Obituary of Ronald Graf, Bear Lake, MIchigan

It is hard enough when one of the older generations in a family dies, but when it is someone in your own generation, it is tough. My first cousin, Ronald Ray Graf died at the age of 62, after a courageous fight with cancer. He was one year older than I.

Ron's obituary was found at the Terwilliger Funeral Home website: http://www.terwilligerfuneralhome.com/obituary/ronald-ron-graf

Ronald “Ron” Ray Graf, 62, of Bear Lake, died peacefully Monday, May 6, 2019, at home with his loving family by his side.  He was born August 1, 1956, in Washington, Iowa, the son of Raymond and Leona (Fredricks) Graf.

Ron worked for Martin Marietta Materials, in Manistee, retiring as Packhouse Production Supervisor after more than 40 years of employment.    

The most important things in Ron’s life were his faith and his family, both of which saw him through his long and valiant battle with cancer.  He was a lifelong member of Trinity Lutheran Church in Onekama, and he cherished time spend with his family and friends.  He was an avid Detroit Lions, Detroit Tigers, and University of Michigan Fan, and he loved old cars and his dogs.  He will be remembered for his warm personality, genuine smile, and his caring heart.  He will be missed.

On May 14, 1993, Ron married Lynn Bromley who survives him.  He is also survived by: his son, Cody Graf of Onekama; his daughter Marla (Derek Kolk) Picardat of Manistee; his grandson, Andrew Picardat of Manistee; his sisters, Nancy Miller of Kalona, Iowa, and Rose Marie (Ken) Slagle of Cedar Rapids, Iowa; his in-laws, Bob and Marge Bromley of Manistee; his uncle, Carl Mikolajczak and family; his goddaughters, Daisy (Darien Ripple) Fredricks of Rockford and Amy Jo Weber of Mt. Pleasant; special friends, Paul Walerych, Tony and Kathie Vartyak, Jim Hilliard, and the Keillor Family; his work family at Martin Marietta; his church family at Trinity Lutheran Church of Onekama; and numerous nieces, nephews, aunts, uncles, cousins, and dear friends.      

Ron was preceded in death by: his father, Raymond Graf; his mother, Leona Fredricks Graf Wagoner; his stepfather, Robert “Bob” Wagoner; and several aunts, uncles, and cousins.

 Funeral services will be conducted at 3:00 PM, Saturday, May 11, 2019, at Trinity Lutheran Church, in Onekama, with Pastor Jacob Sherry officiating.  Visitation will be held from 6-8 PM, Friday, May 10, 2019, at the Terwilliger Funeral Home in Kaleva.

 Memorial contributions may be made to Munson Hospice.

The Terwilliger Funeral Home, in Kaleva, is in charge of arrangements. www.terwilligerfuneralhome.com

Leona Fredricks Graf, Raymond Graf, 

Ronald Graf

Ronald Graf High School Graduation Class of 1974

Mr. and Mrs. Ron Graf

Lynn and Ron

Mabel Louis Ruff Glover Birth Anniversary

Aunt Mabel, Moi, and my sister, Linda, 1958

My aunt, Mabel Louise Ruff Glover, would have been 101 years old today. Aunt Mabel was one of my favorite aunts. She was married to my dad's half-brother, Frances’s "Hank" Glover.

I have a lot of fond memories of my Aunt Mabel. We would visit Aunt Mabel and Uncle Hank when they lived in Ferndale, Michigan and later Troy, Michigan. My uncle worked for General Motors, and they lived in South Africa and Brazil for a while.

 

The picture to the left was taken on Easter, 1962, at Uncle Hank's and Aunt Mabel's home in Ferndale. Uncle Hank, Aunt Mabel, and their son, Stu, are behind my mom, and Grandma Bell. My sister Linda and my self are in front. I'm the short one.

 We would only see Uncle Hank and Aunt Mabel once or twice a year, but I remember their homes in Ferndale and Troy. I remember their big shepherd, Shep, who was fierce when we pulled in the driveway and as tender as could be once he knew we were friends not foe. 

 Through the years when they lived out of the country, we would only see them when they came back to the United States. It was always an exciting time going to see them or when they would come to see us. 

 My Aunt Mabel was a kind, generous woman. She was a great host and a great cook. I have many of her recipes. Once at a stopover in London on the way to South Africa she bought china. She needed it for when General Motors executives visited South Africa. She would have dinner parties for them. After my aunt's death, Uncle Hank gave the china to my mom. My mom gave it to me when she downsized and moved to a senior living facility. I think she did that because I was supposed to get my Grandma Bell's china after she died, but Grandma's second husband was too stingy to ship it. 

 Aunt Mabel was born March 26, 1921, and died 15 April 1986 at the age of 75.

Book Review: Roots for Kids by Susan Provost Beller

I was gifted two books from Genealogical Publishing Company to review. Both are by author Susan Provost Beller. One is Roots for Kids A Genealogy Guide for Young People, 3rd Edition and the other one is Roots for Kids Finding Your Family Stories.

Roots for Kids A Genealogy Guide for Young People is an introduction to genealogy and was updated in 2020. A lot has changed since the first publication of this book, in 1988. Beller says the material can be used in three ways: as a twelve-week enrichment class; as a four-to-five-week mini course; and as a self-taught genealogy course. The book is comprised of twelve chapters that covers family, local, state, and national records, analysis, evaluation, and ends with an ultimate field trip where Beller tells her own genealogy story.

Reading the book, I felt for it to be used as a self-study book, the student would have to be a very motivated, self-starter learner. There is a lot of reading in each chapter. It would work well with adult guidance, but I think it would work better as a teacher's guide for classes or mini lessons.

The book is filled with the author's experiences and stories, definitions, charts, and homework. The homework applies to information you will use in the following chapter. The information is presented in an orderly manner, the way genealogy research should be done. Each concept builds upon another.

The 102-page book is filled with all the information a beginning genealogist would need. For independent learners, I would recommend this book for motivated fourth graders, but it would be better for middle school age students and above. For classes and lessons, I would recommend it for fourth grade and above. Again, it is for beginning genealogists. Those who have already conducted family history research would find the book redundant.

Chapters Include:

1. An Introduction to Genealogy
2. You and Your Family
3. Your Parents' Family
4. Asking Questions: Genealogy as Oral History
5. Putting It All Together
6. Kinds of Records Found Locally
7. Finding Local Records on the Internet
8. Kinds of State and National Records
9. Finding State and National Records on the Internet
10. Evaluating Your Information
11. Research Around the World on Your Computer
12. The Ultimate Field

Appendices including Blank forms and Resources for Researching Your Family

No matter who uses the book, I am happy to see that there are resources available for children and teens who want to pursue their family history. It is an area where more is needed.

2. Roots for Kids Finding Your Family Stories is a companion piece to the Roots for Kids book above. It contains short easy to read chapters that can be used individually or a class writing prompts. The first eleven chapters includes a story, an explanation of what is of genealogical value in the story, definitions, and tips on how to get the information for a story. The last few chapters explain how to organize your stories, records that help, and information if you want to go further in your research.

This book could be used as a stand-alone if the person has some knowledge of conducting genealogy research. It could be used in a class setting, a group session, or for individuals. 

The stories told keeps the readers interest and will spark curiosity in the reader. It even sparked my curiosity to write family stories about heirlooms. Some children may enjoy the story aspect of genealogy rather than just the facts. Wherever one's interest lies let them start. The important thing is to keep their interest. 

Chapters Include

1. It all begins with one story
2. "Witch" people are my family?
3. Fact and Fiction
4. Where were you when?
5. Everyone's favorite topic-Food
6. Butch, Baker, Chandler understanding last names
7. First names can tell stories, too!
8. Home, sweet home!
9. Mapping your World
10. George Washington visits Disney World
11. You are one in a million!
12. Organizing your stories
13. Things that can help
14. Take a family field trip to your past
15. History is, after all, just lots of stories

Susan Provost Beller Roots for Kids books are needed when it comes to engaging young people in genealogy research. You can't go wrong with either of these books if you are interested in children and teens learning more about their family history. Do you need help engaging your youngsters in genealogy? This would be a good place to start.

If you are interested in purchasing either of these books, go to Genealogical.com

Disclaimer: I received review copies of each of books, but the opinions are mine alone.

 

WWII Family Soldiers in the News

Living in Battle Creek, Michigan afforded me the opportunity to search the Battle Creek Enquirer for historical news. I found many articles about my first cousins, once removed who grew up in Battle Creek. 

Jack and James Tyson, sons of my grand aunt, Adeline Glover Tyson McKie, were soldiers during World War II. Many articles were printed about them during the war. 

The Battle Creek Enquirer had a regular column, News of Our Men in the Service. One of the articles was about Jack Tyson. It told that he was to get sick leave. Here is the translation.

To Get Sick Leave-Pfc. Jack Tyson is expected here on a 10-day sick leave today from Camp Macall, N.C., where he was injured in a football game two weeks ago, shortly after his return to camp from a furlough spent in Battle Creek. He is the son of Mr. and Mrs. Victor Tyson of 1835 West Goguac. Private Tyson is a paratrooper attached to a field artillery battalion. His wife, the former Miss Rosalene Richardson, who has been residing with him at Hamlet, N.C., will accompany him home. Private Tyson has been in the army nine months and is a former employe(sic) of United Steel & Wire Co.

Source: To Get Sick Leave, Battle Creek Enquirer and News, Battle Creek, Calhoun, Michigan, United States, 29 November 1943, page twelve, column two, digitized images. Found online at Willard Library.org 

 

Gravestone of Charles Waldo Glover

Charles was a popular name in the Glover line. Thank you to his parents, Samuel S. Glover Jr. and Adaline Dyer Glover for giving him a unique middle name of Waldo. Here is Charles gravestone in Fairview Cemetery, Bear Lake, Manistee, Michigan.

CHARLES W.

GLOVER

1859 Masonic Symbol 1927

My research, based on Charles' father's civil war pension, Charles' marriage record, and Michigan death certificates, gives his birth year as 1858.

Burton L. Watt, Marquette, Michigan Obituary

My dad's maternal uncle, Burton Watt, or as we called him Uncle Burt was a wonderful man. Burt would visit us when we lived in Deckerville, Michigan. His daughter, Jean, lived in Flint and the whole family, Uncle Burt, Aunt Fran, Jean, her husband, Ed Schuler and their daughter, Kathy, would drive over to see my dad. This is such a short obituary for the 101 years that he lived. I will have to honor him in another blog post. Burton L. Watt's obituary transcription from the Marquette Mining Journal, 11 March 1994, page 5A, column 6:

Burton Watt

Traverse City-Burton L. Watt, 101, of Traverse City, died Sunday, March 6, 1994 in Traverse City.

Surviving are one granddaughter, Kathryn Philibeck of Marquette; one great-grandson, Thomas Philibeck of Marquette and one great-granddaughter, Stefanie Philibeck of Marquette.

Mr. Watt was preceded in death by his wife, Dora (Frances) Nelson Watt in 1992; a daughter Dorothy Jean Schuler in 1975; one brother and five sisters.

Cremation has taken place.  A memorial service for Burton and Frances will take place at 11 a.m.  April 27 at the Skandia United Methodist Church.  A lunch will follow at the church.

Where in the World is William Powers of Vermont and New York?

 Where in the World is William Powers?

Where in the World is William Powers?

FACT	DATE	PLACE OF RESIDENCE
Birth	14 January 1777	Bennington, New Hampshire, British America
Marriage		Lucinda “Lucy” Pixley
Residence	1802	Vernon, Windham, Vermont, United States
Census	1810	Seneca, Ontario, New York, United States	Roll 33, Page 834
Military	1812	Ontario county, New York
Death	22 October 1813	Possibly Ontario County, New York

Where in the World is William Powers?

Obviously, I have a little more research to do for my fourth great grandfather, William Powers. He died young at the age of 36 from injuries suffered while serving in the War of 1812. His wife, Lucinda "Lucy" Pixley applied for a pension in lieu of bounty land. 

I found William Powers pension records on Fold 3, but do you think it would give a marriage date and place for William and Lucy? No. It did give me a marriage date,"on or about the 10th of February 1818, and name of her second husband, Walter Hyde. William left six children under the age of 15.

William Powers is a common name and I have yet to single my William out in the 1790 and 1800 U.S. Federal Census. The other record I would like to find is William's and Lucy's marriage. 

 

My Mother's Birthday

 Audrey and Brenda, Circa 1958

My mother, Audrey, celebrated a birthday today. She is in great health, and I was able to spend the afternoon with her. She lives in an independent apartment about 6 minutes from me.

Neither one of us is ready to go into a restaurant to eat so I stopped at one of her favorite places, Ziingo, in Portage, Michigan. My mom calls it the Thai place. It is more Asian fusion, but I know what she is talking about.

 

Today's Ziingo Choices

The workers guide you through your order. There is a chalkboard of the daily options. I started with two bowls of pad Thai noodles, added chicken, veggies, and sauce for me. No sauce for my mom. I declined any appetizers, but crab Rangoon is one of my favorites. Last you can add fresh items to the top. I chose spinach for me and carrots for my mom. I delivered it to my mom's apartment, and we enjoyed lunch together. It was delicious.

Since Covid entered our universe, I haven't been able to spend a lot of time with my mom. The senior living place where she lives has strict covid protocols. Even today, I had to sign in via a tablet and have my temperature checked. I am not complaining, I am happy they are keeping their residents safe. There has been a case or two here and there, but they are doing a great job with protecting their residents. Masks are required in the common areas, but once I got into my mom's apartment I could take it off.

I enjoyed my afternoon with my mom. She doesn't use the computer, so I showed her some pictures of her great grandchildren that were on Facebook. I showed her a picture of a friend of hers from when my mom and dad lived in Deckerville. Her friend is 95 years old, and she went on a snowmobile ride. The home where her friend lives videotaped it and put it on their Facebook page. Next, she started asking me if so and so died, so I used my phone and googled a few people for her. Next, I went to two funeral homes that were in small towns where she lived, and she looked at a few obituaries.

It was a different way to spend her birthday, but she is quite isolated from her aging friends that live far away. My dad was the computer person and she never wanted to learn how to use the computer. She didn't even like reading things on the computer. My dad would print it for her.

My mom isn't a big cake person, so I bought lemon bars for her. She loves lemon desserts. One year I made her a lemon meringue pie for her birthday. Since it was just the two of us, I didn't want that much dessert. While we were eating the kitchen sent up three homemade cupcakes with birthday greetings. She will be in a sugar coma if she eats all that. I told her to share them with her friends.

I am fortunate that I still have my mom to celebrate on her birthday. I am the only one of four children that lives in Michigan. The birthday may not have been like they were years ago, but I was happy to celebrate with her.