Kathy Lynn Rucki

This little card was found in the baby book of my mother, Kathy Lynn Rucki. She was born 5 May 1950 in Battle Creek, Calhoun County, Michigan.

This little card is interesting as she hadn't been named yet. Also tells me she was born at 11:30PM; her weigh at birth of 5 lbs 11 1/2 ounces and weight at discharge from the hospital of 5 lbs 4 1/4 ounces. And finally she was delivered by Dr. Campbell.

Millard Clark Gatchell

Millard Clark Gatchell my grandfather as pictured in his youth.

My grandmother, Catherine Louise Ryan who married Millard told me stories of grandpa having very curly hair. You can see some of those curls in this photo.

Stanley Anthony Rucki

Here's a picture of my grandfather, Stanley Anthony Rucki. Stanley was born on 3 Aug 1915 in Toledo, Lucas County, Ohio and passed away on 4 Jun 1958 in Batttle Creek, Calhoun County, Michigan. He is the son of Anthony Rucki & Adela Anna Kielb.

Stanley was previously married Betty Komives and they had three boys who were my mother's half brothers. Some stories have come down to me that my mother & aunt spent sometime with the Rucki family in the summers of their youth.

Stanley died before I was born so all I know about him has been told to me by my family. The story goes that he had a heart attack while he was working on the roof of his home, fell off the roof and was impaled on a fence. With his death my grandmother remarried and contact with the Rucki side of the family has been very limited over the years. In the past two years I've been in contact with my mother's cousin which has been real exciting to learn more about my Rucki side of the family.

Millard Clark Gatchell in Navy

Here's another great photo of my grandfather, Millard Clark Gatchell in his Navy uniform. I didn't realize until I began writing this blog that there were so many pictures of my grandfather--and alot of them in his Navy uniform.

I need to do some research to see if I can see what ships he served on and what campaigns he participated in during World War II. Not many stories have been passed down to me about his military experience.

My father recently shared a story with me about when my grandfather worked for the railroad he would at times bring home cases of Kelloggs cereal when a box car would bust open. I'd never thought of this happening but it makes sense. As a kid we'd always stop when we found something in the road.

One of the found items I can recall from my childhood is finding a large racoon hit on the road. My Dad picked it up and skinned it, took it to town and got $20 for the skin.

Mary Amilea (Rudolph) Keefe

This is a photo of Mary Amilea (Rudolph) Keefe. Mary is the Great-Grandmother of my wife, Marlene Violetta Keefe. Mary was born 12 Sep 1883 in Providence, Providence County, Rhode Island. She passed away 12 Jan 1986 in North Providence, Providence County, Rhode Island.

Mary was the daughter of Ludwig F. Rudolph & Amelia May Balmert.

Ellen T. (Gatchell) Masters Obituary

Here's the obituary of Ellen T. (Gatchell) Masters. Ellen is my 2nd Great-Grand Aunt. She was born on 25 Jul 1871 in Mifflin Township, Wyandot County, Ohio. She died on 15 Dec 1969 in Upper Sandusky, Wyandot County, Ohio.

Ellen is the daughter of Amos Pugh Gatchell & Mary A. Ream.

Phillip Foss & Eve Rucki

Here's a photo of the personal marriage book of Phillip H. Foss & Eve R. Rucki. They are my grandparents.

Eve and Phillip were married on 21 May 1959 in Battle Creek, Calhoun County, Michigan.

Phillip more commonly known as Phil.

Grandpa & Grandma Foss spent most of their time later days in a house on Bristol Lake in Michigan outside of Battle Creek, Michigan.

Adela A (Kielb) Rucki / Galus

My Great-grand mother was Adela A. (Kielb) Rucki/Galus who worked at the Toledo Stamping & Manufacturing Company in Toledo, Ohio at the time her first husband Anthony Rucki committed suicide in 1929. I know this from the application she made for Social Security of which I have a copy. Adela later married Joseph Galus.

Adela was born on 15 Aug 1897 in Galicia, Poland. She passed away on 7 Sep 1993 in Sylvania, Lucas County, Ohio. Adela was interred in Calvary Cemetery also in Lucas County.

Anna Maie (Clark) Gatchell

Here's a very nice photo of my Great-grandmother Anna Maie Clark. She was born in 1896 so this photo had to be taken about 1900-1905.

What a pretty young lady she is in this picture!

John F Keefe Grave Marker

Here's a photo I took today at Fort Sam Houston National Cemetery, Fort Sam Houston, San Antonio, Bexar County, Texas of my father-in-law's grave marker.

John Francis Keefe was born 10 May 1941 in Providence, Providence County, Rhode Island. He passed away on 29 May 2003 in San Antonio, Bexar County, Texas.

John is the son of John F. Keefe & Violetta Faustina Ciacccia.

Frances Emily (Wallace) Ryan

Here is a photo of my Great-great Grandmother, Frances Emily (Wallace) Ryan. Frances was born on 10 Dec 1874 in Ingersoll, Oxford County, Ontario, Canada. She is the daughter of John Wallace & Harriet Sprague.

She passed away on 29 Dec 1952 in Milford, Oakland County, Michigan.

Frances was married to William/David Wellington Ryan on 4 Jul 1901 in Ingersoll, Oxford County, Ontario, Canada.

Catherine (Domick) Wisniewski

Here's a copy of the obituary of Catherine (Domick) Wisniewski. She passed away on 17 Jun 1978 in Fort Wayne, Allen County, Indiana. She is interred in the Catholic Cemetery in Fort Wayne.

Catherine Gatchell & Millard Gatchell

Here's a nice old photo of my grandparents Catherine Louise Ryan & Millard Clark Gatchell. They both look quite young so much have been around the time of their marriage.

Grandma & Grandpa had been married for 36 years at the time of his death in 1982.

Steven Wisniewski

Here's a great photo my Great-Uncle Steven Wisniewski. Uncle Steve was always a really hard working man--this picture really does that persona justice!

Steven Wisniewski passed away on 10 Mar 1993 in Fort Wayne, Allen County Indiana. He was interred in the Catholic Cemetery in Fort Wayne.

Millard Clark Gatchell

Here's a festive picture of my grandfather, Millard Clark Gatchell. This was not his normal hat attire but he actually looks pretty good in it! Notice the Red, White & Blue on the coffee table. In my memories of grandpa this beverage was never very far from hand.

Eva Rose (Weber) Kill

Here is the letter that my grandmother, Eva Rose Weber received from the War Department in 1946 notifying her of her husband Bernard M. Kill's burial location in St. Lo, France.

Bernard was Grandma's first husband. She later married Stanley A. Rucki & Philip H. Foss.

George Sorg & Mary Sack

George Sorg and Mary F. Sack are my 2nd Great Grand Uncle & Aunt.

Mary was named at birth Mariam Franciscain Sack as recorded in the Baptismal Records of the Hessen Cassel Catholic Church records.

Mary was born on 29 Apr 1873 in Allen County, Indiana. She passed away in 1952. George Sorg was born in 1869 and passed away in 1939.

Mary & George were married on 10 Nov 1896 in Allen County, Indiana

They are both interred in Hessen Cassel Catholic Cemetery, Allen County, Indiana.

Charles L. Sack

Charles L. Sack is my 2nd Great Grand Uncle. Here we have a photo of his headstone. He is interred in Hessen Cassel Catholic Cemetery, Fort Wayne, Allen County, Indiana. Charles died in August 1955. He is the son of Henry Sack & Veronica Miller.

The Hessen Cassel Catholic Cemetery is full o f Sack family interments.

Henry Sack & Vericonica Miller

Here is a photo of headstone of Henry Sack & Veronica Miller my 3rd great-grand parents. They are in interred at Hessen Cassel Catholic Cemetery, Fort Wayne, Allen County, Indiana.

Henry died on 20 Nov 1899 in Marion Township, Allen County, Indiana.

Veronica died on 25 Dec 1940 in Allen County, Indiana.

My grandmother (Catherine Louis Ryan) took me to this cemetery about 2 years ago to show me where her great grandparents were buried. She couldn't get out of the car to walk the cemetery with me but it was a very spiritual experience I had with her as she recalled her family and lead me to this beautiful cemetery.

Clarence Gatchell Jr.

Here is a very early picture of Clarence Gatchell Jr. He is the son of Clarence Gatchell & Willie May Peoppard.

Steven Wisniewski & Millard Gatchell

This is a early picture of Steven Wisniewski (my Great Uncle) & Millard Clark Gatchell (my Grandfather) with Uncle Steve's two daughters. Note Millard must have been visiting home from the Navy has he wears his uniform.

Wellinton Ryan & Frances Wallace

Here is a photo my Great-Great Grandparents David/William Wellington Ryan & Frances Emily Wallace. Not sure of those are their children or maybe their grand children.

Wellington was also known as William and Welby. He was born 18 Oct 1874 in Woodstock, Ontario, Canada to Maria Mairs/Majers & Thomas Ryan.

Frances Emily Wallace was born 12 Dec 1874 in Ingersoll, Ontario, Canada to John Wallace & Harriet Sprague.

Catherine Louise (Ryan) Gatchell

Here's another picture of my grandmother, Catherine Louise Ryan. Looks like a lovely scene with a hat or floral arrangement on her head.

I don't know when this photo was taken but she is probably in her early 20's.

Our family lost Grandma last year and we are now feeling the void of her absence. I've thought many times that I don't know that she had an enemy in the world. She was liked by all and is dearly missed by her family.

Catherine Louise (Ryan) Gatchell

It seems I'm posting alot of baby pictures today. This is of course my Grandmother, Catherine Louise Ryan very early in life.

The home behind her with it's porch make me homesick for Indiana!

Ignatious Wisniewski & Catherine Domick & Family

This wonderful portrait of Ignatious & Catherine Wisniewski and six of their children. My Great-Uncle Steven is first in the bottom row.

The hair cuts on those boys is site for sore eyes!

Both Ignatious & Catherine were born in Poland

Helen Gatchell & Steven Wisniewski

We find pictured here Steven Wisniewski & Helen Marie Gatchell. They were married on 26 Oct 1938 in Fort Wayne, Allen County, Indiana. They are my great Aunt & Uncle. Helen continues to reside in the same home they moved into shortly after they were married in Fort Wayne.

Catherine Louise (Ryan) Gatchell

In the middle we find this picture of my grandmother cooking at Parkview Hospital, Fort Wayne, Indiana where she retired from many years later.

The photo is in rough shape but it's the only one I have of her at her place of work so it's treasured regardless of it's condition.

Millard Gatchell & Catherine Ryan

Pictured here we have my grandparents Millard Clark Gatchell & Catherine Louise Ryan.

This picture reminds of my early childhood when we'd all pack in the car and make the fairly long trip from Nashville, Michigan to Hoagland, Indiana where Grandma & Grandpa lived. They had a mulberry tree in the front yard which provided me hours of entertainment picking and eating until my hands were stained purple in color.

Agnes Louise (Middleton) Ryan Geise

Agnes Louis Middleton was my great-grandmother. Agnes was more commonly known as Peg. Peg was born 29 Jul 1907 in Fort Wayne, Allen County, Indiana to Joseph G. Middleton & Clara Veronica Sack. She was first married to Stanley LeClair Ryan, divorced and married again to Elmer J. Geise.

There are only a handful of known pictures of her so this is a treasured photo of mine.

Agnes passed away on 6 Apr 1952 in Angola, Stueben County, Indiana.

Millard Clark Gatchell in Navy

Millard Clark Gatchell is pictured in the top row, far right. He's pictured with unknown fellow sailors. I'm guessing that this was at his graduation from naval school based on other photographs I've seen of him at the time. He'd be about 18 years old at the time of this picture.

Anna Maie (Clark) Gatchell

My great-grandmother Anna Maie Gatchell was born in 1896 is pictured here with one of her childern (unknown which one). Anna Maie had three daughters & one son.

The daughters:

Wanda Caroline Gatchell
Helen Marie Gatchell
Marjorie Matilda Gatchell

And one son:

Millard Clark Gatchell

Millard Clark Gatchell on the Railroad

Millard Clark Gatchell known more commonly as Mick was an engineer on the railroad (see Wikipedia's entry for Rail Transport for a complete history). Mick's father Ralph Millard Gatchell was also employed by the railroad as well as many of his uncles and extended family.

Anthony Rucki in military dress

My great grandfather Anthony Rucki is pictured in the middle with two unknown of his fellow soldiers. I have some suspicions that he was serving in Haller's Army.

Anthony was interred in Forest Cemetery, Toledo, Ohio on 31 Dec 1929.

Catherine Louise Ryan

Here's another treasured photo of my grandmother Catherine Louise (Ryan) Gatchell in her youth.

I can just image the beautiful sunny day when this picture was taken. It appears to me that she is sitting in a field of flowers and reverently posing for this very sincere photo.

Millard Clark Gatchell's Navy issue

This small card showing the basic naval issue of equipment was found in Millard Clark Gatchell's possession when he passed away. The bag layout must have been part of his naval training that he attended at the US Naval Training Station, Great Lakes, Illinois.

Catherine Louise (Ryan) Gatchell

Here's my grandmother Catherine Louise (Ryan) Gatchell having some youthful fun. This was about seven years before she married my grandfather Millard Clark Gatchell. The family story is someone had purchased this new 1939 Ford and told her to go sit on it so they could take her picture.

Millard Clark Gatchell

This picture was the favorite picture of Mick's bride Catherine Louise after his death in 1982. I think this picture was taken at the Old Fort Wayne.

Looking at this picture brings to my memory Grandpa Gatchell's preference to drive from Fort Wayne, Indiana to visit us in Nashville, Michigan on the rural roads so he could enjoy the ride and the view. He passed away from the cause of an enlarged heart. Grandma thought this was because of all the long hard work he did for so many years.

Millard Clark Gatchell in Navy

We find here Mick Gatchell in his Navy cap sawing a log with a primitive wood bow saw.

Someone must have said 'Smile!' as this certainly isn't a smiling task!

Ignatious Wisniewski & Catherine Domick

We have pictured here Ignatious Wisniewski and Catherine (Domick) Wisniewski. Date and location of the photo is unknown but they are the parents of Stephen Wisniewski.
Uncle Steve's parents were from Poland and he was raised speaking polish at home.

Although I never met them they look like hardworking folks. If you look carefully Ignatious is hold eggs which I'm sure he collected himself from their own hen house.

Kathy Lynn (Rucki) Gatchell's Obituary

Here's a copy of my mother's obituary. Her grandmother, mother, sister and step-brothers have all now since passed away. I was almost 10 years old when she died. My brother was 4 years old.

She is interred in Memorial Park Cemetery, Calhoun County, Michigan.

Catherine Gatchell & Millard Gatchell

This photo was taken on the wedding day of Catherine Louise Ryan & Millard Clark Gatchell on 9 Aug 1946. They were married in Angola, Michigan.

Pictured from left to right: Elmer Geise, Millard Clark Gatchell, Catherine Louise Ryan, Agnes Louise (Middleton) Geise.

Agnes is Catherine's mother and Elmer is Catherine's step-father.

Anna Maie (Clark) Gatchell's Obituary

Maie Gatchell's obituary as published in The Fort Wayne Journal-Gazetter 10 Nov 1924; Page 2, Column 3.

Mrs. Maie Gatchell, wife of Ralph M. Gatchell , 2102 Drexel Blvd. died last night at 8:25 o'clock at the Methodist hospital following an illness of two weeks of complications. Surviving besides the husband are three daughters and one son, and the parents, Mr. and Mrs. Charles Clark of Akron, O. She was a member of the O.E.S . and the L.A. to B. of __(maybe Eastern Star?). Funeral announcements will be made later.

Anna Maie (Clark) Gatchell

Anna Maie (Clark) Gatchell is my Great-grand mother. She is interred in Lindenwood Cemetery, Fort Wayne, Allen County, Indiana.

Marriage of Ralph Gatchell & Mae Clark

My Great-grandfather Ralph M. Gatchell married my great-grandmother Mae Clark on 25 Sep 1917 in Fort Wayne, Allen County, Indiana. I've included a copy of their marriage license.

At this time Ralph was 25 years old and Mae was 21 years old. Ralph reports his occupation as Engineer. He worked on the railroad. It's also reported that his father Grant Gatchell was a 'railroader' obviously also employed by the railroad. No occupation is given for Mae but her father is reported to me a "Messenger."

The two witnesses to the marriage are Solly Frankenstein and Louis Pietz. Solly was a good friend of Ralph's that help administer the estate of Ralph & Mae after their death during the time their children were still minor age.

Steven Wisniewski

Steven Wisniewski was my Great-Uncle or sometime termed Grand-Uncle. He was born 18 Aug 1913 in Fort Wayne, Allen County, Indiana to Ignatious Wisniewski & Catherine Domick. Uncle Steve died on 10 Mar 1993 in the same city that he was born in.

Uncle Steve married Helen Marie Gatchell on 26 Oct 1938 in Fort Wayne, Indiana.

He worked and retired from Harvester International in Fort Wayne. Uncle Steve always had a large and bountiful garden. I can remember visiting them several times when I was young as he raised pigeons in the back of his garage. He butchered and ate them too which seems rather foreign to me at the time but I have come to appreciate this more in my later years as Uncle Steve grew up in the Great Depression in which food was scarce.

Millard Clark Gatchell in Navy

My grandfather Millard Clark Gatchell (on left) is pictured here with an unidentified shipmate during his Navy service days. He was is reported to have shot down a Japanese Zero during World War II.

The story that has been passed down to me is grandpa was living with an uncle of his that was very mean to him (both his parents passed away quite early in his life) and as soon as he was old enough to leave home he jointed the Navy.

I was only 12 years old when grandpa passed away so I don't have that many memories as they lived in Fort Wayne, Indiana and we lived in Nashville, Michigan which only allowed us to see them on occasion.

Grandpa Gatchell is part of the Greatest Generation which was coined by journalist Tom Brokaw.

Mae (Clark) Gatchell

Anna 'Mae' (Clark) Gatchell was born 29 Mar 1896 in Sheldon, Iroquios County, Illionois to Charles H. Clark & Matilda M. Hoagland. Mae passed away 9 Nov 1924 in Fort Wayne, Allen County, Indiana. She died in child labor the story is told to me by my family. There are only a few known pictures of her. Mae Gatchell is my Great-Grandmother. She is buried in Lindenwood Cemetery, Fort Wayne, Allen County, Indiana. She married Ralph Millard Gatchell on 25 Sep 1917 in Fort Wayne, Allen County, Indiana. Mae & Ralph had four children together.

Catherine Louise (Ryan) Gatchell

I was recently able to get this photo of Grandma when she was a little girl. Having only known her as my grandmother really makes me pause to appreciate that she too had a childhood with joys and pains that we all endure.

I very much doubt there are any plastic parts on her tricycle!

Millard Gatchell & Catherine Ryan

Millard Clark Gatchell & Catherine Louise Ryan were married on 9 Aug 1946 in Angola, Stueben County, Indiana. Grandma was fond of telling the story of when they were married by a minister by the name of John Humpreys in a little tiny chapel in Angola.

Catherine Louise (Ryan) Gatchell

Catherine Louise (Ryan) Gatchell was born on 11 May 1925 in Pontiac, Oakland County, Michigan to Agnes Louise Middleton & Stanley LeClair Ryan. She passed away on 11 Nov 2008 in Columbia City, Whitney County, Indiana.

Catherine known to her friends as Kate lived in Michigan, Indiana & Florida. She was known for her wonderful cooking and soups. She worked in Parkview Hospital in Fort Wayne, Indiana for many years and was the cook that made all soups at the hospital.

Here's one entry from her hand written recipe book:

Spagetti and meat sauce

3 boxes spagetti
20 cans spaghetti sauce
130#(pounds) ground beef

Garlic
Salt
White pepper
1 box dryed onions
Rosemary
Oragano

Obviously this is a hospital meal recipe with 130 pounds of ground beef?!