CARIBOU – Edward Bertsch Branscom, 70, died April 18, 2004, at Caribou. He was born March 2, 1934, in San Francisco, Calif., the son of Edward and Hazel (Merrithew) Bertsch. Ed was raised by his mother and adoptive father, Pete Branscom, as well as his grandparents, Nettie and Perley Merrithew. He served with the U.S. Navy during the Korean War, and was a lifetime member of the Lister-Knowlton Post 9389 VFW. He was a 50-year member of the Gray Memorial United Methodist Church and was a former member of Sportsman Inc. Eddie was a retired salesman, having been employed by Superior Paper for more than 30 years. He married Bertha “Betty” Sutherland on Oct. 29, 1955. Surviving in addition to his wife of more than 48 years, Betty of Caribou, are three sons and daughters-in-law, Bert and Michelle Branscom and Scott and Jennifer Branscom, all of Caribou, and John and Cindy Branscom of Hallowell; one sister, Joan Payne of Dayton, Ohio; five grandchildren, Heather, Steven, Ryan and Austin Branscom and Nicole McCluskey; several nieces and nephews. Funeral services will be held 3 p.m. Tuesday April 20, 2004, at the Gray Memorial United Methodist Church, with the Rev. Lynne Josselyn officiating. Interment will be in the Evergreen Cemetery. Friends who wish to contribute in memory of Mr. Branscom may do so through the Gray Memorial United Methodist Church Memorial Fund. Arrangements by the Mockler Funeral Home, 24 Reservoir St., Caribou.
EDWARD BRANSCOM
