Tag Archives: John F. Yegerlehner

Severe Cold Wave

Letter transcription:

Jan. 29-1965

Dear David & Bonnie,

I just happened to think I didn’t answer one of the questions in your letter. Your Blue Cross Blue Shield expires July 1-1965.

We are having another severe cold wave, but at least it is without snow and ice. Last weekend Mark & Shirley were without electricity 30 hours. They have a gas stove and by keeping the oven going could keep warm. They have had more severe weather this month than has been here. While all the ice was breaking electric and telephone wires, we were just having cloudy skies. From all we heard on the news the Chicago area had a lot of damage.

We haven’t seen Mark’s since Christmas, but they plan to come next weekend. We are planning to go to Champaign Feb. 20^th to see the play “Oliver.” John is getting tickets for us. I just hope that one baby case doesn’t keep Dad home. I plan to go weather permitting and Dad plans to go “if.” Aunt Ruth is back in Wilmington and if Dad can’t go, I may go get her, since John has our tickets purchased.

I have been reading some in Anchor Genesis. It really is full of information—some that is over my head—but much that I do understand. I took the other one (Epistles) for Mrs. Myers to read and since I have all I can read at present I am leaving it with her until she has finished reading it. I stopped to see her yesterday. She doesn’t get out much in this weather, but did manage a week ago to get to Watseka to have her feet worked on.

[page 2] Haven’t got Dad started on the record cabinet project yet, but will get around to it in the near future. I really need one since my records and albums more than fill the available space in the rack and cabinet of record player. Have been listening to Handel’s Messiah today. It is so beautiful and I can listen to it while I work—(working on the books today.) Just finished taxes yesterday. It is always such a relief to get that chore finished. Let us know if we owe you anything on taking you as a dependent.

Love Mother

©2017 copyright owned and transcribed by Deborah Sweeney
Post originally found: https://genealogylady.net/2017/01/27/severe-cold-wave/

Long Weekend Vacation

3 Replies

Letter transcription:

January 25, 1965

Dear David & Bonnie:

Yours of the 20^th (you mailed it 23^rd) received today. We have just returned from a long weekend vacation. We left Wednesday evening after attending a stockholders dinner meeting given by the Bank. The dinner was at Sumava and we traveled as far as the Howard Johnson Motel in Lafayette to spend the night. Thursday AM we leisurely traveled to Indianapolis, stopping at Lebanon to see Ruthie. Floyd was busy and we didn’t get to see him. Uncle Jim was gone (on a business trip), but we did see Aunt Thelma. I hope you sent them a thank-you note for their gift. Also I was wondering if you sent Phyllis and Art a thank-you for the Teflon. If you didn’t, I hope you will. Which reminds me, I sent your thongs and the pan lid and also a few little items for Bonnie which I purchased while I was buying some things for myself. Just in case she hasn’t had time to make a blue slip for her knitted dress.

We spent Thurs. and Friday in Indianapolis and saw My Fair Lady, Father Goose, and John Wayne in Cinerama. Saturday morning we left for Champaign and spent the afternoon with John and Lea and Bob. John took us out to dinner then we saw a James Bond – Goldfinger. I wouldn’t advise it for children. We attended the Methodist Church which is located on campus, and heard the Wesley minister. He gave a very interesting sermon about Timothy and St. Paul. He addressed the congregation as Timothy speaking. We visited with John and Bob a while after church—we went to the 11 o’clock service and had eaten at the pancake house at 10 o’clock so we didn’t need any lunch—so started home soon after 1 o’clock (Lea had to work, so wasn’t with us Sunday).

While in Indianapolis we visited the Legislature (it is in session now) and saw Senator Landgrebe. He wanted to know your address so you will probably be hearing from him. I was supposed to attend a Legislative seminar in Indianapolis (for WSCS) Tuesday, but since we had planned to go Wednesday night, I didn’t see how I could make it, so did the next best thing, but visiting the Legislature while in the city. Our Christian Social Concerns committee had met the Sunday before to compose a letter to send to Rep. Hendrix about the gambling bill. The Bishop sent letters to (I suppose) all churches to be read to the congregations urging everyone to write to Rep. or Sen. in opposition to the bill. I didn’t write since we made the trip in person.

I think your grades are not to be looked down upon, but if you are trying for all A’s I hope you succeed next semester. And about the typing—how many times did I try to get you to learn to type correctly? From the looks of this letter I didn’t learn too well myself, but I will blame it on fatigue. That makes me think of something else. We have decided to take a month’s vacation in September and go out through the northwest. I told the girls not long ago that we were going to take a month and of course, expected them to take their vacations at the same time. Arvella said she wants her vacation in July, because they want to go to California. We haven’t mentioned the subject further, but I do not want to work for her and we were wondering if you had any definite plans (Bonnie, that it) as to what you will be doing this summer. Would you want to work in the office two weeks? Of course, if you get a job in Bloomington, that might not work out so well for you to work for us two weeks, but if you think you want to do that, let us know. We have to get a replacement for those two weeks if Arvella is to go in July. We plan to take a month this year and another long vacation in 1966—something like 3 months. It doesn’e look like it is possible to find a young man to come in here, so since Dad doesn’t want to quit work altogether, we will

[page 2] have to take a long vacation every year or two. Let us know what you think about working. John has received a grant and is going to Arizona and Bob thinks he is going to get one and plans to go to Texas for the summer.

Love Mother

©2017 copyright owned and transcribed by Deborah Sweeney
Post originally found: https://genealogylady.net/2017/01/26/long-weekend-vacation/

Car Accident

1 Reply

Letter transcription:

Dec. 2 – 1964

Dear David & Bonnie –

I suppose you have had a request from Rev. Fields for a sermon one Sunday while you are at home for Christmas.

Nov. 21 we went to Chicago and saw Julie Andrews in Mary Poppins then out to Mark’s to spend the night and on Sunday brought Becky home with us. Mark, Shirley, & Kirk came on Wed. John also came home on Wed. Becky really missed Kirk and when they arrived she hardly noticed Mark & Shirley at first (she did give them hugs) but grabbed Kirk by the hand and away they went to see something. Before they arrived she had said she wanted to see her brother.

When John went back to Champaign Sunday his car hit a slick place, skidded and another car hit his car and he had to continue on to Champaign by train, leaving his car at Paxton for repairs. He said when he called us he had his seat belt fastened and he said he wasn’t injured, but the window on the driver’s side was broken and his glasses were knocked off – someone found them on the pavement. I presume from what he said glasses were not broken. I am thankful the accident wasn’t any worse. We haven’t talked to him since Sunday evening. He said he would call if anything developed.

Last night I went to a club meeting held at the Geo. Ade Home by the hospital. Kathleen Funk gave a program about his literary career. He was really an unusual writer and I am afraid much of the population here do not appreciate what a celebrity we had in our midst. The home is being restored but the committee still lacks $5,000.00 to complete the job. Dad thinks it is a good thing for the community to have a reminder of our literary heritage but not enough people care to

[page 2] contribute to the cost of it. Since the home as been restored the Home Committee has had open house several times. Kathleen told me they have had people come from around here – that is I mean around Kentland but that Kentland people had not shown any interest. John Funk has been quite active in getting the home restored.

I saw the tiara on TV this a.m. that the Pope has contributed for the poor of the world. I also learned it was a gesture, it didn’t really mean the tiara is going to be sold. I suppose there could be arguments both ways – but as you once stated when you were learning to make sentences—“In the first place, why did he have a tiara to begin with”—what you said was, “In the first place, why you buy that kind of cheese.” The msgr. On TV this a.m. said there was more than one Papal tiara but this one was given to the Pope by the people of Milan.

My time is fleeting and I am not getting anything done, so must get busy.

Will meet you at the airport Dec. 23 – 8:37 and hope for good weather. Of course you can write any time between now & then. I have decided not to send you pictures of our “Japanese Garden” – since it is just 3 weeks until you will be home you can see it for real.

Love Mother

Found these stamps after you left in June and have intended to send with every letter.

©2017 copyright owned and transcribed by Deborah Sweeney
Post originally found: https://genealogylady.net/2017/01/22/car-accident/

Enclosed Will Explain Itself

2 Replies

Letter transcription:

Kentland, Indiana
October 26, 1964

Dear David and Bonnie:

The enclosed will explain itself. Just keep the $150 and put in your savings account next year.

Wow! What a letter. What could I write again that would get me another? It was worth the effort to get the epistle. Just don’t worry your ‘little old head’ about how your mother votes. I think my vote will be counted in the right column. I really liked all the facts and figures you gave me. It was just like having a contemporary history lesson. I think Dad thought you had gone off the deep end, but I told him you are a preacher. I was with a friend this afternoon and read her portions of the letter and did she sit up and take notice. She thought you were simply wonderful. She said she would like to hear you deliver that from a pulpit. That is enough bragging for this time.

Tomorrow, Wed., Thurs. and Fri. I am scheduled to attend sub-district meetings. This is my last year and when it comes to 4 meetings in a row I think 4 years is enough. I just hope I am not asked to take anything for next year. I can say no the next time. I kept refusing to serve on the Board of the Wesley Manor, but after conference was over found I had been appointed. Just so they don’t call a meeting when I can’t attend. I talked to Rev. Fields about if after I discovered I had been appointed and he said there were only two meetings a year for board members.

Mark and Shirley had planned to come this weekend, but I am going to Clay City to give a program for St. Peter’s Church (United Church of Christ) for Uncle Clarence and since I will be leaving at about 2 o’clock Mark said they would come another time. John plans to come home since it will be my birthday, but he will probably be leaving to go back to Champaign at about the same time I leave.

This afternoon I went to the school and gave a program about UNICEF for the school children. We have our UNICEF drive Thursday evening. We had a very good turnout last year and from the enthusiasm from the children today, I am hoping for good results this year.

Dad is going to Lafayette Wed. evening to give a program for the Clinic. I won’t go along, since it is an all male meeting (except for a woman MD or two). He was running through his pictures about half an hour ago when he had a call. One of the State Police called about a transient. He is back now and ready to try and look at his pictures again.

We have the “Japanese Garden” almost all the way around the house now. I am going to get some more little evergreens Wed. At last we have gotten around to the place where we have decided to have the terrace on the east and south sides of the house taken out and think we have found a place where can get rid of the broken up cement. The Holleys use it in building bridges and at present they have several bridge contracts.

Since I have to start early in the AM for the first meeting, I had better get this finished and ready for bed.

Love Mother

(over)

The “History of Civilization” belongs to Mark but he will send it to you.

©2017 copyright owned and transcribed by Deborah Sweeney
Post originally found: https://genealogylady.net/2017/01/18/enclosed-will-explain-itself/

Jerusalem Pottery

1 Reply

Letter transcription:

Tues. Oct. 6 – 1964

Dear David & Bonnie –

Tonight I attended a club meeting and sat by Audrey Hess Jackson from Lake Village. She asked me if you still had her W. Wilkie book “One World.” I told her I would write you about it. If you have it with you, please send it to her – her address is just Lake Village. If not, let me know. She said Wilkie had autographed it for her, so she doesn’t want to lose it.

This has been a busy week – since I had to spend all day attending a District Committee meeting in Lafayette yesterday and a church board meeting last night – which lasted almost 2 hours. This a.m. I attended a prayer meeting at the church – one every a.m. in preparation for Methodist renewal mission next week. We won’t be here for the meetings, except the last one of Fri. eve. We are planning to attend medical meeting in Indpls. Next week. Next week a Jurisdictional meeting is convening in Indianapolis, so I will get to attend one or two sessions since we will be in the city at that time.

We plan to go to Clay City Sunday and visit relatives.

[page 2] John’s sea freight arrived. He had to make two trips home to get it all transported to Champaign. The wood carvings were in the box. The small one I had purchased in Bali and the large one he received as a gift. I am displaying both in our living room, until John thinks he has a place to put his. I just hope he doesn’t find a place for his carving, but he probably will.

I wrote to our friends in Jordan and sent them some $ to buy some more pottery. So many people seemed to think a piece of Jerusalem pottery would be desirable. The box come yesterday and every piece in good condition. I owe them a thank you note, so I had better wind this up and write a thank you note.

Love mother

©2017 copyright owned and transcribed by Deborah Sweeney
Post originally found: https://genealogylady.net/2017/01/16/jerusalem-pottery/

A Beautiful Fall Day

1 Reply

Letter transcription:

9-28-64

Dear David & Bonnie –

I talked to Dr. Logan yesterday. He explained to me about Bonnie’s difficulty – that is he told me what having a root canal meant. He seemed to think your dentist is being very expensive. Dad said he thought that was probably because everything is higher there than here.

John was home for weekend. He had been looking for his sea freight box to come, and couldn’t understand the delay. It came this a.m. It is such a large box it has to be in the garage and until we get it

[page 2] unpacked my car will have to stay out in the driveway.

I took some pictures of the “Japanese garden” and as soon as I get some prints made will send you a few. We have decided to carry the garden idea around entire house. Dad said he wasn’t going to work as fast on the rest as he did on the first. His knee seems to be pretty good now. However, he did cut into the bone and that will be some time in healing completely.

This is a beautiful fall day. A little chilly. We did have a

[page 3] nice long lasting rain Saturday which we needed. The windows need to be washed but John J. has been too busy to get to them. I have decided to wait until we have a killing frost and maybe the flies won’t ruin his work.

I stop and see Mrs. M. about once a week. Alma Walker is going with me some day later in the fall to take Mrs. M. to shop in Lafayette. She said this would be the first time in several years you wouldn’t be here to drive and assist.

[page 4] Dad thought you should have the enclosed to read.

I am about to finish (- that is my class) the study of book Genesis – Beginnings of the Biblical Drama by Charles Kroft. By and large I think the class has gotten something out of it. My couple whose mother & mother-in-law thought the book should be burned are still coming, so I think I have made some gain with them. I will have to get something else to study in two weeks because I think we will finish this next Sunday. We had just finished Joshua when this

[page 5] Genesis book came out. I suppose we will pick up again where we left off – Judges. Several in the class have purchased the Abingdon and that helps.

Did you know you were mentioned in the last issue (Oct.) of “Together?” An article about the Mulberry St. Church in Martinsville. If you don’t have a copy, borrow one and read it.

I hope this finds you both happy in school.

Love Mother

©2017 copyright owned and transcribed by Deborah Sweeney
Post originally found: https://genealogylady.net/2017/01/15/a-beautiful-fall-day/

Knee Injury

1 Reply

Letter transcription:

Sept. 12 – 1964

Dear David and Bonnie –

Last Sunday Aunt Ruth came to spend a few days with us. She had not been feeling very well and wanted Daddy to check her. Yesterday she said she should go home so this a.m. we went to Wilmington. She was somewhat depressed about returning home but there were some things to be done. She had some mail waiting for her. The furnace had to have a new part before she could have a fire so that was taken care of while I was there. The dog is still there and it seemed to me she knew Uncle Earl wouldn’t be back. She didn’t even bark when we entered the house. I told Aunt Ruth I would spend the night with her but felt like I should come home. Dad hacked his left knee while doing some work in the yard and he thinks he has injured his knee cap. He is to see Dr. Ferguson Monday. He would have planned to go tomorrow but Dr. Ferguson will be out of town. We are planning a Japanese style garden to extend from the front door entrance around the house to the terrace on east side of house, and he was using some of the weed barrier we used around the flower beds several years ago. The ground in hard because we haven’t had much rain this summer and he was using a new hatchet to cut the ground. By accident he hit his knee. He came into the house with blood streaming down his leg. I helped him get the blood cleaned off and put a bandage on. It kept bothering him so he put a cast on for two days but had to take it off because his leg started to swell. He walks like Chester. I will be glad when he sees Dr. F. and if he tells him to go to bed I won’t be surprised.

I am sending you a tube of Moruguent. If you use this you don’t need the water treatment. The main thing is to keep a burn covered and this burn cream is about the best covering you can get. It almost seems to work like a miracle at times. I have seen it used in the office so much I know you know if I ever get a burn I immediately cover burn with ointment. It also helps reduce the pain. I will send it with your birthday gift. Your gift, I think, will be a real surprise.

I found an outline you had used one time when you were teaching Bible during vacation (M.Y.F.). I am using it. I also found some sermons of Hodapp and Katayama. I have found them quite interesting. I am glad you are looking forward to school. I haven’t had much time to read in the past month – what with spending some time with Aunt Ruth, keeping Kirk, then having all of them here for a part of the following week and the rest of the happenings this month. I really would like to do some reading in my Interpreters.

Dad is reclining in the living room watching TV which is the best thing for him to do under present circumstances. I think the more he keeps off his feet the better.

We will take care of your ballots. I called John this evening. His suit and shirts had come from H.K. and I knew he was anxious to know. Also when he bought his household things he found a bargain in Teflon

[page 2] and I told him to get me some. He said the special was still on and that he had bought some for me, so now I will have a set. Thanks for the stamps. I sent in several hundred about a month or so ago and had a very nice letter last week thanking me. Just don’t cut them off so close.

Love Mother

Very Quiet After Sunday

1 Reply

Letter transcription:

Sept. 4 – 1964

Dear David & Bonnie –

The suit coat arrived – I took it to the cleaner & Dad wore the suit last night. We went to Watseka to give a program for the Nurse Assn. Dr. & Mrs. Roberts also attended. The group thanked us and invited us to give another program next month since we just got as far as Bali with the program last night.

Mark and Shirley went home this a.m. They were going to stop and visit with Aunt Ruth. I talked to her over the phone before they started. She said Romaine and Tye had been with her until yesterday. I have promised to go get her sometime and bring her over here for a few days. I hope she gets to the place she can drive her car. I think all she needs is a little confidence in herself.

Mark and Shirley waxed my car yesterday. However, since we are having a long dry period I am afraid it won’t do much good.

John took a load of things to Champaign Tues. He is

[page 2] coming back today to spend weekend and take rest of his things back Sunday.

This place will seem very quiet after Sunday – after all the company we have had this summer.

Alma has stopped several times this summer. She has recently been to visit her sister in Missouri. We received a letter from her this week and she was getting ready to return to Crown Point.

I have a basket of work waiting for me on my desk so I think it would be a good idea for me to get to work.

Love Mother

The Funeral

2 Replies

Letter transcription:

9-1-64

Dear David & Bonnie –

The past week has been rather full. Mark & Shirley left Kirk with us Monday. He got quite attached to John and John to him. Friday night Aunt Ruth called and told us Uncle Earl had passed away. Floyd came Sat. a.m. and went over to be with Aunt Ruth. Tye & Romaine couldn’t get there until Sat. evening. They drove. Sunday Steve brought Aunt Ruth here and in the afternoon we drove to Wilmington. Friday afternoon Shirley & Mark came back to get Kirk and he wasn’t quite sure he wanted to have anything to do with them. Shirley said she thought he was mad at them for leaving him. Lea & Bob came the same day, so we had a family reunion for a little while. Lea & Bob stayed but M. & S. took Kirk and went to get Becky. They are coming back today. John just left to go to Champaign with his car loaded. He bought about

[page 2] $200.00 worth of household goods, and took most of his things on this trip.

Yesterday we attended the funeral. Dad & John went to Wilmington Mon. a.m. So many of the Clay City relatives were there, Clarence, Clara, Ralph, Kenneth, Mary Lois, Duane & Joan and a number of Mutchler relatives. Since I had been with Aunt Ruth the better part of one week (Aug. 18 to 21) and had gone over Sunday afternoon, John & I came back home shortly after the funeral was over. Some of the relatives didn’t arrive until just before the funeral so they stayed longer. Ruth & Floyd stopped here on their way home at about 7:30 and they said they were the last to leave. Tye & Romaine were gong to stay in Wilmington a day or two.

I have to give a program at Williamsport tonight and as of this minute haven’t decided what I will give and before Mark & his family get here I think I had better get my program ready. M. & S. are going to be here until Thurs. then they are going back home (to mow lawn, etc.). Mark has a new job with All American Ins. & Casualty in Park Ridge – which will be closer home than his present job.

Love Mother

A Book

2 Replies

Letter transcription:

Wilmington, Ill. Aug. 18, 1964

Dear David and Bonnie –

This a.m. I drove to Joliet and spent the day at the hospital with Aunt Ruth and am going to stay here (Wilmington) tomorrow and maybe next day – it all depends on developments.

Uncle Earl is still in Intensive Care. Aunt Ruth says he doesn’t know her and has had to be fed thru his veins. However today he was able to take a little milk and juice. The Dr. who is taking care of Uncle Earl doesn’t say too much except his slow progress doesn’t look too good.

John had to go to Syracuse & Ithaca, N.Y., and plans to return home Thurs. He said he would try to call you if possible while he is in N.Y. He has to go to Urbana Friday. He seemed interested in the record club you mentioned if he doesn’t have to buy records regularly.

I bought a book for you and Bonnie today – it is “Our Wedding and Married Life.” I will list the gifts and fill in what other data possible but some of it will have to be filled in by Bonnie or by you. It is quite a book and I hope you like it. Aunt Ruth thought it was quite nice.

It is 9:30 and I am getting sleepy – not that I have done much today but sit, but I started out early this morning. Left home at 8 a.m.

Love Mother