Mom was born in Franklin County on the familly farm. She was the next to the youngest of 7 children. She became very sick at an early age (about 7) with a form of rheumatic fever called St Vitus Dance. She lost all use of her muscles and once she recovered she had to learn to use her arms and legs all over again. She was taught everything all over again by her family. Mom was showing her strength and courage at a young age that would continue into the later years of her life. The love of her family as a child  carried on to her family beginning when she married the man she would see drive by the farm. She said he would wave at her when she was out in the yard and she told everyone "that is the man I am going to marry". They married on July 15, 1953 in Metamora Indiana. Dad went on the the Korea War for 18 months just 3 days after the ceremony. While dad was away mom worked at the canning factory in Metamora and Sperry Rubber in Brookville saving up her money so that when dad returned they could buy some nice things for their home. When dad came home they rented a upstairs apartment on Main Street in Brookville where I was born. We then moved on US 52 outside of Metamora in a little white house. This is where Gary was born. We then moved to Dallas, Tx while dad looked for better work and went to school. Mom worked at Texas Instruments for a while. She hated Texas. I remember she wanted to come back home so badly. We stayed there for about 2 years. Dad even bought her a nice console TV with a record player and  a radio on one side. We ended up coming back to Indiana with that console in the UHaul behind our car. Mom proudly set her console TV in her new house in Connersville. For years she had this bird of paradise planter made from a piece of driftwood that the ladies in Dallas gave her when she left. She always loved  and never forgot her friends no matter where they were. Going to town with mom was like going to a family reunion she knew everyone and it took forever because she talked to everyone. She did not know a stranger. Mom and dad provided us with a wonderful life. They tried to give us everything we wanted and some things I am sure we did not need.

Mom worked at Philco Ford for awhile then due to her health she had to quit. She once again made many friends while working there. She told many stories that usally had you laughing. She loved her friends that she had met throughout her lifetime. Some I never got to meet but I felt I knew them through her. Mom was always cooking and cleaning kept her house looking so pretty and homey. She was proud of all that they had accoplished. She loved to get out and go to the stores and was always buying kitchen gadgets since she loved working in her kitchen. She loved to can vegetable as freeze corn.  In 1984 they went to Dallas to visit dad's sister Aunt Berthat and her family. On the way home they were rear ended by a cement mixer. That changed my mom's life forever. She had herniated disks from the crash and had two surgeries. There was no relief for her she lived in constant pain. Mom's nerves (probably due to the childhood disease) caused her problems but she was always there for anyone nothing stopped her. She loved her family more then anything and that is what she focused her life on. She tried to make dad's life a comfortable a possible. He worked many hours at Visteon and she always took care of his meals, clothing and most of all they were a couple for life. Mom and dad loved each other so much. They spent their spare time just watching tv or sitting on the patio together. Her and dad loved me and my brother and our families. Their grandkids were there pride and joy. They loved nothing more then spoiling them rotten just like they did me and my brother. They were so happy when we all came together almost every weekend at their house. Mom always had a huge dinner made or dad had grilled the best steaks anyone could grill. Of cousre there were left overs to take home. Usually enough that we did not have to cook for a couple of days. She was just so thoughtful!!!!

I would talk to my mom daily if not twice a day. Always laughing..... that is what most people remember about her. She would make you laugh until you cried along with her crying. Some of her sayings when she was laughing was "well if I had to die in my tracks" or "your a lyin to me". There were so many others too.

It hurt so bad to see the pain in my mom's eyes when her dad, mom, sister and brother passed away. She loved her family so much. I felt helpless. But the most fear I had ever saw was when dad had his stroke in Sept 2003. She was so afraid of losing dad. She told me she knew it would kill her if he died before her. She was so scared. We all stayed by her and dads side through dad's long recovery and therapy. We would have it no other way. Mom and Dad had always been there for us and of course we would make it through as a family. She could not wait until they got back home again......that is what she prayed for. They did return home in March 2004. Dad continued to go to therapy but mom's health began to deteriorate. Mom ended up in the hospital in October 2004 there was an accident at the hospital which, no one was held accountable for....... she came home for 3 days Thanksgiving ( we cooked for her and dad)...... went back to the hospital then to a nursing home for rehab. She never got to come back home. Mom passed away January 5, 2005 with my cousin Jerry and me holding her hand. I got to kiss her goodbye. My dad and my brother were trying to get there in time but could not due to the weather and it seemed she went down hill fast. It was a difficult time. Mom loved dad so much I think she did not want to upset him by having him there and she knew Gary would protect him  and help him. She had told me " God was coming to get her."  And he did.

She had said her goodbyes with dad earlier when they held each other, kissed and dad said she just let got just fell into his hold. Dad often spoke of this moment with tears in his eyes. They loved each other so much.

There is such a void without mom here but I know now that dad has joined her in Heaven (September 14, 2008) they are together once again for Eternity. Love you my sweet mom and dad!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Not a day goes by that I do not think of you. I miss you!