Harmony Coburn

Residents enjoyed the July Birthday cart by receiving gifts, a birthday cupcake, donuts and a friendly staff singing them Happy Birthday!

Kay Clapp was born in O’Fallon, Illinois not far from St. Louis, Missouri to Gene and Delores Elliot. She had one brother named Joe.

Growing up Kay wanted to be an Interpreter for the United Nations.  Kay graduated from High School at the Academy of Notre Dame.  Kay then went on to attend the Eastern Illinois University with a triple major in Latin American Studies, History, and Spanish.  Kay’s first job, as many of us, was babysitting and after that she taught History for High School grades 9-12 at Oakland High School for many years.  Kay says the most rewarding part of teaching was trying to make a difference in someone’s life and showing them that history was interesting through the frame of reference.  Kay and her husband Dale volunteered through the Brocton Christian Church at Pleasant Meadows visiting with the residents and passing out water.

Kay and her husband Dale eloped in 1971 in San Antonio, Texas and have been married for 49 years. They have one daughter, Sara, and a grandson named Aaron. When asked how they met, Kay says she asked him for a lighter and it was love at first sight!

Kay recalls 3 major events that happened while she was growing up. She recalls the Assassination of President John F. Kennedy, the first landing on the Moon, and the bombing of Hiroshima and Nagasaki.

I asked Kay if she could write a message to todays younger generation to put in a time capsule to be opened in 20 years what advice would she have for them:

All learning is valuable and do not throw it away just because you do not like the first 10 minutes.

Kay and her husband Dale now both reside with us at Pleasant Meadows. Kays hobbies are reading books and magazines, reading her daily devotionals, watching movies and camping.

Rosemary was born to Banford Floyd and Lona Gladys Byrd at their home in Syracuse IN. Rosemary had five other siblings, Dolores, Jaunita, Jean, Helen and Bernard. During her younger years she moved to Chrisman, Il. where she still lives to this day. Rosemary has never married and never had any children. She states she is the last Byrd to leave the nest.

Rosemary attended the Chrisman Nazarene Church in Chrisman, IL. where she taught the second grade Sunday School Class.

Rosemary graduated from a small 2 room school called Cherry Point School located south of Chrisman Il. Rosemary first worked as a Nanny for 2 sets of twins. She fondly recalls their names Sammy and Sandra, and Dick and Darlene. After working as a Nanny, Rosemary started working at the Children’s Home in Danville, Il. where she stayed full time and the kids all called her Mama Byrd. She then transferred to the Children’s Home in Paris, Il. and enjoyed her time there the best because of the children. After working at the second Children’s Home location, Rosemary then began working at the television factory Zenith until it’s closing in 1984.

Rosemary stated that the one major event that has happened in her lifetime was the bombing of Pearl Harbor. She states that the difference between the younger generation today and her generation is that all the kids from grade school to high school spoke to one another and that they all got along well.

Rosemary hobbies today include reading her Bible daily, working on word search books and visiting with staff and peers.

I asked Rosemary what advice she has for our younger generation she states “Mind your parents, check who you run around with and check who you marry!”

Joan Deering was born to Emerson and Bernice Martin in Kokomo IN. . She had three brothers Bob, Richard and Junior with whom she got along well. During her younger years Joan was a member of the Daughters of the Masonic Lodge and was named Grand Bethel Queen. Joan lived at home with her parents until she was 45 and married her sweetheart Bill Deering.

Joan knew at the age of 7 or 8 that she wanted to be a teacher. She pursued her goal by graduating from Kokomo High School and attending Indiana University earning her BS in Education and an MA at Ball State. Joan’s first teaching job was at Von Erick Elementary School. She loved it so much that this is were she remained teaching for the next 23 years. Joan taught several grades including First, Second and Third. She says that the most rewarding aspect of the job was being able to teach the children and the children themselves and that the most challenging were the ornery ones!

Joan stated that she never faced any large world events like we are facing now but she says that the difference between the younger generation of today and her generation is that parents and teachers were definetly more strict and that they did not have cell phones or computers to distract them.

I asked Joan if she could write a message to todays younger generation to put in a time capsule to be opened in 20 years, what advice would she have for them:

To be a good citizen and be helpful to others.

Our facility is ready and anxious to coordinate outside visits with residents and family members. Please review the guidelines in the attached document, including when appointments can be scheduled and how to request your appointment. (You may also download a copy by clicking here.) You will be asked to complete and sign this waiver as well: Click To View or Print