I have just finished reading a short sketch or biography by my grandfather Lewis Carter, and one by my father, Oren R. Carter. I felt compelled to carry on this idea, even though my life has not been spectacular. This will, in a way, carry on where my father left off. He died Jan. 1, 1965, very quietly. For several years, he had suffered from emphysema and finally his heart could bear no more. He was 77 years old. His wife, Marie, continued to live in their home in Anderson for some time. She eventually moved to an apartment. In May 1974, she died at a hospital in Indianapolis of a stroke, very suddenly. Marie made Dad very happy during the years they were married, and for that we were grateful.
Before I begin anything about myself, I would like to give a resume about my brother and three sisters. Thelma, the oldest, is 64 and lives alone. Her husband, Paul Greiwe, died in 1967 at the age of 53. Her eight children are all married but two. The oldest, Ed, is a Crozier missionary and is in Indonesia. Ron, the next son, is married and lives in Indianapolis and has three children; Marilyn (Weaver) lives here and has two sons; Rita Kay (Brocki) is divorced and has one son. Jeanette (Carnes) lives here and has one son and one daughter; Jim lives in Georgia and has one son. Joan is unmarried and lives in Memphis, Tenn.; Tom is married and lives in Wabash, Ind.
My sister Rita (Whitworth) is 57 and lives here. She has three children; Saundra (Clairday) lives in Clearwater, Fla., and has two sons. She is divorced. Michael is married and has two sons. Belinda lives at home and will be starting BSU this fall. Pauline, 54, lives near Muncie. Her oldest, Karen (Gray) lives near her, is divorced and has three children; John is married and lives in New Jersey, and has a son and a daughter; Pam (Taylor) lives in Roanoke, Va., and has one daughter; Lucinda lives in Muncie, but works and has her own home. Wayne lives in S. Carolina, is divorced and has one daughter; Connie lives at home and will be entering DePauw U. this fall; Scott is still at home and is in high school. Our only brother John (Jack), 49, is a doctor in Hobart, Ind. He is married and has three children; Mark, married and has one son, is in premed school; Mary Anne (Mimi) is a junior at Indiana U.; Johnny is in high school at Hobart.
As for me I have six children, married to Michael Joseph Rooney, am 62 years old. My oldest, Maureen Grace, 32, is married to David Jarnagin and they have five children, Sheila Ann 13; Margaret Lisa 12; David Stephan 11, Gerald Patrick 8; Sarah Jean 5. Colleen Ann, 30, is married to Donald Morgan and they have three children; Lynn Ann, 13; Donald Joseph 12; Julie Marie 8. Timothy Joseph, 29, is married to Brenda (Kovacs) and she has a daughter 10. Terrence Patrick, 28, is married to Mary (Lukews) and they have Terrence Patrick 7; and Michael Heath, 5. Kathleen Louise, 26, is married to Thomas Davis – no children as yet. They live in Atlantic Beach, Fla. – he is in the Navy. Daniel Kevin, 20, is married to Cindy Jo (Kistler) – no children yet. I will go into more detail later as this “sketch” proceeds.
Grandparents were Lewis and Mary L. Cater of Matthews, Ind. And Peter and Mary (Best) Bott of Muncie, Ind. My father had one sister, Vada (Carter) Wheat (John Payne) and mother had three sisters and a brother. My father also had two older half brothers, Charley and Milo Carter. Mother’s brother was Carl F., her sister is Ida May (Coons) and her two older sisters were Julia (Lilly) Stopper and Eva (Lilly) Bott. My grandfather Carter was married twice, and my grandmother Bott was married to a Mr. Lilly before she married Peter Bott.
As of now, Aug. 1977, all are deceased except Ida, who is 84 years old.
I was born on Feb. 5, 1915, in Muncie, Indiana, Delaware County. Thelma was born Aug. 6, 1913. Rita was born July 14, 1920, Pauline on March 18, 1923 and Jack on July 8, 1928. The last three were born in Anderson, Ind., Thelma and I here in Muncie.
I cannot remember too many details of my early life. Just incidents here and there. One incident when I was about 4 or 5, Dad wanted a 3 generation picture of himself, his mother (who lived with us) and Thelma. I was very upset because I wasn’t allowed in the picture. When the picture came back, there I was in it walking away in a huff, my back to the camera. I liked school, but Thelma didn’t. Mother had to walk her there sometimes at first. We went to St. Mary’s in Anderson. From the third grade on Thelma and I were in the same class. The reasons are a little vague now, but somehow there I was. We used to roller skate to school in nice weather, mostly we walked. Sometimes we rode a street car. When we were in the fourth grade a new school was built. A beautiful building, (it’s still there) and the one thing we were happy about were the inside restrooms, also the gymnasium. There was one time when Rita was a baby, we all went for a walk out in the country. There is a picture in the album of us. Sometimes Thelma and I would go swimming (wading for me) in a big new municipal pool in Park Place. That was really something. We also went to the movies quite often and usually had a soda at the drugstore. This was our Sunday treat, and cost each of us 20 cents.
I remember when Pauline was born. Mother developed phlebitis or “milk leg.” Things were very hectic for several weeks. But she finally recovered except for swelling in her legs at times.
Dad acquired a used ----Knight car and we sometimes made trips to Muncie to see Mother’s family here. Especially Aunt Ida who was near Mother’s age. She had a daughter Mary Ellen, who was just nine months younger than me. We had great times together. Mary E. was an only child and she considered Thelma and I more than just first cousins. There are so many memories – suffice it to say that I was happy. I loved to read and spent a lot of time at the public library. Thelma sometimes chided me for putting off household chores so I could finish the book I was reading. I have never lost my love for books.
When Jack was born, a little early, we were sent over to Aunt Lillie and Uncle Carl’s for awhile. You can imagine how delighted we were that we had a little brother. I was 13 at the time. Then when we were almost through the 9th grade Dad got work in Muncie. Thelma and I stayed at Aunt Lillie’s until May, then we joined the rest of the family. Times were pretty hard then in 1929, the Depression was telling on everyone. Thelma quit school and worked out in a private home for awhile then later on started working at Ontario Mfg. Co. I started in a public school for the first time. It was a little frightening as I was accustomed to the sisters. But I finally got used to it. My biggest problem was clothes. I had two dressed, one with collars and cuffs that could be changed. It was rough.
I forgot to mention my first communion and confirmation and the beautiful processions we had at St. Mary’s. Some of these practices are changed now. Not in importance, but in the way they are received.
To continue – I went to Central High School and times were still bad. Dad was working nights at Delco Battery. There girls were in the public school, but went to Cathechism at St. Mary’s new church. It was built in 1930, I think. Was in the basement of what would eventually be the school. Father Cyr, the pastor, had been an assistant at St. Mary’s in Anderson when we were living there. Mother began having trouble with her legs. So she went to see a Dr. Cure. He examined her thoroughly and found she had an enlarged inward goiter. This was also straining her heart. After much discussion, they decided to operate and remove the thyroid. But complications arose and she contracted pneumonia from which she never recovered. That was Oct. 31, 1931. I saw her once in the hospital after the surgery. I shall never forget it. I went with her and Dad to the hospital – it was her first time in one – and she was laughing about the hospital gowns. That was the last time I saw her alive. I was home peeling potatoes when Dad came to tell us about her. I had never seen a man cry before. It was heartbreaking. I was 16 at the time and Jack was three. Funeral homes were not used for “wakes” as much then, so everyone came to the house. My pretty redheaded mother was gone – she was 36 yrs. old. I know my parents had gone through some trying times, but they loved one another very much.
I quit school to take care of the children. We didn’t want to be separated. About a year before Mother died, I started learning how to be a beauty operator. A friend of Dad’s owned one here in Muncie. Her name was Blanche Thomas and she lived in Anderson – going back and forth on the inter---- cars. She taught me in return for helping her with the phone and cleaning the shop. I enjoyed it very much. Dad had a gas marcel heater hooked up in our dining room along with a mirror and little shelf. If I was able to make a little money now and then doing some work at home, when I was about 17 or 18, Blanche decided to move her shop to Anderson. I went with her and stayed at Uncle Carl’s. But didn’t make much money. This was in the summer time, so when fall came I went home to stay with the family. Dad had a very bad sick spell and I was needed. Thelma was still working. Finally when I was 19, I decided to get a job. Rita and Pauline were old enough to look after Jack and we all shared the housework and cooking. I found a job at the Burkey Beauty Salon. At first I did shampoos for the other operators – there were three – did manicures and other odds and ends. Gradually I built up a following of my own. Then in 1936 Thelma was married to Paul Greiwe. Also that year in July, our beloved cousin Mary Ellen Coons died. She was 20 yr. old. When Thelma was married, she and I and Paul and his best man, Pete Elliott, went directly to her house after the wedding, as she was too ill to attend. She was so happy about that.
We still had some rough times. The girls worked part time during high school and sometimes we had a housekeeper in to take care of things. But that didn’t work out too well. So usually the girls and I managed the house ourselves. We moved several times and were living at 516 East Jackson when I married. I had dated several fellows, but when this came along, it was different.
For several years I had been going to the CYO at St. Mary’s. Most of us were young unmarrieds in our teens and early 20’s. I was dating Tom Bennington, who lived near us on W. 11th St. and he belonged, too. This one summer in 1938 our CYO and St. Lawrence CYO had a combined wiener roast at Memorial Park in New Castle. I was on the committee and this tall, thin, dark haired “guy” was on the St. L. committee. So we got acquainted – his name was Joe Rooney. After the wiener roast most of us went to our CYO club rooms (they were in a house next to the church) and danced and talked. Both CYO clubs had softball teams and we girls would go with them to the games. Luckily one of my friends, Adeline Leitsb---, had a car and usually she and Huber were in her car.
The next two years were wonderful times. We went to movies, dances, and private parties and softball games plus other summer activities. In December 1939, Joe gave me a ring. It was not a large diamond, but was certainly beautiful to me.
On March 30, 1940, at 10:00 a.m. we were married at St. Mary’s church by Father Edgar Cyr. Rita was my bridesmaid and Jack Trout was Joe’s best man. We were blessed with a beautiful weekend that year, warm and sunny. Our honeymoon trip was to Cincinnati, but stayed at the Flannery Hotel across the river in Covington, Ky. Needless to say, we were very happy.
Both of us went to work on Monday. We already had our furniture in our apartment at 817 E. Jackson St. We lived there three months, then Joe’s parents made their upstairs into an apartment and we moved there.
In 1942, on March 17, he enlisted in the Marine Corps, as our country was then involved in World War II. He left for San Diego, Calif., on May 10, 1942. I continued working and living at 724 N. Penn St. It was best to keep busy and the days were O.K., but the nights were lonesome. That summer, I took a month off at work and went to Calif. to see Joe. We had a lovely time even though he was confined to the base much of the time. It was quite a thrill for me to go there on the train. However, he left in Aug. for overseas duty on Johnston Is. a tiny place in the Pacific Ocean.
I wrote nearly every day and he wrote as much as he could. Usually I would get several letters all at once. I finally, in Nov. 1943, moved to an apartment with a girlfriend so I could be closer to where I worked. At that time I was working for ---- Frazier in the Western Reserve bldg, and had been since before our marriage. Then in Feb. 1944, Joe came home from Johnston Is. and after 30 days at home was sent to Camp Lejeune, North Carolina. I decided to go with him, as he expected to be in the States several months.
So on March 5, after a long bus ride we arrived in Jacksonville, N.C. It was a tiny town and crowded with servicemen and their families. We could not find a place to stay at first, but finally found a motel for one night, this was a Friday. On Saturday we hunted again and finally found a place for another night. On Sunday we went to Mass in a private home, where the priest had a tiny chapel. We went to see him, hoping he might have some idea where we could find a room. He directed us to a rather shabby place, where the lady rented rooms. We didn’t have much choice and took it. There was a tiny stove, table, couple of chairs and a bed. Somehow, we managed. Joe reported to the base and I went out looking for a job. I just couldn’t stay in that tiny, shabby room all day. I did find work in a beauty shop owned by a Ruby Swinson. She was very nice. She and her husband were renting one of their bedrooms out but it was occupied at the time. We had a good time there, however, and made some friends. In May or June, we did get to move to Ruby’s house, which was much nicer.
In July, we decided to do something about my not being pregnant yet. Joe had a test at the Marine base and was O.K. So I went to a clinic in Wilson, N.C. I had a thorough examination and was scheduled to go back in a couple of weeks for minor surgery. The tubes were blocked and the doctor was going to force air into them. Joe went with me this time and I was glad he did and it was rather painful.
The first of Aug. we came home on a bus for a 2 week vacation. That was a rough trip. The bus was always packed. Servicemen were allowed on first, then other people. One time they almost wouldn’t let me get on with him. Had to show my I.D. card.
We went back to N.C. and in a few weeks I found out I was pregnant. Joe left there the first part of Oct., and I came home. We still had our apartment at his mother’s home. I did not go back to work. The winter dragged on and I waited for the baby.
She was born on May 12, 1945, we named her Maureen Grace. Took lots of pictures to send to her Dad, who was on Okinawa. The war ended in Aug., but he didn’t get home until Dec., when the baby was nine months old. It was a wonderful homecoming. So many fathers did not get to come home to their loved ones. Rita’s husband to be was in the Army, in Europe, Pauline’s husband Bud as in the Navy; my brother Jack went into the Navy in June 1945. So we all had anxious times.
Joe went back to work for a few months and then was out on strike for some time. Finally it was settled. I was pregnant again, but had some problems and almost miscarried, but finally gave birth to another daughter on Jan. 14, 1947. She was a tiny 5 lb. 1 oz. baby. We named her Colleen Ann.
We were still living in the apartment and were beginning to get a little crowded. Then I found out I was pregnant again. So we started looking for a house. It was hard. Building had been slowed down because of the war, and houses were hard to find as rentals. Eventually we found one in Austin Heights addition, northeast of town and not too far from his parents. We used our GI loans to help purchase it. It had a living room, 2 bedrooms, bath, large basement and a garage. Plus a big yard. We moved there in Nov. 1947.
On Jan. 22, 1948, we had our first boy, Timothy Joseph. Joe was really happy. Saw him first just right after birth and kissed him, even though he wasn’t bathed yet. Everything was going along pretty good. We didn’t have much money, but managed. The girls got whooping cough, but were not seriously ill because they had their shots, but Tim got it at 6 weeks. For two weeks we fed and diapered him under an improvised tent over his crib. Also had to keep a vaporizer going all the time. That was really a hard time, but he survived. We didn’t get to go many places but were happy.
Then I was pregnant again. On July 23, 1949, we had another little boy, Terrence Patrick. We thought sure we would not have any more, as I was 33 years old by then. Work was not too good, so Joe got a part-time job three nites a week as a bartender at Gus’ Tavern on S. Walnut St. The extra money helped, but certainly limited our social life. However, we had picnics in the summer, and soon the girls would be in school.
So time went on and I was pregnant again. We had another girl on June 2, 1951. We named her Kathleen Louise. She was a pretty dark haired baby – the others were blond or red-headed. Joe kept on working two jobs and I was plenty busy tending to five children, the oldest only six years old. And our house was getting too crowded again. Our next door neighbors Mr. and Mrs. Dock, were planning to move, so we decided to buy their house and rent ours until it could be sold. Dock’s house had 4 bedrooms, a utility room, dining room and attached garage. We made the move in Nov. 1953. After renting the other house for some time, we finally sold it to Gladys and Tom Usselton. They had no children, but were very nice neighbors.
In Feb. 1955, I delivered a stillborn baby girl. The doctor said something happened that caused the oxygen supply to be cut off. He thinks she died about 6 1/2 month, but felt like she should be born naturally. We named her Doreen, but I never saw her. It was a great disappointment, but we learned to accept the loss as God’s will.
In the late summer of 1956, I again became pregnant. I was 41 yrs. old and wasn’t too sure I would make it again. In Sept. Joe’s parents were called to Ironton, Ohio, because of the death of his father’s sister Mary Ann (Mege). They went back the first week of Oct. to settle some affairs there, and Joe’s mother became very ill. She suffered a cerebral hemorrhage and never regained consciousness. She died on Oct. 9, 1956, and was 64 years old.
A wonderful person, I loved her very much. Especially as my own mother had died when I was 16.
The winter went on. Joe started working on Friday and Saturday nights at the Pony Keg, while still working at Delco. I was doing fine so far. Then on April 12, I fainted in the kitchen, just 2 weeks before my baby was due. Kathy was five and a half yrs. old. She was playing in the kitchen with a little friend and they ran down the street to get her mother. My neighbor, Gladys, saw them and came over, too. She called the doctor and Joe. The older children came home from school before the ambulance got there. I was taken to the hospital and Dr. High, who had delivered all of my babies except Maureen, took care of me. By Sunday night I was better, so we decided to induce labor and go ahead with the birth. I had another little boy on April 15, 1957. Another dark haired one. We named him Daniel Kevin.
This had to be the last, we said. I was 42 years old by now. Dan was a joy for all of us. The girls spoiled him. About two years later I again thought I was pregnant. The girls were visiting my brother in Hobart and we went up after them one weekend. It was in the summer. There I had a miscarriage. As soon as I got home, I went to the doctor and had a D&C. Dan was the last. I never became pregnant again.
Our life settled into a routine. School, some summer activities. The children had lots of friends in the neighborhood and most of them congregated here. We had a basketball court that attracted many boys. There were the usual cuts, bruises and bumps. Arguments at times. It was a busy time for all. When Kathy was a baby, we started having a reunion the first Sunday in Sept. with my mother’s people. Quite a few lived in the northern part of Ohio; we called it the Bott-Merrill Reunion. We are still having them, 26 or 27 years later. But the older ones are all gone and some younger ones do not come, so I am not sure how much longer they will continue.
In 1962, I had all my teeth pulled. Then Joe’s father became ill around Thanksgiving time, and was taken to the hospital. I developed a cold, which turned into pneumonia, and I was also put in the hospital. Dad Rooney and I were on the same floor. I went in on a Tuesday or Wednesday, then on Friday around supper time, something happened to me – the doctor said it was a heart attack caused by the pneumonia. I ended up in the hospital for 3 weeks. Dan was only five.
Maureen was a senior and working part time at Grant’s. It was hard for the girls and for Joe. Somehow they managed. The doctor let them all come to visit me on Christmas Day. I was allowed to go home the next day. So far I have had no more trouble. Previous to this, in 1961, I went to Riley in Indianapolis, to find out why I had blackouts on occasion, and a condition in my eyes called cornea dystrophy. They found that I had a trace of epilepsy, which could be controlled by Dilation. I would have to take it the rest of my life. And to this day, I have never had any trouble. Joe’s father died on Jan. 13, 1963 at the hospital. He was 77 yrs. old.
The children attended St. Lawrence School and at that time went thru grade nine. At the present time, and when Dan was there, there were only six grades. They all attended Central High School. Joe had went there, too, but he had to quit after his junior year, and go to work. Maureen graduated in 1963, and was married June 28, 1963. On October 26, she had a baby girl, Sheila Ann, a husky baby with red hair. She and David Jarnagin, her husband, had some rough times, but they seemed to be happy. Then on Dec. 19, Colleen was married to Donald Morgan. She quite school, also. On June 30, 1964, she had a baby girl name Lynn Ann. On March 3, 1965, Maureen had another little girl, Margaret Lisa. Then on Oct. 5, 1965, Colleen had a baby boy, Donald Joseph. So the family was growing.
In 1966, Tim was graduated from high school. He was working at Mr. Fifteen, and had purchased a motorcycle for transportation. We worried about accidents, but trusted him to be careful. Then he enlisted in the Air Force. Took his training at Lackland AFB, Texas. Aster basic training he went in Jan 1967 to Japan. On Aug. 2-, 1966, Maureen had her first boy, David Stephen, another redhead. Things went along fairly well.
The following is crossed out: My sister Thelma lost her husband, Paul, in June 1967. I forgot in trying to record everything that happened in each year one very important thing. Our dear father died Jan. 1, 1965. He had been suffering from emphysema and finally his heart gave out.
Continuing: In June 1966, just before Tim graduated, he sold his motorcycle to Terry, who was also working at Mr. Fifteen. About June 2nd or 3rd Terry had a terrible accident. He had a fractured skull, a number of bruises and cuts. Joe and I stayed at the hospital all night. In the morning he was taken to surgery and operated on for some damage inside the back of his head. After 5 days in intensive care, he was put in a semi-private room. He gradually recovered. There were several motorcycle accidents that summer and some died. So a law was passed that helmets must be worn at all times.
We heard regularly from Tim. At one time he was very serious about a Japanese girl but things did not work out for them. He came home in July, 1968, and went to Chanute AFB, Ill. Dec. 21, Terry was married to Mary M. Lukens. They had been dating for two years. By now he was working at the Muncie Parts Co. and had bought a car. A settlement had been made on his accident for $10,000. They moved to Des Plaines, Ill. to the Parts Co. there. Mary converted to the Catholic faith and she and Terry had a beautiful wedding at St. Lawrence Church. Tim was best man and Kathy was maid of honor.
On Jan. 1969, Tim went to Vietnam. (Thank God he came home alive.) On Nov. 22, 1968, Colleen had another baby girl, Julie Marie. Then Mary & Terry decided to move back here. They bought a furnished trailer and lived near Albany for a while, then moved it to Burlington Trailer Ct. here in Muncie.
Just after Lisa was born in 1965, Maureen and David moved to Elwood, but they moved back here in about a year. So now everyone was here except Tim. On Jan. 7, 1969, Maureen had another little boy, Gerald Patrick, a brown haired one like Lisa. Then on Dec. 2, Terry and Mary had a boy, Terrence Patrick. Kathy graduated from high school in 1969 and was working at the Ponderosa, but then went to Val’s. She moved away from home for a time, but found that didn’t work out too good, so she came back home. She had been dating a young fellow for several years, but they broke up. Finally she met a very nice young man, Thomas Davis. They were married in a beautiful ceremony at St. Lawrence Church on April 8, 1972. Joe gave her away, and we had a big reception at the K of C. They moved to Bloomington, Ind., where he was working. We saw them fairly often.
Meanwhile, Dan was in high school and doing very well. He was a homebody and had no close friends until he became one of the managers on the Bearcat basketball team. He really loved doing that. Also, on Jan. 20, 1972, Terry and Mary had another little boy, Michael Heath. He was born the same day that Joe’s sister Pat’s husband, Gene Mong, was buried. Mary had both boys by Caesarian, so she will not have any more children. On Aug. 14, 1972, Maureen and David had another little girl, a redhead, Sarah Jean. Maureen was ill after that and finally had to have gall bladder surgery.
On April 1, 1973, Tim was married to a very nice girl, Brenda Kovacs. She had a 5 yr. old girl, Kristi. He came back from Vietnam in 1971, went to Fla. for a time, then came home and worked at Mardorfer’s. Then he was laid off and went to Coovert’s Heating Co. Also in July 1973, Joe quit his part time job at the Pony Keg. It was wonderful to have him home on the weekends. Now we had 11 grandchildren and all were married except Dan. In the early spring of 1973, Dan was taken to the hospital with pleurisy pneumonia. He was there over 2 weeks. Three days after he went there, I was taken there again, with pneumonia. So both of us were there at the same time. I came home first, after a week. Dan finally recovered and was able to continue classes.
In 1974, we bought a new Pontiac Ventura. Before that we had a Vega, but we needed or wanted something a little bigger. In Feb. 1975, Kathy’s husband, Tom, enlisted in the Navy. He took his training at Chicago. Then was sent to Mayport Navy base in Fla. Kathy stayed here for awhile and sold their trailer. Then in July 1975, they moved to Atlantic Beach, Fla. They are still there. He may stay in the Navy. Dan graduated from high school in 1975, and was awarded a scholarship to Ball State U. The first one of our children to go to college. He had loads of friends now and was a different person. Our home was much quieter now. Dan got a job in ’76, delivering pizzas. The state only granted him $150 for his sophomore year, so we got a student loan for him. In March 1976, he met a very lovely girl, who worked at the bank with Colleen – Cindy Kistler. Now Dan was really happy. He worked some during the summer refereeing softball games. In Nov. 1976, he started working at Sears in the maintenance dept. His time was full with school, work and seeing Cindy.
In the summer of 76, Joe and I visited Kathy in Fla. We had our first plane ride. We enjoyed it very much. Stayed there a week. It was very hot, but we had a good time.
Then on June 11, 1977, Dan and Cindy were married at St. Mary’s Church in Dunkirk. It was a beautiful wedding, too. Cindy is also a Catholic. They have a nice apartment near the college and his work. Kathy flew home for the wedding. Joe had retired from Delco Battery after 36.7 yrs. so he decided to take her home. We took Sheila and Lisa with us. It was a nice trip, but again very hot. We brought Sheila home with us, but Lisa stayed for the summer. We stopped in Plaines, Ga. to see the home places of our President Jimmy Carter. That was nice – took some pictures. We stopped in Ironton to see some of Joe’s cousins, Mary, Roberta and Josephine. It had been a couple of years since we had seen them. The Rooney family had their first reunion on Aug. 1, ’76. We wanted his cousins to come this year, which they did, to our surprise. They stayed with us and we had a very nice weekend. Joe and his brother Mick took them home on Monday.
As of this writing, the family are all fine. Tim and Brenda bought a house on Meeker Ave. He is still working at Coovert’s and she works at ------. Terry is now foreman at Muncie Parts and doing very well. He and Mary bought a lovely home in the south part of Muncie. Colleen works at Industrial Trust and her husband, Don, works in a small manufacturing plant. Maureen’s husband, Dave, is a carpenter and works for a contractor. Kathy has no children as yet, but is trying along with her doctor’s help. Dan and Cindy are happy. He is now working in the cashier’s dept. at Sears and she works at Industrial Trust. He has two more years at BSU. Joe and I are finally getting used to retirement and a new routine. Our house seems very large, but sometimes the grandchildren visit.
This is the last entry my wife made. In October of 1979 her spot on the outside of the lung was diagnosed as cancer. In December 1979, Doris, Mary Lukens, Mary Rooney, Terry and myself were sitting in the Italian Villa for supper and just had started eating when somebody at our table said “look at Doris (Mom). I looked at her and her face was contorted and I knew she was having a convulsion, which she had not had for about 8 yrs. Now I really believe it was a stroke. Somebody, Mary Rooney, I think, called the police ambulance and I rode with her to the emergency room at the hospital. She had a scat scan later after the stroke at home. And they said she had two brain tumors, one in front of her head and one in back. When she was first told she had cancer, Dr. Cudon told me that it was in the lymph glands too. My heart fell, because I knew that cancer spreads like wildfire, if it gets in the lymph glands. That is exactly what happened, I’m sorry to say. I brought her home for awhile, then she would feel bad, and I would take her back again. One morning after breakfast she was sitting on the couch and her left arm started to shake. I knew she was having a stroke, so I rushed her to the hospital. This was when they gave her the scat scan and found the brain tumors. She had been taking cobalt for her lung and the Dr. said it had shrunk. She then after finding out she had two brain tumors had to take more cobalt. She was getting her hair washed at Dodie’s one day and I was there with her. Dodie said “Joe look at this!” Doris’ hair was coming out in chunks. Dodie then took all of Doris’ hair off her poor head, and I took Doris to the Kmart on the way home and bought her a wig.
Before I begin anything about myself, I would like to give a resume about my brother and three sisters. Thelma, the oldest, is 64 and lives alone. Her husband, Paul Greiwe, died in 1967 at the age of 53. Her eight children are all married but two. The oldest, Ed, is a Crozier missionary and is in Indonesia. Ron, the next son, is married and lives in Indianapolis and has three children; Marilyn (Weaver) lives here and has two sons; Rita Kay (Brocki) is divorced and has one son. Jeanette (Carnes) lives here and has one son and one daughter; Jim lives in Georgia and has one son. Joan is unmarried and lives in Memphis, Tenn.; Tom is married and lives in Wabash, Ind.
My sister Rita (Whitworth) is 57 and lives here. She has three children; Saundra (Clairday) lives in Clearwater, Fla., and has two sons. She is divorced. Michael is married and has two sons. Belinda lives at home and will be starting BSU this fall. Pauline, 54, lives near Muncie. Her oldest, Karen (Gray) lives near her, is divorced and has three children; John is married and lives in New Jersey, and has a son and a daughter; Pam (Taylor) lives in Roanoke, Va., and has one daughter; Lucinda lives in Muncie, but works and has her own home. Wayne lives in S. Carolina, is divorced and has one daughter; Connie lives at home and will be entering DePauw U. this fall; Scott is still at home and is in high school. Our only brother John (Jack), 49, is a doctor in Hobart, Ind. He is married and has three children; Mark, married and has one son, is in premed school; Mary Anne (Mimi) is a junior at Indiana U.; Johnny is in high school at Hobart.
As for me I have six children, married to Michael Joseph Rooney, am 62 years old. My oldest, Maureen Grace, 32, is married to David Jarnagin and they have five children, Sheila Ann 13; Margaret Lisa 12; David Stephan 11, Gerald Patrick 8; Sarah Jean 5. Colleen Ann, 30, is married to Donald Morgan and they have three children; Lynn Ann, 13; Donald Joseph 12; Julie Marie 8. Timothy Joseph, 29, is married to Brenda (Kovacs) and she has a daughter 10. Terrence Patrick, 28, is married to Mary (Lukews) and they have Terrence Patrick 7; and Michael Heath, 5. Kathleen Louise, 26, is married to Thomas Davis – no children as yet. They live in Atlantic Beach, Fla. – he is in the Navy. Daniel Kevin, 20, is married to Cindy Jo (Kistler) – no children yet. I will go into more detail later as this “sketch” proceeds.
Grandparents were Lewis and Mary L. Cater of Matthews, Ind. And Peter and Mary (Best) Bott of Muncie, Ind. My father had one sister, Vada (Carter) Wheat (John Payne) and mother had three sisters and a brother. My father also had two older half brothers, Charley and Milo Carter. Mother’s brother was Carl F., her sister is Ida May (Coons) and her two older sisters were Julia (Lilly) Stopper and Eva (Lilly) Bott. My grandfather Carter was married twice, and my grandmother Bott was married to a Mr. Lilly before she married Peter Bott.
As of now, Aug. 1977, all are deceased except Ida, who is 84 years old.
I was born on Feb. 5, 1915, in Muncie, Indiana, Delaware County. Thelma was born Aug. 6, 1913. Rita was born July 14, 1920, Pauline on March 18, 1923 and Jack on July 8, 1928. The last three were born in Anderson, Ind., Thelma and I here in Muncie.
I cannot remember too many details of my early life. Just incidents here and there. One incident when I was about 4 or 5, Dad wanted a 3 generation picture of himself, his mother (who lived with us) and Thelma. I was very upset because I wasn’t allowed in the picture. When the picture came back, there I was in it walking away in a huff, my back to the camera. I liked school, but Thelma didn’t. Mother had to walk her there sometimes at first. We went to St. Mary’s in Anderson. From the third grade on Thelma and I were in the same class. The reasons are a little vague now, but somehow there I was. We used to roller skate to school in nice weather, mostly we walked. Sometimes we rode a street car. When we were in the fourth grade a new school was built. A beautiful building, (it’s still there) and the one thing we were happy about were the inside restrooms, also the gymnasium. There was one time when Rita was a baby, we all went for a walk out in the country. There is a picture in the album of us. Sometimes Thelma and I would go swimming (wading for me) in a big new municipal pool in Park Place. That was really something. We also went to the movies quite often and usually had a soda at the drugstore. This was our Sunday treat, and cost each of us 20 cents.
I remember when Pauline was born. Mother developed phlebitis or “milk leg.” Things were very hectic for several weeks. But she finally recovered except for swelling in her legs at times.
Dad acquired a used ----Knight car and we sometimes made trips to Muncie to see Mother’s family here. Especially Aunt Ida who was near Mother’s age. She had a daughter Mary Ellen, who was just nine months younger than me. We had great times together. Mary E. was an only child and she considered Thelma and I more than just first cousins. There are so many memories – suffice it to say that I was happy. I loved to read and spent a lot of time at the public library. Thelma sometimes chided me for putting off household chores so I could finish the book I was reading. I have never lost my love for books.
When Jack was born, a little early, we were sent over to Aunt Lillie and Uncle Carl’s for awhile. You can imagine how delighted we were that we had a little brother. I was 13 at the time. Then when we were almost through the 9th grade Dad got work in Muncie. Thelma and I stayed at Aunt Lillie’s until May, then we joined the rest of the family. Times were pretty hard then in 1929, the Depression was telling on everyone. Thelma quit school and worked out in a private home for awhile then later on started working at Ontario Mfg. Co. I started in a public school for the first time. It was a little frightening as I was accustomed to the sisters. But I finally got used to it. My biggest problem was clothes. I had two dressed, one with collars and cuffs that could be changed. It was rough.
I forgot to mention my first communion and confirmation and the beautiful processions we had at St. Mary’s. Some of these practices are changed now. Not in importance, but in the way they are received.
To continue – I went to Central High School and times were still bad. Dad was working nights at Delco Battery. There girls were in the public school, but went to Cathechism at St. Mary’s new church. It was built in 1930, I think. Was in the basement of what would eventually be the school. Father Cyr, the pastor, had been an assistant at St. Mary’s in Anderson when we were living there. Mother began having trouble with her legs. So she went to see a Dr. Cure. He examined her thoroughly and found she had an enlarged inward goiter. This was also straining her heart. After much discussion, they decided to operate and remove the thyroid. But complications arose and she contracted pneumonia from which she never recovered. That was Oct. 31, 1931. I saw her once in the hospital after the surgery. I shall never forget it. I went with her and Dad to the hospital – it was her first time in one – and she was laughing about the hospital gowns. That was the last time I saw her alive. I was home peeling potatoes when Dad came to tell us about her. I had never seen a man cry before. It was heartbreaking. I was 16 at the time and Jack was three. Funeral homes were not used for “wakes” as much then, so everyone came to the house. My pretty redheaded mother was gone – she was 36 yrs. old. I know my parents had gone through some trying times, but they loved one another very much.
I quit school to take care of the children. We didn’t want to be separated. About a year before Mother died, I started learning how to be a beauty operator. A friend of Dad’s owned one here in Muncie. Her name was Blanche Thomas and she lived in Anderson – going back and forth on the inter---- cars. She taught me in return for helping her with the phone and cleaning the shop. I enjoyed it very much. Dad had a gas marcel heater hooked up in our dining room along with a mirror and little shelf. If I was able to make a little money now and then doing some work at home, when I was about 17 or 18, Blanche decided to move her shop to Anderson. I went with her and stayed at Uncle Carl’s. But didn’t make much money. This was in the summer time, so when fall came I went home to stay with the family. Dad had a very bad sick spell and I was needed. Thelma was still working. Finally when I was 19, I decided to get a job. Rita and Pauline were old enough to look after Jack and we all shared the housework and cooking. I found a job at the Burkey Beauty Salon. At first I did shampoos for the other operators – there were three – did manicures and other odds and ends. Gradually I built up a following of my own. Then in 1936 Thelma was married to Paul Greiwe. Also that year in July, our beloved cousin Mary Ellen Coons died. She was 20 yr. old. When Thelma was married, she and I and Paul and his best man, Pete Elliott, went directly to her house after the wedding, as she was too ill to attend. She was so happy about that.
We still had some rough times. The girls worked part time during high school and sometimes we had a housekeeper in to take care of things. But that didn’t work out too well. So usually the girls and I managed the house ourselves. We moved several times and were living at 516 East Jackson when I married. I had dated several fellows, but when this came along, it was different.
For several years I had been going to the CYO at St. Mary’s. Most of us were young unmarrieds in our teens and early 20’s. I was dating Tom Bennington, who lived near us on W. 11th St. and he belonged, too. This one summer in 1938 our CYO and St. Lawrence CYO had a combined wiener roast at Memorial Park in New Castle. I was on the committee and this tall, thin, dark haired “guy” was on the St. L. committee. So we got acquainted – his name was Joe Rooney. After the wiener roast most of us went to our CYO club rooms (they were in a house next to the church) and danced and talked. Both CYO clubs had softball teams and we girls would go with them to the games. Luckily one of my friends, Adeline Leitsb---, had a car and usually she and Huber were in her car.
The next two years were wonderful times. We went to movies, dances, and private parties and softball games plus other summer activities. In December 1939, Joe gave me a ring. It was not a large diamond, but was certainly beautiful to me.
On March 30, 1940, at 10:00 a.m. we were married at St. Mary’s church by Father Edgar Cyr. Rita was my bridesmaid and Jack Trout was Joe’s best man. We were blessed with a beautiful weekend that year, warm and sunny. Our honeymoon trip was to Cincinnati, but stayed at the Flannery Hotel across the river in Covington, Ky. Needless to say, we were very happy.
Both of us went to work on Monday. We already had our furniture in our apartment at 817 E. Jackson St. We lived there three months, then Joe’s parents made their upstairs into an apartment and we moved there.
In 1942, on March 17, he enlisted in the Marine Corps, as our country was then involved in World War II. He left for San Diego, Calif., on May 10, 1942. I continued working and living at 724 N. Penn St. It was best to keep busy and the days were O.K., but the nights were lonesome. That summer, I took a month off at work and went to Calif. to see Joe. We had a lovely time even though he was confined to the base much of the time. It was quite a thrill for me to go there on the train. However, he left in Aug. for overseas duty on Johnston Is. a tiny place in the Pacific Ocean.
I wrote nearly every day and he wrote as much as he could. Usually I would get several letters all at once. I finally, in Nov. 1943, moved to an apartment with a girlfriend so I could be closer to where I worked. At that time I was working for ---- Frazier in the Western Reserve bldg, and had been since before our marriage. Then in Feb. 1944, Joe came home from Johnston Is. and after 30 days at home was sent to Camp Lejeune, North Carolina. I decided to go with him, as he expected to be in the States several months.
So on March 5, after a long bus ride we arrived in Jacksonville, N.C. It was a tiny town and crowded with servicemen and their families. We could not find a place to stay at first, but finally found a motel for one night, this was a Friday. On Saturday we hunted again and finally found a place for another night. On Sunday we went to Mass in a private home, where the priest had a tiny chapel. We went to see him, hoping he might have some idea where we could find a room. He directed us to a rather shabby place, where the lady rented rooms. We didn’t have much choice and took it. There was a tiny stove, table, couple of chairs and a bed. Somehow, we managed. Joe reported to the base and I went out looking for a job. I just couldn’t stay in that tiny, shabby room all day. I did find work in a beauty shop owned by a Ruby Swinson. She was very nice. She and her husband were renting one of their bedrooms out but it was occupied at the time. We had a good time there, however, and made some friends. In May or June, we did get to move to Ruby’s house, which was much nicer.
In July, we decided to do something about my not being pregnant yet. Joe had a test at the Marine base and was O.K. So I went to a clinic in Wilson, N.C. I had a thorough examination and was scheduled to go back in a couple of weeks for minor surgery. The tubes were blocked and the doctor was going to force air into them. Joe went with me this time and I was glad he did and it was rather painful.
The first of Aug. we came home on a bus for a 2 week vacation. That was a rough trip. The bus was always packed. Servicemen were allowed on first, then other people. One time they almost wouldn’t let me get on with him. Had to show my I.D. card.
We went back to N.C. and in a few weeks I found out I was pregnant. Joe left there the first part of Oct., and I came home. We still had our apartment at his mother’s home. I did not go back to work. The winter dragged on and I waited for the baby.
She was born on May 12, 1945, we named her Maureen Grace. Took lots of pictures to send to her Dad, who was on Okinawa. The war ended in Aug., but he didn’t get home until Dec., when the baby was nine months old. It was a wonderful homecoming. So many fathers did not get to come home to their loved ones. Rita’s husband to be was in the Army, in Europe, Pauline’s husband Bud as in the Navy; my brother Jack went into the Navy in June 1945. So we all had anxious times.
Joe went back to work for a few months and then was out on strike for some time. Finally it was settled. I was pregnant again, but had some problems and almost miscarried, but finally gave birth to another daughter on Jan. 14, 1947. She was a tiny 5 lb. 1 oz. baby. We named her Colleen Ann.
We were still living in the apartment and were beginning to get a little crowded. Then I found out I was pregnant again. So we started looking for a house. It was hard. Building had been slowed down because of the war, and houses were hard to find as rentals. Eventually we found one in Austin Heights addition, northeast of town and not too far from his parents. We used our GI loans to help purchase it. It had a living room, 2 bedrooms, bath, large basement and a garage. Plus a big yard. We moved there in Nov. 1947.
On Jan. 22, 1948, we had our first boy, Timothy Joseph. Joe was really happy. Saw him first just right after birth and kissed him, even though he wasn’t bathed yet. Everything was going along pretty good. We didn’t have much money, but managed. The girls got whooping cough, but were not seriously ill because they had their shots, but Tim got it at 6 weeks. For two weeks we fed and diapered him under an improvised tent over his crib. Also had to keep a vaporizer going all the time. That was really a hard time, but he survived. We didn’t get to go many places but were happy.
Then I was pregnant again. On July 23, 1949, we had another little boy, Terrence Patrick. We thought sure we would not have any more, as I was 33 years old by then. Work was not too good, so Joe got a part-time job three nites a week as a bartender at Gus’ Tavern on S. Walnut St. The extra money helped, but certainly limited our social life. However, we had picnics in the summer, and soon the girls would be in school.
So time went on and I was pregnant again. We had another girl on June 2, 1951. We named her Kathleen Louise. She was a pretty dark haired baby – the others were blond or red-headed. Joe kept on working two jobs and I was plenty busy tending to five children, the oldest only six years old. And our house was getting too crowded again. Our next door neighbors Mr. and Mrs. Dock, were planning to move, so we decided to buy their house and rent ours until it could be sold. Dock’s house had 4 bedrooms, a utility room, dining room and attached garage. We made the move in Nov. 1953. After renting the other house for some time, we finally sold it to Gladys and Tom Usselton. They had no children, but were very nice neighbors.
In Feb. 1955, I delivered a stillborn baby girl. The doctor said something happened that caused the oxygen supply to be cut off. He thinks she died about 6 1/2 month, but felt like she should be born naturally. We named her Doreen, but I never saw her. It was a great disappointment, but we learned to accept the loss as God’s will.
In the late summer of 1956, I again became pregnant. I was 41 yrs. old and wasn’t too sure I would make it again. In Sept. Joe’s parents were called to Ironton, Ohio, because of the death of his father’s sister Mary Ann (Mege). They went back the first week of Oct. to settle some affairs there, and Joe’s mother became very ill. She suffered a cerebral hemorrhage and never regained consciousness. She died on Oct. 9, 1956, and was 64 years old.
A wonderful person, I loved her very much. Especially as my own mother had died when I was 16.
The winter went on. Joe started working on Friday and Saturday nights at the Pony Keg, while still working at Delco. I was doing fine so far. Then on April 12, I fainted in the kitchen, just 2 weeks before my baby was due. Kathy was five and a half yrs. old. She was playing in the kitchen with a little friend and they ran down the street to get her mother. My neighbor, Gladys, saw them and came over, too. She called the doctor and Joe. The older children came home from school before the ambulance got there. I was taken to the hospital and Dr. High, who had delivered all of my babies except Maureen, took care of me. By Sunday night I was better, so we decided to induce labor and go ahead with the birth. I had another little boy on April 15, 1957. Another dark haired one. We named him Daniel Kevin.
This had to be the last, we said. I was 42 years old by now. Dan was a joy for all of us. The girls spoiled him. About two years later I again thought I was pregnant. The girls were visiting my brother in Hobart and we went up after them one weekend. It was in the summer. There I had a miscarriage. As soon as I got home, I went to the doctor and had a D&C. Dan was the last. I never became pregnant again.
Our life settled into a routine. School, some summer activities. The children had lots of friends in the neighborhood and most of them congregated here. We had a basketball court that attracted many boys. There were the usual cuts, bruises and bumps. Arguments at times. It was a busy time for all. When Kathy was a baby, we started having a reunion the first Sunday in Sept. with my mother’s people. Quite a few lived in the northern part of Ohio; we called it the Bott-Merrill Reunion. We are still having them, 26 or 27 years later. But the older ones are all gone and some younger ones do not come, so I am not sure how much longer they will continue.
In 1962, I had all my teeth pulled. Then Joe’s father became ill around Thanksgiving time, and was taken to the hospital. I developed a cold, which turned into pneumonia, and I was also put in the hospital. Dad Rooney and I were on the same floor. I went in on a Tuesday or Wednesday, then on Friday around supper time, something happened to me – the doctor said it was a heart attack caused by the pneumonia. I ended up in the hospital for 3 weeks. Dan was only five.
Maureen was a senior and working part time at Grant’s. It was hard for the girls and for Joe. Somehow they managed. The doctor let them all come to visit me on Christmas Day. I was allowed to go home the next day. So far I have had no more trouble. Previous to this, in 1961, I went to Riley in Indianapolis, to find out why I had blackouts on occasion, and a condition in my eyes called cornea dystrophy. They found that I had a trace of epilepsy, which could be controlled by Dilation. I would have to take it the rest of my life. And to this day, I have never had any trouble. Joe’s father died on Jan. 13, 1963 at the hospital. He was 77 yrs. old.
The children attended St. Lawrence School and at that time went thru grade nine. At the present time, and when Dan was there, there were only six grades. They all attended Central High School. Joe had went there, too, but he had to quit after his junior year, and go to work. Maureen graduated in 1963, and was married June 28, 1963. On October 26, she had a baby girl, Sheila Ann, a husky baby with red hair. She and David Jarnagin, her husband, had some rough times, but they seemed to be happy. Then on Dec. 19, Colleen was married to Donald Morgan. She quite school, also. On June 30, 1964, she had a baby girl name Lynn Ann. On March 3, 1965, Maureen had another little girl, Margaret Lisa. Then on Oct. 5, 1965, Colleen had a baby boy, Donald Joseph. So the family was growing.
In 1966, Tim was graduated from high school. He was working at Mr. Fifteen, and had purchased a motorcycle for transportation. We worried about accidents, but trusted him to be careful. Then he enlisted in the Air Force. Took his training at Lackland AFB, Texas. Aster basic training he went in Jan 1967 to Japan. On Aug. 2-, 1966, Maureen had her first boy, David Stephen, another redhead. Things went along fairly well.
The following is crossed out: My sister Thelma lost her husband, Paul, in June 1967. I forgot in trying to record everything that happened in each year one very important thing. Our dear father died Jan. 1, 1965. He had been suffering from emphysema and finally his heart gave out.
Continuing: In June 1966, just before Tim graduated, he sold his motorcycle to Terry, who was also working at Mr. Fifteen. About June 2nd or 3rd Terry had a terrible accident. He had a fractured skull, a number of bruises and cuts. Joe and I stayed at the hospital all night. In the morning he was taken to surgery and operated on for some damage inside the back of his head. After 5 days in intensive care, he was put in a semi-private room. He gradually recovered. There were several motorcycle accidents that summer and some died. So a law was passed that helmets must be worn at all times.
We heard regularly from Tim. At one time he was very serious about a Japanese girl but things did not work out for them. He came home in July, 1968, and went to Chanute AFB, Ill. Dec. 21, Terry was married to Mary M. Lukens. They had been dating for two years. By now he was working at the Muncie Parts Co. and had bought a car. A settlement had been made on his accident for $10,000. They moved to Des Plaines, Ill. to the Parts Co. there. Mary converted to the Catholic faith and she and Terry had a beautiful wedding at St. Lawrence Church. Tim was best man and Kathy was maid of honor.
On Jan. 1969, Tim went to Vietnam. (Thank God he came home alive.) On Nov. 22, 1968, Colleen had another baby girl, Julie Marie. Then Mary & Terry decided to move back here. They bought a furnished trailer and lived near Albany for a while, then moved it to Burlington Trailer Ct. here in Muncie.
Just after Lisa was born in 1965, Maureen and David moved to Elwood, but they moved back here in about a year. So now everyone was here except Tim. On Jan. 7, 1969, Maureen had another little boy, Gerald Patrick, a brown haired one like Lisa. Then on Dec. 2, Terry and Mary had a boy, Terrence Patrick. Kathy graduated from high school in 1969 and was working at the Ponderosa, but then went to Val’s. She moved away from home for a time, but found that didn’t work out too good, so she came back home. She had been dating a young fellow for several years, but they broke up. Finally she met a very nice young man, Thomas Davis. They were married in a beautiful ceremony at St. Lawrence Church on April 8, 1972. Joe gave her away, and we had a big reception at the K of C. They moved to Bloomington, Ind., where he was working. We saw them fairly often.
Meanwhile, Dan was in high school and doing very well. He was a homebody and had no close friends until he became one of the managers on the Bearcat basketball team. He really loved doing that. Also, on Jan. 20, 1972, Terry and Mary had another little boy, Michael Heath. He was born the same day that Joe’s sister Pat’s husband, Gene Mong, was buried. Mary had both boys by Caesarian, so she will not have any more children. On Aug. 14, 1972, Maureen and David had another little girl, a redhead, Sarah Jean. Maureen was ill after that and finally had to have gall bladder surgery.
On April 1, 1973, Tim was married to a very nice girl, Brenda Kovacs. She had a 5 yr. old girl, Kristi. He came back from Vietnam in 1971, went to Fla. for a time, then came home and worked at Mardorfer’s. Then he was laid off and went to Coovert’s Heating Co. Also in July 1973, Joe quit his part time job at the Pony Keg. It was wonderful to have him home on the weekends. Now we had 11 grandchildren and all were married except Dan. In the early spring of 1973, Dan was taken to the hospital with pleurisy pneumonia. He was there over 2 weeks. Three days after he went there, I was taken there again, with pneumonia. So both of us were there at the same time. I came home first, after a week. Dan finally recovered and was able to continue classes.
In 1974, we bought a new Pontiac Ventura. Before that we had a Vega, but we needed or wanted something a little bigger. In Feb. 1975, Kathy’s husband, Tom, enlisted in the Navy. He took his training at Chicago. Then was sent to Mayport Navy base in Fla. Kathy stayed here for awhile and sold their trailer. Then in July 1975, they moved to Atlantic Beach, Fla. They are still there. He may stay in the Navy. Dan graduated from high school in 1975, and was awarded a scholarship to Ball State U. The first one of our children to go to college. He had loads of friends now and was a different person. Our home was much quieter now. Dan got a job in ’76, delivering pizzas. The state only granted him $150 for his sophomore year, so we got a student loan for him. In March 1976, he met a very lovely girl, who worked at the bank with Colleen – Cindy Kistler. Now Dan was really happy. He worked some during the summer refereeing softball games. In Nov. 1976, he started working at Sears in the maintenance dept. His time was full with school, work and seeing Cindy.
In the summer of 76, Joe and I visited Kathy in Fla. We had our first plane ride. We enjoyed it very much. Stayed there a week. It was very hot, but we had a good time.
Then on June 11, 1977, Dan and Cindy were married at St. Mary’s Church in Dunkirk. It was a beautiful wedding, too. Cindy is also a Catholic. They have a nice apartment near the college and his work. Kathy flew home for the wedding. Joe had retired from Delco Battery after 36.7 yrs. so he decided to take her home. We took Sheila and Lisa with us. It was a nice trip, but again very hot. We brought Sheila home with us, but Lisa stayed for the summer. We stopped in Plaines, Ga. to see the home places of our President Jimmy Carter. That was nice – took some pictures. We stopped in Ironton to see some of Joe’s cousins, Mary, Roberta and Josephine. It had been a couple of years since we had seen them. The Rooney family had their first reunion on Aug. 1, ’76. We wanted his cousins to come this year, which they did, to our surprise. They stayed with us and we had a very nice weekend. Joe and his brother Mick took them home on Monday.
As of this writing, the family are all fine. Tim and Brenda bought a house on Meeker Ave. He is still working at Coovert’s and she works at ------. Terry is now foreman at Muncie Parts and doing very well. He and Mary bought a lovely home in the south part of Muncie. Colleen works at Industrial Trust and her husband, Don, works in a small manufacturing plant. Maureen’s husband, Dave, is a carpenter and works for a contractor. Kathy has no children as yet, but is trying along with her doctor’s help. Dan and Cindy are happy. He is now working in the cashier’s dept. at Sears and she works at Industrial Trust. He has two more years at BSU. Joe and I are finally getting used to retirement and a new routine. Our house seems very large, but sometimes the grandchildren visit.
This is the last entry my wife made. In October of 1979 her spot on the outside of the lung was diagnosed as cancer. In December 1979, Doris, Mary Lukens, Mary Rooney, Terry and myself were sitting in the Italian Villa for supper and just had started eating when somebody at our table said “look at Doris (Mom). I looked at her and her face was contorted and I knew she was having a convulsion, which she had not had for about 8 yrs. Now I really believe it was a stroke. Somebody, Mary Rooney, I think, called the police ambulance and I rode with her to the emergency room at the hospital. She had a scat scan later after the stroke at home. And they said she had two brain tumors, one in front of her head and one in back. When she was first told she had cancer, Dr. Cudon told me that it was in the lymph glands too. My heart fell, because I knew that cancer spreads like wildfire, if it gets in the lymph glands. That is exactly what happened, I’m sorry to say. I brought her home for awhile, then she would feel bad, and I would take her back again. One morning after breakfast she was sitting on the couch and her left arm started to shake. I knew she was having a stroke, so I rushed her to the hospital. This was when they gave her the scat scan and found the brain tumors. She had been taking cobalt for her lung and the Dr. said it had shrunk. She then after finding out she had two brain tumors had to take more cobalt. She was getting her hair washed at Dodie’s one day and I was there with her. Dodie said “Joe look at this!” Doris’ hair was coming out in chunks. Dodie then took all of Doris’ hair off her poor head, and I took Doris to the Kmart on the way home and bought her a wig.