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Obituaries 1-1-07

Michael J. Sullivan

Vergennes- Michael J. Sullivan, 61, died unexpectedly on Christmas Eve, Sunday, December 24, 2006.

   He was born on January 18th, 1945 in Middlebury, VT, to Kenneth and Mary (Caliando) Sullivan.

    He graduated from Vergennes Union High School in 1963, attended the University of Vermont and was an honor graduate at the US Water and Sewerage Technical School in Neosho, MO. He enlisted in the Navy and proudly served as a Seabee with US NSA in Da Nang, Viet Nam during the TET offensive in 1968.

         Following his tour of duty, he returned to Panton to operate the family farm. In 1971 he was hired as the Superintendent of the Vergennes-Panton Water District, a position he held until his retirement in 2006. Mike also was a past President of the Northeast Rural Water Association.

      He is survived by his mother Mary Sullivan of Panton, five children, Sean and wife Tonnie and their sons Brendan and George of South Burlington., Michelle and husband Glen Eastman of Vergennes,  Joseph of Panton,  Martha and husband John  DeGraaf and their daughters,  Hannah, Kristin and Madeline of Vergennes, and Christopher and wife Lisa of Montgomery.  Also surviving him is his former wife and the mother of his children Ann Sullivan of Panton.

   He also leaves his loving companion Joan Devine of Vergennes and her sons William and friend Kelly, and Vern and wife Hillary and their sons Cyrus and Wilder.

   Mike is also survived by his three brothers and sister.  Jim and wife Mary of Bristol, Bill and wife Lynn of Ferrisburgh, John and wife Marion of Vergennes and Kathy and husband Glenn Rossier of Ferrisburgh. He also leaves an Aunt, Elinor Adams of Vergennes and an Uncle, Jim Caliando of New Britain, CT, several nieces, nephews, and cousins.  Besides his family he leaves many friends and hunting and fishing buddies.

He was predeceased by his father Kenneth in 1968.

       Mike was a true Vermonter, Outdoorsman and Conservationist. He was the founder of the Lake Champlain Walleye Association, appointed to the Lake Champlain Basin Program, and was a past member of the Narragansett Salt Water Fishing Club in Rhode Island. In 1977, Mike became a Co-Owner of Otter Creek Sports, a retail sporting goods store in Vergennes.  Mike thoroughly loved his times spent at the family Deer and Duck Camps and treasured his fishing either on Lake Champlain or Lake Ontario with his friends and family.  He also enjoyed his summers at his camp in Grand Isle.

     Mike was extremely active in the greater Vergennes Community throughout his life. He was Past Grand Knight of the Monsignor Pontbriand Council of the Knights of Columbus in Vergennes; Mike held many positions with the American Legion Post 14 in Vergennes including that of Commander and he was a Lifetime member of VFW Post 6689 in Essex Junction.

    Mike has served as an Alderman for the City of Vergennes for over three years being the voice of reason and common sense for many natives of the area and he had intended to run for Mayor in 2007.

     A celebration of Mike’s life will be held at St. Peter’s Church in Vergennes on Saturday, December 30th, 2006 at 11:00 am followed by a luncheon at the American Legion Post #14.   Calling hours will be held on Friday between 5:00 pm- 8:00 pm at Brown- McClay Funeral Home on South Maple Street in Vergennes.

     Contributions in Mike’s memory may be made to the American Legion Post 14 Scholarship Endowment, C/O Henry Broughton, 100 Armory Lane, Vergennes, VT 05491.
 

David Lloyd Weller

Vergennes- David Lloyd Weller, born in Munfordville, Kentucky September 28, 1938, son of Damon and Ruth Weller, died Tuesday December 26, 2006 at his home.

   David received his undergraduate degree in Chemistry from RIT and Ph.D. in Biochemistry from Iowa State University. He retired from UVM as a Professor emeritus of Botany and Agricultural Biochemistry, after thirty-four happy years of teaching.

   He is survived by his wife Anne and daughter, Amy Eggleston, her husband Nicholas, and two granddaughters, Eve and Lily of Indianapolis, IN, a sister Lucille Richardson and brother Charles of Florida. Predeceased by brothers Dale and Donald and sister Georgia Rowe, as well as his parents.

   A graveside service was held 2 p.m. on January 4th at Hardy’s Corner Cemetery in Rushford, NY. Brown McClay Funeral Home in Vergennes will be in charge of arrangement.

WELDON PRIME, 82 RETIRED MILITARY

BRISTOL - Weldon Prime, 82, of Bristol, died on December 24, 2006. He was born in Bristol on January 8, 1924, to Arthur Prime and Alice Shepard.

    He enlisted for four years in the United States Marine Corps and 26 years in the United States Army. In his career in the armed forces, including World War II and the Korean War, where he was wounded in combat, he was decorated with the Korean Service Medal with one overseas bar, the United Nations Service Medal with four battle stars, the Purple Heart, and commendation letters from every post commander under whom he served in the United States, Europe, Asia, and Africa.

    He was an expert marksman with the AR-14 rifle and the .45 automatic pistol. He earned certification as a linguist in Spanish, French and Italian. He also was conversant in German and in two Ethiopian dialects. He graduated from Chemical/Biological/Radiological Warfare training; from Military Police School/Physical Security; United States Army Intelligence/Criminal Investigations I nit; United States/Europe Military Police School; State of Vermont Law Enforcement Training Council: and attended Champlain College Law Enforcement Program.

    He was predeceased by his wife, Annette, his daughter, Anga, his parents, Arthur and Alice. and three brothers, Dean, Arthur and Ralph. He is survived by his daughter, Calla, her husband, her sons, and three great-grandchildren; his son, Marc, his wife and four children.

    A graveside service with military honors is planned for Tuesday, January 2, 2006, at 10:00 a.m. at the family plot in Greenwood Cemetery. Memorial contributions may he made to the Disabled American Veterans.

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