Friday, May 23, 2014

John Friedman Story

May 25, 2014 The Pantagraph

FAIRBURY — John Friedman takes pride in being the best at what he does.
While serving in the Army in the Korean War in 1952, he volunteered for the job of flamethrower technician,
the soldier who holds a mechanical incendiary device designed to project a long, controllable stream of fire.
"A friend said to me, 'Are you nuts?' " said the 86-year-old Fairbury resident. "But I thought that sounded
kind of interesting. Then they told me that when you climb that hill, they are all going to shoot at you
because they are taught that a flame sends them to hell, but a bullet sends them to heaven."
"I tell you, I was the best one south of the 38th parallel."
Friedman will commemorate this Memorial Day like many others — attending Memorial Day events, visiting
with his buddies, and probably, if anyone knows Friedman, laughing, joking, and playing a few pranks on
people.
He is one of seven brothers who were in the service, six in the Army, one in the Navy. An eighth, Glenn,
started a family and became a successful mechanic.
"He turned out fine," Friedman said. "The one we joke with is Alvin, the youngest, who went into the Navy
and served on an aircraft carrier. We tell people that we established a family rule where every eighth
brother has to go into the Navy."
Life was tough growing up for John Friedman. At 12, as was more customary then, he started working as a
hired hand. He was drafted six years later and went from a private in June to first sergeant a few months
later. Five others were drafted and Richard, the next youngest of the brothers, volunteered.
"I went to the draft board and they said it would probably be four or five years before they got around to
me," Richard, who also lives in Fairbury, said. "I didn't want to get settled down and then get drafted so I just
went ahead and did it."
Richard, now 77, also served in Korea from 1957 to 1959 in medical supply three miles south of the
Demilitarized Zone. He marks every Memorial Day by planting eight flags in his front yard — one for each
brother, including Charles, of Normal, who died in April 2012. Charles served in the Korean War as a
corporal and received the Bronze Service Star, United Nations Service Medal and the National Defense
Service Medal.
The other brothers included Harold, now deceased, and served in Germany; Robert, of Mesa, Ariz., who
was in France; and Henry, of Fairbury, who served stateside.
"I was the first to go to Korea," John Friedman said. "Charles and Richard went after I did. They always told
me that they had to finish what I started."
But they are all on the same page when it comes to remembering those who didn't make it back.
"Memorial Day is a special day for all of us," Henry Friedman said. "It's tougher to get all of the family together,
but we know what the day means for each of us. It's always special."
The memories also will never fade for John Friedman. He enjoys showing off pictures he took while he
served, and on display at the Livingston County War Museum is a picture of all seven brothers who were in
the service.
"I received a Bronze Star, but I really don't know why, because I didn't do as much as some other guys," he
said. "I was called, so I went. But, I saw a lot and learned a lot. But over the years, I have made some great
friends and have some great memories."

Thursday, May 15, 2014

Obit of Thomas E. "Tuck" Glennon


Thomas E. "Tuck" Glennon, 91, of Chatsworth, IL, passed away at 12:24 pm on Tuesday, May 13, 2014 at OSF St. Joseph Medical Center in Bloomington.
A mass of Christian burial will be held at 10:30 am on Monday, May 19, 2014 at St. Andrew Catholic Church in Chatsworth with Father Scott Archer officiating. A visitation will be held from 4:00 – 6:00 pm on Sunday, May 18, 2014 at Calvert & Martin Funeral Home in Chatsworth with a rosary service prior to visitation at 3:30 pm. Burial will follow services at St. Patrick’s Catholic Cemetery in Chatsworth. Memorial contributions may be made to St. Jude Children’s Hospital or the American Cancer Society.
Thomas was born July 28, 1922 in Fairbury, IL a son of James M. and Bridget (Somers) Glennon. He married Bernice Ford on December 28, 1959 in Chatsworth. She passed away on March 15, 2007.
He is survived by his several nieces and nephews; extended family: Gerry and Eileen Weller and Tom Melody. He was preceded in death by his parents; wife; three brothers: Jim, Phil and Paul Glennon; one sister and brother-in-law: Mary Francis and James H. Rigsby; and one nephew: Jack Glennon.
Thomas was educated in the Fairbury schools, graduating from Fairbury Township High School in 1940. He served his country in the United States Army, entering in January of 1943. Thomas was sent overseas during the Battle of the Bulge as a replacement and joined the 16th infantry of the 1st Division. He was discharged in April of 1946. He farmed for twenty years north of Fairbury. Thomas worked for the Secretary of State in the Driver’s License Division. He later retired in 1994 from the US Postal Service as a rural letter carrier. Thomas was a member of the St. Andrew Catholic Church (Saints Peter and Paul Catholic Church) in Chatsworth, Knights of Columbus Council 730, and the Walter Clemons American Legion Post 613 in Chatsworth, where he was a sixty year member.
See Photo Here


Obit of Delmer Eugene Petersen


Delmer Eugene Petersen, 92, of Ashkum, passed peacefully on Saturday, May 10, 2014, at his residence following a brief illness, surrounded by his family.
Delmer was born January 16, 1920, in Kankin, the son of Elmer E. and Lena C. Petersen. He married Ethel L. Menigoz on August1, 1942 and she preceded him in death in May 2006. He married briefly to Margaret Callahan in 1972, and she survives. He later married Mary F. Zorn on April 24, 1972 and she preceded him in death in December 2012. 
Other survivors include one son, Roy (Vicky) Petersen, of Ashkum; one daughter, Ruth (Darryl Kleinert of Chebanse; one step-son, Dale (Cathy) Rigsby of Fairbury; three step daughters, Carol Haas and Linda (Ervin VanWinkle, both of Seymour, Tn., and Ruth (Jim) Winterland of Fairbury; one brother, Ivan E. Petersen of Ashkum; 18 grandchildren; 9 step grandchildren, 29 great grandchildren; 10 step great grandchildren. 
He was preceded in death by his parents; four brothers, Harold, Vernon, Wendell, and Arthur Petersen; one grandson, Steven Kleinert; one step grandson, Douglas VanWinkle; and one great grandson, Phillip Goodrich. 
Mr. Petersen was a lifelong farmr who owned and operated Petersen's Hatchery and the Petersen Cattle Farm, both in Ashkum. He enjoyed hunting, and was an avid fisherman who spent most of his summers fishing Lake Kabetogama in Minnesota. He also enjoyed playing cards, and was especially found of his cribbage games with his brother Ivan and his neighbor Vernon Meents. 
Funeral services will be at 10 am on Thursday, May 15, 2014 at Knapp funeral Home in Clifton. Burial will be in Chatsworth City Cemetery. 


Saturday, May 10, 2014

Obit of Danny W. Graham


Danny W. Graham, 64, of Chatsworth and formerly of the Ashkum area passed away on Thursday, May 8, 2014 at Riverside Medical Center in Kankakee. Cremation rites have been accorded by the Knapp funeral Home of Clifton. A memorial visitation will be held on Sunday, May 11, 2014 from 2-5 pm at the Knapp Funeral Home in Clifton. A private family service will also be conducted at the funeral home in Clifton. Memorials may be made to the Kankakee County Humane Society or the donor's choice. Please share a memory of Danny at Knappfuneralhomes.com.
Mr. Graham was born on March 10, 1950 in Mt. Vernon, the son of Benjamin and Betty Boswell Graham, his parents are deceased. He married the former Toni Askew on June 16, 1969 in Clifton and she survives. He is also survived by three sons and two daughters-in-law, Christopher Graham of Ohio, Gary (Mary) Graham of Ashkum and Steve (Amy Graham of Danforth; eight grandchildren, Tabatha, Derrick, Amanda, Daniel, Kayla, Tessa, Makenzie and Garrett Graham; four sisters and two brother-in-law and three brothers and two sisters-in-law, Carol Murphy of Collinsville, Pat (Churck) Goranson of Kankakee, Debbie (Carl) Turley of Ohio, Jan Whitlock of Stone Fort, Jeff (Maria) Graham of Clifton, James (Jeanne) Graham of Kankakee and Larry Graham of Florida.
In addition to his parents, Mr. Graham was also preceded in death by a brother, Kevin and great grandson, Dominic.
Mr. Graham was self-employed owner & operator in the trucking industry and had also done dispatching in the trucking industry. He owned and operated the Graham Central Station Bar in Ashkum from 1980 until 1992. He was a former longtime member of the Ashkum Twp. Fire Dept., a member of the Sons of the American Legion and enjoyed farm work, construction and fishing.


Tuesday, May 6, 2014

Old Photo of Civil War Veteran



Do you know who this might be? Please contact me if you do.

This photo was found at Live Auctioneers.com and sold in 2006. 
It had the following description with it:
Civil War CDW of a soldier wearing a Grand Army of the Republic badge. In addition to the medal, his uniform is adorned with a sword, belt plate and a sash bearing the symbol of a cross in a sunburst. On the lap of this older gentleman rests an especially interesting military cap with a large white plume. The decorated man sits with dignity in a chair, framed in full view within an interior that could be a home or a studio. Backmark identifies this picture as being taken in Chatsworth, Illinois.




********