Obituaries 10/13/08

Arthur B. Penney

ORWELL — Arthur B. Penney, 85, of Penney Farms, Fla., formerly of Scotchtown, N.Y., died Friday, Oct. 3, 2008, in Montgomery, N.Y. He was born June 24, 1923, in Moriches, N.Y., to Clarence and Edith (Ross) Penney.

He graduated from Center Moriches High School in 1939 and Brown University in 1944 with a B.S. in civil engineering. He served in the U.S. Army’s Cadre of 656 Engineer Topographic Battalion during World War II.

He was an engineer for American Express from 1946-1966. He was a teacher/business manager for the Chester School District from 1967-1977. He retired from the USDA Formers Home Administration as a housing inspector in 1989.

He was a charter member of Harmony Baptist Church, where he served in many positions, including deacon, trustee, Sunday school superintendent, Christian Service Brigade leader and board member of Harmony Christian School. He was also involved with C.S.B.’s Northern Frontier camp and Gideons International.

He and his wife, Audrey, enjoyed 10 years of traveling across the country in their motor home before moving in 2000 to Penney Retirement Community, where he was actively involved in volunteer work. They summered in Orwell, Vt., and he enjoyed gardening, bird watching, and sitting by the lake watching the sunsets on Lake Champlain.

He is survived by his wife of 60 years, Audrey (Stiefel) Penney; a son, Merritt Cash Penney II of Montgomery; three daughters, Darby Penney and husband Ken Denberg of Albany, N.Y., Darcy and husband Fred Litt of Allendale, N.J., and Melissa Penney of Montgomery; a grandson; a granddaughter; and several cousins, nieces and nephews.

He was predeceased by three brothers, Lloyd and wife Gladys, Lawrence and wife Ave, and Robert.

A private service and internment was held at Mount Pleasant Cemetery in Center Moriches, N.Y., on Oct. 7 and a memorial service took place on Oct. 12, at Harmony Baptist Church in East Middletown, N.Y.

Contributions can be made to Gideons International Memorial Bible Fund, 4273 Blueberry St., Middleburg, FL 32068.

Rollin Francis Christian

ORWELL — Rollin Francis Christian, 75, died Tuesday, Oct. 7, 2008, at Genesis Healthcare Center in Rutland. He was born in Orwell on Jan. 2, 1933, the son of Joseph H. and Albina (Girard) Christian. He grew up on his father’s farm in Orwell.

He served with the U.S. Air Force and after his honorable discharge he worked for General Electric in Middlebury. He afterwards worked as a press operator for Tuttle Law Print in Rutland. He and his wife, Marion, also operated a lawn care business and his hobbies included small engine repair at his home in Orwell.

He was a member of St. Paul Catholic Church in Orwell, where he spent many years helping with Bingo and calling numbers. He was a volunteer with the Orwell First Response and Fair Haven Rescue Squad.

He is survived by his wife Marion (Bailey) Christian; three sons, Edward Christian of Orwell, Bruce Christian of Rutland and Alan Christian of Orwell; two daughters, Carol Lolatte of Brattleboro and Betty Burke of Fair Haven; a brother, Ernest Christian of Philadelphia; a sister, Celia Derepentigny of Oxford, Conn.; nine grandchildren; and many nieces and nephews.

He was predeceased by his sister Anna Bonvouloir and his brother Oscar Christian.

A Mass of Christian Burial was celebrated last Friday at Orwell’s St. Paul Catholic Church with the Rev. Henry Furman officiating. Graveside committal services and interment followed in Mountain View Cemetery, Orwell.

Donations may be made to Orwell First Response C/O Peter Ochs, 37 Needham Hill Road, Orwell, VT 05760.

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