Phineas & Mary Ann lost 4 children to diptheria in the space of a month, between 11 Jul & 13 Aug, to diptheria.
Susan age 6
Sarah age 8
Sheldon age 3
Elbridge age 10.3
WARWICK - Ralph W. Witherell, 95, of 1055 Orange Rd., died on Monday morning, Dec. 12, 2005 at the Cheshire Medical Center in Keene, N.H., following an illness.
Born on June 12, 1910 in Warwick, he was a son of George A. and Florence (Houghton) Witherell and spent his life living in Warwick and attending grade school there. He graduated from Orange High School in 1928.
He was married to Flora H. (Ripley) on Sept. 4, 1936 and enjoyed 69 years together.
A longtime employee of the former Union Twist Drill Company in Athol, he retired in 1973 after 46 years of service.
Active in the Town of Warwick, he served as Town Moderator for 25 years, Town Auditor several years, and a member of the Historical Commission. A Past Master of the Warwick Grange #85, he also served the Warwick Pomona Grange and was active with the Warwick Historical Society.
He was a member of the Orange Senior Citizens Club and AARP.
An avid painter, he painted 15 Warwick scenes which are now displayed at the Warwick Library. He also enjoyed gardening and writing poetry and had built his own house 68 years ago. Ralph was also a talented musician and played the accordion and had performed with the Mt. Grace Mountaineers during the 30's and 40's.
Besides his beloved wife, Flora, of Warwick, he is survived by a son, Edwin R. Witherell of South Portland, ME; daughters, Carol L. Sammon of Enfield, CT, and Dorothy J. Hincks of Yarmouth, ME; 11 grandchildren; and eight great grandchildren.
He was predeceased by a son, Roland E. Witherell, in 1992.
A Memorial service will be held on Thursday, Dec. 15, at 2 p.m. in the Metcalf Memorial Chapel on Athol Road in Warwick Center. Interment in Warwick Center Cemetery will be private.
Calling hours will be held on Wednesday, Dec. 14, from 6 to 8 p.m. at Witty's Funeral Home, 158 South Main St., Orange.
In lieu of flowers, donations are suggested to the Warwick Historical Society, c/o Larry Carey, 21 Pine St., Warwick, MA 01378
Witty's Funeral Home is directing the arrangements. Guest register and directions available at www.wittyfuneralhome.com.1
WARWICK- Flora H. (Ripley) Witherell, 97, of 1055 Orange Road, died late Friday night, November 3, 2006 surrounded by her family, at Applewood-Harborside Healthcare in Winchester, NH, following an illness.
Born in East Hartford, Connecticut on July 23, 1909, she was a daughter of Charles H. and Grace H. (Edwards) Ripley. She moved to Massachusetts at a young age and went to school in Gill, Shattucksville, and Montague and graduated from Turners Falls High School in 1929.
Flora was married to Ralph W. Witherell on September 4, 1936, and had enjoyed 69 years together till his death on December 12, 2005.
She had worked at the former Union Tool Company in Orange for many years, retiring in 1974. Flora had also worked at the former Torrington Company, the former Minute Tapioca division of General Foods, the former Riveto Company, and the former White Drum Restaurant, all of Orange.
She had been a member of the Montague Center Grange #141, the former Warwick Grange #85, a member of the Montague Congregational Church, the Warwick Women's Guild, Warwick Historical Society, Orange Senior Citizens Club, AARP, and the Connecticut Valley Pamona Grange. She also was a member of the Warwick Metcalf Memorial Chapel and the Warwick Rug Hooking Club.
Besides spending time with her adoring family, she enjoyed reading, crocheting, knitting, and cooking. Flora was active in the Warwick community by volunteering many hours to worthy causes.
Survivors include a son, Edwin R. Witherell of South Portland, Maine; daughters, Carol L. Sammon of Enfield, CT, and Dorothy J. Hincks of Yarmouth, Maine; eleven grandchildren; nine great grandchildren.
Besides her beloved husband Ralph, she was predeceased by a son, Roland E. Witherell in 1992, her sisters, Janet Shepardson, Hazel Welch, and Virginia Graves; a nd a brother, George Ripley.
A Memorial service will be held on Wednesday morning, November 8 , 2006 at 11:00AM in the Metcalf Memorial Chapel on Athol Road in Warwick Center. Interment in Warwick Center Cemetery will be private.
Calling hours will be held on Tuesday evening, November 7, 2006 from 6-8PM at Witty's Funeral Home, 158 South Main Street, Orange.
In lieu of flowers, the family suggests donations to the Warwick Women's Guild, c/o Maria Whitney, 200 Wendell Road, Warwick, MA 01378, the Metcalf Memorial Chapel, Athol Road, Warwick, MA 01378, or to the donor's choice of charity.
Witty's Funeral Home, 158 South Main Street, Orange, is directing the arrangements.
Guest register and directions available at www.wittyfuneralhome.com.1