Gary, as you know, I love your website. It is great to hear your story, and see more family stories and photos. I think that when we honor stories of ancestors, we keep the relationship alive, and continue to learn from them. I’ve had several imagined conversations in my prayers with my Steele grandparents, John and Dorothy. My understanding is that they have continued to learn and grow after death, and that they are still supporting us now. I love your story of John in your memoir. His kindness continues to mean a lot to me, even though he died right before I could meet him.
Thanks, Gary, for sharing these stories do beautifully.
Michael (Marilyn’s son)
Michael,
Your comments are beautiful. It means so much to me, really. I was hoping the my efforts at writing would be helpful. What a wonderful comment about your grandparents. John was like a second father to me and Dorothy was very quiet, but I never saw anyone work harder. Taking care of all the kids and working full-time on the farm as well. She worked in the fields, milked cows, did everything. When John died, I was away at college. I came home for the funeral, but I never really understood what happened after that with the farm and everything. I don’t know how Dorothy and the family coped with everything. My dad got very depressed after John died and he was never the same after that.
You look a lot like your Dad, I hope he is OK. I was looking at Eugene’s picture again. It looks like he was maybe a sergeant or corporal with three stripes. He must have gotten promoted to 1st Lt. in the field. I wonder if he was part of the Africa invasion and the Allied push up through Sicily, Italy and the Anzio Beach invasion. I’m going to write a tribute to him and would like to have more info. I know that he died just after the capture of Rome and the D-Day invasion.
I’m surprised at how much I can remember if I put myself in a state of “revery”, or a daydreaming like state. I imagine myself walking through my farmhouse at home for example and the memories flood back. As I’m laying in bed just before I go to sleep is a great time for me to remember things.
I have to admit though, that I haven’t appreciated our ancestors until fairly recently. I guess I’ve been too busy living my life and not appreciating like I should. Nice to know I’ve got a kindred spirit with you.
I know your mom was an exchange student in Germany. That must have been a little strange if Dessie hated Germans like you said.
Have traced back “Steele” and “Tyner” family tree back to England on Ancestry.com (hoosierfarmboy) from Rolla and Dessie (Tyner) Steele. Please add posts if you like.
Had good discussion with Mark Kinzie today. He has great family tree on Ancestry.com
Gary, as you know, I love your website. It is great to hear your story, and see more family stories and photos. I think that when we honor stories of ancestors, we keep the relationship alive, and continue to learn from them. I’ve had several imagined conversations in my prayers with my Steele grandparents, John and Dorothy. My understanding is that they have continued to learn and grow after death, and that they are still supporting us now. I love your story of John in your memoir. His kindness continues to mean a lot to me, even though he died right before I could meet him.
Thanks, Gary, for sharing these stories do beautifully.
Michael (Marilyn’s son)
Michael,
Your comments are beautiful. It means so much to me, really. I was hoping the my efforts at writing would be helpful. What a wonderful comment about your grandparents. John was like a second father to me and Dorothy was very quiet, but I never saw anyone work harder. Taking care of all the kids and working full-time on the farm as well. She worked in the fields, milked cows, did everything. When John died, I was away at college. I came home for the funeral, but I never really understood what happened after that with the farm and everything. I don’t know how Dorothy and the family coped with everything. My dad got very depressed after John died and he was never the same after that.
You look a lot like your Dad, I hope he is OK. I was looking at Eugene’s picture again. It looks like he was maybe a sergeant or corporal with three stripes. He must have gotten promoted to 1st Lt. in the field. I wonder if he was part of the Africa invasion and the Allied push up through Sicily, Italy and the Anzio Beach invasion. I’m going to write a tribute to him and would like to have more info. I know that he died just after the capture of Rome and the D-Day invasion.
I’m surprised at how much I can remember if I put myself in a state of “revery”, or a daydreaming like state. I imagine myself walking through my farmhouse at home for example and the memories flood back. As I’m laying in bed just before I go to sleep is a great time for me to remember things.
I have to admit though, that I haven’t appreciated our ancestors until fairly recently. I guess I’ve been too busy living my life and not appreciating like I should. Nice to know I’ve got a kindred spirit with you.
I know your mom was an exchange student in Germany. That must have been a little strange if Dessie hated Germans like you said.
Keep your comments and e-mails coming.
God Bless You Michael
Gary
Have traced back “Steele” and “Tyner” family tree back to England on Ancestry.com (hoosierfarmboy) from Rolla and Dessie (Tyner) Steele. Please add posts if you like.