OBITUARIES for Thursday, March 28, 2024

CLIFFORD A. RISINGER

FAIRFIELD – Clifford A. Risinger, 69, passed away peacefully in his sleep from complications of dementia on Thursday, February 29, 2024, at Woodlands Senior Living, of Brewer. He was born April 30, 1954, son of Parmelie Sturtevant and Augustine Risinger, a resident of Fairfield.

Cliff graduated high school in Waterville, with an interest and accolades in engine building. He worked various careers throughout his life, primarily employed as a mechanic, but enjoyed any labor that involved working with his hands. He also had a deep connection with religion and enjoyed his time with friends and family at the Clinton Baptist Church.

Cliff was predeceased by his older brothers, Sonny Risinger and Allen Risinger, and sister Diane Roy.

Cliff is survived by his sisters, Phyllis Baker and Marilyn Carroll, and brother Mike Risinger; children, Michelle Risinger, Mark Risinger, and Rachel Risinger.

A funeral service was held on Saturday March 23, at Clinton Baptist Church, 10 Spring St., Clinton.

Arrangements are under the care and direction of Lawry Brothers Funeral Home, Main St., Fairfield.

MARILYN F. NELSON

FAIRFIELD – Marilyn F. Nelson, 75, passed away Saturday, March 2, 2024, following a short battle with liver cancer. She was born August 28, 1948, the daughter of Charles W. Hersey and Madeline F. (Richardson) Hersey.

Marilyn grew up in Waterville and Fairfield, graduating from Lawrence High School in 1966. She started working at the Norridgewock Shoe Shop in 1970 and married Jeff in 1971. Marilyn stayed at the shoe shop until they closed in 1981. She then started at Kmart in 1988 and spent the next 25 years there until retiring in 2014. She has spent the last nine years at the Fairfield Public Library, a job she loved.

Marilyn loved being around people, she certainly was a social butterfly. She was at every event, talking with all the people. She could not go into a store without running into someone she knew. She loved meeting with her graduating class at O’Brien’s, going to quilting class, and knitting. She used to love golfing, bowling, and traveling with Jeff in their motorhome. She especially loved all the special gatherings with friends and family. She was one popular lady.

She is survived by her son Mark and wife Cindy; daughter Jaime and husband Kevin Nutting; granddaughter Kayla Nelson; grandson Kobe Nutting; great-grandchildren Parker, Rylee, and Lane; brother-in-law Peter Nelson and wife Sandra, brother-in-law Jon Nelson and wife Wendy; sister-in-law Nancy Hersey; nieces, nephews; and cousins.

Marilyn was predeceased by her parents Charles and Madeline Hersey; brother Brian Hersey; husband Jeff Nelson; sister-in-law Wendy (Nelson) Lane; and nieces Carrie Nelson and Sally Nelson.

A graveside service will be held Friday, April 12, 2024, at 1 p.m., at the Maine Veterans Memorial Cemetery, Mt Vernon Road, Augusta, with reception to follow.

Please visit Marilyn’s memorial page at https://dsfuneral.com/obituaries/marilyn-nelson-2024 where condolences, photos, and special memories may be shared.

In lieu of flowers, friends wishing may make donations in Marilyn’s memory to The American Cancer Society or The American Diabetes Association.

LENDALL STEWART

CLINTON – Lendall Stewart, 77, passed away unexpectedly on Thursday, March 7, 2024. He was born on August 21, 1946, in Waterville, the son of the late Harvey Stewart Sr. and Leatrice (Moore) Stewart.

Lendall worked 10 years at Skiland Woolen Mill , in Clinton, and retired from Huhtamaki, in Waterville, after 38 years of service.

Lendall enjoyed the simple things in life, puttering in his garage, long rides, camping at Mt. Blue State Park, feeding the birds, watching the Red Sox and a cold beer. His greatest pride and joy in life was his family; his daughters Laurie and Vick, being Grampy and Dee to his grandchildren and great grandchildren. We will miss you.

He was predeceased by his parents, his in-laws Victor and Beverly Buck; two brothers Andy Stewart and Harvy Stewart Jr.

Lendall is survived by his wife and best friend of 57 years, Sherry (Wiggy) Stewart; his daughters Laurie Austin and her partner Ernie Forrest, Vicki Fisher and son-in law Jamey Fisher; granddaughter Jessica Richards and her daughter Graciana Beverlee; grandson Christopher Richards, his wife Nicole and their children Anna, Wyatt, and Beckett; grandson Evan Fisher and wife Kali; granddaughter Abbi Fisher; three sisters Sheila Giles, of Madison, Wanda Pelotte and husband Raymond, of Oakland, and Ona Stewart, of Massachusetts; two brothers Percy Stewart, of Fairfield, and William Stewart, of Waterville.

The family will not be having any public services.

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

DIANNE J. HOWARD

BENTON – Dianne J. (Brann) Howard, 69, passed away peacefully, at MaineGeneral Medical Center, on Monday, March 11, 2024, following a long and courageous battle with cancer. Dianne was born in Augusta on November 14, 1954, the daughter of Paul and Eleanor Brann. She graduated from Messalonskee High School, in Oakland, in 1973 and earned her degree in Bioscience from Kennebec Valley Technical Center, in Fairfield.

Dianne retired from Elanco (f/k/a Lohman Animal Health) in 2021. While working at Lohman Animal Health, she met her husband, Gerald Howard Jr., and they were married on August 26, 2006. Her coworkers provided her with many funny and heartwarming memories, which she shared frequently. She also made some lifelong friends, who she cherished greatly.

Dianne was predeceased by her parents; siblings, Darrell Brann, Cherryl King, and Donna Jenney; and granddaughter, Callie Noonan.

She is survived by her husband; son, Derek Jenney, his wife, Angela, and their sons, Kevin and Glenn, of Waterville; daughter, Dori Noonan, her husband, Brad, and their children, Tyler, Dawson, and Brooklyn, of Oakland; great-granddaughter, Lydia Noonan; and several nieces and nephews; her sister, Shirley Young (whom she lovingly nicknamed Bob), and her brother-in-law, David.

Dianne’s life was celebrated at her funeral on Saturday, March 30, 2024, at Shawmut Chapel, 57 Bray Avenue, Shawmut, Maine.

In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation in Dianne’s name to the Humane Society Waterville Area, 100 Webb Road, Waterville, ME 04901.

ARTHUR C. RAY

SIDNEY – Arthur Charles Ray, 80, of Sidney, passed away peacefully at home on Tuesday, March 12, 2024, following a long illness. Born in Brunswick on June 30, 1943, he attended Waterville schools and enjoyed activities at the Boys’ Club where his grandfather, Andrew Armstrong, had been custodian and unofficial mentor. Arthur graduated from Waterville High School in 1961. In 1966 he graduated from the University of Maine, Orono with a B.S. degree in electrical engineering.

Arthur was a career employee of Central Maine Power Company. During that time, he became a professional engineer and finished his career as the manager of distribution engineering.

“Art,” as he was known, had many and varied interests. He was a life-long learner and a true historian. Genealogy was a particular interest, and he kept meticulous family records. Maine history was another passion. Art presented historical programs at libraries, historical societies, retirement communities, and at UMA Senior College. As a board member of UMA Senior College, he helped initiate an annual film series and the Brown Bag Lunch programs.

Art loved to ski and was a Sugarloaf season pass holder for many years. He was gifted in stained glass art and oil painting. Art loved cats and enjoyed music and the daily crossword puzzle. He had an independent spirit and will be truly missed by his family and those who knew him.

Arthur was predeceased by his parents, Clarence Ray and Louise (Armstrong) Ray, of Waterville; and his sister-in-law, Irene Ray, of Cocoa Beach, Florida.

He is survived by brother, Herbert Ray, of Cocoa Beach, Florida, and twin brother, Robert Ray and his wife Joyce, of Dunbarton, New Hampshire; nieces Jennifer Johnson (husband Christopher), Heather Radl (husband Andrew), and Rebecca Brooks (husband Timothy); and nephew, Jay Ray; special friend, Mary Read; grandnieces, grandnephews; and many cousins.

A private graveside service will be held at a later date. Burial will be in Pine Grove Cemetery, Waterville. Memories and condolences may be shared with the family at DirectcremationofMaine.com.

Remembrance gifts may be sent, in Art’s memory, to the Alfond Youth Center, 126 North St., Waterville, ME 04901.

PAUL F. ZIBURA

WINDSOR – Paul Francis Zibura, 64, passed away on Saturday, March 16, 2024. Paul was born on June 1, 1959 in Glen Ridge, New Jersey, to Mary and Francis (Frank) Zibura.

He grew up in Clifton, New Jersey, and was a clarinet player in the Clifton High School Mustang Band which competed nationally. He moved with his family to a farm in Windsor, in 1977. He received his associate degree in Fire Protection from Laconia Vocational Technical College, in Laconia, New Hampshire, in 1984, with concurrent on-the-job training at the Gilford Fire Department as a live-in student.

Paul’s true calling in life was to serve his community. He absolutely loved his career as a firefighter and paramedic. Paul and his brothers acquired an emergency radio scanner in 1974 which heavily influenced their collective interest in fire science. Paul worked for the Gardiner Fire Department beginning in 1984 and then joined the Augusta Fire Department in 1987. He was promoted to lieutenant in 2009 and retired from service in 2014. Paul’s devotion to fire science and strong work ethic motivated many of his peers and was the primary inspiration for his son Adam’s service as a Public Safety Communications Specialist (dispatcher) for the Maine State Police and volunteer firefighter for the Windsor Fire Department.

The only passion of Paul’s that could rival his dedication as a first responder was his love for his family. When he was not working, Paul could usually be found helping his son, Adam, practice karate, playing catcher for his daughter Ashley’s softball pitching lessons, spending time with his siblings at ‘The Red House’, or enjoying a stack of pancakes at AHOP with family and friends. During his retirement, Paul enjoyed caring for his son’s horse, Beamer.

Paul was known for his dry sense of humor, commitment to his exercise routine at the Augusta YMCA, love of diner food, and penchant for dessert. He was also an avid sports fan, rooting for the Boston Red Sox, New York Football Giants, and The Ohio State football team.

Paul is survived by his daughter, Ashley Zibura and her husband Brad; daughter-in-law, Angelia (Lia) Zibura; his sisters Nancy (Ann) Castonguay, Margaret Libby and her husband Parker, Theresa Caliccio and her husband Wolfgang, and Karen Condon; and his brothers, David Zibura, Francis (Skip) Zibura and his wife Roxanne, and Matthew Zibura; as well as many nieces, nephews, and cousins.

A period of visitation was held on Saturday, March 23, 2024, at Plummer Funeral Home, 983 Ridge Road, Windsor, Maine 04363. A funeral service was held on Sunday, March 24, 2024, at the funeral home. A reception followed at the Windsor Fire Department.

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

In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made to the following charities in Paul’s honor: the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society (LLS), the All Clear Foundation which aims to improve to overall wellbeing and mental health of our first responders, the Kennebec Valley Humane Society (KVHS), and the Maine State Society for the Protection of Animals (MSSPA).

RICHARD D. HAYES

JEFFERSON – Richard D. Hayes, 77, died Monday, March 18, 2024, at the Sedgewood Commons, in Falmouth, following a long illness. Richard was born in Gardiner, a son of the late David J. and Celia (Jones) Hayes.

Dick grew up on the family farm on the Mountain Road, in Jefferson. He loved to play baseball and claims he learned to count and add by playing cribbage! Dick attended Erskine Academy, in South China, and graduated in 1964.

After high school, he served in the U.S. Army. He attended White Sands Missile School and was deployed to Korea during the Vietnam War.

Subsequently, he was employed by Central Maine Power Co. for over 43 years, retiring in 2011. He held many different positions. He read meters, worked at Mason Station, in Wiscasset, and repaired transformers and substations, amongst other duties.

Dick was an avid deer hunter, checkers player, motorcycle enthusiast, martial artist and was an Amway distributor for many years. He also enjoyed watching stock car racing and helping out his nephew Ryan who raced at Wiscasset Speedway.

Richard is survived by his ex-wife and good friend, Tina Hayes, of Jefferson; his son, Robert Jones and longtime partner June, of West Gardiner; two daughters: Debra Peacock and Joanne Parkin and her husband Jay, all of West Gardiner; two brothers, Robert Jones and his wife Donna and Randall Hayes and his wife Margo, and a sister, Ramona Leeman, all of Jefferson; many grandchildren, great-grandchildren; and several nieces, nephews and cousins.

A funeral service was held at Plummer Funeral Home, 983 Ridge Road, Rte. 32, Windsor, on Wednesday, March 27. Burial will be at a later date in Shephard Cemetery, Rte. 32, Jefferson.

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

Memorial Donations can be made to Jefferson Area Community Food Pantry, c/o St. Giles Episcopal Church, 72 Gardiner Rd., Jefferson, ME, 04348, or Inn Along the Way, 741 Main St., Damariscotta, ME, 04543.

KATHERINE G. LAWRENCE

SIDNEY – Katherine Gloria Lawrence 81, of Sidney, died Tuesday, March 19, 2024, at Win­ter­berry Heights Senior Living Com­munity, in Bangor. She was born in Belgrade, on March 30, 1942, the daughter of Lauren and Annie (Clark) Rideout.

Katherine attended Belgrade and Augusta schools.

She was predeceased by her husband Claustin, her parents Lauren and Annie Rideout, in-laws Levi and Marian Lawrence, brother Kenneth Rideout, sisters Evelyn French, Annie Trask and Barbara Sproul.

Katherine is survived by her three children, daughter Brenda Beaulieu and husband Clement, of Sidney, son Claustin “Chuck” Lawrence and wife Belinda, of Holden, and daughter Annie Nickerson and husband Glenn, of Sidney; three grandsons, Claustin Lawrence, of Millinocket, Brandon Lawrence and wife Janine, of Eddington, Dustin Lawrence, of Eddington; sisters, Lena Worthing, Dorothy Moulton, Irene Rideout, Ramona Dean and husband Joseph; brother Ralph Rideout and wife Karolyne; several sistes-in law, Priscilla Rideout, Idona King and husband Dennis and Elaine White; several nieces and nephews.

Katherine worked for Statler Tissue, in Augusta, for over 30 years until it closed. She worked for her son’s business Tradewinds Marketplace/Variety Stores from packing natural foods to cooking for all the associates which she truly enjoyed interacting with all of them as well as their customers. She was also known as the famous fudge lady for her daughters stores.

Katherine enjoyed family vacations, trips to Florida to see her sister Ramona and husband Joe, whom she spent lots of time with in Maine and Florida, enjoyed having lawn sales so she could talk to all the people. She touched many lives all who met her loved her.

There will be a spring graveside service, at Springer Hill Cemetery, in Sidney.

A Celebration of Life was held on Monday, March 25, 2024, at Le Club Calumet, 334 West River Road, Augusta, Maine.

Arrangements are entrusted with Staples Funeral Home and Cremation Care, 53 Brunswick Avenue, Gardiner Maine.

Condolences, memories, and photos may be shared with the family on the obituary page of the Staple Funeral Home website, http://www.staplesfuneralhome.com.

In lieu of flowers memorial donations may be made to the Alzheimer’s Association of Maine, 383 US – 1 #2C, Scarborough, ME 04074, in Katherine’s honor.

JEAN G. MYRICK

UNITY – Jean (Getchell) Myrick passed away peacefully on Friday, February 2, 2024.

A grave side service will be held on June 8, 2024, at 11:30 a.m., at the Unity Pond Cemetery. Please visit http://www.lawrybrothers.com to read the entire obituary and sign an online guest book.

CHARLES P. GAGNON

WATERVILLE – Charles “Charlie” P. Gagnon, 74, of Waterville, passed away peacefully in his sleep on Tuesday, February 6, 2024, at Oak Grove Center, in Waterville. He was born on July 22, 1949, in Waterville.

A Mass of Christian Burial was held on Wednesday, March 27, 2024, at Notre Dame Catholic Church, Silver Street, Waterville.