Coos County Democrat Obituaries, Lancaster, New Hampshire, Wednesday, November 19, 2003 Copyright of the newspaper. Permission to include in the USGenWeb Archives was received. Donalea (Marshall) Ballard BIRMINGHAM, Ala. — Donalea (Marshall) Ballard, 57, died on Tuesday, Nov. 11, 2003 in Birmingham, Ala. Born on July 14, 1946 in St. Johnsbury, Vt., she was the daughter of Don and Bernice Marshall, formerly of Twin Mountain. Donalea grew up in Twin Mountain, attended school there and was graduated from Whitefield High School in 1964. During her last two years in high school, she was in the Cadet Operator Program at New England Bell; after graduating, she became a full-time operator. On Oct. 1, 1966, she married Carl R. Chalbeck She was a member of Starr King Grange #124 in Jefferson. She loved animals, nature, flowers and music. She was a gifted crafter, and a great ski racer. In 1995, Donalea moved to McKenzie, Ala., where she resided until her death. On March 1, 2003 she married Tim Ballard of McKenzie, Ala. The family includes her husband, Tim Ballard; four grandchildren, Laura and Alicia Chalbeck of Seattle, Wash., and Andrew and Anthony Chalbeck of Goffstown; a brother, Richard Marshall and wife Ann of Newport, N.C.; a niece, Tammy Ann (Marshall) Hancock; and a nephew, Brian A. Marshall. Whitfield Cook NEW LONDON, Conn. — Whitfield Cook—writer, director, stage manager, died on Wednesday, Nov. 12, 2003 in New London, Conn. He was born George Whitfield Cook III in Orange, N.J. on April 9, 1909 to George Whitfield Cook Jr. and Hortense (Heyse) Cook. Mr. Cook was a graduate of Yale Drama School. He was a stage manager in New York City (including the play "Violet") and a screenwriter for MGM and Alfred Hitchcock. He wrote screenplays for the movies "Strangers on a Train" and "Stagefright." He also wrote for television, including the hit series "Life With Father." The author of several novels (Roman Comedy, Taxi to Dubrovnik), his fiction appeared in numerous magazines—one series was featured in "Cosmopolitan Magazine" in the 1970s and ’80s. Mr. Cook was active in the Weathervane Theatre in Whitefield. For many years he was a summer resident of Jefferson; when not in Jefferson, Mr. Cook lived in Old Lyme, Conn. The family includes a son, George W. Cook IV, daughter-in-law, writer Ann Mariah Cook and granddaughter, Kathleen Cook, all of New Hampton. Mr. Cook’s wife, Elizabeth (Heiskell) Cook, daughter of Arkansas Gazette publisher J.N. Heiskell, died previously. Simonne M. Cote COLEBROOK — Simonne M. Cote, 77, died on Saturday, Nov. 15, 2003 at the Coös County Nursing Hospital in West Stewartstown. She was born on Feb. 18, 1926 in Scotstown, P.Q., Canada, the daughter of Wilfred and Yvonne (Beadreau) St. Onge. Mrs. Cote attended school in Canada. She married Adrien Cote on Aug. 9, 1947. The Cotes moved to Connecticut in 1964, later moving to Hindsdale in 1973. Simmone was employed for many years by the Bridgeport Metal Company in Hinsdale. She and her husband moved to Colebrook in 1998. Mrs. Cote enjoyed reading and family life. The family includes her husband, Adrien Cote of Colebrook; two sons, John Cote of Manchester and Frank Cote of Colebrook; two daughters, Louise Dumais of New Britain, Conn., and Manon Hudon of Hinsdale; a brother, Camille St. Onge of Sherbrooke, P.Q.; two sisters, Rachel St. Onge of Sherbrooke, P.Q., and Therese Duval of Cowansville, P.Q.; and three grandchildren. A son, Pierre Cote and a sister, Monique Duval died previously. Calling hours were held Monday at the Newman Funeral Home in Colebrook. A Mass of Christian Burial was celebrated at St. Brendan’s Church on Tuesday, the Rev. Albert Bellefeuille officiating. Burial followed in St. Brendan’s Cemetery. Wesley "Hoot" Hartwell STEWARTSTOWN — Wesley "Hoot" Hartwell, 86, died on Nov. 11, 2003, at the Coös County Nursing Hospital in West Stewartstown. He was born on November 18, 1916, in Amesbury, Mass., the son of Eugene and Florence (Dingman) Hartwell. Mr. Hartwell attended school in Clarksville and was a World War II, Army veteran. He was a well-known North Country auto mechanic, who worked for many garages and ran his own garage for many years. He was always willing to help someone out and often worked on cars for free. He was a lifetime member of the American Legion. Mr. Hartwell was also an expert marksman, who nearly always won local turkey shoots. Family members include three sons, Freeman W. Hartwell of Colebrook, Tony D. Hartwell of Clarksville, and Brian Hartwell of Massachusetts; four daughters, Betsy L. Lynch of Colebrook, Pheobe Johnston of Colebrook, Linda Thibault of Candia, and Ramona Washer of Belmont; 19 grandchildren, 36 great grandchildren and four great-great grandchildren. His wife, Beaulah Jackson, died previously. Calling hours were held on Thursday, Nov. 13, at Newman Funeral Home in Colebrook. The funeral service was held on Friday, Nov. 14, at the funeral home. The Reverend Robert Washer officiated. Private burial was at Colebrook Village Cemetery, Colebrook. Memorial donations may be made to the Two Rivers Ride for Cancer, c/o Rosemary Mulliken, First Colebrook Bank, 147 Main Street, Colebrook, NH 03576. Walter W. Mullins WEST MILAN — Walter W. Mullins, 61, of 1092 West Milan Road, West Milan, died on Monday, November 10, 2003 at his home with his family by his side. He was born in Berlin on February 12, 1943, the son of William and Antoinnette (Couture) Mullins. He spent his early childhood at Paris Manufacturing Company on Phillips Brook and resided most of his life in West Milan. Walter was a member of the Milan Fire Department and was instrumental in building the West Milan fire station. He was a deputy fire warden for over 30 years. Prior to his retirement in 2000, he was employed by the New Hampshire Highway Department for over 30 years, retiring with the position of Patrolman of the West Milan division. Members of the family include his wife of 41 years, Rebecca (Emery) Mullins of West Milan; his children, Martha Glover and her husband Robert, Andrew Mullins and his wife Lay Pok, and Mary Tichy and her husband Ted, all of West Milan; seven grandchildren, Jonathan Mullins, Anthony Mullins, Samantha Mullins, Mary Glover, William Glover, Alexandria Tichy, and Jessie-Kate Tichy, all of West Milan; two brothers, Stanley Mullins and his wife Sue of Lancaster and James Mullins and his wife Sandra of Berlin; nieces, nephews and cousins. There will be no services and no calling hours. Anyone who wishes may make donations in his memory to the Milan Volunteer Fire Department Auxiliary, 341 East Side River Road, Milan, NH 03588 in his memory. The Bryant Funeral Home is in charge of the arrangements. John Arthur O’Neil WHITEFIELD — John Arthur O’Neil, 92, died at Morrison Nursing Home with his family at his side on Wednesday, Nov. 12, 2003, following a short illness. He was born in Lynn, Mass., the son of Arthur and Mary (Green) O’Neil. Mr. O’Neil previously lived in Dalton. He moved to New York City in 1923 where he joined the Shubert Theatre. He traveled throughout the United States and abroad performing operettas, including "Blossom Time," "The Merry Widow," and "Rosalinda." After World War II, Mr. O’Neil performed in Germany with USO Troop 660, and later made many appearances at the Metropolitan Opera and Dupont Theatre. Locally, he sang at grand hotels and churches. At the age of 80, he was an outspoken activist against St. James Bay Hydro Electric Powerline that was slated and defeated for the Dalton and Littleton area. His wife of 67 years, Anne (Flaherty) O’Neil, died in 2001. A son, Jack, also died previously. Family members include two daughters, Maureen O. Godbout of Littleton and Eileen T. Ball and husband Gregory of Franconia; grandchildren, Kevin Godbout and wife Karen; and great-grandchildren, Claire and Nicole of Seattle, Wash., Erin Godbout of Sugar Hill, Bryan Godbout of Crested Butte, Colo., Theresa O’Neil and husband John Deighton of Mulberry, Fla., Dennis O’Neil and wife Linda, Matthew and John of Hollis, Colin Ball of Bellaire Bluffs, Fla., Joseph O’Neil of Sugar Hill, Brandon Ball and wife Rachel of Whitefield, Alicia Champagne and husband Gregory of Beverly, Mass., Lance Ball of Manchester, Courtney Ball of Manchester; and a niece, Gloria Crawford of Alexandria, Va. Calling hours were held on Friday at Ross Funeral Home, Whitefield Chapel. A Mass of Christian Burial was celebrated at St. Matthew Church in Whitefield on Saturday, with burial following in St. Matthew Cemetery. For more information, go to www.rossfuneral.com. Edward M. Simonds LITTLETON — Edward M. Simonds, 84, died on Friday, Nov. 7, 2003 at Littleton Regional Hospital after a brief illness. Mr. Simonds was born in Littleton on Jan. 27, 1919, the son of Errol and Anna (Champagne) Black Simonds. He joined the Army in January 1941 and served in World War II. He was awarded two Pacific Service Medals and a World War II service medal. After his discharge on Aug. 29, 1945, he worked at Connors and Hoffman Shoe Shop until he retired. Mr. Simonds was a parishioner of St. Rose of Lima Church and a lifetime member of the VFW. He was a 60-year member and the oldest member of VFW Howard Shawney Post 816. He was an avid hunter, fisherman and walker. He married Shirley Mae (Brown) Paradis Simonds on May 1, 1954, and helped her raise her children. Besides his wife, of Littleton, family members include two daughters, Jeanette (Paradis) Tetreault of Littleton and Elaine (Paradis) Smith of Zephyrhills, Fla.; two sons, Richard Paradis of Greensville, N.C., and Maurice Paradis of Littleton; two half-brothers, Elmer Black Jr. of Whitefield and Robert T. Black of Littleton; 14 grandchildren and 19 great-grandchildren; several nieces, nephews, and cousins. A memorial Mass was celebrated at St. Rose of Lima Church, with the Rev. Fr. Joseph Klatka as celebrant. Burial followed in St. Rose Cemetery. Memorial contributions in Mr. Simonds’ name may be made to the VFW Howard Shawney Post 816, P. O. Box 562, Littleton, NH 03561. Arrangements were by Pillsbury Funeral Homes and Cremation Service Inc. For more information, go to www.pillsburyfh.Com. Reginald A. Stone COVINA, Calif. — Reginald A. Stone, 67, of 1125 Dawn Ridge Way, Covina, CA 91724, San Gabriel Valley water industry leader and grandpa to so many, and longtime Covina resident, died on Wednesday, Nov. 12, 2003 at Inner Community Medical Center after complications following open heart surgery on Oct. 29. He was born in Lancaster on Sept. 8, 1936, the son of Reginald T. and Marion (Murtaugh) Stone, where he was raised and was a 1954 graduate of Lancaster High School and president of his graduating class. Reg joined the Navy in 1954 and became a member of the elite Naval Mobile Construction Battalion Nine DET ALPHA during the post Korean War era. After his discharge from the Navy, he located to Southern California, and in 1960 took a job reading meters at Suburban Water Systems in San Gabriel Valley. He was named senior vice president in the mid-80s, the position he planned to retire from this coming January. In his 43 years at Suburban, Reg accomplished what would seem to be several people’s careers. He was a member of the Main San Gabriel Basin Water Master since 1986 and chaired its board for the last nine years of his life. He served on the executive committee and the board of directors of both the Central Basin Association and the San Gabriel Valley Water Association. He was a member of the American Water Works Association and the National Ground Water Association and served on boards of the Underground Service Alert of Southern California and Water for People. Early in the decade, Reg was a key influence in the intense negotiations with contaminators of ground water in the Main San Gabriel Basin, northeast of Los Angeles. In January 2002 an agreement was struck that earmarked $250 million toward cleanup of the basin. Culminating a career that spanned more than four decades with Suburban Water Systems in Covina, Reg was recently a key figure in resolving one of the country’s most illustrative examples of industry-related ground water contamination. He was also a member of North Star Masonic Lodge #8 of Lancaster. Family members include his wife, Judy Almond Stone of Covina; two sons, Reginald A. Stone Jr., his wife Deby and their three children, Reggie, Denise and Taylor, all of San Dimas, Calif., and Brent Stone, his wife Melanie and their two children, Brent Jr. and Bryan, all of Mira Loma, Calif.; three stepchildren, Robert Almond, Kathy Ludlow and Karen Coniglio; 12 step-grandchildren; two sisters, Doris Bergeron and Carol "Binky" Bailey and one brother Reynald J. Stone, all of Lancaster; and many nieces and nephews. Visitation was held on Sunday at Custer Christiansen/Rose Hills Mortuary in Covina. Memorial services were held on Monday, Nov. 17 at the Covina United Methodist Church. Graveside services will be held in the spring in Summer Street Cemetery, Lancaster. Donations in Reg’s memory may be made to the American Heart Association and/or the Covina United Methodist Church, 437 W. San Bernadino Road, Covina, CA 91723.