FARMINGTON - The family of a dairy farmer who touched the lives of children in Franklin County through coaching and leadership is getting help with medical and funeral expenses from the community.

Steven Yeaton of Farmington was diagnosed with Hairy Cell Leukemia on Aug. 22, and died Oct. 19, family friend and fellow farmer Teresa Hardy said Wednesday. He was 44.

Yeaton and his father, Lawrence Yeaton, worked the dairy farm next to Mt. Blue High School on Whittier Road. There are more than 100 head of dairy cattle, Jerseys and Holsteins, Hardy said.

"(Steven) was devoted to his family and enjoyed his life as a dairy farmer," she said. "He was good with kids. Kids loved him as a coach."

Yeaton was married to Delana, a second-grade teacher at Cape Cod Hill School in New Sharon, for 19 years. The couple had two daughters, Michaela, 14, and Shula, 11.

Hardy and others are organizing a benefit supper from 4 to 8 p.m. Saturday at the high school cafeteria. There will also be a 50/50 raffle, silent auction and a raffle with lots of prizes, Hardy said.

The Mt. Blue Jazz Band plans to perform during the evening, and there is room for more musicians to play, Hardy said. Volunteers for serving, making casseroles and desserts, and cleaning up are welcome. For more information contact Hardy at 778-6446 or Heather Corson at 778-2546.

Members of Franklin County youth dairy and goat clubs, softball players, parents and community members are helping with the cooking and other items needed for the evening.

Kids are being asked to bring desserts, casseroles and salads. Donations of items for the auction or raffle are also welcome, Hardy said.

Hardy's children are helping out.

Ashlie Hardy, 13, came home from school Wednesday and began helping her mother cook.

Yeaton was her softball coach, the teenager said.

"He never yelled. He was always in pretty good spirits and he was always calm," she said.

When Hardy and Yeaton's daughter, Michaela, were little, they were good friends and they both came from farm families, she said.

"I want to help the family," she said.