Page 16 — THE LACONIA DAILY SUN, Tuesday, February 22, 2011
Virginia H. White, 101
LACONIA — Virginia H. White, 101, of 30 County Drive and formerly of 34 Gilbert Street, died at the Belknap County Nursing Home, on Saturday, February 19, 2011. Virginia was born December 9, 1909 in Campton, NH the daughter of William and Myrtie (Moulton) Allen. Virginia lived in Laconia for most of her life. She was employed as a L.P.N. by the Sturdy Hospital in Attleboro, Mass. She also worked for the Laconia State School & Training Center for over twenty years. She worked as a nurse until the age of 85. On December 9, 2009 when Virginia turned 100, she was given a Certificate by the Mayor-Elect Mike Seymour proclaiming that day as “Virginia White Day”. She celebrated her 100th birthday with a temporary tattoo. Virginia believed “To take one day at a time and you make the best of it you can”. Survivors include a son, Sidney C. Campbell, of Hemet, Calif.; a daughter, Louise H. Wright, of Laconia; a daughter in law, Erma Campbell of Laconia;
OBITUARIES
many grandchildren, great grandchildren, great great-grandchildren; half brother, Leroy Bragg, of Claremont, NH; half sister, Viola Hooker, of Lebanon, NH. In addition to her parents, she was predeceased by a son, William “Bill” E. Campbell in 2001, a half brother, Lendell Bragg, a half sister, Vangie Godnizer and two grandchildren. Family calling hours will be held at the Wilkinson-Beane-Simoneau-Paquette Funeral Home, 164 Pleasant Street, Laconia, NH 03246. Graveside services will be held in the Spring at the family lot in Union Cemetery, Academy St., Laconia, NH. For those who wish, the family suggests that memorial donations be made to the American Cancer Society, 2 Commerce Drive, Suite 110, Bedford, NH, 03110. Wilkinson-Beane-Simoneau-Paquette Funeral Home & Cremation Services, 164 Pleasant Street, Laconia, NH is assisting the family with the arrangements. For more information and to view an online memorial go to www.wilkinsonbeane.com.
Gilbert S. Center, 90
LACONIA — Gilbert S. Center, 90, a longtime resident of Laconia, died peacefully on Tuesday, February 1, 2011 at Havenwood-Heritage Heights in Concord, NH. Gil was born in Colebrook, NH, the only child of Gilbert Sayward Center and Camilla Brigham. He received a bachelor’s degree in History and Government from Bates College in 1943. After serving in the U. S. Navy from 1943-1945, Gil began a long public school teaching career, first in Huntington, MA and then in Laconia, NH. He earned a master’s degree in History from the University of New Hampshire. Additional studies included a Coe Fellowship at the Institute of American History at Stanford University and the NDEA Institute on 20th Century U.S. History at Purdue University. After leaving Laconia High School after 25 years, he became the Executive Director of the New Hampshire American Revolution Bicentennial Commission from 19721977. His final career was as Director of the New Hampshire State House Visitor Center in Concord until his retirement in 1988. He was the loving husband of Marjorie Cahall Center who he met at Bates College and with whom he celebrated 67 years of marriage this past November. An avid historian, Gil served on the New Hampshire Historical Records Advisory Board, as a trustee of the US Constitution Council of the Thirteen Original States, as the public member of the program grant committee of the Bicentennial Council of the Thirteen Original States, and a member of the New Hampshire Civil War Centennial Commission.
A resident of Laconia for 61 years Gil was highly regarded as a prominent area historian. He was the author of the weekly column, “Our Yesterdays,” in the Laconia Evening Citizen from 1965-1990. Gil was a life member of the Belknap Mill Society working many years on the preservation of the mill and its program goals. Gil was very active in the American Baptist Churches of Vermont and New Hampshire with its mission and programs and served as an area director. He had particular interest with its world mission support. He also was very involved with Bates College Alumni affairs. In addition to his wife, Marjorie, family members include his son, Robert Center, and his wife, Kay, of Waitsfield, Vermont and children Carrie Henry of Underhill, Vermont and Dana Henry of Winona, Minnesota; his daughter, Jodi Center, of Lynchburg, Virginia; cousins, Pauline Lemieux and Roberta Rainville, of Colebrook, New Hampshire, and Kathy Spitzner of Beecher Falls, Vermont. A celebration of Gilbert Center’s life will be held on April 16, 2011h at 1:00 pm at the Belknap Mill in Laconia. As a tribute to his lifelong love of learning, gifts may be directed to the Havenwood-Heritage Heights Programs Fund, 33 Christian Avenue, Concord, NH. 03301. Wilkinson-Beane-Simoneau-Paquette Funeral Home & Cremation Services, 164 Pleasant Street, Laconia, NH is assisting the family with the arrangements. For more information and to view an online memorial go to www.wilkinsonbeane.com.
William J. Brunkhardt, 74 BELMONT — William J. Brunkhardt, 74, of Belmont, died at Massachusetts General Hospital on Wednesday, February 16, 2011. Mr. Brunkhardt was born February 29, 1936 in Huntingdon, Penn., the son of Albert and Florence (Miller) Brunkhardt. He lived in Ringwood, New Jersey for many years before moving to Belmont, N.H. eleven years ago where he retired to Great Brook Village. During his many years in Ringwood, New Jersey, he was a very active volunteer member of the Ringwood Ambulance Corps. where he served as Captain and as an EMT and EMT instructor. After retirement, he was very active in the social events of the Great Brook Village. He enjoyed genealogy and researching the family tree. Mr. Brunkhardt was employed as a contract manager at the Curtiss Wright Corp., at Singer Kearfott and in December, 1999 he retired from MIDSCO in Wayne, New Jersey. Mr. Brunkhardt was a member of the Laconia Congregational Church.
Survivors include his wife of 52 years, Helga (Meyer) Brunkhardt, of Belmont; a son, Scott Brunkhardt, of Nashua; a daughter and son-in-law, Deborah and Alfred Hawkins, of Bethlehem, Georgia; three grandchildren, Jonathan Brunkhardt of Nashua, Alida Hawkins and Anthony Hawkins, both of Bethlehem, Georgia; a brother, Albert Brunkhardt, Jr. of Camp Hill, Penn. and a niece, Cynthia Titus, of Lancaster, Penn. There will be no calling hours. A Memorial Service will be held on Saturday, February 26, 2011 at the Laconia Congregational Church, 69 Pleasant Street, Laconia, N.H. Rev. Dr. Warren Bouton, Pastor of the Church, will officiate. For those who wish, the family suggests that memorial donations be made to the Laconia Congregational Church, 18 Veterans Square, Laconia, N. H. 03246. Wilkinson-Beane-Simoneau-Paquette Funeral Home & Cremation Services, 164 Pleasant Street, Laconia, N. H. is assisting the family with the arrangements. For more information and to view an online memorial go to www.wilkinsonbeane.com.
Jean S. Deware, 59 BELMONT — Jean S. Deware, 59, a lifelong resident of Belmont died Friday, February 18, 2011 at her home with her family at her side following a period of failing health. Jean was born in Laconia, July 30, 1951, daughter of the late, John O. and Eleanor E. (Read) Salls. She graduated from Belmont High School, class of 1969. Jean was a homemaker, enjoying her family, camping, gardening, bird watching and life around her. Her family includes her husband of 41 years William R. Deware of Belmont, daughters Tracey J. Sinclair and husband George of Belmont, Susan M. Wade and husband Brian of Rollinsford and Ryan L. Barney and husband Michael of Bridgewater; son John W. Deware and wife Jennifer of Belmont, seven grandchildren, sister Cynthia E. Lavoie of Laconia, aunt Jean S. (Read) Collins of Northfield, nieces, nephews and cousins. It was Jean’s wish that services and burial would be private for her family. Arrangements are under the care of the William F. Smart Sr. Memorial Home in Tilton. Those wishing may make memorial contributions in Jean’s name to the New Hampshire Humane Society at P.O. Box 572, Laconia, NH 03247-0572.
Mary S. Boucher, 87 EULESS, Tex. — Mary S. Boucher, 87, passed away February 11, 2011. She was the widow of Albert “Spike” Boucher who passed away in 1980. Mary was born February 16, 1923, in Laconia, the daughter of Henry H. and Merle (Glover) Shorey. She was raised in Laconia. In 1940, she was a member of an all girls orchestra, Shorey Swing Sisters. Mary graduated from Laconia High School, Class of 1941 and was chairman of the LHS Class of 1941 reunions every five years. Mary was a life-long member of the First United Methodist Church of Gilford. Over the past 65 years, she was a member and past Noble Grand of Esther Rebekah Lodge #9 of Laconia; Enterprise Rebekah Lodge #46 of Bristol; the Rebekah Assembly of N.H.; Ladies Auxiliary Patriarch Militant Canton Osgood #15 of Franklin; Ladies Encampment Auxiliary #3 of Penacook; Past Grand Deputy Matriarch, Laconia Encampment Auxiliary #9; Past Grand Deputy Matriarch, Association of the Grand Encampment of N.H., I.O.O.F. In 1990, Mary was honored with the Decoration of Chivalry for her work with the Rebekah’s. She was also a past member of Salvation Army Auxiliary of Laconia and the Opechee Park Club. During WWII, Mary traveled for the New England Telephone Company. She began working at the Laconia Clinic in 1946, served the clinic during three major changes and additions to the facility, and retired in 1986 after 40 years of service. She went on to work at Laconia Savings Bank until August of 2004. Mary loved fishing and bowling. Surviving Mary are her one son, Albert M. Boucher, of Euless, Texas; one grandson, Eric J. Boucher, of Sunnyvale, Texas; very close friends, Edgar & Marilyn Dana, of Chelmsford, Mass. and several nephews and nieces. In addition to her parents and her husband, Mary was predeceased by her brother, Gardner Shorey, and her two sisters, Eunice Elliott and Kay MacDonald. A Memorial Service will be held on Monday, March 21, 2011 at 11:00AM at the First United Methodist Church, 500 Gilford Avenue, Gilford, NH. Spring burial will be in the family lot in Union Cemetery, Laconia, N.H. For those who wish, the family suggests that memorial donations be made to Wilkinson-Beane, Inc., PO Box 67, Laconia, NH 03247-0067 to assist the family with the funeral arrangements or to the American Cancer Society, Two Commerce Drive, Suite 110, Bedford, N.H. 03110-6803. Wilkinson-Beane-Simoneau-Paquette Funeral Home, 164 Pleasant Street, Laconia, NH is assisting the family with the arrangements. For more information and to view an online memorial go to www. wilkinsonbeane.com.