AMHERST, MA: Kenneth Arthur Ertel, Professor Emeritus at the University of Massachusetts Amherst, beloved father and friend, passed away on December 4, 2023. He was three weeks shy of his 95th birthday.

Ken lived a passionate, principled life of constant curiosity. He intersected with artists, academics, outdoorsmen, and politicians – all on equal ground with equal vigor and joy. Ken lived each “slice of life” to the fullest.

Born in 1928 at the onset of the Great Depression in Mikana, WI, Ken spent his early years working on a dairy farm, hunting, and fishing to help support his large family.

His family moved to Milwaukee where he completed high school and excelled at track and field. He enlisted in the Army near the end of WWII and served as support staff to the commanding General of U.S. Army forces in Japan.

Upon returning to the States he entered college at the University of Minnesota on the GI bill. In summers, he worked in the West manning fire towers. During this time he completed his bachelor’s degree, married Madge Olson of Alpha MN, and started a  family.  He began his career in vocational education in Washington state and Idaho.  While there he completed his PhD in education, did consulting work, and edited a professional journal sponsored by the Ford Foundation.

He loved Idaho for the wilderness, hunting, and fishing. He was active in political circles supporting local campaigns, Senator Frank Church, and organized anti-war colloquia. This interest in our nation’s democracy and politics was lifelong.

In 1971, Ken led his family eastward to realize promising opportunities at the University of Massachusetts. While at UMass he received numerous Federal grants for research and influenced the careers of many graduate students over the years. He was also appointed to the Advisory Boards for the new Holyoke Vocational School and Minuteman Vocational School in Lexington. He remained involved and principled during this tumultuous time at UMass. 

While dedicated to his career, he was also proud of being involved and supportive of his wife’s career and his children’s many interests. His support extended beyond his family, as he cultivated an open and welcoming home in Leverett for all. 

On retirement in 1990, he found great satisfaction in several pursuits including being a master wood turner, president of the MA Woodturners Association, and training hounds to track and tag black bears in Western MA. He was instrumental in the design and building of his son’s house in Vermont. Late in life, he studied watercolor and became an accomplished artist. He was an enthusiastic fisherman and hunter, taking trips with good friends to Upper Michigan, Bahamas, Montana, and Maine. He attributed his good health in part to his dedicated practice of Tai Chi.

His wife Madge passed on in 2007. He is survived by his dedicated companion Betty Brace, his children Beth Hall (Loren), David Ertel (Linda), Ellen Hilton (Tom), and Janet Ertel (Steve Reagan), five granddaughters, two great-grandchildren and many nieces and nephews who all loved him very much.

Ken’s family would like to express deep gratitude to the healthcare professionals who supported him. In keeping with Ken’s wishes, there will be no formal service, but we invite you all to raise a glass, crack a joke, and tell a story in his honor.

Memorial Guestbook at www.douglassfuneral.com

He was a retired home builder in Amherst, Ma. for Sanders & Roberge. Girard loved spending time with his family at his cottage in Wellfleet, Cape Cod, boating on the Cape and wintering in Florida in his motor home.

He leaves behind two sisters, Pauline Smith of Belchertown and Louella Lamirande of Holyoke as well as many nieces and nephews. He is predeceased by his parents, Theodore and Marie Roberge. As well as his siblings, Evelyn Utter, Joseph Roberge, Beatrice Reinke, Irene Merrett, Theresa Teschke, Dolores Lindamood and Theodore Roberge Jr.

The family would like to thank The Veterans Home of Holyoke for his care.

Donations can be made to the Dakin Animal Shelter or Veterans Home of Holyoke.

A graveside service will be held on Thursday, November 30, 2023 at 11:00am at the South Amherst Cemetery located on 1205 South East St. in Amherst, Ma.

Memorial Guestbook can be found at  www.douglassfuneral.com

                         Marcia F. Hillenbrand     

AMHERST, MA: Our beloved mother passed peacefully, surrounded by family, on November 17, 2023

She was born Marcia Fay Hodgkins on September 19, 1937 in Bellows Falls, Vermont. She was the middle(ish) child of Myrtle and Walter Hodgkins. They came to Massachusetts when she was 3 and settled in Pelham.  She graduated from the Amherst school system in 1955.  She lived most of her life in Amherst, then Belchertown, then back to Amherst at Greenleaves, where she made many friends.  

Marcia was predeceased by the love of her life, Donald E. Hillenbrand, her sister, Phyllis Aldrich, brother, Donald Hodgkins and Walter Hodgkins, Jr., her lifelong best friend, Gracie Kelley, and many other dear friends and relatives.   

Marcia spent most of her working life feeding children in the Amherst Public Schools, eventually retiring  from the Wildwood School Kitchen as Manager. Before her daughters were born, she worked at the Lord Jeff (Boltwood Inn) as a maid and secretary.   

She loved the Boston Red Sox and UMass Men’s Basketball and would talk to you about it as much as possible. She had opinions about both. Marcia and Don loved southern Maine, and would travel there on many, many weekends with Gracie and Bill Kelley, where they watched the sun rise over the ocean, played cards, and ate lobster. Goose Rocks Beach was her happy place.  Every July, both Marcia and Gracie, along with their families,  spent a few weeks at the beach and called themselves “summer natives.”  

Marcia leaves behind three daughters, Donna Beauregard (Richie), Lori Donnini, and Linda Hillenbrand (Brian Blinn). Five grandchildren and their partners, Jeffrey Beauregard (Jill), Heidi Beauregard Lavin (Drew), Anthony (A.J.) Donnini (Michelle), Janelle Donnini (Rob), and Joseph Mew (Kim).  Six beautiful great-grandchildren, Claire Beauregard, Anna Beauregard, Evelyn Lavin, Westley Lavin, Henry Mew and Olivia Donnini.  She also leaves her brother Paul Hodgkins (Angie), sister Kathy Guercio (Joseph), and many special nieces and nephews.

Her family wants to thank the wonderful staff of Pioneer Valley Rehabilitation and Hospice for caring for her in her last days.     

Calling hours will be on 11/29/23 from 10:00 to 11:30 a.m. followed by a ceremony at 11:30 at Douglass Funeral Home, 87 N. Pleasant St. Amherst, Ma.

A graveside service will follow the ceremony at the Pelham Hill Cemetary on North Valley Road.   

AMHERST, MA. Robert F. Comings, son of Gertrude M. Comings/Cote, who lived in the Cushman area of Amherst for 84 of his 88 years, passed on Saturday, November 18. 2023

In 1958, Bob married the love of his life, Lois G. Dickinson, of North Amherst. After graduating from Amherst High School and then Smith Agricultural School, he started his career as a carpenter. Seeing a good opportunity, Bob joined the Amherst Fire Department in 1960.  Bob became the first EMT in the Town of Amherst in 1969 after attending EMT training in Boston.  He retired from the Fire Department in 1992 as a Captain, after 32 years of service. 

He loved to travel and got to see all 50 of the United States, in addition to several foreign nations. On the date of their 50^th wedding anniversary, Bob and Lois visited their 50^th state, North Dakota and, as fortune would have it, spent the night in the town of Dickinson. 

Bob was the proud owner and operator of the Rocky Acres Christmas Tree Farm for over 50 years. 

He leaves behind his wife Lois and their three children, David R. Comings, Diane E. LaFleche and her partner Charles D. Livingstone, and Cheryl A. Comings, as well as his grandson Steven T. LaFleche.

There are no calling hours. Burial with be at the convinence of the family.

Memorial Guestbook at www.douglassfuneral.com

Gina Rebecca Battistoni Myren, born January 5th, 1973 at Cooley Dickinson Hospital in Northampton, passed away at her home in Erving on November 2nd, 2023.

A loving mother and wife, Gina was an assistant manager of the Whately Neighbors before becoming a homemaker after the birth of her son Vincent in 2004.

Gina is survived by her husband, Eric Myren, of Erving; her three sons, Caleb Bristol and his fiance Candice of Northfield, Conner Myren and his wife Holly of Enfield, and Vincent Myren of Erving; her parents, Eugene and Sue-Ann Battistoni of Amherst; her sister, Toni Gleason and her husband Jamie; her brother James Battistoni and his wife Sarah as well as two beloved granddaughters, and many nieces, nephews, and cousins.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be held Thursday Nov. 16, at 10 AM at St. Brigid’s Church Amherst, burial will be private. Memorial guestbook at www.douglassfuneral.com

Northampton, Ma:

Mary Muskus, 81, passed away peacefully on Wednesday, November 9, 2023 at Linda Manor Assisted Living in Leeds after a brief illness.  She was born in Poland on April 24, 1942, daughter of the late Michael and Katherine (Marcinowska) Wasko.

Mary immigrated to the United States from Poland in 1966.  She was a seamstress and helped her husband build his family business, Julius the Tailor.  Mary was a devoted parishioner of St. Brigid’s Parish in Amherst.  Mary had a green thumb; she loved working in her garden and sharing her vegetables with family and friends.  She was an amazing baker (her apple pies were delicious) and loved to feed everyone.  It was almost impossible to leave her house without a plate of baked goods.  Mary also loved to crochet and took great joy in making blankets for loved ones.  She worked in the dining commons at The University of Massachusetts for many years; she loved her co-workers and interacting with countless students.

Mary was predeceased in 2006 by Julius, her beloved husband of 40 years.  Mary was the proud and loving mother of four children; her son Michael of Shutesbury; her daughter Dorothy of Amherst; her daughter Helen and son-in-law James Cocoros of Brooklyn, New York; and daughter Julie Sehl and son-in-law Gene of Chesterfield, Missouri.  She was “Babci” to two grandchildren, Clio Cocoros and Cooper Sehl.  She is also survived by her sister Bernice Abramek and brother Wladyslaw Wasko.  Mary lived at Linda Manor Assisted Living for almost six years and was called “Babci” by countless staff, who she called her “special ladies.”  She will be greatly missed by everyone who was touched by her generous and loving spirit.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be Tuesday Nov. 14, 11 AM, at St. Brigid’s Church, Amherst. Burial will follow at St. Brigid’s Cemetery, Hadley. A calling hour will precede the Mass from 9:30 – 10:30 at The Douglass Funeral Service.

In lieu of flowers, please make donations to The Alzheimer’s Association or St. Brigid’s Parish in Amherst.

Memorial guestbook at www.douglassfuneral.com

HADLEY, MA: CHARLES “CHICKY” RYZNIC III passed away at his home on October 28, 2023. 

He leaves behind him 10 beloved siblings… Sandy Tamm of Colorado, Charlene Summers of Tennessee, Bonnie Fuller of Florida. Jackie Robinson of Belchertown, Ma.,  Karen Bergeron of Greenfield, Ma., Tim Ryznic of Springfield, Ma., Cindy Sheikh of Florida, Keven Ryznic of Amherst, Ma., Pam Martins of Belchertown, Ma. and Robbin Devecentis of Sterling, Ma. 

Chicky also leaves several nieces and nephews.

He was greatly loved by all who knew him and will be sadly missed. 

A graveside service was held at North Amherst Cemetery.

Memorial Guestbook at www.douglassfuneral.com

Alan P. “Al” Woodard, 76, of Cassopolis, MI, passed away on Saturday, August 19, 2023, in South Bend, Indiana. 

Al was born December 21, 1946, in Northampton, MA, to Philip and Catherine (Danahey) Woodard. He grew up in Leverett, Massachusetts. Al attended local schools and graduated from Amherst Regional High School in 1964. As a young boy he had a keen interest in cars and mechanics. After high school, he went to auto body school. Al was employed by several local garages. Following that, he went to work at UMass Amherst until he retired. Al was best known for helping all family and friends no matter the project or how much time it would take, with a big smile on his face.

On July 17, 1965, Al married Vicki Stowe in Leverett where they built their first home and had their three children Ron, Becky and Scott. They later moved to a small farm in New Salem. When Al retired, he and Vicki moved to West Virginia and later to Cassopolis, Michigan to be closer to Vicki’s family.

Alan is survived by his children, Ron Woodard and Rebecca Beltyon; beloved granddaughter, Eve Betlyon; siblings, Sandra (Brien) McMahon, Gerry (Phoebe) Woodard, Pat (Norm) Page, Mart (Calvin Peters) Woodard, Brian (Pam) Woodard, Wayne (Irene) Woodard, Dan (Lynne Harrington) Woodard, Neal (Cynthia) Woodard; partner IC, Lois Metzger; and daughter-in-law, Susan Woodard and her two daughters, Kayla and Katie.

Alan was predeceased by his parents Philip and Catherine Woodard; wife Vicki Woodard; sister Nancy Woodard; and most recently his youngest son, Scott Woodard.

Al leaves many cherished nieces and nephews, in addition to countless friends and neighbors, who will miss him dearly.

Family and friends will gather at St. Brigid’s Cemetery, Rocky Hill Road, in Hadley, on November 18, 2023, at 10:00 am, for a Graveside Service to honor, remember and the celebrate Al’s life.

Memorial Guestbook at www.douglassfuneral.com

          Mariam M. (Johnson/Zahradnik) Dayton

                  5/30/1925 – 10/21/2023

A beautiful soul has departed us. Miriam Dayton, affectionately known as Mimi to many, passed away at home on the morning of October 21, 2023. Born on May 30, 1925, in Fitchburg, MA to Olive and C. Phillip Johnson. Miriam was later joined by one younger sister, Nancy. Miriam grew up in Fitchburg and graduated from Fitchburg High School in 1943.

Miriam attended North Park College, UCLA, University of Zurich, and David Lipscomb where she obtained her bachelor’s degree. Miriam was well traveled, having spent time in Sweden, Switzerland, Italy, France, Iran, Czechoslovakia, England, Mexico, and Hong Kong.

Miriam and her first husband John (Zahradnik) moved to Amherst in 1954 and later to Harkness Road in Pelham. Miriam raised steers, chickens, horses and her 6 “perfect” children on her beloved farm in Pelham. Miriam and John were married from 1950-1973. 

Miriam married James Dayton in 1978. She and James shared their home on the other end of Harkness Road, in the historic “Lodestone” house. Miriam remained in this home after James passing. In 2013 Miriam moved in with her oldest son and his family, also on Harkness Road.

Miriam was best known for her graciousness, generosity, gregarious conversation, and hospitality. Miriam had a deep faith and lived it out faithfully. Miriam was gifted in so many ways, whether it was cooking, sewing, gardening, art. Miriam embraced each new day. Miriam was always active in the community, serving the Pelham PTA for 12 years, Mt.Toby Friends Meeting, Amherst Women’s Club, Beacon Hill Friends’ House and later with the Amherst Town Meeting. Miriam helped immigrant families settling in the Valley and worked on various church functions. Miriam had groups of people for dinner parties on a regular basis, Miriam had a way of making people feel very welcomed and uniquely appreciated.

Miriam is preceded in death by her husband(s) John Zahradnik and James Dayton, her parents, Olive and Phil Johnson, her sister and brother-in-law, Nancy and Bill Maravell, son, Eric Zahradnik, and daughter, Emily Cates.

Miriam is survived by her son and their spouses, Phillip (Lorena) Zahradnik, Joseph (Nancy) Zahradnik, Paul Zahradnik, Benjamin Zahradnik, her grandchildren, Charlotte Haynes, Abraham Cates, Michael Zahradnik, Sarah Evans, Jeffrey Zahradnik, Amelia Zahradnik, Cody Zahradnik, Elizabeth Zahradnik, James Zahradnik and Zachary Zahradnik. Miriam is survived by 11 great grandchildren and several nieces and nephews.

There will be a Memorial Service for Miriam at First Baptist Church, 434 North Pleasant Street, Amherst, MA on Sunday, November 12, 2023 at 2:00pm. The family invites you to come and celebrate Miriam’s life.

Memorial guestbook at www.douglassfuneral.com

                                 Ruby Elizabeth Hall Marcotte

Northampton, MA – Ruby Marcotte, 90, died on October 21, 2023 in Northampton, MA where she had resided since 2019 having previously lived in Amherst, MA since 1959.  She was born on November 22, 1932 in Bratt, Florida to the late Eugene Hall and Annie Kate Godwin Hall, and was raised in Atmore, Alabama. Ruby completed her undergraduate studies at the University of Alabama, and she earned a Master of Education degree from the University of Massachusetts in 1967. Ruby was employed as a reading teacher in the South Hadley, MA Public Schools.  After her retirement, Ruby volunteered in the ESL program at the First Baptist Church of Amherst.

Ruby is survived by her husband of 68 years, Alfred D. Marcotte and their three children, David Marcotte and his wife Kimberly of Tucson, AZ, Ann Marcotte of Providence, RI, and Daniel Marcotte of Long Beach, CA. She had four grandchildren and a great grandchild.

Funeral Services will be held at First Baptist Church, 434 N. Pleasant St, Amherst, Ma. on Monday, October 30, 2023 at 11am. A Calling Hour will precede the Funeral Service from 10am to 11am. Burial will follow the Funeral Service at the North Amherst Cemetery, Amherst, Ma.

Memorial Guestbook can be found at www.douglassfuneral.com