Visiting With Our Favorite Neighbor, June Berglund

Kathy (Smith) Keller, June Berglund, Kay (Smith) Booth and Karyle (Smith) McMannama

June Alene Berglund

I just found out about the passing of a very special person in my life. My family lived next door to the Berglund's for years. Floyd and June's boys were the only other kids on the block so we became fast friends. June always welcomed me into her home and was like another mother to me. I spent many hours in her home. Was always neat running into her at the Courthouse too. When my mother passed away in 2002, my sisters and I visited June in the nursing home. She was very excited to see us. She was a wonderful, loving person who would do anything for you and will be dearly missed.

June Alene Berglund
(June 29, 1923 - November 9, 2010)

June Alene Berglund, 87, died November 9, 2010, Larned Healthcare Center, Larned.

She was born June 29, 1923, in Sanford, the daughter of Harry L.S. and Marie Henrietta Detzen Meckfessel. A lifetime resident of Pawnee County she was a homemaker and worked as a Office Clerk for the Pawnee County Treasurer office for 17 years. She belonged to First Christian Church and Altar Society, Larned.

On August 15, 1948, she married Floyd E. Berglund at Larned.

Survivors include three sons, Harold, Larned, Elden and wife Mary, Eagle Nest, New Mexico and Myron, Pocatello, Idaho, one brother, Hale Meckfessel, Salina, one grandson, 4 step-grandchildren and 9 great grandchildren.

She was preceded in death by two brothers, Ralph, and Gale Meckfessel and one sister, Joyce Kerns.

Funeral will be at 2:30 p.m. Friday, November 12, at Morell Funeral Home, Larned, with Pastor Dan Lundgren presiding. Visitation will be from noon until 8 p.m. Thursday at the funeral home. Burial will be in Larned Cemetery, Larned.

Memorials are designated to the First Christian Church, in care of Morell Funeral Home, P.O. Box 124, Larned, Ks. 67550-012.

Hoisington (KS) High School

Here is an artist's rendition of Hoisington High School from a 1962 graduation announcement.

Great Bend (KS) High School

While scanning family photos and documents today I ran across a graduation announcement from 1960 that had this artist's rendition of Great Bend High School on it. I had a number of relatives graduate from Great Bend High School so thought I'd share this with anyone else that may have attended and/or graduated from there. Enjoy.

Obituary: Shirley June (Truax) Hoyer

Shirley J. Hoyer

(February 21, 1934 - October 29, 2010)

of Allegan, went to be with her Savior, Friday, October 29, 2010. Mrs. Hoyer was born February 21, 1934, in Allegan, the daughter of Melvin and Lillian (Miller) Truax. Shirley worked with the Allegan Public Schools for 6 years at the old Jr. High School, and worked for 18 years with the Allegan County Sheriff Dept. retiring in 1994. In her early years she was a drum majorette, state champion in Archery, and loved to watch her kids and grandkids compete in many sporting activities. She attended the Bridge Church. Surviving are her 3 sons, Lon and Jane Hoyer, Bruce and Gloria Hoyer, and Rick and Dawn Hoyer, all of Allegan, 6 grandchildren; Heather and Tim Smith, Brandi, Carissa, Cole, Michelle and Dean Ferris and Rob and Julie Wilson, 6 great grandchildren, Dylan, Robbie, Makayla, Trenton, Lynsey and Brandon, 4 sisters; Maxine and James Austin of OK, Barbara Austin of Plainwell, Donna and Ken Hotchkiss of Allegan, and Betty and Ernie Wolters of Mt. Pleasant, several nieces, nephews and cousins. Friends may meet with the family on Saturday, Nov. 6, 2010, from 11- 1 pm at the Allegan High School Events Center, where a Celebration of Life service will be held at 1 pm. Pastor Roger Bird will officiate. In lieu of flowers memorials may be made to the Wings Home, Allegan. Arrangements by the Gorden Funeral Residence, Allegan Chapel.

This Is One of My Favorite Pictures

Age 5

Dewey Dean Haddon (July 20, 1938-September 20, 2010)

Dewey Dean Haddon, 72, died September 20, 2010 at rural Reno County, Kansas. He was born July 20, 1938 at Great Bend, Kansas, the son of Dewey Clifford and Ethel Viola (Flanders) Haddon. He married Janet Eklund May 27, 1956 at Stafford, Kansas. A lifetime Great Bend resident, Mr. Haddon was a farmer.

Mr. Haddon was a member of Mount Pleasant United Methodist Church, Ellinwood, Kansas.

Survivors include his wife, Janet Haddon, of the home; two sons: Michael Haddon and wife Debbie, Hudson, Kansas; and Mitchell Haddon, Great Bend; one daughter, Michele Churchill and husband Todd, Hays, Kansas; one brother, Loren Don Haddon and wife Maxine, Ellinwood; four grandchildren: Brian Haddon and wife Amanda; Melissa Moreno and husband Mario; Kaylene Schmidt and husband Eric; and Brandon Churchill; and three great-grandchildren, Kamie Haddon, Hayden Schmidt, and Ethan Moreno.

Memorial services will be at 2:00 p.m., Thursday, September 23, 2010 at Bryant Funeral Home. Pastor Wade Russell will officiate. There will be no visitation as cremation has taken place. Memorials are requested to the American Diabetes Association, in care of the funeral home.

Albert George and Nellie Esther (Roberts) Patridge

I recently went to visit one of my sisters who lives in Ohio. While there we went down to visit with her son who lives in Amelia, Ohio. This was my first visit to his home so I got the grand tour. When we walked into what they called the "Victorian Room" I noticed some really neat old pictures on the dressers. I asked if the people were related and was told that they were pictures he had purchased at an antique store. He loves antiques and collectibles. Out of curiosity I checked the backs of the pictures and sure enough, some of them had names on them. Unfortunately there were some that had no names as well. I proceeded to take photos of all the pictures so I could see if I could find out more about the people in them and see if I could find any living relatives who might be interested in the photos I took. When I got to my other sister's house (she lives in Ohio as well) I started doing some research on the identified photos.

Let me introduce you to Albert George and Nellie Esther (Roberts) Patridge.

Mr. and Mrs. Albert George Patridge
1907

Albert George Patridge was b. 13 Jan 1882 in Grant Co., South Dakota, the son of Albert Lewis and Elizabeth Josephine "Lizzie" (George) Patridge. He married Nellie Esther Roberts, 15 May 1907 in Milbank, Grant, South Dakota. The above photo is of them on their wedding trip. In the 1900 census, Albert was living with his parents in Vernon, Grant, South Dakota. In the 1910 census, he is living with Nellie in Vernon, Grant, South Dakota. By the 1920 census, Albert and Nellie had moved to Milbank, Grant, South Dakota and that's also where they were living in the 1930 census. When Albert filled out his World War I Draft Registration Card on 12 Sep 1918 he indicated that he was a salesman of automobiles and tractors for the Milbank Auto & Supply Co. He had two brothers, Arthur and Irving Theodore and two sisters, Esther and Mary E. Albert died 20 Apr 1964 in Big Stone Co., Minnesota.


Nellie Esther Roberts was born Nov 1888 in Blue Earth Co., Minnesota, the daughter of William H. and Ida E. (Dyer) Roberts. In the 1895 census, she was living with her parents in Little Rock, Morrison, Minnesota. In the 1900 census, she was living with her parents in Latah, Spokane, Washington. That is pretty much all I was able to find out about Nellie.

Albert and Nellie had three children: Alice E., born about 1911 in South Dakota; Dorothy I., born about 1917 in South Dakota; and Glenn William, b. 10 Jul 1923 in South Dakota and died 11 Mar 1999 in Milbank, Grant, South Dakota. Alice married Arthur W. Nelson, 18 Jun 1939 in Milbank, Grant, South Dakota. Glenn William married Dorothy Jane Matt, Aug 1946 in Grant Co., South Dakota. Dorothy was born 8 Mar 1919 and died 16 May 2000 in Milbank, Grant, South Dakota.

Once I found this information on Albert and Nellie I decided to post a message on the Message Boards for the surname Patridge. It wasn't long after I posted my message that I got a message from someone who knew a granddaughter of Albert and Nellie and the person who contacted me was even a first cousin twice removed of Albert's. I have since e-mailed him copies of these photos so that he can share them with Albert and Nellie's granddaughter.

Now if there was just a way to identify the people in the unidentified photos I took!

Cecil "Gene" Smith 1925-2010

HAYSVILLE — Cecil “Gene” Smith, 84, of Haysville, died May 24 at Harry Hynes Memorial Hospice, Wichita. He was born July 5, 1925, at Olmitz, the son of Ray Ross Smith Sr. and Edna Mae (Becker) Smith. A lifelong resident of Kansas, he was a self-taught television repairman. He was owner/operator of Gene Smith T.V. for 50-plus years.

Mr. Smith was a member of the First United Methodist Church.

He married Elizabeth Lorraine Keened[sic]. She passed away in 1952. He then married Norma Jean Bell on Nov. 5, 1953, in Great Bend. She passed away in 2005.

Survivors include three sons, Larry (Pam) Smith of Russell, Jimmy (Del) Smith of Wichita and Rodney (Sandy) Smith of Haysville; a daughter, Gayla Smith of Wichita; a brother, John Smith of Great Bend; a sister, Carolyn (Bernie) Schulz of Alabama and Arizona; nine grandchildren and 17 great-grandchildren. He was preceded in death by his parents, his wives, one son, Donald, four brothers, Leo, Wayne, Ross and Wilmer, and three sisters, Maxine, Delfreda and Shirley.

Funeral services will be at 11 a.m. Friday at Charter Funerals, Great Bend, with Elder John Smith as officiant. Interment will be at Great Bend City Cemetery. Visitation will be from 10 to 11 a.m. Friday at Charter Funerals. Memorials may be made to the Harry Hynes Memorial Hospice, Wichita, or Community Christian Church, Great Bend. Funeral arrangements provided by

Charter Funerals*
2115 Washington
Great Bend, KS 67530
620-793-6161
Great Bend (Kan) Tribune, May 26, 2010

Donna M. Wegele (May 1, 1943 - July 5, 2010)

Donna M. Wegele, 67, died July 5, 2010 at her home, Pratt, Kansas. She was born May 1, 1943 at Great Bend, Kansas, the daughter of Roland John and Maxine Maurine (Smith) Rowley. She married Wilmer A. Wegele May 29, 1965 at Hoisington, Kansas. A Pratt resident for twelve years, Mrs. Wegele grew up in Hoisington. She was a homemaker and had been a cashier at the Pratt Community College cafeteria.

Mrs. Wegele was a member of the Lutheran Church.

Survivors include her husband, Wilmer A. Wegele, of the home; one son, Weldon Wegele, Salina, Kansas; one daughter, Dionne Rudney and husband Alex, Salida, Colorado; two sisters: Marilyn Bowman, Keller, Texas; and JoAnn Guerrero, San Jose, California; one brother, John Rowley, Augusta, Kansas; and three grandchildren: William Wegele, Zane Rudney, and Wyatt Rudney.

Funeral service will be at 2:00 p.m., Thursday, July 8, 2010 at Bryant Funeral Home with the Reverend Garry Dassow officiating. Burial will be in Golden Belt Cemetery. Friends may call from 1:00 to 9:00 p.m., Wednesday, July 7, 2010 with the family receiving friends from 7:00 to 8:00 p.m., and from 9:00 a.m. to service time Thursday, all at Bryant Funeral Home. Memorials are requested to the grandchildren's education fund, in care of the funeral home.

Tombstone Tuesday: J. M. and Nancy E. Smith

Boy was I excited today when I checked my e-mail and found that my Find A Grave request for my great-great grandparents had been fulfilled. John Mack "Maxie" Smith was b. 26 Feb 1831 in Bowling Green, Warren, Kentucky and d. 13 Jan 1900 in Jerome, Appanoose, Iowa. He m. Nancy Ellen Hickman in 1851. She was b. 4 Feb 1834 in Kentucky and d. 15 Aug 1896 in Jerome, Appanoose, Iowa. They are buried in Jerome Cemetery, Jerome, Appanoose, Iowa. They had nine children: Ellen; John Franklin "Frank"; William Thomas "Tom"; James; Stephen Henry "Henry"; Martha Jane "Mattie"; Mary Cleoria "Ora"; John Martin "Mart"; and Leonard E. Thanks so much to Find A Grave Contributor: rhondabrent for taking this wonderful photo.

A Call Out of The Blue

I got a phone call out of the blue today after I got home from running errands. It was my first cousin once removed, Allen Lee Roberts. He is the son of Walter Ray and Anna Belle "Annie" (Carmack) Roberts. He was asking me questions about the Roberts family and also telling me lots of stuff about the Roberts and Carmack families. Also told me that he had pictures of my great-grandparents, Benjamin Franklin and Lucy Jane (Allen) Roberts. Boy was I excited. In the end we exchanged snail mail addresses and agreed to share all our information. He was excited when I told him that I had copies of his mother's obituaries and a picture of her tombstone. He had been asking me lots of questions about his mother because he didn't have much on her. Said he had sent off for Walter and Annie's marriage license and I told him I already had it and would be glad to send him a copy. Am really looking forward to seeing what information, pictures, etc. he sends me. Gotta get busy and send some stuff off to him as well. He also told me about the death of two of my cousins (see my previous posts) - Lois Maxine (Roberts) Reed and her son, Lesley Everett Reed. They died within two days of each other, Lois on 16 Mar 2010 and Lesley on 14 Mar 2010. He said that Lois had a trunk full of family information that she wouldn't share with anyone and that her daughter was going to locate the trunk and go through whatever was in it and send him stuff. Hope she follows through. Sure wish I could have recorded our conversation. Allen is 75 and will be turning 76 on 29 May 2010 and lives in Nathrop, Colorado. Between Allen and my cousin Becky Jamison I sure would like to make a trip out to Colorado!!!

Obituary: Lois "Maxine" Reed 9-19-1924 - 3-16-2010

Died peacefully, with family, in Carmichael, Calif. Maxine was the first born of six children in Barber County, Kansas in 1924 to Anabelle and Walter Roberts. She attended High School in Hazelton, Kansas. It was there that she met Lesley H. Reed, whom she married October 9, 1942 and moved to Portland, Maine, where he served in the military. In 1946 they moved to Maxwell, Calif. to join other family members; Les and Maxine lived most of their 57 years of married life in Maxwell where they owned and operated a small trucking company. Maxine began the service of driving handicapped children from throughout Colusa County to school in Colusa, which developed into a twenty-year career. Maxine was a homemaker and mother to her three children, Lesley "Sonny", Lois and Loretta. Maxine had a cheerful personality and was a kind and loving wife and mother. She reached out to help people. Musically inclined, she played the organ and enjoyed singing as well as dancing. She took great pleasure from embroidering gifts for family and friends, and doted on her dog, Pepper. Maxine was preceded in death by her husband, Lesley H. Reed in 1999, and her son, Lesley E. Reed, of Yreka, California, on March 14, 2010. Maxine leaves to mourn her passing her daughters, Lois Reed of Moscow, Idaho, Loretta Reed of Carmichael, California, daughter-in- law Nova Reed of Yreka, California; sister Dotty Moore of Pratt, Kansas; brother Alan Roberts of Nathrop, Colorado; and granddaughter Leona Ahles of Moscow, Idaho. A double memorial for both Maxine, and her son, Lesley, will be held Saturday, March 27, 2010, 2 pm at the Maxwell Baptist Church, 177 N. California Street, Maxwell, California. A double internment after the memorial will be held at the Maxwell Cemetery. Send Condolences at www.appealdemocrat.com

Obituary: Lesley E. Reed 9-26-1944 - 3-14-2010

Lesley died peacefully with his loved ones at his side. He was the first born of three children to Lesley H. and Lois Maxine Reed of Maxwell, California. Les married Nova Cobb on Aug 31 1968; they remained in Colusa County where Les drove trucks, a career he genuinely loved. In 1989, Les and Nova moved to Yreka, Calif. to manage the Oak Ridge Mobile Home Park. Les believed he was truly fortunate to find a second wonderful career where he had the opportunity to meet so many great friends and to keep himself busy with projects. Les was a man most would consider "bigger than life" and his gregarious and generous nature were only two of his special qualities. When not working around the park to keep it perfectly manicured and running smoothly or arranging get-togethers or lending a helping hand, he and Nova escaped to numerous great adventures in their camper. Always ready to go fishing, camping, boating, or sightseeing, they made the most of their 42 years of marriage. Lesley's amazing fight with cancer over the last two years made him a hero to those that loved him. He never complained of the pain and instead focused on making the best of what time he and Nova had left together. His concern for Nova was strong even to the end. Les leaves to mourn his passing his cherished wife, Nova Reed of Yreka, Calif., his two sisters, Lois Reed of Moscow, Idaho, and Loretta Reed, of Carmichael, Calif., numerous nieces and nephews, and more friends than anyone could count. A double memorial will be held for both Lesley and his mother, Maxine, who died two days after Les. The service will be held Saturday, March 27, 2010, 2 pm at the Maxwell Baptist Church, 177 N. California Street, Maxwell, California. A double internment after the memorial will be held at the Maxwell Cemetery. Send Condolences at www.appealdemocrat.com

Obituary: Marilyn Jo Becker (Querry) 1948-2010

NORMAN, Okla. — Marilyn Jo Becker (Querry) died Feb. 24, peacefully at her home surrounded by her family. She fought her battle with sarcoma cancer with an enduring strength granted to her by God. She lost this earthly battle only to claim victory in Jesus. She was 61.

She was born on April 12, 1948, in Guthrie, Okla., the daughter of Kenneth Jay and Gwendolyn Marie Querry. Marilyn attended elementary school in Palco and junior high in Plainville. Her family moved to Great Bend, where she graduated in 1966. In Great Bend, she met her high school sweetheart and on Aug. 9, 1969, she married Robert Eugene Becker, son of Winnis and Evelyn Becker of Great Bend. She graduated from Kansas State University in 1970, with a Bachelor of Science degree in Education. She began her teaching career in Abilene. In 1978, she and Bob moved to Ponca City, Okla., where she taught at Garfield and Liberty elementary schools. She retired from her teaching career in 2003 after 32 years of teaching.

She loved participating in her grandchildren’s activities, as well as creating artistic pieces, taking digital photography, scrapbooking, singing, playing the piano and traveling. She cared for all her school kids and loved teaching with her fellow teachers.

Marilyn had accepted the Lord Jesus Christ as her personal savior. She was committed to participating in church activities. She was dedicated to reading, studying the Bible and sharing the Gospel with others.

She is survived by her husband, of the home; son Michael Becker and his wife Amy (Gorczyca); daughter Jaime Bagg (Becker) and husband Chad; sister Karen Demory and husband Gerald of Bentonville, Ark., sister Kim Sheets and husband Will of Perry, Okla.; six grandchildren, Jonah, Maegan, Canaan, Ethan, Gabriel and Chloe; as well as her nephews and niece, Breen and Brad Haywood, Jay and Brandan Sheets and Maranda Wilson (Sheets). She left one uncle, Ray Gambill, and his children Mark Gambill and Rayma Brandt, and cousin, Janet Calvin. She was preceded in death by her parents; mother-in-law, Evelyn Becker, and brother-in-law Gary Becker.

Funeral services were held Saturday with burial at the Tonkawa IOOF Cemetery in Tonkawa, Okla. Following the interment, a memorial service was held at the Hartford Avenue Church of Christ in Ponca City, Okla. In lieu of flowers, memorials are suggested to the Hope Ranch, 522 N. 14th, Box 233, Ponca City, OK 74601. Online condolences may be sent to the family at www.andersonfunerals.com.

Funeral arrangements provided by
Anderson Funeral Home*
505 Thunderbird Road
P.O. Box 337
Tonkawa, OK 74653

Great Bend (Kan.) Tribune, Feb. 28, 2010

Obituary: Greenbury King Strait

Greenbury King Strait, son of James and Rachel Strait, was born May 21, 1869, at Brownville, Nebraska, and passed away at his home near Coats on March 26, 1948.

In 1904 he was married to Miss Theresa Vogel. To this union three children were born: Marvin, Sylvia and Fay.

His Wife, Theresa, passed away in 1930.

One daughter, Fay, four brothers and four sisters preceeded him in death.

He leaves to mourn his passing one son, Marvin of Medicine Lodge; one daughter, Sylvia, of Coats; one brother, George R. Strait, of Madesta[sic], California; two sisters, Mrs. John McFadden and Mrs. John Bowman, both of Bazine, Kansas, and a host of relatives and friends.

The Pratt (KS) Union, 1 April 1948

Package In The Mail

I recently requested a copy of an obituary from the Pratt Co. Historical Society for my cousin, Fay Strait, who died 30 May 1941 in Coats, Pratt, Kansas. I was contacted by Marsha Brown, the curator of the Pratt Co. Historical Society Museum and she e-mailed me the brief obituary that was placed in The Pratt Union newspaper dated June 5, 1941. I got a subsequent e-mail from her stating that they had just received more newspapers and that she had found some more obituaries for Fay and wanted to know if I was interested in copies. She also asked me if I had ever seen the short family history that Mrs. Marvin Strait had written for the "Family Heritage Album" for Pratt County that was done in 1976 and would I like a copy of that as well. Of course, I couldn't contain my excitement and wrote back to her saying that I would love a copy of the obituaries and the family history.

When I went to my mailbox today there was a package in it from Marsha. I was so excited I could barely wait till I got into the house. But lo and behold and much to my surprise, there was more in the package than Fay's obituaries and the family history written by Mrs. Marvin Strait.

There was also these two wonderful pictures. The first one is of Theresa Strait and her children Fay and Marvin. The second one is of Mary and Marvin Strait and his sister, Fay. They are absolutely priceless!
But, it didn't stop there. She had also included two obituaries for Theresa Strait (my great grandaunt); an obituary for Greenbury King Strait (my great granduncle) and husband of Theresa (Vogel) Strait; one for Sylvia Strait (their daughter); one for James Marvin Strait; (their son) and one for Mary M. Strait (James Marvin's wife). That was way more than I had asked for!!

I am so thankful for wonderful people like Marsha Brown! I will share what she sent me in future posts.

Tombstone: Jon R. Keller

Fort Custer National Cemetery
Augusta, Kalamazoo, Michigan

Martha Elizabeth Pearl "Pearl" Bradley and Linzie Sheldon Roberts

10 January 1906

Gifford, Macon, Missouri

My First Name

I have been told that I was named after my dad's stillborn sister, Nola Katherine. She was born and died on 19 Jan 1933 in Olmitz, Barton, Kansas. I actually don't know if that story is true or not. I would like to think that I might also have been named after my great-grandmother, Duretta Catherine (Shumaker) Allen. She was born 3 Apr 1846 in Fairfield Co., Ohio and died 6 Jun 1917 in Illinois Bend, Macon, Missouri. The difference is, however, that my name is spelled Kathryn.

Nadine Pearl Roberts

This is my favorite female ancestor picture. It's a picture of my mother, Nadine Pearl (Roberts) Smith. She was 18 months old at the time. This picture was taken 14 August 1923.

My Favorite Female Ancestor

I have several female ancestors who are my favorites: Emma Delphenia (Baldwin) Smith, Emma Cornelia (Strait) Becker, Lucy Jane (Allen) Roberts and Janie Ellen (Moore) Bradley Davis. These gals are all my great-grandmothers. Another favorite is my great-great grandmother Duretta Catherine (Shumaker) Allen. But the one female ancestor that perplexes me the most, right now, is my great-great grandmother Permelia Rebecca (White) Roberts.

Why does she perplex me? Because it's difficult to find information on her. What I do know about her is that she was born 27 Jan 1825 somewhere in Ohio or possibly New York. She married Daniel Sheldon Roberts, 27 Sep 1846 in Athens Co., Ohio. That is confirmed by the fact that I was able to find their marriage license. Supposedly she died sometime in 1867, somewhere in Illinois and is buried somewhere in Illinois. There is also a theory that Permelia died 7 Jan 1893 in Adams Co., Illinois. If this is true then she and Daniel would have had to have gotten a divorce, because Daniel married his second wife, Almyra Camelia Snow, 3 Nov 1867 in Knox Co., Missouri.

I found Permelia and Daniel in the 1850 census for Carthage Twp., Athens, Ohio and the 1860 census for Jackson, Anderson, Kansas.

I found information on Permelia's birth in bible records received from Clara Belle (Roberts) Beason and Elizabeth "Lizzie" (Roberts) Parry. I have not been able to find any information on her death or burial. Also, have not been able to identify who her parents were.

Permelia and Daniel were the parents of ten children: James E. W., George Washington, Erastus Edward "Rass", Benjamin Franklin, William Henry, Florence Addie, Anna Amanda "Mandy", Sarah Jane, Daniel Lewis and Mary Ettie. There is some question as to whether Sarah, Daniel and Mary are actually their children even though the bible records list them. If they are and Permelia died sometime in 1867, then she would have had to have died between 13 May 1867 when Mary Ettie was born and 3 Nov 1867 when Daniel married his second wife. It could be that that was why Daniel re-married so quickly, because he had so many small children in his household. The 1870 census for Houston Twp., Adams, Illinois does not list Sarah, Daniel or Mary in the household of Daniel and Almyra Roberts. So, either the three children died before the 1870 census or Daniel and Permelia in fact were divorced and she took the three children with her. I have not been able to find Permelia in the 1870 census or any other census records since 1860.

At this point in time I am stymied on where to go next to find out more about my perplexing great-great grandmother, Permelia.

Jon Ramon Keller: 8-18-1938 to 2-10-2010

Jon Ramon Keller, 71, passed away Feb 10, 2010 at Oaklawn Hospital after a long battle with cancer.

Born 18 Aug 1938 in Nevada, Missouri, he was the son of William Everett and Sara Glenn (Glick) Keller.

On 13 Feb 1960, he was married to Gloria Gwen Wheeler in McLennan Co., Texas. They were divorced in 1965. To this union were born two children, Brenda Ann and Audrey Jane. On 17 Jun 1969, he married Meryle Lynn Bigham in Wichita Co., Texas and they were divorced in 1970. They had no children. On 5 Dec 1970, he married Marie Charity Boyd in Larned, Kansas. They were divorced in 1975. To this union one child was born, Tanya Mae. On 20 Aug 1977, he married Kathryn Faye Smith in Larned, Kansas. To this union one child was born, Kristofer Sean.

Jon joined the Air Force in 1956 and spent 13 years in the Air Force Band, playing the trumpet, cymbals and oboe. In 1972, he joined the Kansas Army National Guard, Larned, Kansas as a medic. In 1981, he transferred to the Kansas Air National Guard, Wichita, Kansas as a medic. In 1990, he transferred to the Michigan Air National Guard in Battle Creek, Michigan and was in charge of the medical clinic. He retired from the military in 1993. He had been a Marshall resident since 1994.

He graduated from Barton Co. Community College, Great Bend, Kansas, in 1979 with an Associate's Degree in Nursing and has been a registered nurse in Kansas and Michigan since 1979. In 1993, he received his Bachelor of Arts degree in Administration from Kansas Newman College, Wichita, Kansas.

As a registered nurse he worked in a number of fields including, occupational nursing, geriatric nursing, psychiatric nursing, home health care, medical-surgical nursing, call center triage, and he worked casual with a number of nursing agencies, include Battle Creek Health Systems and Oaklawn Hospital. He retired from the Veterans Administration in 2005.

He was a member of Zion Lutheran Church, Marshall, Michigan and was the church treasurer for a little over a year.

His favorite past times included golf, fishing, reading (mostly mystery novels), and working crossword puzzles. He loved to tell stories about his family. He also loved to tell jokes and always seemed to have one to tell to anyone that would listen.

He was preceded in death by his parents. He is survived by his wife, Kathryn "Kate", Marshall, Michigan; three daughters, Brenda (Darrell) Hamilton, Garden City, Kansas; Audrey (Larry) Thornburg, California; and Tanya Smith, Kansas; one son, Kristofer (LeeAnna) Keller, Battle Creek, Michigan; one brother, Melvin Joe, Pawnee Rock, Kansas and an uncle, Gary Don (Sharon) Glick, San Jose, California. Also surviving are 10 grandchildren, two step-grandchildren, 10 great-grandchildren and several nieces and nephews.

A wake will be conducted at Craig K. Kempf Funeral Home, 723 Old US 27 North, Marshall, Michigan on Sunday, February 14, 2010 from 1-3 p.m. and 5-7 p.m. Funeral services will be conducted at Zion Lutheran Church, 135 W. Green St., Marshall, Michigan, Monday, February 15, 2010 at 1:30 p.m. with Pastor Roger James officiating. Military graveside services will be conducted at Fort Custer National Cemetery, Battle Creek, Michigan on Tuesday, February 16, 2010 at 11:30.

In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made through the funeral home to the Zion Lutheran Church or the Cancer Care Center at Battle Creek Health Systems.

Check out my "Tribute to My Husband, Jon" slideshow in the side panel.

Wordless Wednesday: Karen and Kay Smith

Wordless Wednesday: My Grandparents - Edna May (Becker) (16) and Ray Ross Smith (24)

Happy 101 Award

Boy was I surprised today when I found out I was awarded by the Happy 101 Award, thanks to Leslie Ann Ballou at Ancestors Live Here. Now to see if I can come up with ten things that make me happy (in no particular order).

1. Watching my gardens grow and bloom.
2. Sitting in my sun room watching the birds visit the feeder and my gardens.
3. Visits from my sisters, Kay and Karyle and their families, who live in Ohio.
4. Working on my genealogy.
5. Road trips, near or far.
6. Visits from my granddaughter, Marisa, who lives in Illinois.
7. Good news from my husband's oncologist (just doesn't happen often enough).
8. Reading a good book.
9. The smell of lilacs and roses.
10. Watching hummingbirds visit my feeder and my gardens.

Wordless Wednesday: Mary Cleoria "Ora" (Smith) Stegall and her twins, Ada and Vada