Merlin Everett Spear

WEBSTERVILLE – Merlin Everett Spear, 91, formerly of Buick Street in Lower Websterville, died peacefully surrounded by his children and family on January 6, 2015 in the Mayo Health and Continuing Care in Northfield.
Born on September 26, 1923 at the Robert’s House on Beacon Hill in Chelsea, Merlin was the son of Everett and Ella (Grant) Spear. At a young age, the family purchased a 64 acre farm on the hill just east of the Square off Vershire Road. Merlin was the Team Manager for the 1942 Chelsea State Champion basketball team and graduated in that same year as well.
Following high school Merlin worked as a hired hand for 12 years on the Larkin Farm in Tunbridge. In 1955 Merlin moved to Barre and worked for many years at Booth Brothers Dairy. He began as a route salesman, then moved into the office to do customer billing, milk testing and inventory. While working at Booth Brothers Dairy, he met his future wife, Nancy Tucker, whose family owned City View Dairy. On August 9, 1958, they were married in the Hedding United Methodist Church in Barre. For fifty-one years, they made their home on Buick Street in Websterville, before residing at the Gardens in Williamston and Mayo Manor in Northfield.
Through the late 60’s and 70’s Merlin worked at Howard’s Market in South Barre. There he managed the produce, dairy, and frozen foods sections as well as checkout customer service. At Howard’s, Merlin continued his theme of getting to know his customers, making them welcome and meeting their needs. Merlin then worked through the 80’s at Rock of Ages Corp in Graniteville. He oversaw the office shipping department and custodial duties. The theme of hard work, customer relations and attention to detail marked Merlin’s work career.
Merlin was very active at the Websterville Baptist Church and the First Baptist Church in Barre where he was an usher, visitation minister, men’s ministry member and held other volunteer roles. He was also a member of the Washington Masonic Lodge in Chelsea and leader within the Barre DeMolay. He was an active member of The Grange in Tunbridge and South Barre. Merlin and Best Man, Richard Blake, traveled to the National Grange Convention where they became official members.
Merlin enjoyed the outdoors and loved to go camping and in earlier years, snowmobiling and motorcycling with Nancy, children and friends. He and his best friend Dick Painchaud spent many years sugaring in Dick’s sugarwoods.
In the summer of 1972, Merlin and Nancy and their family along with Doug and Jan Manning and their family traveled on a camping trip across the United States. This was a very special and memorable trip for all. For two years, each family had a large glass jar and collected enough coins to fill each one. These coins paid for their trip. Merlin was well known for his Vermont ingenuity and dry humor. He will be remembered for his strong faith, love of family, hard work, tender spirit, desire to meet the needs of people and his beloved heritage of Chelsea.
Survivors include: his daughter, Laurie Foster and her husband, Art of Northwood, NH; his son, Stephen Spear and his wife, Frances of Wheaton, IL; his grandchildren, Shanon Rielly and her boyfriend, George Payton, Patrick Reilly, Zachary and Chelsea Spear, Lynn Foster and her fiancé, Ed Stack, Art Foster and his wife, Jessie, Liz Allen and her husband, Todd; his great-grandchildren, Katelyn Foster, Bella Foster, and Hallee and Chad Allen; his brother, Wayne Spear and Ann Richards of Essex.
He was predeceased by his wife of fifty-five years, Nancy Carolyn Tucker; his daughter, Wendy Spear; his brother Roger Spear; his sister Reba Cushman; his grandson’s wife, Kimberly Stoltz Foster; and his great-grandchildren, Tori and Brett Stoltz and Christa and Mykayla Foster.
A service celebrating Merlin’s life will be held at the First Baptist Church in Barre on Saturday, January 17, 2015 at 9:00 A.M. All are invited to a special hot breakfast (Merlin’s favorite) and time of fellowship that will directly follow the service in the church’s dining hall. There are no calling hours.
Contributions in Merlin’s name may be made to The Vermont Alzheimer’s Association, 300 Cornerstone Drive, Suite 128, Williston, VT 05495 or to World Vision, PO Box 9716, Federal Way, WA 98063-9716 please note in the memo section on a check, “Steve Spear: Running For Water”.
The Hooker and Whitcomb Funeral Home, 7 Academy Street, Barre is in charge of the arrangements.