Tag Archives: Donald Everett Funk

Victory Gardens (Gladys)

Letter transcription:

MRS. R.S. YEGERLEHNER
KENTLAND
INDIANA
4-28-43

Dear Daddy – No mail again today – the last I rec’d was dated Apr 6 – I mean the latest date – sometimes I get some back dates – but nothing has come so far this week. – – We are having a spring day with a few clouds that look like your – Have had quite a lot of rain this spring – That will make the victory gardens grow – as well as the weeds etc. The dandelions are in full bloom now. They are everywhere so why worry. I am still cleaning house and the ground is too wet to work in and it’s too early to set flowers out. The tulips are blooming and are very pretty (red). I was snapping my fingers to amuse David and he acted like he tried to snap his fingers. Mark wanted me to write that down in the baby book. I said no one would believe me if I told that but it’s true. If I wrote down everything Mark wants me to I wouldn’t have much time to write letters – David is developing I think about normal. Of course J. & M. think everything he does is unusual. Donnie Funk is still three or four lbs heavier but I think 18 lbs for a 7 mo old baby is heavy enough. He has been so well and as a good disposition so that makes him a pretty fine fellow – John & Mark have gone back to school and D. is sitting in his buggy by the desk doing things. Lucile & I are going to have Cosmopolitan Club Friday. I am going over there tomorrow to make cookies. She just called me & said Betty Lohr’s mother died. Mr. Steinbaugh was buried this morning. I wonder who will run the Democrat now.

Love Mother

©2014 copyright owned and transcribed by Deborah Sweeney
Post originally found: https://genealogylady.net/2014/05/11/victory-gardens-gladys/

Diphtheria Shots (Gladys)

1 Reply

Letter transcription:

MRS. R.S. YEGERLEHNER
KENTLAND
INDIANA
4-12-43

Dear Daddy – I wrote one letter today telling you I had your of Mar 16-17-22 – Uncle W & Aunt J stopped at noon a while. Ralph is better so evidently the adjustment helped his back – or something did because he was working again. John played 2 numbers at Music Club this afternoon and got a lot of compliments – however he insists he didn’t play well. Arlene had a good picture of she & Bill & boys and is sending you one. Donnie now weighs over 21 and D. is about 18 – so considering their starts D. is going all right. Rosemary has gone to Laf. to stay with her mother until time for her to go to the hospital. Jimmy Funk fell off the bed and broke his shoulder – but is getting along very good. I heard today Nick has joined the Army but I didn’t get the information from D. She wasn’t at Music Club today. He has been talking about it for some time. John is in Fla. at present and Gladys has gone down there for a visit. Sure looks funny to see Kent Café boarded up and all the filling stations closed at night. The filling St. men can catch up on their home life now – or make victory gardens. Mrs. Williams asked me today if you gave Darlene (the little girl you & Dr. Cole operated on when 6 wks old) Diphtheria shots. They thought that was what she had – but has a bad throat now and didn’t know if it could be diphtheria or strep. They were to bring her back for whooping cough shots then for smallpox so I told her it must have been diphtheria shots.

Love – Mother

©2014 copyright owned and transcribed by Deborah Sweeney
Post originally found: https://genealogylady.net/2014/04/11/diphtheria-shots-gladys/

Five months old (Gladys)

1 Reply

Letter transcription:

MRS. R. S. YEGERLEHNER
KENTLAND
INDIANA
2-23-43

Dear Daddy – David is 5 months old today and weighs 15 ½ lbs. He has slept thru the past three nights without a 10 PM bottle – so he now eats just 4 times a day. I have been taking him out every afternoon in his buggy. It has been so nice the past week. It is about time to start his shots and I don’t anticipate that However Donnie F. didn’t cry when he had his first one. I wrote to Mrs Evans last week and had an answer today. Mr. Ferneau is the only one left of the group there last summer. They (Mrs E. & Mr F) send you their regards. Ruth & Floyd were at Ruth M’s over the week-end and F. is in Chi this week so Ruthie is staying at Ruth M’s this week. Had a card from her this a.m. – I wrote you a long letter last nite and told you about all my new red clothes, dress, hat, purse & jacket. That would be something to have my picture taken in and have it tinted. I am afraid tinting wouldn’t be strong enough. I fixed enough baked beans for us & Zells – Mrs. Z made a green salad for both of us. We just finished lunch and John has gone back to school Mark is waiting to take this to the P.O. He is taking the empty shells to school to show off again. Said some of the kids didn’t see them. He certainly enjoys looking at those. They are entirely his because John isn’t much interested in such things. He looked at them and turned his over to Mark. I must go to the school today and get our new ration books. The boys are anxious for me to get them. Have all this week but think I’ll go today. No uniform money yet. Wish it would come soon.

Love Mother

Baby book entry – 5 months

“February 23 – 1943 – Five months for David and now weighs 15 lbs 14 oz and measures 26″ in height. Sleeps from 6 P.M. bottle until 6 a.m. bottle – Now I can get a full nights sleep. Sits propped up now. At 5 1/2 months had Immune Globulin due to exposure to measles by Mark.”

Emma with John, Mark & David, February 1943

©2014 copyright owned and/or written by Deborah Sweeney
Post originally found at: https://genealogylady.net/2014/01/10/five-months-old-gladys/

Like spring again (Gladys)

1 Reply

Letter transcription:

MRS. R. S. YEGERLEHNER
KENTLAND
INDIANA
2-18-43

Dear Daddy – Like spring again today but since we have had so much sub zero weather may have more before this month is over. Everything is quiet at present except for the stoker running – J & M both reading Mother and D. in bed. After the 6 P.M. feeding D. gets tucked in. He is getting old enough to show off – not quite 5 months – but J & M fuss around him so much when they are home and he is awake – I imagine he will be quite an actor by his first birthday – but will try to keep him from being too spoiled. Mark was first cornet player in the ban and was set back to second, so I got him to practice more and now he is back as first. I think if I keep on urging him he will get along. John has a habit of practicing the sax every evening when he comes home from school – Francis Kenny was married and is stationed in Bethesda Maryland. Art was attendant. He is in New River, N.C. – Byrnes said he has a permanent assignment there. Eileen Masters is in the WAAC – was she the one at St. E? K. Jones has been home – is going to take sub training when he goes back (New London – Conn) Boomershine is in N.Y. – He got a (j.g.) It seems strange for high school boys to be enlisting but that is happening now – Yost & Egan are two – – Funks went to Green Bay today for a visit. They took Louise along but with both boys they need help. I am glad D. isn’t as large as Donnie – because Donnie is so heavy (over 20 lbs at 6 mo.) To date no money for uniforms. The Dept that mails my checks has been moved to Cleveland. If Dolores comes home in April I am going to try and go down for a week-end. I think D. will be old enough to travel then. Your mother is anxious to see him again. Give me your suggestions about the yard.

Love Mother

©2014 copyright owned and/or written by Deborah Sweeney
Post originally found at: https://genealogylady.net/2014/01/04/like-spring-again-gladys/

Point Rationing (Gladys)

3 Replies

Letter transcription:

MRS R. S. YEGERLEHNER
KENTLAND
INDIANA
2-14-43

Dear Daddy – Valentine Day and about 4 below. Last Sunday it was so warm we went out and took pictures but you can bet we didn’t flip around in the yard today. A little snow but not much but a cold wind. I got a box ready to send yesterday but I couldn’t send it because it’s too heavy. There is a 5 lb limit – so will have to break it down into two, so will try to get it mailed tomorrow. The band mothers are having their annual dinner for the band tomorrow night. It is a little early but they said we would have to have it before point rationing starts. I am not certain about everything that will be rationed but I know canned goods will be. I haven’t studied “point rationing,” but will before it starts. The second books will be issued next week. Have been trying to ration our meat before meat rationing starts. I don’t know how they will ration people with lockers. Glad we have one. Brands have a waiting list about a mile long. Paid for the half hog I had put in – it was $20 – also pd locker rent & processing – Mr. B. forgot to put the rent on when I paid him in Sept. – so withal pd. out about $45 for meat & locker but that will last us months. Bobby came up today to bring the boys valentines. He is cute as ever. He said David looked different than Donnie. He still runs away sometimes then has to stay in the house the rest of the day but the next day it’s the same thing again. Jimmy S. came over last nite with valentines. I asked Irene if she got the desk from the office. She said Newell wouldn’t give it up. I wrote you she asked to rent or buy it – I told her she could use it if Newell would let her take it. He says he things he will be in Service by next June but I wouldn’t hazard a guess. There has been some talk lately about who will have to go next but nothing definite. Louise Glenn is here on a visit and came up this evening. She left Johnny at home with Franklin & his mother. Johnny is as large as most 3 yr olds and is about year & half. Hope you get the bones in good time. I put in two Sunday papers. Couldn’t get any film for you.

Love Mother

©2013 copyright owned and/or written by Deborah Sweeney
Post originally found at: https://genealogylady.net/2013/12/30/point-rationing-gladys/

Cleanest chickens we ever had (Gladys)

3 Replies

Letter transcription:

Kentland Ind
2-7-43

Dear Daddy –

Sunday evening and W.W. is on (8 P.M.) I want to go to bed early so am trying to write while he talks. I gave David Pablum in addition to his bottle and hope he will sleep all night. Last night I went to bed before time for his 10 P.M. bottle and he slept right thru. About 3:30 he was making a little noise – I got up and warmed a bottle but think he would have slept if I hadn’t taken him up. It was warmer today – the sun was very bright and melted much of the snow of yesterday. Fri. it was so warm and sunny – we went to Laf. – then Sat. there was a blizzard lasting all day – It was cold and snow drifting everywhere – then today warm again. I took the baby out for a while. Haven’t found a buggy yet so carried him – didn’t go far – called on Mrs. Washburn then back home – but David’s cheeks were so rosy when we came back. He really enjoyed the adventure.

[page 2] Today an announcement was made over the radio – shoes are to be rationed – one pr every 4 months – the ticket to be used – #17 – so far sugar, coffee – now shoes on book #1. I suppose meat will be next. Butter is so high I still buy Good Luck. The last I had on creamery it was 60¢ per, oranges are up too – but we use the vit c tablets for D. – so don’t have to buy oranges all the time – usually keep them but don’t use them every day. Canned goods are to be rationed too, but I can only buy 6 cans at a time now and only 2 of a kind. Baby food is to be rationed too we have a ration book for D. so will be able to get his canned food. I am glad we feed him Dextri-M. Sometimes Karo can’t be bought – That reminds me – The Meade Co. is sending us a supply of Pablum, Dextri-M & Vit C tablets. In case you miss the letters I mentioned Christmas gifts – I got the manicure set – comb & brush & flowers. I have enjoyed them very much. Thanks again [in margin]. The flowers were pink carnations. I sent you a registered letter with our pictures last week. Suppose you have it by now – let’s hope so. Alma W. came out this afternoon to get some sulfathiozol nose drops

[page 3] that came as samples – I can’t use “sulfa” – I have found I am allergic to it and Dr. Rumkorf gave her a prescription for this. She goes to Goodland all the time for treatments but says he is awfully rough. She wishes you were here to give her sinus treatments.

I was looking in the Indiana Medical Journal for news – sometimes there is an item about a Dr. we know – well I saw your name & address in this issue. Also saw that Dr. Carl Porter who was in England, now is in the Pacific.

Jack Yost & Bud Egan joined the Marines – also Paul Turnpaugh. They keep going from here. Art Voglund is in Calif – Vivian has gone there too. I saw Helen Heindel in Laf. Fri – She didn’t go to Calif as she had planned to do. The last time I saw her in Laf. she was planning to go to Calif because Dan was stationed there – but didn’t go. He is out somewhere in the South West Pacific. I didn’t have much time to talk to her, but I suppose she is staying with Gertrude & Forrest.

I didn’t get the piano I wrote you about but am going to try

[page 4] and get something better than what we have. John says the tone of this one is good but pitch is off and the tuners all say it can’t be brought up because the strings are rusty. Our living room looks a little full but we really needed the den for a nursery – with the rug up – floor finished – piano out is makes an ideal room for D, is so sunny all afternoon. He weighed 15 lbs this morning (4 ½ mo). Jimmy Ed Jr. weighed 8-11 at birth and 11-1 at one month – He is really a husky. Donnie Funk is 5 mo old and weights 19 lbs. David has done fine and has gained as fast as is necessary. You can figure for yourself from 6-11 to 15 in 4 ½ mo. and you can tell by his pictures he is thriving.

I took some pictures today and Mark took one of me in my new coat & hat. I have 3 more pictures on the roll I want to take of D. a little later on. Films are hard to get too. Will send you a roll or two if I can get them.

Had fried chicken today. Zell’s chickens are ready to eat now so got 2-3 lbs ones. They are probably the cleanest chickens we ever had – their feet never touched the ground and the chicken house was cleaned 3 times every week. I think I’ll get some to put in our locker. Hope this doesn’t make you too hungry. As of now – no uniform money has come.

Love Mother

©2013 copyright owned and/or written by Deborah Sweeney
Post originally found at: https://genealogylady.net/2013/12/17/cleanest-chick…ver-had-gladys/

Went to Lafayette (Gladys)

6 Replies

Letter transcription:

MRS. R. S. YEGERLEHNER
KENTLAND
INDIANA
2-5-43

Dear Daddy- Your letter of Jan 16 came today after all up to the 26^th – was so glad to get it because you mentioned several things you hadn’t in other letters. I took my checks to the bank (I get two each month – 170 & 30) and asked about a safety deposit box but they haven’t any for rent so that settles that. Went to Lafayette today – Took Arlene & Donnie – she wanted to get his shots started. Mrs. Zell & Martha went along – also Mother & David. It was just like spring – warm and sunny. Tried to get a buggy but there were only a few for sale and they were 25⁰⁰ and up – thought that was too much, so will look for a used one someplace but they are scarce too. Mrs. Shirk is going to loan me a play pen. It won’t be long until we will need one. Had to get material to recover the studio couch. It was worn thru all along the edge. Saw Helen Heindle in Loebs and her husband is somewhere in the South West Pacific, You might see him sometime. You might also see Hickey too. Have you ever written to him or heard from him? Jimmy Staton has been sick – thought he would have pneumonia but he was better yesterday. Mr. Marvin died this week. They had taken him to the hospital for observation. John is working on an essay – I told him I wouldn’t help him & he said he didn’t want any help. Mark is reading the paper and listening to Joey Brewster. David is tucked in and I am going to turn in soon. I am a little tired after the trip. I sent you a registered letter yesterday with our pictures – also sent you a valentine. Will send you a box next week. Have some more sardines.

Love Mother

©2013 copyright owned and/or written by Deborah Sweeney
Post originally found at: https://genealogylady.net/2013/12/15/went-to-lafayette-gladys/

Last day of this month (Gladys)

1 Reply

: January 31, 1943 Envelope

: January 31, 1943, p. 1

: January 31, 1943, p. 2

: January 31, 1943, p. 3

: January 31, 1943, p. 4

: January 31, 1943 postscript

Letter transcription:

I got some letters a week before the first one you wrote came.

Kentland Ind
Jan 31-1943

Dear Daddy-

The last day of this month and more weather. It is very gloomy – rain – There is a little snow left and it isn’t very picturesque. I don’t know how cold it is but looks very uninviting out – like a person would rather stay inside. I called Mrs. Plummer this morning and asked her if she would come over this afternoon – I am going over after her in a few minutes – in the car of course. – – a few hours later

Have had our guest and taken her home again. We had a nice visit. She hadn’t seen the baby since before Christmas and was so glad to spend an afternoon with him. Said he looks like you. She had a “snapfolio” Ruth Padgett gave her to send to you. It has two pictures of the Padgett baby – you remember him. The photo holder

[page 2] was just what I was wanting to send our pictures in – Ruth wanted you to have it to keep David’s pictures in. She told Mrs. Plummer she used 100 cans of S.M.A. – amounting to $100⁰⁰ for “Tommy.” At 10 months he weighs 24 lbs – and wears 3 yr old size suits. He is a baby like Donnie Funk – however our David isn’t so slow. He weighed 14-7 this morning – 4 months & 1 week old – gets Pablum, egg yolk & vegetable soup in addition to 1 can milk every day. He seems to know when to behave just right. He was as good as could be while Mrs. P. was here. He usually is but has his days.

The wind is blowing this evening – You know how it can blow around here – as well as there – The boys – (John & Mark) – came in from Youth Fellowship and John said it’s not so good out. It was freezing when I took Mrs. P. home. There were snow flurries about 5 o’clock – but they didn’t last long.

Bought car & drivers license yesterday $9.75 altogether. Have a bal in the bank now of 296 – but have the Jan bills to pay – coal 28.64 – The boys ins next month & David’s new policy

[page 3] Our new 1943 license is a little plate that is attached to the old (rear) but a new number 541-198. The balance I quoted has the Feb rent deducted – and the Feb check hasn’t been added yet. – Also I have to pay for my coat yet. – Maybe I’ll still have margin enough after everything taken care of to play your ins. loan – then mine. I think those two paid off would be the best investment because of the 6%. I bought those 6 – 37⁵⁰ bonds I mentioned several times before – and about that 1941 tax again. The Federal man advised not to pay it – because it won’t have to be paid – if at all – until six months after the duration and there will be no interest – and we have our bonds to use for payment later on – now does that sound like a wise play or not? Since we are being urged to buy more bonds all the time – and the bonds will be ready for use when you (we) need them to pay taxes, etc., when you are ready to start up again. If this plan doesn’t suit you you can write and tell me to go ahead & pay said taxes.

[page 4] This is the first regular letter I have written in about a week – Have been using v-mail. There is another campaign on for people to use it. I never feel like I get it all said when I use v-mail but since it should be quicker than this will use it most of the time. The P.O. Clerk told me I could send 3 a day but I try to get by with one. At least it will help some if you get a v-mail once in a while – if not all. If you could get one a week you could keep pretty well informed about us here at home. My sinus trouble seems to have cleared up and my throat is well too. The sinus drainage made the throat irritation. John & Mark are on the well list too and David is fine – gains about an once a day – sometimes more. It seemed like we did have a long siege – starting early in Dec and one or the other of us having colds in some form thru most of this month. John having stiff neck two days & missing school. Mark got a cold Mon. last week from the cold school room but he is over it now. – They have gone to bed and I am tired and it’s time to take David up & feed him. Have to move his bed upstairs. He is much too active now for the basket. Will have to fix something for him to be in downstairs. It if were warm weather could put him down in a play pen but since it is cold will have to do something else. Didn’t get a letter Sat. so am looking for one tomorrow –

Love – Mother

P.S. as of this date uniform money hasn’t come

Sunday Afternoon (Gladys)

7 Replies

: January 24, 1943 Envelope front

: January 24, 1943 Envelope back

: January 24, 1943, p. 1

: January 24, 1943, p. 2

: January 24, 1943, p. 4

: January 24, 1943, p. 4

: January 24, 1943, p. 5

: January 24, 1943, p. 6

Letter transcription:

Kentland Ind
Jan 24 – 1943

Dear Daddy –

Sunday afternoon and not much doing. John is improvising at the piano. Mark is upstairs dallying around, David is asleep. Mother is trying to fix the fire and I decided to write. It is more like spring today than the weather we have been having. The snow is gone only in places where the sun doesn’t shine directly on. It is very soft underfoot as you can imagine after all the ice and snow that has been on for so long. I took Jimmy Ed’s buggy back home so can’t take David for a ride until I get another. We got the proofs of his pictures today and they are very good. As soon as we get them finished – and the rest

[page 2] of ours finished will send the folder you want. I had mine taken yesterday too but don’t like the results so will have another sitting. John & Mark had theirs taken today so don’t know yet what results will be.

Yesterday when I took the buggy back it was about 5 P.M. and Lucile was asleep – When she came to the door she looked like she was still needing sleep. She wanted to know how long before David slept through the 2 a.m. bottle – when I told her he was about 3 mo. she didn’t take it so well. She said she is trying to break Jimmy Ed now (3 weeks). She said “you didn’t try to break David, did you.” I said “no I just let him do it on his own.” Jimmy Ed had a better start than David and I felt it meant more to him to have that 2 a.m. than for me to get that sleep – Everybody to their own opinion. However Jimmy Ed

[page 3]didn’t sleep thru. She let him sleep after his 6 P.M. bottle and he didn’t awaken until 11 – for the next and she thought he would go thru until 6 – but at 2:45 had to be fed.

At this writing I am still having some sinus trouble – but by the time you get this will probably be all over it (I hope). This has hung on for several weeks. I had been going to Ade but the trips every other day were too hard on me. I went down to Dr. M. He has a motor that pumps salt water thru the sinus and I have had that done several times but can’t say whether it has helped me or not. I still have a yellow drainage all the time. I don’t stop up but the drainage keeps coming whether I do anything or not. I have been using some Glucofederin and that cleans my head out good but hasn’t so far checked anything. I wrote you a letter telling you about Dr A. opening and washing it out once. I suppose it

[pge 4] will gradually get less & less – as it isn’t as bad as it was.

–I went down to Funks a while this afternoon and took David. They thought David looks older than Donnie – tho Donnie is at least 4 lbs heavier. I think they look about the same as far as expressions are concerned but Donnie can hold on to things better. They were getting ready to go to Carl’s for dinner – and were taking both children along. Rosemary is to have her baby in April. Mary & Bernard’s girl is beginning to stand alone but I think Donnie is about as big as she is. Arlene had seen a picture in the paper showing some tall corn grown in New Caledonia. It was being inspected by an Army man. She cut the picture out to use for her topic – New Caledonia at Literary Club in Feb.

I started to tell you about taking Sulfa – Dr. M. told me to take sulfadiaizine three or four day s and maybe it would help to stop this sinus condition – Well I had taken it for 3 days and I had started to itch – then

[page 5] I was talking to Alma W. and she has been getting sinus treatments from Dr. R. at Goodland and he had given her a prescription for Paredrine Sulfathiazole Suspension – I had some samples and thought I would try it. Well, the diazine had got me started and putting the thiazole drops in my nose was the proverbial straw – I was worse – just stopped me up so I couldn’t breathe – After waiting a while I used Glucofederin and that cleared me up so I could get my breath thru my nose again. Now I know I can’t take sulfa long enough to get results. Now don’t worry about me I am getting along and thought I would just relate the above since I didn’t get a bad case of allergy from the diazine. I probably would have if I had kept on taking it another day.

The boys (J & M) have gone to the Sunday evening meeting and we have The Quiz Kids tuned in – they now broadcast on Sun evening instead of the original Wed. I may get some wise answers in this. However I hardly feel that clever

[page 6]Mon morn Jan 25 – I didn’t get this finished in time for the boys to take to the box last night – Had 3 letters this morning – Well you can do some more showing pictures in the near future – I hope – I hope they get to you before they are a month or two old. Our baby is doing things. I tied the handles of the basket together with a rattle suspended for him to watch and he kicks it. Also he braces his feet against the handles. Had quite a time this morning before bath time. He laughs now and I discovered a ticklish spot while bathing him. I was doing an extra good job under his arms and he laughed and giggled. He laughs for Mark when he talks to him and that makes Mark very proud.

I must go boil bottles & mix formula – so it will be ready for the next feeding – and look in on the young man. He is in his bed in the den and keeps his covers kicked off if not watched. I will be glad when spring comes and he won’t have to be covered all the time – More cold weather today From spring yesterday to 10 above today.

Love Mother