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Carol A. Mero
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ERVING - Carol A. (Smart) Mero, 62, of Erving, died Saturday, July 5, 2003 in the Franklin Medical Center, Greenfield.
She was born in Montague on Aug. 12, 1940, the daughter of Harold A. and Mildred M. (Sargent) Smart.
She graduated from Orange High School and had attended Greenfield Community College part time. She resided in Erving for the majority of her life. She had been employed by the Millers Falls Tool Company/Ingersoll Rand for approximately 12 years. Later she was a bookkeeper for Historic Deerfield from 1985 until the present.
She enjoyed amateur genealogy and was a member of the Mass. Society of Mayflower Descendants, the Margery Morton Chapter of the DAR, and several other historical and genealogical societies.
Survivors include three daughters, Deborah M. Mero of Erving, Diane E. Mero of Rutland, and Donna L. Mero of Rochester, California in 1941 and was employed at Hughes Aircraft Corp. many years until retiring. A resident of Santa Monica, CA. over 50 years, he moved to San Diego in 1999.
He leaves his sister in law, Carmel Hastings of Orange; several nephews and nieces. He was predeceased by a sister, Mildred MacDonald of Ann Arbor, MI.; two brothers, Paul Hastings of Orange and Allen Hastings of Whittier, CA.
A graveside service will be held Wednesday, July 9 at 10 a.m. in South Cemetery, Orange. The Rev. Barbara Seamon of Central Congregational Church will officiate.
Witty's Funeral Home is directing the arrangements. Further information and directions are available at www.wittyfuneralhome.com
Dodge Services
ORANGE - A Memorial Mass was celebrated on Wednesday, July 2, 2003 at St. Mary's Church in Orange for Arthur W. Dodge, 65, of Ft. Myers, Massachusetts Memorial Healthcare - Campus, Worcester, MA after being stricken ill while traveling to New England.
The Rev. Fr. William Lunney officiated. Janet Paoletti was the organist and Theresa Bergquist was the cantor. Roger Mallet offered the Readings. Interment followed in South Cemetery with a reception in St. Mary's Parish Hall following the committal service.
Witty's Funeral Home, Orange, directed the arrangements.
Laughton Services
ORANGE - Graveside services were held on Tuesday, July 1, 2003 in South Cemetery for Edward F. Laughton, 83, formerly of Red Brook Village, who died on June 21, 2003 at the Harborside - Applewood Healthcare in Winchester, NH. Gene A. Laurendeau officiated.
A color guard and honor guard were present from the Orange Police Department. Susan Dunbar was the sololist and John "Spider" Smith, Dept. Surgeon of American Legion Post 172 presented the flag to Mr. Laughton's son, John.
A reception followed at the home of John and Lynn Laughton.
Witty's Funeral Home, Orange, directed the arrangements.
Brailey Services
ATHOL - Funeral services for Linda M. (LaFountain) Brailey, 36, of 252 South St., were held in the J. Edward Murphy Funeral Home on Monday, June 30, 2003. The Reverend Harvey Collins, interim minister for the Starrett Memorial Methodist Church, conducted the service.
Bearers were Norman La Fountain, Gary LaFountain, Dennis LaFountain, Elton LaFountain, Lawrence LaFountain and John Fortwengler.
Melvin E. Woodcock Jr.,Office Manager
ORANGE - Melvin E. Woodcock Jr., 78, of 63 Adams St., died Tuesday, July 1, 2003 at the Franklin Medical Center in Greenfield after a seven - month battle with cancer.
Born in Orange on July 25, 1924, a son of Melvin and Margaret (Moore) Woodcock, he lived in town all of his life. A 1942 graduate of Orange High School, Woodcock joined the U.S. Army Air Corps in July 1944, and served during World War II as a B17 navigator with the 483rd Bomb Group, 817th Bomb Squadron. During the war, he flew 27 bombing missions over Germany and Italy. He was a member of the Orange American Legion Post 172 and the Orange World War II Last Man's Club, and throughout his life remained extremely proud of his military service.
Woodcock worked for the Rice Oil Co. in Greenfield for 22 years, first joining the company as office manager in 1981. Even after his retirement from full - time work in 1988, he continued to work part - time at Rice Oil, only recently giving up his job because of his illness. Previously, Woodcock worked for many years as a bookkeeper at Pioneer Petroleum Products in Gill.
He leaves his wife of 57 years, the former Nancy L. (Smith) Woodcock; four sons, David Woodcock and his wife Sammye of Belchertown, William Woodcock and his wife Carole, Keith Woodcock and his friend Karen Matthews, and Christopher Woodcock and his wife Joanne, all of Orange; a brother, Courtney Woodcock and his wife Barbara of Greenfield; six grandchildren, Jason Woodcock of Belchertown, Timothy Woodcock of Ware, Matthew Woodcock of Dracut, Megan Woodcock, Cameron Woodcock and Emma Woodcock, all of Orange; two great grandchildren, Sarah Woodcock and Jacob Woodcock of Belchertown; and several uncles, aunts, nieces and nephews.
Woodcock was a devoted husband, father, grandfather, and above all, enjoyed spending time with his family. Remembered by some from his generation as a pitcher for Orange High School in the early 1940s, he enjoyed baseball, basketball, football, golf and other sports. He was fond of telling the story of being at Yankee Stadium the day Don Larsen pitched his perfect game in 1956. He was an Orange Little League coach for a number of years, and also served on the Orange Little League's board of directors. He was also a member, at one time, of the Orange American Legion Drum and Bugle Corps.
Calling hours at Witty's Funeral Home will be Wednesday, July 2, from 6 to 8 p.m. Services will be Thursday, July 3, at 11 a.m. at Witty's Funeral Home.
Private burial will be held at Jones Cemetery in Orange at the convenience of the family.
In lieu of flowers, donations are suggested to the Orange Scholarship Fund, P.O. Box 298, Orange, 01364 or the Orange American Legion Scholarship Fund, Whitney St., Orange.
Guest register and directions available at: www.wittyfuneralhome.com
Grace A. Conradi
ATHOL - Grace A. (Brown) Conradi, 82, formerly of 739 Daniel Shays Hwy., wife of the late Charles R. Conradi, died Saturday, June 28 in the Quabbin Valley Nursing Home in Athol after a lengthy illness.
Funeral arrangements by the J. Edward Murphy Funeral Home are incomplete at this time and will be announced later. For more information, visit www.murphysfuneralhome.com.
Irene C. Chartier
TEMPLETON - Irene C. (Fountaine) Chartier, 83, of Baldwinville, formerly of 711 Baldwinville Rd., died Tuesday, July 1, 2003 in the Heywood Hospital in Gardner.
Jean M. Dill, Starrett Retiree
PHILLIPSTON - Jean M. (Clifford) Dill, 77, of 110 Baldwinville Rd., died Tuesday, July 01, 2003 in the Heywood Hospital, Gardner.
She was born in Athol on Dec. 10, 1925 the daughter of Lawrence A. and Gladys (Daniels) Clifford. She grew up in Phillipston and was educated in Phillipston.
Mrs. Dill worked at the AT&T and Barre Woolen Mills. She went on to work at the L.S. Starrett Company for 25 years and retired in 1991.
She was a member of the L.S. Starrett Company 25 year club. She was a member of the Athol Golden Agers and enjoyed bowling and spending time with her family.
She leaves two sons, Randall C. Dill of Mary Esther, FL, Kevin W. Dill of Taylors, SC; two daughters, Pamela J. Holmlund of Edgartown, Vickie L. Prescott of Pepperell; 10 grandchildren; seven great grandchildren and several nephews and nieces. She was predeceased by her husband of 31 years, Dexter L. Dill, who died in 1972, and by two brothers, Vernon Clifford and Alfred Clifford, both of Phillipston.
A graveside service will be held Thursday, July 3 at 11 a.m. in Lower Cemetery, Phillipston.
There are no calling hours.
In lieu of flowers, the family suggests that donations be made in her memory to the American Diabetes Association 1 Bromfield St., Suite 5, Boston, MA 02108.
Fiske Funeral Home, 1356 Main St., Athol, is directing arrangements.
Walter P. Bakula, World War II Vet
ERVING - Walter P. Bakula, 85, of 65 French King Hwy., died Monday, June 30, 2003 in the Franklin Medical Center, Greenfield.
He served in the Marine Corps in the Asiatic Pacific Theater of War during World War II. He served with the second marine division in the Island of Saipan where he was awarded the Bronze Star for heroism and the Purple Heart for wounds received in action. He attained the rank of first lieutenant.
