Badger Funeral Homes of Littleton and Groton

07/12/2025

Make your own BIRDHOUSE with us at Littleton Senior Center, July 23rd, 2:00 PM. You are invited to learn the benefits of funeral preplanning for you or your loved one while staying cool during these hot New England summer days. RSVP Required: (978)540-2470

Badger Funeral Homes, Inc. has served the needs of the local communities since 1921, helping families say their final farewells to their loved ones.

07/10/2025

IN OUR CARE
Marie J. Smith, was a resilient and dedicated woman whose life was a testament to the strength of the human spirit. Born in the beautiful country of France on August 31, 1931, Marie's journey of 93 years led her to touch countless lives with her radiating warmth, love, and support. Marie was a steadfast homemaker, masterfully creating a nurturing home environment that was the heart of her family. Her unwavering dedication to her family was unmatched, and it was clear to all who knew her that what mattered most to Marie was her family.

Marie's love for life was infectious, and her hobbies painted a vivid picture of her vibrant personality. She was an enthusiastic bingo player, and her laughter and joy during these games were truly contagious. Her love for going out for pizza with friends was another testament to her jovial spirit and love for simple pleasures. She resided in Littleton, Massachusetts, where she was loved and cherished by many.

Marie was preceded in death by her beloved husband, Clarence Smith, her father, Jules Hamerel, and her mother, Celine Hamerel. She leaves behind her sons, John and Olivier Smith, 5 grandchildren and 2 great grandchildren, who will carry on her legacy of love, resilience, and dedication.

Marie's life will be celebrated in a graveside service at Westlawn Cemetery, 7 New Estate Road, Littleton, Massachusetts, 01460, on Saturday, July 12, 2025, at 12:00 pm.

View Marie J. Smith's obituary, find service dates, and sign the guestbook.

07/07/2025

IN OUR CARE
Marcia Ann White, 88, passed away peacefully at Life Care Center of Acton on July 1, 2025 after a short time on hospice. Marcia was born on August 4, 1936 to her late parents Warren W. White, and Ruth (Patterson) White. She attended Groton High School in the 1950’s, working in both manufacturing, and later in life as a home health care aid, until her retirement in the 1990’s.

She was predeceased by her Aunt, Helen Patterson, whom she lived with many years after her mom’s passing. She was the sister of the late Marilyn Jane (White) Kelley, and Sister in law of, William (Bill) Kelley of Pepperell, MA. Beloved Aunt to Patricia (Trish) Wellington of Mercer, ME, William (Billy) Kelley, of Largo, FL, Charles (Chuck) and Kimberly Kelley of Bullard, TX. Michael and Kathea Kelley of Pepperell, MA. She is survived by many great and great-great nieces and nephews, as well as many cousins, that were dear to her heart.

Marcia was a member at First Baptist Church of Groton for 72 years. Accepting Jesus as her Savior on March 17, 1953. She was baptized and joined FBC of Groton on April 5, 1953. She was faithful in serving as a Sunday School teacher, Pioneer girls leader, and Word of Life volunteer. She loved spending time with her family and church family. Her hobbies were reading, coloring, and watching the Hallmark channel. She especially loved her Red Sox, and she was thrilled with their World Series wins in 04, 07, 13, and 18. She was a big fan of all the New England sports teams.

Marcia was lovingly known as “Snoopy”, and loved collecting Snoopy and Peanut items. She passed with a Snoopy blanket keeping her warm, and Peanut memorabilia in her room. Finally, it must be mentioned that the love and joy of her life was her fur niece, Mirabel Mae Kelley. A 5lb fur baby that brought her many days of happiness in her final years.

She will be remembered with a graveside service at Groton cemetery on Friday, July 11, 2025 at 11

View Marcia Ann White's obituary, find service dates, and sign the guestbook.

07/07/2025

IN OUR CARE
Ashburnham, MA: Devoted husband, father, and family man, David A. Welch died unexpectedly on July 2, 2025, during one of his beloved biking sojourns.

David was raised in Acton, Massachusetts. He enjoyed playing with his siblings, riding his banana-seat bike, fishing, driving an aged tractor, having lots of lively dogs, and building tree forts in the extensive woods behind our antique yellow farmhouse. In his teens, he used his spatial skills to take apart and repair farm equipment, bicycles, and cars. David further honed his building and repair skills at Gamache’s Cyclery in Fitchburg.

David’s considerable mechanical and spatial abilities led him to the construction industry. In his 20s, he established Renvyle Renovations, a small construction company named after the western Ireland town of his forebears. David mentored his younger brother Tom in the business, and they spent several years working side by side. He built and renovated many beautiful homes in the MetroWest area and later founded DAWelch Construction, bringing his son David Jr. on board to help run the business. He continued to produce quality workmanship and lead his employees in a challenging, fast-paced environment where no two jobs were ever the same.

David and his wife, Karen-Jean [Byers] Welch of Burlington, raised two beautiful children, Caitlin and David Jr., and doted on their three grandchildren: Archer, Bear, and Olive. His daughter Caitlin recalls, “[Dad] had a big heart and a quick sense of humor—always ready to joke around or give you a hard time in the most loving way. He was endlessly generous and thoughtful. He lived by a ‘no BS, no complaining’ kind of code—tough, but always there when you needed him. When something caught his interest, he didn’t dabble—he dove in headfirst with full focus and passion. Whether it was cycling or motocross, he went all in. He lived with intensity, loyalty, and an unshakable drive. If you knew him, you got teased at least once (or probably often)—it was just his way of showing he cared.”

David worked long, intense hours, but in recent years he began returning to his roots as a cyclist. He enjoyed the beauty of the trails surrounding his Ashburnham home and cycled regularly, revisiting familiar routes and exploring new ones. He loved reconnecting with cousins at family reunions and mentoring his nephew Xavier, whose college essay focused on all he learned at David’s side.

David’s other passion was his grandchildren. He was as patient, calm, and tender with them as he was tough, uncompromising, and blunt with the outside world. Those of us who knew David well loved him deeply. He was kind, tough, funny, and had a huge heart.

In addition to his loving wife, Karen-Jean; daughter Caitlin and her husband Matt Daley; son David Jr; and his grandchildren; David is survived by his brother Paul Welch and his wife Suzanne of Westford; sister Julie Welch-Bucceri and her husband Mark Bucceri of Littleton; brother Thomas Welch of Weston; and his nieces and nephews: Sarah Welch, Abigail Welch, Riana Bucceri, Xavier Welch, and Nora Welch. He is also survived by his sisters-in-law, Catherine Mahoney, Dorothy Casey, and her husband, John; brothers-in-law, Paul Byers, David Byers, Daniel Byers, Robert Allen, and his wife, Lynda; as well as all their children and grandchildren.

VISITING HOURS:
Thursday, July 10, 2025
4:00–5:30 PM
First Parish Unitarian
19 Foster Street
Littleton, MA

MEMORIAL SERVICE:
Thursday, July 10, 2025
5:30-6:25 PM
First Parish Unitarian
19 Foster Street
Littleton, MA

RECEPTION:
Thursday, July 10, 2025
6:30-8:00 PM
Parish Hall
First Parish Unitarian
19 Foster Street
Littleton, MA

Parking is available behind the fire station, at the Castle in the Trees Playground, and in the parking lot of the nearby Littleton Congregational Church.

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to St. Jude’s Children’s Hospital or New England Assistance Dog Services: NEADS.

View David A. Welch, Sr.'s obituary, find service dates, and sign the guestbook.

07/04/2025

Happy Independence Day!

07/02/2025

View Robert Shaw, Jr.'s obituary, find service dates, and sign the guestbook.

06/26/2025

Make your own WIND CHIME at Groton Senior Center, July 10th, 2:00 PM. Join us to learn the benefits of funeral preplanning for you or your loved one while staying cool during these hot New England summer days. RSVP Required: (978)448-1417

06/26/2025

IN OUR CARE
John E. Wilhelm, age 85, of Harvard, passed away peacefully the morning of June 23, 2025, at the Care Dimensions Hospice House in Lincoln, Massachusetts. He was the loving husband of 61 years to Janet U. Wilhelm.

John was born on March 21, 1940, a son of the late John E. Wilhelm and M. Evelyn Peterson of Pittsburg, PA. Growing up in Allegheny County, PA, John spent his early years attending school outside of Pittsburg while working at a local ice cream and grocery store. After graduating high school, John attended Cornell University where he met his wife, Janet. John and Janet were married on the Cornell campus at St. Luke Lutheran Church in Ithaca, NY. After graduating with a degree in electrical engineering, John found employment with General Radio, later to be called GenRad, which brought him to Washington DC, and Concord, MA.

John and Janet eventually settled in Harvard, MA in 1968, where they raised their children, Ron and Sharon. John ran a small home business selling and servicing Troy-Bilt and Garden Way equipment. After leaving GenRad John expanded his business, that he ran for 10 years, to Wilhelm’s Lawn & Garden on Ayer Road in Harvard. After selling the business in 2000, John retained the BCS line of garden equipment and founded his online platform, the BCS Shop. John retained this business until the fall of 2024.

John enjoyed splitting time between Harvard, MA, and Hector, NY in the later years of his life. Returning to the Finger Lakes area where they first met, John and Jan spent the majority of their recent summers in their home overlooking Seneca Lake. John was an active volunteer in the Vintage Car Festival held annually in Watkins Glen and frequented the International Motor Racing Research Center and Watkins Glen racetrack, as he always enjoyed vintage sports cars and motor racing. Generous with his time and thoughtful advice, John built friendships wherever he went.

In addition to his wife Janet, John is also survived by his son, Ron E. Wilhelm, 51 of Denver, CO, and daughter, Sharon D. Wilhelm, 47, of Arlington, MA. He was predeceased in death by his father, John, and mother, Evelyn.

Visitation will be held on Tuesday, July 1, 2025, at 3:00pm until 5:00pm at the Badger Funeral Homes Inc, 347 King Street, Littleton, Massachusetts, 01460. The funeral service will be conducted on Wednesday, July 2, 2025, at 10:00am at the Congregational Church of Harvard, 5 Still River Road, Harvard, Massachusetts, 01451. John will be laid to rest at Bellevue Cemetery, Harvard, Massachusetts, 01451, at 11:30am.

View John Earle Wilhelm's obituary, find service dates, and sign the guestbook.

06/23/2025

IN OUR CARE
In the quiet town of Littleton, Massachusetts, a beacon of adventure, creativity, resilience, and love dimmed with the passing of Edward Bretschneider on June 12, 2025. Born on January 2, 1944, in Brooklyn, New York, Edward, affectionately known as Ed, was a beloved husband, brother, and friend, whose zest for life and unwavering spirit touched countless hearts.

Ed was known for his spirit of adventure, often found mountain biking through the rugged trails or hiking through the verdant woods with his loyal canine companion. His creativity shone through in his love for reading, where he found solace and inspiration within the pages of countless books. Ed's resilient nature was evident in his successful career at Polaroid Corporation, where he served as a Senior Manager for many years. His contributions to the company were significant, and his dedication was unwavering. Even in retirement, Ed continued to give back to his community, volunteering at the Minuteman State Park Visitor's Center and serving as the Executive Director of the Waste Water Committee was at the Massachusetts Water Resources Authority . His actions spoke volumes about his commitment to making a difference, and the positive impact he had on those around him was immeasurable.

Above all, Ed was a loving individual. His love for his wife, Joanne Cotter, was the cornerstone of his life. His family was what mattered most to him, and he considered his bond with Joanne to be his greatest achievement. He was preceded in death by his father, Max Bretschneider, his mother, Rachael Bretschneider, his brother, David Bretschneider, and his sister, Barbara Slovis.

Edward Bretschneider's life was a testament to the power of love, resilience, creativity, and adventure. His legacy will continue to inspire and uplift those who were fortunate enough to know him. We encourage those who knew Ed to share their memories, stories, and photos on his memorial page, to keep his spirit alive in our hearts and minds. www.badgerfuneral.com

There are no services scheduled at this time.

View Edward S. Bretschneider's obituary, find service dates, and sign the guestbook.

06/23/2025

View Ellen Truitt Hargraves's obituary, find service dates, and sign the guestbook.

06/17/2025

IN OUR CARE
Beverly Ann (Griffin) Lynch, affectionately known as “Mammy”, and a longtime resident of Littleton, passed away on Monday, June 16, 2025, at the age of 85. She was the beloved wife of the late Robert E. Lynch, who passed away in 1995.

Beverly was born on September 5, 1939, in Charlestown. Her parents, Milton and Frances Griffin, raised her and her three older brothers (Albert, Milton, and Robert) in South Boston, and she was later educated in Dorchester, where she met her husband, Robert. After graduating high school, they got married in 1958 and moved to Littleton to raise their four children. In her later years, Beverly attended college and became a paralegal. She worked at Goldman & Curtis for over 17 years. She always stressed the importance of education and constantly encouraged all those around her that it was never too late to achieve their dreams.

Beverly was a devoted wife, mother, grandmother, great-grandmother, and friend. She truly lived for her family and always showered them with endless wisdom, guidance, and love. She loved spending summer days at York Beach, Maine, and visiting her brother Bob in Ormond Beach, Florida. She enjoyed sitting outside on the patio listening to the birds, watching Red Sox games, and anyone who knows her knows how she loved her Popeyes chicken!

She was predeceased by her parents, Milton and Frances; her husband, Robert; her brothers, Milton and Albert; her daughter, Cheryl; and her grandson, Jaime. She is survived by her brother, Robert; children, Robert, Susan (Don), and Andrea; grandchildren, Joshua, Melissa, Christopher, Ryan, Britani, Courtney, Katie, Danielle, Shania, and Hannah; and great-grandchildren, Jayden, Scarlett, and Gabriela.

Family and friends are invited to honor and remember Beverly during a period of visitation on Sunday, June 22, 2025, from 2:00 to 5:00 PM at Badger Funeral Home, 347 King St., Littleton, MA. Her funeral Mass will be celebrated on Monday, June 23, 2025, at 10:00 a.m. at Blessed Trinity Parish - St. Anne Church, 75 King Street, Littleton, MA. Burial to follow immediately after the funeral Mass at Westlawn Cemetery, Littleton, MA.

View Beverly Ann Lynch's obituary, find service dates, and sign the guestbook.

06/15/2025

Happy Father’s Day!