. He valued education and was proud that all his children graduated from the University of Maine. Leon’s pride and joy was his granddaughter, Ariele. She brought him years of happiness with her sparkle and exuberance. He was extremely proud of the woman that she had become.

Leon was a kind and thoughtful man with a warm and welcoming demeanor. He was always willing to lend a helping hand to others without being asked. He could be seen snow-blowing his neighbors’ driveways, taking care of their homes during a storm, or rescuing a stranded boater. He enjoyed coaching youth basketball, opening the Waterville Boys Club gym on weekends for pick-up games, working at Booster Club events and being on hand for various family home improvement projects. The highlight of his week was his weekly family visits to his mother’s house where extended family would gather.

Leon was an avid outdoorsman with a love for nature and wildlife. He appreciated the serenity of being near water and enjoyed spending time at his camps on Lovejoy Pond, in Unity, Messalonskee Lake, in Oakland, and a shared hunting camp with his friends on Kingsbury Pond. He loved spending time in the woods, walking the boundary lines, tracking deer, watching waterfowl, and dreaming of the various locations that would make a beautiful house lot. Being outside, hearing, smelling and being one with nature was where he felt calm and relaxed.

He passed on his connection with nature to his children. Many weekends and summers were spent at camp on Lovejoy Pond ice fishing, snowmobiling, exploring, and observing wildlife. Summers at Lovejoy, and later at Messalonskee Lake, were filled with swimming, boating and water skiing. He enjoyed playing cards, hosting barbeques, annual fourth of July celebrations, as well as numerous gatherings and impromptu visits from family and friends.

He was predeceased by his brother, Stephen Fowler and wife Beverly, and sister, Carolyn Blaisdell and husband Arthur.

Leon is survived by his wife of 64 years Elizabeth “Betty” Fowler; son, Edgar Fowler and wife Sharon; daughters Michelle Fowler and partner Debra Strout, and Tonya Fowler; granddaughter, Ariele (Fowler) Battipaglia and husband Paul; his sister, Linda Vitale and husband Vite; many nieces, nephews; and cousins.

There will be no visiting hours or funeral services. A celebration of his life will be held at a later date.

Please visit Leon’s memorial page at https://dsfuneral.com/obituaries/leon-fowler where condolences, photos, and special memories may be shared.

CAROLE A. GRAHAM

WATERVILLE – Carole Ann Graham, 76, passed away peacefully on Sunday, April 14, 2024, at MaineGeneral Medical Center. She was born on September 9, 1947, in Worcester, Massachusetts., the daughter of Ambrose A. Lebel and Leona A. Lebel (Morin).

Carole graduated from Millbury High School, Massachusetts, and attended Our Lady of the Lords Church in Millbury, Massachusetts. Carole worked as an adminstrative assistant at the Togus V.A., in Augusta, until her retirement. Carole enjoyed nature, bird watching and feeding her birds. She enjoyed crossword puzzles, and Suduku. Carole enjoyed family time and Applebees.

She is survived by her eldest son Chris M. Wixon; her daughter Naomi O. Wixon, and son Phillip M. Wixon who goes by Meka; her grandchildren Christeen M. Wixon, Skie Wixon, Phillip Wixon Jr., Shanowah Wixon, Krishtiana Wixon, Ahmik Wixon, Sakari N. Wixon, and Trinity L. Wixon; her brothers Ken Lebel, John Lebel, and Richard (Dick) Lebel. As well as many nephews, nieces, and cousins.

She was predeceased by her parents Ambrose and Leona Lebel and her brother Lenny Lebel.

Arrangements are in the care of Veilleux Funeral Home, Elm Street, Waterville, where memories may be shared, and an online register book signed by visiting http://www.veilleuxfuneralhome.com.

JOHN E. PHELPS

SIDNEY – John Earle Phelps was born in Huntington, West Virginia, on December 2, 1931, the son of Edward and Ethel Phelps. The family moved to Maine in 1932.

John attended Mt. Vernon grade school and graduated from Belgrade High School. He attended the University of Maine in 1951-1952. He was drafted into the U.S. Army in October 1952, and discharged in October 1954. He joined The Maine State Police in March 1955. He patrolled the Maine Turnpike, then was chosen as a driver for Governor Edmund Muskie in 1956. After Muskie he drove for Governors Clinton A. Clauson and John H. Reed.

On May 21, 1960 he married Joyce Richardson, of Farmingdale.

John patrolled in the Winthrop area from 1960 to 1969. He worked in communications in Augusta until 1973, then on security at the Blaine Mansion with Governor Kenneth Curtis. He also drove United Nations representatives to Forest Park off Lily Bay, at Moosehead Lake, during Muskie’s term as governor.

Among some of the people he drove for included Dr. Ralph Bunch (who won the Nobel Peace Prize), Sam Rayburn (Speaker of the House in Washington, D.C.), and Senator John F. Kennedy when he visited Governor Muskie, in Augusta.

He retired from the Maine State Police in 1975 and then was employed at the Blaine Mansion until 1995. Some of the visitors he met at the Blaine Mansion included Senator Walter Mondale, President Jimmy Carter, Bob Hope, Captain Kangaroo and Arnold Schwarzenegger. He worked for eight different governors and retired from state service in1995.

He enjoyed gardening, hunting birds and many sports. He especially enjoyed watching his grandchildren play baseball, softball, soccer, and basketball. He liked to travel, and he drove to California twice. He also enjoyed going to country western shows and saw many of the country western shows in Nashville, Tennessee; Branson, Missouri; Pigeon Forge, Tennessee, and Florida.

He was predeceased by his mother and father and brothers, Richard, Robert, and James Phelps.

In addition to his wife of 64 years, he is survived by his children, Jim and wife Terry Phelps, of Dresden, Jeff Phelps, of Sidney, and Jean LaFreniere and partner Walter Birkbeck, of Monroe; nine grandchildren; six great-grandchildren; as well as nieces, and nephews.

Visiting hours were held on Monday, April 22, . A service followed at Knowlton Hewins Funeral Home, 1 Church St., Augusta, ME.

A graveside service will be held at a later date.

Arrangements are in the care of Knowlton Hewins & Roberts Funeral Home and Cremation Care, One Church St., Augusta, where memories, condolences and photos may be shared with the family on the obituary page of our website at http://www.khrfuneralhomes.com.

Donations may be made to the American Diabetes, Heart, or Kidney Associations.

OTHERS DEPARTED

ELIZABETH A. PELLERIN

DOVER-FOXCROFT – Elizabeth Ann (Betty) Lewis Pellerin, 87, formally of Waterville, passed away on Wednesday, April 17, 2024, at Northern Light Mayo Hospital, in Dover-Foxcroft, She was born August 18, 1936, in Oakland.

Betty graduated from Williams High School, in Oakland, in 1954. She was employed at the Pleasant Street/Albert Hall School, in Waterville, from 1969, retiring in 1995. “Mrs. Pellerin” as the students called her was also a special room mother to a very special class that started in their fourth and fifth grades. She also attended their high school graduation.

Her interests were many, spending quality time with family, played volleyball at the boys/girls club, member of the association of secretaries, collecting antiques and summers at their cottage on McGrath Pond, in Oakland.

Betty married Richard (Dick) Pellerin in 1957.

She is survived by her son, Richard (Rick) Pellerin Jr. and wife Karlene, of Sangerville; two grandsons, Frank and Amy Pellerin, of Fairfield, Richard (Richie) and Shelby Pellerin III, of Dexter; stepson James Oldfield, of Connecticut; three grandchildren, twins Richard (Little Richie) Pellerin IV and Grady Pellerin, of Dexter, and Delana Green Oldfield, of Connecticut.

She is predeceased by her husband Dick, son Frank and a daughter Ann.

For those who desire may give to the Oakland Sidney Methodist Church, 14 West School St, Oakland, ME 04963.

There will be no visiting hours and at her request there will be no funeral. Burial will be private.

A gathering/celebration will be held at a later date.

Arrangements are under the direction and care of Gallant Funeral Home, 10 Elm Street, Waterville, Maine. An online guestbook may be signed, condolences and memories shared at www.gallantfh.com.

SSG JUAN M. LYNCH

KAPOLEI, Hawai’i – Staff Sargent Juan Matthew Lynch, 31, of Kapolei, Hawai’i, and Lakewood Ranch, Florida, passed away peacefully at home on Sunday, December 24, 2023. Born on December 7, 1992, in Guatemala City, Guatemala, the son of James Lynch and his mother, the late Mary Simcock Lynch.

Matt attended Mount Merici Academy, in Waterville, and graduated from Waterville Senior High School in 2011. Following graduation, Matt chose to serve his country and enlisted in the U.S. Army. Over the following 12 years, Matt’s decorated U.S. Army career included assignments with the 10th Mountain Division, Fort Drum, New York, 82nd Airborne Division, Fort Bragg, North Carolina, B Company, 1-27 Infantry Regiment (Wolfhounds) and the 2D Infantry Brigade Combat Team, Schofield Barracks, Oahu, Hawai’i. He served tours of duty in Afghanistan, Iraq, Kuwait, Syria, and an additional Lead Security Specialist assignment in South Korea. His commanders defined Matt as an incredible soldier and exceptional leader who will be remembered for his infectious and cheerful smile. SSG Lynch’s decorations included the Global War on Terrorism Expeditionary Medal and The Soldier’s Medal.

Matt’s warmth, kindness and quick wit brought much love and great joy to his family and friends. His calm, confident demeanor brought him much respect and admiration from the servicemen and servicewomen that served by his side. Matt took much pleasure in cooking, hosting holiday dinners for his battalion, company and platoon.

His many avocations included physical fitness, photography, creating digital media, golf, scuba diving, camping, surfing, family celebrations and his friendships – old and new. Matthew was particularly loving, protective and proud of his father and cherished brother Jose.

His soul is now reunited with his beloved mother and brother Michael. Matt will forever be remembered for his love of family, love of friends, love of country and his enduring bond of military brotherhood.

His enduring love will always be felt but, Matt will be forever missed by his father; brother Jose; aunt Sherri and uncle Steve Zimmer; cousins Jon, Katie and Michelle; aunt Walli and uncle Steve Fitton, Stephanie and Jason; uncle Stephen Simcock, of New York; uncle Bob and aunt Lora Lynch, of Nevada; aunt Marilyn and uncle Barry Welch, cousins Stacey and Brendan; aunt Pat and uncle Phil Simon and cousins John, Karen and Steven; and cousin Cherie Yannizzi of Colorado.

A full military honors service to commemorate the life of SSG Juan Matthew Lynch will take place June 1, 2024, at 10 a.m., at Saint Francis Catholic Cemetery, 78 Grove Street, Waterville, Maine. Cremation to follow.

Following the service, all family and friends are cordially invited to a reception and celebration of Matt’s life at Thomas College, 480 West River Road, Waterville, Maine.

Arrangements are under the care and direction of Veilleux Funeral Home, 8 Elm Street, Waterville, Maine. http://www.veilleuxfuneralhome.com.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in Matt’s memory to Saint John Food Pantry, Corpus Christi Parish, 17 S. Garland St., Winslow, ME 04901.