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Herbert “Herb” K. Smith Sr., 71, a long-time resident of Westport Village died on Tuesday, October 12, 2021. He passed peacefully in the comfort of his home with the love of his family near.

Herbert was born the son of the late Mayolin (Winter) and Norman Smith on November 24, 1949, in Brattleboro, VT. He was educated in Brattleboro where he attended Brattleboro Union High School.

On December 16, 1972, he exchanged vows with Brenda K. Purrington in Swanzey. They were married in a simple service with close family and friends in attendance. Sadly, Brenda passed on April 26, 2014, after forty-eight years of marriage.

Herb was employed by the Melanson Co. in Keene for ten years as a machinist before his retirement in 2010. Prior he had worked at New England Label Co. in Swanzey as a supervisor for twenty-five years.

He had many interests in life. In his younger years, time was spent hunting and fishing. He enjoyed working in his vegetable gardens and four-wheeling. He was always up for a good game of horseshoes and he liked to make flies for fishing. Mostly, Herb enjoyed his family and in time his grandchildren.

Mr. Smith is survived by his children and their spouses; Melanie S. Whitney and her husband, Robert Sr. of Keene. Maureen L. Conboy and her husband, Michael of West Swanzey and Herbert K. Smith Jr., and his wife, Colleen of Westport Village. Three siblings; Mary Perusse and her husband, Robert of West Brattleboro, VT. Nancy Perusse of West Brattleboro, VT. and Norma Struthers, and her husband, Clarence of Vernon, VT. Five grandchildren; Robert Piper, Kelly Piper, Hayley Joyce, Matthew Piper, and Lillian Smith. In addition, he is survived by: cousins, nieces, nephews, extended family, and friends. Herb is pre-deceased by his siblings; Norman Smith, Paul Smith, and Richard Smith.

In keeping with Herb’s wishes, there are no calling hours. A public graveside service will be held on Monday, October 18, 2021, at 11 am. in the family lot at Westport Village Cemetery, Westport Village Rd. Swanzey, NH. 03446. Flowers will gladly be accepted. However, the family would prefer donations be made in memory of Herbert K. Smith Sr. to:

Westport Community Church
96 Westport Village Rd.
Swanzey, NH. 03446.

All services are under the care of Cheshire Family Funeral Home and Crematories, 46 S. Winchester St. Swanzey, NH. 03446. WWW.cheshirefamilyfh.com

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Andrew “Andy” J. Perham, 70, Of Fitzwilliam and formerly a long time resident of Troy died on Friday, October 1, 2021, at Cheshire Dartmouth-Hitchcock Medical Center in Keene. He passed peacefully while sleeping after a period of declining health.

Andrew was born the son of the late Corrine (Houghton) and Lawrence Perham on February 4, 1951, in Keene. He was educated locally and graduated from Marlborough High School with his GED.

Andy was a patriot. He enlisted in the U.S. Army on November 8, 1971, during the Vietnam War. He served as an infantryman and was the recipient of the National Defense Service Medal. Andy was discharged honorably on February 5, 1973, at the rank of Specialist E-4.

On July 29, 1980, he exchanged vows with Diane K. McIlvain at the Trinitarian Church in Troy. They were married with family and friends in attendance and have been married for forty-one years.

Years after military service Andy went on in his studies at the Oklahoma Horse Shoe and Ferrier School graduating in 1988.

He worked for eight years at Teleflex Medical in Jaffrey as a machine operator until his retirement in 2010. Prior, Andy owned and operated the Andy Perham Ferrier Service in Troy for twelve years.

Andy enjoyed competitive shooting, hunting, and fishing. He was a long-time member of the NRA.

In keeping with Andy’s wishes, there are no calling hours. Military honors will be held at the family lot in Mountain View Cemetery, Old Homestead Highway Rt. 32 S. Swanzey, NH. 03446 on Saturday, October 16, 2021, at 11:30 am. Burial will take place later. All services are under the care of Cheshire Family Funeral Chapel and Crematories, 46 S. Winchester St. Swanzey, NH. 03446. WWW.cheshirefamilyfh.com

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Walter G. Derjue, 84, of Westmoreland, passed away peacefully on September 29, 2021.

He was born in Providence, RI. on November 29, 1936, to Lisette (Gossler) and Gustav Derjue. He grew up in Warwick, RI. with his two older sisters, Anna and Rita.

He attended St. Paul’s Lutheran Church, Providence, RI. where he met his wife, June (Schmid) Derjue. They were happily married for 60 years. After moving to Westmoreland, they were blessed with four children; Walter Jr. Julie, Wendy, and Janine. Walt was a loving husband and proud father and grandfather.

HIs parents were German immigrants, arriving in the US in the 1920s. They instilled an affinity for farming and gardening that lasted throughout his life. He started working at local farms at a young age to earn money. Upon graduating from Warwick High School, he entered the dairy business, forming Rich-Wal Farm with his brother-in-law, Richard Lawson. In 1960, the partnership purchased a farm on River Road in Westmoreland, NH., and farmed the productive and beautiful land for 27 years. Their registered Holstein cows were highly regarded and sold internationally.

After the partnership ended in 1987, Walt devoted his time to restoring the original brick farmhouse and volunteering his time at Trinity Lutheran Church and town organizations. He used his inventiveness to rebuild and construct numerous projects for his family, church, and neighborhood. He loved to meet new people and could start a conversation with anyone. He had a gift for connecting with animals and appreciated the nature around him, especially the view from his back porch in Westmoreland. In all this time, Walt and June were constant companions who complimented and loved each other very much.

With his sunny disposition and willingness to help, he will be much missed by his family and friends. He is survived by his wife, June Derjue. His children; Walter Derjue Jr. and his wife, Mili of Lisbon, CT. Julie Stack and husband, Rich of Carrollton, TX. and Tampa, FL. Wendy Derjue-Holzer and husband, Matt of Somerville, MA. and Janine Tokarczyk and husband, John of Mebane, NC. Grandchildren; Jillian, Daniel, and Christopher Derjue, Kevin and Colleen Stack, and Alison and Natalie Holzer. A sister, Anna Lawson of Westmoreland, NH. A brother-in-law, Carle Zimmerman of Littleton, CO. A sister-in-law, Nancy Schmid of Williamsville, NY. and many nieces and nephews. He is predeceased by his sister, Rita Zimmerman and brother-in-law, Richard Lawson.

A celebration of life service will be held at 11 am. on Friday, Oct 8, 2021, at Trinity Lutheran Church, Keene, NH. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in his memory to:

Trinity Lutheran Church Memorial Fund
100 Maple Avenue, Keene, NH. 03431 or

Cure Alzheimer’s Fund https://curealz.org/

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Patricia “Pat” A. (Sylvester) Ladd, 70, of Keene died on Wednesday, September 29, 2021. She passed peacefully in the comfort of her home with the love of family near after a period of declining health.

Patricia was born the daughter of the late Irene (Cochran) and Octave Sylvester on July 25, 1951, in Claremont. She was educated in Claremont and Keene where she earned her General Education Diploma.

In 1977 she exchanged vows with Raymond E. Ladd. Later on, in 1990 they decided to renew their vows in a simple service. Sadly, Ray passed on January 19, 1990, after thirteen years of marriage.
Pat worked as a Licensed Nursing Assistant for Easter Seals and Home Care Services for several years. Prior she had worked at Interim
Health Care and Maplewood Nursing Home.

She enjoyed working on arts and craft projects. Time was spent cooking. Pat was always asked by family and friends to bake a carrot cake for special events and holidays. She loved being with her family and especially the grandkids. She was a former member of Grace Christian Fellowship in Winchester. Pat gave freely of her time to help with People helping People, Head Start, and St. Vincent DePaul Food Pantry in Winchester.

Mrs. Ladd is survived by her children; Tammy L. Ladd of Winchester. Pamela A. Ladd and her significant other, James Pratt of Winchester. Alan M. Ladd and his wife, Mari of Winchester. Her siblings; Joseph Sylvester of Springfield, VT.Dennis Sylvester and his wife, Laura of Springfield, VT. Michael Sylvester and his wife, Teresa of Charlestown. Cindy O’Brien Putnam, Ct. Bonnie Banning, and her partner, Kevin of Putnam, CT. Ricky Sylvester of Bennington, VT. and Walter Bassette of Putnam, CT. Grandchildren; Kathryn Ladd, Ryann Ladd, Nikkole Ladd, Autumn Ladd, Mikael Ladd, and Kahlan Ladd. She also leaves her partner in life, Donald Wilson of Swanzey who she met in 1992. In addition, she leaves; cousins, nieces, nephews, extended family and friends. Pat is predeceased by her brother, Armond Sylvester.

In keeping with Pat’s wishes, there are no calling hours. A public graveside service will be held on Tuesday, October 5, 2021, at 11 am. in the family lot at Evergreen Cemetery, Forest Lake Rd. Winchester, NH. 03470. Flowers will gladly be accepted. However, the family would prefer donations be made to:

Keene Community Kitchen
37 Mechanic St.
Keene, NH. 03431 or to:

St Vincent DePaul
Winchester
C/O St. Bernards Parish
173 Main St. Keene, NH. 03431.

All services are under the care of Cheshire Family Funeral Chapel and Crematories, 44 Maple Ave. Keene, NH. 03431. WWW.cheshirefamilyfh.com

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Carl “Buck” V. Blake, 74, of Hinsdale and formerly of Gilsum, Marlborough, and Winchester died on Wednesday, September 15, 2021, at Cheshire Dartmouth-Hitchcock Medical Center in Keene. He passed quietly and peacefully while resting after a brief period of declining health.

Carl was born the son of the late Helen M. (Bosworth) and Charles F. Blake on October 21, 1946, in Winchendon, MA. He was educated in Athol where he attended local schools.

On July 26, 1967, he enlisted in the U.S. Army during the Vietnam War. He served as a Hercules Missile Crewman with Battery A. 4th. Battalion, 6th. Artery. Carl was the recipient of the National Defense Service Medal and the Sharp Shooter Medal. He was honorably discharged at the rank of PFC-E3. On July 25, 1969.

On December 24, 1967, he exchanged vows with Susan J. Hale in a simple service in Richmond. They were married with close family and friends in attendance and have been married for fifty-three years.

Carl worked at Bond Auto Parts as a delivery driver for three years. Prior, he had been employed by the Melanson Co. in Keene as a mechanic for twenty-five years before his retirement in 2010.

In his younger years, he enjoyed hunting and fishing. He was always up for a game of horseshoes. He liked to work on cars and watch NASCAR on television. Time was also spent watching wrestling and western movies.

Mr. Blake is survived by his wife, Susan J. Blake of Hinsdale. His children and their spouses; Bruce A. Lorion and his wife, Deborah of Roswell, GA. Carl V. Blake II and his wife, Lynda of Troy. Wendy S. Blake and her fiancée, Travis Earle of Keene. Daniel E. Blake and his wife, Erica of Chesterfield, and Rebecca A. Blake and her significant other, Steven Horne of Winchester. Three siblings; June Gonzales of ME. Ella Mae Blake of Orange, MA. and Dennis Blake and his wife, Susan of Orange, MA. Ten grandchildren; Katherine, Aaron, Jonathan, Bradley, Spencer, Ian, Clayton, Gabriel, Connor, and Ainsley. In addition, he is survived by; five great-grandchildren, cousins, nieces, nephews, extended family, and friends. Carl is predeceased by his siblings; Charles Blake, Robert Blake, Irene Mundell, Roger Blake, and Mildred Massengill. He is also predeceased by a grandchild, Trey Blake who passed on January 22, 2001.

Calling hours will be held on Sunday, September 26, 2021, from 2 to 4 pm. in the funeral chapel. Military honors by the U.S. Army will occur at 3 pm. Burial will take place later. Flowers will gladly be accepted. However, the family would prefer donations be made in memory of Carl V. Blake to:

American Cancer Society
2 Commerce Dr. Ste 210
Bedford, NH. 03110

or to:

Children’s Hospital at Dartmouth (CHAD)
One Medical Center Dr.
Lebanon, NH. 03766.

All services are under the care of Cheshire Family Funeral Chapel and Crematories, 44 Maple Ave. Keene, NH. 03431. WWW.cheshirefamilyfh.com