CARTHAGE – Donald R. Bradeen, 82, of Carthage, died unexpectedly of natural causes on Sunday, Nov. 26, in Calhoun, Ga., en route to his summer home in Bronson, Fla.

He was born March 20, 1924, in Dexter, a son of Bert V. and Alice M. (Kneeland) Bradeen. He received his education in Weld schools and celebrated 56 years of marriage to Lillian Brown. She predeceased him on Feb. 9, 2003.

For many years, he was employed at Oxford and Boise Paper Co. in Rumford, retiring in 1986.

A veteran, he served during World War II in the U.S. Army. He was a member of the VFW, the American Legion, the Carthage Historical Society and the Webb River Valley Sportsman’s Club and was a devoted member of Mystic Tie Masonic Lodge 154, Weld. He tended well the gifts of nature. He loved gardening and was well-known for sharing the bounty from his garden. He was a hunter and welcomed any opportunity to play a game of cribbage. He was a beloved dad, gramp, great-grampie and kind friend and viewed his family as his most precious gift.

Survivors include three sons, Archie, and his wife, Virginia, of Dixfield, Veldessor, and his wife, Barbara and Donald Jr., all of Carthage; one daughter, Donna Berry, and her husband, Edmond, of Carthage; three daughters-in-law, Marge Gordon of Washington Plt. and Ethel Gordon and Mary Ann Gordon, both of Carthage; one brother, Sylvanus “Vene” Bradeen of Madrid and Washington state; four sisters, Gladys Gonzales of Texas, Grace Miller, and her husband, Martin, of New Jersey, Lillian Powis, and her husband, Earl, of California and Mary Farmer of Washington; 21 grandchildren; and 25 great-grandchildren.

In addition to his wife, he was predeceased by a daughter, Bernice (Bunny) Bradeen; three stepsons, Everett, Sherman and Clifford “Kippy”; one step-grandson, Terry Gordon; four brothers, Everett, Harold, Norman and Harris; a baby sister, Helen; and an infant brother, Hollis.