HART, Tommy C. - Putnam

TOMMY C. HART

Tommy C. HART was born at Bainbridge, Putnam County, Indiana, February 27, 1886, the youngest son of John D. and Rhoda Ellen Hart. The birth record says. He had one brother, dying in infancy, and six sisters, four of them preceding him in death. The two surviving are: Mrs. Belle McVay, Miami, Okla., and Mrs. Mary Leachman, Muskegon, Mich. Tommy's parents both died many years ago, and he and his sister Jammie (now deceased) came to Randall, Kans., in 1903, to live. Tommy formed a meat market partnership with his uncle, Terrill HART, from whom he learned the trade and the business. While living here he met and married Miss Mae WILSON, the daughter of Sampson D. and Etta (Jackson) Wilson, in 1907. The Wilsons and Jacksons were pioneers settling east of Randall. The marriage took place at the Baptist parsonage in the vacinity, the Baptist paster officiating. Housekeeping began in the home community. They moved to Beloit in 1909 where their first son was born and lived just twenty-nine days, and where Mrs. Hart's parents had located; stayed about a year and Tommy worked for a meat dealer. Returning to Randall he went into the meat market business with Albert Peery. In 1912 the son Jerald was born. In 1916 a son was born who lived just fifteen days.

They came to Jewell in 1918 when Jerald was six years old, and Marjorie was a baby. In 1921 the daughter Betty was born. Tommy then began his long service in the C. E. Ohlinger meat market that lasted twenty-seven years. His even temper and patience with everybody was an asset to the business; and he was competent. In 1945 Mr. Ohlinger made a retirement plan from so much active work for himself, and Chauncey Basye <sic became a partner with Tommy, and the same meat market location and service continued.

Near Christmas 1946 Tommy had his first heart attack, and was taken to the Community hospital. Improving he subsequently returned to his home in Jewell. Over the years he had learned to do carpenter jobs and painting, about his own place, always wanting to own a home and fix it up. One of the jobs he was proud of, was shingling the roof of the home of Mrs. Mary Rowe, the centenarian; and she was proud of his job and pleased at so much ambition and cheerfulness in his work; cautioned him "not to overdo. " He got other jobs over the months, meeting his condition with no rush orders. He seemed stronger for these experiences.

So, in 1948, he accepted the offer to operate the meat counter in the Schindler Grocery Store in Jewell, an all indoor job. After a time his heart rebelled and he sustained another heart attack, and was taken to Community hospital, where he was a longer time recoverying, and grew able to enjoy being out of doors, wait on himself, and see friends.

But the unexpected time came on Saturday evening, July 16, when great pain seized his heart, creating suffering and alarm. Dr. Plowman, who had always won for him before, came at once to relieve him, and did so, leaving him as comfortable as possible. But Tommy said to his wife, "Mae. I'll not get over this attack". His sentiments were for her welfare, although he was ready to go. He lasted until Thursday morning when at 2:00 he died very quietly and peacefully, July 21, 1949.

He is survived by his wife and two daughters, the Marjorie named, and husband, and grandaughter Carolyn, all at his bedside when he died. The two sisters, Belle and Mary, also survive. Both daughters and married and live elsewhere. The Jerald Hart named grew up in Jewell and graduated from the Jewell Rural High School with the class of 1933. He had learned the butcher trade and meat market business with his father, and assisted him in the shop. But he met an untimely death in 1940, a great grief to lose the only son that had survived its birth and grow to manhood. This was a deep family sorrow.

Tommy Hart's religion was of the Baptist faith, the family religion, but he was very non-partisan in his family relations, and went along with the family to the church of the Assembly of God. His example is that of <torn who could reject temptations, and a stone for a prayer pillow like the patriarch of old. "Then out of my waking thoughts, bright with thy praise, out of my stony griefs, Bethel I'll raise, Nearer my God to Thee. " Such a kindly and exemplary life is not without endless influences.

Funeral services were held at the Assembly of God church at 2:30 o'clock Saturday afternoon. The Rev. Preston Hollis conducted the services, assisted by the Rev. Claude G. White, of the Church of the Nazarene of Burr Oak. Duet numbers were sung by Mr. and Mrs. Ira Schindler, and by Miss Roberta Kleppinger and Mrs. Preston Hollis. Mrs. Gerald Cash played the piano accompaniment.

Those who served as pallbearers were: Lewis Menhusen, Minert Menhusen, L. H. Gabe, C. E. Peattie, W. L. Gish and E. E. Kleppinger. Burial was made in the Wallace cemetery. The Lamb Funeral Home was in charge of the funeral arrangements. L. F.