Portland Press Herald (ME)
February 24, 1998Elva G. Millett, 86, formerly of East Waterford died Monday at Norway Rehabilitation and Living Center.
She was born in South Paris, a daughter of Stanley and Della Grant Chapman, and attended South Paris schools.
On Dec. 3, 1927, she married Bertram Millett. He died Feb. 9, 1985.
Mrs. Millett was a homemaker. She attended the South Paris Methodist Church and enjoyed reading. She loved children, especially her grandchildren and great-grandchildren, her family said.
Survivors include a son, Roger Millett of Turner; a daughter, Leatrice Record of South Paris; a sister, Thelma Gallant of Auburn; a brother, Raymond Chapman in Inverness, Fla.; six grandchildren; 11 great-grandchildren; and two stepgreat-grandchildren.
Lewiston Morning Tribune (ID)
June 11, 2009On Wednesday, June 3, 2009, "Lil" traveled to that great lush garden in the sky to meet her long awaited Japanese gardener. She's gone to play bridge with her old friends, talk politics, enjoy the beauty, smell the flowers and play with her animals.
Lil was truly an "Island in a Stream," which is where she was born, appropriately on "Sweetheart's Day" some 50 years before her insight, comments and brilliance were truly appreciated. She was a high "ole gal" in her heyday, with beauty, brains and a tremendous sense of humor to boot!
She knew well the sacrifices of World War II and proved a true survivor. Raised in Maine - she cut ice off the well, chopped wood and walked seven miles to town with three young ones. She knew how to re-do, recycle or re-use long before it was fashionable.
Lydia was a supreme craftsman, seamstress, quilter, philosopher, artist and teacher. Also a grand cook and nutritionist, from simple to fancy, she always taught her students and the lucky ones many lasting lessons. She loved learning, her gardens, yard sales, music, games, good friends and great conversation. Humor and her beloved pets were her constant companions.
She called 'em as she saw 'em and was kind, compassionate and forgiving. She loved with all of her being. Lil is survived by great memories, special moments, family and friends.
You have touched the minds and hearts of so many, Mom! We will all truly miss you.
"And into my heart's treasury, I drop a coin."
Sun-Journal (Lewiston, ME)
January 26, 2013WEST PARIS � Verna Grover Thayer, 94, of Mason Township, passed away on Wednesday, Jan. 23, at Ledgeview Living Center.
She was born in Mason Township, Aug. 25, 1918, the third of 11 children to Eli Arthur Grover and Ella Garey Grover. Verna graduated from Gould Academy in 1936. She married George D. Thayer, lived in South Paris and operated the Norway Home Bakery from mid 1940s until the late 1960s.
The Bakery was on Main Street in Norway. Verna and Dewey used to give leftover bakery goods to family members still on the farm both for people and the pigs. She lived in Port Clyde from 1968 until 1983, while she worked as a legal secretary for Strout, Payson and Pelicani in Rockland, while Dewey was town manager for Tenants Harbor.
Verna retired back to Mason Township in 1984, and lived there until she moved to Ledgeview in West Paris in 2009. She and Dewey spent several winters in Florida, where they stayed with sister-in-law, Dorothy Grover.
Verna was a very good bridge player and played in several bridge clubs in the Bethel area. She loved card games of all kinds. She was a member of the West Bethel Union Church, the Pleasant Valley Grange (West Bethel), and a lifetime member of the Order of the Eastern Star and served as Worthy Matron in Tenants Harbor.
She always helped other members of the family, giving of her time and money when she had some. She grew up on a hardscrabble farm in Mason; and as a teenager worked summers as housekeeper for the Hastings Farm in Gilead. She used part of her earnings to buy school clothing for her 8 younger brothers and sisters.
She is survived by brothers, Stanley and Richard Grover; her sister, Margaret "Peggy" Perham; her son, Charles Thayer; her grandchildren, Scott Thayer, Steve Thayer, Tracyn Thayer, Darren Thayer, Matt Thayer and Michael Thayer; her great-grandchildren, Bonnie Thayer, Jessica Gowen, Justin Thayer, Shannon Thayer, Maya Thayer, Alexandria Thayer, Dylan Greenberg, Jackson Thayer, Izaac Greenberg, Brooklyn Thayer and Madison Thayer; and great-great-grandchildren, Gabriel Gowen, Grace and Gretta Beckard and Audrey Shafer.
She was predeceased by her brothers, Paul, Walter, Rupert, Ernest, Howard, Robert and Ralph Grover; her husband, George "Dewey" Thayer; her son, Ernest Powers Thayer; and grandson, Gregory Ernest Thayer.
65643. Rupert Henry Grover Sr.
Find-a-GraveRupert Henry Grover, Sr., 90, of Mason Township, died at Market Square Health Care Center. He was born in Mason Township, the son of Eli and Ella Garey Grover. He graduated from Gould Academy in 1939 and faithfully served his country in the U. S. Army. He married Ina Ellingwood on March 5, 1943.
He worked in the woods and at A. C. Lawrence. He was a member of the West Bethel Union Church, Pleasant Valley Grange, Bethel Masonic Lodge #97 and the Order of the Eastern Star.
He loved the outdoors, especially hunting, fishing, and trapping, storytelling, and was a Red Sox fan.
He is survived by his wife of Mason Township; two sons, Rupert and his wife Suzanne and Daniel and his wife Nancy; a daughter, Elsie; 10 beloved grandchildren; 16 great-grandchildren; sisters, Margaret and her husband Joseph and Verna; and brothers, Stanley and his wife Mary and Richard and his wife Mona. He was predeceased by a daughter, Christine; and brothers, Paul, Walter, Howard, Ernest, Ralph and Robert.
Lewiston Sun Journal
December 14, 2015MASON TOWNSHIP - Ina Helen Ellingwood Grover, 91, passed away peacefully at her home on Saturay, December 12, 2015.
Ina was born the daughter of Joseph and Elsie (Gary) Ellingwood on November 2, 1924, in South Paris and was raised on the farm which is now the Celebration Barn Theater.
She attended West Paris High School before her marriage to Rupert Henry Grover, Sr. on March 5, 1943. Together they raised four children and worked on "The Farm" in Mason Township until Rupert's death on November 25, 2010. Ina was also employed by Kendall Dowel Mill for a number of years.
Ina was devoted to her family and community, serving as a member of the Eastern Star, the Pleasant Valley Grange and the West Bethel Union Church.
She could usually be found in her kitchen, preparing for a community or family gathering. An excellent seamstress, she created many quilts and other handmade items for her loved ones. She was an average reader, knowledgeable family genealogist and was always ready for a game of Scrabble, cribbage or cards. Ina also loved the outdoors -- gardening, hunting and fishing were among her favorite things to do. She enjoyed travelin as well, often reminiscing about trips she and Rupert had taken with friends and family and she even made the journey to Hudson Bay on a hunting trip with her sons just two years ago. Most of all, she loved keeping up with her grandchildren and extended family, atending school functions, reunions and other events-always with her camera in hand.
Ina is survived by her son, Rupert Grover, Jr. and his wife Suzanne, of Norway; son, Daniel Grover and his wife Nancy, of Mason Township; daughter, Elsie Aylward of Mason Township; her sisters, Evelyn Chamberlain, Susie Abbott and Beryl Oja; grandchildren, Jessicca Grover, Garth Grover, Lydia Grover, Martha Grover, Eileen Flynn, Diane Merrill, Crystal Aylward, Joshua Aylward, Rebecca Cole, David T. Hanscom, and their father, her former son-in-law, David Hanscom; and 16 great-grandchildren.
She was predeceased by her husband Rupert; their daughter, Christine Hanscom; son-in-law, Donald Aylward; four brothers, Howard Ellingwood, Perley Ellingwood, Erwin Ellingwood and Ralph Abbott; and three sisters, Doris Maxim, Amy Ferris Drake and Ruth Lowell.
Sun-Journal (Lewiston, ME)
August 31, 2013WEST PARIS � Joseph A. "Joe" Perham passed away Wednesday, Aug. 28, of Alzheimer's Disease. He was 80 years old.
A renowned American humorist, folklorist, storyteller and educator, Joe was born in West Paris on Oct. 26, 1932, to Harold C. "Red" and Mary "Mazie" Slattery Perham. Joe was one of 13 farm children, a fact that he frequently alluded to in his storytelling. "I never slept alone 'til I was married," and "No sir! I'm bringing that bull out to see YOU!" typified his sense of family and of humor.
Joe graduated Phi Beta Kappa from Colby College in 1955 and went on to earn advanced degrees in English and education from the University of Maine. A "B.S., and any farm boy can tell you what that stands for, a M.S., or 'More of the Same' and a PhD., just 'Piled Higher and Deeper'." He never missed a single day in his 26 years of classroom instruction in English literature, speech and drama, inspiring an entire generation of high school students at Paris High School, Leavitt Institute and Oxford Hills High School, where he served as head of the English department. After retiring at the age of 48, Joe continued to shape young minds as an "Artist in Residence" at elementary schools across the state.
In 1954, Joe married the love of his life, Peg Grover, and they had four children. "JodyCathy DavidChip!" as he was wont to say, ensuring his message got to the right recipient. Seven grandchildren and nine great-grandchildren, along with his cat, George, followed and he loved them all fully and without reservation.
All the world was Joe's stage, and he strutted and fretted his hours thereon with unabashed magnificence. Joe drew the spotlight like a lantern draws smelt. He WAS Hamlet, Willie Loman, Rubashov and Bard. He resurrected Holman Day, Artemus Ward, Solomon Chase and Abraham Lincoln.
He wrote, produced and performed 17 best-selling albums of Maine humor and folklore. His television credits include six PBS specials, "On the Road" with Charles Kuralt, "In the Kitchen" with Kendall Morse, and commercials for the Boston Red Sox, NBC "Game of the Week" and the Maine State Lottery. He received the Broderson Award for writing and artists for his radio commercials for the Maine Office of Tourism. He appeared in two films, Stephen King's "Graveyard Shift" and "Bed and Breakfast" with his wife, Peg, along with Roger Moore.
A Universalist lay preacher, Joe "married 'em and buried 'em." He compassionately served the congregations of several area churches, writing and delivering his own sermons and officiating hundreds of weddings and funerals. Joe was a 50-year member of the Masonic Granite Lodge of West Paris, where he proudly served, advancing through every chair. Joe was also very much in-demand as an after dinner speaker, a Maine Touring Artist, an auctioneer and square dance caller. An avid hunter, fisherman and member of the Biggest Bucks of Maine Club, Joe was feared by big game from Maine to Alaska.
Joe is survived by Peg, his wife of 59 years; his four children, Joseph Jr. of Howland, Catherine and husband, Raymond Hicks, of Charlottesville, Va., David and wife, Inga, of Eugene, Ore., and Christopher "Chip" of Natick, Mass.; seven grandchildren, Jara and husband, Sean Wilson, of South Paris, Luke Gizinski of Lewiston, Fiona Gizinski and husband, Angelo Diaz Brandon, of Florida, Meryl Gizinski of Tampa, Fla., Mary Amelia Hicks of Charlottesville, Va., Grant Perham of Glen Carbon, Ill., and Graham Perham of Eugene, Ore.; nine great-grandchildren, Nadja Ward, Ashlee, Caden, Reagan and Kennedy Wilson, Kloe Gizinski, Niaya, Angel and Hayden Diaz; four sisters, Margaret "Peggy" and husband, Gilbert Turner, Mary Ann Brown, Martha and husband, Roger Sirois, and Nancy Perham; five brothers, Alfred C. Perham and wife, Dotty, Roscoe E. Perham and wife, Fay, Bradley L. Perham, Douglas A. Perham and John L. Perham and wife, Iris; and hundreds of nieces, nephews, cousins, in-laws and friends.
Joe was predeceased by his parents; two brothers, Harold C. Perham Jr. and Sidney D. Perham; a sister, Natalie N. Rice; sisters-in-law, Sarah Perham, Mary Ann Perham and Kathy Perham; and brothers-in-law, Herbert J. Rice Jr. and Raymond "Ray" Brown.