Obituaries, Week of March 16, 2017

JAMES J. O’NEAL

WINSLOW––James Joseph O’Neal, 82, of Winslow, passed away Saturday, February 18, 2017, at Eastern Maine Medical Center, Bangor. He was born March 30, 1934, in Waterville, the son of James Edward O’Neal and Leona Violette Vellieux.

James “Jim” served with the US Army during the Korean War. Those who knew Jim well knew he was rarely seen without his Korea Veteran cap. Jim was a member of the J. Forrest Pare VFW Waterville Post #1285 then transferred to Grover-Hinckley Post #6924, in Fairfield, and became quartered master there. He retired as a life-long employee from Pratt and Whitney Aircraft, in Connecticut.

Jim will be remembered by many for his love for the outdoors, hunting, fishing, and his hobby of fly tying.

In addition to his parents, he was predeceased by his wife, Shirley (Denis) O’Neal; daughter Cheryl Johnson; son Randall O’Neal; grandson Dennis Johnson; and sister Marlene LeClerc.

He is survived by his sons Mark O’Neal and Ryan O’Neal; daughter Tabatha Stepensky; 10 grandchildren; three great-grandchildren; four sisters, Betty King, of Florida, Eleanor Kerr, of Island Falls, Helen Brock, of North Carolina, Lorraine Daveluy, of Terryville, Connecticut, his close friend Theresa Boudreau; and many nieces and nephews.

DOROTHY J. BREWSTER

SOUTH CHINA – Dorothy J. Brewster 69, of Pleasant View Ridge Road, died Friday, March 3, 2017, at her home following a brief illness. She was born in Bangor on April 6, 1947, the daughter of Joseph Brewster and Dorothy (Shorey) Brewster.

Dorothy was employed for many years as a CNA by HealthReach Network.

She was predeceased by her parents, a daughter, Sonya Brewster in 1969, a granddaughter, Melissa Bragg in 2005, two brothers, Joseph Brewster and Ralph Brewster, and a sister, Susan Cushman.

Surviving are her longtime companion, Grover Bragg, of South China; two sons, Steve Bragg, and Dave Bragg and his wife Amy, all of China; two daughters, Michelle Bragg and her companion Ray Haskell, of Waterville, and Melissa Libby and her companion Shane Willett, of Vassalboro; 13 grandchildren; several great-grandchildren; one sister, Betty Small, of Florida; one brother, Phillip Brewster, of Kentucky; several nieces, nephews and cousins.

Arrangements have been entrusted to Plummer Funeral Home, 983 Ridge Road, Windsor, ME. Condolences, photos and memories may be shared at www.plummerfh.com.

JON A. McKEIL

CHINA – Jon “Kilo” A. McKeil, 57, passed away Friday, March 3, 2017, at MaineGeneral Medical Center, in Augusta. He was born October 16, 1959, in Waterville, the son of John E. and Arlene M. (Hoxie) McKeil.

He graduated from Community School in Camden in 1979. Jon’s employment included working at Alco Meat Packing Company, construction with Dick Willette and Harding Brothers, as well as Harris Bakery. He loved boating, sunbathing, four-wheeling, music, writing poems, making up songs, and lobster.

Jon is survived by his son, Shawn McKeil, of Winslsow; grandson, Caleb McKeil, of Winslow; two brothers, Peter McKeil, and Carl McKeil, both of China; two sisters, Debbie Michaud, of Waterville, and Mary Quirion, of Wisconson; “sister” best friend, Cindy Brown Miner, of China; aunt, Judy Evers, of Fairfield; numerous nieces, nephews, and cousins.

Memorial donations may be made to the China Rescue and Fire Department.

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

MARIE MASSE

WINSLOW––Marie “Lillian” Masse, 99, passed away Monday, March 6, 2017. Lillian was born in Madawaska, on February 20, 1918.

During her lifetime, she experienced many vocations. Starting at a young age, she worked on farms in Aroostook County to help support her parents’ large family. Later in life, she was a homemaker, did waitressing, and worked at Hazzard Shoe Co. until she retired.

She and her husband George moved to Florida and lived there for 23 years, deciding to return to Maine in 2004 to be closer to their families. She enjoyed being outside working in her yard, planting flowers, and making her home beautiful. Her neighbors were constantly amazed by her strength and vitality when she did yard work and landscaping.

She was predeceased by her parents, Joseph and Euphemie Gorneau; brothers, Walter, Aurelle, Victor, and Matthew Gorneau; sisters, Leda Ouellette, Germaine Michaud, Rita Theberge, and Jeannine Joler; and her infant daughter, Joanne.

She is survived by her sons, John R. DeMerchant and wife Delores, and Terry DeMerchant and wife Bonnie; grandchildren John R. DeMerchant II and wife Cathy, Joel DeMerchant and wife Jennifer, and Julie, Tera and Adam DeMerchant; great-grandchildren John R. DeMerchant III and wife Aliyssa, Joshua Carrier, and Logan, Leah and Nicole DeMerchant; great-great-grandson John R. DeMerchant IV; many nieces and nephews; brother-in-law Donald Massey and wife Pat; and sister-in-law Bernadette Massey.

Memories may be shared at www.directcremationofmaine.com.

NATALIE J. BRANN

WINSLOW––Natalie J. (Randlette) Brann, 70, of Winslow, passed away on Tuesday, March 7, 2017, at her home. Natalie was born on September 20, 1946, in Lewiston, the daughter of George and Gertrude Randlette, and was raised in Monmouth.

Upon graduating from Monmouth Academy in 1964, she began working various office jobs and later became a full-time homemaker caring for her home and family. In 2002, she re-entered the outside workforce and began working for Maine Mobile MRI, retiring in March 2016.

On November 25, 1967, Natalie married Richard W. Brann, whom she sadly lost in October 2010. Natalie and Dick, as he was better known, moved to Clinton where they raised their two daughters.

She enjoyed cooking, gardening, and painting, but her favorite pastime of all was spending time with her family. She and Dick moved to Winslow in 2005 to be closer to their girls and their families.

She was a kind and loving woman with an infectious personality, quick wit, and great sense of humor. She was an avid shopper and a self-proclaimed sockaholic! She would never leave the house without matching completely from head to toe.

She was an intuitive person as her advice was often sought out by family, friends, and sometimes even strangers. She had a special way of always making others feel better. Natalie reconnected with old friends, made special new friendships, and never stopped caring about and helping others.

She was predeceased by her husband, Richard W. Brann; parents, George and Gertrude Randlette; sister, Barbara Sousa; brother, Bradley Randlette; and in-laws, George, Eva, and Paul Brann.

She is survived by daughter, Michele (Brann) Strahan, her husband, Jim, and grandson, Michael, of Winslow, daughter, Melissa Brann-Boucher, her husband, Bill, and grandson, Lucas, of Winslow; sister, Marcia Cooper and husband, Delbert, of Winthrop; sister, Lottie Carlson, of Manchester; and several nieces and nephews.

Memories and condolences may be shared at www.directcremationofmaine.com.

Memorial donations may be made to: MaineGeneral Hospice, 10 Water Street, Suite 307, Waterville ME 04901.

DENNIS K. MOODY

FAIRFIELD__Dennis Keith Moody, 70, passed away on Tuesday, March 7, 2017, at Maine Medical Center, in Portland. Dennis was born in Rockland on October 1, 1946, to Warren and Thursa (Lunt) Moody.

He attended and graduated from Union High School. After graduation Dennis enlisted in the U. S.  Air Force. Dennis went on to enlist in the U. S. Navy in 1979 and retired in 1996, after serving his country for over 30 years. While he was in the Navy Dennis started a Salt Marine Aquarium business in Rhode Island. Dennis also received his bachelor’s degree in technical engineering.

Dennis belonged to the Elks Club, Covert Club, and various other clubs as well. He loved to play golf and was an avid Boston sports fan. Dennis was a fun loving, free spirited enthusiast who enjoyed playing various sports with his family.

He was predeceased by his parents and his father-in-law, Robert Gardner.

Dennis is survived by his wife Janet Moody; his three sons, Lance, Chris, and Eric; his daughter Michelle; sisters, Brenda and her husband Frank Kern, and Laverne and her husband Maurice Jackson; brothers Brady Moody and his wife Martha; and his mother-in-law Doris Gardner and her children and their spouses.

An online guestbook may be signed at www.lawrybrothers.com.

Memorial donations may be made to the Maine Veterans Homes.

MEMORIAL SERVICE

A memorial service will be held for ANN CATES HIGGINS on Saturday, March 18, 2017, at 2 p.m., at the East Vassalboro Friends Meeting, Vassalboro, Stanley Hill Rd.

OTHERS DEPARTED

THERESA G. CARON, 86, of Rochester, New Hampshire, passed away on Thursday, Februar 9, 2017, at her home. Locally, she is survived by a brother, Wilfred Caron, of Winslow.

LYRA I. TROTT, 62, of Gardiner, passed away on Friday, March 3, 2017, at her home. Locally, she is survived by a daughter, Brie-Anne mellor and husband Dustin, of Windsor.

THERESA LIBBY, 90, of Waterville, passed away on Sunday, March 5, 2017, at Woodlands Senior Living Center, in Waterville. Locally, she is survived by a son, Garry Willett and wife Libby, of Winslow.

RICHARD MERRILL, 76, of East Winthrop, passed away suddenly on Tuesday, March 7, 2017. Locally, he is survived by a nephew, Rob Merrill and wife Donna, of China.

ELINOR C. GUENETTE, 84, of Madison, passed away on Thursday, March 9, 2017, at Somerset Rehabilitation and Living Center, in Bingham. Locally, she is survived by a grandson, Ryan Worster, of Fairfield.

FORMER RESIDENTS

JOHN R. HACHEY, 69, of Daytona Beach, Florida, unexpectedly passed away on Saturday, February 25, 2017. John was born in Waterville, and graduated from Winslow High School, class of 1965.

INGA D. FERRARA, 67, of Raynham, Massachusetts, passed away on Thursday, March 2, 2017, following a two-year battle with cancer. Inga graduated from Waterville High School, class of 1968. Locally, she is survived by a sister, Lucille Zelenkewich and husband Felix, of Winslow.

CAROL A. (KING) HALLEE, 67, of Colebrook, New Hampshire, passed away on Sunday, March 5, 2017, at the Dartmouth-Hitchcock Medical Center, in Lebanon, New Hampshire, following a short illness. She graduated from Waterville High School, class of 1967. She was married to Peter Hallee, also formerly of Waterville.