Coos County Democrat Obituaries, Lancaster, New Hampshire, Wednesday, August 25, 2004 Copyright of the newspaper. Permission to include in the USGenWeb Archives was received. Nila Berry Talented musician, 4-H leader EAST CONCORD, Vt. -- Nila Winifred (Streeter) Berry, 71, of Maple Street, died on Wednesday evening, August 18, 2004, at the Pines Rehabilitation and Health Center in Lyndonville, Vt. after a long illness. She was born in East Concord, Vt. on December 22, 1932, the daughter of Harry and Lilla (Smith) Streeter. Nila attended schools in East Concord and Concord. She married Walter Berry on October 9, 1949 at her parent's home in East Concord. She was an organist and choir director and taught Sunday School at the East Concord Methodist Church for over 20 years. She was a long time member of the United Methodist Women's Group. She worked as a paraeducator in the Concord School District for several years, enjoying her love for children. She played drums in the Grant Nichols Fife & Drum Corps and sang in the Northeast Kingdom Choir. She was a 4-H leader for 15-plus years and many hours were spent working in the 4-H Hall and Dairy Booth at the Lancaster Fair. Nila had a special love for music, spending many hours with her brother Carl and son Tim and their families playing piano, guitar, harmonica and singing. Her special talent was passed on to her children and grandchildren, and these special family sing-a-longs will always be remembered. Walt and Nila had spent the past 23 summers at their summer home in Miles Pond, enjoying all their family, special friends, and neighbors. Nila enjoyed boating, fishing, loon watching and her flower gardens. Many hours were spent chatting and drinking coffee at the ladies Òcoffee hourÓ at Miles Pond, catching up on all the "news." She also enjoyed hunting, crocheting, knitting, cooking and reading. Her favorite vacationing spot was Daytona Beach, Fla., where she vacationed several times with her family. Nila was especially proud of the fact that all six of her brothers served in the Armed Forces, along with her loving husband. Her brother Glenn was killed in action in the China Burma Theatre. Nila was a very special person, always enjoying doing for others and she will always be remembered and greatly missed by all. Family members include her husband, Walter of East Concord; three children, Brenda Stone of Lancaster, Barbara Olden and her husband Norman of Concord, Vt., and Timothy Berry and his wife Donna of North Concord, Vt.; grandchildren, Shawn Olden and wife Amy of Concord, Vt., Karen Thomas and husband Rob of Lunenburg, Vt., Kendra Cantin and friend Russell Bell of Stark, Kara Cantin and friend Kevin Lufkin of Maidstone, Vt., Jamie Olden of Lunenburg, Vt., Michael Berry of North Concord, Vt., and Raynah Berry of North Concord, Vt.; special granddaughter Cheyrisse Boone and husband Robert of Sherman, Conn.; great-grandchildren, Baylee and Cassidy Olden, Tyler and Tara Thomas, and special great-granddaughter, Brieanna Brown; two brothers, Leslie ÒGobÓ Streeter and wife Marian of Lunenburg, Vt., Prescott ÒPuttÓ Streeter and wife Betty of Merrimack; a sister Marion Spriggs of Merrimack; a brother-in-law Herbert Berry of East Concord, Vt.; two sisters-in-law, Carol Streeter of Lunenburg, Vt. and Helene Streeter of Kalamazoo, Mich; and several nieces and nephews. Her parents; her stepfather, Walter Webb; four brothers, Glenn Streeter, Bernard Streeter, Clifford Streeter and Carl Streeter; and a granddaughter, Dawn Marie Olden died previously. Memorial visiting hours were held at the Bailey Funeral Home on August 20. A memorial service was held on August 21 at the East Concord Methodist Church, with the Rev. Henry E. Cheney, pastor, co-officiating with the Rev. Gerry Piper of Orleans. Burial followed in the Overlook Cemetery, East Concord, Vt. Donations can be made to "The Pines," Lyndonville, Vt. or the East Concord Methodist Church, in care of Georganna Dow, Lunenburg, VT 05906. Claire Bona Loving wife and mother CONCORD, Vt. -- Claire I. Bona, 50, died after a lengthy battle with lung disease at her Concord home on Sunday evening, August 22, 2004. She was born on Dec. 16, 1953 in Lancaster, the daughter of Donald and Pearl (Flynn) Phillips. She was raised by her mother with the steadfast help of her Nana, Gladys Flynn. She graduated from White Mountains Regional High School in 1971. Claire was first and foremost a loving wife and mother and was handy with crocheting and crafts. She worked as a sales clerk for Jim and Meridith Young at the Farmer's Daughter in St. Johnsbury before becoming disabled, and had previously worked for the Concord School system. Claire looked forward to regular home visits from her friends at the Union Baptist Church. Family members include her husband, George; a son, Jay Bona of Burke, Vt.; a daughter, Joy Bona and her fiancŽ, Jeff Atherton of Underhill, Vt.; her mother, Pearl Phillips of Lancaster; two brothers, Roger Phillips and Kenneth Phillips, both of Lancaster; her mother-in-law, Esther Bona of North Concord, Vt.; and her Bona in-laws and their families. A gathering of friends and family will be held at the Bona home, 1597 West Main Street, just west of Concord Village, on Wednesday, August 25, from 5 to 7 p.m., concluding with a brief time of reflections, remembrances, and prayer. Anyone wishing to attend is welcome. The family requests memorial contributions be directed to the Union Baptist Church, c/o Wendy O'Malley, 932 US Rt. 5, Waterford, VT 05819. Sayles Funeral Home of St. Johnsbury, Vt. is assisting the family with arrangements Terry L. Corrigan Self-employed contractor RANDOLPH -- Terry L. Corrigan, 47, of Valley Road, died on August 17, 2004 as a result of injuries sustained in a work-related accident in Berlin. He was born in Lancaster on July 22, 1957, the son of Kenneth and Jeannette (Kenison) Corrigan. He was a 1976 graduate of Gorham High School. A lifelong resident of the area, he was a member of the Holy Family Parish of Gorham. He was a member of the International Union of Operating Engineers of the AFL-CIO. Mr. Corrigan was self-employed as a contractor with Terry L. Corrigan Excavating & Landscaping. Prior to that, he had worked for his father with Ken Corrigan, Inc. He always had a love for heavy equipment and trucks. He greatly loved his boys and his family. The family includes a son, Lee T. Corrigan of Gorham; his parents of Randolph; a brother, Gary Corrigan of Gorham; his companion, Ellen Losier of Berlin; a nephew and two nieces. A son, Ryan G. Corrigan, died on May 11, 2003. Calling hours were held on Friday at Fleury-Patry Funeral Home in Gorham. A Mass of Christian Burial was celebrated on Saturday at Holy Family Church in Gorham. Interment was expected to follow at Randolph Cemetery on Durand Road. Roger B. Hill World War II veteran KENNEBUNK, Me. -- Roger B. Hill, 82, of Day Street, died at his home on Friday evening, August 20, 2004. Mr. Hill was born in Natick, Mass., on October 4, 1921, the son of John and Nettie (Ingerson) Hill. In his early years Mr. Hill resided in Starr King, in Jefferson. During his lifetime he had lived throughout New England and had been a resident of Kennebunk for the past 50 years. He served with the Army during World War II as a tank commander in North Africa and Italy. During that time he was injured in battle and received the Purple Heart. He retired from the Army reserve as a Chief Warrant Officer. For 30 years he was employed in Saco, at the former Saco-Lowell Shops, retiring from there when it was known as the Maremont Corporation. He was also a member and former commander of the VFW. Family members include a son, Bruce K. Hill of Kennebunk; a daughter, Susan Young of Spokane, Wash.; and three grandchildren, Brendan Hill, Aaron Hill and Eric Young. A visiting hour was held Tuesday August 24, from 11 a.m. to noon at the Bailey Funeral Home, Lancaster, N.H. Burial followed in the Starr King Cemetery, Jefferson. Donations in lieu of flowers may be made in his memory to the SMMC Visiting Nurses, 1 Maine Medical Center Drive, Biddeford, ME 04005. Opal A. Merrill Loved flowers, cats COLEBROOK -- Opal A. (Ellingwood) Merrill, 80, died on August 19, 2004 at Dartmouth-Hitchcock Medical Center in Lebanon. She was born on September 4, 1923 in Groveton, the daughter of Edgar O. and Esther G. (Severy) Ellingwood. During World War II, she worked as a welder in a shipyard in Maine, contributing to the war effort. She later worked as a waitress and in manufacturing. After raising her family, she decided to go back to school at the age of 48. Upon graduation, she went to work for Amica Insurance Co., retiring after more than 20 years. During her retirement, she traveled throughout the United States. She enjoyed tending to her flower gardens and loved caring for her cats. She will be remembered as a loving mother, grandmother, great-grandmother and friend. The family includes two sons, Ron Cross of Guildhall, Vt. and Dennis Cross of Pittsburg; a brother, Ernest Ellingwood of Florida; two sisters, Gwen Cross of Island Pond, Vt. and June Rainville of Colebrook; three grandchildren; three great-grandchildren; and many nieces, nephews and cousins. Calling hours were private. A graveside service was held on Sunday at Alice Hunt Cemetery in Canaan, Vt., with Pastor Priscilla Hull officiating. Memorial donations may be made to Two Rivers Ride for Cancer Fund, c/o Rosemary Mulliken, First Colebrook Bank, Colebrook, NH 03576. For more information, go to www.jenkinsfuneralhome.net. Sandra M. Newton Animal lover GROVETON -- Sandra M. Newton, 57, of Winter Street, died on Wednesday morning, August 18, 2004 at Dartmouth-Hitchcock Medical Center in Lebanon. She was born in Barton, Vt., on February 11, 1947. She was raised in Barton and later resided in New Jersey for many years before moving to Groveton. Sandy and her husband of 18 years, Raymond R. ÒSonnyÓ Newton, were employed as custodians of the Guildhall School and Essex County Courthouse for many years. She loved animals, including exotic birds and her dog "Dolly." Family members include her husband of Groveton; three stepsons, Wayne Newton of Groveton, Neil Newton of Brunswick and Kevin Newton of Lyman; two stepdaughters, Beverly Howland of Groveton and Patricia Howland of Whitefield; eight grandchildren; and seven great-grandchildren. Her son, Warren Clarkson, her mother, Alberta Gleason and a brother, Frank Gleason died previously. Memorial visiting hours were held on August 22 at the Bailey Funeral Home in Lancaster. A memorial service followed at the funeral home. The Rev. Peter Parent, pastor of the Groveton United Methodist Church, officiated. Charles E. Ward Army veteran LUNENBURG, Vt. -- Charles E. ÒChuckÓ Ward, 63, formerly of Thomas Road, died on Saturday morning, August 21, 2004, at St. Johnsbury Health & Rehab after a long illness. Chuck was born in Northumberland on December 1, 1940, the son of James J. and Virginia E. (Hodge) Ward. Raised in Groveton, he was a 1958 graduate of Groveton High School. Chuck went on to serve a 20-year career with the Army, retiring in 1979. Returning to Groveton, he was employed for a time as a manager at the Stop and Shop in Northumberland. He was also employed for several years as an attendant at the Roberts Truck Stop in Lancaster. For five years he was a resident at the McKee Inn in Lancaster, and for the past five years had resided in Gilman and Lunenburg. He was a member of the John W. Weeks VFW Post #3041, Lancaster and the American Legion Post #17, Groveton. Chuck also enjoyed hunting and fishing and was a member of the National Rifle Association. Family members include his mother, Virginia Ward of Whitefield; a stepdaughter, Debbie Amadon of Lunenburg; three step-grandchildren, Alan, Alex and Ashley of Lunenburg; and several cousins. There are no visiting hours. A memorial service will be held on Thursday morning, August 26, at 10 a.m. at the Bailey Funeral Home in Lancaster. The Rev. Peter Parent, pastor of the Groveton United Methodist Church, will officiate. Burial with military honors will follow in the Summer Street Cemetery, Lancaster.