James Gartner Obituary

Hey there Uncle Jim. I saw how Mandy would write to you and as you know she has passed on as well now. I know you are together. Just wanted to post one last post in my only cousins memory. See you when I see you. Love you all

Hey Daddy: Even though its been 4 years since ive written I think of you so very often! Your name is mentioned amongst family & friends. I hope the boss isn´t causing you to much trouble. Scratch gravel white wind.

Hey Daddy: I am hoping that all is going well with the Boss up there now!! I envision a shift in the paradox up there. We sold your place in AZ last month and it is a relief to have that off my head. Although I kind of always thought Bob and I might retire out there, but it is difficult to think of moving far with a new grand baby almost here. I hope that the Flower family have a healthy baby in these uncertain times. There is a lot up in the air right now. But prayer is our most powerful weapon. Until we meet again - All my love and Scratch gravel white wind.

Papa-

Thinking of you often during this holiday season. Oh how I wish my children got to know their great-grandfather but hopefully Nana has shared many things with you about them. We talk about you often with them. We miss you and Nana so much!!! Until we meet again.

-Your First Grandbaby <3

Good morning Daddy- its that time of year
Again and you and Mother are foremost in my mind. We finally finished spreading your ashes in the forest preserve along with our family dogs - whom you didn't know but they are good company. I can only hope that you and mom are celebrating with your family and dear friends. There will be 2 empty chairs at our Christmas eve dinner this year and we will toast to all of those that have gone before us. Until we meet again - scratch gravel white wind! Love you

Papa-

I now know that Nana is with you in heaven. We were saddened by her death but we know she is in a better place now.....please take good care of her and let her know we love her so so much! May you all Rest In Peace until we meet again. Love you with all of my heart.

Good morning Daddy: Well I hope you were waiting at the gates for your bride, along with Gablins and the Vitos. We all were saying that you guys are in trouble, because the Boss is up there now...I am sure you know that Mom was visited by many an old friend and some surprises - like Cliff Gherke!! We had a toast in her honor at one of her fave yesterday Mack's Golden Pheasant and everyone there is going to miss her greatly....as am I. Please be kind to her and let her know how much we love her and miss her.. Until we meet again.

Love you

Good morning Daddy: You appear in my thoughts and dreams on a regular basis and I miss your insightful opinions. I know that you already know about everything that is happening in our lives right now, but I wonder if you know how much we really miss you...everyone does. Until we meet again - I love you forever.

Dear Jim,
It has been awhile since I have written a post. Think of you often and share stories with family and friends. It would be interesting what you would have to say about your truck and Az! Your words always came with a twist.
Rest In Peace,
Mary Anne

Jimmie Lee
The only constant in life is change. This year has brought change to my life in so many ways. Marie has made her departure and is now on the other side and out of pain.

It is hard to picture life without her but it does exist as you and others in my life have shown.

May you look after all who remain on planet earth and assist in anyway you can to ease their burden or show them the way.

Was that a smile I saw on the face of the moon on Decrmber 21?

Rest in Peace,
Mrs. James T Gartner

.

Hey Daddy: It's getting to be that time of the year again and so, so many things have changed. I am struggling for strength and praying for guidance. While hoping all along that you can shed some insight into this thing we call life. I pray that you are peaceful and out of pain, I pray that one day we will meet again and sing to Margaritaville, I pray to make this hole in my heart a little smaller every year. I love you Daddy and I know you are still missed by so many people. Until we meet again.

Thinking of you today Papa, we went to visit you this morning at the wild life center and mom was having a hard time. We all sure do miss you around here, I always picture what you would think of your great grandchildren, how much you would love them, how you would look at me as a mother. I tell them about you since they call my dad papa, I always remind them that I had a papa too. We love you and miss you everyday but especially today. RIP Papa. Thank you for the awesome skies.

With love,
Your first born granddaughter

No special reason, you just came to mind this early morning.
MA

Happy Birthday Daddy! It sure gets a bit easier as time goes on, but there isn't to many days that I don't think about you. I guess Peto Vito had a birthday not to long ago and I imagine there was quite the party with you and your croonies up in heaven. I just hope that you didn't piss "the big Guy" off while celebrating. I love you forever. Mandy

Merry Christmas, as it is 10 years since you have left this Earth!
You made quite an exit as you were called home. God gave you a quick passage home that early morn with a last night filled with gayety, friends and joyful memories.

We toast to you.....we pray for you.....we love you!
Love,
MA

May Sue, Sandy Smith and you enjoy this day in whatever you is best!
Happy Birthday!
MA

Happy Birthday Daddy! I am trying figure out how old you would be today as you and your brothers were always teasing about who was oldest and youngest....Please know that you are thought of fondly today as Brittany and Jeremy celebrate their 3rd wedding anniversary - and that we miss you like crazy and love you more!

Hey Dad: My thoughts always turn to you this time and how you would be counting the days down to AZ! I wonder how your little house is doing out there and hope that Bob and I can plan a trip out that way soon. I would love to see your brother and his family. I imagine you are happy with the results of the latest bears/packers game and I hope that you and Coach Lombardi are having a few laughs together. I miss you and love you more.

One season ends and another begins. One life ends and another one begins. I wonder about your new life.

With the closing of summer and the arrival of fall, my thoughts
turned towards you today. Not sad nor happy but a reflection on time spent with you.

Rest in loving peace,
MA

Well another Fathers day has passed and as usual you were missed at the table -but toasted to with Jack Daniels - not me - the boys.....Another T bone safe in the store and I didn't have to make potato salad, but I would do it every day to have you at the table again. I love you very much and miss you more.

Well as usual at this time of the year, my thoughts turn to you and I usually count down the days until this one....wondering if you knew....would it have been different? Would you change anything? I see you in my dreams and you are pain free and smiling - I would like to think that it is so for you now.....I am reading a book that heaven is real and I look forward to the days when we are reunited - I love you daddy and miss you more....

Happy Thanksgiving Daddy - it has been way to long since you sat at our kitchen table. If I have learned anything from this experience it is to fully enjoy each and every minute you have here on earth - even though we will all be together again some day. I love you Dad

Greetings Jim,
The Arizona Ranch needs new pipes! What do you think of that?

It is interesting how many times folks refer to you or Bob G. all in ithe same sentence. Many wonder what your comments would be to current situations! The air would be "blue"!!

Know you are missed and hope you rest in peace.

Hi Daddy: Time sure passes swiftly and Rachel is in her second year at Valporaiso University - please watch over her and keep her safe as she is making many new decisions - and they are not always the best. If it is a full time job you can ask Uncle Don for help - you know how he loves her.....
I would love to hear your voice and listen to you for some advice on so many things - I am hoping that you might be able to send some my way....
You were missed this summer - no summer margaritas - no backyard bbqs and this year I don't know who will pass out the halloween candy - I love you Daddy and miss you more.

What great news! We have a new healthy life in our family! Brittany gave birth to a Fourth of July baby. Adrianna Delena Jewell is great.

Know you wish her well.

You are mentioned often in conversations with various interesting comments. Kenny, during our yearly lunch with Roz and Marie had stories! Laughs all around!
MAG.

Well now the Musketeers are all together - but you already know that - don't you. I hope you are laughing at Pete's jokes and welcoming him home with a pat on the back. Put another plate at the table Daddy as your friend has come home to rest. We will miss him just as we missed you, but I know we will be together again. How about those Bears??? I love you.

Well anothers Fathers Day has come and gone - it was definitely not the best one we have ever had around here, but I am sure you know all of the details - you were definitely missed at the table and another cow was safe this year again. No T-bone in your mustache! I love you Daddy and miss you more.

The Winter is coming to an end and along with it the grey days. It has been a long time and I look forward to the Spring. You are thought of often and mentioned in many conversations but then I guess you know that.
MA

Happy day after your birthday. We were quite busy yesterday (as if you don't already know!) celebrating Brittany and Jeremy's wedding. The toast that Brittany made included a birthday wish to you and I truly wish that you could have been there to see Bob cry (it is only the third time I have seen him cry and once was at your funeral). We are hoping that the celebration of your birth will bring long lasting happiness to Brittany and her family and we miss you very much. I love you bunches and time truly does heal all wounds.

Hey Daddy - Happy Fathers Day - all the cows are safe in the fields - we had Sammi's graduation party last night and I felt your presence smiling over your "favorite" grand daughter. I love you very much and miss you more.

Well Daddy another Christmas has come and gone, and it was truly a different holiday. Many home woes made this Christmas season difficult and we were not even together with MA to leave crab in the broiler, although through all of this, do not think that you were not missed, as my thoughts and memories went back to your last Christmas with us. We love you daddy and miss you more.

December in Chicago is all you said it was and more!
I still recall your distain for this frozen climate. Is there climate where you are now? Have you forgiven the gypsy folk who stole you as a youth from California?....:-)
My thoughts of you are still peppered with such tales and many of your coined words are still used to this very day. You were one colorful dude in the day.
You still reside in my heart.
MA

Ok I'm a couple of days late, but I wanted to let you know that Bob and I toasted to you on your birthday, last Friday. While speaking with Mom, I found out that you were only 70 when you passed away, and I thought you were a lot older than that - you looked good for yourself. I love you Daddy very much and still miss you, but time truly does heal all wounds. Love you Papa.

OH, Mother you need to get out of my head. As I was cruising through my "bookmarks" today I thought, I have to write Dad a quick note. There you are writing in the book:))

I wanted to let him know that you are staying out of trouble and that he is soon to be a Great Grandfather. WOW! What a turn of fate. Not even Gov got to be one of those, although the funeral director for him thought I was pregnant!!!!

Love you and miss you Daddy

It is fast becoming the end of May and the weather still isn't Spring like at all!
Your ears should have been burning as Henry O and I were talking about all the Polish names he would say and you insisted he made them up! It was good for a laugh!

I have good news as I will again be teaching next year and it gives me great pleasure. Did you have a hand in it?

You are still missed and thought of often but then you know that. What else do you know.....MMMMM.

MA

Hi Dad:

Well the birthday month is once again here and you would be complaining about the empty checkbook and the ways our girls love to spend money. The older they get the more expensive they become, no more balloons filled with crayons and coloring books to suffice. It is almost impossible to believe that I have girls who are 20, 18 & 16 years old and that my baby will soon be driving.

Please keep a watchful eye over all of them, but especially our newest driver Rachel.

I love you Daddy.

It is Thanksgiving week and I turn my thoughts to all the bowl games we played away with North Austin Boys Club this time of year.

We certainly had some interesting times and met some truly great folks. I really liked Bermuda.

This holiday the family will gather at our daughter's house in Glen Ellyn and yes the oysters are once again safe this year.

It is a time to reflect, ponder and rejoice for the many fine experiences we shared and yet to come.

Rest in Peace and enjoy the football!!!

Love,
MA

Well - do you feel differently being able to view the Packers game from the field? It was very peaceful for me to have most of your ashes spread where I truly believe you would want to be, granted you had to take a road trip with some strange guys, but that had never stopped you in the past. Now for the rest of your remains, send down a little guidance will you, I am tired of doing all the work:))

I love you and miss you and hope that you and
Vince Lombardi are having some great chats.

Well Daddy - It is the month of our birthdays and it still feels like summer, I am sure that you would not be complaining about that :))

Over dinner the other night Mom and I were discussing some of the many roles you played in our lives while you were here and how you are missed. As if you don't already know that!

I love you and miss you.

Hi Dad:

Summer is almost coming to a close. It is amazing how rapidly time flies. Mom and I had yet another discussion about your ashes and we still can't agree on what to do. We are coming up on 5 years and a decision needs to be made, I don't think you want to sit in the basement much longer. Please send down some guidance on this one for us both.

Love you and miss you
Amanda

Hey Dad:

It's the end of May and it feels like summer already. The 17 year cicadas are here and the hum is especially peaceful and reassuring to me. What were you doing 17 years ago? I had a 2 year old and 3 month old, life was entirely different than these days. I often wish I could go back and do things differently but we all know that is not possible, therefore I am going to go on from today and have no regrets about anything. I hope you approve and that you help me watch over the girlies this summer. Also thanks for whispering in God's ear and getting Bob a job closer to home. It will be great having him here every day.

Love you and miss you Papa.

Hi Papa,

I always think about how much I miss you, and all the memories we shared. The other day I was running in gym, and I always remember that one specific thing you told when I run is to breathe in through you nose and out through your mouth. And I do, and it works. I hope you and Uncle Thom are having a good time up there, I love you and miss you.

It is Super Bowl Sunday and the Bears face off against the Colts! I bet I know who you would be for!

Mandy and I were talking on 2/2.... 22 year anniversay and it was cold but not as cold as the wedding day.

As I was looking at some old photos, the different feeling came flooding back....some great, some good and some not so great but that is life.

Rest in Peace,
MA

Well, it happened! They got several inches of snow in Tucson and the pictures showed kids playing in it. Wow...would you have been mad. I can just hear the colorful language now. Tell me..."Does it snow in Heaven?". I am sure it doesn't snow in the other place!

I watched the Bear game on Sunday and wondered how the reception is where you are.

May you show Thom around and put him in charge of the tidy detail.

Rest in Peace
MA

Well Daddy you are gathering quite a crowd up there, aren't you? Uncle Thom came to join you on 01/08 and I bet he was none to happy. I imagine you 2 laughing and looking down upon us up there. Dorothy & Leonard almost have the whole family together again, it makes me sad for your little brother Bill to be here all alone with no one to torment, but I guess one day that we will all be together if it's Gods wishes. I hope and pray that you and Thom are in a better place now, that is what keeps me going.

I love you and miss you.

Mandy

Hey Daddy:

Well the season is upon us once again, it's amazing how that works isn't it. The time keeps gliding by and holidays come and go, children get bigger, I get more grey hair, and still I miss you. It doesn't seem possible that it will be four years this Christmas at times it seems like 40 and others it seems like last week. I find great comfort in being able to write to you and share my thoughts and feelings, not as much as if you were here, but it will have to do for now. Until we meet again.

I love you and miss you Dad.

Merry Christmas from your favorite daughter.

Dear Mary Ann and Mandy,
I only learned about Jimmie Lee's passing by going on-line and looking for his death notice. i was shocked to learn that he had gone on to his reward four years ago this month. I had moved away to downstate Illinois from Chicago in l996 and no longer kept up with anyone from the "old days". I still have many fond memories of Jim and all the good times we had working at OMI. I will always cherish his friendship. All the best to your familes and thinking of Jim.

Jerry "The "The Shark" McNichols

Snow.....beautiful snow! Yesterday was the first snow storm and if you were still in Illinois you would have been quite upset. If you were in Tucson, you would have been quite happy and might rub it in!

Tell me, what were you thinking giving Paul Lewis your ladder? Don't you know what a source of danger a ladder can be? I guess Paul Lewis had to learn that one for himself. He is still cursing you out! He racked himself up more than an ankle.

As the anniversary of your passing approaches, you are missed and thought of quite often. I trust you are in a better place and at peace.

love.......MA

Happy Birthday Daddy:

I knew this date was approaching, yet it finally hit me when I was writing it this morning. How old would you have been today? 71? or was that your older brother Bill, or your much older brother Thom? I guess you would be 74 or 75! it is 4 years since we celebrated your birthday with Uncle Jim, Auntie Pat, Mom, the girls and myself. I imagine you and Pat celebrating now! I think I see John O'Gara, Bill Mueller, Chopper, Nonna, Grandpa A and Joe Parisi in the background too!! What a party it must be, but still I would rather have you here.

The hole in my heart continues to grow smaller and time is my best friend and my worst enemy. I love you forever.

Happy Birthday
Love, Your favorite Daughter

Hey Dad:



Well it has been a while and I am sure Mom will attest to how busy it has been around the Batinich home. We were frantically getting ready to send your oldest Granddaughter off to College. Although as Bob likes to point out she is less than 20 minutes away!

It is a shame that you were not around to honor your promise of paying for Britt's schooling although I imagine that not even that endless sweat pants pocket might not have covered the costs. You also owe Bob $5 for yet another Bears - Packers Victory. Brett Farve seems to have falllen from your good graces.



Say Hello to all our loved ones and friends and please keep an extra close eye on Britt! Miss you and love you.



AGB

xoxoxoxoxo

It has been about a month since I have checked in and given you the latest news.....as if you didn't know :-)



It gives me great pleasure to inform you that I am once again teaching school part time in my beloved school district. A little side note that I need your help with. They want to evaluate me as a first year teacher! Can you please put in your two cents and set them straight!



This week there is a hint of fall in the air and I know what you would be saying...."Time to head to Arizona". I hope it is not too warm were you are now!!!!



On a different note, I have heard from two people that say they read the entries to you in this book. One name's is Jennifer and the other's name is Tom. OK Jim, let me quiz you. Can you guess their last names? Feel free to answer in your book!!!!



The internet allows for such interesting happenings.



Rest in Peace

Jim,

It was just not the same being in Winona and not having Uncle Nick and you there to "needle" each other and raise your glasses. Aunt Betty said the same thing. Aunt Joanne is 92 and shows a few signs of slowing up but not many,,,GOD bless her.



Delvechio went with me and she is a fine person to travel with.



The summer is drawing to an end and I will look forward to the ringing of school bells!



Rest in Peace

Happy Longest Day of the Year!



There are no Hallmark cards that I know of for this holiday but it was your favorite, hands down! The deck was your domain with your glass held high and never dry! You made your own party and even if Amanda or I were present, it seemed as if your party was just you and the lingering daylight. Each enbraced the other in a memory making event that needed to last until the next coupling.



Well, this year you would be sitting in the rain but it would not have mattered.



Rest in Peace

Happy Easter Jim,

It is Spring and your white birch is blooming with gusto and the apple tree is ready to flower. You have moved on and I know that you are in a special place but I also felt our home, at times, was a special place too. The holidays with my Mom and Dad, sweet Amanda, various relatives bring fond memories.



While we rush through our lives, I guess we don't realize we are creating those memories too.



Rest in Peace with God's Love,

Hey Daddy:



Easter Sunday is upon us and yesterday I found a penny while cleaning and thought of you. I remembered one of the first Easters for the girls and you had Big Ballons with gifts inside of them made up for them. They wore Easter dresses and hats and things were Oh-So different. The times have changed, but my love for you has not. I can now look back and remember found memories without the pain of loss. I knew this day would eventually happen. Thanks for yet another gift.

The gift of living.



I love you Dad.

Hey Dad:



As I was driving to another one of Rachel's basketball games yesterday you sent down a brilliant beautiful sunset for me and the girls to appreciate. It was not the kind of sunset you normally see in January, but a beautiful pinkish, gold one typical of summer sunsets. I called Samantha and she went out and saw and commented on the beauty of it. Thanks so much for sharing.



We love you Papa.

Dear Papa,

It has been three years so far. It honestly does not seem that long. I can clearly remember the last night that I saw you. We were playing ping pong downstairs and eating fried potato skins! yum! That was a fun filled night. I miss you so much and Christmas and every other holiday has not been the same without you. So the Bears and the Packers were playing yesterday, and even though I was rooting for the Bears out loud I was also rooting on the Packers for you! love you very much and miss you!

love you, sammy jo

As the years past it has come easier for my family to overcome the loss of Papa, but it still isn't the easiest thing, and it never will. He was an amazing husband, dad, and grandfather. He taught me a variety of new things that I will use in my every day life, and that I will never forget. He had a great sense of humor, but when it was necessary he was a very serious man. He took a huge roll in my life, and the day he passed away changed me. I will never forget him, he will always be in my prayers, and always in my heart.



Love You Papa,

Rachel

Well Dad, another year flew by and here we are again, the time of year that people should be together celebrating and it is still hard to get past. I try and look at the birth of our Lord to focus on rather than your passing, that helps. I feel your presence in some of the things that we do, and I know you are looking down and guiding our family.



I love you and I miss you, Merry Christmas Daddy.

Dear Jim,

You are missing one cold December!

It gives a new meaning to BURRRRR!



A week from today will be Christmas day and I will go to Marie's. So much has changed and so much has stayed the same. Friendships really do matter.



Your ears must have been burning, don't take that the wrong way, when I relied on your friends to assist getting Brittany to Florida. Her first trip alone. Wow!



Speaking of Brittany, she was in a special Christmas musical event that made us all proud of her. She was one of the main preformers. She looked lovely and did a great job.



This year will be the first year I will not be away for the anniversary of your death. It should prove interesting. Your passing was so swift and I guess without much pain and for that I will always be grateful. Our last Christmas together in Glen Ellyn holds many pleasant memories. Oh yes, I got a beautiful Christmas plant and I know you said, "Good job, Mandy".



Merry Christmas this 2005 dear one.

Hey Daddy:



It was so great to have a full house on Thanksgiving day, including the Rockford Gartner clan. I think a good time was had by all. There was an empty seat at the table but you would have been crabby crowded in the corner by the day care toys, so I simply think of you fondly looking down upon us. There were plenty of salt and pepper shakers on the table to be had, just an old habit hard to break. Your bride even made lasagna a dish from holidays past. We think of you often and fondly and the hole in my heart gets smaller every day.



Love you forever,

M

Hi Jim,

Cold...cold...COLD is all that can be said about the Thanksgiving weather...not your favorite. The Rockford Gartner's were visiting us for the holiday and it was good to be among the clan. As you can expect, the stories flew and I suppect were enhanced by the wine and revised by the passage of time.



Thom still can put it away and it is good to see him looking well. There was an adult and kids table and I think some of the seating arrangements were mixed up!!!!



We talked of Len, Dot, Sue, Mom, Dad and you with fondness in our hearts. Oh yes, the oysters were once again grateful for another year to grow snug in their deep water beds.



This year Amanda, myself and her family served and helped out at a homeless shelter after our dinner. So many young people and so many confused individuals. With the temp being in the teens, it was good to see so many come in from the cold and be safe surrounded by people that care to serve in God's name.



And so it goes.

Dear Papa-

Happy Birthday!!! I miss you so much, at breakfast today, we were actually talking about you and all the funny things you used to say and how hard we'd laugh at those things. I think about you every day and what life would be like with you still here even though I know your spirit is still with us. Sometimes I just miss your sarcarsm or your jolly laugh. I know mom misses you a lot, we came across pictures of you the other day and I could just see it in her eyes even though she won't really talk about it, I know it hurts. We all love you and think about you and Happy 73rd Birthday ya old fart! haha! just joking. I love you.

Love,

Your grandaughter,

Hey Daddy:



Happy 73rd Birthday!! I celebrated with the girly girls this morning at an over priced breakfast and we imagined you complaining about the prices. They reminisced about your sweat pants full of money and how you would always find a way to spend it on them, continually complaining of course.



It was a beautiful day with bright blue skies, kind of like your eyes. We found many pennies from heaven this weekend, just your way of reminding us to celebrate.



The pain eases with each passing year, just as it should. I love you forever. Until we meet again.



Your favorite daughter.

Amanda

Happy Birthday Jim!



At lunch with Ken and Roz plus Marie, Kenny told the story of how he tricked young, unknowing Mandy into telling him your true age as he always thought you were much younger then he. You kept telling him, "Can't tell you kid!". It was a good laugh.



The weather of October 10th is warm and sunny and I am sure all is well where you now reside. I can hear the tinkle of ice cubes now!!!

Dear Jim,

It is the eve of October and that means birthday month for our dear daughter ,Amanda, and many other loved ones.



When October 14th arrives and it is

a beautiful, bright fall day, I tell Mandy that this was the exact type of day she picked to enter our world. She has brightened my world ever since.



It seems to be getting crowded up there so hold off for awhile before calling for more spirits!



Rest the rest and enjoy the peace.

Well Dad:



I sat and cried yesterday while typing an entry in Joe Parisi's guest book. So many are coming to join you. You always were a leader weren't you?



I love you.

Your favorite daughter

Jim,

Well, I am back again. As you would say, "Still foolin'm kid?"



School is great but it does have it's moments. Teaching art is new for me so you sitting for the drawing as you read the newspaper was not a waste of time.



"Add more water to the soup" as another has come to join your band. Joe Parisi.



Don't know why but maybe you do.



May you rest in loving peace.

Well Daddy - summer is almost at an end. You would have complained about the sweet corn this season as with the drought, it was not the best. You would have loved the dry summer nights on the deck drinking marguerita's without all the mosquitos.



I was shopping for school supplies with the girlies when an older girl stopped to thank her Grandpa for taking her back-to-school shopping and the tears came hard and fast. I remember the days when you would take your girls and come home with bags full of supplies, often missing a very important item, but also plus a special treat of cookies or candies. Samantha's eyes welled up as I told her my thoughts.



Another year coming and going. Another year closer to our reunion.



All my love.

Mandy



P.S. Thanks for the recent help you sent my way. You know what I am talking about.

Well Dad another holiday coming and going. I wrote Dee Gablin a note, since this is her first Father's Day since Bob came to join you. I hope it helps a least a little. I remember the first time we tried to celebrate without you. It certainly was not easy, but surprisingly it truly does get a little easier every year. I believe the hole in my heart gets a little smaller every year.



Thank you for your recent guidance with Brittany and sending her angels to watch over her. That is one of your many gifts that is more precious than anything else.



I love you and a beef cattle will be safe on Sunday because of your place in heaven.



Happy Fathers Day Daddy.



Love,

Your favorite daughter

Well Dad:



Your name came up in my morning conversation with Mom again as it is want to often do. It is comforting to know that time does help to ease the pain somewhat.

We were talking about your one of your many favorite sayings of "stack of hundreds" and I pointed out the fault in that. You never really specified how thick the stack should be. A mile high would be good, right?



We will set a place for you this Memorial Day and honor you with our memories of holidays past and T-bones stuck in mustaches.



All our love,

Mandy

Well you probably know that one of your baby brothers recently came to Chi Town for a visit. I did not get to see him, although Mom did.

I am sure you are enjoying the view of the weather, one day summer, one day winter.

I am certain you would be rubbing all our noses in it while enjoying the consistent AZ climate. Softball is in full swing and your girls are certainly keeping us all going.

I had cornbread the other day and then came across the recipes I had sent to you.

I couldn't help but smile and think of you, as I often do.



Until we meet again.

All my love,

Mandy

Hi Dad:



You came to me in a dream night before last and you looked so good. So fit, happy and peaceful. Your piercing blue eyes just taking it all in. It is how I imagine you looking in heaven. Thanks for the visit; until we meet again.



Love,

Mandy

Good Morning Jim,



It is the Saturday before Easter Sunday and winter has not given up the fight! I bet if you were back here from Arizona the air would be blue with language more colorful that Easter eggs!



For some reason my mind wandered back to Oak Park and the flowers you would buy Mandy and me to wear to church. The holiday and flowers went together even if at times they were a little past their prime from sitting on a car seat while you took care of business at Doc's :-)!

That was who you were and I supect still are.



Does one get a chance to change after they leave the Earth school and can they affect change while in a different state? Wish I had those answers now but that is not the nature of life.



Know you are thought of often and prayed for more. Rest in peace.



Happy Easter flowers and all,

Well Dad;



Spring is coming and I believe it would have been about the time for you to consider coming home to Chicago, although you are already in your forever home. It is still odd that when I often turn the corner onto Arboretum and see the big red truck and I think "Oh good, Daddy is here". Then it dawns on me that although I can not see you physically you are always with us and watching over our family. Keep an extra close eye on the girlies, okay?



I love you and the hole in my heart gets smaller each day.

Your favorite daughter.

Well Jim it is almost Spring! I am ready.....really READY. Maybe you were right that the cold weather leaves much to be desired. It has been one of the longest cold seasons that I call recall and that would have added to your enjoyment in Tucson except it is getting hot there!



I had an experience about a month ago that changed the way I feel about you not being in the Earth School anymore and it was very comforting and freeing. Thank those who need to be thanked.



The sun is out today and that is a good thing for the warmth is essential to feeling good.

Dear Jim,

Life is for learning and living. I guess it is not called the earth school for nothing. I often wonder what lessons you had and if you learned from them or continued to stumble over them repeatedly confused as to why they were in your life and caused you such pain? Emotional pain should get our attention and siginal, "Oops" and "Lesson Time". Only you know or not.



All the females in the family celebrated Brittany Anne's 17th birthday/Valentine's Day at a place you didn't like...The Macaroni Grill. You know something? You should have been a food critic. As you would have said, "They have seen the last of me!". Me too!



Did you get a little bottle of Ballentine scotch this year, my love?



Happy Valentine's Day

Well Daddy Valentine's day is almost upon

us and you know what that means. The anniversary of the birth of your oldest and sometimes favorite grandchild. I almost can not believe that Brittany will be turning 17 years old this year. What I guess is harder to believe is that you will not be here to witness it.



I fondly remember you coming home to the house on Columbia Avenue on Valentine's day with a large heart shaped box of chocolates for Mom and a smaller version for me. That is one of the many good memories that I can vividly recall. Another has you dressed as a hippie for some undercover work you had to do one year.



New memories are continuing to be made while old ones fill my head. One day we will be able to discuss them all.



I love you so and miss you terribly.

Mandy

Dear Jim,

This winter season is setting records for cold and you might have been in Tucson or here. You seemed to leave later and return earlier each year. We can only wonder why.



I am getting the seafood ready for our Christmas Eve feast and recalling our last Christmas together.

At least you had one holiday and birthday in the Glen Ellyn house.



Mandy in Galena on the 26th this year and me in New Port Beach. I am looking forward to my trip. A change of landscape and weather.



As the second anniversary of your passing arrives, I guess I can equate it to the "Terrible Twos" with denial and saying "NO" to the fact that you are gone from this place.



I feel you around me in many different ways and it is a comfort. I cry less and wrap myself in pleasant memories more. That is a good thing. God's love embraces us both.



Merry Christmas,

Mary Anne

Well Dad, we are reaching another anniversay of when God called you home. He was thinking of calling your younger brother, Thom to be with you, but he knows that you and Bob Gablin were enough to handle for now. Thom and Bill will have to wait and hopefully their turns are far off.



We will gather at the table for dinner on the 24th, set a place for you and tell stories of Christmas' past; way to much seafood, some even left in the broiler, Baby Brittany eating lemons at the Christmas table; Alfredo slurping spaghetti with Samantha;

Rachel running around in red footie pajamas; A ringy watch; and many more fond memories.



Bob and I and the girls will travel to Galena on the 26th and your bride will be in Sunny California. HHHMMMM I can not imagine which destination would have been your choice, Sunny California or Galena in January? I have faith that where you are now, the sun is always shining on you.



Merry Chirstmas Daddy and as usual I still miss you.

Mandy

Hey Papa,

Yesterday i had a basketabll game! We played Batavia Highschool. I dont think that they are known for their height I felt like a giant compared to them. The good news is I scored 10 points and every time I scored I thought of you and how you taught me most of the things I know in Basketball! Thank You for teaching me everything you know about basketball! I LOVE YOU! And miss you!

Not a special reason, not a special thought....just a note to say "I care".

Well Daddy, your best friend has come to join you. During a recent visit to his home, I was traveling home on the expressway near O'Hare to see one of those glorious sunsets you send to us every once in a while. The difference about this sunset was the planes had cut lines through it and the sun was turning them a beautiful gold. Was this the map for Bob to find his way to you? Perhpas you never thought he was good with directions but it was a thoughtful gesture to show him the way. I gave him a message to pass along to you, although it is one you already know.



Thanksgiving has come and gone and our circle is getting ever so smaller. I still have plenty of dark meat leftover too.

I miss you but time is helping the pain ease ever so gently.



Love.

Your favorite Daughter.

You have never been alone but on November 16, 2004 your friend and study partner, your life long friend, Bob, traveled to be with you.



Before he left he said the only thing you did better than him was to leave this earth the way you did.

His death was long in coming and hard to watch for all of us.



May God grant you both peace and may you both behave yourselves!

Hi Jim,

It is a beautiful fall even if it isn't your favorite time of year knowing that winter follows.



You dear friend Bob is soon to join you. He says that the one thing you did better then him was to check out the way you did.



This year I will be in New Port Beach on the 26th as Pat was kind enough to invite me to the beach house.



My thoughts are filled with you and my prayers too. May the sins of the mortal body be forgiven by the grace of God.



Rest in Peace,

It was your birthday about 8 days ago and I couldn't stop thinking about you. I remember the days when you would visit and we would have such good times together. My life is just so much different without you, and I don't know what i would've done without you in my life. I just never stop thinking about you and almost everything I do reminds me of you. Like when I'm playing any of my sports I think of all the advice you used to give me when i was younger.



Love You With All My Heart

Rachel

Well Dad it is almost that time of the year. October 10th being right around the corner and another Halloween coming without you here to pass out the candy. You are still missed on a daily basis and sometimes I still pick up the phone to call and tell you about something that happened during my day. I imagine you know how well are your girlies are doing. Brittany is growing into a beautiful, intelligent young woman right before our very eyes. Sam is still as stubborn as you were, but making friends left and right. She is adapting well to High School and is still an awesome leader. As well as a natural beauty. Rachel would surprise you as she has grown to be quite the athlete and many that meet her say she is a natural, and she is still so smart and pretty. As for your first gal M.A. she is holding her own, teaching, and managing to still find time for shopping. As for me, I guess you know how I am, going through,

running this household and still missing you. I love you Daddy.



Happy Birthday.



P.S. Da Bears beat the Packers at home. Ill give Bob the $5 you would have lost.

Uncle Jim, we have not spoken much the last few years you were with us. I am sorry for that. I have recently transported a lady, by ambulance, from Sterling to Rockford. She remembered the corner tap being Len and Dots. She thought she remembered you also, but I'm sure it was your better looking middle brother. I wish you could see my son David. You would enjoy him much I am sure. Save a good place for me would you? Thoughts and prayers, Michael

Hi Jim,

Well, I am sure that it comes as no news to you that I will be teaching music to kindergarten students.



No, I won't be using the little black piano that I used to create songs on Forest Preserve Dr.



My heart is filled with gratitude.

Hi Jim,

The summer is becoming a memory and you would have liked it. The reading of the Tribune on the deck would have been comfortable and cool.



Use your influence and secure a kdg. classroom for me this fall. I know you have connections in high places!!!



Peace and Blessings,

07/24/04

How funny when you will just creep up on me, I will be driving and thinking of you complaining of traffic, or I will be writing and all of sudden see your script, then the tears follow; the hot sudden tears and the tightness in my throat. The pain of realizing you are now longer walking this path with us. Are you watching the path we are walking, are you smiling upon your family?

So many questions, though one day we will be together to play Indian poker and I will finally have the answers.



I love you Dad

Mandy

Dear Papa-

Even though it doesn't show, I think about you frequently and what life would be like if you were here with us. Though you are still in our hearts it's hard to think that you're gone. I still think you might come along with nana to one of our annual holiday dinners. I miss you so so much and I pray to you every night before bed so I hope you can hear me. This is the only time I've written in this, I think, so I'm sorry for that but I've connected with you in other ways but I will start writing in this more often. Every day you are with us. I LOVE YOU PAPA.

Dearest Dad:

Fathers Day is rapidly approaching and I still can't help thinking that I should be buying a 32oz Porterhouse steak to grill for you. Are you pain free? is it okay up there?

I feel you in the very simple things we do, every holiday, we speak of you often and remember things you would say or do. Mom and I often say "Can you imagine what Dad would say about that?"



Your Samantha just finished 9 years of schooling and graduated as the President of Student Union, you always knew she would be bound for greatness. I know you watched her walk across the stage and I am glad you did not have to climb the bleachers to sit and watch. You had the best seat in the house.



Dad, please watch over my children this summer and keep them safe from harms way. I love you daddy.



Your favorite daughter

Jim,

My mind is often filled with thoughts of you and our life together. Your Uncle Martin is now with you so add more water to the soup!



Prayers and peace.

Jim,

It has been one year....an anniversay. I have just returned from Utah and the family. Our dear friends Bob and Marie picked me up at the airport and we talked about you. Doesn't anyone who knew you?



It was a very different Christmas and that is what was intended. Wounds heal, time goes on and so must we. Easy? no...but necessary.



Rest in heavenly peace....Merry Christmas.

Dearest Dad:



Well a year of firsts has come and gone for us, and the pain is dwindling ever so gradually. I still expect to see you walking up the driveway, or just calling to check up on us. We are in Utah with Bob,the girlie girls and MA, trying to celebrate the Christmas holiday.



This AM @ about 2:30 a brilliant light came through the windows of the place we are staying at, was that you? or am I feeling you in the lovely heavy Christmas snow, as you always know how much I loved a "White Christmas", even though you hated the stuff. Whatever ways you are sharing the season with us, please know that you are forever in my heart and the hearts of those you loved and who loved you back just as much.



Merry Christmas Daddy.

I love you.

Mandy

Well today Christmas is just around the corner, another one of your favorite holidays! We are off to Utah with MA, the girls and I. Perhaps this year we wont leave food in the broiler on Christmas Eve. How I wish you were here to share it with us, as I think back to last Christmas Eve, I wonder did you know it was to be our last holiday together? If we had known would have done anything differently? I would like to think not. Please know that the hole in my heart remains, but that it gets easier every day, bit by tiny bit. Your neice Katie painted a picture of you, Sue, Nonna, Grandpa A, Gov and Grandma sitting at the Corner Tap in Heaven on Xmas. That is what I like to imagine.



All my love.

Your favorite daughter.

Dear Auntie MA, Cousin, Bob, Britt, Sam & Rachel:



Hard to believe almost a year has gone by, and my wonderful Godfather and Uncle is gone. Who will teach my baby daughter how to say "jag-off" properly? Or how to play rap poker? I don't know, now. I have so many fond memories, too many to list. Just know I'm thinking of all of you. Love, Katie

Well today we will mourn yet another Male figure in our lives passing. I dont know how well you knew Don Scoggin, but hopefully you and he will have many memories of your grandhcildren to share. You both loved them both so much. Only 22 days until the anniversary of your passing. How is this possible when I can still see you sitting at my kitchen table? When I still hear your voice? I love you much Daddy and still miss you daily. Please help Uncle Don and the family that mourns him as we do you.



I Love you.

Jimmie Lee,

It is Thanksgivng 2003 and there will be an empty chair at the table and no squabble over the drumsticks. Also, the oysters were safe this year.

It is hard to believe that the first anniversary of your death will be here shortly.



Our family has much to be thankful for and one of the blessings is that you were in our lives. Rest in peace and be blessed and comforted at God's table.