Coos County Democrat Obituaries, Lancaster, New Hampshire, Wednesday, May 12, 2004 Copyright of the newspaper. Permission to include in the USGenWeb Archives was received. John P. Martin Vietnam veteran, community volunteer LANCASTER -- John P. Martin, 61, of Bridge Street, died on Saturday May 8, 2004, at Weeks Medical Center, Lancaster, as a result of complications from a lengthy illness. Mr. Martin was born in Lancaster on February 5, 1943, the son of Millard F. Martin Sr. and Louise S. (Hodgdon) Martin. He was raised on the family farm on North Road in Lancaster and educated in local schools. He was a graduate of the New Hampshire Technical College in Manchester and later became a master electrician. He served in the Army from 1964-1966 during the Vietnam War, serving at military bases in Oklahoma and Alaska. He then returned to Lancaster to work at the Groveton Paper Mills for 21 years and the last 12 years at Hitchiner Manufacturing in Littleton. Mr. Martin was an active member of his community as he served as selectman for the town of Lancaster for 12 years. He had served on the Board of Directors for both the Northern Community Investment Corporation and the Cošs Economic Development Corporation and had been a member and former President of the Lancaster Kiwanis club. Mr. Martin especially enjoyed working, tending, and just spending time at the family land in Granby, Vt. He was a tireless worker and a loving husband, father, brother and son. No words can appropriately express the feeling of loss and sadness that his death has caused his family and friends. Family members include his wife, Sylvia A. (Shannon) Martin of Lancaster; a daughter, Christina L. Martin of Goffstown; and a son, James P. Martin and his wife Amy (Langelier) Martin of Goffstown, who are expecting their first child. He has six brothers and sisters, Janet Martin of Somersworth, Richard Martin and his wife Muriel of Guildhall, Vt., Millard F. Martin and his wife Diane of Lancaster, Susan Wallace and her husband David of Exeter, R.I., Virginia Martin and her husband Ken Barnes of Contoocook, Patricia Martin and her husband Rick Moog of Downingtown, Penn.; and aunts, uncles, cousins, nieces and nephews. His parents died in 1997 and his brother, Glenn Martin died in 1991. Visiting hours will be held on Friday, May 14, from 4-8 p.m. at the Bailey Funeral Home, Lancaster. A graveside service with military honors will be held on Saturday afternoon May 15, at 1:30 in Summer Street Cemetery, Lancaster. The Rev. Dr. Thomas W. Bentum, pastor of the Christ United Methodist Church, Lancaster, and the Rev. Curtis W. Smith of Lancaster will officiate. In lieu of flowers, the family suggests memorial donations may be made to the John Martin Memorial Fund, c/o Lancaster National Bank, Lancaster, N.H. 03584. It is the familyÕs intention to use the funds to purchase apple trees that will be planted on the family property in Granby, Vt. Christopher George Reed Sr. Father, friend, fisherman WHITEFIELD -- Christopher George Reed Sr., 45, died on April 27, 2004 at Littleton Regional Hospital. He was born in Grasmere on October 19, 1958, a son to Margaret Reed. He was graduated from a private school in Vermont. Mr. Reed was employed by the Burndy Corporation for 15 years and was most recently employed by Brown Street Furniture for the past three years. He and his two sons enjoyed fishing together. He also enjoyed spending time with his daughter and her husband. He was a hard worker, a wonderful fishing partner, a best friend, and most of all a great father. The family includes two sons, Christopher G. Reed Jr. and Adam W. Reed; one daughter, Margaret A. Reed Howe; one grandson; one brother, Bob Parent; his ex-wife, Deborah A. Reed; two aunts; and several nieces and nephews. At the request of the family, all services will be private. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Laconia Savings Bank, Main Street, Whitefield, NH 03598. Arrangements are under the direction of Pillsbury Funeral Homes and Cremation Service, Inc. For additional information, go to www.pillsburyfh.com. Philida R. Silver Worked for the Dodges JEFFERSON -- Philida R. Silver, 91, died at her home on Friday morning April 30, 2004. Mrs. Silver was born in Jefferson on August 16, 1912, the daughter of Ezra and Edith (Parsons) Rogers. Raised in Jefferson she was graduated from high school there in 1930 and went on to attend the University of New Hampshire. On June 19, 1943 she married Francis L. Silver. They resided for a time in Cabot, Vt. and later returned to Jefferson and purchased her familyÕs farm. She worked for many years at the Mountain View in Whitefield where she was responsible for raising the ownerÕs children, the Dodge family. For many years she worked alongside Francis for the Charles Maraz Champlain Valley Apiaries of Middlebury, Vt., a business they later purchased and operated themselves. They were full time wholesalers of honey and also bought and sold furs. They also operated a market garden delivering fruits and vegetables locally, particularly to many of the grand hotels. Her husband Francis died on December 26, 2000. Family members include a son, John W. Silver Sr. and his wife Peggy of Jefferson; three grandchildren, Tami Celso, John W. Silver Jr., and Kathi Gooden; four great-grandchildren, Joshua, Crystal, Travis, and Sheldon: a brother, Woodrow Rogers of Jefferson; a sister, Phyllis Kenison of Jefferson; nieces, nephews, and cousins. Three brothers, Brock Rogers, Woodbury Rogers, Austin Rogers, and a sister, Lucy Tucker, also died previously. Visiting hours were held on Sunday evening May 2, from 6-9 at the Bailey Funeral Home, Lancaster. A funeral service was held at the funeral home on Monday morning. The Reverend Donald Williams, pastor of the Mt. View Baptist Church, officiated. Burial followed in Forest Vale Cemetery, Jefferson. Patsy Ann Smith Loved children; was foster mom COLEBROOK -- Patsy Ann Smith, 64, died on April 28, 2004 at the Upper Connecticut Valley Hospital. She was born on September 13, 1939 in Parker, Ariz., the daughter of Everette and Zelma (Watkins) Cobb. Mrs. Smith attended school in Sacramento, Calif. She married Lincoln Smith on December 8, 1956. The couple moved to Colebrook in 1975. She worked many jobs, including serving as a nurse in an elder care facility and baking at the IGA in Colebrook; however, most of her life was spent taking care of people in their homes and raising foster children in her own home. At one point the Smiths cared for more than 32 foster children in their home. Mrs. Smith enjoyed knitting, crocheting, reading, sewing and camping. The family includes her husband, Lincoln Smith of Colebrook; two sons, Anthony D. Smith of Oklahoma and Curtis L. Smith of Lemington, Vt.; four daughters, Camilla J. Stewart of Colebrook, Christine A. Strange of Oklahoma, Valerie L. Smith of Columbia and Beatrice Feugere of Oregon; two brothers, Russell Cobb and Billy Cobb, both of California; 12 grandchildren and three great-grandchildren. A son, Kenneth Cobb died in 2000. Calling hours were held on Sunday and Monday at the Newman Funeral Home in Colebrook. A funeral service was held on Monday, May 3 at the funeral home. Interment was held in Colebrook Village Cemetery. Memorial donations may be sent to the Two Rivers Ride for Cancer, c/o Rosemary Mulliken, First Colebrook Bank, 147 Main St., Colebrook, NH 03576. Committals Arthur R. Brown NORTH STRATFORD -- World War II veteran Arthur ÒArtÓ R. Brown, 72, of Bog Road, died peacefully at his stepsonÕs house in Lunenburg, Vt., where he had lived for the previous three weeks, on Friday, January 6, 2004. Burial with Military Honors will be held in the Northumberland Cemetery on May 8 at 2:30 p.m., the Rev. Lawrence Clough officiating. For directions to the service or to send the family condolences via the online register book, go to www.legacy.com. Main-Armstrong Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements. Michael J. Cannon LANCASTER -- A graveside committal service for Michael J. Cannon, who died on January 14, 2004, will be held on Saturday morning, May 8, at 11, in Summer Street Cemetery, Lancaster. The Rev. Raymond Ball, pastor of All Saints Church, Lancaster, will officiate. Arrangements are under the direction of the Bailey Funeral Home, Lancaster. Jesse Hartsorn McBride GROVETON -- Jessie Hartson (Hopps) McBride, 85, of Pike Street died on Saturday, January 10, 2004 at Weeks Medical Center in Lancaster after a brief illness. Burial will be in the Northumberland Cemetery on Saturday, May 8 at 1 p.m., with Fr. Daniel Deveau officiating. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to St. Francis Xavier Church, 10 State Street, Groveton, NH 03582. For directions to the service or to send the family your condolences via the online register book, go to www.legacy.com. Main-Armstrong Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements. Memorial Services Claire R. Bartlett GROVETON -- Claire R. Bartlett, 72, of State Street, died on December 22, 2003 at Weeks Medical Center in Lancaster, surrounded by her family, after a brief illness. At ClaireÕs request, there were no calling hours. A graveside service will be held on Saturday, May 15, 2004 at 1 p.m. at the Northumberland Cemetery, with the Rev. Peter Parent, pastor of the Groveton United Methodist church, officiating. Memorial donations may be made in ClaireÕs name to the American Heart Association, MENHVT Affiliate, 2 Wall Street, Manchester, NH 03101. Main-Armstrong Funeral Home is handling arrangements for the family. For directions to the service or to send the family condolences via the online register book, go to www.legacy.com. Signe Laurhammer BERLIN -- Mrs. Signe (Paulson) Laurhammer, 96, formerly of 8 Granite Street, died on April 24, 2004 at the Androscoggin Valley Hospital. She was born in Berlin on December 8, 1907, the daughter of Martin and Johanna (Swenson) Paulson and had lived in the North Country most of her life. A calling hour will be held at 10 a.m. on Friday, May 14, at the Bryant Funeral Home, 180 Hillside Avenue, Berlin. Funeral services will follow at 11 a.m. in the Funeral Home, with interment in the Old City Cemetery. Warren A. Sheltry WHITEFIELD -- The graveside service for Warren A. Sheltry, 71, who died on March 21, 2004, will be held on Saturday morning, May 15 at 11 in Center Cemetery, Stratford. Military honors will be recognized with the American Legion Post #17 of Groveton presiding over services. Arrangements are under the direction of the Bailey Funeral Home. Pauline M. Tobyne LANCASTER -- A graveside committal service for Pauline M. Tobyne, 76, who died on March 29, 2004, will be held Saturday morning, May 15 at 10 a.m. in the Center Cemetery, Stratford. Officiating will be her husband, the Rev. Ralph S. Tobyne of Lancaster. Arrangements are under the direction of the Bailey Funeral Home.