William Stehlik Jr.,

WWII vet

WOODSTOCK — William “Bill” Stehlik Jr., 93, of Woodstock, died Dec. 24, 2016. He was born on July 25, 1923, in Stafford Springs, first child of the late William Stehlik Sr. and Mary (Sedlak) Stehlik. His younger sister Alice, who died earlier this year, was born in 1925. The family moved to Union in about 1929.

After high school at Stafford Springs he worked at Warren Woolen Mills. He enlisted in the Marine Corps during WWII, having attained the rank of corporal, serving from July 12, 1943 until June 20, 1946. 

Shortly after returning home, he began working at Pratt & Whitney in East Hartford, from which he retired as an inspector in quality review in 1980. He enjoyed recreational boating, hunting and fishing. He was an accomplished jack of all trades. 

He married Beverly Noren of Woodstock in September 1949, the couple made their home in Woodstock, where they raised five children.

He leaves his wife Beverly; children Noreene Stehlik of Silver Spring, Md.; Trina Stehlik (Gary Biddle) of Avon, Cheryl Stehlik of Baltimore, William Stehlik III of Woodstock, and Krista Hraser ( Jerry) of Frederick, Md.; and one grandchild Ian Leach of Silver Spring. There will be a private memorial service in the spring at Union Cemetery.  Smith and Walker Funeral Home, 148 Grove St., Putnam. 

 

Eunice E. Cuff

CHEPACHET — Eunice E. Cuff, 86, of Chepachet, died Dec. 25, 2016, at home. She was the wife of the late David W. Cuff. He died March 8, 2011. 

She was born Sept. 13, 1930, in Henderson County, N.C., daughter of the late Reverend Arthur E. and Myrtle (Kuykendall) Jones. She was a graduate from the Blanton’s Business College in Ashville, N.C., with an Executive Secretarial Diploma. She later received a bachelor’s degree in elementary education from Annhurst College in Woodstock. She taught first grade for 23 years in the Town of Glocester school system. She was a lifetime member of the NEA, and received a Lifetime teaching certificate from the State of Rhode Island. 

She leaves her sisters Verna Garren of Hendersonville, N.C.; her guardian Angels Dick and Ellie Cutler; nieces and nephews. She was predeceased by her siblings, Lois Hawkins, Joseph N. Jones died in WWII, Fralow Jones, Grace Parris, Byrd Jones, Ezekiel Jones, Gerldean Beddingfield, Easter Jones and Betty Ivey.

Graveside Services were Jan. 3 in Forest Hill Cemetery, Boston. Smith and Walker Funeral Home, 148 Grove St., Putnam. 

 

Herbert Doustou

DANIELSON — Herbert Doustou, 75, of Westcott Road, died Dec. 25, 2016, in Day Kimball Hospital. He was the husband of Ida (Desjardins) Doustou.  They met when they were 15 and have been together ever since. Born in 1941 in Fort Kent, Maine, he was the son of Donat Voisine and Maria (Saucier) Voisine.

Herbert worked in the parts department for General Motors for many years. He enjoyed gardening and fishing. He served as a lieutenant in the Terryville Volunteer Fire Department. 

In addition to his wife, he leaves his son, David Doustou of W. Brookfield, Mass.; two daughters, Pamela Rickis of Lake Placid, Fla., and Carrie Burdick; three sisters, Marie Lafrancois, Shirley Cyr, and Natalie Noble; four grandchildren and four great-grandchildren.  

The Funeral Mass of Christian Burial was Dec. 31 in St. James Church, Danielson, with burial in Connecticut Veterans Cemetery in Middletown. Gilman Funeral Home & Crematory, 104 Church St., Putnam.

 

Germaine Marois

DANIELSON — Germaine (Pelletier) Marois, 107, of Danielson, died, Dec. 26, 2016, at Colonial Health, Plainfield. Germaine was the wife of Edmond Marois, who died Dec. 29, 1969. They were married on Aug. 31, 1946, at St. James Church in Danielson.

She was born March 20, 1909, in L’Islet, Quebec, Canada, daughter of the late George and Leontine (Leblanc) Pelletier. She was a communicant of St. James Church. 

She attended school in Canada. Germaine and her family moved to Southbridge when she was 14. The family moved again to Danielson where Germaine lived the rest of her life. Germaine devoted her life to raising her two children Ray and Jeannine. She worked at Gant Shirt Factory in Wauregan and provided childcare for families.

Germaine enjoyed reading the newspaper, crocheting, knitting and needlepoint. She was an avid seamstress and took great pleasure in her sewing. In later years she enjoyed playing bingo with her friends at Colonial Health. She was a perfectionist, had endless patience, always had a desire to learn, a positive attitude in all aspects of life. Germaine was a role model for commitment, caring and unselfish devotion, a member of the Quinebaug Valley Senior Citizen in Brooklyn.

She leaves two children, Raymond Marois of Danielson and Jeannine (Marois) Hemmeter (David) of Dudley;  sister-in-law Delores Marois; nieces and nephews, three close nieces, Georgette Donlon, Gisele Boulais and Sr. Doris Gamelin. She was predeceased by eight brothers Wilfred, Gerard, George, Joseph, Louis, Ferdinand, Jean-Paul and Rudolph, four sisters Marie-Anne Pelletier, Mary-Irene Bernier, Evon Gamelin and Luciene Dumas. 

The Mass of Christian Burial was Dec. 31 at St. James Church, Danielson, with burial at Holy Cross Cemetery, Danielson. Gagnon and Costello Funeral Home, 33 Reynolds St., Danielson.

 

Vernette Withers

WOODSTOCK — Vernette Evelyn (Ohs) Withers, 85, of Woodstock, died Dec.  27, 2016, at UMass Memorial Hospital in Worcester. 

She was born Dec. 7, 1931, in Worcester, to William and Evelyn (Strand) Ohs. When she was 10, her family moved to Thompson. She was the wife of Ernest T. Withers who died Jan. 2, 2010. They were married on Feb. 17, 1951, in Woodstock, where they lived all their lives. She graduated in 1950 from Tourtellotte Memorial High School in Thompson, valedictorian of her class. She was a longtime member of the Evangelical Covenant Church in Woodstock, where she was in the choir; co taught Sunshine Corner (in the 1980s) and was a faithful prayer warrior.

She was an avid reader, always having a book handy at all times. She enjoyed going out to lunch with her “Tourtellotte girls” once a month. Along with spending time with her family. She loved the Lord with all her heart and now rests in His Loving Arms. 

She leaves seven children: Kevin of Woodstock, Brent of Charlestown, N.H., Jeffrey of S. Acworth, N.H., David of Woodstock, Natalie Parker (Mark) of Woodstock, Daniel Withers (Cheryl) of Woodstock, Michael of Chicago; 16 grandchildren, 24 great-grandchildren, two great-great-grandsons; a brother, Lawrence (Marjorie) Ohs of Holden, Mass.; sisters-in-law Gladys Ekman of Maryland and Sally (Andy) Hooker of Lubbock, Texas; and brother-in-law William (Delores) Withers of Auburn. 

A Memorial Service was Dec. 31 at the Evangelical Covenant Church, Woodstock, with burial at Center Cemetery at a later date. Donations: Evangelical Covenant Church Missions Fund, 24 Child Hill Rd. Woodstock, CT 06281. Smith and Walker Funeral Home, 148 Grove St., Putnam.

 

Bryan M. Erickson

N. GROSVENORDALE — Bryan M.  Erickson, 31, of Riverside Drive, died Dec. 26, 2016, at home. Born in 1985 in Putnam, he was the son of Kimberlie Dickson of N. Grosvenordale and the late Jay Erickson.

Bryan worked as a clerk for Big Lots in Dudley. He enjoyed listening to heavy metal music.

In addition to his mother, he leaves his stepfather Stephen Dickson; his sister, Alysha Dickson of N. Grosvenordale, his grandmothers, Alice Alford of Newport, N.C., and Edith Erickson of Eastford; aunts, uncles and cousins.  In addition to his father, he is predeceased by his grandfathers; Herb Erickson, Al Alford and Joseph Machado.

Visitation was Jan. 2 in Gilman Funeral Home, 104 Church St., Putnam.  Burial was private. 

 

Stephen Gottlieb

WOODSTOCK — Stephen Gottlieb, 66, of Woodstock, died Jan. 2, 2017, at home.

Stephen was born in Washington D.C., son of the late Sidney and Margaret (Moore) Gottlieb. Stephen lived in Woodstock for the past 20 years.  He was manager at Hobbs Medical in Stafford Springs for the past 25 years.  Stephen was a professional musician, played guitar and performed within many bands.  Additionally, he taught music in Southbridge and owned Southbridge Music store. Stephen enjoyed gardening, his grandchildren and reading. 

He leaves his wife of 45 years, Marylou Davis of Woodstock; a son, Joseph Gottlieb of Thompson; a daughter, Amber Tourlentes (Stephen) of Somerville, Mass.; two grandchildren, Theo and Eli Tourlentes of Somerville.

A Memorial Service will be at 11 a.m. Jan. 14 at the First Congregational Church, Woodstock. Donations: First Congregational Church, 543 Rt. 169, Woodstock, CT 06281; or the Woodstock Historical Society, 523 Rt. 169, Woodstock, CT 06281.  

Shaw-Majercik Funeral Home, Webster.

 

Marija Noreika

PUTNAM —  Marija (Krecmeras) Noreika, 92, of Thurber Rd., died Dec. 22, 2016, in Matulaitis Nursing Home. Born in 1924 in Jonava, Lithuania, she was the daughter of the late Juozas and Elena (Simokaityte) Krecmeras.

She leaves a daughter Ilona Dwoskin of Colorado; a brother Vytautas Krecmeras of Lithuania; two grandchildren; nieces and nephews. She was predeceased by a son Ramunas Noreika, a daughter Vita Jancaras, and a sister Genovaite Radzius. 

The Mass of Christian Burial was Dec. 30 in the chapel at Matulaitis with burial Gate of Heaven Cemetery. Donations: Immaculate Conception Convent, 600 Liberty Rd., Putnam, CT 06260.  Gilman and Valade Funeral and Cremation Service, 104 Church St., Putnam.

 

Gloria D. Paine

POMFRET CENTER — Gloria (Baranski) Paine, 90, of Angel Rd., died Dec. 27, 2016, at home.  She was the wife of Al A. Paine Sr.  Born in 1926 in Dayville, she was the daughter of the late Alexander and Tessie (Stompski) Baranski.

Mrs. Paine worked part time at the Pomfret Town Hall.  She enjoyed baking, cooking, traveling, camping and spending time with her family.  

In addition to her husband, she leaves her son, Al A. Paine Jr. (Kathleen) of Pomfret Center, Ann Gratton (Roger) of Pomfret; her brother, John Baranski (Delores) of Arcadia, Fla.; her sisters, Loretta Wood of Danielson, and Elaine Gingras (Raymond) of Dayville; four grandchildren Roger Gratton and Diane Wetherbee, David and Gabrielle Gratton, Seth and Jacqui Paine, and Travis and Kristen Paine; and two great-grandchildren Owen Gratton and Atticus Paine.   She was predeceased by her brothers and sisters; Cecilia Ray, Florence Tourtellotte, Edward Baranski and Robert Baranski.

The Mass of Christian Burial was Dec. 31 in Most Holy Trinity Church, Pomfret, with burial in Abington Cemetery in the spring.  Gilman Funeral Home, 104 Church St., Putnam.

 

Stasia B. Kawiaka

WEBSTER — Stasia B. (Jolda) Kawiaka, 92, died Dec. 31, 2016, at home.  Her husband of 46 years, Theodore F. “Ted” Kawiaka, died in 2011.

She was born in Webster, a daughter of Adam J. and Mary R. (Baron) Jolda. She was a graduate of Bartlett High School, Class of 1942. 

Mrs. Kawiaka worked at Bates Shoe. 

She was a communicant of St. Joseph Basilica.  She enjoyed crocheting and dining out.  

She leaves a daughter, Susan M. Levesque (Michael) of Putnam; three grandchildren, Briana Patriarca, Richard Patriarca nd Michael Levesque; a great-grandson, Pierce Patriarca; a sister, Genevieve Kowalski of N. Fort Myers, Fla. She was predeceased by three brothers: William Jolda, Edward Jolda and Louis Jolda; a sister, Michaeline Bonczek. 

The Funeral Mass will be at 11 a.m. Jan. 5 in St. Joseph Basilica with burial in St. Joseph Garden of Peace, Webster. Visitation is from 9 to 10:30 a.m. Jan. 5 at Sitkowski & Malboeuf Funeral Home, Webster. Donations: St. Joseph Basilica;  or to St. Joseph School, both 53 Whitcomb St., Webster, MA 01570.

 

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