Earl Wayne Whitcomb, 84, of Exeter Road, Lebanon, loving husband of Helen Mary (Konopka) Whitcomb for 61 years, passed away on Tuesday (November 17, 2009) in Windham.  Born March 17, 1925, he was a son of the late Lewis and Vera (Davis) Whitcomb.  Earl retired from General Dynamics and was a proud veteran, having served with the United States Coast Guard during WWII. His passion was vegetable gardening and sharing his yearly bounty with family and friends.  He is survived by a daughter, Carol and her husband John T. Mulready of East Hampton; two grandchildren, Pamela A. Mulready of Middletown and John W. Mulready of East Hampton; a sister, Ann and husband, Richard Brush of Franklin; three brothers, Edwin and wife, Janice Whitcomb of Lebanon, Warren Whitcomb of Vermont and William and wife, Mae Joan Whitcomb of Vermont; and numerous family members and friends. He was predeceased by a brother, Benton Whitcomb. Funeral Services will be private.  Interment will be in the New St. Andrew’s Cemetery, Colchester.  Donations in his memory may be made to the Alzheimers Assn, CT Chapter, 279 New Britain Road, Suite 5, Kensington, CT 06037.

Francis Louis Van Cedarfield, 69, of Colchester, passed away Thursday (Nov. 5, 2009).
Born Dec. 3, 1939 in Hartford, he was a son of the late Anton and Emily (Bliss) Van Cedarfield.
Mr. Van Cedarfield had worked as a farmhand for various poultry farms in the area for many years.
He is survived by five siblings, Peggy Corsaro of East Hampton, Barbara Standish of Colchester, Ernest of Interlachen, FL, David of Colchester and Jackie of Poplar Branch, NC; and numerous extended family members and friends.
He was predeceased by six siblings, Myrtle Bennett, Lawrence, Daniel, James and Rachel.
Friends may gather starting at 12:30 PM Tuesday at the Aurora-McCarthy Funeral Home, 167 Old Hartford Road, Colchester.  A Memorial Service will be observed at 1 PM, followed by committal in the family plot in the Linwood Cemetery, Colchester.
In lieu of flowers, donations in his memory may be made to the Apple Rehab Colchester Recreation Fund, 36 Broadway, Colchester 06415.

Wesley Irving Nowsch, 84, of Marlborough, beloved husband of Muriel (Fuller) Nowsch and widower of the late Mildred (McAllister) Nowsch, went Home to be with the Lord Thursday morning (November 5, 2009).

Born August 21, 1925 in Rockville, he was the son of the late Max and Lottie (Milton) Nowsch.  Over the years, Mr. Nowsch was employed in a variety of professions.  He worked as a professional truck driver as well as in carpentry, sheet metal and as an insurance adjustor.  He combined his love for horses and driving, working for Allegra Farms where he drove a horse and carriage for countless weddings, special events and was even featured in a few television and movie productions. 

He was a proud and active member of the First Company Governor’s Horse Guard for over 60 years. The owner of Rockledge Ranch in Marlborough, his love of horses included raising, training and showing American Quarter horses.  He was a longtime resident of Marlborough, where he was active in the community and served as a volunteer ambulance driver and Town Constable.  He also managed and coached RHAM football.    

A man of great faith, Mr. Nowsch was a member and deacon of the Marlborough Congregational Church.  He later became a member of Colchester Bible Baptist Church for over 20 years where he served in the AWANA youth group program. 

He loved horses, farming, riding his tractor and chopping wood.  He will be remembered for his sense of humor, generosity, integrity, work ethic, but mostly for his love and devotion for his family.  He will be greatly missed.

In addition to his loving wife, he is survived by five daughters and their spouses.  Janet and Frank Zaino of St. James City, Florida; Patti and Robert Koshko, Karen and Joseph Currier, Donna and Bret Brierley, and Peggy Poresky all of Marlborough; three sisters, Rita Rankl of Maine, Shirley Strickland of NH, and Francis Hodge; a brother, Richard Nowsch, both of Marlborough; 14 grandchildren, 16 great-grandchildren; two great-great grandchildren; and a host of extended family members and friends.

In addition to Mildred, his beloved first wife of 48 years, he was predeceased by four brothers, Milton, Melvin, Robert and George.

Funeral Services will be held at 1 p.m. Saturday at the Colchester Bible Baptist Church, 38 Chestnut Hill Rd., Colchester, CT.  Interment will follow in the Marlborough Cemetery.  There are no calling hours.

In lieu of flowers, donations in his memory may be made to St. Jude’s Children’s Research Hospital, 501 St. Jude Place, Memphis, TN 38105 or to the Christian Camp, c/o Colchester Bible Baptist Church, 38 Chestnut Hill Rd., Colchester, CT  06415.

Care of arrangements has been entrusted to the Aurora-McCarthy Funeral Home of Colchester. 

Alice (Wotus) Stula, 85, of Colchester, widow of the late Bruno Stula, passed away Sunday (Nov. 1, 2009) at the Middlesex Hospital Hospice in Middletown.
Born Sept. 9, 1924 in Hannastown, PA, she was a daughter of the late Joseph and Agnes (Kustwan) Wotus.
She and Bruno were married in June of 1952 and shared 38 years of marriage before he predeceased her on January 28, 1991.
Mrs. Stula owned and operated L&K Farm and Garden Center in Waterford from 1976 until her retirement in 1995.  She had a true passion for gardening, but her greatest joy was found in her family.
A parishioner of St. Andrew Church in Colchester, she had been active with their Ladies Guild for many years.
She is survived by her son and daughter-in-law, Richard and Kathleen Stula of Colchester, with whom she made her home in later years; three grandchildren, Jennifer of Queens, NY, Carrie of No. Hollywood, CA and Rick of Colchester; two sisters, Violet Exline of Memphis, TN and MaryJane Rainer of Jeannette, PA; a brother, Joe Wotus of Feeding Hills, MA; and numerous extended family members and friends.
In addition to her husband, she was predeceased by two sisters, Emily Beltz and Jean Tetorka and four brothers, Andy, John, Stanley and Frank Wotus.
Friends may call 5 to 8 PM Thursday at the Aurora-McCarthy Funeral Home, 167 Old Hartford Road, Colchester.
The funeral will assemble starting at 10 AM Friday at the funeral home before the celebration of the Funeral Liturgy at 11 AM at St. Andrew Church with Fr. Michael C. Giannitelli, officiating.  Committal will be private in the Old St. Andrew Cemetery.
Donations in her memory may be made to the Middlesex Hospital Hospice, 28 Crecent St., Middletown 06457.

Katherine Mae Colburn, 84 of Colchester and formerly of Branford and Florida, widow of the late Kenneth William Colburn, passed away Monday (Nov. 2, 2009) at the Apple Rehab Center in Colchester after a brief convalescence.
Born May 3, 1925 in New Haven, she was the daughter of the late Adolph and Dorothy (Nelson) Heinecke.
She was a graduate of Hill House High in New Haven and went on to work for U.S. Steel and later for Echlin Manufacturing in Branford.
On Sept. 4, 1953, he and Kenneth were married in New Haven and shared 56 beautiful years together before he predeceased her on Jan. 20, 2009.
Mrs. Colburn was a longtime resident of Branford and later enjoyed her retirement in Vero Beach and Ft. Pierce, FL.  In her spare time, she was an avid reader and will be lovingly remembered for her devotion to her family.  
She is survived by her daughter, Patricia Mia Jacobs, with whom she made her home; and numerous extended family members and friends.
In addition to her husband, she was predeceased by her son, Kenneth “Kacy” Colburn, Jr.
Care of private arrangements has been entrusted to the Aurora-McCarthy Funeral Home of Colchester.

Douglas J. Ferrary, 82, of East Haddam, beloved husband and devoted father, grandpa and great grandpa, passed away Tuesday (Oct. 27, 2009) surrounded by his loving family.
Born June 15, 1927 in the Bronx, NY, he was a son of the late William and Kathleen (McNally) Ferrary.
He proudly served his country with the U.S. Navy for two tours during World War II and Korea and continued to serve as a First Grade Police Detective with the NYPD for many years.  He was a member of the American Legion, the VFW and the Detective’s Benevolent Association.
Following his retirement, Doug served on the East Haddam Planning and Zoning Commission as well as three terms as First Selectman for East Haddam, even being endorsed by both parties in one election.  He was a very popular individual with a great sense of humor.
Douglas was also a master carpenter who built a beautiful home that was featured in the Hartford Courant in the 1970’s.  Above all, Doug’s wife and family were his first love.  He met the former Evelyn Hartman in East Haddam in 1943 at Budka’s Summer Resort and they were married on June 4, 1949.
In addition to Evy, his loving wife of 60 years, he is survived by two daughters, Kathie Ferrary of Ft. Myers, FL and Susan Glemboski and her husband, Paul of Colchester; his daughter-in-law, Donna Ferrari-Wyman and her husband, Greg of Middletown; three grandsons, Christopher Glemboski of Groton, Philip Donato of Lehigh Acres, FL and Paul-Douglas Ferrari of Middletown; a granddaughter, Kelsey Glemboski of Westerly, RI; seven great grandchildren; a sister, Ann McGrath of Queens, LI, NY; a sister, June Shephard of Pine Bush, NY; and numerous extended family members and friends.
He was predeceased by his son, Douglas Ferrari, Jr., who served as a Marine in the Vietnam War; his brother, William Ferrary; and his sister, Lorraine Stellaccio.
Friends may call from 5 to 8 PM Friday at the Aurora-McCarthy Funeral Home, 167 Old Hartford Road, Colchester.
The Funeral will assemble starting at 10 AM Saturday at the funeral home before the celebration of the Funeral Liturgy at 11 AM at St. Andrew Church, 128 Norwich Avenue, Colchester, with Fr. Michael Giannitelli, officiating.  Committal with full military honors will follow in the family plot in the Mt. Parnassus Cemetery, Smith Road, East Haddam, where Douglas will be buried next to his son.
In lieu of flowers, donations in his memory may be made to the Alzheimer’s Assn., 279 New Britain Rd., Ste. 5, Kensington 06037.