Barbara T. Brackett

1926-2015

Barbara T. Brackett, 88, of Stratton Road in Rangeley, died Friday Oct. 2, 2015 at Orchard Park in Farmington.

Barbara was born on Oct. 20, 1926, a daughter of Clement and Elita (Blodgett) Field. She was born and raised in Rangeley and where she also received her education. She married John H. Brackett on March 30, 1949 and together they shared 43 years of marriage.

In her younger years, Barbara worked as a bartender at The Rangeley Inn for over 35 years and also worked as a waitress at Doc Grant’s restaurant. She was an outgoing individual with a fun personality; she enjoyed skiing at Saddleback and Sugarloaf, golfing, and playing a family favorite card game, “Pitch”. In more recent years Barbara enjoyed spending the winter months in Florida with two of her daughters, Carol and Marie. She loved her children and grandchildren dearly.

Left to cherish her memory are her children: Carol Turfle and her husband Joe of Rangeley and Oviedo, FL, Marie Adams of Oviedo, FL, and Deborah Brackett of Mexico, ME; siblings, Paul Field, Ada Haley, and Judy Quimby; grandchildren, Mike Adams, Sherry Wingler, Lisa Megorado, Kristina Kilgore, Joseph Turfle, Amanda Watts, Serina Holbrook, and Alicia Stone; 15 great grandchildren; and one great great grandchild.

She was predeceased by her first husband, Raymond L. Wentzell, second husband, John H. Brackett; siblings, Ruth Morton, Rose Quimby, Bud Field, Fannie Brown, Sonny Field, and Dana Field.

A public memorial graveside service will be held in the summer of 2016, at Evergreen Cemetery in Rangeley, date and time to be announced. Cremation arrangements are in the care of Wiles Remembrance Center, 137 Farmington Falls Rd., Farmington, ME 04938. Tributes and condolences may be shared by visiting her memorial page at www.wilesrc.com.

Ralph Irving Tinker

1939-2015

Auburn – Ralph Irving Tinker, 76, of Washington Plantation, died peacefully on October 4th, 2015 with his family and his beloved dog by his side at the Hospice House in Auburn. He was born June 10th, 1939 on Vinalhaven. On October 12th, 1974 he married Deborah Pease. They made their home in Washington Plantation where they raised their two children. Ralph was a hard worker, starting at a very young age.

He was a self-taught jack of all trades. Most recently he worked as a heavy equipment operator, and retired from EL Vining & Son Inc. Ralph was skilled at woodworking. He was known for his patience and attention to detail for each project he completed. Many referred to him as the “Dog Whisperer”. He had unbreakable bonds with his two very special pets, Shadow and Captain, whom he trained to do many amazing tricks. He was a proud member of the Western Mountain RV’ers, which is affiliated with the Good Sam Club. Over the years he and Deb did lots of traveling with their camper, and met many great friends along the way.

Ralph is survived by his wife of 41 years, Deborah of Washington Plt.; his daughter Linda and her husband David “Joe” Lidstone, of New Sharon and his son David and his wife Cortany Tinker of Wilton; grandchildren Dylan, Brielle, and Avery; Father-in-law Lee Pease Sr.; many Sister-in-laws and Brother-in-laws, nieces and nephews, and his “adopted kids” Adam & Melissa Speich.

He was predeceased by his half-sister Lorraine O’Dell, his mother-in-law Phyllis Pease, and his beloved dog Shadow.

Ralph’s family would like to extend heartfelt thanks to the staff at Androscoggin Home Care and Hospice for the exceptional care given during his final months of life.

Condolences and tributes may be shared with his family on his memorial wall at www.wilesrc.com.

Tinker – died at Auburn, Sunday, October 4, 2015, Ralph Irving Tinker, 76, of Washington Plantation.

Public graveside memorial services will be held on Sunday, October 18 at 2 pm at Lakeview Cemetery in Wilton, followed by a celebration of his life at his son David’s home. In lieu of flowers, the family asks that those who desire consider memorial gifts in Ralph’s memory to Androscoggin Home Care and Hospice, 15 Strawberry Ave., Lewiston, ME 04240 or www.ahch.org. Cremation and memorial services are being cared for by the Wiles Remembrance Center, 137 Farmington Falls Road, Farmington.

Kermit M. Beane

1928-2015

Kermit M. Beane, 87 of Industry, passed away on Mon. Oct. 5, 2015 at Franklin Memorial Hospital in Farmington. He was born Sept. 7, 1928, in Bingham the son of Donald and Marie Beane. He graduated from Skowhegan High School, was proud to be an Eagle Scout and to serve in the U.S. Army Airborn Division 503rd, AIR, as a paratrooper. He met  Dorothy in 1950, they were married in 1951. They then opened Beane’s Diner in Skowhegan. For his son Michael, they relocated to Pennsylvania to be near schools for the blind.  While out of state he managed many restaurants and was an Arthur Murray Dance School instructor.  In 1968 they moved back to Maine. Notable at that point, his boys had been playing little league football out of state but there was nowhere to play in Farmington so Kermit started a program while running The Farmington Diner. He then worked for Metropolitan Insurance and was the 4th top seller for all of New England and was an active member of the Rotary Club. He worked briefly in the paper mills both in Jay and Rumford.  Always the outdoorsman, an avid fisherman, and hunter, he owned Maine Mountain Sports in Industry to support his love of building custom fly rods. 

Kermit is survived by his wife of 64 years, Dorothy; his three sons, Michael Beane of Industry, Donald R. Beane and wife Mary of Wilton, and Clifton Beane and wife Melinda of Dallas, TX; seven grandchildren Adam, Ashley, Austin, Alexander, James, Bridget, and Alisen; and six great grandchildren. He was predeceased by his son Norman in 2007 and his sister Gloria Young.

NOTICE: Beane, Kermit M. 10/05/2015 A mass of Christian Burial will be held on Sat. Oct. 10, 2014 at 10 a.m. at St. Josephs Church on Middle St. in Farmington with Father Daniels officiating. A reception will be held immediately following at the church hall. Interment will be at a later date. Arrangements under the care of Adams-McFarlane Funeral & Cremation Services, 108 Court St., Farmington. Condolences may be sent for the family at www.adamsmcfarlane.com 

David Foster Levensalor

1950 – 2015

David, 64, of Skowhegan passed away in the evening of October 3, 2015. His passing was quiet and sudden, but occurred while doing what he loved most – serving others.

He was the son of John W. and F. Marie (Foster) Levensalor. He was born December 24, 1950 at Mayo Regional Hospital in Dover-Foxcroft, ME.

He attended Foxcroft Academy graduating in 1969. At FA he was a member of the band, playing the baritone saxophone. After graduation he spent a summer studying in Europe and attended college in Fort Kent, ME upon his return earning his teacher’s degree.

He was involved with community outreach and drew strength from his service to others and from his church involvement. Wherever David lived he dove into his faith and assisted his community. His passions were helping to feed those less fortune, knitting groups, Knights of Columbus, and more. From Portland to Veazie, he assisted with events including weddings, funerals, weekly services, cooking. He was well known in many professional settings.

David is survived by his son Matthew & wife Kimberly Levensalor, grandchildren Evangeline & Quinn, son Mark Levensalor, daughter Sarah Levensalor, brother James & wife Donna Levensalor, sister Shari Levensalor Taber & husband Patrick, several nieces and nephews, and his former spouse and lifelong friend Claire Levensalor.

We will celebrate David’s life with a memorial service Saturday, October 10 at 4pm at Redeemer Lutheran Church, 540 Essex St in Bangor, Maine with a soup supper to follow and also a service Monday, October 12 at11am at St. Joseph’s Catholic Church, 133 Middle St in Farmington, Maine.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests that you make donations either church.

Robin M. Oakes 

1961-2015

Lewiston – Robin M. Oakes, 54, a resident of Jay, passed away Monday October 5, 2015, at Central Maine Medical Center with family and friends by her side. She was born January 28, 1961, in Maryland, the daughter of Michael Hoffmann and Odessa Locklear. On August 25, 1989, she married Ronald Oakes. They resided in Jay where they raised their three children. She enjoyed spending time with her children, grandchildren and hanging with her friends during “coffee hour”. She liked camping and watching her shows on the Investigation Discovery and LMN channels. Robin had a kind heart and she was always willing to help someone. She would do anything she could to make a bad situation good. She is survived by her husband Ronald Oakes, her animals Ivy, Daisy Mae and Little Fella all of Jay; her father, Michael Hoffmann, her brother, Kyle Hoffmann of Bangor, her children Jake Sutton and his wife Nicole of Industry; Jeffrey Kendall of Rhode Island; Savannah Oakes of Jay; Christopher Brian Knighton and his wife Susie of Indiana; and Crystie Hicks of Alabama; and 9 grandchildren Chase Knighton, Neliah Kendall, Felicia Knighton, Andrew Sutton, Madissynn Sutton, Blake Kendall, Shaye Kendall, Lennox McGinty and Aiyana Kendall. She also had many close friends including Tammy Plante, Cheryl Schmidt, Marieanne Littlefield, and Sharon Oakes. She is loved by many more.  Robin was predeceased by her mother, Odessa Locklear. Messages of condolence may be sent to www.finleyfuneralhome.com and may also be shared with her family on her memory wall.

Oakes – Died Monday, October 5, 2015, in Lewiston, Maine. Robin M. Oakes, 54, of Jay, Maine. Funeral service will be held at 1 p.m., October 9, 2015 at FINLEY FUNERAL HOME, 15 Church Street, Livermore Falls, Maine