Everett L. Vining

FARMINGTON -- Everett L. Vining, 76, of Farmington, died Friday evening, Feb. 27, 2009, at Franklin Memorial Hospital in Farmington.

He was born Aug. 24, 1932, in Freeman, a son of John and Elsie (Blackwell) Vining. He had made his home in Farmington since 1938.

Everett attended Farmington schools, graduating in 1950 from Farmington High School. He continued his education in Boston, Mass., and graduated from Wentworth Institute in 1953. His college yearbook described him as "an enterprising student who wastes little time. He likes sports very much, being active in interclass football and softball when in school, and hunting and fishing when at home. Friendly and easy to get along with, "Ev" is certain to find success as a building contractor."

He was a veteran, having served with the Army from 1953 until1955. On Nov. 27, 1955, he married the love of his life, Olive Helen Getchell. He was president of E.L. Vining and Son, Inc., Vining Enterprises and K&E Auto Sales.

Always active in civic affairs, he was a former town of Farmington selectman, member of the Budget Committee and did community development grant review. He was a member of the Board of Directors of the Farmington Fairgrounds and was a former 4-H leader. He was a board member of Trinity United Methodist Church, working on several committees, including the Building Committee for the new church. He was also a member of Roderick Crosby American Legion Post 28 of Farmington and joined Maine Masonic Lodge 20, AF & AM, in April 1958, becoming lodge master on Jan. 14, 1967. As a 32nd-degree Mason, he joined the Kora Temple Shrine in April 1973, first with the Kora Band and then the Motor Corps.

Everett was a woodworking craftsman and was very skilled at building beautiful furniture. He lent his skill and knowhow to many community projects and made many treasured gifts for his beloved family. He is survived by his wife of 53 years, Olive, of Farmington; four children, Karan Vining and her partner, Ed Blum, of Manchester, Sharon Fortunato and her husband, Mike, of Newburgh, Kevin Vining and his wife, Judy, of Farmington and Sheila Richards and her husband, Mike, of Farmington; nine grandchildren, Derrick Tyler, Angela Charland, Mike Brown, Jennifer Brown, Kelly Greene, Kody Vining, Kolton Vining, Jacob Richards and Jared Richards; and one great-granddaughter, Jocelyn Tyler.

He was predeceased by his parents and a brother, Carroll Vining.

Family and friends are invited to call 2-4 and 6-8 p.m. Wednesday at the Wiles Remembrance Center, 137 Farmington Falls Road (U.S. Route 2 and Route 27), Farmington. Funeral services will be held at 11 a.m. Thursday morning at Trinity United Methodist Church, U.S. Route 2 and Route 27, Farmington, with the Rev. Terry McKinley officiating. At the conclusion of the service, members of the Maine Masonic Lodge 20 AF & AM, Farmington, will conduct a Masonic service. A reception will follow in the church vestry, hosted by the parish fellowship.

Condolences may be sent to his family via e-mail to info@wilesrc.com. Those who desire may give gifts in his memory to either the Shriner's Hospital, 51 Blossom St., Boston, MA 02114; or the Everett Vining Memorial Scholarship Fund, c/o Trust Dept., Franklin Savings Bank, 197 Main St., Farmington, ME 04938.

Winter entombment will occur at the funeral home. Spring committal services will take place at Fairview Cemetery, Farmington.