IVAN HERBERT PROCTOR SR.

NORWAY, Maine – Ivan H. Proctor Sr., 82, died Sunday, Nov. 16, 2008, at his home. He was born July 23, 1926, in West Paris, the son of Leon F. and Reta (Ryerson) Proctor. Ivan was educated in the local schools. He was an Army veteran of World War II and was wounded in Okinawa, Japan. He worked as a letter carrier for 40 years, retiring in 1994 and had been active in the MRLCA, serving as secretary and treasurer for many years. He received a community service award in 1993 from the West Paris Grange, for his involvement with community affairs. He and family members spent several seasons camping at Lake Christopher Campground and later at his own lot in Wyman Township. Ivan enjoyed playing saxophone and had played with several bands including the Parisians, Lord’s Orchestra and Jones’ Orchestra; he was the man behind the beautiful saxophone. He was a member of American Legion Post 151 of West Paris for 44 years, was active in running the Beano games for many years and was an active Beano player himself, playing eight nights a week. He also was a life member of VFW Post No. 9787, South Paris and Military Order of the Purple Heart, Disabled American Veterans, AARP and a member of West Paris Universalist Church. Ivan was a passionate people person and was very instrumental with his wife, Ann, in starting the progress center. Ivan is survived by one son, Ivan Proctor Jr. of Norway, Maine; three daughters, Donna Melville and her husband, Owen, of Norway, Maine, Donita St. John and her husband, James, of South Paris, and Dorene P. Merrill and her husband, Raymond, of Waterford; three sisters, Phyllis Prince of Auburn, Velma Jaaranen and her husband, Veikko, of Englewood, Fla., and Eleanor Inman and her husband, Milton, of Greenwood; grandchildren and great-grand-children, Shelley Ann Johnson and husband, Fred and children, Nicholas and Tehya, of Bryant Pond, Dennis Melville and wife, Pam and sons, Tyler and Zackary, of Bridgton, Michelle Brown and husband, Russell and son, Matthew, of Turner, Benjamin Merrill and wife, Katelynn and daughter, Brooklynn, Jason Merrill and wife, Jasmine and son, Mason, and Elizabeth Ann (Merrill) Stevens and husband, Christopher, all of Waterford. He was predeceased by his wife, Ann C. Proctor, March 26, 1994. Visiting hours will be held 2-4 and 6-8 p.m. Friday, Nov. 21, at Andrews Funeral Home, 64 Andrews Road, Bryant Pond. Funeral services will be held 1 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 22, at Jackson-Silver Post American Legion, Locke Mills, with the Rev. Richard Beal officiating, with a time of fellowship afterwards. Burial will be 3:30 p.m. Saturday at Wayside Cemetery, West Paris, with the public welcome. In lieu of flowers, donations in Ivan’s memory may be made to The Progress Center, P.O. Box 68, Norway, ME 04268. Online condolences may be left for the family at www.andrewsgreenleaf.com.