All Obituaries

ORANGE Robert Muhn Ellison, Sr.,”Big Bob”, ”Mr. E”, age 87, a longtime resident of 118 Walnut Hill in Orange, passed away peacefully on January 23, at Quabbin Valley Healthcare after contracting COVID. He loved music, teaching, and his students, music was in his heart always. He was born on April 3, 1933 in Somerville, MA, the son of Edward A. and Florence A. (Muhn) Ellison and spent his early years living on Stone Avenue. He sang the Star-Spangled Banner as a young...

SPRINGFIELD- Edward W. Voudren, 43, of Elm Street, Springfield, died on Sunday, January 17, 2021 at Baystate Medical Center in Springfield following a long illness. Born in Greenfield on December 30, 1977, he was the son of Edward Pollard and Marjorie (Fisher) and grew up in Greenfield. His family moved to Tennessee where he attended tech school for carpentry then continued to be a mostly self-taught Master Carpenter. His skill for building came natural to him and Ed could build anything...

ORANGE- Jessica A. (Ricard) Stewart, 84, of Eagleville Road, died early Saturday morning, January 16, 2021 at home surrounded by loved ones. Born in Indian Orchard on November 8, 1936, she was the daughter of Harmas  and Gladys A. (Sebastion) Ricard and had lived most of her life in Winchendon. On July 4, 1980, Jessica married William “Emmett” Stewart and they enjoyed 20 years until his death on December 7, 2000. She was previously married to Rodrick Parker. Jessica had...

ATHOL- Anthony M. Riel, 23, of Gage Road died unexpectedly on Saturday, January 16, 2021 at home. Born in Gardner on September 23, 1997, he was the son of Michael and Nicole (Guerrin) Riel and grew up in the Athol-Orange area, and graduated from Franklin County Technical School in 2015 with a degree in collision repair. While in high school Anthony enjoyed playing football. Since then, Anthony had worked various jobs including  NYPRO in Clinton, SWM in Greenfield and...

ORANGE- Philip K. Barr, 73, of Walnut Hill, died Friday morning, January 15, 2021 at home, surrounded by loved ones. Born in Binghamton, New York on April 23, 1947, he was the son of Clyde and Florence (White) Barr and grew up in New York and graduated from high school. Philip enlisted in the United States Army on March 26, 1967 and made a 20 year career there, attaining the rank of Master Sergeant. He was honorably discharged on June 30, 1987. On June 16, 1973, Philip married Yvette M....

ORANGE-Ellen (Karjalainen) Adams, 82, of Cheney Street, died early Friday morning, January 15, 2021 at Quabbin Valley Healthcare in Athol.  Born in South Royalston, MA on October 2, 1938 to Armas Karjalainen from South Royalston, MA and Elsa (Starsja) Karjalainen from Finland. She was the youngest of 4 siblings, and attended school in Royalston and Athol before becoming a student at Templeton High School. As an adult, she worked jobs in several local industries including Athol Table,...

ORANGE- Mary Evelyn “Evie” (Creedon) Kima passed away on January 12, 2021 at Buckley Healthcare Center in Greenfield. She was born in Sanford, Maine to James and Ann (Gorman) Creedon on June 26, 1921. She graduated from Sanford High School in 1940. On November 30, 1945, she married Sigmund “Ziggy” Kima, moved to Orange, and they enjoyed 52 years of marriage until his death in 1998. Before retiring as a bookkeeper from L. S. Starrett Company in 1983, she worked in...

ATHOL- Michael went home to be with the Lord early Tuesday morning. He is survived by his son, his friend Michael the 3rd who was the world to him, he was an excellent father while he was in Mikey's life.  He is also survived by his father Michael Sr.  and his wife Patricia, his mother Samantha and her husband Mike. Michael has many siblings, aunts, uncles, cousins, nieces and many friends that love him dearly. Michael graduated from Athol High School where he was awarded...

ORANGE- Rev. Fred (Frederick) W. “Tomato Freddie” Swedberg, 72, of Moss Brook Road, died on Tuesday Morning, January 5, 2021 at Heywood Hospital in Gardner after a brief battle with renl (kidney) cancer that spread to his lungs. Fred was born in Gardner on February 12, 1948, the son of David O. and Jennie B. (Harmon) Swedberg and grew up in Gardner, graduating from Gardner High School in 1966. In 1971, Fred married Elizabeth “Wibby” (Smith) and they have enjoyed 49...

ORANGE - Bonnie K. (Olson) Hurtle passed away peacefully on January 4, 2021 due to complications while courageously battling melanoma. She was born on August 25, 1944 in Montague, MA, the daughter of John H. Olson, Jr. and Doris (Bourque) Olson. She graduated from St. Pius X Catholic High School in Chamblee, GA in 1962. On June 10, 1967, she married Donald J. Hurtle and they enjoyed 53 years of marriage. Before retiring in 2003, Bonnie worked as a cook at Butterfield Elementary School....