KENNETH R. MONSON

FORT FAIRFIELD – Kenneth R. Monson, 88, husband of the late Flora M. Monson, died Friday morning, Nov. 17, 2006, at the Maine Veterans’ Homes, Caribou, after an extended illness. He was born Oct. 28, 1918, in Fort Fairfield, the son of Laurel and Margaret (Brown) Monson. He attended local schools and while employed at a woolen mill in Corinna, received notice to proceed to Bangor for induction into the U.S. Army. He entered the service April 29, 1943, and Oct. 7, 1943, he was shipped overseas with the 45th Infantry Division and saw combat with that unit in Tunisia, Naples, Foggia, Rome, Arno, Rhineland and Central Europe. He was wounded in action at Cassino, Italy, Feb. 26, 1944, and awarded the Purple Heart. Ken served a total of two years, five months and 10 days in the U.S. Army with one year, 10 months and 28 days overseas. During that period he was engaged in seven major battles, while traveling from Tunisia to Stuttgart, Germany. In addition to a Purple Heart, Ken was awarded the following accommodations, the Bronze Star, Combat Infantryman Badge, American Theater of Operations Medal, European, African Middle East Theater of Operations and World War II Victory. He was a member of the VFW Paul Lockhart Post No. 6187, Fort Fairfield, and the Disabled American Veterans’. In addition to his parents, Kenneth was predeceased by his wife, Flora M. (Alley) Monson, Dec. 13, 2002; 12 brothers, Hollis, Harold, Stanley, Wilson, Basil, Arthur, Loomis, Ray, Willis, Hollis E. “John,” Laurel, Darrell Monson; two sisters, Mary Lou LaValley, Helen Henderson; a stepson, Cary Tarbox; two great-grand-children, Amanda Thut and Taylor Altwies. He is survived by one son, Merlon Monson and his wife, Sheila, of Southington, Conn.; stepsons, Glenwood “Keith” Tarbox and his wife, Sue, of Fallon, Nev., Winfield Tarbox and his wife, Shirley, of Wolcott, Conn.; one stepdaughter, Sharon Hurlock and her husband, Roland, of Fairless Hills, Pa.; one daughter-in-law, Emily Tarbox of Fort Fairfield; sister-in-law, Edna Sharp of Uncasville, Conn.; brother-in-law, Walter LaValley of Caribou; 14 grandchildren, 21 great-grandchildren, numerous nieces and nephews. Friends may call 7-9 p.m. Monday, Nov. 20, at Dorsey Funeral Home, 144 Main St., Fort Fairfield. Funeral services will be conducted 11 a.m. Tuesday, Nov. 21, at the Community Wesleyan Church, Wesleyan Street, Fort Fairfield, with the Rev. Wesley McNeal officiating. Interment will take place at Union Cemetery, Fort Fairfield. A time of continued fellowship with refreshments will be held immediately after the interment at the VFW Paul Lockhart Post No. 6187, Presque Isle Street, Fort Fairfield. Those who choose may contribute in memory of Mr. Monson to the American Heart Association, Northeast Affiliate, 343 Gorham Road, South Portland, ME 04106, Alzheimer’s Association, Maine Chapter, 163 Lancaster St., Suite 160B, Portland, ME 04101 or the Community Wesleyan Church, P.O. Box 202, Fort Fairfield, ME 04742. Envelopes will be available at the church and funeral home.