United States High School Yearbooks by County
Dorothy Layda, 87, mother of New Milford man
Dorothy (Carman) Madison Hoyt Layda, 87, died Oct. 10 at Laurel Ridge Nursing Facility in Ridgefield.
Mrs. Layda was born Aug. 31, 1915, in Pound Ridge, N.Y., a daughter of the late John and Bessie Belle (Stevens) Carman.
She was a homemaker and a lifelong resident of the Westchester County, N.Y., and Connecticut areas.
She is survived by seven sons, Keith Hoyt of New Milford, Michael Hoyt of Brookfield, Wayne Hoyt of Rotonda West, Fla., Thomas Madison of New York, William Madison and James Madison Jr. of San Antonio, Texas, and Gerald Madison of Danbury; three daughters, Nancy (Madison) Nassif of Danbury, Barbara Berg of Proctor, W.Va., and Mary Ann Ferro of Rotonda West, Fla.; two brothers, George Carman and Ralph Carman; and two sisters, Edna Prosio and Elsie Balogh. She was predeceased by her husbands Emil Layda, James Madison Sr. and Lester Hoyt, and a son, David Madison.
The Hull Funeral Home of Danbury was in charge of arrangements.
In lieu of flowers, contributions in her memory may be made to the Alzheimer’s Association, 607 Main St., Norwalk, CT 06851.
Peter Sieber Sr., 86, leaves family in local area
Peter Sieber Sr., 86, of 213 Willow Springs, New Milford, died Oct. 12 at New Milford Hospital. He was the widower of Bertha (Oberle) Sieber.
Mr. Sieber was born July 9, 1916, in Romania, son of the late Peter and Anna (Fuchs) Sieber.
He came to this country in 1955 and lived in Queens, N.Y., where he worked as a self-employed barber. He was a resident of the Danbury-New Fairfield area since 1978 before moving to New Milford in 2000.
He is survived by his companion, Valerie Eder; a daughter, Helen Goersch and her husband Chuck of New Milford; a son, Peter Jr. of Sherman; and four grandchildren.
The Lillis Funeral Home of New Milford was in charge of arrangements.
Contributions in his memory may be made to the New Milford Visiting Nurse Association, 68 Park Lane Road, New Milford, CT 06776.
Thomas Donahue, 85, father of Bridgewater woman
Thomas M. Donahue, 85, of 990 West Main St., Waterbury, died Oct. 9 at his home.
Mr. Donahue was born Dec. 27, 1916, in Somerset, Mass., son of the late Thomas and Catherine (Mullally) Donahue. He attended Somerset schools. He was a boiler inspector in the insurance industry. He also volunteered assisting the mentally retarded.
He is survived by a son, Stephen of Southbury; a daughter, Jean Hanlon of Bridgewater; and two grandchildren.
The Casey O’Donnell Family Funeral Home of Waterbury was in charge of arrangements.
Contributions in his memory may be made to St. Vincent DePaul, 34 Willow St., Waterbury, CT 06702.
Donald Schnell, 45, was a resident of Warren
Donald Lee Schnell, 45, of Curtiss Road in Warren died Oct. 11 at his home.
Mr. Schnell was born Feb. 23, 1957, in New Milford, son of Amelia (Slaughter) Schnell and the late Donald F. Schnell.
Besides his mother of Warren, he is survived by a brother, David of Warren, and a sister, Deborah Brenner of Warren.
A gathering of remembrance will be held Sunday at 2 p.m. at the Schnell home at 18 Curtiss Road in Warren.
Contributions in his memory may be made to the Warren Volunteer Ambulance Co., Warren, CT 06754.
Jacqueline J. Neves, 54, leaves family in New Milford
Jacqueline J. Neves, 54, of Leonard Drive, New Fairfield, died Oct. 11 at Northwest Memorial Hospital in Chicago as a result of an automobile/pedestrian accident. She was the wife of Franklin A. Neves.
Mrs. Neves was born July 27, 1948, in Danbury, daughter of Julie (Salis) Carboni of Danbury and the late Fred Carboni Sr.
She was a lifetime local resident and a graduate of Danbury High School, Class of 1966. She was also a graduate of Berkeley Secretarial School in White Plains, N.Y.
She was a member of St. Edward the Confessor Church, New Fairfield, the Heritage Country Club in Southbury, and the Richter Park Ladies Golf Association. She had also been a volunteer for Ann’s Place, Home of “I Can.”
Besides her husband and her mother, Mrs. Neves is survived by three sons, Frank of New Milford, Scott and his wife LeeAnn of New Fairfield and Jason of Danbury; four grandchildren, Cassandra, Brittany, Justin and Jessica; a brother, Fred Carboni Jr. of New Milford; and several nieces and nephews.
The Green Funeral Home of Danbury was in charge of arrangements.
Contributions in her memory may be made to Ann’s Place, the Home of “I Can,” Peacock Alley, No. 210, 1 Padanaram Road, Danbury, CT 06811.
Phyllis Turner, 74, was a native of New Milford
Phyllis (Drum) Turner, 74, died Oct. 15. She was the widow of Richard Turner.
Mrs. Turner was born July 11, 1928, in New Milford, daughter of the late Russell and Esther (White) Drum.
In her early years, she volunteered as an airplane spotter with her father during World War II.
She was a graduate of New Milford High School and worked for the former New Milford Telephone Company. She later worked for Canterbury School for 20 years.
She was an active member and Stephen Minister at St. John’s Episcopal Church.
Mrs. Turner is survived by six sons, Richard of Davie, Fla., Michael of Wake Forest, N.C., Russell of Waterbury, Roy of Pembroke Pines, Fla., George of New Milford and Robin of Salem, N.Y.; 12 grandchildren; three great-grandchildren; and several nieces and nephews.
Funeral services will be held tomorrow (Saturday) at 10 a.m. at St. John’s Episcopal Church, New Milford. Burial will be in Center Cemetery in New Milford.
Friends may call at the Lillis Funeral Home, 58 Bridge St., New Milford, today (Friday), from 7 to 9 p.m.
In lieu of flowers, contributions in her memory may be made to St. John’s Episcopal Church, 7 Whittlesey Ave., P.O. Box 179, New Milford, CT 06776; or to the New Milford Visiting Nurse Hospice, 68 Park Lane Road, New Milford, CT 06776.
Herbert Mohlenhoff Sr., 90, New Milford resident
Herbert John Mohlenhoff Sr., 90, of 2 Chestnut Grove, New Milford, died Oct. 11 at New Milford Nursing Home. He was the widower of Ruth (Ihlenburg) Mohlenhoff.
Mr. Mohlenhoff was born March 28, 1912, in New York, N.Y., son of the late John H. and Wilhelmina (Stockhoff) Mohlenhoff.
He was manager of the international audit department of Esso International Company, retiring in 1964 after 35 years of service.
He had formerly lived in Lakewood, N.J., and in Garden City, N.Y., before moving to New Milford in 1990. He was a member of Trinity Lutheran Church in New Milford and an active community member throughout his lifetime.
Mr. Mohlenhoff is survived by a son, the Rev. Herbert Mohlenhoff Jr. and his wife Ruth of New Preston; a daughter, Louise Hunt and her husband the Rev. Donald Hunt of Marblehead, Mass.; six grandchildren; and 14 great-grandchildren.
The Lillis Funeral Home of New Milford was in charge of arrangements.
In lieu of flowers, contributions in his memory may be made to Trinity Lutheran Church, 107 Kent Road, New Milford, CT, 06776.
Lena Thompson, 94, was a native of New Milford
Lena B. (Barley) Thompson, 94, of Magnolia Hill Road, Bethlehem, died Oct. 9 at her home. She was the widow of Earl R. Thompson Sr.
Mrs. Thompson was born Sept. 15, 1908, in New Milford, daughter of the late Eugene and Mary (Belter) Barley.
She was raised in New Milford and attended New Milford High School. She lived in Cornwall before moving to Bethlehem.
She was a member of Christ Church in Bethlehem, Bethlehem Grange, Order of the Eastern Star, and the Ladies Guild of Christ Church.
Mrs. Thompson is survived by two sons, Earle Jr. and Eugene of Bethlehem; four daughters, Elizabeth Kenniston of Cornwall, Elinor Bienvenue of Manheim, Pa., Elraea Rudzavice of Bethlehem and Elena Ozarowski of Goshen; a sister, Mary Osuch of Bethlehem; 20 grandchildren; 36 great-grandchildren; and three great-great-grandchildren. She was predeceased by a son, Everett.
The Hickcox Funeral Home of Watertown was in charge of arrangements.
Contributions in her memory may be made to Hospice and Palliative Care, 237 East Aurora St., Waterbury, CT 06708.
Emily Houle, 90, mother of Washington resident
Emily L. (Benson) Houle, 90, formerly of 170 Munson Road, Beacon Falls died Oct. 13 at Cheshire House, Waterbury. She was the widow of Francis J. Houle Sr.
Mrs. Houle was born Oct. 2, 1912, in Middlebury, daughter of the late Oscar and Alma (Helena) Benson.
She is survived by a son, Francis Jr. of Naugatuck; five daughters, Alma Carlson of Washington Depot, Christine DeRosa and Gaileen Yackel of Waterbury, Barbara Bendlin of Fort Myers, Fla., and Donna Peck of Webster, Mass.; two brothers, David Benson of Middlebury and Frank Benson of Beacon Falls; 19 grandchildren; and 24 great-grandchildren.
The Buckmiller Funeral Home of Prospect was in charge of arrangements.
Contributions in her memory may be made to the Beacon Falls Ambulance Corps, Main Street, Beacon Falls, CT 06403.
Howard Bronson, 80, was farmer, longtime resident
Howard M. Bronson of Washington Depot died Oct. 1 at his home after a long battle with cancer. He was surrounded by his family. He was the husband of Estelle Swan Bronson.
He was born Nov. 3, 1921, son of the late Clarence and Marie van Zelm Bronson. He grew up in New Haven, graduated from Wesleyan University and after serving in the Navy during World War II moved to Washington with his wife.
Mr. Bronson was a successful dairy farmer from 1950 until his retirement in 1982. In 1967, he received the Governor’s Trophy as Connecticut’s Outstanding Dairyman of the Year.
He was active as a member of the First Congregational Church of Washington, acting as the unofficial greeter of newcomers to the church.
He served on numerous town committees and, along with his wife, received the Washington Community Citizen of the Year Award.
In 2002, he and Estelle were named the first recipients of The Harry Van Sinderen Caring Citizen Award presented by The Devereux Glenholme School.
During his retirement, Mr. Bronson remained active cultivating strawberries, chrysanthemums, asparagus and cutting flowers, most notably his large patch of zinnias, which he shared freely with friends and family.
His “Pick Your Own” strawberries were enjoyed by many people in Western Connecticut.
In addition to his farming and gardening interests, Mr. Bronson was an active volunteer for the VNA, assisting in its Meals on Wheels and FISH programs.
In addition to his wife, he is survived by his son, Howard Bronson Jr. of Roxbury; two daughters, Mary Bronson of Montpelier, Vt., and Sarah Bronson of Windham, Maine; three sisters, Margaret Taylor of Storrs, Ruth Crockett of Hamden and Helen Brooks of Essex; and four grandchildren, Linnea and Christopher Bronson and Justin and Marissa LaGassey. He was predeceased by a daughter, Margery Bronson, who died in 1949.
A celebration of his life will be held tomorrow (Saturday) at 11 a.m. at the First Congregational Church on the Green in Washington.
In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to New Milford VNA Hospice, 68 Park Lane Road, New Milford, CT 06776, or to The First Congregational Church of Washington, 6 Kirby Road, Washington, CT 06793, or to the Steep Rock Association, 2 Bryan Plaza, Washington Depot, CT 06794.
Phyllis Gero, 97, former resident of New Milford
Phyllis M. Gero of Newport Beach, Calif., died Sept. 27 at Newport Beach Hospital after injuries sustained from a fall. She was the widow of Roland M. Gero.
Mrs. Gero was born Oct. 18, 1904, in Southbury.
She married Roland Gero Jan. 12, 1929, and they moved to New Milford in 1935. They had several local businesses through the years.
She is survived by a brother, Kenneth Wentsch of California, who is the living survivor of the Bataan Death March; a son, Barry and his wife Margaret of Roola, Mo.; a daughter-in-law, Eleanor Gero of Newport Beach, Calif., who nursed her through her final years; a nephew, Dana Taylor and his wife Mary of Richmond, N.H.; 14 grandchildren, including Susan Labarre of New Milford, Michael of Litchfield and Pamela Wasdo of Derby; 29 great-grandchildren, including local ones Michael Labarre, Barry Labarre, Samantha Labarre, Ross and Richard Robertson and Christie Miller; and a three great-great-granddaughters. She was predeceased by a son, Ronald M. Gero, and a daughter, Yvonne Gero Reap.
Memorial services, which will be announced in the future, will be held locally in the spring.
