OBITUARIES for Thursday, February 11, 2021

DOREEN L. SCOTT

FAIRFIELD – Doreen Lyn Scott, 60, passed away suddenly on Friday, January 8, 2021. Doreen was born in Waterville on September 23, 1960. She was the daughter of Norman and Gwendolyn Scott.

She attended Fairfield schools and graduated from Lawrence High School in 1978.

Doreen loved to shop and was on a shopping excursion when she passed away. She loved Christmas and started her next year’s Christmas shopping the day after Christmas and shopped all year long for her family and friends.

Doreen was predeceased by her parents, Norman and Gwendolyn Scott; and an uncle, Don Adams, of Winslow.

She is survived by a sister, Penny, and brother, David, both of Fairfield; a brothers, Danny, of Canaan, and Steven and wife Cynthia, of Winslow; nieces and nephews, Chris, Brian, Kevin, Bradley, Rose, Bobby, Heather, and Rory; as well as many great-nieces and nephews; many aunts, uncles and cousins.

A graveside service will be held at a later date.

An online guestbook may be signed, and memories shared at http://www.familyfirstfuneralhomes.com

Arrangements are by Lawry Brothers Funeral & Cremation Care, 107 Main St., Fairfield.

In lieu of flowers donations may be made in Doreen’s name to Humane Society Waterville Area, 100 Webb Rd., Waterville, ME 04901.

JOHN L. WRIGLEY

OAKLAND – John L. Wrigley, 53, of Oakland, passed away unexpectedly at home on Monday, January 11, 2021. John was born February 16, 1967, where he resided most if his life at his family farm with his late mother, Alice L. Wrigley, and his late aunt, Beverley O. Wrigley.

He graduated from Messalonskee High School, in Oakland, in 1986. He worked for Fabian Oil, in Oakland, for approximately 10 years and Hammond Lumber Co., in Belgrade, for approximately 25 years.

John enjoyed spending time with his family and friends as well as camping, attending races and four-wheeling. He also took great pride for the last 15 years restoring his grandfather’s 1946 Red Chevy pickup truck.

He is survived by his stepdaughter, Maila E. Couture, of Oakland; and his brother, Jason Meade and his family, of Skowhegan; his uncle Dana and aunt Marie Wrigley, of Oakland, aunt Betty and uncle Tom Pierce, of Belgrade; his cousin, Bill Wrigley and Heidi Otis and family.

In honoring John’s wishes there will be a celebration of life at a later date.

Arrangements are in the care of the Wheeler Funeral Home, 26 Church St., Oakland, where condolences may be shared with the family on the obituary page of the website at http://www.familyfirstfuneralhomes.com.

LOIS M. STARBIRD

CLINTON – Lois M. (Gibson) Starbird, 87, of Clinton, passed away on Saturday January 23, 2021, following a long illness. She was born February 4, 1934, the daughter of J. Holman Gibson and Freda (Dixon) Gibson.

Lois grew up on the Gibson and Son Dairy Farm, in Clinton, where she was no stranger to hard work. She not only delivered milk by horse and buggy, but also picked beans and hayed the fields alongside her parents and brother.

Lois graduated from Clinton High School and then married Donald Starbird, also of Clinton. Together they built and sold homes in the community. Lois also was employed in the offices of Skiland Woolen Mill, in Clinton, Harris Bakery Co. and Marden’s store, both in Waterville.

She found great enjoyment in gardening, selling Avon products, being a charter member of the Evening Extension, fishing, camping and traveling. Lois traveled to many places in New England as well as California, Alaska and Kamloop, British Columbia, Canada. She went on many bus trips with friends, Virginia and Phyllis, enjoying every minute and had the stories to prove it.

In her later years Lois looked forward to camping and fishing with her longtime companion, Gordon Flewelling, and his family. Their adventures took them from the light houses on the coast of Maine to the back woods beyond Greenville.

Lois was predeceased by her parents; her husband, Donald Starbird; and most recently her brother, Wendell Gibson.

She is survived by her companion, Gordon Flewelling; her children, Joyce (Smith) Starbird, Leslie Starbird, Linda Starbird and her partner, Celena Ranger, and David Starbird; several grandchildren; and great-grandchildren; and a special “sister cousin” Ellen (Humphrey) Russell and her husband, Neil.

At Lois’s request no services will be held.

An online guestbook may be signed, and memories shared at http://www.familyfirstfuneralhomes.com.

Arrangements are by Lawry Brothers Funeral and Cremation Care, 107 Main St., Fairfield.

IRMA W. SIMON

CHINA – Irma Wilcox Jones Simon, 92, passed away from natural causes on Saturday, January 30, 2021, at the Oak Grove Center, in Waterville.

Irma was born on December 3, 1928, in an old stone cottage on the campus grounds of the (Quaker) Friends’ Central School, in Overbrook, Pennsylvania, to (Headmaster) Dr. Barclay L. Jones and Esther L. (Coffin) Jones.

She had three older sisters, Louise, Frances and Hoylande.

A love for nature began at an early age as she was known to spend hours after school in neighboring fields playing, exploring, and studying the flora and fauna of the natural world around her. In the summers, Irma and her parents and sisters vacationed in South China, where a family cottage was built above the shores of China Lake. Here, she fell in love with the lake and time spent with cousins and many Quaker Friends and relatives. Irma always called South China, her “home”.

Irma attended Earlham College, in Indiana, graduating in 1950 with a bachelor’s degree in biology. There she met Stephen W. Simon, her future husband of 19 years. Upon their divorce in 1971, Irma and her five children moved to Maine to stay. As a “Maine-iac”, she once worked as an assistant teacher in Waterville High School’s science department where she was affectionately known to her students as “Mother Nature”. She was involved in a federal program called Project Tree at the elementary school, and for many years passed on her knowledge and love of nature as a volunteer working with counselors and campers at the (Quaker) Friends’ Camp, in South China, establishing a pond and the Woods Trail. Irma also became the first laboratory employee for Northeast Laboratory Services, in Winslow, was a histologist at the former Mid-Maine Medical Center, and an inorganic chemist and bacteriologist in the Department of Environmental Protection lab for the State of Maine which she loved until her retirement.

As a life-long Quaker, Irma attended her beloved Vassalboro Friends Meeting, in East Vassalboro. As a member of the Peace Committee for several years, she promoted peace-making endeavors and activism, and participated in peaceful demonstrations across New England.

In her retirement years, Irma enjoyed traveling out of state to visit family and friends, looked forward to summer gatherings of family, and Jones and Coffin cousins at the family cottage, and time spent on the shores of China Lake.

She was a lover of nature, birds and cats and an active member of several national and local environmental and wildlife organizations including the Natural Resources Council of Maine, the Maine Wolf Coalition and the China Lake Association. She was strong willed, never one to miss an opportunity to express her opinion regarding politics and the environment, believing world peace was possible and climate change can be fixed. This trait also served her well in overcoming several health crises in her lifetime.

In passing, may her spirit now run with the caribou in Alaska, howl with wolf packs, canoe the wild rivers of Maine, enjoy the waters of China Lake, and fly with all her feather friends. May she know that good people continue to work hard to end hatred and violence, to protect our earth, and to save our wildlife.

Irma is survived by her five children, Sylvia (Robert) Eppig, Andrew Simon, Peter (Melinda) Simon, Esther (James) Emmert and Emily (Russell) Poulin, as well as 12 grandchildren and 10 great-grandchildren.

A Celebration of Life will be hosted at a later date in Maine.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in her name to either The Vassalboro Friends Meeting, the China Lake Association, or the Natural Resources Council of Maine.

ALBERT R. BOYNTON

WHITEFIELD – Albert R. Boynton, 94, of 98 Mills Rd., died Sunday, January 31, 2021, at his home. He was born May 18, 1926, in Whitefield, to Chester A. Boynton and Addie F. (Knight) Boynton.

He was the youngest of seven children. He was born at the mill house across the road and moved to his current address one year later.

Albert was very much influenced by his mother who died when he was six years old. He always referred to her as “Mama”. He spoke of how she baked big pans of molasses cookies and raisin squares and took the responsibility to open the church and played the piano there. She had a marble top table full of African violets and took all the kids with her in the car to collect bills for his father’s sawmill business.

After she died his father kept their family together through the Great Depression even after losing his lumber business. Albert thought of him as a hero. It was a hurricane in 1938 that brought their family out of the Depression, when they were able to take a portable sawmill to Peterborough, New Hampshire, to clean up downed trees for wealthy families. Albert called it an “act of God”.

He went to Peterborough High School for two years. When the family moved the sawmill to Plainfield, Massachusetts, Albert went with his brother, George, to East Hartford, Connecticut, and attended school there for a semester. He then returned to Whitefield with his family and finished high school at Erskine Academy, in South China, graduating in the class of 1943.

After starting classes at the University of Maine at Orono, Albert decided to enlist in the Navy because he wanted to choose the branch he served in. He chose the Navy because he liked the blue uniforms rather than the olive drab. He entered boot camp in May 1944, on his 18th birthday, and served for two years on the USS Goodhue.

It wasn’t until later years that he shared with great emotion what it was like to have his ship hit by a Kamikaze and witness the loss of many of his shipmates. When he came back from serving in World War II, he returned to UMO, finishing with a bachelor’s degree in agricultural engineering.

He graduated in 1950 and got a job at Togus as an orderly to be able to pay for equipment for dairy farming. He met his wife Carolyn there who was an RN at the facility, and they married in 1954. She was the first and last girlfriend that he ever had. Albert worked for 30 years as a rural mail carrier in Whitefield, Coopers Mills and Somerville. He went the extra mile for his customers and enjoyed working with many special people. The job of mail carrier suited him to a “T”.

Albert went out of dairy farming when his barn burned in 1967 but always maintained a small herd of dairy cows. He accepted Jesus as his Savior on Palm Sunday 1971 which was the defining moment of his life. His faith influenced every aspect of his life from then on.

In retirement Albert cared for Carolyn for 12 years until her death in 2003. He was a member of Calvary Bible Baptist Church, in Whitefield, and later South Somerville Baptist Church. He enjoyed being in God’s House and reading and studying His Word. He passionately wrote letters to local papers on issues of life and morality. He was an avid reader and was always singing.

Albert was predeceased by his wife, Carolyn Tarbox Boynton; three daughters, Jeanne, Nancy and Mary Anne; and a grandson, Taylor Kittner, his mother and father; and six siblings, Virginia, Alden, Marcia, George, Dana, Shirley and their spouses.

Albert is survived by a son, David Boynton and his wife Melissa, of Whitefield; a daughter Beverly Cronkhite and her husband Rick, of Whitefield; a daughter Janet Kittner and her husband Wilfred, of Charlotte, North Carolina; grandchildren Kate Parker and husband Joe, of Augusta, Sam Boynton and wife Julie, of Walpole, Massachusetts, Meg Dyer and husband Jeff, of Palermo, Sawyer Maldovan and girlfriend Taylor Hickey, of Whitefield, Miranda Proud and boyfriend Josh Grenier, of Fairfield, Justin Cronkhite and wife Courtney, of Whitefield, Addie Joslyn and husband Jeremy, of Jefferson, Olivia Finnemore and husband Brendon, of Rockland, Jonah Cronkhite and wife Lydia, of Waldoboro, and Natalie and Brigitte Kittner, both of Charlotte, North Carolina; great-grandchildren are Cora and Ivy Parker, Ilyda, Vivian, and Ruby Dyer, Mia, Riley, and Izzy Proud, Abe Cronkhite, Brennan, Grayson and Haven Joslyn, Afton Finnemore, and Makiyah and Mitchell.

He was also the guardian to Larry Sturges. Albert was very much looking forward to meeting three more precious great-grandchildren this year. Albert also leaves behind many nieces, nephews and friends.

The funeral service will be private. Spring burial will be in Highland Cemetery, in Jefferson.

Arrangements were by Plummer Funeral Home, 983 Ridge Rd., Windsor.

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

In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to Pine Tree Camp, 114 Pine Tree Camp Rd., Rome, ME 04963; Zoe A. Women’s Center, 1056 Commercial St., Rockport, ME 04856; or Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia, 3401 Civic Center Blvd.
Philadelphia, PA 19104.

MICHAEL J. COYNE

FAIRFIELD – Michael J. Coyne, 51, passed away Thursday, January 28, 2021, at MaineGeneral Medical Center, Thayer campus, in Waterville. He was born December 2, 1969, in Portsmouth, New Hampshire, the son of Michael G. and Rosanne M. (Beaudreault) Coyne.

He graduated from Waterville High School in 1988. He was a veteran who proudly served his country in the United State Marine Corps from 1988 to 1989 until his honorable discharge.

He was employed as a cook for 20 years at Belanger’s Drive-In, in Fairfield, Thomas College, in Waterville, as head chef for 10 years and Camp Pinecliffe as head chef for the last five years.

He was a member of the Grover-Hinckley American Legion Post #14, in Fairfield, the women’s Auxiliary and the United Bikers of Maine. Michael loved to cook, tell dad jokes and spend time with his granddaughter, Gracelyn. He enjoyed Harley-Davidson, Bald Eagles and the Marine Corps.

Michael is survived by three daughters, Makayla Coyne, of Augusta, Victoria Blaisdell , and boyfriend Matthew Quinn, of Fryeburg, Kyrrah Guerin, of Waterville; granddaughter, Gracelyn; twin brother, Gregory Coyne and wife Lori, of Natick, Massachusetts; brother David Coyne and life partner Shannon Cortois, of Waterville; niece and nephew, Adam and Katherine Coyne; father, Michael G. Coyne and wife Marlene, of Augusta; second family, the Blaisdells, Kelly, Lori and Roger.

He was predeceased by his mother, Rosanne Mary (Beaudreault) Coyne; stepsister, Sheila White.

A Celebration of Life will be held at the convenience of the family.

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

In lieu of flowers, friends wishing may make donations in Michael’s memory to the American Legion Post #14, 86 Main Street, Fairfield, ME 04937.

EMMA Z. DRYSDALE

WATERVILLE – Emma (Zeffer) Drysdale, 97, recently of Waterville, passed away on Thursday, January 28, 2021, at Lakewood Northern Light Continuing Care, in Waterville. She was born in Edison, New Jersey, on August 3, 1923, the daughter of Peter and Juliana (Tompa) Zeffer.

Emma lived in the Metuchen and Edison area of New Jersey most of her life, marrying Gordon W. R. Drysdale and raising her family there. Family was most important to Emma.

She was a member of The Ascension Lutheran Church, of New Brunswick, New Jersey, and worked at Robert Wood Johnson Hospital for many years, retiring in 1994. She moved to Sarisota, Florida, in 1998 and then to Waterville in 2005.

She is survived by a daughter, Bonnie Cohen and husband Paul, of Orono; son, Gordon R. Drysdale and wife Nancy, of Fairfield; grandchildren, Danette Baltutis and husband Tony, of Azle, Texas, G. Edward Drysdale and wife Rebakah, of Auburn; three great-grandchildren, Emma and William Drysdale and Kate Kirchner; many nieces and nephews.

She was predeceased by her husband, Gordon; four sisters, Julia Kalman, Edith Bascelli, Margaret Margolis and Irene Anderko.

At Emma’s request, there will be no visitation or funeral services. Interment will be at the convenience of the family at Franklin Memorial Park Mausoleum in North Brunswick, New Jersey.

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

DONALD SCHILLING JR.

BENTON – Donald Schilling Jr., 40, passed away on Saturday, January 30, 2021. Donald was born at Central Maine Medical Center, in Lewiston, on January 5, 1981.

He had numerous close friends who can attest to his heart of gold. Donald loved listening to music, watching game shows, drawing and doing puzzles. He was very proud of his children who gave him great joy. Fly high superman.

Donald was predeceased by his mother, Kathy Lynn Schilling and his maternal grandparents.

He is survived by his three children, Gavin, Alivia and Danica; his father, Donald Schilling Sr.; his sister, Melissa and her spouse, Jeremiah Musselman; his companion, Christine Berryman; many aunts and uncles; and lots of cousins.

No services will be held at this time.

An online guestbook may be signed, and memories shared at http://www.familyfirstfuneralhomes.com.

Arrangements are by Lawry Brothers Funeral and Cremation Care, 107 Main St., Fairfield.

NANCY L. RODRIGUE

WINSLOW – Nancy L. (St. Pierre) Rodrigue, 76, passed away Sunday, January 31, 2021, at Oak Grove Center, in Waterville. She was born November 22, 1944, in Brunswick, the daughter of George and Georgette (Johnson) St. Pierre.

She was educated in the schools of Brunswick and on December 27, 1976, she married Joseph Rodrigue. She enjoyed reading and crocheting.

Nancy is survived by daughter, Nancy Clowes, of Waterville; granddaughter, Terri Clowes, of Waterville; two brothers, James St. Pierre, of Portland, LonAllen St. Pierre; two sisters, Linda St. Pierre and Betty St. Pierre.

She was predeceased in 2020 by her husband, Joseph Rodrigue.

A graveside service will be held at a later date at the convenience of the family.

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

MARLENE A. HARRIS

WINSLOW – Marlene Amber (Ham) Harris, 81, passed away on Monday, February 1, 2021, at her home, in Winslow, following a lengthy battle with ovarian cancer. She was born in Waterville on July 1, 1939, to Amber (Jakins) and William E. Ham.

Following graduation from Winslow High School in 1957, Marlene became employed as a private secretary to Miss Pearl Fisher at the former Thayer Hospital, in Waterville. She met and married Richard E. Harris on February 1, 1958, exactly 63 years ago. They raised three children in the home they built together in Winslow. Later, they built a summer cottage at Prince Edward Island which they enjoyed for over 45 years.

Marlene achieved her medical assistant certification and was proud to work with several local physicians, including over 25 years as Dr. John W. Towne’s medical assistant. After retirement in 1997, she and her husband spent winters at their home in Fort Meade, Florida. Both in Maine and Florida, she was very active in the Order of Eastern Star and was a Past Matron of Martha Washington Chapter #15.

Marlene was talented, creative and industrious. She was an artist and restored many antiques with her husband. She loved art, music and was an accomplished knitter and quilter, making quilts for all her family. An active person, she especially enjoyed square dancing, country dancing and clogging, and roller-skating. She and her husband rode motorcycles together for many years and owned and showed antique automobiles.

Marlene had a busy, happy life and will be remembered by her family for her independence, stamina and sheer determination, especially during her illness. Throughout her life, she shared her love and care for many people, and for many animals, both wild and domestic.

Marlene is survived by her husband, Richard; a daughter, Allison Watson and her husband Michael; a son, Martin Harris and his partner Rhonda Kennedy; three grandchildren, Melissa Audet Stewart, Brian Audet and his wife, Sydnee, Benjamin Audet and his fiancée, Felicia Paradis; two great-grandchildren, Cameron and Abigale Stewart; a brother, Wayne E. Ham and his wife, Peggy; and two nephews, Jason Ham and Christopher Ham and his partner, Sarah Austin.

Her eldest son, Dana R. Harris, predeceased her.

A celebration and remembrance of Marlene’s life will be held at a later date in the spring.

Arrangements under the direction and care of Dan and Scott’s Cremation and Funeral Service, 445 Waterville Rd., Skowhegan, Maine.

In lieu of flowers, a donation may be sent in her memory to the Humane Society Waterville Area, 100 Webb Rd., Waterville, ME 04901.