Rest in Peace Grandpoppy

We interrupt our regularly scheduled programming...

Jeremy's Grandpoppy passed away yesterday at the age of 89. I have been saving these photos for this day. He was a very sweet, very kind man. He stole my heart from the moment I met him. In the times we have visited him, I remember just hanging on every word he said. I couldn't get enough of his stories, his conversation. And his smile...

Rest in Peace Grandpoppy

 

Town square, Vienna, IL with Jeremy's grandmother.  We have a photo (somewhere) of Jacob on that same cannon.

 

 

One of the stories I loved and could never get enough of, Jeremy's grandfather was a POW in WWII.  He was a radio operator/waist gunner on the borrowed craft Sherry's Cherries - shot down en route to Merseberg Germany, November 2, 1944.  He and his surviving crew members were captured - 2 were KIA.  He told me the story of his elbow or wrist broken in the crash which was fused after he was released.  The Doctor's planned to fuse it palm up, Grandpoppy insisted on palm down.  He admits that he didn't know everything and should have listened to what they wanted to do.  He says he's made due with it but, it was one of many lessons in stubbornness. I always wished he'd tell us more about this time.  He did write his story for the family and it's a piece of him, his history that I will forever cherish.

 

 

 

 

These last two were taken around the last time we saw Grandpoppy, about 5 years ago.

From left:  Jeremy's dad, Grandpoppy trying to hold Jacob, and Jeremy.  It was on this visit, riding in the car, Jacob looked at Grandpoppy and plain as day said, "Grandpa".  It was only one time and he didn't say it again for a long time.  Grandpoppy was just a beam - he was so proud!