Free
/LYLQJ /LIH $IWHU
October 2022 :^HWWPUN 1PNZH^ 7\aaSLZ +LLWLULK -YPLUKZOPW :LL 7HNL
Allen County Edition Ed E Reaching Fort Wayne And Surrounding Counties
www.seniorlifenewspapers.com
Vol. 35, No. 6
',$1( 3(/7,(5 '(77(5
720 6+(5%21'<
%211,( %8516 3(7(56
0,7&+(// 78&.(5
$11( 2/5< 6+(5%21'<
It’s ‘all in the family’ %\ 9,1&( /$%$5%(5$ )HDWXUH :ULWHU
Our ancestors have left their marks on us. In the past, family history was held in high regard by many types of people, carrying the honors and dishonors of everyone who came before them. In the medieval ages, one’s lineage was of such importance entire texts were created tracing the lineage of every noble person in various lands. Later, in many places, one’s family history was written into the front blank pages of the family Bible. October is labeled “Family History Month.” Many people find there is a certain comfort in knowing where they came from. Taking an opportunity this month to think and talk about our family origins may encourage folks to delve into the people who came together to make them who they are today. Older family members, such as grandparents, aunts, uncles or other relatives, can be vitally important to the ability to keep one’s family history alive. In addition, some people are fortunate to have a family member who has or had a passion for genealogy and will have started the footwork for them. Today it’s a little easier than it used to be when folks had to physically go to the places where their predecessors lived. We are fortunate in the Fort Wayne area to have one of the largest physical genealogy collections in the world at the Allen County Public Library. It’s one of the best places in the country to research one’s
unity Find The Senior Comm
family history. Many folks, however, are not heavily into genealogy but they do know some fascinating facts they’ve heard through the years about members of their family. Maybe they’ve even heard some sordid details about a so-called “black sheep” of the family. But we put those negative stories aside as we asked some people, “What is the most fascinating fact you’ve learned about your family history?” “This isn’t historical, but my dad found an abandoned baby on the church steps when he stopped in to say a prayer for my brother who was in the University of Michigan Hospital having surgery,” related Diane (Peltier) Detter. I don’t know what happened to the baby, however. I was just a child myself when it happened.” Tom Sherbondy recalled a family story he heard many times. “The 100-year-old cottage on Sylvan Lake in Rome City was built by my grandpa (Sherbondy) and my dad. It always had boats,” he said, “but actually grandpa had the first ‘motorized’ boat on Sylvan Lake and a wood structure to house it in what we all now call a boat house,” he quipped. “My wife, Anne (Olry) Sherbondy, has a story,” he added. “Her dad, Al Olry Sr., was born and raised in Faith, S.D. When his dad, Leo Olry, was looking to settle in the Brimfield/Rome City area in the 1920s they would ride the train east and would be dropped off on the side of the tracks in Brimfield. They lived in houses in Brimfield and Rome City and ended up in Fort Wayne.” Bonnie (Burns) Peters said her father, James
Aloysius Burns, was named after his uncle of the same name, the Rev. James Aloysius Burns, Congregation of the Holy Cross. Father Burns graduated from the University of Notre Dame, was a professor of chemistry from 1895 to 1900, served as rector of Sorin Hall, became Assistant Superior General of the Order of Holy Cross and served as president of Notre Dame from 1919-1922, related Peters. “While he was president, Knute Rockne was the university’s football coach and George Gipp was a star on the team,” she said. “When Gipp flunked out of school, it was Father Burns who had him reinstated, supposedly based on an oral exam he conducted himself.” In addition, Peters’ uncle, Hugh Burns, served as the trainer of Notre Dame’s football team during Coach Frank Leahy’s run of four national championships in the mid-1940s. “Hugh later became the head trainer for the Detroit Lions and also the trainer for Notre Dame’s basketball team,” she said. “My father, Albert M. Tucker, was in the Army in the 1940’s,” said Mitchell Tucker. “Before June 6, 1944, he was lined up with his unit ready to head overseas. They had their serial number blacked out and all were ready to be shipped off,” he said. “A sergeant came down the line asking if anyone could cook. My dad said he could cook and the sergeant said, ‘Come with me.’ Dad stayed behind to be a cook and his unit was sent to Normandy Beach. All of the men in that unit, except my dad, died on Normandy Beach,” he emphasized.
you’ve you ve always pictured for yourself yoursel or your loved one!
• Located in a cozy, tranquil, secure neighborhood with a charming small town atmosphere • Luxury or Spacious Studio and 1 Bedroom apartments • Chef prepared meals & snacks including special diets of FORT WAYNE • Dedicaated 24/7 healthcare team • Activities, Outings & Social Independent and Assisted Living Enrichment • Wellness programs & safety Call to schedule your personalized tour today and learn what sets us apart! protocols www.kingstonhealthcare.com/communities/kingston-residence-of-fort-wayne
RESIDENCE
7515 Winchester Road • Fort Wayne, IN 46809 • (260) 203-1366