Tag Archives: John Earl Mutchler

A Nice Visit (Gladys)

1 Reply

September 30, 1945 envelope

Letter transcription:

September 30, 1945, p. 1

Kentland Ind.
Sept. 30, 1945

Dear Daddy –

It’s past 3 o’clock (peace time) and our company has gone home. Ruth & Earl came at noon. I didn’t know what time they would get here so we didn’t wait dinner for them and we were just about thru but we had a roast & gravy so there was plenty for them. They brought a watermelon and we cut it for dessert. They left for home about half an hour ago. I thought we were to set the clocks back tonight so we didn’t have ours back and got up and went to church at 8:15 – I wanted to go early to get the Sunday School things in order and maybe it was a good thing I did because some of the children came early and someone needed to be there to keep order. I am sleepy – I fought mosquitoes until past midnight and then David got me up early so I didn’t get the benefit of the extra hour. I went to bed two or three times before I got rid of the mosquitoes.

Ruth & Earl had quite a nice visit on their trip home. They got to see a lot of the relatives. Ruth & Floyd were down home for the week-end so got to see them. Mom forgot David’s birthday last week, so she sent a card and book by Ruth.

It is cloudy and cold and raining a little. I am glad we have the coal – which I hope lasts until we get the oil installed. We heard over the radio today that the Standard Plant at Whiting was settling their strike. Just hope it all gets settled. I would hate to get an oil burner & no oil.

Arlene asked me to come to come down last night, since she was alone with the children.

September 30, 1945, p. 2

[page 2] Her “maid” is still with her. She married Shorty Davis but he lives in a trailer and I imagine she would just as soon work some place as stay in a trailer all day. She hasn’t said anything about leaving Arlene and Arlene is planning to go up to the lodge for a week and leave the children with Francis. John Funk was at the lodge working for Bill and he got sick and Bill had to go up so he wants Arlene to go up there for a week. Arlene was down to see Dr. Cole Fri. and said she invited the Coles to the lodge for a vacation. She said after she extended the invitation she thought about Rosemary who is due to go to the hospital anytime. She didn’t want to withdraw the invitation and she didn’t want to take the Dr. away from Rosemary. Arlene also told me that Bernard’s baby had been in the hospital 10 days under Van Buskirk’s care and that they had brought him home and are going to take him to Cole now – they aren’t satisfied with his condition. He still has a rattle – he almost had pneumonia.

Mrs. Mathews asked me as we were leaving church when you were coming home. She said she was hoping you would get home before winter.

David is full of pep this afternoon. He wants to push chairs around and has his little chair going around in circles. He has a hard time when he has to stay in.

Love Mother

Mon. morn – Yours of Sept. 26 came today but yours of the 27 came Sat. so I don’t feel like I have the latest news. Maybe the next one will be in this evening. I’ll go see when I mail this. Still raining and raining. At least it is warmer and that is something. Clarence Simmons came to see me this morning. He wanted to know if you wanted to get “out” and if so they need a Dr. in Mulberry & they would get the Procurement Board to let you come there.

©2016 copyright owned and transcribed by Deborah Sweeney
Post originally found: https://genealogylady.net/2016/06/19/a-nice-visit-gladys/

A Tussle with the Weather (Gladys)

1 Reply

September 28, 1945 envelope

Letter transcription:

September 28, 1945, p. 1

Fri. morn.
9-28-45

Dear Daddy –

Yours of the 25^th came this morning. If you do get to bring another draft to G.L. I will meet you as before, but I think I can make it by myself or with the family – Since 45 takes us up that way I wouldn’t have to drive 41 – however since 41 is lane part of the way it isn’t bad, but I think I would rather just go on over to 45 from here. I think if you want me to meet you alone J. & M. can get along here with David, but if you think you would get as much time as before I could bring them along – let me know. I am having a tussle with the weather. I hung the drapes from our bedroom out yesterday with the idea of getting them just dry enough to iron, but it rained before they got dry so I just left them out all night. This a.m. the sun was shining so I changed the beds as usual and washed. I hung one tub full out then decided to bring the drapes back in because it was lightly sprinkling then. I hung them and the next washer of clothes in the basement. When I came up it looked like it was clearing but now it’s cloudy again so I am leaving everything hanging where it is.

Last night I went out to Taylors to the A.B.C. class meeting. I didn’t particularly want to go because it was raining but I wanted to see Freda McCarty about some Sunday School business. They usually play Bunco at those parties and that in my estimation is a waste of time. I figured we could transact our business while the rest played and we were doing that when John called

September 28, 1945, p. 2

[page 2] me and said Ruth & Earl were here. I hurried home of course. Ruth said Elder Oberholtzer had died from a heart attack and they were going down. They decided to come this far and spend the night with us. After visiting a while we decided to go down to the Kentland Café – it was opened for the first day – Earl said he didn’t want to eat anything so he stayed here – David being in bed. Ruth & I took J. & M. and went down. The place was pretty full but we got hamburgers & coke (Mark wanted 2 hambs. But I said at that hour one would do). We saw quite a few people we knew. Lucile, Katie and two other women were there. I think it’s going to be a good thing for the high school group. That is really a nice place for them to go. John was cooking – their night cook got sick (or something) and John had to take over. Gladys was cashier but said only after 9 o’clock. I heard her tell Mr. & Mrs. Kiifner that she had lost 40 lbs. I knew she had lost a lot of weight.

– – We have had lunch since I started this. It is still uncertain – that is the weather. One minute I think it will clear then it looks cloudy. Ruth & Earl slept in the den and got up early this a.m. and left without disturbing anyone. David was up early and downstairs before I was awake. After I got up he said why are the “netion blinds” pulled down. I didn’t know exactly what he meant at first, then I said, “Have you been down in the den?” He said he dad. The binds were closed but he had opened them.

I had a letter from the Moores & one from Van Soyc.

September 28, 1945, p. 3

[page 3] Mrs. M. answered my letter the day she rec’d it. She says the school is going to be out Dec. 15, but Van & Dr. W. are leaving now on points. J.B. is going back to school when he gets out to get his Drs. He is now studying French. Barbara was gone last week to visit Mother Moore and J.B. had a boil on his neck. B. said J.B. spent most of the time in sick bay. Had to have the boil lanced. McClard will leave Liberty when the Navy leaves. He has a job with Stevens College in Columbia. I also had a letter from Jane V. – guess I mentioned that on the last page. She gave me their Kalamazoo address. She said, “Van has applied for discharge since he’d like to enroll the first semester at college.” So sounds like he intends to study more too. The officers are eating Sun. dinner at the galley again.

Ruth took 6 towels and wanted to pay me but I told her I didn’t know what they had cost and that I would find out from you (if you remember) and let her know. She was so glad to get them. We still have enough to last a long time. I don’t dare for white towels so I think some of the white ones are going to get a dye bath.

David has gone out to play with Martha. He is pretty good about staying home. He is getting so he will call Martha to come over and play with him and she runs back and forth between yards but he stays in our yard. Do you remember what Mr. Z. said to me that day

September 28, 1945, p. 4

[page 4] in their yard about David going to the ditch? He hasn’t gone yet – – – I went out to check up and decided to see if the clothes were dry – some were and while I was out the weather finally came to a head – we are having a rain shower with some thunder & lightening. Maybe after this rain is over we will get some clear weather. Martha was with us when the rain started so we brought her into the house with us. She is doing things on the magic slate for David. This has been the wettest week we have had in a long time. Just wish we would had had our new shrubbery in last week so it could have had the rain this week to give it a good start. – – I hope now to get this letter finished. I stopped to run the things thru the ironer I bought in and now they are ready to put away. It stopped raining so Martha went home. It is pouring again but not so dark. In fact it is getting very light.

Dick Bower came home yesterday – he has been discharged – He is to be married soon. He was in the P. O. yesterday when I went in the mail your letter. I wonder if he will get his job back.

Shorty Davis and the woman (Frances Smith) work for Arlene were married Sept. 5. Arlene said she heard they had been married but Frances hadn’t said anything the last time I talked to Arlene. Tues. when Arlene attended club she had Louise staying with the children so maybe she had quit then. Arlene has her ups & downs with help. This has been a long drawn out letter and I think I’ll stop now and do something else for a while.

Love,
Mother

©2016 copyright owned and transcribed by Deborah Sweeney
Post originally found: https://genealogylady.net/2016/06/14/a-tussle-with-the-weather-gladys/

Meet at Grandma’s

4 Replies

Letter transcription:

August 2, 1945

Evanston Aug. 2

Dear Mother,

Just a line or two to tell you I think I’ll meet you at Grandma’s. Since you’re not coming till Tuesday that will give me plenty of time to plan things out. I’ll go to Wilmington Saturday. The Mutchlers know the transportation situation and can help me plan how to get to C.C.

Mrs. S. is going to help me send my stuff by express.

So I’ll be seeing you Tuesday –

Love John

©2016 copyright owned and transcribed by Deborah Sweeney
Post originally found: https://genealogylady.net/2016/04/03/meet-at-grandmas/

Romaine’s Commencement (Ruth)

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April 30, 1944, p. 1

[Gladys included this letter from Ruth Mutchler in her May 2nd letter. Ruth was Roscoe’s sister.]

Letter transcription:

Wilmington Ill.
April 30, 1944

Dear folks,

Just a line before I go downtown this morning. I am sewing & must go down to get some thread. It is raining again this morning as usual.

We have been anxious to know what has become of you. In your last letter you said you had been apartment hunting & we have been wondering if you have found one. It will be nice if you can be near Jake while he is stationed there. Romaine & I were in Chicago, all day on Saturday, two weeks ago. We eyed every Naval officer that we saw. Thinking just perhaps

April 30, 1944, p. 2

[page 2] Jake may have been downtown, but – no see –

We went up for her formal. Had a hard time finding one, but finally found one which we think is quite pretty. It is yellow marquisette. She is getting all excited now, the Senior activities are “stepping up.” Had the Senior play Fri. & Sat. nights. She had so hoped grandpa & grandma would come up for commencement, but Mom wrote & said that it wouldn’t be possible for them to come now. She is still counting on you to be here.

Earl & Chuck are trying hard to get their garden in but so much rain keeps

[page 3] them from it. They now have their potatoes, peas & early stuff such as lettuce carrots & onions in. Earl went fishing

April 30, 1944, p. 3

for a little while yesterday after-noon, but too cold for that, got two I think he said. He is so busy at the mine, he hasn’t much time for fishing & gardening.

Must run along now. Let us hear from you, haven’t Jake’s address so can’t write to him, so send it along when you write again. Hope you are all well

Love Ruth

Come for commencement if you can. It is May 26.

©2016 copyright owned and transcribed by Deborah Sweeney
Post originally found: https://genealogylady.net/2016/02/15/romaines-commencement-ruth/

Pack Away Some Memories (Ruth)

1 Reply

Letter transcription:

Lieut. R.S. Yegerlehner, U.S.N.R.
U.S.N. Base Hosp. #4
Navy 133
F.P.O. SAN FRANCISCO CALIF.

Mrs. Earl Mutchler
Wilmington
Illinois
Feb. 28, 1944

Dear Jake, Am in the letter writing business this afternoon. It seems that I owe everybody an answer, and by the way I haven’t heard from you for quite some time. Mom and Gladys are always so good to relay the news on to us however. Suppose you are very busy. Everyone here seems to be too. Earl is working such long hours. You know he never was very “fat” and he isn’t getting any fatter. Now me for instance, my case is a different story. We have had some nice spring days already but imagine we will have more wintry ones. Imagine the climate where you are now is very enjoyable. Had letters from Mom & Gladys last week, they were all well. From Gladys’ letters I take it that David must be growing into quite a boy. She says he keeps them busy. Those snappy black eyes of his are really meant for business, so much to see & do. Here’s hoping you are well & able to enjoy your surroundings, pack away a lot of memories so we can sit at your feet & listen when you come home.

Love Ruth

©2012-2016, copyright owned and transcribed by Deborah Sweeney
Post originally found: https://genealogylady.net/2016/01/02/pack-away-some-memories-ruth/

This Being Saturday (Roscoe)

1 Reply

: January 8, 1944 envelope

: January 8, 1944, p. 1

: January 8, 1944, p. 2

: January 8, 1944, p. 3

: January 8, 1944, p. 4

: January 8, 1944, p. 5

Letter transcription:

Lieut. R.S. Yegerlehner USNR
USN Base Hosp. #4 Navy 133
F.P.O. San Francisco Calif.
Jan. 8, 1944

Dear Mother,

This being Sat. I’ll start and wind up tomorrow because no mail goes out on Sun. as I’ve told you before so I just put them both in the same envelope. Maybe that is just being lazy or scotch or what have you?

Your letters of 14, 15 & 16 came and some Christmas greetings. One from Ralph & Faye, one from Schlegels, one from John & Inez and one from Helen Coan or whatever her name is now.

Faye wrote a note along with their greeting – Seems as

[page 2] if Faye & Ruth have to do most of the writing in their families.

I still haven’t lived up to that New Year’s resolution of writing everyone those letters but will start one of these days.

I’ll be glad when those pictures of D. arrive. It seems so many times when you are going to send pictures you write about them and the letter with the pictures are is delayed.

You also “sorta” left me in the air about the $49.00 you wrote that Brands had you charged. You didn’t say whether you got out of the thing gracefully. I believe

[page 3] you did say they couldn’t find where it came from. Anyway I guess you got thinks all squared away, I hope.

Sun. Dec. 10 [sic], 1944

Your v-mail of Dec. 29 came today. I believe it must have arrived yesterday but just wasn’t delivered because that is the first time I’ve known mail to come on Sun.

I just came back from the movie – I stayed only long enough to see the News. The news are always old but they save 3-4 for Sun. Eve and it makes about a ½ hour program. I have

[page 4] seen the main feature and it wasn’t so good the first time so I didn’t care to sit thru it again.

Sorry D. has a cold and I hope he is over it by now and also hope that you don’t catch it from him!

I don’t know as yet where you went Christmas. In this letter you wrote that D. caught the cold either from Mark or Earl so I presumed you were either at Wilmington or they were over there.

So Funks finally got a girl. I’ll bet they are both

[page 5] well pleased and I suppose Bobby will really have something to talk about now.

In these last letters I finally got the story of Virginia Zell. In the letters before you had said she was in bed due to an injury. I guess that was in yesterday’s letter but I just happened to think. I’m not being critical of your letter writing but just telling you how they come and how I’m left in the dark on some things for days until the missing letters finally arrive.

Well, I guess I’d better wind this up with
Love Daddy

Joy Funk (Gladys)

1 Reply

Letter transcription:

MRS. R.S. YEGERLEHNER
KENTLAND
IND.
12-29-43

Dear Daddy – Your letter of Dec. 18 & 19 came yesterday. I planned to go to Laf. today but David developed a cold and had a temp. I had Dr. M. come out. He said it was all in his head and left some pills (not sulfa) for him. His temp is down but he is cross. He is asleep now. I think he must have gotten a bug from Earl or Mark. There still seems to be a lot of flu around. David is getting a lot of attention now to keep him quiet – but it doesn’t always keep him so – but so far we have kept him on the couch with his toys around him. He still has plenty of pep and likes to play with his toys. Bill called last night and said the new baby had arrived, a girl, 8 lbs. – named Joy. Said Arlene was doing fine. I do hope she is, because with the help situation as it is now she will want to get up as soon as possible. J. & M. aren’t doing much during vacation. John has to take a music lesson tomorrow. Mark isn’t quite over his cold yet – I was going to take him to Laf. today – but since David isn’t feeling so good didn’t go. Maybe I can go Fri. or one day next week. It is still cold enough for the pond to be frozen. David Diedam came by for Mark to go skating, but I told him Mark couldn’t go toady. It isn’t too cold but just good winter weather – for people who like winter.

Love, Mother

Second Letter (Gladys)

2 Replies

: December 27, 1943 envelope

: December 27, 1943, p. 1

: December 27, 1943, p. 2

Letter transcription:

Kentland, Ind.
Dec. 27 – 1943

Dear Daddy –

I have been working on the financial statement – but having no adding machine I didn’t go into such details as groc. bills, lights, telephone, etc. but here is a list of Ins. – $443.55 – House $508.48 – Piano $300.oo – Loans paid $243.91 & $173.69 – Bike $35.00 – Hospital $128.80 – Bonds – $131.25 – coal $100.00 – The total of the above amounts to $2064.68 – The balance necessary to meet expenses is long & detailed and I’ll try to get the columns added so I can give you a complete report. As you will note I have not paid any Taxes (except $6.60 for the first of the year) but Agnes M. said for me not to. I think I have explained all about the taxes before. Even the gross isn’t paid by people in Service. The $330.00 you sent will take care of Ins. coming due the first of the year and I think I can buy some bonds, too. Our present bal. is $301.81 – and with the Jan. 1 cks. coming I’ll dep. $170.00 – There are bills amounting to $174.00 to be paid in Jan. – that doesn’t include groc. Bills which should amt. to about $30.00 – so I should be able to buy some bonds and still keep a comfortable bal. Does all the above sound complicated and as clear as a woman would make it? Thought I would give you food for thought – let you figure some of it out for yourself – I think you can add and deduct the right figures.

The other evening we were listening to Red Skeltons’ program and Ozzie & Harriet sang a song that sounded like double talk, but it is something like the tobacco auctioneers chant –

[page 2] It is Mares eat oats, Does eat oats, little kids lambs eat ivy, little kids lambs eat ivy – a kid’ll eat ivy too, wouldn’t you – Now just say it like this: Marze dotes and dozee doze, liddle lamz edivy, liddle lamz edivy, a kiddle dee divvy too, wouldn’t chew – I wish I could tell you the tune too – We all go around here singing Marze dotes. It’s just one of those silly catchy things. I know if you could have picked it up you would probably be humming it too.

It is getting late and I need some extra sleep to make up for getting a little tired over the holidays. We just listened to Dogwood and it was all about snoring – Imagine anything like that being funny. Sometimes David makes a noise in the night if he doesn’t sleep soundly – I don’t know what makes him do it, but Earl said he heard him all night Sat. when we stayed there. I really believe he heard him just a little while because I heard him, I think, about 4 a.m. but you know people think they hear things all night long, when they don’t – and especially if they aren’t feeling well.

Your Mother’s box came today and there was a picture of her & dad, done by a photographer. I hope she sent you one because it’s a very good picture. Pjs for J. & M. and a dollar for D. With the ten you sent & the 1.00 Mrs. P. gave him I am going to add enough for him a bond.

This is my second letter to you today, but the first one was written early this a.m. We’ll add a line in the morning.

Love Mother

Tues Morn – Yours of Dec. 18 & 19 came today. Also a letter from Glen & Pauline with $20.00 – $5.00 for each of us – They couldn’t find anything to send for gifts so just sent money. I sent them a box about two wks. before Christmas.

Tired Tonight (Gladys)

1 Reply

: December 26, 1943 envelope

: December 26, 1943, p. 1

: December 26, 1943, p. 2

Letter transcription:

Kentland Ind.
12-26-43

Dear Daddy –

Since I couldn’t mail the letter I wrote yesterday – the one the whole family signed, will just tuck another letter in. We left Ruth’s after dinner. It had turned rainy and I wanted to get home. Earl was in bed and I thought the sooner we got away the better for him. He didn’t have much temp. but Ruth said he was very tired and over worked and thought that was the reason he felt so all in. – We came home thru Watseka so I could see the Roberts. The two older children had colds and were established on the davenport, so I didn’t take our family in – She had a painting of Joe. Someone where he is happens to be an artist and I think it is a good portrait. However his Dad didn’t think it looked like him. I never did think a painted portrait looked like photography – Maybe Dr. R. is used to looking at Joe’s pictures by camera and that is the reason he didn’t think the portrait looked like him.

[page 2] Joe sent his family several travel books last year (or sometime) and Mrs. R. loaned them to us to look at. I just wish I had been able to take them along to Ruth’s. She said we should have something like them to look thru – however, she didn’t know anything about these. They came directly from there and should be authentic. She had in mind National Geographic. I have looked thru all but not read them yet. I must say the scenery is beautiful. Like Yellow Stone Park or similar places in this country.

I am tired tonight. Getting ready for Christmas, going to Ruth’s, driving, etc. I should be in bed now and am on my way. I sent Mark to bed early – he has a head cold. I think he has been skipping his cod liver oil when I don’t remind him to take it. It is warmer and I think the ice is melting so there won’t be much skating, if any. There won’t be any for him until he gets all over his cold. John is playing his records I gave him. David of course has been tucked in for some time. He has had a lot of fun with his new toys since we came home. He upset a box of candy under the tree twice – however it was wrapped caramels so no harm done. Ruth says he still looks like you across the eyes but I think his mouth is more like Mark’s. His teeth seem to be prominent – I wonder if the thumb sucking is going that or if his mouth would be that way naturally. It isn’t bad, but just a little prominent.

Love
Mother

Christmas Day 1943 (Gladys)

1 Reply

: December 25, 1943, p. 1

: December 25, 1943, p. 2

Letter transcription:

Christmas Day
Written from
Wilmington – 1943

Dear Daddy –

As you will note from the heading we have spent the day with the Mutchlers and are all in bed except Ruth & Romaine. Ruth is in the bathroom & Romaine is out with Jerry. We came over this a.m. – Had dinner at 1 P.M. In the afternoon Earl began feeling worse from his cold and Ruth and I prevailed upon him to see a Dr. and he finally went to see Dr. Wilson. He came back with two kinds of medicine and got five does down before we started to retire. He chilled from time to time – sat over the radiator all evening with a blanket around him. I told him to go to bed but he wanted to get his five doses down before retiring. He is tucked in now with heating pad but says he feels better. I noticed Mark sounded nasal after we got here so I used some nose drops on him when I tucked him in. If he isn’t better in the morning will do something about his cold. So far the rest of us are all normal, except my sinus drainage which I have had all winter, so nothing to be alarmed about.

This evening we talked a lot about you and looked at your pictures. Ruth got out some of your letters and read excerpts from same. She got out the world books and read about places and things.

[page 2] Last night we had our usual gift exchange. Dorothy wanted to see David get his gifts so I kept him up until 8 P.M. and she & Buddy came out and we gave him his gifts. Before she got there he spied the dog behind the tree Jimmy Staton had given him – It wasn’t wrapped. He wanted it so much we gave it to him. He holds his toys and we say “love the dog” (cat, etc.) and he pats some wrinkles up his nose and makes a funny little noise that is his way of loving. He had quite a time with all his gifts, which included plastic block, wood blocks, dogs, a jeep, bathrobe, house slippers and several wooden toys. I held J. & M. off for a while after David was put to bed. We had boxes with gifts from Jim & Thelma, Ruth & Floyd, & Ruth M. – I gave John records and money. I gave Mark some work sets – and things he likes to play with. They both thoughts they had a nice Christmas. Jim sent me a navy pin – it has the Lt. bars – is very pretty.

It is 11:30 & I am sleepy – Ruth said they would all sign this in the morning & let David make a mark.

Love Mother
Romaine
David
Mark
John
How are you coming boys O.K. I hope Mutch
We have had a nice Christmas, hope you have to. Lots of love & best wishes for the New Year
Ruth

P.S. I tried to hold David’s hand and he didn’t like the idea. The pencil mark are his.