Leverett E. Wixson (1927-2012)

Leverett E. Wixson, 84, of New Sharon passed away Wednesday, February 8, 2012 at Franklin Memorial Hospital in Farmington. He was born in Waterville April 2, 1927 the son of Charles W. and Florence M. (Bowden) Wixson Jr. He was a graduate of Lawrence High School and attended Gorham State Teachers College for a year before going to work for Longley Studios in Waterville starting his career in the photography business. Leverett then moved to Farmington to live in an apartment on Broadway with his wife Mildred Whitney while he worked for Luce Studios. He served as past President of the Professional Photographers Association.  Later on he moved to New Sharon and worked for Knowlton & McCleary Printing until his retirement. Leverett was an avid outdoor sportman and also enjoyed spending time with his nephew Daniel going to yard sales and flea markets.

Leverett is survived by his sister Joyce W. Knight of Albion; several nieces, nephews, and cousins including his nephew Daniel Knight of Albion; and close friends and neighbors Karen Wolfe, Duke Durrell, and Joe Kempton.

Arrangements are under the direction of Adams~McFarlane Funeral & Cremation Services, 108 Court St., Farmington. Those wishing may send condolences for the family at www.adamsmcfarlane.com

Gladys U. Hobert (1922-2012)

Gladys U. Hobert, 89, of Wilton passed away Tuesday, February 7, 2012 at Orchard Park Rehabilitation & Living Center in Farmington. She was born in the District of Columbia on Sept. 19, 1922 the daughter of Frank L. and Ella J. (Bean) Knowles Sr. Gladys was one of six children. She moved to East Wilton where she attended grade school and then to Temple graduating from Farmington High School. She worked at Forster Manufacturing in both East Wilton and Strong retiring in the mid 80's. Gladys enjoyed shopping, then shopping some more, and then giving away what she bought. She loved doing crafts, traveling, and enjoyed going out to eat any time she had the opportunity (especially with her sisters on Fridays).

Gladys is survived by three sons Jeffrey Dunham and his wife Anita of Wilton, John Ford and his wife Martha of Lewiston, and Albert Ford and his wife Shirley of Wilton; four grandchildren Desmond Dunham, Kimberly Laudenbach, Brian Ford, and Valerie Parker; great grandchildren Crystal and Brandon Ford, and Zachary and Jaelynne Laudenbach; two sisters Theressa K. Gould and Constance V. Presby; several nieces, nephews, and cousins. She was predeceased by three husbands Lymn Ford, P. Montel Dunham, and Maurice Hobert, a brother Frank L. Knowles Jr., and two sisters Frances K. Swain and Florence K. Eustis.

NOTICE: Hobert, Gladys 2/7/2012 There will be a graveside service in the spring at Mile Square Cemetery with Rev. John Tolman officiating. Arrangements under the care Adams~McFarlane Funeral & Cremation Services, 108 Court St., Farmington. Condolences may be sent for the family at www.adamsmcfarlane.com

Thelford "Ted" R. Viles (1936-2012)

Thelford “Ted” R. Viles of New Sharon passed away on January 29, 2012 at Sandy River  Center surrounded by family and his beloved Golden Retriever, “Sadie”. He was born in Hartland, Maine on August 8, 1936. He was a graduate of Anson Academy in 1956. He served in the U.S. Army Reserve from 1955-1956. Then he served in the U.S. Air force from 1956-1958. On November 26^th, 1966 he married Frances Hargreaves in New Vineyard. Through the years he was employed at Foster Manufacturing in Strong, K and H Foster in Wilton, Randy Kinney Logging, and retiring in 2007 after 37 years as Bus driver and Custodian for SAD# 9.       

He enjoyed being with his family and friends, summer’s  camping, bowling leagues, coaching little league for the New Sharon Yankees, cutting his own firewood, and gardening. Over the years he enjoyed the companionship of his many Golden Retrievers. He was a fan of many local sports teams and a lifelong Boston Red Sox fan.       

He is survived by his wife, Frances Viles of New Sharon; son, Gary Viles and companion Jessica Dambrosio of Tampa Florida; daughter Sherie Carson and Troy of Farmington; two grandsons, Joshua Viles and Christopher Viles of Tampa Florida; brother, Frank Viles of Farmington; nephew, Michael Viles and son Wyatt Viles of Strong; and his beloved Golden Retriever “Sadie”; and three grand dogs, “Lady Leah”, “Western star”, and “Lily bay”.He was predeceased by his mother, Thelma Viles, stepfather, Alfred Viles, and paternal father, Ramon Swan.            
   

A celebration of Ted’s life with family and close friends will be held February 12^th from 1pm-4pm at his home at 701   Farmington Falls Rd, New Sharon. At the family’s request and honoring Ted’s wishes there will be no funeral or visitation hours. In lieu of flowers, friends wishing may make donations in Ted’s memory to; Franklin County Animal Shelter, 550 Industry Rd, Farmington, Maine 04938; Sandy River Center, Activities Fund, 119 Livermore Falls Rd, Farmington, Maine 04938; or Alzheimer’s Association of Maine Chapter,383 US Route One, Suite 2C, Scarborough, ME 04074. Arrangements are under the direction of Adams-McFarlane Funeral & Cremation Services, 108 Court St., Farmington. Those wishing may send condolences for the family at www.adamsmcfarlane.com

Rebecca J. Pillsbury Ellis (1926-2012)

Rebecca J. Pillsbury Ellis, 85, of Strong passed away on January 28, 2012 at the home of her son-in-law and daughter, Mr. and Mrs. Robert Boyd Sr. of Strong, after a brief and courageous battle with cancer. She was born in Upper Dallas Plantation, Maine on July 4, 1926 one of nine children born to Paul and Charlotte (Lamb) Pillsbury. Rebecca attended school in Dallas Plantation and on March 4, 1942 was married to Sayward Ellis of Rangeley in Phillips. They were married for 48 years before Sayward's death on August 23, 1990.

In 1950 they moved to Strong and raised three sons and a daughter on thier farm on Norton Hill. Rebecca was employed in several local mills and retired from G.H. Bass Co. in Wilton. She was one of the original members of the Strong Church of the Nazarene and was a proud to be a homemaker.

Rebecca is survived by two sons, Mark and his wife Patricia, and Richard and his wife Gail, all of Strong; a daughter Judith and her husband Robert Boyd Sr. of Strong; a daughter-in-law Helen Ellis of Friendship; 10 grandchildren; 20 great grandchildren; four great great grandchildren; three sisters, Marie Campbell and Lucreatia Dudley, both of Phillips, and Marilyn Howard and her husband Pete of Strong; four sisters-in-law, Hazel and Helen Pillsbury, both of Strong, Greta Pratt and her husband Rodney of Weld, and Betty Aho of Mass.; brothers-in-law Ira Berry of Auburn (who passed recently), Harry Ellis and his wife Jean of New Vineyard, and Paul Ellis and his wife Lillian of Rangeley: and many nieces and nephews. Rebecca was predeceased by her parents, her husband Sayward, a son Neil, her brothers C. Oscar Pillsbury, Arlo Pillsbury, and Kendall Pillsbury, her sisters Rowena Presby and Lillian Berry, and a half-sister Emma Autote.

NOTICE: Ellis, Rebecca  1/28/2012 Visitation will be held on Thursday, February 2, 2012 from 5-7p.m. at Adams~McFarlane Funeral & Cremation Services, 108 Court St., Farmington. A Memorial Service will be held at the Nazarene Church in Strong on Friday, February 3, 2012 at 1:00p.m with Pastor John Evans officiating. Donations may be made in Rebecca's memory to the Harold Alfond Center for Cancer Care 361 Old Belgrade Road, Augusta, ME 04330.  Condolences may be made to the family at www.adamsmcfarlane.com

Myrtle B. Thurlow (1914-2012)

Myrtle B. Thurlow, 97, of Phillips, Maine passed away Monday, January 23, 2012 at her home after an extended period of declining health. She was born May 21, 1914 in Harrison, Maine to Lena Tyler Brown and Lowell Marston Brown. She is survived by one son, Norman Charles Thurlow and his wife Judith Nottage of Hampden, Maine and two daughters Margaret T. Richman and husband Richard of Chocowinity, North Carolina, and Melissa Yerxa of Jonesboro, Maine, eleven grandchildren, and seven great grandchildren. She was predeceased by her husband, Dr. Charles E. Thurlow in February 2004, great grandchild Andrew William Thurlow in December 2004, and daughter Susan Gagne of Bethlehem, CT in April 2006.

Myrtle was raised in Bartlett, NH the youngest of four children and was predeceased by her brother Carlyle and two sisters Phyllis and Elizabeth. As a teenager her interest in photography emerged and she began a small  business developing and printing photographs for her friends and neighbors. Myrtle married Dr. Charles E. Thurlow on June 30, 1935. She recalled being introduced at the age of 11 to Charles, who was a freshman at Fryeburg Academy and the oldest son of her dentist Dr. Norman C. Thurlow of Fryeburg. In 1936 she and her husband Charles settled in Phillips, Maine where he opened his dental practice and Myrtle managed his office.

Myrtle loved music, art, writing, and gardening. She was a member of the Phillips Congregational Church and was the church organist for many years. Her bread and rolls were famous at bake sales. She was one of the founders of The Children's Church in Phillips. Myrtle was artistic and enjoyed photography, sketching, and printmaking. She was an accomplished seamstress and clothing designer. She became skilled at wallpapering and repairing the plaster walls and ceilings of their mid 1800's home. Myrtle enjoyed refinishing furniture and designed her kitchen including a unique center island with a two way pull through drawer to allow access to tableware from either side. The island was mounted on wheels to allow her teenagers to move it aside for dancing.

Fascinated with genealogy, she wrote a personal history of her husband's family for future generations and in 1986 she completed her autobiography.

A remarkable and loving woman she will be missed by her children, grandchildren and others who knew her.

Myrtle's family wishes to extend special thanks to all those who provided the care and support that allowed Myrtle to stay in her home and a particularly grateful thank you to Joanna Pinkham whose loving care and personal sacrifice gave Myrtle the touchstone of love and security she needed.

NOTICE: Thurlow, Myrtle B. 1/23/2012 A memorial service will be held at a later date at the convenience of the family. Donations in Myrtle's memory may be made to the Phillips Public Library, P.O. Box 0, Phillips, Maine 04966. Arrangements under the care of Adams~McFarlane Funeral & Cremation Services, 108 Court St., Farmington. Those wishing may send condolences for the family at www.adamsmcfarlane.com