DEXTER - Thomas Whidden Flanders, 100, died January 31, 2019. He was born November 3, 1918 in East Sangerville a son of George Thomas and Erma (Gordon) Flanders. After the death of his father in 1920, Tom and his mother moved to North Dexter to live with her parents, James and Estella (Oliver) Gordon. After the death of his grandmother in 1927, his grandfather and mother purchased the home at 46 Mill Street, where Tom lived his entire life. After leaving school, Tom worked for his step-father, Walter Eaton, at the poultry farm, and later worked for Charles and George Hall at the canning factory on Water Street for 7 years. He worked in the woods for ten years, and then was employed by Eastland Woolen Mill in Corinna in 1963, retiring in 1988. He was a member of the Dexter Universalist Church, having joined with his mother in 1943. He was head usher at the church for 50 years. Tom also joined the Dexter Grange in 1938 and was a member of the Ripley Grange at the time of his death. Tom was predeceased by his wife, Frances (Drake) Flanders from complications of childbirth, August 10, 1960; and by the child. He was also predeceased by his loving companion of 20 years, Hester Nadeau. He is survived by a second cousin, Joseph Eaton, Jr. and wife Dorothy; and dear friends, Hester's granddaughter and husband, Nicci and Kevin Webber, and girls, Abby and Kaitlyn. Funeral services will be held at 2 P.M. Thursday, February 7th at Crosby & Neal, 61 Main Street, Dexter, with the Rev. Scott Jones officiating. Burial will be in the Knowlton Mills Cemetery, East Sangerville in the spring.