Barbara A. (Stinson) O’Leary – 72, of Lynnfield, formerly of North Reading and Reading, died unexpectedly on Wednesday, March 8, 2017, at the North Shore Medical Center – Union Hospital in Lynn.

Born in Milo, Maine on January 17, 1945, she was the daughter of the late Robert and Marion (Hanscom) Stinson. Barbara was a graduate of Stoneham High School and Bryant and Stratton School in Boston.

She was known for her kindness and loving care of others. Barbara was loyal and dependable and a genuine person.  She was generous and totally devoted to her daughters and grandchildren. She enjoyed family, cooking, gatherings at the lake, and friendship at Old Orchard Beach Wild Acres Resort. Barbara was a homemaker and has been a resident of Lynnfield for the past 32 years

Family members include her loving husband of 52 years, Stephen Q. O’Leary; daughters, Kim Steele and her husband Chuck of North Reading, Melanie MacLean and her husband Kevin of North Andover, Stephanie Meer and her husband Bill of Atlanta, Georgia; her brother, Robert Stinson and his wife Louise of Topsfield; her sister, Ruth Hunewill and her husband Ken of Billerica and seven cherished grandchildren.

Graveside services will be held at a later date. In lieu of flowers memorial donations may be made in her memory to MSPCA, 400 Broadway, Methuen, MA 01844. Croswell Funeral Home, 19 Bow Street, North Reading is in charge of arrangements.  www.croswellfuneralhome.com

Arnold H. Ahlquist, Jr.-89, of Wakefield, peacefully surrounded by his loving family on March 4, 2017.  Beloved husband of 60 years to Marilyn L. (Rhodes).  Cherished father of Susan J. Ahlquist, Peter A. Ahlquist & wife Eileen of Reading, Karen L. Ruecker & husband Oliver of Lynnfield, and David A. Ahlquist & wife Julie of Stow.  Devoted grandfather of Matthew, Jonathan, David, Jennifer, Jonah, Audrey, Alexander, Andrew, & Lars.  He leaves many friends and extended family.

Arnie was a 1945 graduate of Lynn English High School.  A WWII Veteran, he proudly served the US Army in Germany from 1945 to 1947.  He was a long time employee of Recording & Statistical in Dorchester, MA.  Arnie was an avid golfer who also enjoyed gardening and photography.

Funeral services will be held at Union Congregational Church, 148 Haverhill Street in North Reading, MA. on March 11 at 11am.  A celebration of Arnie’s life will follow immediately at the church.  Papa was a master storyteller, and his memory will live on in the telling of these stories.

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the Mission of Deeds, 6 Chaplin Ave., Reading, MA 01867 or the Wounded Warriors Project. Arrangements are by the Croswell Funeral Home, 19 Bow Street, North Reading. www.croswellfuneralhome.com

Merle E. Weaver – 83, of North Reading, died on March 2, 2017, at Woodbriar of Wilmington. He was the beloved husband of the late Helen L. (Eisenhaur) Weaver.

Born on January 15, 1934 in Des Moines, Iowa, he was the son of the late John W. and Silvia (Hartley) Weaver.

He owned Merle’s Auto Service, he was a North Reading Dog Officer, a traffic director for the North Reading Schools, volunteered at voting polls and owned and operated One More Time refurbished golf clubs. He has been a resident of North Reading for the past 65 years. Merle was a member of the Union Congregational Church, he coached Little League and was a Boy Scout Leader of Pack 750. He was a former employee of Sylvania in Danvers for many years. Merle was a member of car clubs and the SPAAMFAA (Society for the Preservation of and Appreciation of Antique Motor Fire Apparatus in America).

Merle loved his family and he worshiped his late wife Helen. He had an ability to fix anything mechanical, he loved being a resident of North Reading and sitting on the front porch watching the town/world drive by. Merle loved heckling the Fire Department and Police Department members that provided him with such outstanding service.  His hobbies included antique cars, taking care of his wife Helen, Hot Rods, going to Maine, carving, yard sales and antique fire engines. Merle enjoyed bluegrass music and had a playful sense of humor. He was a man of many stories.

Family members include his loving sons, John W. Weaver and Susan Cantone, Jay A. Weaver and his wife Amy, all of North Reading, his daughter; Donna L. Brown and her husband Charles of Wilmington; his brothers, John, Dorman, and Louis;  sisters, Rita, Ellen and Ruth; cherished  grandchildren; Erica, Chris, Katelynn, Jen, Lizzy, Jayne, Jace, Jax, Mindy, David, Kiley, Sophia, and Daniel;  great grandchildren, Mia Mastropietro and Harper Manning and many nieces and nephews.

Calling hours will be held at the Croswell Funeral Home, 19 Bow Street, North Reading, on Monday, March 6, from 4 to 7 PM. Funeral services will be private. Burial will be in Riverside Cemetery in North Reading. The family requests to please omit flowers, memorial donations may be made in his memory to the North Reading Fire Department, 152 Park Street, North Reading, MA 01864.