PAGE 6A — Addison Independent, Thursday, March 9, 2017
ADDISON COUNTY
Obituaries
John Wesley, 91, Middlebury
Thomas Bullock, 84, formerly of Middlebury REEDSBURG, Wis. — Thomas Breen Bullock passed away peacefully surrounded by his wife and children at St. Mary’s Hospital in Madison, Wis., on Friday, March 3, 2017, at the age of 84. Tom is survived by his wife, Nancy (Becher) of Reedsburg, Wis.; stepsister, Carol Comes of Middlebury, Vt.; children, Mike (Adriane) Bullock of Middleton, Wis., Amy (Mark) Stormberg of Cameron, Wis., Dan (Kathy) Bullock of Reedsburg, Wis., and Josh (Jenny) Bullock of Mattoon, Ill.; grandchildren, Michael (fiancée Jenna) Stormberg, Robbie (Kayla) Bullock, Elizabeth (Dan) Hagans, Shane, Rebecca Stormberg, Tommy Stormberg, Stephanie (Joe) Hasan, Margaret Stormberg, Maria (Alex) Penn, Grace Stormberg, Melanie Bullock, JJ Bullock, Danielle Bullock, Joe Bullock and Noah Bullock; great-grandchildren, Oliver Hagans, Zooey Hagans, Zander Penn and Eva Stormberg. He was predeceased by his parents, Frank and Margaret Bullock; stepmother Francis; brothers Robert, James, Francis, Richard, Kenneth and John; sisters, Elizabeth, Anna, Mary, Patricia and Kathleen; stepbrothers, Richard and William; stepsister Ruth; and a daughter that died shortly after birth. Tom was born October 12, 1932, in Middlebury, Vt., to Frank and Margaret (Smith) Bullock. After his mother’s death in 1942 his family was faced with many challenges and he took the initiative to find farm work in trade for room and board. Eventually he rejoined his dad at home and graduated from high school in 1950, after which he enlisted and served in the U.S. Air Force for four years, serving primarily in Germany and France. He attended and graduated from
THOMAS BULLOCK the University of Wisconsin, Madison, in 1959 with a degree in electrical engineering and married Nancy, his wife of 57 years, shortly thereafter. They relocated to Philadelphia and he started his career at RCA. He earned advanced degrees while also becoming an Industrial controls expert over the years and finished his corporate career as VP and Product Manager of the PiC Division of Giddings & Lewis in Fond Du Lac, Wis., where he and Nancy lived for 51 years and raised their four children. After his corporate retirement, he operated a consulting business for many years and served on the board of directors for several companies. He and Nancy very much enjoyed attending the many sporting, music
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and other activities that their grandchildren participated in. He also enjoyed golf and teaching the game to his grandchildren. Another of his favorite activities was being in the woods, cutting down trees, chopping wood and burning. He was an active and dedicated member of St. Joseph’s Catholic Church in Baraboo and served in the Knights of Columbus, volunteering for many events. Tom valued family above everything and he illustrated that every day of his life. He was a man of great positivity, wisdom, love, integrity and fairness in everything that he did and has been the best role model that his large family, that he loved so much, could have ever hoped for. He was greatly loved and will be missed by so many. As a gift to his family, he has written and published a book about his life and that of his birth family. A visitation is scheduled for Friday, March 10, from 4 p.m. until 6 p.m. at Redlin Funeral Home, 401 Madison Ave, Baraboo, Wis. The Knights of Columbus will pray the rosary at 6 p.m. at the funeral home on Friday. A funeral service will be held at St. Joseph’s Catholic Church, 300 2nd St. in Baraboo, Wis., on Saturday, March 11, with a visitation from 10 a.m. until 10:45 a.m. followed by the service at 11 a.m. Military rites will be conducted at church following the mass. A private Interment will follow at St. Joseph’s Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, please send donations to SSM Health St. Clare Foundation or Baraboo Knights of Columbus Council 746. Condolences can be made to dbullockwi@ gmail.com. The family would like to thank St. Mary’s Hospital staff for their thoughtful and compassionate care of our beloved Papa.◊
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MIDDLEBURY — Life is real and life is earnest, and the grave is not its goal/ Dust thou art, to dust returneth, was not spoken of the soul. John Willard Wesley, “JDub,” 91, passed away Saturday March 4, 2017 at Helen Porter Healthcare & Rehabilitation Center with Margaret Putnam Wesley, his wife and sweetheart of more than 70 years, at his side. He was born Aug. 17, 1925 in St. Johnsbury, Vt., the son of Dr. John and Emma (Frost) Wesley. His memories of his boyhood days, particularly escapades on “the Knob” with his friend Ned, and summer trips to York Beach, Maine with his Aunt Grace and Uncle Jones, remained vivid throughout his life, the subject of endless lovingly recounted stories. Each of his grandchildren learned to recite “Old Widow Mulligan” from Grandpa John, just as he learned it from Aunt Grace; “…and only the bones are left for Jones!” John was one of the last living members of the class of 1942 at St. Johnsbury Academy, continuing to maintain his ties to classmates at regular luncheons until he could no longer drive. He enlisted after high school in the United States Navy Airs Corps, almost completing pilot’s training when World War II ended. He later joined the Vermont National Guard, becoming captain of Middlebury’s A Battery, an anti-aircraft artillery unit, where he forged lasting friendships with the men with whom he served, and their families. John graduated from the University of Vermont in 1949. After meeting her in chemistry class, John married Margaret Putnam of Bethel on Dec. 27, 1947. The honeymoon never ended, despite a storied disastrous ski trip to Quebec at its beginning. John began teaching at Black River Academy in Ludlow, where he was also enlisted as a ski coach. In 1955, he took a position at Middlebury Union High School where he taught algebra, chemistry, physics and computer science until the end of his career. After summer training with the National Guard ended, he obtained a fellowship at Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute in Troy, Obituary Guidelines: The Addison Independent does not charge to print a 100-word Notice of Passing. Families may opt for unedited Paid Obituaries, which are designated with “◊” at the end. Guidelines are published on our web site: www.addisonindependent.com/obits.
JOHN WILLARD WESLEY N.Y. as a graduate research assistant studying molecular spectroscopy. He was awarded a Masters of Science in 1961. He had a passion for teaching, although always insisting “never suffer under the illusion that you can teach anyone anything...you can only present them with the opportunity to learn.” Many of his students, including his own children, proclaimed him “the best teacher they ever had.” For many years, he also enjoyed coaching skiing, and his teams regularly placed high in the interscholastic standings, winning the state title twice. John was a member of the United Methodist Church and sang in the church choir with Margaret for many years. Like his namesake, the original founder of Methodism, John was never hesitant to proclaim his faith. Following his love of the outdoors, John hiked the Long Trail from end-to-end, completing every section at least twice. Family activities revolved around camping, hiking and canoeing. Inspired by his beloved daughter, Barbara, John for years rode a motorcycle, traveling to many Vermont towns as a member of the 251 Club. Although he and Margaret traveled by camper across the country several times, and made one memorable trip to Alaska with their
dear friends George and Margaret Klohck. John avoided airplanes after his own flying days had ended. He was fond of remarking, “you know, there are places in Vermont I haven’t seen yet.” John and Margaret loved to dance. They were longtime members of Green Mountain Squares, and both became proficient dancers and callers. After John taught himself to pick a guitar, a skill he passed on to two of his sons, Wesley family gatherings were renowned for music — a hootenanny had to be happening. John was predeceased by his parents, a daughter Barbara L. Wesley who died July 1, 1975, a brother Edward Frost Wesley who died in 1923, and a sister Marian Danforth Vanderheyden who died in 2008. He is survived by his wife Margaret of Middlebury; his sister-inlaw Loraine Putnam of Bethel; his daughter Patricia J. Wesley and husband Garry Schaedel of Burlington; his sons, John P. Wesley and wife Julie Peterson of Brattleboro, Vt.; Charles S. Wesley and wife Jennifer of Loudon, N.H.; Edward F. Wesley and wife Jean Stilley of Lincoln, Vt.; and Richard P. Wesley and his girlfriend Robin Higginbotham of West New York, N.J.; his nine grandchildren and five great-grandchildren, with another great grandchild due in June, and by numerous nieces and nephews. Dancer, caller, teacher, preacher, picker, grinner, all time winner. He loved his family, children, grand and great. They loved him back and learned his lessons well. March forth from March 4th JDub. Thanks for showing us the way. We will carry on. A memorial service will be held Sunday, March, 12 at 1 p.m. at the United Methodist Church of Middlebury. The Rev. Jill Robinson will officiate. Memorial contributions may be made to Middlebury Methodist Church, 47 North Pleasant Street, Middlebury, VT 05753 or Addison County Home Health and Hospice at P.O. Box 754 Middlebury, VT 05753. Online condolences at www.sandersonfuneralservice.com.◊
Linda Meacham, 55, Vergennes VERGENNES — Linda J. Meacham, 55, passed away Monday, March 6, 2017 at University of Vermont Medical Center in Burlington. She was born Dec. 1, 1961 in Clinton, Mass., the daughter of Charles and Helen (Hubbard) Gizzonio. She enjoyed spending time with her family, especially her children and grandchildren. Linda is survived by three children: James Meacham, Jr. and wife Tonya, Tanya Lawrence, and Eric Meacham and wife Heather; nine grandchildren, Tyrell, Hunter, Ashton, Chanyiah, J.C., Kelsy, Savannah, Sally May and William; her father Charles (Carlo); step-mother Donna Beirholm; three sisters Diane, Jo and Elaine; two brothers Anthony and Michael; two step-sisters Tammy Lattrell and Kim Gizzonio; two step-brothers Carl and David Beirholm; several nieces and nephews; and a special friend Pam Cross. She was predeceased by her mother Helen, a brother Charles Jr., stepfather Jack and her true love James Meacham, Sr. Linda was well known and would give all she had for anyone in need. She is loved and greatly missed. Visiting hours will be held Saturday, March 11, from 10 a.m.-noon at Brown-McClay Funeral Home
LINDA J. MEACHAM in Vergennes. A mass of Christian burial will be celebrated at 1 p.m. on Saturday, March 11 at St. Peter’s Church in Vergennes. Burial will be at a later date at Lake View Cemetery in West Addison. In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to Addison County Home Health & Hospice, PO Box 754, Middlebury, VT 05753. To send online condolences to her family go to www. brownmcclayfuneralhomes.com.◊
Michael McGuire, 72, Shoreham SHOREHAM — Michael Joseph McGuire, Jr., 72, passed away Saturday, Feb. 25, 2017, at his home in Shoreham. Mr. McGuire was born in Queens, N.Y. on Nov. 24, 1944. He was the son of Michael and Lissette (Shenfield) McGuire, Sr. He grew up in Queens, where he received his early education. He worked in the Hell’s Kitchen section of Manhattan of New York City as a heavy truck mechanic. He moved to Orwell in 1985 from Central Islip, Long Island, N.Y. He moved to Shoreham in 1988. He worked as a mechanic for J.P. Carrara & Sons and later for J. R.’s Rubbish Removal. He retired in 2008. He was an avid fisherman and loved deep sea fishing. Surviving is his wife, Maureen (Dahms) McGuire of Shoreham, whom he married April 11, 1987 in Shoreham; a daughter, Helen Gosselin of Addison; three step-daughters: Maureen DiBrienza of Oswego, N.Y., Lisa Moore of Woodbridge, N.J. and Judeann Flaherty of Stratford, Conn.; two stepsons: Phillip Flaherty of Long Island, N.Y. and Jason Dotter of Shoreham; seven grandchildren, three great-grandchildren and sev-
MICHAEL MCGURIE eral cousins also survive him. A gathering “In Celebration of his Life” will take place at a later date. Memorial gifts in lieu of flowers may be made in his memory to Addison County Home Health & Hospice, P.O. Box 754, Middlebury, VT 05753.◊