Wednesday, February 20, 2013

UNCLE RED


 
GOSHEN — Paul T. Emmert, 86, died Saturday night, Feb. 16, 2013, at Courtyard Healthcare where he had been a patient for one year under Hospice care.

He was born May 8, 1926, in New Paris to George and Fae (Rock) Emmert.

He married AnnaBelle Aschliman on Nov. 26, 1950, in New Paris.

He is survived by his wife; two daughters, Paula Emmert of New Paris and Linda (Blaine) Gilbert of Goshen; six grandchildren; seven great-grandchildren; and a sister, Jacqueline Kurtz of New Paris, who came to live with the family at the age of 8, upon the death of her mother Rachel, Fae Emmert’s sister.

Paul was preceded in death by a daughter, Marcia Bloss; his parents; and three young siblings, Harley, Eddie and Kathleen Emmert.

Paul graduated from New Paris High School in 1944. He joined the U.S. Navy and served in the Armored Guard Division.

He then worked for the New Paris Post Office under Postmaster Ora Stiver for a number of years.

He owned and operated his own business, Emmert Poultry, delivering dressed poultry, meats and frozen food commodities to grocery stores and restaurants. He was a member of Grace United Methodist Church.

In honor of Paul’s wishes, there will be no calling except for one hour before the service at 3 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 23, 2013, at Grace United Methodist Church, located on Main Street, New Paris. The service will be conducted by the Rev. Robert Nelson.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be given to Goshen Home Care and Hospice, P.O. Box 723, Goshen, IN 46526; Salvation Army, P.O. Box 114, Goshen, IN 46527; or the Missions Department at Grace United Methodist Church, P.O. Box 25, New Paris, IN, 46553.

Elkhart Cremation Services is entrusted with arrangements.
 
 
I am fairly sure that not very many people in the US have a draft card signed by their uncle!  As noted in Uncle Red's obituary above, Red served in the Navy and was a draft board member in Elkhart County for a number of years including during the time of the Vietnam War - or as the Vietnamese say, the American War.  At age 18, I had registered as a conscientious objector and at 22, after college, was drafted as was virtually every young man at the time.  Normally anyone who registered as a CO got called before the draft board for questioning, but I did not get that call.  Only recently Red told me that the draft board often met informally to discuss draftees and one of those discussions resulted in my being granted CO status without having to appear - which most likely spared me from the usual hectoring from some of the board members.
 
Family and friends have many fond memories of Uncle Red, and I am hopeful that they will be shared in the comment section below.  Godspeed Uncle Red.

13 comments:

Rachel Moyer said...

My thoughts are with grandma, Annabel and family. Thanks for the post. Love, Rachel

Anonymous said...

I can't begin to catalog the multitude of memories brought to me by Uncle Red. From grinding the gears in his box truck on delivery runs, picking up "chicken bokey" on my sneakers in the chicken house to fiddling with his adding machine and police scanner, i learned a lot about life from Uncle Red. Always a laugh and a warm smile.

I wish him well on his eternal journey. He will be missed.

Brett

Stacy said...

I remember playing with that adding machine of his and scribble on his receipt books. Rest in Peace Uncle Red...

Dr S said...

Thanks Kiddos. Brett and Stacy - sounds like you spent some time on the adding machine :-) I too remember the machine and other 'grown-up' office furnishings that Red would let the cousins use when visiting.

Mark R Aschliman said...

Condolences to the Emmert clan. I trust there will be ribs in heaven--no Chinese food for Red!
Mark A

Dr S said...

Mark - a good memory. Some background - the Aschliman clan would often gather to go out for dinner at a local restaurant. One evening, the choice was Chinese. Later when our oldest son asked uncles Tex and Red what they had, Tex responded that Chinese food was not a favorite, and said "me and Red had ribs!" :-)

Anna said...

I remember the adding machine very well! At other people's houses we often played 'house', but at Red and Annie's we played 'office'. He was always kind and accepting, as was Anabelle. I loved his red Ranchero or El Camino... don't know which make it was- but I have a HUGE affinity for those half car/half trucks to this day! Sweet, sweet man dedicated to a sweet, sweet woman. God speed great uncle. I love you Aunt Anabelle.

Grandma Mary said...

Mary Swartzendruber says "Red was a soft spoken, kind man who worked hard. Our hearts go out to
Annabelle and her family."

Steve Heller said...

I remember some one-on-one with Red as a young boy when I would visit New Paris. I remember one time riding shotgun in his DeSoto with Fluid Drive. That amazed me, to be able to drive without shifing. He also amazed me by pulling a gun out of the glove compartment, a tiny pistol, the likes of which I have not come across since. Am sure the gun was not loaded as he handed it to me to hold and challenged me to pull the trigger. The trigger wouldn't budge because the safety was on, but I didn't know about such things then.
I loved the chicken coops, Red's and Grandpa's, and Red patiently answered all my chicken questions.
He was always cheerful, encouraging, and positive. We talk about people having a long and satisfying life, Red fills the bill perfectly. Born in New Paris and spending the vast majority of his life there, his 86 years must have seemed like 286. Lol!
It is sad to see him go, but I'm sure the first words out of his mouth on the beginning of his Heavenly journey were, "Hey, precious daughter, I'm home!"

Dr S said...

Another Red memory - the hearse! At one time Red had a business caponizing chickens. Red was the head hormone injector while the young fellows would catch, hold and release the chickens. The chickens would be laid out on ironing boards and Red would inject under the wing. I did not help with this crew because we were often busy catching our own chickens or for some other chicken growers. I always thought that it would be great fun to ride with Red in the hearse with all of the caponizing paraphernalia, but alas, never had the honor!

Dr S said...

I believe that Red was a Jackson Township commissioner once upon a time, and had some responsibilities for keeping the graveyards mowed - any one else have this recollection??

Linda said...

He was the trustee. Sold the dog tags, gave food tickets to those in need and I remember sending out about a million letters for something about their cars. I would have to ask mom more about that. He did mow a graveyard after he retired from the chicken business and also a golf course. Marcus would help him with the graveyard from time to time.

DES said...

Thanks for the info cousin Linda. Another memory that I have is when your mom and dad lived in that tiny, tiny place in New Paris. They were way ahead of their time since such places are becoming trendy!!