Ann, Ruth, and Family,
You all our in my thoughts and prayers. Your Dad always had a smile on his face. I'll always remember him leading singing at Church. May God bless you with many wonderful memories of your Dad...and with the assurance of an eternal reunion.
Love,
Susan
Thursday, June 5, 2014

Dear Ann and Ruth and your families,
We were sad when we were told last week that you were losing your father and then yesterday we got a call that he had passed on. Dear ones, we know the pain that goes along with letting go of our precious parents. This is one of the hardest moments in life to face. Please know that our hearts break for you and at the same time we are praying that our dear Lord will comfort you and strengthen you all at this sad time. Ann, Aunt Dot is here with us right now and is not feeling well enough to visit you and remember your dad with you all tonight but wants you to know she, too, has you in her thoughts. She was very sad to hear of the passing of her dear friend. God be with each of you.
Thursday, June 5, 2014

Ann, Ruth and family, So sorry to hear about your dad. It's so hard to lose a loved one. Treasure the time you had together. Our prayers are with you. Love, Guy and Gail
Thursday, June 5, 2014

My thoughts are with all of you at this time; it is so hard to lose a parent. Dink was a sweet, sweet man. He gave my daughter, Heather, one of his small wood-carved ducks a long time ago at Old Timer's Day. She loved it and it holds a special place at my home--it is priceless now. The world has lost a talented man, but his legacy lives on in all of his beautiful carvings. All you have to do is touch one of them and feel the care and love he put into them all. Carve on into eternity, Dink. You probably have some really beautiful wood available now!
Thursday, June 5, 2014

My heart goes out to the entire family. I only knew Dink personally for a short time. But meeting him was a defining moment in my life. After the flood in '94 his wife, Jimmie refurbished a family frame and quilt and he whittled a small duck that matched the quilt in the frame. I was moved by the thoughtfulness of Jimmie. I then told Ann of my mother having an accident and that she needed a cane. Little did I know about the whittling talent of Dink. She had me visit him and he kindly listened to my story. His kindness after listening to my story is a moment I will long remember. He not only allowed me to pick a cane, but he personalized it for her too. I remembered from long ago growing up in Iowa the older men in town would sit on the benches in the town square and whittle. I was very fascinated by this God given talent. My daughter, Kelly, was teaching 2nd grade and asked me to read a Christmas story to her class. I found a Christmas book about a man that whittled the entire Nativity scene. I called Ann and asked if Dink would consider coming with me to China Elementary and sit by me and whittle while I read giving the second graders an opportunity to experience a lost art. He accepted the invitation and the children were in awe as he whittled away. I know they may not remember the story I read, but I am sure they remember watching Dink's hands creatively whittle with no effort a small cowboy boot. This was a brief moment in his life but expressed to me what a kind, talented human being he must be. I thank God for his life.
Thursday, June 5, 2014