ASCUTNEY, VT
Josephine M. Searles, 80, a longtime resident of Ascutney, passed away Sunday morning at her home in Ascutney.
She was born March 9, 1936 in Corinth, VT the daughter of John and Edith (Billingham) Dunbar. She received her education in Bradford, VT. She married Edwin Sprague in White River Jct., VT on July 5, 1954 and they divorced in 1980. She married Robert Searles in Springfield, VT on July 10, 1982.
Josephine was employed at the former J.J. Newberry's in White River Jct. and later at Goodyear Tire and Rubber Company from 1964 until the plant closed in 1987. She was most recently employed at American Brush Company in Claremont from 1989 until her retirement in 2001.
She was a life member of the Windsor American Legion Post #25 Auxiliary. She was fond of ceramics, gardening and cooking. She especially enjoyed feeding and watching birds and chipmunks.
Mr. Searles passed away in 1997. She was also predeceased by her parents, one brother, John Dunbar, Jr. and by two sisters, Madeline Landry and Norma Debarney.
Survivors include three daughters, Lorraine Villimere of Milton, VT, Debra Sprague of Claremont, NH and Brenda Johnson and her husband, Peter of Windsor, one son, Brian Sprague and his wife, Carol of Hartland, VT, one sister, Betty Blake and her husband, Richard of Newport, NH, three brothers, Robert Dunbar of Claremont, NH, Paul Dunbar of Concord, NH and George Dunbar of White River Jct., VT, nine grandchildren, several great grandchildren, and many nieces and nephews.
A graveside service will be held Friday, September 30 at 11:00 AM in the Hartland Village Cemetery in Hartland. Rev. Susan Langle will officiate. A reception for family and friends will follow at Josephine's home in Ascutney.
Memorial contributions may be made to the Mt. Ascutney Hospital Oncology Unit at 289 County Road, Windsor, VT 05089.
The Knight Funeral Home in Windsor is entrusted with the arrangements.