BROCKTON, Mass. — David Targett, 81, of Lyman, formerly of Farmington, died early Monday morning, Sept. 17, at the Brockton VA Hospital following a brief illness.

He was born Sept. 15, 1937, in Flagstaff, a son of Erwin Stoddard Jr. and Annette R. (Murray) Targett, and was employed as a heavy equipment operator at International Paper Co. for many years. Mr. Targett was a veteran of the United States Air Force, the U.S. Army and the Maine Army National Guard, and he enjoyed teaching new members of the Guard.

He was a gifted musician and played the guitar at Targett family gatherings, where music was always played. Mr. Targett was an accomplished woodworker, enjoyed camping and always had a smile on his face. He was a member of the Farmington American Legion, where he held many positions, including commander, and always enjoyed working at the fair at the American Legion tent.

He is survived by his wife of 31 years, Betsy (Stevens), of Lyman; son, David Luce, of Brockton, Mass.; daughter, Deborah Harris, and her hsuband, Robert, of Virginia; daughter, Diane Drapeau, and her husband, Tom, of Georgetown, Mass.; grandchildren Morgan Harris of Virginia, Abigail Drapeau of Astoria, N.Y., Zachary Drapeau and his wife, Jessica, of Haverhill, Mass., and Andrew Luce of San Diego, Calif.; brother, Donald Targett; and sister, Diane Targett Pelkey.

He was predeceased by his sister-in-law, Ruth Bean Targett; sisters Mildred Targett Milliken, Dorothy Targett King; brothers Edwin R. Targett, Hugh L. Targett, Victor Frank Targett, Erwin “Ted” Targett Jr., Hugh Targett and his wife, Rocky, John Targett and his wife, Maryanne, Mike Targett and his wife, Donna.

Relatives and friends are invited to call at the Wiles Remembrance Center, 137 Farmington Falls Road, Farmington, from 2 to 4 p.m. Thursday, Sept. 20, where services will be held at 4 p.m. Committal services will be held at noon Friday at the chapel at the New Maine Veterans Memorial Cemetery, 163 Mt. Vernon Road, Augusta.

Condolences and tributes as well as a memorial video may be shared on his memorial wall at www.wilesrc.com.

The family suggests that those who desire consider memorial gifts in his memory to Wreaths Across America, P.O. Box 429, Columbia Falls, ME 04623 or to St. Jude Children’s Hospital, 501 St. Jude Place, Memphis, TN 38105.

David Targett