DIXMONT – Oral Leavitt Dunivan, 84, husband of Marion O. (Morse) Dunivan, passed away June 11, 2007, surrounded by his loving family, at a Waterville hospital. He was born Dec. 14, 1922, in Dixmont, the son of James William “Will” and Viola M. (Leavitt) Dunivan. Oral was a lifelong resident of Dixmont and a farmer his whole life. In 1982, the Cooperative Extension Service named him Outstanding Young Farmer of the Year. Oral was active in the community and served the town in many ways. He was one of the founders of the Dixmont Volunteer Fire Department; life member of the department, and Town of Dixmont Fire Warden from the 1950s until July 2006; former town selectman; member of the board of directors of MSAD No. 38 from 1965 to 1983, and was instrumental in starting the district; past master and life member of Archon Masonic Lodge No. 75 AF & AM of Dixmont; 50-year member of North Star Grange; member of the East Dixmont Community Church and Gold Crest Riders Snowmobile Club; and former leader of the boys 4-H Club of Dixmont. Oral was also a former member of Anah Temple Shrine of Bangor and for the past 37 years he had purchased Shrine Circus tickets for the second grade class at the Etna-Dixmont school. Oral enjoyed hunting, fishing, four-wheeling, camping, snowmobiling and trapping. In 1994, he received the Trappers Award from the Central Maine Chapter of the Maine Trappers Association. Oral will be remembered as a hard worker and as a loving and devoted husband, father, grandfather, brother and friend to many. Oral is survived by his wife of 54 years, Marion of Dixmont; six children, Ellen Springer and husband, Delbert, of Dixmont, Kayan Clark and husband, Graydon, of Albion, James Dunivan and wife, Wanda, of Dixmont, Cheryl Nichols and husband, David, of Dixmont, Susie Hopkins and husband, Dudy, of Dixmont, and Joyce Reardon and husband, Rick, of Bangor; two sisters, Lola Peterson and Theo Ellis, both of Massachusetts; one brother, Berl Dunivan and wife, Shirley, of Plymouth; 14 grandchildren, Norman Springer and wife, Christine, of Holden, Joseph Springer of Dixmont, Jo-Ellen Springer of Bangor, Sarah Clark and husband, Jeremy Shute, of New Jersey, Deanna Clark of Kenduskeag, Matthew Clark and fianc?e, Adrien Lemar, of Waterville, Jonie Dunivan and husband, Michael Newman, of Freeport, Christine Rushton and husband, W.O. Adrian, of Alabama, Kevin Nichols of Westbrook, Brian and Justin Nichols, both of Dixmont, Darcy Hopkins and fianc?, Matthew Furrow, of Dixmont, Ryan Hopkins of Dixmont, and Alyssa Reardon of Bangor; two great-grandchildren, Caleb Springer of Dixmont and Nicholas Rushton of Alabama; nieces and nephews; brother-in-law, Alton Sutherland and wife, Margaret, of Dresden; brother-in-law, David Sutherland and wife, Susan, of Belfast; sister-in-law, Leola Scott and husband, David, of Belfast; his hunting camp buddies from camp HA; his many friends whom were like adopted family; and his dog, Shy. He was predeceased by his parents; two brothers, Dale and John; and a sister, Carolyn. Visiting hours will be held 6-8 p.m. Wednesday at Hampden-Gilpatrick Funeral Home, 45 Western Ave., Hampden, where the officers and members of Archon Lodge will conduct a Masonic memorial service at 7 p.m. A funeral service will be conducted 1 p.m. Thursday at Hampden-Gilpatrick with Pastor Timothy Boone, pastor of the East Dixmont Community Church, officiating. Interment will be at Dixmont Corner Cemetery. In keeping with Oral’s care for his community, memorial gifts may be made to Dixmont Volunteer Fire Department, care of Al Harrington, 1203 Moosehead Trail, Dixmont, ME 04932. Messages of condolence or memories may be shared through www.hampdengilpatrick.com
ORAL L. ‘PAPA’ DUNIVAN
