Nov 22

Willshire High School 1944 Senior Class Photo

People can be very kind and thoughtful, going out of their way to share information they randomly find.

Thank you to Jodie, who saw this photo at a thrift store, found that Karen’s Chatt has a connection to Willshire, and forwarded a scan of the photo to me, a photo of the 1944 Willshire High School senior class.

Plus, the names of the class members are hand-written on the back of the photo. It doesn’t get much better than that.

Willshire High School Class of 1944

Back row: Paul Leistner, Ralph Hamrick, Rick Strickler, Bob Carr, Fredrick Schumm.

Middle row: Winifred Davis, Blaine High, Donie Eichar, Gene Bebout, Nancy Schaffner, Vera Dull (sponsor).

Seated: Helen Hileman, Dorothy Carr, Harriet Stetler, Alvera Cully, Margie McBride, Dorothy Miller.

The photographer was Fred B. Smith, School Photos, Blanchard Avenue, Findlay, Ohio.

Written vertically on the left side of the back, probably written by the photographer, is Miss Nancy Jane Schaffner, Senior 1943-1944.

Names written on the back of Willshire 1944 senior class photo.

This was likely Nancy Schaffner’s copy of her senior class photo. She was the last surviving member of the Willshire High School Class of 1944, a class of 16 members. Nancy passed away just a little over a month ago, on 18 October 2024. Somehow the photo made its way to the thrift store.

WWII was still going on in 1944 and many of these young men served in the U.S. armed forces after they graduated.

A little more about the members of the Willshire Class of 1944:

Paul S. Leistner (1926-1997), married Barbara Rose White

Ralph W. Hamrick (1926-2019), U.S. Army, WWII; married Kathryn L. Baxter; married Frances L. Dull

Richard LeDoyle Strickler (1926-2006), U.S. Navy, WWII; married Pauline Ila Smith

Robert E. Carr (1926-1992), U.S. Navy, WWII; married Dorothy L. Minx

Fredrick “Fritz” Louis Schumm (1926-1990), U.S. Army, WWII; married Rosemary Ilo Fisher

Winifred Irene Davis (1926-2005), U.S. Air Force; married William C. Stout

Collin Blaine High (1926-1967), U.S. Army, WWII; married Mary B. Bollinger

Donald F. Eichar (1926-2015), U.S. Navy; married Elizabeth L. Skiles

Eugene Harold Bebout (1926-1996), married Carol Carey [1]

Nancy Jane Schaffner (1926-2024), married Gail Tice; married Gerald E. Hildbold

Vera Pearl Dull (sponsor) (1896-1977)

Helen Jean Hileman (1926-2002), married Charles Phillip White

Dorothy L. Carr (1926-2004), married Robert Humbert

Harriet E. Stetler (1926-1969), married Max Noll; married David Martin

Alvera Cully (1926-2013), married Theodore David Eady

Margie R. McBride (1927-2016), married Charles M. Opliger

Dorothy J. Miller (1926-1993), married Charles M. Tussing; married Floyd Ray; married [?] Whitmore

I remember several of the individuals in this class and two of them, Helen Jean Hileman and Dorothy Carr, were members of Zion Lutheran, Chatt.

The photo is also a good example of high school fashion during the war years.

Such a nice photo! Thank you Jodie for sending it to me!

[1] There appears to be a flag staff by his tombstone photo on FindaGrave.com. However, I could find no details of his military service. Perhaps someone knows and will let me know.

Nov 15

Veterans Buried in Zion Lutheran Cemetery, Schumm

A number of U.S. veterans, 30 at least, are buried in Zion Lutheran Cemetery, Schumm. Two served in WWI, fourteen served in WWII, five served during the Korea era, and two served in Vietnam. One served in the Civil War for certain, although there are four Civil War or GAR (Grand Army of the Republic) flagstaffs in the cemetery. The GAR was an organization for Civil War Veterans.    

Most veterans buried at Zion Schumm served in the U.S. Army, but four served in the U.S. Navy, two in the U.S. Marines, and one in the U.S. Air Force. There is one female veteran buried at Zion Schumm.

Pvt. Edgar F. Schumm was killed in action in France during WWII and most likely his tombstone here is what is call a cenotaph, or a monument erected in honor of someone who is buried elsewhere.

Veterans buried at Zion Lutheran Cemetery, Schumm, Ohio:

Eloise E. (Vanderburg) Alspaugh (1923-2003) U.S. Navy, WWII
Ned J. Alspaugh (1920-2003) U.S. Army, WWII
William O. Baker (1933-2009) U.S. Army, Korea
James R. Baxter (1927-1984) U.S. Army, WWII
Edgar J. Dietrich (1915-1996) U.S. Army, WWII
Henry W. Dietrich (1922-2005) U.S. Army Air Corps, WWII
Nicholas Geisler (1832-1912) 20th Reg. OVI, Civil War
Marvin J. Grote (1936-2022) U.S. Army Reserves
Edward T. Gunsett (1891-1973) U.S. Army, WWI
Paul L. Hofmann (1913-1977) U.S. Army, WWII
Vance D. Krick (1941-1998) U.S. Navy, Vietnam
Edward A. McCullough (1931-2022) U.S. Marines, Korea
Tim E. McCullough (1959-2019) U.S. Navy
Eugene F. Merkle (1936-1999) U.S. Army
Terry J. Post (1949-2022) U.S. Army, Vietnam
Paul A. Roehm Jr (1929-1968) U.S. Army, Korea
Donald T. Salway (1927-1993) U.S. Army, WWII
Harold F. Salway (1925-1996) U.S. Navy, WWII
Alfred W. Schott (1927-2011) U.S. Army, WWII
Charles H Schlemmer (1935-2011) U.S. Army
Pvt. Edgar F. Schumm (1914-1944), WWII, died in France
Emanuel H. Schumm (1892-1973) Ohio Prov Guard Co, WWI
Frederick J. Schumm (1933-2015) U.S. Army, Korea
Harold P. Schumm (1921-1988) U.S. Army Air Corps, WWII
Oswald H. Schumm (1902-1987) U.S. Army, WWII
Richard E. Schumm (1922-1990) U.S. Marines, WWII
Roman C. Schumm (1924-1988) U.S. Army, WWII
Palmer L. Schwartz (1928-2010) U.S. Army
Harold W. Schweyer (1928-2014) U.S. Air Force, Korea
Walter E. Thatcher (1934-2021) U.S. Army

Nicholas Geisler served in the Civil War, Co. G of the 20th OVI, and his flag staff is cast with American War Veteran, 1861-1865. The other three GAR flagstaffs are somewhat of a mystery, although there are connections to the Civil War. One GAR flagstaff is by the tombstone of George Martin Schumm (1812-1871), whose son John Schumm (1843-1864) died at Salisbury, North Carolina, during the Civil War. The second is by the tombstone that marks the graves of three members of the Rodes family, but it appears that all three men died before the Civil War began. Neither Schumm nor the Rodes men would have been GAR members. The third GAR flagstaff is by the tombstone of Johann Buechner (1828-1896). Johann Buechner, per the CW Draft Registrations, Willshire Township, June 1863, age 35, born in Germany, “drafted last fall, has a substitute in service.” He was not listed in the 1890 Veterans Schedule. It appears that he probably did not serve in the Civil War himself but got a substitute to serve in his place.

I tried to include all the veterans buried there. Please let me know if I have omitted anyone from this list.

We remember and honor all the sacrifices these veterans made for us and for our country.

Nov 12

Tombstone Tuesday-Wreaths Across America

The day after Veterans Day is a good day to mention Wreaths Across America, a non-profit organization that organizes volunteers who place wreaths on veterans’ tombstones on a specified day in December.

This year National Wreaths Across America Day is Saturday, 14 December 2024. On that day, volunteers will gather at more than 4,000 participating locations across the country to remember and honor our nation’s heroes, one wreath at a time.

Arlington National Cemetery, 2010, Flickr [1]

The mission of Wreaths across America is threefold: Remember the fallen. Honor those who serve. Teach the next generation the value of freedom.

Remember: Sponsor a veteran’s wreath in honor of or in memory of a loved one who served in our armed forces. Or sponsor a wreath and allow Wreaths across America to designate a recipient among the millions of veterans who rest in honored glory.

Honor: Volunteer with Wreaths across America as they honor our veterans throughout the year. Opportunities include laying wreaths locally, leading a sponsorship group, or coordinating a ceremony location.

Teach: Invite friends, family, coworkers, and organizations to join Wreaths across America as they strive to honor every veteran, helping to support and spread the word of their mission.

You can volunteer several ways: sponsor a wreath, volunteer, partner with Wreaths across America on National Wreaths across America Day, or sponsor a specific cemetery or Local Sponsorship Group.

There are several ways to sponsor a wreath or any number of wreaths:

Pair a Wreath: Pair a sponsored wreath with a gift wreath which is delivered to your home or to a loved-one or friend.

In Honor and Memory Of: Sponsor wreaths in honor of living veterans or in memory of those who have passed, with the option to include email or mailed gift cards. [2]

Wreaths Across America also has merchandise and gear for sale on their website, so you can show support, spread information about the organization, and for gift giving.  

Their live balsam wreaths come from the Worcester Wreath Company, a family farm in Maine that is also a proud sponsor of Wreaths across America. The wreaths are made in Maine and each comes with a red velvet ribbon. 

I usually purchase their Pair a Wreath. I receive a wreath for myself and Wreaths Across America designates a recipient for the other wreath I purchase, my sponsored wreath.

Herbert & Florence (Schumm) Miller, Zion Lutheran Cemetery, Chattanooga, Mercer County, Ohio (2022 photo by Karen)

I ordered my Wreaths Across America wreath pair last week. I will place my wreath at my parents’ gravestone, in honor of my dad, a WWII veteran. The wreath I sponsored will be placed at a tombstone somewhere on National Wreaths Across America Day.   

What a special way to honor our nation’s veterans and decorate a gravesite with a beautiful Christmas wreath as well. 

[1] Flickr photo, taken 11 Dec 2010, uploaded 14 Dec 2010, https://www.flickr.com/photos/walmartcorporate/with/5262055852/ , Creative Commons License, https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/2.0/# .

[2] Their website: https://www.wreathsacrossamerica.org/

Nov 08

Rededication of Lima DAR Historic Marker

This past Wednesday, 6 November, the Lima Chapter Daughters of the American Revolution (DAR) rededicated a 70-year-old historic marker in Lima.

The marker was originally erected and dedicated by the Lima Chapter DAR on 7 November 1954 to mark the site of Lima’s first cemetery and the burial site of Revolutionary War Minuteman, Pvt. Elijah Stites. The plaque was mounted on the outer wall of what was then the Allen County Lumber Company warehouse, 220 North Central Avenue.

Historic marker dedication, 7 Nov 1954

After 70 years, the plaque had weathered and needed refinishing. The Lima Chapter DAR raised funds for the project and Classic Bronze Resources, Iowa, did the restoration work.

Plaque before restoration

Pvt. Elijah Stites (1758-1843) was born in Essex, New Jersey, and during the American Revolution he was a Minuteman in the Essex County Militia 1st Regiment. He was a color bearer at Yorktown when the British Army surrendered to George Washington on 19 October 1781. He was in the Battle of Monmouth, and he continued on as a soldier through 1788, stationed at Old Redstone Fort near Pittsburgh.

After the war, Pvt. Elijah Stites eventually made his way to Lima, where he died 6 January 1843.

Pvt. Elijah Stites was buried in Lima’s first burial ground, Tanner Street Cemetery, a public burial ground begun about 1832. The cemetery was located on the east edge of the young town, on Tanner Street, which is now Central Avenue.

By 1850, Tanner Street Cemetery was nearly full and new burials were forbidden. Families were asked to transfer the remains of their loved ones to a new cemetery a few blocks away.

However, not all the bodies were moved to the new location.

The body of Pvt. Elijah Stites was not disturbed. His body remained in the original burial ground.

By 1873, Tanner Street Cemetery was abandoned and in 1885 part of the property was sold for use as a lumberyard.

The cemetery was forgotten until 1919, when building excavations unearthed wooden coffins and human remains. There were no cemetery records and the remains could not be identified. The remains were left buried there and a building was erected over what was once Tanner Street Cemetery.

On 7 November 1954, the Lima Chapter DAR erected and dedicated the historic plaque to mark the burial place of Pvt. Elijah Stites and the site of Lima’s First Cemetery. The plaque was mounted on the outer wall of what was then the Allen County Lumber Company warehouse.

Late in 2023 the marker had to be removed from the building because of building renovations and the Lima Chapter began raising funds for the renovation process. The restored historical plaque:

The restored Lima DAR historical marker.

Some photos from Wednesday’s Plaque Rededication Ceremony:

The historical marker was covered before the ceremony.

DAR marker rededication, 6 Nov 2024

A Minuteman:

DAR marker rededication, 6 Nov 2024

Posting of the Colors:

DAR marker rededication, 6 Nov 2024

OSDAR State Regent Susan Leininger:

Susan Leininger, OSDAR State Regent

Lima Mayor Sharetta Smith:

Sharetta Smith, Lima Mayor

County Commissioner Cory Noonan:

Cory Noonan, County Commissioner

Tim Jackson, of Charles Construction & Lima DAR Regent Lana Gerber:

Tim Jackson & Lima Regent Lana Gerber

The historical marker is unveiled:

DAR marker rededication, 6 Nov 2024

DAR marker rededication, 6 Nov 2024

A group photo:

DAR marker rededication, 6 Nov 2024

Appropriately, the historical marker rededication was less than a week before Veterans Day, next Monday.  

Veterans Day was originally called Armistice Day and was created to commemorate of the end of World War I. Fighting between the Allied Nations and Germany ceased on the 11th hour of the 11th day of the 11th month in 1918. That date is generally regarded as the end of “the war to end all wars.”

Armistice Day became a legal holiday on 11 November 1938, primarily to honor World War I veterans and dedicated to the cause of world peace. After World War II and the Korean War the name was changed to Veterans Day.

On 1 June 1954 Veterans Day became a day to honor American veterans of all wars.

To all veterans, thank you for your service to our country. We owe you so much.

Nov 05

Tombstone Tuesday-Fall Trees

We were in the Archbold area a couple weeks ago, viewing the beautiful fall foliage, looking through a cemetery, and even driving through a covered bridge.

Lockport Cemetery is located on the other side of the Lockport covered bridge.

Lockport covered bridge & Lockport Cemetery in the distance. (2024 photo by Karen)

A view of the Lockport bridge from the cemetery.

Lockport covered bridge (2024 photo by Karen)

The entrance to the Lockport Cemetery.

Lockport Cemetery (2024 photo by Karen)

A large woods is located near the cemetery and the engraving on this tombstone mirrored the nearby trees.

Lockport Cemetery, near Archbold, Ohio (2024 photo by Karen)

This man’s tombstone tells a lot about him. The beautifully engraved fall trees and outdoor scenes indicate that he liked the outdoors and hunting and fishing. And he was a Cleveland Indians fan.

What a good example of how tombstone artwork can show someone’s interests.