91st. Custer Reunion

                  Dorothy, Vera, Mildred and Harold have all passed on,
                                        but their families came.

Was held in Ivester Park, Arcanum, Ohio Sunday June 26, 2016.  Very hot, muggy day.  Had two fans running in the cabin in the park, surrounded by shade trees.  Wasn't too bad, as long as you were just sitting.

We once again had plenty of food.  But  stick of butter I sit out on a paper plate with some bread, melted very quickly.

We had a cousin I haven't seen since she was probably a teenager, Linda Kay (Holsapple) Martin and her husband Randy came this year. (Mildred's Granddaughter)

Also my cousin Dawaine and wife Doris Jean Holsapple (Mildred's son and daughter-in-law)
Steve & Renda Alexander (Dorothy's son and daughter-in-law)
Scot and Elizabeth Alexander and four of their five children, Christian, Luke, Noah, and Grace. (Dorothy's Grandchildren and Great Grandchildren)
Beverly Borger and daughter Kimberly Cost (Vera's daughter and Granddaughter)
Patty Lincoln and daughter Becky Lincoln (Harold's daughter and Granddaughter)
Sonny & Eva Custer (Harold's son and daughter-in-law)
Heather (Custer) and husband Wesley Wackler Sr. and their children, Wesley Wackler Jr., Elliott and Lydia (Harold's Grandchildren and Great Grandchildren)
Shawn Custer (Harold's Grandson)
Their cousin Eric Smith and wife Darlene plus their son Alex

Steve gave the prayer before we ate.  I told Heather next year, we need to take a photo before we eat, since it seems as though everyone scatters to do their own thing after we eat.  We haven't taken a family group photo in some time now.

Collection was taken up.  We had to repay Heather for paying the rent last year for this year and also make sure we had enough to pay for 2017.  We had $21.00 in the kitty, collected enough to make a total of $79.00, rent for this year $35.00 and next year (2017)  $35.00 leaving a balance to start off 2017 of $9.00.

Some played Bingo, some of us just set around and talked.  We will hold it again next year, the fourth Sunday in June, same place, same time.  Hope to see you all there and also hope it's a lot cooler.

The 90th. Custer Reunion was held June 28th. at Golden Gate Park in Brookville Ohio. It was an exceptionally beautiful sunny day. We had more show up then I thought might come this year. As usual there was plenty of good food, and good company. Those that attended were: Steve & Renda Alexander, Scott & Elizabeth and three of their children, Noah, Luke and Grace, Sonny and Eva Custer, Shawn Custer and his friend Deziree plus two of Shawn's sons, Slade and Stone, Shawn's cousin Eric Smith and wife Darlene and their son Alex and nephew Milo, Dewain and Doris Jean Holsapple, Patty, Becky and Margaret, Heather Wackler and her children Wesley Jr. Elliot and Lydia, Debbie Williams. Heather remains President of the Reunion and since we didn't hold a meeting, she said she would check out some other places to hold it in 2016. Brookville Park was really busy because of softball and the cabin we had was right next to the ball diamonds. Steve is Vice-President, Angela is/was Secretary/Treasurer and Shawn is Sargent of Arms. We didn't take up any collection for the cabin for 2016, we have $21.00 left from 2014 collection after paying for the rental for 2015. Heather said she will get something rented and pay for it, then we can take up collection at the 2016 Reunion and repay her. One death in the family for 2014, Mae Custer as a result of an auto accident. Once again, no one took any photos that I know of. Almost everyone has cell phones that are able to do that, but apparently no one thought of it.

We had quite a few show up for the Custer Reunion 2014
But I don't have any photos of the whole group.  First off, the place that reserved the cabin for us, had written us in for June 29th.  So they sent a young man out to the park and he opened the Boy Scout Cabin for us to use.

Shawn Custer had driven up from SC since his Mother's family reunion was on the following Sat. and his Father's family reunion was the 22nd.

There was Patty, Granddaughter Audrey, Becky, Margaret and Angela.  Steve and Renda plus their son Scott and his wife, Elizabeth along with three of their children, Sonny and Eva, their son Shawn, friend Deziree and three of his children, plus several of his dogs. Their daughter Heather, and husband Wesley, plus their three children. I know there is probably someone I am missing.

We made Heather the new President of the group, Angela Secretary/Treasure and Social Director, I can't remember if we have a Vice-President and Shawn (I believe) Sargent of Arms. (His main job is to collect money to pay for the cabin for next time.)

Custer Reunion in 2013. Not many showed up, only Harold's children and some of their families.

In front, Patty, Audrey, and Becky
Next row, Heather holding Lydia,  Angela standing low, Mom (Mae) Abe,
Next row, Eva, Melinda hiding behind my head, Wesley Jr. Noah stretching, Mike and Sonny making antler hands over Abe's head.

Hard to believe it is the middle of June all ready. Where does the time go? We held out 89th. Custer reunion yesterday. We arrived, cabin was filled, apparently somehow they had booked us for June 22nd. but someone else hd also booked for June 22, they said ours was booked for the 29th. Here we were, food and everything, so the young man that takes care of the park, open the Boy Scout Cabin for us to use. At least we had some shelter, it was a little warm, since the windows were a lot smaller and didn't seem to leave in as much wind and etc. But I think everyone had a nice time. We had a lot of children show up this year. Hoping something can be done to help entertain them next year. We didn't get a group picture, but different one took some photos, as soon as I get them, I will post them.

It's been a crazy couple of weeks, starting off on May 20th. when Abe and Becky were in an accident on their way back from a Doctor's visit in Kettering. Becky was driving our car, stopped at a red light, and the second vehicle behind them didn't stop in time, so the vehicle directly behind them rear-ended them. Then the next Tuesday the 27th. almost the same time of morning, my Mother and brother, he was driving my Mom's car, didn't yield at a traffic sign, they got broad sided on the passenger side. Mom was care flighted to Hospital in Dayton where she died two days later. So we have been working through all of that.

Then the next week my iMac, that use to be Abe's, crapped out on me. Just this past Friday the 20th. a storm came through, we have Time Warner, and something must have hit the line, it fried the modem of TW, also out router for wireless, and our phones we have through TW. Then we found out the next morning, it also fried the electrical supply cord to Abe's portable oxygen machine. But our electric never went off.

At the moment, it looks like it's going to storm, I'm not taking any chances, going to close this computer down. Everyone have a good week. Oh yes, I go this Wed. to a pain management doctor and they are going to insert a needle into my lower back, hoping this will give me some relief. Good night everyone.

Today is April 11th. month is all most half over. Not quite. On Facebook they were doing something about Sibling Day and I used an old photo I found, which I am going to use here.

In the photo is my sister, Nancy, then myself, Patty, my Mother, Mae and my Father, Harold. Standing in front of my Mother is my brother Michael and in front of my Father is Sonny (Harold Custer, Jr.) We always called him Sonny

Today is April 1st. Abe fooled Audrey and me both at lunch time. Our table sets in the kitchen area, but we can see outside into the backyard through the patio doors. Abe was looking at something and then said is that a fox, and I said a fox and Audrey and I both looked and he said April Fools. Only one that got me today, so far.

As you can see    I tend to neglect this blog. I have no idea why, but with my other blog and Facebook, that's enough to keep me busy. 

Since I last posted, Melissa is now an RN, Audrey is still in the marching band and loving it. 

Other family members are about the same. Brittney and Justin, along with Becky and Audrey all had birthdays during the month of March.  Also my sister-in-law and a nephew.

Abe and I both have had some health issues, but think a lot of that will clear up, once we get some nice sunshine and warmer weather. 

Hard to believe tomorrow is the first day of Spring. At the moment it is wet and chilly here, around 47. 

Going to stop for now, hoping I can add more family photos from years ago.

Another Halloween is on it's way.  Hard to believe it is Oct. 20th, 2013 all ready.

Had lunch with my Mom this past Friday.  Becky drove us, and for a change I was able to pay for lunch.  Mom always pays them before I get up to place my order.  We had Captain D's, they do have good fish, if you get there early enough and it hasn't been sitting.
Then we went back to Arcanum and stopped at the Ben Franklin store, it reminds you of the Five and Dime store we use to have here in Brookville when we first moved here.  Back to Mom's and visited for a while. She had made some brownies before we got there, so we all had a piece for dessert.

Abe picked Audrey up from school.  She had a football game and was going to have to be back at school by 5:30.  Then the poor kid had to go back on Sat. at 9:00am, they practiced for a while, then went to Versailles Ohio for a competition, they got second place.  They got home around 7:15.

Happy 4th. of July

Hard to believe July 4th. is here again. Where does the time go?  Here's hoping everyone has a nice day.  

Custer Reunion 2003

Custer Reunion-I believe around 2003.

There are four members that are no longer with us.  As you're looking at the photo, Bill Alexander far left side on bench, my Father Harold Custer middle of bench with suspenders, second row, my nephew Mike Jr. bent down so people behind would show, he's almost directly behind my Dad, he's standing between his wife Rita and his sister Sherry, and his Mother Marilyn Unger Custer on right side standing in front of my brother Mike. First row seated is Bill and Geri Alexander, Abe Lincoln, Dwaine Holsapple, Harold & Mae Custer, Patty Lincoln holding Granddaughter Audrey Gilliland, Second row, Beverly Borger, behind her is Tim Borger, Kimberly Cost, behind her is Roger Cost, Renda Alexander and behind her is Steve Alexander, Heather Wackler holding Wesley Wackler Jr. and behind her is Wesley Wackler, Sr.,then Eva and Sonny Custer, in front of Sonny is Rita Custer and bending down lower is Mike Custer Jr., next to Mike Jr. is his sister Sherry Custer, at the time she was married to Rob (I can't think of his name at the moment) standing behind her, Margaret Correla stooping down, then Melissa Gilliland, Debbie Williams behind her, then Becky Lincoln, Marilyn Custer behind her and Mike Sr. behind Marilyn, Eddie and behind him is Doris Jean Holsapple his Mother.

CLICK PHOTO TO MAKE IT LARGER

Another Christmas is over.  Hard to believe.  Where does time go?

Well here it is almost Thanksgiving 2012

I don't know where the time goes.  I haven't posted any different photos for some time.  Guess I should try to work on this blog more in 2013.  This past year it seems so many different things were going on.  I have found as I get older it takes me a lot longer to accomplish chores.

I'm hoping all my family and friends have one great Thanksgiving this year.  We all have so many things to be thankful for.  Remember 'Be kinder than necessary because everyone you meet is fighting some kind of battle. '

Hard to believe it's 2012 and the month of January is almost over. I am going to insert a few more Custer photos from the Harvey D. Custer's side of the family.

Merry Christmas to all my relatives and friends

Groups of family members

Mother's Day, Stanley and Shirley Holsapple  and their two daughters, 

along with Harvey and Bessie.

 Mother's Day at Bessie's with Mae Custer and Freda Custer, 

her two daughters-in-law.

Mother's Day, Bill Alexander standing, Dorothy (Custer) Alexander sitting with Steve on one side and Doug on her other side.   They had two sons.

Lester Holsapple acting silly, Catherine sitting on log with Nancy,

Mildred standing up

Dorothy and Lenore, sisters

Taken at Miller's Grove where the Custer Reunion use to be held.

Dorothy, Vera, Mildred and Harold.

Harold and Vera, brother and sister.

Mildred (Custer), Kenny in back, Lester,

in front Dwaine and Stanley Holsapple

Junior, Vera (Custer) & Ed Urich

The sisters, sitting on log, Dorothy, Catherine and Lenore 

Dwaine peeking from behind.  Back row, Vera and Mildred.

Lenore and her first husband Waldo Smith

Dewey Warner, Catherine in car, acting silly with her foot on Dewey's shoulder, 

Lenore holding Nancy and me, and Dwaine sitting on ground.

Custer Family Get Togethers

Not a very good photo, to the left side, you can see Freda, probably holding Bruce, picture was cut off, then Dorothy, with Bill behind her, next Bessie, holding on to myself and Nancy, behind her looks like Ed, holding Beverly, then Phyllis Holsapple, Harvey standing in front, then Mildred, Dwaine sitting down front, Harold holding Sonny, Lenore sitting down, holding Billy Joe Warner's face.  Mae and Lester were also in there someplace.

Christmas 1952, my Grandma Bessie was showing off a new thimble she received. In the photo are from the left sitting on floor, is Timothy, Bruce, Mike, Sonny, Beverly, Steve, Patty (Nancy was cut off) Freda, Junior behind her, then Dwaine, Dorothy, Harvey, Mae, Bessie, Bill holding Doug, Ed, Mildred, Harold, Vera, Mable, Lenore and her friend was cut off.

Another view of same Christmas,  All the Grandkids were standing.

Michael, Bruce, in front are Timothy and Doug, behind Doug is Sonny, Beverly and Steve.

Next row is Freda, I believe pregnant with Bradley,
Harvey, Bessie, Mildred, Patty and Nancy

Next row, can hardly seem him, is Junior, Lester, Dorothy peeking through, Mae, Mable who helped Grandma, Lenore and a friend of Lenore's Helen.

Clear in the back is Bill peeking through, Vera standing on a chair and Harold standing on a chair.  I have no idea who was taking the photo.

One of the Custer reunions held at Millers Grove.
I think the one lady is Aunt Gertie's daughter, Helen,  standing next to her is Freda, Juniors wife, then Aunt Gertie my Grandfather's sister, I think Vivian, then my Grandma Bessie.
Back row is Catherine, Dorothy, Vera, and another I think of Uncle Emery's daughter, and then I believe his wife.  The one little girl in front, can only see her bangs I think is Beverly. I think it had to be no later then 1950, probably even before that.  Perhaps around 1947.

Harvey D. Custer Junior

 

This is a photo taken on Mother's Day at Bessie (Martin) Custer's house.

Junior in back, Timothy, Freda holding Bradley and Bruce Custer. Junior was my Father's only brother, Junior was next to the youngest of seven children.

Bessie, Junior and Harvey

Junior home on leave, Catherine recuperating from surgery.

Lester, Harvey and Ed in background.

Junior and his Mother, Bessie

Harvey D. Custer, Jr.  in uniform, during WWII

Junior, Kenny Holsapple 

and Billy Joe Warner

 Graduation Photo

Dress uniform

Junior with is sister Dorothy

Junior, Catherine and Harold

Junior and Dwaine

I have several of Junior in uniform, posting these mainly for his son Bruce to see, 

in case he's never seen them before.

Look at the whitewalls on those old tires.

Junior and Catherine, not sure who's on horse, perhaps it's Bruce.

Photo of Harold and junior taken on his last visit to 

Harold and Mae's in I believe 1985.

Another shot of them sitting at the table, Harold (my Dad) loved collecting plates, 

had them hanging all over the house.  Since Dad has passed, Mom got rid of a lot of the plates, which did cause a lot of work trying to keep them clean.

Harold Custer Family

An old photo from one of our visits to my Grandma and Grandpa Custer's house in Castine .
My Dad, Harold, holding my brother Harold Custer, Jr., Mom, Mae Pelling Custer,  Nancy my sister and myself, Patty.

The Custer Family

The Joshua W. Custer Family  



As far as I can tell, by looking at the book, Arnold Custer had 8 children. He would have been my 7th. Great Grandfather and General George Custer’s 4th. Great Grandfather. I came from Conrad Custer’s side and George came from Nicholas Custer’s side. Conrad and Nichols were brothers and two of the 8 children Arnold and his wife had.

The Harvey Dolan and Bessie (Martin) Custer Clan

Dorothy, Bessie, Lenore, Harvey, Mildred & Vera
(back row)
Harold, (my Father) Catherine and Harvey Jr.
(front row)

The Martin Family (Jacob and Sarah)

My Paternal Grandmother's Family
Front Uncle Dave, Great- Grandmother Sarah, Great-Grandfather Jacob, Aunt Mary (Martin) McAllister My Paternal Grandmother is on the left in the white blouse Bessie,
Uncle Ells, Aunt Loretta, Aunt Dora and Uncle Noah 



My Aunt Dora (Martin) Baker and
My Grandmother Bessie (Martin) Custer   


Bessie and Harvey Custer
My cousin Billy Joe Warner, my aunt Dorothy,
holding me,
my cousin Stanley Holsapple,
holding his brother Dawine
(P.S. Dawine and I are the only two still living from this photo.- 3/1/11)



The Cummins Family (Molly and James)
My Maternal Grandmother's Family
Great-Grandmother Molly (Lanning) Cummins, Aunt Alice (Cummins) Loxley,Gunder, Uncle Joe,
Great-Grandfather James,
My Maternal Grandmother
Junia (Cummins) Pelling, Ferguson,
Uncle Arlis (Bud,)
Uncle Clifford (Killed during WWII),
Uncle John and Aunt Mary



Myself, apparently I moved, I'm a little blurry, my sister Nancy in the highchair and my Mother who was about 18 or 19. Not sure who took the photo, I'm assuming my Great Grandfather Kirklin that lived close to the train, next to an old coal yard and feed elevator. He was my Grandfather Pelling's step-father. Also while I think about it, originally their name was and some still use correct spelling Peeling. Apparently Grandma (Junia) didn't like things other kids called her kids, so she changed the spelling, although everyone still pronounced it Peeling.