SEPTEMBER 20, 2018 WINONA LAKE, INDIANA

Every year I make my annual vacation to Indiana to visit my Aunt Nancy (Mom’s sister) and her family.  It is always very special to me because these are really some very special people to me.  One of the things we ALWAYS do is take our sentimental journey to visit the places that were important in our family history on that side of the family.

Highlights on the trip include a visit to Sidney, Indiana where my Grandfather and Grandmother met.  Grandpa lived on the street that Grandma’s sister lived on.  She would come to visit and Grandpa must have had a keen eye!  The sad part of the story is that she died when my Mom was 4 and Aunt Nancy was 3.  We visit her gravesite every year along with other family members who are buried there in Collamer near South Whitley, IN.

Next we go to North Manchester, IN to visit Benders Funeral Home where Grandpa was an embalmer.  After his wife died he quit the business.

We have such a good time retelling the stories that my cousins are now interested in taking the tour with us.  My cousin Dan Hoeppner asked to join us this year and of course we were thrilled to have his company.  We have a place on the trip where we always take pictures in front of the Indiana Street sign.  It on the street my grandparents met.