Minor Funeral and Cremation Center

07/08/2026

Frank Woodward Jr

Frank (Frankie, JoJo, Niner, Pap Pap) - loving and beloved husband, father, grandfather, brother, uncle and friend, passed peacefully on July 6, 2026, at home with his children, after a courageous battle with cancer.

He was born on December 2, 1938, in Skowhegan, Maine, the eldest of eight siblings, to Frank Josephus Woodward and Mary Elizabeth (Newton) Woodward. His family, including sisters Cheryl (Douglas Hoar) and Sheila (Gregory Clairmont) along with brothers Mike (Lois), Richard (Debby), Tim (Suki Knight), Keith (Patricia Driscoll), and Robin (Kelly) lived and farmed in East Corinth, Vermont growing up.

He met his wife Nancianne (Welch) through his sister, Cheryl and they married on August 5, 1961, in Newbury, Vermont. They traveled together to Fort Devens, Massachusetts while he served in the United States Army. They returned to Burlington, Vermont area where they started their family of five children. They moved to Georgia, Vermont in 1972 where they continued to watch their family grow and thrive.

Nanci passed on May 28, 2015, after fifty-four years of marriage.

Frankie attended Vermont Technical College and earned his electrical engineering degree. He started his working career at General Electric, retiring after 30+ years of exemplary service, to begin his second career at QST in St. Albans (now TeknorApex) working for his close friend, Joe Doucette.

He started his favorite career of racing simultaneously, beginning with drag racing The Vermontster which he built with his close friend, John Keefer, and drove; and moving onto many successful years as Crew Chief with the #71 Racing Team and Bobby Dragon, continuing as crew member for the Goss Dodge Race Teams #46 and #45 with Doug Hoar and Brian Hoar, and finishing with the #9 Race Team with Emily Packard.

He knew how to make drivers go fast. He was respected in the pits for his meticulous care, and incredible knowledge, and for always being willing to help a competitor run their best race. He decided to celebrate turning 80 by re-acquiring The Vermontster, getting a crew together, and bringing us all along to watch him hit 150 miles per hour at the Napierville Dragstrip in Quebec, Canada. Who needs a cake after that?

There can be no further discussion without telling you about his children and grandchildren - if he were here, he would tell you himself. We think nobody was a better Pap Pap. He was present with his camera, and later his video recorder, at events involving his grandchildren (just ask them!). There was no better treat than having a cup of coffee at the kitchen table going through envelopes of the latest pictures.

Left behind to grieve his loss are daughter Michelle West, her husband Mark, and her children Joel (Kelly) Lombard, Forreste (Tabor) DeGroot, Victoria Lombard, Rachel (Wyatt) Larose, Michaela Lombard and Olivia Lombard; daughter Pamela "Pammy" Woodward and her children Dylan Boardman, Elijah Boardman and Hannah Boardman; son Frank "Joey" Woodward III, his wife Deb and their children Julia (Robert) Garafolo and Gracie (Quinton) Banus; daughter Brenda Parker, her husband, Rich Parker, and her children Cailyn Luman and Braidyn Luman and Rich's son Ryan Parker; son Neal Woodward and his wife Stacey and his son Easton; and great-grandchildren, Porter and August DeGroot, Farah Larose, Alton and Arya Lombard, Harper and Hadley Banus, and baby Garafolo joining us in September 2026 and baby Larose #2 joining us November 2026.

He was also preceded in death by his nephew, David Woodward in 1996, his sister-in-law, Lois Woodward in 2004, his brother-in-law, Douglas Hoar in 2024, and Joe Doucette in 2019.

The family would like to thank Bayada Hospice for assisting the family with honoring his wishes to be at home for his passing.

There will be a Celebration of Life for family at a later date.

We will remember his kindness, his love for life, and his love for us.

View Frank Woodward Jr's obituary, send flowers, find service dates, and sign the guestbook.

07/08/2026

Most people are familiar with traditional cremation.

Fewer people know there is another option.

Fireless Cremation® (also known as alkaline hydrolysis or water cremation) is a gentle, water-based alternative that uses significantly less energy and produces no direct greenhouse gas emissions.

We're proud to be the only funeral home in the area currently offering this option to families.

Whether you're making arrangements today or just passively considering your choices for the future, we believe having more options is always a good thing.

07/06/2026

At the end of our lives, most of us hope to be remembered for something.

Kindness.
Adventure.
Faith.
Family.
Laughter.

If you had to describe your life in three words, what would they be?

07/04/2026

As we celebrate Independence Day, we're reminded that freedom has never been free.

Today, we honor the men and women whose courage, sacrifice, and service have helped shape the country we call home. We also remember those who gave everything in defense of that freedom.

From all of us at Minor Funeral and Cremation Center, we wish you a safe, meaningful, and happy Fourth of July. We will see you at the parade today!

🇺🇸

07/02/2026

You might feel like your vision is too far out to be considered..

Bet it’s not.
And now we’re curious.

Let’s talk.
802-893-6323

07/01/2026

Geraldine M. Messick

Geraldine Margaret (Rivers) Messick passed away at 75 in peace on June 28, 2026.

Jeri was born on September 21, 1950 in Burlington, settling in Milton in 1976 where she raised her children: Shawna and Shawn. Also helping take care of her grandchildren, especially during snow days and school vacations. They were her pride and joy.

She graduated from Winooski High School, going on to serve as an EMT alongside her husband of 34 years: Sidney Messick, together they proudly delivered a baby. She also drove school buses for Mountain Transit for 40+ years, though at this time she was known as Mrs. Flanagan, and one did not misbehave on her bus!

Her hobbies were puzzles, card games, uno (somehow she always won), scratch off tickets, shopping, and bingo. Jeri was also an avid gardener. Her flower beds at her house were abundant and colorful. She loved spending time outdoors! She and Sid in their younger years spent lots of time camping with dear close personal friends, Anna and Bruce DeLorme.

Travel was always to Wells Beach, Maine, with her husband and at times her grandkids; swimming in the ocean, lobster rolls, and lots of dessert! There wasn’t a dessert she said no to.

She was a passionate animal lover owning many cats and three special pups: Angel, Juliette, and Shilo. All bringing her joy and companionship.

She is survived by her daughter Shawna Palmer (Dwight), son Shawn Flanagan, partner Kathy Fitzgerald; granddaughter Rebecca Palmer, partner Collin Smith, grandson Kyle Palmer, granddaughter Courtney Kleppinger. Step children Jennifer Messick and Sidney Messick Jr.. Her cherished sister Nancy Brisson. In laws, Myron Messick (Chrissy), niece Miranda and sister-in-law Linda Messick. Nephews Jonathan Brisson and Tim Brisson (Robin), great nephew Ryan Woods (Karen), kids Nathaniel and Abigail. Great nephew Connor Brisson and partner Fatima Hernandez. Great nephew Kiernan Brisson. Niece Wendy Brisson-Derby; great nephews Andrew Derby and Riley Derby (Katherine).

She is predeceased by her husband and soulmate Sidney Messick, her parents Gisele and Gerald Rivers, step father Gilles Deslauriers, and brother-in-law John Brisson.

A heartfelt thank you to her life long friend Paula and to her closest friend Anna - her touchstone. Special thanks to caregiver and friend Tina Menard, the staff and doctors at UVMMC and Chris Hebert M.D.

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the Diabetes Association or your local humane society. Visiting hours will be held July 10, 2026 at Minor Funeral Home from 5-7pm. The funeral service will also be held at Minor Funeral Home on July 11, 2026 at 11am. Online condolences may be made to www.minorfh.com.

View Geraldine M. Messick's obituary, send flowers, find service dates, and sign the guestbook.

06/30/2026

Honoring those who served with courage, sacrifice, and dedication. 🇺🇸
We are proud to provide services that reflect the dignity and respect our veterans deserve.
✨ Learn how we can help honor their legacy.

https://www.minorfh.com/services/veterans-services

06/27/2026

Personalization, and what it really means...
Personalization is what can make each funeral service unique. You may have or may not have seen the horse in the funeral home short video. The purpose of that was what ever you want ( without painting the walls, knocking the holes in the wall, and ripping up the carpet) we would make it happen. Some of the equestrian folks cracked up at how dapper Mr. Neighsayer was ( shhhh, we are NOT going to tell how we accomplished that task!). The principle was that there is no limitation, the only limits are what are placed.

Below is a video from Heaven Bound Funeral Home in West Monroe, LA. In it they show what would be a great example of this personalization. In it, there is nothing traditional, as it was totally and certainly done to be unique as each individual life. On a conference call earlier this week about Fireless Cremation®, we spoke about this very topic. Every person is unique ( identical twins and triplets you are the the exception in regards to visually) to include their likes dislikes, their habits, what made them, THEM.

https://www.facebook.com/share/r/1NRjy4RyTg/

06/26/2026

Richard Francis Lorenz

Richard Lorenz

November 9, 1942- June 24, 2026

Richard Lorenz, husband, father, grandfather, and proud veteran, passed away peacefully, leaving a legacy of service, dedication, and love.

Born in Flushing, NY, Richard graduated from Saint Michael's College in 1964. He served 22 years as a United States Air Force officer, retiring as Lieutenant Colonel. He then spent 20 years in Information Technology with Grace Davison.

In retirement, he volunteered at the Vermont National Guard Museum and served as Vice President of the Air Force Association, Vermont Chapter.

He is survived by his wife Jane Baker Lorenz, His son John Joseph Lorenz and his three children and two grandchildren; his daughter Lisa Lorenz and her two children, and his sister Peggy Sullivan.

A Mass will be held Tuesday June 30, 2026, at 11:00AM at St. Ann's Church, Milton, VT. Interment will immediately follow, with a reception in the church basement.

View Richard Francis Lorenz's obituary, send flowers, find service dates, and sign the guestbook.

06/25/2026

Sometimes the most meaningful way to honor someone is to reflect the life they actually lived. The routines that brought them peace. The people they cared about. The things that represent home. Even if that means a cow standing at the front of the room because she was part of that beautiful everyday life, too.

Not everyone in this profession agrees with the way we approach things, and that’s okay. We’re not here to make every service look the same. We’re here to help families create something honest.

If it matters to you, it matters to us. End of story.