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.

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

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.