Tag Archives: Mark A. Yegerlehner

Warmer Than Usual (Gladys)

Letter transcription:

Kentland, Ind.
1-15-44

Dear Daddy –

Sat. evening – have been busy all day – It was warmer than usual or I mean it is unusually warm and I got started washing windows on the outside and couldn’t stop – I washed the car and Mark watered the evergreens. It has been so dry this winter and now that the ground isn’t frozen I thought it would be a good idea to give the shrubbery some water, especially the new tree. We had David out in the yard this morning a while and again this afternoon. He does enjoy being out in the open spaces. Jimmy Ed is still recuperating from the flu and hasn’t been out in the spring-like weather. Lucile went with me to see Clarice in the Watseka Hospital and she said she wasn’t going to take him out for a few days. They got a sun lamp just for Jimmy and he had sun baths every day. I felt a little badly about not having one for us to use but David seems to get along just as well. However I still wish we had one. Do you think they are of any value? Ed just happened to find the one they have – they can’t be bought just anywhere now. Like so many other things – none for the duration – unless you are lucky enough to find one someone doesn’t want.

The hospital is full and they had a

[page 2] bed in the hall. Clarice was in a double room. She was feeling fine except for her breasts. She is one of rate persons capable of feeding an infant. The new boy is named John F. He weighed 8-9 – quite a sizeable baby. Clarice is coming home Mon. They still have the 8 day rule. After see [saw] C., we went to see Mrs. R. There is an artist at Joe’s station and he made a portrait of Joe and painted a snap shot and made a greeting folder with it for Christmas. Joe is still hoping to come home at the end of 18 mo. I hope that ruling holds for you too.

Do you remember Dick Simons? He is in the Merchant Marines and is home for a 30 day leave. He just returned from the Pacific. Said they were in N.Z., N.C., and Island north. Said they unloaded gas in the Russells and Florida. He was in Tulagi. He seemed to know quite a bit about Wellington, N.Z. I asked him if he knew you and he said he did. He is Johnny Simon’s brother (Elsaleah’s boyfriend).

Yours of Jan. 3 & 4 came today. So glad you rec’d the pictures. I had another roll I’ll start taking with now. You should receive two more groups of pictures I sent out in Dec. The one (3) is of David in a folder. I do want you to get it.

This warm spell has about ruined the skating at the pond. I told Mark he couldn’t go now because it’s too warm to be safe.

It’s about time to get supper started and I am hungry, after all the day’s activity.
Love Mother

©2015 copyright owned and transcribed by Deborah Sweeney
Post originally found: https://genealogylady.net/2015/10/09/warmer-than-usual-gladys/

Lots of Questions Answered (Roscoe)

Letter transcription:

Lieut. R.S. Yegerlehner USNR
USN Base Hosp. #4
Navy 133
F.P.O. San Francisco Calif.
Jan. 14, 1943

Dear Mother,

Lots of questions were answered today because there was a bunch of Oct. mail. A letter from Dr. Cole, two air mail from you and a letter from Wayne W., a v-mail from The Brewers, a v-mail each from John & Mark and a birthday greeting from the boys. That particular bunch of mail must have been on the wandering order. It, of course, went to the old address and was then sent to Mob. 4 and then on to here.

I can understand why you didn’t mention anything about

[page 2] expenses of your mother’s funeral. I knew you had some policies but I thought those were turned over to someone or something when she got that pension. I guess if the insurance wasn’t enough Bob will hold off until we can pay. Hope I don’t worry you too much about expenses.

Right at the end of one of your letters you said something again about me writing a book. That has been so long ago I, of course, have no idea about what I wrote. You will of course note that my letters from here are different. Which is very easily explained. There are too many Drs. around. Where I was before I was the only one and the other officers had work to do

[page 3] and there was hours on end when I was alone but here someone is barging in most of the time or I’m barging on to someone else so without thought you can see the difference in ideas formulated, and anyway I don’t remember anything I wrote that was worthy of note. Maybe I was a little off that day.

Writing a book would be something but having someone else read it is another thing. You see you read my letters not for the same reason that most people read books and just incidentally pick up here and there a little something that might be catchy but that

[page 4] wouldn’t interest many people. Anyway I haven’t written one as yet and I doubt it very much if I ever will because my thinker doesn’t work that good.

The envelopes I’m using now are the ones Dave Mace sent me last Christmas. I mean Christmas a year ago. They were stored with my stuff when I went you know where.

Well, I guess I’ve about run down again so for now, Solong until tomorrow

Love Daddy

P.S. Ed Johnson’s v-mail letter also came today.

New_Zealand_Cities

©2015 copyright owned and transcribed by Deborah Sweeney
Post originally found: https://genealogylady.net/2015/10/08/lots-of-questions-answered-roscoe/

Local News (Gladys)

Letter transcription:

Kentland, Ind.
1-14-44

Dear Daddy –

No mail today but two letters yesterday. Rec’d a letter from Jewell with a picture of Dot’s baby Janey – she is about a month younger than D. Jewell and Uncle Geo. had been to Roscoe Snedeker’s funeral. They had seen mom & dad. Jewell said she thought mom didn’t look so good but mom had the flu pretty hard so I imagine she doesn’t look so good as she did last fall. I wish we have gone there for Christmas but I was afraid to risk the trip at this time of the year.

No school today due to exams being over and teachers grading papers. J. & M. have been steel wooling the floors today. Buddy was here to spend the night and at breakfast Mark began to make plans for the day when I told him what I had planned. In “nothing flat” Buddy decided he must go see his mother and off he went to the restaurant. After he left Mark said, “Did you notice how quickly he decided to go when you mentioned working on the floors?” We have been doing the house today. After changing the beds, I cleaned the upstairs and John started the washing and after doing the lunch dishes I decided I needed a little rest so am writing to catch up so I can clean up the mess on the floors the steel wool makes. This job is pretty monotonous but seems to be necessary ever so often. – – Pause. I stopped writing to help with the floor work – we have stopped cleaning for the day. David woke up so I wrapped him up and put him out in his buggy – It has turned so much warmer. Mark is out in the yard entertaining David with his football. Bobby

[page 2] is out there now so David should be well entertained. It is so much warmer today I didn’t have to wrap David up so much. He have has a large blanket that was given to him last year that I kept nice and when I take him out on very cold days I wrap the blanket all around him up to his chin. – Mark just brought him in – Mark saw the others going to the pond to skate and couldn’t stand it. It’s much warmer but not warm enough yet to melt the ice yet. However if this keeps up it won’t take long.

I was looking over the Newton Co. E. for news items to include but see none I think would interest you. However I heard that Harold Portteus had an operation for hernia this week. I suppose he is in the hospital at Watseka. Clarice is there and I had thought about driving over to see her. Have to go to Sheldon for meat and it wouldn’t take much longer to run on over to Watseka.

I have never thought to mention about Bair’s niece Mary Eldeen, the girl they raised. She had a new baby last Oct. and is just now out of the hospital. Had to have a few blood transfusions. She has a baby about two years old and her trouble this time dates back to the first birth. I don’t know just what the trouble was but for a while she didn’t improve and Bair’s were awfully worried about her. Her husband is in Service and she is living with Bairs.

You wondered about Dr. Van. I mentioned him a time or two but you must have not rec’d those letters. I don’t know whether he knows me or not but I know him when I see him. One day I was downtown and saw Laura Milligan. She and John were in town visiting – John was enroute to the West Coast and I understand he is now in the Pacific someplace, but that is beside the story. I was chatting with Laura – I had been to the P.O. and she was going

[page 3] toward the highway and we happened to meet in front of Dr. V. office – While we were talking he came out and when he saw Laura he spoke to her – he gave her the once over and said something about her figure. – It rather amused me – I just thought he evidently is just like the stories depict him to be. Always an eye open for a good looking woman. I do think Laura is attractive. She seemed so glad to see me and asked about you. I asked what John’s work is and I understand he is boss of the ground crews – mechanics, or whatever they are called. I think that is the same work Harlan Parr does. The Parrs spent the summer in Fla. Were sent to Michigan in Dec. and now are in N.Y. – or were. I really couldn’t say where they are now.

Maybelle Towers wondered if you might be near Emery – however they aren’t sure of his location – except in the S.W. Pacific. She said they thought he was in Samoa.

Bill Schuh had pneumonia and now has rheumatic fever. Babe is taking care of him at her home in Brook. He & Tony were in the hospital at the same time. Tony had a gall bladder operation.

Here I sit and write when I should be out of doors – should do my writing at night. I have been having headaches again. I think it’s partly due to being inside so much. I still like warmer weather best. At least I can get out for a breath of fresh air without chilling in warmer weather. Well I think I would like the winter here if you were home, but I seem to tire of winter this year more than usual. So much for the weather, as you used to say, took a good beating.

“Love Mother”

©2015 copyright owned and transcribed by Deborah Sweeney
Post originally found: https://genealogylady.net/2015/10/07/local-news-gladys-2/

Full of Pep and Getting Restless (Gladys)

Letter transcription:

Kentland, Ind.
1-12-44

Dear Daddy –

Another clear cold winter day. It was 3° above in Chicago this a.m. I have been taking David out for an airing every day but am afraid it’s too cold today – He still has a hang on cough from his cold two weeks ago. He is full of pep and getting restless. He is so used to going out in his buggy he wants to go. John is home today due to exams and his exemptions and has decided David is a full day’s work. I told him David has been more restless today than ordinarily. Mark came home at noon with the report that his exams were going fine. I see the skaters going toward the pond all the time. As they finish their exams, they can leave school and it looks like a large number are in our end of town.

The Hufty’s have a new boy – born day before yesterday. Haven’t heard the name yet. I didn’t stop to see Joy yesterday, but saw her the day before. She is two weeks old now.

I mentioned Irene in a v-mail I wrote yesterday. I knew she had been going to a Dr. in Chicago who told her she had thyroid and was going to treat her with X-Ray. Someone told

[page 2] her the treatments could ruin her throat. She went to another Dr. The new Dr. told her she didn’t have thyroid trouble and didn’t need an operation. She went to the hospital for that purpose. She is still in the hospital having tests made. I stopped at the house one day this week and Mrs. James gave me the above information. From all I could learn about Irene’s trip to Mayo, there wasn’t anything they found wrong. However, I didn’t ask any questions, but from things she said I gathered that much.

Mark is home from school and he & John are in a monopoly game in the kitchen. Mark is very confident about his exams. Hope he is right.

Your mother sent us a box of noodles. She must have made an angel food cake and made noodles with the yolks.

I don’t know whether to take David out or not. He sure is getting in everybody’s hair, but he is used to being out of doors this time of day.

Duff Telby said Tom is back in the States and waiting for a furlough to come home.

Had a letter from Jim and he is still in Camp Peary. Doesn’t know how long he will be there. I am beginning to think for the duration. That is “OK” – I don’t envy them their good fortune but do wish, well you know what I am wishing – and believe it can’t be long now.

I must go to town and get some groc. We have to eat – and since groc. delivery is only on certain days I just go to town and get what we need. Have to go to the P.O. every day anyway.

Love Mother

©2015 copyright owned and transcription by Deborah Sweeney
Post originally found: https://genealogylady.net/2015/10/03/full-of-pep-and-getting-restless-gladys/

The Center of the Household (Gladys)

1944-01-11 (GRY)Letter transcripton:

MRS. R.S. YEGERLEHNER
KENTLAND
INDIANA
1-11-44

Dear Daddy – No mail today but had three letters yesterday. It remains clear and cold but not too cold to take David out. He is taking his nap now. Gets along fine now without a thumb to go to sleep with. I was washing windows today and he tried to help – splash water. He gets such a thrill when J. & M. come home from school. They always talk to him and make a fuss over him when they come home. John says the household revolves around David – and I suppose that is natural. John says he won’t have to take any exams so won’t have to go to school the rest of this week. The grade school doesn’t have exemptions so Mark will have to go as usual, tho school will be out Fri. for grading papers. David’s picture will be in the Democrat this week. He is the only child in the group whose Daddy is in the service. I’ll send you a clipping so you can see the publicity before the whole paper gets to you. I stopped at Staton’s yesterday to see how the family was. Mrs. J. told me Irene went to another Dr. and he told her she had no thyroid trouble at all – and that they can’t find anything wrong. She is still in a hospital in Chicago having tests made. The last time I saw her she seemed to feel fine. She did have the flu but got over it better than her Mother did.

Love – Mother

©2015 copyright owned and transcribed by Deborah Sweeney
Post originally found: https://genealogylady.net/2015/10/01/the-center-of-the-household-gladys/

Decidedly More Destructive (Gladys)

Letter transcription:

Kentland, Ind.
Jan. 9 – 1944

Dear Daddy –

One more Sunday in ’44. I took David to church this a.m. – and we were able to remain thru the service – He has been to S.S. but this was his first church service. He kept very quiet, as far as vocalizing during the sermon, but he was very “fidgety” or “squirmy,” or whatever you want to call it. John asked me if I heard anything the minister said. I followed pretty well. The Shandys were there with their boy. I imagine he will soon be leaving for Miami. John Ade was also at church. He is an air cadet (Navy).

We are trying to break the thumb sucking habit and I believe we are making progress. He went to sleep this afternoon much sooner than he did yesterday. He went to sleep last night after much crying. Sometime during the night he got his favorite (left) thumb free and I could hear him working on it. I took him up and put him in bed with me, and I didn’t get much sleep after that, but I kept the thumb out of his mouth. He wants to throw things all the time. John thinks it’s time to teach him not to throw everything to the floor but I am afraid that would require a lot of hand slapping or what it takes to teach a child not to throw things. David is decidedly more destructive with his toys than J. & M. were – He tries to tear everything up and has done a pretty good job on a lot of his toys. He has a rubber apron or bib, Mrs. Roberts gave him. It is [a] pre-war one she used for their boys. David

[page 2] has ripped it in so many places, the back side looks like it’s made of adhesive tape. Of course, it isn’t hard to tear but David has wrecked things made of heavier material.

Mark is out skating again this afternoon. The weather stays cold enough to keep the pond frozen. John as usual is listening to musicals. Miss Smith told him about some of the teachers in Chicago she studied under she wants him to go to – &7.oo a lesson. I told him when he paid that much for a lesson he would have to absorb everything the teacher said. I told him he would have to direct a symphony orchestra “or something” if he spends that much on lessons. However, I don’t believe he will take any of said lessons soon.

There was a heavy frost on this morning and the air was crisp. I don’t know just how cold it was but know it was low. The sun has been shining all day and the sky is clear. I want to take David out for a walk after his nap.

Arlene is to come home today with the new baby girl. I didn’t get to visit her in the hospital, but will see her at home.

The planes that go over here – this must be cross-roads – they go all directions. Fri. two went so low they looked like they were just above the tree tops. Pinky won’t scare us any more with his antics. I understand he has been grounded – has a desk job now. Never see anything about him in the paper. Marg. Is here helping her mother run the paper and lives in her own house again.

David is awake – I’ll have to take him up so he won’t dampen his bed.
Love Mother

©2015 copyright owned and transcribed by Deborah Sweeney
Post originally found: http://genealogylady.net/2015/09/28/decidedly-more-destructive-gladys/

This Being Saturday (Roscoe)

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

New_Zealand_Cities

©2015 copyright owned and transcribed by Deborah Sweeney
Post originally found: https://genealogylady.net/2015/09/27/this-being-saturday-roscoe/

Another Saturday (Gladys)

Letter transcription:
Kentland, Ind.
Jan. 8 – 1944

Dear Daddy –

Another Sat. and opera on. I have been having a splitting headache the past two days and the piano and radio aren’t any help, but our John loves his opera. About this headache I think I’ll have to start taking shots again, Thelin, or something. I took a few the first of last year but haven’t had any now since about last May or June. I had my glasses changed and I think the headache isn’t from eyestrain due to occurance around the 28 day cycle, which is oftener sometimes (the cycle). The lump that was removed white you were in medical school is growing again. Dr. Cole made an examination and said we would watch it closely and if it grows too rapidly would remove it again. I haven’t been to see Dr. C. for some time but thought I would go in the near future due to the recurring pains, which seem to be more constant and severe. Now don’t worry about it, I will see the Dr. soon and he will do what should be done. However I don’t want to have anything done now, and won’t unless he think necessary. I am sure it isn’t large enough to be alarmed about at present. About the original size.

I have been trying without success to break the thumb sucking habit and I pinned sox over David’s hands, onto his sleeves this afternoon when I put him to bed for his nap. He cried and fussed around a long time but finally gave up. I told John with all his (John’s) stubbornness he was easier to train than David. I remember it wasn’t any

[page 2] trick at all to break John of his finger sucking habit. I spanked David yesterday for getting things out of the chest of drawers in his room. He knew what it was all about and cried very loudly for w while, but it took effect and he left the drawers alone. He has a very winning smile and knows how to use it. He is like Mark, never sees a stranger. I knitted a pr. of mitten to match his snow suit – He won’t leave them on, but I think most babies are like that about having their hands covered. I want to knit a spring outfit for him. I started a sweater for Romaine last night. It is white and to be plain in design so won’t be hard to do.

Mark is out playing with some boys from his room. I wanted him to stay in and work on a plane he is building but the urge for action was too strong. I haven’t had an X-ray made yet but will try to get him down one day next week. He is better again. I haven’t noticed any signs of nervousness the last few days. He made all kinds of New Year’s resolutions. John didn’t make any – guess he thinks he is good enough as is. The difference in those two – They are certainly two extremes.

Cliff Shandy & family are home. He has been assigned to Miami, but evidently to be there temporarily, because Mrs. & baby are going to remain here. I was just thinking about his former boss and how he worked to get a C.P.O. and Cliff is now an Ensign. And also I wonder why Cliff could get a commission and Newell couldn’t. I suppose Cliff must have had more college work than Newell, tho they are both grads from law schools.

Mrs. Lonce called me for your address. Her son (the one you visited on Christmas eve) wants to write to you. He is still in N.C. I am forwarding the greeting Dr. M. sent and due to lack of address was returned to us. I gave Ellsworth W. your address and he said he would write, but I am not so sure. He says you will probably get back in time to shove his off.

[page 3] More and more are going from here all the time. I told you Jack Sullivan is one of the latest. He was put in the Navy. I wonder how he will get along with his “lisp”? I think I failed to mention Lloyd Tilton’s discharge from the Army. He went A.W.O.L., then claimed to have a nervous breakdown. All the above info from D.K. However he is out and has been around town. Bus Daily got a medical discharge from the marines. His trouble was a nervous stomach.

David woke up cross. I wrapped him up and put him out in his buggy – so will have to hurry and take him for a ride. He doesn’t like getting along without his thumb but think we will make it break.

I just looked at the bank bal. and with bills pd. and Ins. that comes due this month deducted I have a bal. of $91.oo

It was has been snowing in Chicago today and looks like it will snow here. It is clouding up now. Must get along.

Love Mother

©2015 copyright owned and transcribed by Deborah Sweeney
Post originally found: https://genealogylady.net/2015/09/26/another-saturday-gladys/

Absence of Snow (Gladys)

1944-01-07 (GRY)Letter transcription:

MRS. R.S. YEGERLEHNER
KENTLAND
INDIANA
1-7-44

Dear Daddy – Another sunny day but cold. It was 5° above this morning in Chicago. Don’t know how much it has risen during the morning but I hope enough to take David out. It doesn’t look cold out of doors – I suppose that is due to the absence of snow. Rec’d a letter from your mother. She must be feeling better – said they had butchered. Said they had a heavy snow down there last week. We didn’t get any here. I saw in the paper that Irene is in a Chicago hospital for treatments. She said she had thyroid trouble and is taking iodine treatments. I haven’t talked to any of them for more than a week. Mrs. James hasn’t been out since she came back from Ft. Wayne. She hasn’t been well this winter either. She didn’t recover very quickly from the flu – John is writing another essay this year for the American Legion. He won second last year. He wouldn’t let me read the one last year and says I can’t read this one. Mark went to Bobbie’s to work on a plane and overstayed so I went to get him. It was the first time I had seen Donnie for a long time. He is such a large child, looks almost as large as Bobby. Arlene is to come home Sunday with the new baby girl. That little girl will have to be a tomboy to hold her own with those two boys. I see the Zells are selling some chickens today. They have had a little trouble selling this time – The market is flooded with chickens.

Love – Mother

©2015 copyright owned and transcribed by Deborah Sweeney
Post originally found: https://genealogylady.net/2015/09/24/absence-of-snow-gladys/

Wedding Details (Gladys)

Letter transcription:

Kentland Ind.
Jan. 6 – 1944

Dear Daddy –

Three letters today, including the wedding details, which were from your descriptions, simple. However, it doesn’t require an elaborate ceremony to make a lasting marriage. Does it? It is a bright sunny day. Makes a person wonder how it can be heavy and overcast one day and in a few hours so clear and bright. It was so grey and overcast yesterday it was somewhat depressing. I think I’ll take David out for a breath of fresh air after he gets up from his map. It was below freezing early this a.m. but the sun has been shining so bright all day I think the temp. will be up enough to take him out. He is over his cold, but still has a hang-on cough. Dr. M. said if he didn’t get over it he would give him a whooping cough shot. I remember you used to use that treatment for coughs that resisted treatment. However, I am holding out hoping the cough will leave. About the only time it bothers him is after he sleeps a while. The

[page 2] rascal woke me at 4 a.m. – I had to take him up, change him & get him a drink. He was wide awake and wanted to play but you know his mother well enough to know I wanted shut-eye. I put him in bed with me but soon discovered that was not the way for me to go back to sleep, so put him back in his bed and we both went back to sleep.

John had to give a report on dehydration in Ag. today and worked on it all evening. When he has something to do he goes right after it and if I may say so with pardonable pride, does a pretty good job. Having watched his father at work on M.S., M.D., etc., I can’t help but see more than a little similarity.

The account of your meeting Bud (Geo.) Mulligan is in the paper this week. I mentioned a conversation with his aunt in my letter yesterday. In looking thru the paper I see that Jack Sullivan is one of the latest fathers to be inducted. Eddie Steinbaugh was married to an Army nurse at Chanute Field, Monday this week. Jack Dye’s picture is in the paper this week. He lost a leg in action and has been discharged.

Washburn’s celebrated their golden wedding this week and Albert Thompson’s celebrate their 60th.

David is awake now and ready for some fresh air. He is playing the piano now. Maybe he will be a musician.

Mark slipped and fell down stairs last nite.

[page 3] No damage done. John said it is a good thing Mark can fall relaxed. I told them if John had fallen like that he would have broken bones until he would have to be in a cast from head to toe. Never a dull moment.

Love Mother

©2015 copyright owned and transcribed by Deborah Sweeney
Post originally found: https://genealogylady.net/2015/09/22/wedding-details-gladys/