DEXTER, MISSOURI DECEMBER 1994

HI & Greetings from the Bootheel of Missouri once again.

Last year I told you about the Computer that Cousin Jeanie & her family sent me to enter all of the family information. Well folk's, M. A. has learned some about the Computer & how it work's, but will admit to you that I have a long long way to go. Ordered one program (Personal Ancestral File) & enter about 700 or 800 names & other information about them & decided that it wasn't the correct program for me. Ordered another program (Reunion) & it seems to be what will work better, because it will print out a Family History & go into more detail than the first one. As I stated in my letter last year, it will take 5 or 6 years to get all the family information entered. Also, some of you haven't kept me up to date on the changes, (births, marriages, deaths, divorces, special events, etc.) in your families. If you will take a few minutes, & just drop me a note, & let me know what has happened in your family during the last year, it will be greatly appreciated.

Received a Christmas Card from Aunt Mamie Hart who lives in California last December & she told us that her son Johnny had lost his wife Linda in October 1994. Sorry to hear about Linda & our sympathy goes to all of her family.

Received a Christmas Card from Auburn Hankins & he told us about the death of his sister Delpha (Hankins) (Allison) Howell on Nov 13 1993. Delpha was the daughter of Claude & Vera (Melton) Hankins, born Oct 9 1906 in White County, Illinois. She married Lon Allison in 1925 & the had two children, Francis Jean & Donna June. After Lon died Delpha married Randall Howell. She was buried at the North Maple Ridge Cemetery in White County. Sorry to hear about Delpha's death & our sympathy goes to all of her family.

Received a Christmas Card from Cousin Bob & Margaret Aslin from Jonesboro, GA & he wrote the following:

This year has been real good to us. I went on retirement the first of April. Our house was finished and we moved in on the 10th of April. We had spent most of the spring working in the garden, cleaning out the vines and brush. Then we took a break and went back to Germany for three weeks. It was just to hot and humid to do much garden work in the summer, so we didn't get the flower beds finished until the fall. We are still trying to adjust to the "American" way. We spent 20 years in Germany and I am so "Europeanized" that I feel like an emigrant to the US. We just take it a day at a time and everything is working out.

If my memory is correct it has been over 50 years since Bob & I have seen each other. Looking forward to the time when we can see & visit each other again.

Danny Williams of Norris City called a few days ago (20 Dec 1993) & told me that he had a new Grand baby & would send me information on it, so that I could show it in my letter next year.

GET MORE INFORMATION.

We had a few snow flurries on Christmas day. Woke up to ice & snow on the morning of Dec 28.

Charlie Melton of Farmers City, IL told me in December 1994, that he thought that Warren Alexander Melton (our Great Grandfather) may be buried in the Plainsview Cemetery, White County, IL. Charlie also told me that the Warren Alexander Melton Family had lived 2 or 3 miles of the Plainview Church & Cemetery when he died. I had talked to Logan Roark of Pana, IL the middle of Dec & he told me that he had found in the Plainview news in 1890 in the Carmi Newspaper that Warren Alexander Melton had died. Hopefully we can locate his grave one of these days.

Cousin Lucille (Lucy) Bennett had a small hole in the retina of her left Eye & had surgery the12th of Jan 1994, in Memphis, TN. She has lost some of the sight in that left eye & told me the hard part of the ordeal was the recovery period, as she had to keep her head down most of two & one half weeks, following the surgery.

It turned cold over the weekend of Jan 15th & 16th & about noon on Sunday it began to sleet & then it turned to rain about 5 PM & covered the ground with about an inch of ice. That night it snowed from 6 to 8 inches & the temperature really took a nose dive. We ask our Granddaughter Shelly to come down and stay with us, but she didn't want to, because she was afraid that the water would freeze in her house if she didn't keep the fire (wood stove) going. Her husband Tom had started driving a truck & he would be away home for a few days. Then about noon on Tuesday, Shelly agreed that it may be best for her & the kids to come down to our house. Kim & his friend David Battles took David's Four Wheel Drive Pickup & went up to Shelly's & brought her & the children to our house for a few days, until the cold weather has passed. Tuesday night the temp. went to 12 or 13 below 0. Sure glad she decided to come & stay with us.

Rebecca Ann Pullum, the daughter of Valerie Diane Durham & grand daughter of Jean (Lape) Hart left the 9th of Nov 1993 for Clearfield, UT & joined the Job Corp. She will be there for 1 to 2 years training.

Had Thunder & Lightening last night & early this Morning the 26th & 27th of January. There is an old saying that if it Thunders in January, then it will rain on that day in July. Well folks it didn't work this year.

Mrs. Pearl Cunningham the mother of Normalene Hart of Wappapello, MO & Grandmother of Steven Hart of Muscle Tuscumbia, AL, Gary Hart of Smyrna, DE & Brian Hart of Bremerton, WA passed away on Jan 31, 1994 at the age of 86. She was a long time resident of Parma, MO. She was buried at the Malden Memorial Park Cemetery, Malden, MO. We are sorry to of her death & our sympathy goes to all of her family.

9 Mar 1994 - Started snowing in the AM on 8 Mar & snowed off & on all day but not much stayed on the ground, but then that night we ended up with 12 & 1/2 inches on the ground.

Received word in Apr 1994 that Stella B. Catlin had passed away on 25 Mar 1994 in Carmi, IL. Stella was born 19 Sep 1894 & would have been 100 years old this fall. She was the widow of Otto Catlin, who was a half brother to our Grandma Hannah Iona (Melton) Hart. Sorry to hear about Aunt Stella & the family has our sympathy.

Received word from Scott & Cindy Hart of Illinois about their new son. The Birth announcement went like this. "WE'VE BEEN BLESSED". What an extraordinary Easter morn, when our precious baby boy was born! Matthew Ryan Hart, April 3, 1994 at 6:34 a.m. 8 pounds, 13 Ounces, 21 inches - Proud Parents, Scott and Cindy Hart, Proud Big Sister, Rachel Nicole Hart. Grandparents, Miles Ezra & Wanda Hart & Aunt Ginger of Henderson, KY. Congraulations to the parents, sister & Grandparents.

Received word that Neal Mansfield's brother Troy Lester Mansfield of Bonnieville, WA passed away on 2nd of April 1994 at the age of 93 & was buried at the Park Hill Cemetery, Camas, WA. Sorry to hear about Troy & the family has our sympathy.

Cousin Richard Hart of Dexter called about 6:OO PM the 5th of May & told me that they had just lost his Dad AMOS & that they were at the Dexter Hospital. Kim & Connie was here & Kim & I went out there to be with the family. Uncle Amos had been mowing the yard & came inside to cool off as he had got too hot. He wanted the fan, which he never ask for before when he was hot like that. Aunt Ora ran next door to get help & they called the Ambulance to bring him to the Dexter Hospital. The EMT's worked with him but appearently he was gone by the time they arrived at the hospital.

Went to the Funeral Home on Saturday night for visitation & met Mr. Henson a neighbor of Uncle Amos & Aunt Ora. He told me that his property & Uncle Amos' property joined each other behind their houses & that he was a real good friend of Uncle Amos. He said that if Uncle Amos told you something, that was the way it was & you never had to dought him & that he was always there with a helping hand. The Preacher, Rev. Doyle Stogsdil, who preached Uncle Amos' funeral said that since he had became acquainted with Uncle Amos, that he had never heard him talk about someone else in a negative manner . If he didn't have something good to say about someone he just didn't talk about them. How great it would be if we all could have that kind of attitude towards other people. He will not only be missed by his family, but also by his neighbors & friends in Bell City & other parts of the country.

The following is a continuation of John Henry Hart's (1807-1870) family that was started in my Christmas letter in December 1992. Last year the information was on Henry Ezra Hart (1877-1965) family. Since Martin Allen & Hannah Iona (Melton) Hart had such a large family, only they & their first child that lived, (Star Hart & his family), will be included this year.

HART, MARTIN ALLEN (1879-1959)
Martin Allen Hart was born to Martin M. & Martha (Emerson) Hart 3 Nov 1879 in Gallatin County, Illinois. He was the fourth child & the second son of this marriage. Martin Allen Hart & Hannah Iona Melton were married in the home of Joel & Margaret Lona (Hendrix) Aud in Gallatin County, Illinois 27 January 1901. Hannah Iona Melton was the second child & the first daughter born 13 July 1882 to Alexander Warren (called Alex & Sam) & Laura Juliana (Hendrix) Melton, in White County, Illinois. Her father died 13 March 1890 when she was almost 8 years old, & then her mother married Chester A. Catlin 30 June 1892 in White County, Illinois. Martin & Hannah Hart lived in White & Gallatin Counties for the next 17 years where he farmed & learned to make Sorghum Molasses. After moving to Rural Dexter, he was well known for making some of the best Sorghum, in this part of the Country. He would sell the Mollasses for forty cents per gallon & had already paid ten cents for the gallon bucket. During these 17 years in Illinois they had ten children & they are as follows.

Infant, (Twin) Stillborn, born 1901, White CO, IL.

Infant, (Twin) Stillborn, born 1901, White CO, IL. Probably buried at the Herald Cem. White CO. IL.

HART, Starlus (Star), born 9 Aug 1902, Union Ridge, White CO, IL.

HART, Rosevelt (Velt), born 13 Jan 1904, Union Ridge, White CO, IL.

HART, Grayson (Joe), born 18 Feb 1906, Gallatin CO, IL.

HART, Martin (Mart), born 17 Dec 1907, Gallatin CO, IL.

HART, Merdith (Merida) , born 27 Oct 1910, White CO, IL. Died at about 27 months, buried at Herald Cem, White CO, IL.

HART, Clara, born 25 Dec 1912, White CO, IL.

HART, Charles Henry, born 27 Nov 1915, White CO, IL. Died at about l month, buried at Herald Cem, White CO, IL. None of the four children that died young have grave markers.

HART, Amos, born 27 Jan 1917, White CO, IL.

In the fall of 1918, they moved from White County, Illinois to Southeast Missouri in two covered wagons pulled by one team of horses & one team of mules. The horses names were Doc & Gib & the mules names were Beck & Kate. Two more children was born after they moved to Missouri & they are.

HART, Milas, born 6 Sep 1919, New Madrid CO, MO.

HART, Ezra, born 29 Aug 1921, Stoddard CO, MO.

HART, Starlus (Star) (1902-1987)

Starlus (Star) was born 9 Aug 1902, Union Ridge, White CO, Illinois & married 1st Elizabeth (Lizzy) Grampp 6 Mar 1925 in New Madrid CO, Missouri. Elizabeth was born to Godliep & Stella (Skelton) Grampp, the 19 Dec 1904 in New Madrid CO, Missouri. Star was a farmer for many years except for 2 years that they lived in Michigan shortly after they married. In the year of 195l he quit farming, then he & his family moved to Michigan for a while then they moved to Florida. They would work in Florida in the winter then go to Colorado & work there in the summer. Star & Elizabeth were divorced in 1971 & later he married Lucille (Lucy) Goss. Star died 15 Aug 1987 in Cape Girardeau, Missouri & is buried at the Chapel Hill Memorial Gardens, Zephyr Hills, Florida. Lizzy died 12 Mar 1990 in Chandler, Arizona & buried at East Rest Haven Cemetery, Phoenix, Arizona. Star & Lizzy had six children.

HART, Myrtle Christine, born 5 Jan 1926.

HART, Hilda Marie, born 24 Nov 1928.

HART, Edgar Allen, born 20 Mar 1930, Flint, MI, died 26 Oct 1965 in Gainsville, Florida & is buried at Dade City, Florida. HART, Mary Sue, born 15 Sep 1935.

HART, William S., born 24 Aug 1937.

HART, Stanley Starlus, born 11 Jun 1942.

HART, Myrtle Christine (1926- ) Christine was born 5 Jan 1926, RR, Stoddard CO, MO & married Neal Mansfield 27 Nov 1946, Dexter, Stoddard CO, MO. Neal was born 23 Oct 1921 at Danville, Vermillion CO, IL to Ira Gustava & Sally Jane (Hicks) Mansfield. They had two children..

MANSFIELD, Douglas Ray, born 24 Feb 1948.

MANSFIELD, Donna Gail, born 15 Feb 1950.

MANSFIELD, Douglas Ray (1948- ) Douglas (Doug) was born 24 Feb 1948, Poplar Bluff, Butler CO, MO & married Judy K. Elder 5 Apr 1969, Dudley, Stoddard CO, MO. Judy was born 7 Sep 1949, Malden, Dunklin CO, MO to Fred & Zelma (Wicker) Elder. Their children.

MANSFIELD, Lisa Ann, born 1 Sep 1973.

MANSFIELD, Russell LeRoy, born 25 Aug 1979, Poplar Bluff, Butler CO, MO.

MANSFIELD, David Ray, born 12 Oct 1986, St Louis, MO.

MANSFIELD, Lisa Ann (1973- ) Lisa Ann was born 1 Sep 1973, St Louis, MO & married Stephan D. Lucy 6 Sep 1992, Manchester, MO. Stephan was born 10 Mar 1972, Kennett, Dunklin CO, MO to LeRoy & Stella (Crafton) Lucy. Stephan is in the U.S. Army.

MANSFIELD, Donna Gail (1950- ) Donna Gail was born 15 Feb 1950, Poplar Bluff, Butler CO, MO & married Melvin Allen Swallows 7 Nov 1970, Dexter, Stoddard CO, MO. Allen was born 10 Mar 1948, Dexter, Stoddard CO, MO to Elmer & Myrtle (Slaughter) Swallows. Their children.

SWALLOWS, Travis Allen, born 21 May 1973, Kirkwood, MO. He is in the U.S. Air Force.

SWALLOWS, Jeffery Neal, born 25 Nov 1975, Poplar Bluff, Butler CO, MO. Jeff has one son.

SWALLOWS, Bradley Kyle, born 29 Jul 1994, Poplar Bluff, Butler CO, MO.

HART, Hilda Marie (1928- ) Marie was born 24 Nov 1928, Flint, Genesee CO, MI & married Kenneth Keith Roussel Sr, 16 May 1947, Sikeston, Scott CO, MO. Keith was born 14 Apr 1914, Bernie, Stoddard CO, MO to Arthur Louis & Mayme Lourdida (Hutchison) Roussel. Keith died 11 Mar 1969, Dexter, MO & is buried at the Bernie Cem., Bernie, Stoddard CO, MO. Marie & Keith were divorced. They had two sons.

ROUSSEL, Kenneth Keith, born 15 Dec 1947.

ROUSSEL, Robert Arthur, born 4 Aug 1954.

ROUSSEL, Kenneth Keith Jr (1947- ) Keith was born 15 Dec 1947, Cape Girardeau, Cape CO, MO & married 1st, Janie Mosley, 16 Aug 1969, Blytheville, Mississippi CO, AR. Janie was born 3 Sep 1950, Blytheville, AR to Charles Richard & Jane Evelyn Mosley. Keith married 2nd Kimberly Ann Kramer 14 Jun 1986 in Chandler, AZ & she was born 1 Feb 1961, Olathe, KS to John & Janette (Brooks) Kramer. Keith & Janie had two children.

ROUSSEL, Angela Marie, born 23 Aug 1971, Blytheville, Mississippi CO, AR.

ROUSSEL, Kenneth Keith, III, born 20 Jun 1973, Blytheville, Mississippi CO, AR.

ROUSSEL, Robert Arthur (1954- ) Robert (Bobby) was born 4 Aug 1954, Poplar Bluff, Butler CO, MO & married Patti Johnson, 19 Feb 1977, Mesa, Maricopa CO, AZ. Pattie was born 20 Jul 1957, Salt Lake City, Salt Lake CO, UT to Richard H. & Verla (McDonald) Johnson. Bobby & Patti have nine children.

ROUSSEL, Robert Arthur. Jr. born 8 Mar 1978, Phoenix, Maricopa CO, AZ.

ROUSSEL, Aubrey Brooke, born 20 Jul 1979, Mesa, Maricopa CO, AZ.

ROUSSEL, Sean Pierre, born 21 Apr 1981, Mesa, Maricopa CO, AZ.

ROUSSEL, Alexis Layne, born 14 Nov 1982, Mesa, Maricopa CO, AZ.

ROUSSEL, Jeremy Jay, born 12 Apr 1984, Mesa, Maricopa CO, AZ.

ROUSSEL, Skyler Louis, born 20 Sep 1985, Mesa, Maricopa CO, AZ.

ROUSSEL, Hannah Beth, born 31 Mar 1987, Mesa, Maricopa CO, AZ.

ROUSSEL, Victoria Rose, born 15 Dec 1988, Mesa, Maricopa CO, AZ.

ROUSSEL, Megan Kaye, born 19 Dec 1991, Mesa, Maricopa CO, AZ.

HART, Mary Susan (1935- ) Susan was born 18 Sep 1935, RR, Lilbourn, New Madrid CO, Missouri & married 1st Joe B. Martinez, 23 Jan 1954. Joe was born 4 Dec 1933 & died in April 1977. Susan & Joe had three children.

MARTINEZ, Andrew Hart, born 27 Jul 1954.

MARTINEZ, Susan Starr, born 20 Aug 1957.

FULKS, (MARTINEZ), Teresa Gaye, born 24 Jan 1961. Susan married 2nd Clarence Eugene (Gene) Fulks, 1 Jul 1971, Scottsdale, Maricopa CO, AZ. Gene was born 18 Jul 1929, Locust Grove, Maize, CO, OK to James William David & Julia Levada (Burns) Fulks. After Susan & Gene married, Gene adopted Susana's daughter Teresa Gaye Martinez in 1976 & changed her last name to Fulks. Gene was married 1st to Patricia Moulton & they had three children.

FULKS, Larry David, born 20 Oct 1948.

FULKS, Paula Jean, born 30 Dec 1952.

FULKS, Brenda Kaye, born 25 Jul 1955.

MARTINEZ, Andrew Hart (1954- ) Andrew (Andy) was born 27 July 1954, Phoenix, Maricopa CO, AZ & married 1st Maellen Pittman 13 May 1977, Chandler, Maricopa CO, AZ & she was born 6 Nov 1957. They divorced after one year & had no children. Andy married 2nd Connie Wood, 9 Jun 1980 & she was born to George Roy & Judith Ann (Lockwood) Wood. Andy & Connie have three children.

MARTINEZ, Star Marlea, born 13 Aug 1979, Scottsdale, Maricopa CO, AZ.

MARTINEZ, Kristina Marie, born 14 Oct 1980, Scottsdale, Maricopa CO, AZ.

MARTINEZ, Andrew Joseph, born 8 Nov 1985, Scottsdale, Maricopa CO, AZ.

MARTINEZ, Susan Starr (1957- ) Susan Starr was born 20 Aug 1957, Mesa, Maricopa CO, AZ & married 1st John Gunnar Hancock 31 Jan 1975. Married 2nd Robin K. Hollister 16 May 1981, Kenya, Africa. Married 3rd Barry Meckunns, 14 Aug 1982, Lamarsck Suffolk, England. FULKS, (MARTINEZ), Teresa Gaye (1961- ) Teresa was born 24 Jan 1961, Mesa, Maricopa CO, AZ & married 1st James Phillip Brown, 10 Nov 1979, Chandeler, Maricopa CO, AZ. Married 2nd Peter Zwager, 11 Jul 1986 & they have twins. ZWAGER, Elizabeth Suzanne, born 14 Mar 1990, Nairobi, Kenya. ZWAGER, Twain Johannes, born 14 Mar 1990, Nairobi, Kenya.

FULKS, Larry David (1948- ) Larry David was born 20 Oct 1948, Phoenix, Maricopa CO, AZ & married 1st Carol Sue Crawford in June 1968, Chandler, Maricopa CO, AZ. They divorced in 1975. Larry married Paula K. & then married Dawn Ludwig. Larry & Carol Sue had one child.

FULKS, Geoffrey David, born 21 Aug 1970, Mesa, Maricopa CO, AZ.

FULKS, Paula Jean (1952- ) Paula Jean was born 30 Dec 1952, Phoenix, Maricopa CO, AZ & married Robert John Dickinson 21 Jul 1988, Redlands, CA. Paula Jean has been in the U. S. Air Force for a number of years & was promoted to Major in 1990.

FULKS, Brenda Kaye (1955- ) Brenda Kaye was born 25 Jul 1955, Phoenix, Maricopa CO, AZ & married Mark Dossey, 2 Jun 1979 in Phoenix. Mark was born 14 Jan 1952, Phoenix to Mack & Irene Dissey. Brenda & Mark have two children.

DOSSEY, Kirsten Leigh, born 29 Jun 1981, Mesa, Maricopa CO, AZ.

DOSSEY, Grant Joseph, born 9 Jul 1985, Tucson, Pima CO, AZ.

HART, William (Bill) S. (1937- ) Bill was born 24 Aug 1937, RR, Lilbourn, New Madrid CO, MO & married Mary Olivia Russey 15 Jan 1960, Phoenix, Maricopa CO, AZ. Mary was born 7 Jul 1943, Kingman, Mahaue CO, AZ to Wade O. & Helen Russey. Bill & Mary have two children.

HART, Mary Elizabeth, born 21 Aug 1960. HART, Nancy Cara, born 8 Dec 1961.

HART, Mary Elizabeth (Beth) (1960- ) Beth was born 21 Aug 1960, Mesa, Maricopa CO, AZ & married Bill Howlier 6 Feb 1982, Chandler, Maricopa CO, AZ. Bill was born to Jophn & Virginia Howlier. Beth & John have one child. HOWLIER, Hannah Jane, born 5 May 1987, Chandler, Maricopa CO, AZ.

HART, Nancy Cara (1961- ) Nancy was born 8 Dec 1961, Chandler, Maricopa CO, AZ & married Jim Morgan 16 Apr 1983 in Chandler. Nancy & Jim have two children.

MORGAN, Christopher Blake, born 2 Feb 1986 in AZ.

MORGAN, Clinton Hart, born 5 Sep 1990 in AZ.

HART, Stanley Starlus (1942- ) Stan was born 11 Jun 1942, RR, Dudley, Stoddard CO, MO and married 1st Joyce Teller in Jul 1963. They were divorced in May 1965, & they had one child. Joyce remarried & her husband adopted Jeffery Allen & changed his name to LAVERNIER.

LAVERNIER, (HART), Jeffery Allen, born May 1964. Stan married 2nd Mary Dayle Lindaman 3 Jun 1966, Estes Park, CO. Mary was born 14 Sep 1944, Eldora, Harin CO, IA to Wendell John & Edythe Ellen (Nichols) Lindaman. Stan & Mary had one daughter.

HART, Jennifer Ellen, born 8 Oct 1971, Longmont, CO & died 1 Aug 1993 in a automobile accident in CO.

LAVERNIER, (HART), Jeffery Allen (1964- ) Jeffery was born in May 1964, Loveland, CO & married Kayleen Sue Forbes 9 Aug 1983, Las Vages, NV. Kayleen was born 30 Oct 1963 to Stephen Robert & Judith K. (Taylor) Forbes. Jeffery & Kayleen have one child.

LAVERNIER, Heather Lee, born 8 Dec 1985, in CO.

Our neighbor Olen Menley of 38 years & Stepfather of our Sister-in-law Doris (Beal) Hart, passed away on 8 June 1994 at the age of 81. He was buried at the Duck Creek Cemetery near Puxico, MO on 10 June. Olen was not just a neighbor, he was a dear friend & he is not only missed by his family, our whole neighborhood miss him. The family has our sympathy.

Kirk Gilbow, the son of Vera (Hart) Ross married Judy Mein in June in Las Vagus, NV & Vera went out to Colorado where they live, in July for the reception . Congraulations Kirk & Judy & we wish you the best.

The Hart Family Reunion was held in Dexter, June 19th & we had 71 in attendance. Our first time visitors were: Lucille (Aud) Brown & Verbal (Aud) Melton (Verbal was here one time before), Carmi, IL & Janice (Melton) Knotter, Columbus, OH.; Elzie & Eunice Smith & John Smith, Arnold, MO.; Don Merideth, Sikeston, MO.; Leasa & LaLa Stone, Chanta Mitchell, Bell City, MO, Cindy Wright, St. Charles, MO.; Keith & Sonike Spears, Sara & Jacob (Jake) Spears, Advance, MO, Kaylie Ramsey, Oran, MO & our last Great Grand baby, Brooke Elizabeth Bader, Bloomfield, MO.

Uncle Ezra & Aunt Geneva Hart & I went to the Catlin Reunion held at the Park in Norris City, IL on June 26th. We sure had a good time & met several new people that we had never met before.

Visited with Luvena M. Caspari at the Catlin Reunion & she told me that her mother Lela (Burdick) Forester who was the wife of William C. Forester had died June 29, 1992 & was buried at Palestine #2 Cemetery near Omah, IL. Luvena's Grandfather was Jim L. Forester & her Grandmother was Lora Catlin & Lora was a step sister to our Grandma Hannah I. (Melton) Hart. Sorry to hear about her & that I didn't have it in the 1992 letter.

Nephew Danny Hart called at about 1:45 AM the morning of 22 June 1994 & said that his mother Norma Hart had passed away at about 12:30 AM. She had a heart attack the first of June & had been in the Hospital for about 2 & 1/2 weeks. I went to my brother Jerry's home, who lives in Yellville, AR & went with him & his wife Doris to Hartshorne, OK on June 23rd & the Service for Norma was held at 10: AM on Friday, June 24th. She was buried at the Elmwood Cemetery at Hartshorne, OK. Danny & his brother Tony & Sister Sharon & her family have our sympathy.

Richard Myrick (Eloise's Brother) called from Florida the morning of June 25th about 7: AM & said that he had been in the Hospital with a Stroke. It effected him on one side & that he would be off form work for a while. He returned to work after about 2 weeks.

Congraulations to Matthew Lee Underwood & Kara Lynn Siweck who were married on Friday July 8th, 1994 in Decatur, Illinois. Matthew is the son of Robert A. & Mary Lee (Hart) Underwood, & the Grandson of Audrey (Whetstone) Hart & the late Clarence E. Hart all of Decatur, Illinois.

Puxico Press, Puxico, MO - Wednesday, June 29, 1994

Brian L. Hart of Wappapello goes to Croatia Navy Chief Petty Officer Brian L. Hart, son of Normalene Hart of Lake Wappapello, MO (& the late Jack Hart) recently deployed with Fleet Hospital Six, sationed in Camp Pedleton, CA to Croatia. Hart was hand-picked to accompany 240 Navy and Marine Corps personnel who are working with United Nations Protection Forces in the former Republic of Yugoslavia. Hart will assist in providing medical services to 36,000 United Nations Troops from 34 countries in this war-torn region of the world. The U. S. facility, previously manned by Army then Air Force personnel, provides a 60-bed primary emergency treatment center. The hospital and living quarters have been set up in tents at Camp Pleso, the main staging gound for UN troops in Croatia. Personnel assigned to this, the single largest group of U. S. troops in the region, may also assist with humanitarian cases. Naval forces are prepared to fight promptly and effectively, but they serve in an equally valuable way by engaging day-to-day as peacekeepers in the defense of American interest. Naval forces are unique in offering this form of international cooperation, from the sea. He joined the Navy in september 1973.

25 July 1994. Received a note form Lisa Ann (Mansfield) Lucy today & she wrote me the following: Stephan (her husband) and I are currently living in Junction City, Kansas. Stephan is stationed at Fort Riley. He is a E-4, in Charlie Company 2-16. I am working at the Days Inn Hotel in Junction City, as a Front Desk Clerk. We have been stationed here for two years now.

Bradley Kyle Swallows arrived at 9:09 A. M. on the 29th of July 1994 at the Lucy Lee Hospital, Poplar Bluff, MO to Beth Smith & Jeff Swallows & weighed 7 lbs & 8.8 oz & 19 inches long, delivered by Dr. Hoja. Congraulations to Jeff & Beth, the Grandmother Donna Mansfield & the Great Grandparents Neal & Christine (HART) Mansfield.

My brother Jerry & his wife Doris of Yellville, AR along with other Preachers from Arkansas & Alabama left on the 26th of Sept 1994 & landed in Brussels, Belgium the 27th. They departed Brussels that night & arrived in Nairobi, Kenya the 28th. They were met at the Jomo Kennyatta Airport by Geoffrey & Ann Muthinja, who is the General Secretary of a denomination of 800 churches in Kenya. On the 30th of Sept through the 2nd of Oct they held an outdoor Crusade at a clearing in Meru which was normally used for a Cattle dip. Jerry & Dorris taught family life & relationships. On Oct the 3rd they spent the day on Safari (Jerry says that simply means trip), to the Samburu National Game reserve north of Meru. They saw many different kinds of wild anamils. From Oct 4th through the 8th, they traveled daily to different remote districts of the denomination to meet with pastors & church leaders. The churhes were small & the crowds were from 100 to 300 & they would move the meetings to the church yards. The roads they traveled were sometimes no more than a cowpath. He says the worse roads in north Arkansas (gravel or dirt) are like expressways in comparison. While there they tried to make contact with Teresa (Martinez) (Fulks) Zwager, but was unsuccessful. Teresa & her husband Peter's twins, Elizabeth & Twain were born the 14th of Mar in 1990 in Nairobi, Kenya. They arrived back in Arkansas on Oct 13th.

About the time Jerry & Dorris arrived back in the States, cousins Sue & Gene Fulks & Marie Roussel left Arizona on a trip to London, England & Kenya to visit Sue & Gene's daughters & their families. Susan Starr & her husband Berry Meckunns live in London & Teresa & her husband Peter Zwager & twins live in Nairobi, Kenya. They plan to spend about 3 weeks visiting both families.

Howard Pyle of Bon Wier, Texas came by on the 25th of Oct for a short visit & we are exchanging some family information on the Harts & Pyle's.

I went to Illinois on the 15th & 16th of November & found some data on Great Aunt Elsie (Hart) (Melton) Nelson's family that I have been looking for, for several years. First of all, the death certificate of Elsie's second husband Henry Frank Nelson was found at Benton, Franklin County, IL. & he died on the 9th of April 1927 in West Frankfort, IL. His daughter Florece (Florence) had signed the certificate as Florece DEESE, therefore I assume that she married a man by that name. No record could be found of that marriage in Franklin County. Further research will have to be done there. Then the Marriage certificate of another daughter Margaret Nelson was found & she married Randall Hicks of Logan, Franklin County, IL on the 31st of May 1924. His parents was Dock Hicks & Purry? (Man) Hicks of Franklin County. Uncle Velt Hart told me on several occasions before his death, that one of the girls had married at man by the name of Hicks in Franklin County, but never could get that information from the Court House, until I went in to look for myself. If anyone has any knowledge of these two girls & or their sister Lena Nelson, please let me know? They were all first cousins of Uncles Star, Velt, Mart, Amos, Milas & Ezra & Aunt Clara & my Dad Joe Hart.

Went to visit Charles & Eva McNeil in Norris City & found that Eva had, had a stroke about two weeks before & she was in the hospital for a few days, but was at home recovering at that time. Eva is the daughter of the late Lottie (Catlin) (Bryant) Clark who was a half sister to our Grandma Hannah I. (Melton) Hart. Hope she has improved more since I was there.

Went by to see Kelly & Lillie Bridgeman in Carmi on the 16th & their son Jeff brought me up to date on Great Uncle Charlie Melton's family. Thanks Jeff for all your work on that family. Enjoyed my visit with them.

PICTURES OF UNCLES CHARLIE'S FAMILY & UNCLE PETE & GRANDMA HANNAH ARE IN THE ORIGIONAL LETTER AT THIS POINT.

Last year I told you about Cousin Ruth's husband Jack Jenning's falling & breaking his back while cutting a limb off of a tree. They did start their new home in September last year & moved into it early this year. Jack has recovered real well from the fall & does about anything he wants to do. They are enjoying their retirement & their new home.

Cousin Connie Bennett has had two books published this year by Harlequin Publications. The first was in March & it was "SINGLE WITH CHILDREN" & the second was in August & it was "FIFTY WAYS TO BE YOUR LOVER".

LOOKING BACK HERALD PRAIRIE, IL NEWS - 17 Oct 1901

A nice rain fell Saturday.

C. A. Catlin attended the Baptist association at Ridgway Friday, Saturday and Sunday.

Charles Melton moved to his father-in-laws Saturday. He has been to himself about a week.

Ossie Aud and wife of Cottonwood attended meeting at Lick Creek church Sunday.

BROWNSVILLE, IL NEWS - 21 Nov 1901
Theopholis Kisner and family have moved to Arkansas.

IRON, IL NEWS - 16 Jan 1902
Dalsy Sutton visited at Ulys Melton's Saturday night & Sunday.

Received our first Christmas Card last Saturday from Uncle Ezra & Aunt Geneva Hart of Yuma, AZ. Told us in their card that they won't be going home to Washington this year for Christmas, but they will be going to California to be with their daughter Jean.

Thats about it for another year.

Eloise & I wish you all a MERRY CHRISTMAS & A HAPPY & PROSPEROUS NEW YEAR.

God Bless each of you. Love & Best Wishes,

MARK YOUR CALANDER - 18 June 1995 HART REUNION - AMERICAN LEGION BUILDING - DEXTER, MO.