Week 33 of Grandma Rose’s journal found both heartbreak and pain – on Friday, August 13th, her older half-brother Vernon “Penny” Klingensmith passed away. Penny was the son of Mary Elizabeth Eccard and Daniel Minard Klingensmith, who died just a month following Penny’s birth in 1902, leaving Mary Elizabeth widowed with 4 young boys. She didn’t marry our grandfather, Lewis Edward Jones, until April 1909, so she was raising those boys on her own for some time – I can’t imagine the difficulty in that era. I think it’s interesting Vernon had two nicknames – Penny and then she calls him “dear brother Bunt” – the other half brothers had nicknames too. The oldest, John, died in 1928 and I’m not entirely sure what his nickname was but Minard Daniel was called “Mike” and then Ira Gideon was called “Bo” apparently. Just weird family tidbits I find fascinating!
NOTE: As always, I left her spelling, capitalization, and punctuation as much as possible.
August 13, 1977 – Got up 8:00 A.M. After breakfast did the usual old grind, cleaning house and trying to keep cool.
Ed called; wondered if I wanted to go see Pearl tomorrow so we will go and they’ll bring the fam in the morning instead of this evening.
August 14, 1977 – Got up 8:00 Ethel and Ralph came about 10:30 – Olive had called in earlier and said Penny had died Fri afternoon – “Dear brother Bunt” – he was always so good to us kids.
We’d planned on stopping at the hospital to see Penny after seeing Pearl for a while. Ended up going to Olives’, cutting her hair & setting it – Helped her on getting things ready so she could go see Penny Mon. night at Spence funeral home. I also cut Ruths hair & washed it. Olive was pretty broken up about Penny (as we all were) but she calmed down quite a bit before we left.
Ate supper at Blue Drummer Circleville.
August 15, 1977 – Got up 8:00 A.M. Arch to pick up this evening to take me to see Penny at Spence funeral parlor. Charles brought Olive down.
Had a very nice visit with Pearl yesterday. Drs had put in a pace maker on Friday. She was a little emotional and pathetic when we first went in. She even kissed Ralph. She was a triffle breathless when she talked but she can still grouch some.
August 16, 1977 – Got up 8:00 Tooth aches again. Should say teeth – Two front ones. Very loose. Feel tired But keep going. Washed and ironed two of my best dresses and some of Lens shirts.
David called. They won’t be able to come in as planned. We’re very disappointed.
August 17, 1977 – Got up 8:00 Fixed blue dress. Our dear Penny to be buried this afternoon 1:30. Ethel and Ralph pick me up this morning.
Penny had a big funeral – so many flowers. Got greenery from one basket – will try to start.
Had toothache all day so made appointment with Dr. Gassin for 3:30. Had two front teeth pulled. Had infection – Made another appt for Sept 12 to get two more pulled. Have new bridge made.
Stopped at Jones’ and got a few things – Ethel and Ralph didn’t stay here for sandwiches.
Henry Johnson took Caroline and girls to Nebraska – Left about 8:15. Left key with us for Judy.
August 18, 1977 – Got up 8:00 Messed around patio for an hour til Len got up. Jaw pretty sore this morning –
After breakfast worked in flower beds for a couple hours. Dushed the pop corn ears and tassel. Len dug out grass and weeds in driveway – I pulled around flowers in front of garage. Pulled cartload of foxtail and weeds from bed in front where the narcissus are.
August 19, 1977 – Got up 8:00 Opened the green house and the garage. Hoed beets and new beans while waiting for Len to get up. Trimmed some suckers off the tomatoes.
After we had breakfast Len worked in driveway – I trimmed spice bush then set out a juggy underneath where he’d dug out all the weeds. At 3:15 I mowed the west side of the yard to a line even with the blue spruce, and out front by iris.
