December 2004 Obituaries from Stringer Funeral Homes, Claremont, New Hampshire Contributed by Stringer Funeral Homes Inc. and Crematorium, 146 Broad Street, Claremont, New Hampshire 03743 (603) 543-3146, http://www.stringerfh.com/ Julia Frances Bradbury Julia Frances Bradbury, 83, formerly of Cindy Avenue in Claremont, died Friday morning, December 3, 2004 at the Golden View Health Care Center in Meredith, NH. She was born in Clarks Beach, Newfoundland, Canada on August 8, 1921 the daughter of Nathan and Clara (Bishop) Mugford. She lived in Everett, MA for thirty-five years, in Claremont for nearly ten years and had been a patient in the nursing home for the past few years. Mrs. Bradbury was a member of the Order of Eastern Star. She was the widow of Edward Bradbury whom she married on April 17, 1941 and he died March 4, 1990. The surviving family includes two sons, Edward N. Bradbury of Stonington, CT and David W. Bradbury of Bow, NH; two grandsons, Nathan J. Bradbury and David W. Bradbury, Jr.; two granddaughters, Jennifer Stevens and Christina Bradbury; one great granddaughter, Alexandria Stevens and one sister, Vina Hussey of Ontario, PQ, Canada. She was predeceased by one brother, Herbert Mugford. Funeral services will be held Monday, December 6th at eleven o'clock in the morning in the Stringer Funeral Home, 146 Broad St., Claremont, NH with Rev. Margaret Long, Pastor of the First United Methodist Church officiating. Interment will follow in Union Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made in her memory to the Fiske Free Library, 108 Broad Street, Claremont, NH 03743. Robert Kenneth Jones (see photo - http://www.usgwarchives.net/nh/obits/photos/2004/jones_robert_kenneth.jpg) Robert Kenneth Jones, 80, of River Road in Claremont, NH, died, Thursday evening, December 2, 2004 at the Valley Regional Hospital. He was born in Somerville, MA on July 24, 1924 the son of Kenneth Renfrew and Irene (McCarthy) Jones. He attended public school in Claremont and was the Valedictorian of his class of 1942 from Stevens High School. He was a veteran of World War II having served in the Air Force for three years. He attended Middlebury College in Vermont and graduated Cum Laude in the class of 1948. He lived in North Charlestown for fifteen years and many years in Claremont on the River Road where he was 3rd generation caring for his grandfather Sylvester Jones's farm. Robert retired July 24, 1979 as assistant treasurer at the Claremont Savings Bank where he worked for twenty-seven years. He was a member and former director of the Greater Claremont Chamber of Commerce, a member of the US Department of the Interior National Parks Service and the Congress of Claremont Senior Citizens. Mr. Jones traveled extensively world-wide, but kept returning to New Hampshire. He raised Doberman Pinscher show dogs for fifteen years, Morgan horses for thirty-four years and kept miniature goats since May of 1999. He was a lifetime contributor to environmental causes world-wide and was a daily practitioner of Tai-Chi since military time in China in 1945. A memorial service will be held Monday afternoon, December 6th at two o'clock in the Stringer Funeral Home, 146 Broad Street. Interment will be later in Union Cemetery. In lieu of flowers donations may be made in his memory to the charity of one's choice. R. Craig Ohlson (see photo - http://www.usgwarchives.net/nh/obits/photos/2004/ohlson_r_craig.jpg) R. Craig Ohlson, 58, of Sugar River Drive, in Claremont, died Sunday afternoon, December 5, 2004 at the Valley Regional Hospital. He was born in Bronxville, NY on August 15, 1946 the son of Robert E. and Carolyn (Slavin) Ohlson and had resided in Claremont for the past nine years. He was a graduate of the University of New Hampshire and had served with distinction in the US Air Force, doing two tours in Vietnam, as a Patrol and Sentry Dog Handler. Craig was a thirty-three year veteran of law enforcement, first coming to New Hampshire in 1972 as a New Hampshire State Trooper. Prior to being appointed Claremont's Police Chief in 1995, he had served as the Chief of Police in Lincoln and Hinsdale, NH and Sterling, MA. He retired as Claremont's Chief of Police on January 3, 2003. He was a member of the Vietnam Veterans Dog Handlers Assoc., the NH Chiefs of Police Association, the International Association of Chief of Police, the Veterans of Foreign Wars, the American Legion and the Baseball Umpires Association. Craig was an avid fisherman and traveled extensively throughout the United States and Canada in pursuit of his hobby. He was also interested in the history of North America and Native American studies. He enjoyed coaching and officiating youth baseball and was an avid Boston Red Sox and NFL football fan. The surviving family includes his wife, Virginia M. (Ayers) Ohlson of Claremont whom he married on April 28, 1972; two sons, Michael E. Ohlson of Yorktown, VA. and R. Christopher Ohlson of Austin, TX; two brothers, Kent Ohlson and Scott Ohlson both of York, ME; one sister, Carole-Jan Baggs of South Bridgewater, MA and nieces, nephews and cousins. Friends may call at the Stringer Funeral Home, 146 Broad Street on Thursday from 6 to 8 PM. A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated Friday, December 10th at Ten O'clock in St Mary Church in Claremont with Rev. Father Shawn M. Therrien, Pastor, officiating. Interment will follow in the VA Cemetery in Bourne, MA. The family suggest that donation may be made in his memory to the National War Dog Memorial, C/O Connecticut River Community Bank, 1190 Silas Deane Highway, Wethersfield, CT 06109. Rose Lois Hoyt (see photo - http://www.usgwarchives.net/nh/obits/photos/2004/hoyt_rose_lois.jpg) Rose Lois Hoyt, 94, of Bessie Avenue in Claremont, NH died, Wednesday evening, December 8, 2004 at the Claremont Health & Rehabilitation Center. She was born in Chester, VT on July 22, 1910 the daughter of Sidney and Hattie (Greene) Burbee. She worked in many area restaurants including the Tumble Inn Diner as a short order cook and waitress. Mrs. Hoyt raised her children and three grandchildren, John Hoyt, Tammy DuBois and Cathy Pellerin. She loved her garden, flowers and birds, especially cardinals. She is the widow of Wilburn L. (Jim) Hoyt who died in 1970. The surviving family includes one son, Sidney Hoyt of Claremont; one daughter, Lee Collins of Leeds, MA; eight grandchildren; seventeen great grandchildren. She was pre-deceased by her daughter Lois Krim in 1986; two sisters, Myrtle and Jennie; and one brother Walter. Graveside Service will be held in Union Cemetery on Monday, December 13, 2004 at One O'Clock in the afternoon with Rev. Margaret Long, Pastor of the First United Methodist Church. Friends may call at the Stringer Funeral Home, 146 Broad Street, Claremont, NH on Sunday evening from 6-8 PM. James Farber Gandert James Farber Gandert, 74, died Thursday, December 9, 2004 at Hanover Terrace Nursing Home in Hanover, NH. He was born in Mansfield, OH, on September 16, 1930, a son of Della and Albert Gandert. He graduated from Mansfield Senior High School in 1955. He lived in Mansfield, OH for 56 years, Houston, TX for 6 years, Alexandria, VA for 6 years and Cornish, NH for 8 years. He resided at Hanover Terrace Nursing Home 8 months. Jim graduated from The University of Arizona with a Bachelor's degree in Business and later attended graduate school at Ohio State University. He was a member of the Phi Delta Theta fraternity. He was also a member of the Grace Valley Christian association. He served in the United States Army. In 1959 he was married to his wife, Carol and had three daughters, Gayla Marie, Alicia Andel and Amy Elizabeth. Survivors include his wife Carol of West Lebanon, NH, daughter Alicia Gandert of Windsor, VT, daughter Amy Whalen of Cornish, NH, brothers Robert and William Gandert of Mansfield, Ohio and grandchildren Lance, Scott and Kelsey Parrish, Kenneth and Kevin Garrett, and Trey and Alex Whalen. Funeral services will be held Wednesday, December 15 at Saint Francis of Assisi Catholic Church in Windsor, VT at 4:30 pm. Family and friends are invited to gather at Paul and Amy Whalen's house in Cornish, New Hampshire immediately following the service. George A. McGonagle (see photo - http://www.usgwarchives.net/nh/obits/photos/2004/mcgonagle_george_a.jpg) George A. McGonagle, 77, of 67 Maple Avenue, died Thursday evening, December 9, 2004 at the Mount Ascutney Hospital in Windsor, VT. He was born in Everett, MA on August 17, 1927 the son of William J. and Lena M. (Holland) McGonagle and had resided in Claremont for the past 30 years. He attended public schools and Everett Trade School. He served in the US Army Air Corp. from 1945 to 1947 as an airplane and engine mechanic. Mr. McGonagle was employed by the Joy Mfg. Co. for 32 years as a welder and welding supervisor. He also assisted in the relocation of Poweray Infrared Corp. and was employed there for several years. He was a member of the American Welding Society, Green & White Mountian sections and was also Treasurer of the Claremont Television Assn. from 1970 to 1981. A member of the Claremont Country Club, he enjoyed all sports, especially golf and fishing. The surviving family includes his wife, Jane (Rogalski) McGonagle of Claremont whom he married on October 16, 1948; one son, William McGonagle and his wife Diane, their children, Patrick, Andrew and Allison all of Concord; one daughter, Susan Jones, and her daughter, Lauren both of San Antonio, TX; one sister, Evelyn Pettiglio of Exeter; one brother, Arthur McGonagle of Billerica, MA, nieces, nephews and cousins. He was pre-deceased by five brothers, William, Robert, James, Charles and Albert; two sisters, Alice and Ruth. Funeral services will be held on Monday morning, December 13th at Eleven O'clock in the Stringer Funeral Home 146 Broad St. with Rev. Canon Marthe F. Dyner, Rector of the Union Episcopal Church, officiating. Friends may call at the Funeral Home two hours prior to the services. Interment will be at a later date. Donations in his memory can be made to either: Mt. Ascutney Hospital Hospice Program, 289 County Road, Windsor, VT 05089 or Valley Regional Hospital 243 Elm Street, Claremont NH 03743. Virginia Jean Miner (see photo - http://www.usgwarchives.net/nh/obits/photos/2004/miner_virginia_jean.jpg) Virginia Jean Miner, 80, of Belding Street in Claremont, died Friday evening, December 10, 2004, at the Dartmouth-Hitchcock Medical Center in Lebanon, NH. She was a native and life long resident of Claremont, NH born on August 12, 1924 the daughter of Walter and Stessia (Cherah) Smolnik. Mrs. Miner was a graduate of Stevens High School in the Class of 1942. She was a communicant of St Joseph Church and was in the USO during World War II. She retired March of 1985 from the Claremont Flock Corp. where she worked in the shipping department for thirty years and was the rental agent for Gary Trottier at the Union Block in Claremont for the past nineteen years. Virginia will be remembered as an extremely positive and giving person who always put others before herself and she loved her family, especially her grandchildren. The surviving family includes her daughter, Sandi Cragin of Claremont; two grandchildren, Lori A. Cragin of Ft Collins, CO and Matthew J. Cragin of Lowell, MA; one sister, Beatrice Wilson of Weirs Beach, NH and several nieces and nephews. She was pre-deceased by two brothers, Walter Smolnik and Zigmund Smolnik and one sister, Ida Baldasaro. Friends may call at the Stringer Funeral Home, 146 Broad Street on Tuesday afternoon and evening from 2 to 4 and 6 to 8 PM. A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated Wednesday morning, Dec. 15th at Eleven O'clock in St Joseph Church with Rev. Father Stanley J. Piwowar, Pastor, officiating. Interment will follow in Mt View Cemetery. The family suggest that donations may be made in her memory to the St Joseph Church Renovation Fund, P.O. Box 824, Claremont, NH 03743 or the Norris Cotton Cancer Center, One Medical Center Drive, Lebanon, NH 03756-0001. Edna Elizabeth Richards (see photo - http://www.usgwarchives.net/nh/obits/photos/2004/richards_edna_elizabeth.jpg) Edna Elizabeth Richards, 89, formerly of 67 Maple Avenue in Claremont and for the past ten years a patient at the Sullivan County Nursing Home, died Monday morning, December 13, 2004 at Valley Regional Hospital. She was born in Hanover, NH on October 19, 1915 the daughter of Leroy and Bessie (Laurent) Henry. She also lived in Lebanon, in Charlestown at the Ponderosa Park and in Claremont at the Bourdon Center. She was a graduate of Hanover High School in the Class of 1933. Mrs. Richards retired in 1966 from Goodyear Tire & Rubber Company in Windsor, VT where she was an inspector and had previously worked as a secretary for Trumbull-Nelson Construction Co. in Hanover. She enjoyed bingo, dancing, country music, camping, reading, crossword puzzles and collecting owls. She also loved her grandchildren and was the "master" in the kitchen. She was the widow of George P. Richards who died January 25, 1986. The surviving family includes three sons, Carleton Nugent of Phoenix, AZ, Howard Richards of Charlestown and James Richards of Claremont; one step-son, William Richards of Manchester, NH; four daughters, Mrs. Herbert (Barbara) Garey of Ascutney, VT, Mrs. Robert (Carole) Stevens of Nassau, NY, Mrs. Louis (Jane) Turner of Cloverdale, CA and Mary Reynolds of Woodlawn, TN; one step-daughter, Mrs. James (Shirley) Elder of Keystone, FL; twenty-five grandchildren, numerous great-grandchildren; one brother, Forrest Henry of Corinth, VT; one sister, Evelyn Dolley of Enfield and nieces and nephews. She was pre-deceased by one brother, Paul Henry and one sister, Helen Merrill. Friends may call at the Stringer Funeral Home, 146 Broad Street on Thursday evening from 6 to 8 PM. A Memorial Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated Friday morning, Dec. 17th at Eleven O'clock in St Mary Church with Rev. Father Shawn M. Therrien, Pastor, officiating. Interment will follow in St Mary Cemetery. Peter M. Miskines (see photo - http://www.usgwarchives.net/nh/obits/photos/2004/miskines_peter_m.jpg) Peter M. Miskines, 92, formerly of Claremont and more recently of Lebanon, died Thursday morning, December 16, 2004 at the Dartmouth-Hitchcock Medical Center in Lebanon. He was born on September 6, 1912 in Newark, NJ the son of John and Mary Miskines. He attended schools in New Jersey and was employed for many years with Western Electric Co. While in Washington, DC, he met and married Donna Bandarevich. Upon moving to Claremont, he was employed at Joy Manufacturing Co. and retired from Claremont Paper Mill in 1976 where he worked as a lab technician. For the past five years Peter made his home with his daughter in Lebanon. Because of the fine care by the Dartmouth-Hitchcock dialysis staff, Peter was able to spend these years traveling, painting and deep-sea fishing. The surviving family includes one daughter, Elaina Driscoll of Lebanon; two granddaughters, Jacqueline Driscoll and Kathrine Crate of Enfield; four sisters, Vera Hartmann, Mary Porzio and Kathleen Dunn of New Jersey and Helen Hadfield of Florida and many nieces and nephews. He was pre-deceased by his wife, Donna (Bandarevich) Miskines on May 14, 1998; one brother, William Miskines and a sister, Ann Miskines. There are no visiting hours. A private graveside service will be held Monday, Dec. 20th in Mt View Cemetery in Claremont with Rev. Kelly E. Kirby, Rector of the Trinity Episcopal Church, officiating. Mary Obymako Siwek (see photo - http://www.usgwarchives.net/nh/obits/photos/2004/siwek_mary_obymako.jpg) Mary Obymako Siwek, 87, formerly of Wayne Avenue and Winter Street in Claremont, died Saturday evening, December 18, 2004 at Claremont Health and Rehabilitation. She was born in Ansonia, CT on July 3, 1917 the daughter of Afanas and Alexandria (Vaherna) Obymako and had lived in Claremont for the past sixteen years. Mrs. Siwek was a long time resident of West Haven, CT and was employed for many years at Yale University in New Haven. She attended the First Baptist Church. She was the widow of Stanley J. Siwek who died October 10, 1993. The surviving family includes one daughter, Barbara Fegler of Deltona, FL; one son, Reverend Stanley Siwek of White Plains, NY; six grandchildren; eight great-grandchildren; five sisters, Olga Obymako of Sunnyside, NY, Rose Fisher of Manchester, NH, Hope Porter, Sophie Chandler and Lillian Lawrence all of Claremont; two brothers, Michael Obymako of Salem, OR and Paul Obymako of Claremont and several nieces and nephews. Funeral services will be held Tuesday morning, Dec. 21st at Eleven O'clock in the Stringer Funeral Home, 146 Broad Street with Rev. Thomas A. Fegler and Rev. Stanley J. Siwek co-officiating. Interment will follow in Mt View Cemetery. Friends may call at the Funeral Home on Tuesday morning from ten to eleven o'clock prior to the services. Mabel D. Griswold Mabel D. Griswold, 95, formerly of Pearl Street and Sullivan Street in Claremont, NH, died Thursday evening, December 23, 2004 at Webster at Rye, Rye, NH where she had been a resident for the past two years. She was born in Lyme, NH on April 25, 1909 the daughter of Charles and Florence (Carpenter) Dimick and had resided in Claremont for seventy years, of which 28 years were at 89 Pearl St. and 8 years at the Tolles Home on Sullivan St. She was a graduate of Stevens High School in the Class of 1927. Mrs. Griswold retired in 1958 from the Banister's Studio where she worked for twenty years as a clerk. She was a very active member for over seventy years at the First Baptist Church where she presided over the Ladies Social Circle and the Hazel Weatherbee Missionary and sang in the choir. Mrs. Griswold was honored for being a blood donor for many years. She was the widow of Allen M. Griswold whom she married on Oct. 1, 1932 and he died on April 14, 1990. They built a cottage on Crescent Lake in Unity in 1966 and enjoyed their retirement years there together. The surviving family includes, one daughter, Jean G. Cronk of West Newbury, MA; one son, Charles A. Griswold of Bow, NH; one son-in-law, Walter Drescher of Merrimack, NH; six grandchildren, Karen Marshall, David Drescher, Kurt Drescher, Kathleen Thompson, Jennifer Bell and Johanna Dickson; thirteen great-grand-children; one great-great-grand-daughter and nieces and nephews. She was pre-deceased by two daughters, infant Florence Jeanette Griswold and Carol G. Drescher. A memorial service will be held Sunday afternoon, January 2, 2005 at the First Baptist Church at Two-thirty PM with Rev. Donald Maughan, former Pastor in Claremont and Rev. Kevin Leach of West Newbury, MA and Pastor Scott Kearns of the First Baptist Church, of Claremont, all officiating. The family suggest that donations may be made in her memory to the First Baptist Church, P.O.Box 1036, Claremont, NH 03743.