Obituaries, Week of April 26, 2018

CHARLES R. MERRITHEW

PALERMO – Charles R. Merrithew, 93 of Palermo, passed away on Saturday April 7, 2018. He was born in 1924, the son of Willie and Mary Merrithew of Palermo.

Charles better known as “Charlie” to most and as “Chuck” to some of his family members, was known for his love of hard work and for his love and dedication to his family, community, and his country.

He loved to work in the woods with his chain saw and tractor. He also enjoyed dancing, fishing, country music, eating seafood, hot dogs and any type of gathering with his family and friends.

Charles was married in 1943 to Mildred L Lowell, of Springfield, his wife of over 48 years who passed in 1992.

He proudly served as a wheeled vehicle mechanic in the US Army from 1943-1946 during World War II, during which time he was stationed in different parts of Europe and lastly in Germany.

Charles worked 33 years for Kenway Corporation, a Palermo based company at its beginning, now expanded and moved into Augusta, where he began first building wooden boats and then later moved primarily into industrial fabrication working with fiberglass. He retired from Kenway in 1992.
He was a member of the Malcolm Glidden VFW Post #163 of Palermo.

He had two sisters, one surviving, Winifred Reynolds, of Rockland, and Gloria (Carey) Monson, of Palermo, who passed in 2006.

Additionally, he is survived by his daughter Bernice Jones and her husband John, of Palermo. three grandchildren, Gary, Kelly and Leanne; four great-grandchildren, Kaylah, Abigail, Isaac and Joseph; two nieces, Lisa, Rena, and nephew Jeffrey.

Charles will be remembered for his gentle and kind nature and for living an unselfish life during which he was always willing to give and to provide service to others.

A graveside remembrance will be observed in his honor later this year.

Donations in his memory can be made to the Malcolm Glidden VFW Post #163, PO Box 183, Palermo ME 04354.

GORDON B. WEBBER

OAKLAND – Gordon Bruce Webber, 69, passed away Saturday, April 7, 2018, at Woodlawn Nursing Home, in Skowhegan, following a long illness. He was born in Waterville on January 19, 1949, the son of Robert and Linnie (Anderson) Webber.

He retired from Brookfield Power Co., of Waterville, where he had been employed as a senior hydro engineer for several years. He was a veteran of the U.S. Navy. Gordon was a lifetime member of the Waterville Lodge of Elks #905, and the Central Maine ATV Club. He also enjoyed hunting, fishing and four wheeling.

He is survived by his wife, Susan; daughter, Christina Webber, of Oakland; his three brothers, J. Ronald Webber, of Waterville, Charles Webber, of New York City, and Robert Webber, of South Glastonbury, Connecticut, and one sister Judith Muir, of Weymouth, Massachusetts; several nieces and nephews; and grandnieces and grandnephews.

Condolences may be expressed, and guestbook signed, at: www.gallantfh.com.

Memorial donations may be made to the Humane Society Waterville Area, 100 Webb  Rd., Waterville, ME 04901.

PATRICIA A. WOOD

OAKLAND – Patricia Ann “Patti” Wood, 72, died unexpectedly at MaineGeneral Medical Center on Monday, April 9, 2018. She was born in Waterville on December 22, 1945, the daughter of E. Harlan and Elsie (French) Snow.

Patti graduated from Williams High School, in Oakland, before marrying Dr. David R. Wood, of Readfield, on September 19, 1964.

She designed and built a beautiful medical building with her husband and a beautiful practice full of wonderful people. She graciously ministered spiritually and prayed with many of the patients. She designed a wonderful home in Texas and she was a full partner and participant in their ranching operation. This home was her pride and joy. She also co-founded a Ministry; Eastern Gate Ministries International. She has played a key role in this ministry from the first day until her death.

Patti was preceded in death by her father; and a sister, Sharon Staples.

She is survived by her mother, Elsie Dority, of Waterville; her husband of nearly 54 years, Dr. David R. Wood, of Oakland; her daughter Stacie Dawson and her husband Brian, of San Antonio, Texas; two sons Jereme Wood and his wife Jennifer, of San Antonio, Texas, and David Wood Jr. and his wife Bassia, of Israel; a sister Joyce Stevens and her husband Eugene, of Oakland, her brother Elbridge Snow, of Somerville; seven grandchildren, Kaitlyn and Logan Estridge, Jacquelyn Dawson, Jeffrey and Cooper Wood, Jennifer Stevens and Nathaniel Wood; three great-grandchildren; as well as many nieces, nephews and cousins.

Memories, condolences, photos and videos may be shared with Patti’s family at www.khrfuneralhomes.com.

NEIL E. MCLEAN SR.

VASSALBORO––Following a long and courageous battle with cancer Neil Edward McLean Sr. passed away on Monday, April 9, 2018. He was the son of John Richard McLean and Elva (McEachern) McLean, both of whom predeceased him. Neil was born February 4, 1943, in Augusta.

He grew up and went to school in Vassalboro. Upon leaving school, he enlisted in the Air Force and went on to serve his country honorably for 16 years;including service in Vietnam. Neil was always especially proud of his time in the service of his country. Even after leaving active service, Neil’s patriotic drive and commitment to other service members was reflected in his time as commander of the VFW, in Winslow, from 1981 to 1984. He was directly responsible for setting up a program of financial support for veterans funeral services through the VFW, as well as expanding the banquet hall and other miscellaneous financial benefits for veterans in need.

After leaving the military to be closer to his family, Neil continued to work hard. He was employed in various construction jobs and spent the last 20 years of his professional life working with R, J. Enterprises.

Although Neil officially retired in 2016, he would continue to work beyond that date. When not putting in a few part-time hours with R. J. Enterprises he loved to help family and friends with lawn and other miscellaneous tasks. He also spent a good deal of time with the new friends he made through his church, the Vassalboro United Methodist “Church. He regularly volunteered to help out with tasks around the church and within the community. On those occasions where he was able to enjoy time to himself he was an avid bird watcher and he loved to pass time with his pets; Bentley, Suvi, and Jinxy.

Neil is survived by his three children, Kevin Mclean and his wife Maribel, Neil E. McLean Jr. and his wife Rebekah, and Tricia Chayer and her husband Steven; 11 grandchildren, Hope and Peter Chhum, Seth McLean, Amber Dunn, Stevie Chayer, Nicolas Cardinale, Brady McLean, Keisha McLean, Katherine McLean, Calvin McLean, and Christina McLean; two great-grandchildren, Reily and Evelyn McLean; sister Myrna Duplessie; brother Everett McLean and wife Marie, brother John McLean; sister Deanna Malloy and husband Patrick.

He was predeceased by his former spouse, Linda L. French; his sister-in-law Celeste McLean; and brother-in-law Paul Duplessie.

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the Disabled American Veterans Organization @secure.dav.org.

THOMAS V. GILLEY JR.

PALERMO – Thomas V. Gilley Jr., passed away at Maine Medical Center, in Portland, on Monday, April 9, 2018, following a 40-year battle with diabetes and other health complications. He was born in Augusta on July 17, 1963, the son of Thomas and Dorothy (Dolley) Gilley Sr.

He was an amazing man, for his abilities, to build a home for his family and his garage, where he enjoyed being the family mechanic.

Tom will be remembered by his wife of 29 years, Tammy (Greene) Gilley; his children: Jeremy, Jessica and Taylor Gilley; his grandchildren, Eric Toothaker and Kara Gilley; his mother, Dorothy Gilley; and sisters, Bobbie Morrison and Dottie Gilley; also by several aunts, uncles, cousins, and nieces.

Tom was predeceased by his father Thomas Gilley Sr.; and brother Lorne Gilley.

A celebration of Tom’s life will be planned with family, and friends will be notified.

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

Memorial donations may be made to the American Diabetes Association.

DAVID L. LOVERING SR.

SOUTH CHINA – David Lee Lovering Sr., 72, of South China, died Thursday, April 12, 2018, at his home. He was born in Augusta, August 17, 1945, the son of Sidney and Pauline Lovering.

He grew up in China and went on to serve in the U.S. Army from 1962 to 1965.

After being discharged, David became a professional truck driver working both short and long haul. He and his wife, Carlaine Bovio, worked as a driving team for many years, travelling all over the United States. When he wasn’t working, David enjoyed going to car shows. To his family, he was known as “Grumpy.”

David was predeceased by his parents, Sidney and Pauling.

He is survived by his wife, Carlaine; son, David Lee Lovering Jr. and wife Shannon, of Palmyra; daughters, Lisa Lovering, of Buxton, Sheri Lovering, of Key West, Florida, and Kelly Murray and husband Chris, of Bangor; stepchildren, John Starkey and his fiancée Shekeria Anthony, of Skowhegan; and Tina Kennedy and husband Patrick, of Unity; grandchildren, Skylar, Morgan, Allison, Kaitlyn, Hunter, Autumn, Dominic, Zachary, Emme, Elizabeth, Michael, Aidan and Cheyenne; and two great-grandchildren.

Memories, condolences, photos, and videos may be shared with the family on the obituary page of the website www.khrfuneralhomes.com.

Memorial donations may be made to the American Cancer Society, 1 Bowdoin Mill Island, Suite 300, Topsham ME 04086.