In an effort to document my family treasures which cannot be scanned in, I am publishing this series of pictures as part of the Treasure Chest Thursday theme at Geneabloggers. Someday in the future, I hope to shed some light on these treasures for my family who might inherit them. What were they for? Who did they come from? Why were they considered treasures? Let’s find out.
Rock from the Park
This rock was picked up at a park in Saginaw, Michigan by my best friend, Jennifer (Strachan) Peck. She knew I liked rocks and she happened across this shiny piece, so she picked it up and gave it to me the next time she saw me. That was back in the summer of 1989.
It has chunks of quartz that shimmer in the light. There’s no particular reason that I kept it – I just liked it. Jennie gave it to me so it’s a symbol of our friendship.
This is the obituary for my husband’s great grand-uncle, Stephen Zit Green, the brother of Fred Ozro Green. It was published in the Kalamazoo Gazette in Kalamazoo, Michigan on August 11, 1970.
Obituary for Stephen Zit Green GREEN, Mr. Stephen Z. Kendall– Age 85, passed away Monday afternoon at Lakeview Community Hospital, Paw Paw. Mr. Green was born Feb. 27, 1885, in Kendall, the son of Mr. and Mrs. Abner Green and was a life resident of this area. He retired from Ingersolls in Kalamazoo. Mr. Green is survived by 4 sons and one daughter, Azel A. of Posen, Ill., Stephen D. of St. Petersburg, Fla., Francis W. of Niles, Chester A. of Kendall and Mrs. Bonnie A. Allen of Lawrence; one brother, John of California; one sister, Mrs. Rachel (Nell) Watkins of Kalamazoo; a step-brother, Francis Forbes of Rupert Lake; 18 grandchildren; 20 great-grandchildren; many nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his wife, 2 sons, a brother and a sister. Services will be held Thursday at 1 p.m. from the Gobles Chapel of the Robbins Funeral Home, Rev. Paul Arnstrom officiating. Burial in Kendall Cemetery.
Obituary for Stephen Zit Green
GREEN, Mr. Stephen Z. Kendall–
Age 85, passed away Monday afternoon at Lakeview Community Hospital, Paw Paw. Mr. Green was born Feb. 27, 1885, in Kendall, the son of Mr. and Mrs. Abner Green and was a life resident of this area. He retired from Ingersolls in Kalamazoo. Mr. Green is survived by 4 sons and one daughter, Azel A. of Posen, Ill., Stephen D. of St. Petersburg, Fla., Francis W. of Niles, Chester A. of Kendall and Mrs. Bonnie A. Allen of Lawrence; one brother, John of California; one sister, Mrs. Rachel (Nell) Watkins of Kalamazoo; a step-brother, Francis Forbes of Rupert Lake; 18 grandchildren; 20 great-grandchildren; many nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his wife, 2 sons, a brother and a sister. Services will be held Thursday at 1 p.m. from the Gobles Chapel of the Robbins Funeral Home, Rev. Paul Arnstrom officiating. Burial in Kendall Cemetery.
Mary Dreffs holds her youngest children, twins Daniel and Diane
I would like to wish my mother a very HAPPY 60TH BIRTHDAY! I love you Mom!
Ring Monster From Aunt Colleen
My Aunt Colleen (Cole) Zana made this little ceramic ring holder. I received it as a gift in 1983. My sister Kathleen has it’s sibling – a matching red one. I really treasure this fragile little piece of art. My Aunt Colleen made it – and I LOVE it because of that!
For years, my sister used hers to store her rings at the sink when she did the dishes. Mine has held little treasures over the years but I never used it for ring storage. I keep him stored in a clear display box so it doesn’t get dusty or broken.
This is the obituary for my husband’s great-grandfather, Fred Ozro Green. It was published in the Kalamazoo Gazette in Kalamazoo, Michigan on December 10, 1961.
Obituary for Fred Ozro Green GREEN, Mr. Fred O. Kendall, Michigan Age 79, Passed away at the Alamo Nursing Home last night. Mr. Green was born in Michigan and had been a lifelong resident of this area. His wife, Wava, preceded him in death. Surviving are: 4 sons, Ernest of Portland, Ore., Robert of Otsego, Max of Phoenix, Ariz. and Don of Gobles; 4 daughters, Wilma Wait of Kendall, Virginia Stech of Kalamazoo, Betty Leversee of Kendall and Helen Johnson of La Punde, Calif., 22 grandchildren; 13 great-grandchildren; 2 brothers, Stephen Green of Kendall and John Green of Calif.; one sister, Rachel Watkins of Kalamazoo. Funeral services will be held Monday at 2 p.m. at the Kendall Church. Burial in Kendall Cemetery. The family suggests that donations may be made to the Kendall Methodist Church Memorial Fund. Friends may call at the Andre Funeral Home, Gobles, until 11 o’clock Monday morning.
Obituary for Fred Ozro Green
GREEN, Mr. Fred O. Kendall, Michigan
Age 79, Passed away at the Alamo Nursing Home last night. Mr. Green was born in Michigan and had been a lifelong resident of this area. His wife, Wava, preceded him in death. Surviving are: 4 sons, Ernest of Portland, Ore., Robert of Otsego, Max of Phoenix, Ariz. and Don of Gobles; 4 daughters, Wilma Wait of Kendall, Virginia Stech of Kalamazoo, Betty Leversee of Kendall and Helen Johnson of La Punde, Calif., 22 grandchildren; 13 great-grandchildren; 2 brothers, Stephen Green of Kendall and John Green of Calif.; one sister, Rachel Watkins of Kalamazoo. Funeral services will be held Monday at 2 p.m. at the Kendall Church. Burial in Kendall Cemetery. The family suggests that donations may be made to the Kendall Methodist Church Memorial Fund. Friends may call at the Andre Funeral Home, Gobles, until 11 o’clock Monday morning.
Rainbow Caterpillar
Meet Mr. Rainbow Caterpillar. Mom made him out of rainbow yarn, a pair of googly eyes and a top hat for a nose. He has magnets glued on his back so he sticks to the refrigerator.
I previously talked about my mother’s craft projects, such as the Jessica Cross-Stitch Magnet and the Golf Ball Dog, which she sold at the school art fairs. This is another one of those little projects.
I keep him stored safely away because my cats like to chew on him.
This is the obituary for James Kemmerly, the husband of my grandmother’s sister Katherine (Fitzgerald) Kemmerly. It was published in the Northwest Indiana Times in Valparaiso, Indiana.
Obituary for James Kemmerly James “Jim” Kemmerly Crown Point James “Jim” Kemmerly, 78, of Crown Point, passed away Sunday, October 1, 2000 at his home. Survived by his wife Katherine, of 45 years; children: Linda Collins (Chuck) Leinonen of Crown Point, Charles Kemmerly of Crown Point, and Jami Kemmerly of Highland; grandchildren: Joel Collins, Jessica Collins, Aubrey Kemmerly and Derek Leinonen; great-grandchildren, Daniel Collins and Hailie Collins; special friend “Fritz”; and a sister, Gloria Simmons of Chicago. Preceded in death by his parents, Sherman and Irene Kemmerly and son, James Earl Kemmerly. Funeral services will be held Thursday, October 5, 2000, at 10 a.m. from the Chapel Lawn Funeral Home, 8178 South Cline Ave., Schererville, Indiana, (one miles south of US 30). Burial, Chapel Lawn Memorial Gardens, Schererville. Friends may meet with the family Wednesday, October 4th, 2 to 9 p.m. at Chapel Lawn Funeral Home. Jim was the owner of K & W Trophies in Crown Point; member of Navajo Saddle Club and numerous saddle clubs. He was a member of the Lake County Agricultural Society and Superintendent of the Western Show. He was retired from Chicago Flame Hardening. A Lieutenant with the Merchant Marines. Jim’s favorite past time was camping and trail riding with his friends. In lieu of flowers, contributions may be given to the family.
Obituary for James Kemmerly
James “Jim” Kemmerly Crown Point James “Jim” Kemmerly, 78, of Crown Point, passed away Sunday, October 1, 2000 at his home. Survived by his wife Katherine, of 45 years; children: Linda Collins (Chuck) Leinonen of Crown Point, Charles Kemmerly of Crown Point, and Jami Kemmerly of Highland; grandchildren: Joel Collins, Jessica Collins, Aubrey Kemmerly and Derek Leinonen; great-grandchildren, Daniel Collins and Hailie Collins; special friend “Fritz”; and a sister, Gloria Simmons of Chicago. Preceded in death by his parents, Sherman and Irene Kemmerly and son, James Earl Kemmerly. Funeral services will be held Thursday, October 5, 2000, at 10 a.m. from the Chapel Lawn Funeral Home, 8178 South Cline Ave., Schererville, Indiana, (one miles south of US 30). Burial, Chapel Lawn Memorial Gardens, Schererville. Friends may meet with the family Wednesday, October 4th, 2 to 9 p.m. at Chapel Lawn Funeral Home. Jim was the owner of K & W Trophies in Crown Point; member of Navajo Saddle Club and numerous saddle clubs. He was a member of the Lake County Agricultural Society and Superintendent of the Western Show. He was retired from Chicago Flame Hardening. A Lieutenant with the Merchant Marines. Jim’s favorite past time was camping and trail riding with his friends. In lieu of flowers, contributions may be given to the family.
My Prom Garter
Corey and Jessica, HHS Prom 1995
Well lookie what we have here! This one is a treasure, for sure. It is significant on several levels.
First of all, what is it? This is my garter belt from my High School Senior Prom, worn on the big night in May 1995. My date for the evening at the Heritage High School prom was my boyfriend, Corey Sundquist.
Why is it significant? It has a Black Rose. That was my nickname in high school. I instantly fell in love with this garter and HAD to have it. I bought it at the mall a few weeks before prom and wore it under my prom dress.
Incidentally, my hunter green velvet prom dress is also a family treasure. It’s stored in my closet. I had it handmade by a local tailor in Saginaw, Michigan. I picked out the fabric at Jo-Ann’s and picked out the pattern, and commissioned the tailor to make it for me. I wanted a dress that wasn’t like anybody else’s dress, and that’s precisely what I got. I felt like a princess in that dress.
