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Jane's dad, Henry "Heinie" Kalkwarf passed away yesterday at the age of 90. A good representation of relatives were present to see him off. He was a life long farmer in Central Illinois. He had a son and 2 daughters and several grandchildren and great grandchildren. His wife, Bertha, survives. They were married 67 years and never quarreled or bickered. They were always together.
As a father-in-law he set a very high standard. It would be hard to emulate this man. He had so many great qualities. Never once did he say, "Bill, you've got to do it this way." Other than his initial stare at me when he found out I was crazy about his daughter, all I ever heard was positive things from him, like,"that's right" or "good job." He had a mountain full of friends and kept his family close to him. He was an absolute pillar in all walks of life and was one of those people whose friendly teasing and twinkle in his eye made you feel good. In short if I could turn out to be half the man he is I would die a happy man.
Heinie was a life long Cub fan who cheered them on til the end. He was a sports fan who always had time to go to my son's sporting events, awards banquets, musical concerts and plays. As a devout Lutheran who had 2 Lutheran minister brothers and a Lutheran minister son-in-law he will surely gain a front row seat in heaven. He will be missed but never forgotten.
[ October 10, 2003, 09:25 AM: Message edited by: Bill Diaz ]
-------------------- Bill Diaz Diaz Sign Art Pontiac IL www.diazsignart.com Posts: 2111 | From: Pontiac, IL | Registered: Dec 2001
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Sorry to hear of your loss. It sounds like you have a mountain of good memories to keep him close with. He sounds like a wonderful man.
-------------------- “Did you ever stop to think, and forget to start again?” -Winnie the Pooh & A.A. Milne
Kelly Thorson Kel-T-Grafix 801 Main St. Holdfast, SK S0G 2H0 ktg@sasktel.net Posts: 5496 | From: Penzance, Saskatchewan | Registered: May 2002
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Bil & Jane- I'm so sorry to hear this. He must have been a wonderful and kind man to have raised such a tremendous daughter. My thoughts and prayers are with you.
-------------------- Linda Schmidt Vital D'Signs Greers Ferry, AR signlady@ozarkisp.net Posts: 160 | From: Greers Ferry, AR | Registered: Sep 2001
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Our condolences to you and yours. We pray that the Lord blesses you with peace.
Bruce and Dana Bowers
-------------------- Bruce Bowers
DrCAS Custom Lettering and Design Saint Cloud, Minnesota
"Things work out best for the people who make the best of the way things work out." - Art Linkletter Posts: 6464 | From: Saint Cloud, Minnesota | Registered: Jun 1999
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Clare & I are very sorry for your loss. I recall the health of your father was mentioned Sunday at lunch. For me, times like these bring out quite a bit of reflection and many memories. Our thoughts are with you as you adjust to the changes in your lives.
Clare & Dave
-------------------- Dave Parr Sign Painter USA Posts: 709 | From: USA | Registered: May 2003
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Jane & Bill we're so sorry to hear of your loss. He sure sounds like he was a great guy and we know you'll find comfort & strength in your memories.
-------------------- Barb Shortreed 144 Hill St. E. Fergus, Ontario Posts: 2380 | From: Fergus, Ont. | Registered: Sep 2000
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Sorry to hear of your loss, my condolences to your family.
-------------------- aka:Cisco the "Traveling Millennium Sign Artist" http://www.franciscovargas.com Fresno, CA 93703 559 252-0935 "to live life, is to love life, a sign of no life, is a sign of no love"...Cisco 12'98 Posts: 3576 | From: Fresno, Ca, the great USA | Registered: Dec 1998
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Bill & Jane, I wanted to share my condolences as well, but also would like you to know how meaningful your comments were Bill.
We can find inspiration in several places each day, but your description of this mans character rises above most & I know, just by reading it, that in many ways, he is still touching lives with inspiration. And in recognizing those qualities in him enough to pass on that spark in your writing, thank you too for your inspiring words today.
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Kay and I are so sorry to hear this. In knowing Jane, if she is anything at all like her Dad, he was one heck of a guy. Our prayers are with you all.
-------------------- Dave Utter D-utterguy on chat Sign Designs Beardstown, Il. signdesigns@casscomm.com Posts: 777 | From: beardstown, illinois, usa | Registered: Mar 1999
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My heart goes out to you at this time. May you have peace and loving memories of your father, as I will be thinking of you and your loss. His spirit lives on within you.
-------------------- Deb Fowler
"It's kind of fun to do the impossible - Walt Disney (1901-1966) Posts: 5373 | From: Loves Park, Illinois | Registered: Aug 1999
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Thank you ALL for your kind words. Our family appreciates the many kinds words and stories about my Dad over the last few days. My Mom is handling it as well as she can, considering she has lost her best friend and love of her life for 67 years. A little story to sum that up....I NEVER heard my parents fight. I know that sounds amazing, but they just didn't do it. (My Dad would "Go do something in the barn" for an extended time every now and then.) The only time I ever heard him raise his voice at her was when I was probably 8 to 10 years old and she was sick. Dad wanted her to go to the hospital and being the stubborn German that she is, she refused. Dad said he was going to call the neighbor and they were going to carry her to the car if he had to so she better get in the car! She went, but I remember crying to my Grandmother who stayed with me because I thought they were going to get a divorce! (I had never seen them mad at each other!) My Dad farmed all of his life. He put both of his younger brothers through college and seminary and was very proud that they were both Lutheran ministers. My sister married a Lutheran minister too. My Dad's faith was probably the most important thing in his daily life and he LIVED his faith, not just talked about it. He was everyone's friend, a real jokester/trickster, had nothing but praise for all of his kids and grandkids and would literally cry with pride at our accomplishments. When there were times when someone need a kick in the pants, all he had to do was look at them with those dissapointed eyes and not say a word. He was the kind of person that everyone that ever knew him looked up to. I was VERY proud he was my Dad. Thank you ALL for your caring comments. I wish you could have known him and enjoyed him like we did. He was a great guy and someone that I will try to live up to the rest of my life! His last words to my nephew were "Don't forget your faith."
-------------------- Jane Diaz Diaz Sign Art 628 W. Lincoln Ave. Pontiac, Il. 61764 815-844-7024 www.diazsignart.com Posts: 4102 | From: Pontiac, IL USA | Registered: Feb 1999
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Our thoughts are with you Jane & Bill. He will live on forever in your memories. give out prayers to your mother. It was such a pleasure meeting you in Tomahawk & I know we'll be good friends for a long time.
-------------------- Colleen Henderson Signs Now, Thunder Bay, ON signsnow@tbaytel.net Posts: 140 | From: Thunder Bay, Ontario, Canada | Registered: Jun 1999
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