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Descendants of Edgar McNett


13. THELMA ELIZABETH8 MCNETT (WILLIAM EDGAR7, EDGAR6, EZRA5 MCNITT, ADAM ( MCKNIGHT)4, DAVID (MCNUTT)3, BARNARD (MCNUTT)2, ALEXANDER B (MCNAUGHTEN)1) was born 06 Nov 1922 in Berlin Twp., Delaware County, Ohio, and died 20 Dec 1996 in Delaware, Delaware County, Ohio. She married JOHN MELVIN COLLINS 04 Oct 1941 in Chillicothe, Ohio, son of JOHN COLLINS and MOLLIE HOWES. He was born 08 Aug 1919 in Sunnyslope, Washington, and died 02 Aug 2001 in Dallas, Polk County, Oregon.

Notes for T
HELMA ELIZABETH MCNETT:
Mom was gifted in music and writing. In her teenage years, she sang and played the guitar with her brothers, Lowell and Robert, and later instilled in her children that love of music. She had a good singing voice and could play the old upright piano with little effort. Whether it was a hymn, country song, or rag time, she nursed real music out of that old piano. I remember when we were moving in to the house across the road, how careful we tried to be with her piano. In spite of the precautions we took, the piano fell off the back of the pick up truck. The keyboard sprang out as it rolled down the hill. Oh how frantically Uncles Bob, Lowell and I worked to put the poor instrument back together, fearing Mom's Irish reaction. We never said anything, and I don't know if she ever found out about the incident, but she continued to nurse music from it. It went back together and only one key was mute from the accident. I somehow think she knew all along what had happened. There are many memories of gathering around the piano as she attempted to pass on her knowledge an love of music to another generation. She somehow kept her patience with young lives more interested at times in being outside and taught us to sing and enjoy the McNett heritage of music. She wrote and kept records throughout her life. Much of the information in the McNett, Rust, & Stover history came from her records. After her and dad divorced, she successfully raised four children to adulthood with a firm, loving hand; living across the road from Frank and Vinnie Kiser and within eye site of her birthplace. Mom always saw that we were dressed in the best we had and that we made it to Sunday School. We didn't fully understand what that little white church on Peachblow Road meant to her and her family until we were much older. The church built by our ancestor's hands, is still there as a place for us to worship, 150 years after it's founding.

                                                                                                                                                                  A SONG TO AN UNSUNG HERO                                                                                          Written by Sandy and read at Mom's funeral.........                                                                              The Holy scripture tells us we are "to give honor to whom honor is due." Today we are aware of many unsung heroes who have fought a good fight. Who didn't receive honorable mention, special recognition, trophies and such. These are the ones who had unplanned circumstances that completely turned their lives around. They are the ones that never gave up; who realized other's lives depended on how they handled the challenge dropped in their hands. Let me tell you of such a woman who refused to let the odds get her down. There was always laughter in the house that seemed to overpower the bad times. So, let's recall the laughter and yes, even dare to laugh a bit today.      Mom made sure we were dressed for Sunday School from the time we were very small. With our hair neatly combed and tied back in a bow, and a penny or two to give the Lord; we'd walk hand in hand into the little church on Peachblow Road. There was a Sunday when one of us had the start of a cold. It caused laryngitis and kept them at home. We always sat in the front pew. Our little legs stuck straight out being too short to touch the floor. When the Sunday School Teacher saw us, she came to shake our hands, and question with concern the whereabouts of the missing child. Children always have the answer and one of us spoke up "Oh, she's at home sick with halitosis. "We lived on a farm where there were always puppies and kittens around. We were taught to love them and treat them gentle and kind. Rule Number One ? Never pay attention to stray dogs. You know, they could bite you, or cause you harm. One day Lassie came to our house. He was a beautiful dog with a long coat and gentle loving eyes. He'd stand at a distance with a wag to his tail as if asking for a hug. But we remembered the rules and ignored him. Somehow, he found shelter on the back porch, and one day we caught Mom laying out rugs and blankets to keep him warm. "But Mom" we would say, "He's a stray." She timidly replied, "This one's different. He's okay." Then there was Trixie who lived for many years. One year we'd purchased a gift and filled it with chocolate drops. We wrapped it and left the house for a few short minutes. Well, you guessed it. I think Trixie was waiting for us to leave. When we returned the wrapping was on the floor along with an empty cup, and his tummy swollen tight as a drum. Then there was Tex. He was a black and white, bow legged cat. He would run throughout the house like wildfire. One day he didn't quite make it through the door before it shut. His tail got caught, blessing him with a hook on the end that complimented his bowed legs. Christmas was fast approaching and the tree was all decorated and trimmed. Tex loved to climb trees, and this one was no exception. It came tumbling down almost daily as we'd cry out "Geronimo". I found a little animal in the corn crib. It appeared to be a small two inch pig. I thought it was so cute that I had to take it to show Mom. "Mama, look what I found. Isn't it cute ?" I didn't expect the reply, "Oh honey, take it back where you found it, it's a mouse." But I made it a nest of grass and twigs, and layed it in the old porch box on the side of the house.                                                                               Monday was always wash day. That meant pinto beans boiling on the stove. Mom would pull out the old wringer washer into the center of the room. She'd warm enough water on the stove to fill the washer and old rinse tub. When the last sheet was rung and the last sock hung, we'd play in the clothes. We'd run through the sheets as the wind caught them, pretending they were our own private tents.                   Christmas was the one time of year we'd have ribbon candy, chocolate drops, and cookies. One year we decided it would be fun to bake several different kinds of cookies. By this time we were teenagers, and everyone knows those years bring fun. We worked so hard, and by the time they were all baked, everything went haywire. I spilled the milk all over the freshly baked cookies. Bonnie fell on the floor with a bucket of water. Mom tripped over the coffee table, giving it three legs instead of four. We were always taught to laugh at our mistakes, to get up, start over and try again. This year was no exception.                                     Mom worked in what was known as F.W. Woolworth five and dime. I don't remember a day she missed work. She'd drive twenty miles to her job and twenty miles to return to her children each night.                                     There was always music in the old farm house; whether it was a radio, a record, or we ourselves. To Mom, music was a special blessing to comfort the soul. She would strum her guitar on the old porch swing and yodel like a Swiss queen. She'd gather us together around the old upright piano. Though it was a bit out of tune, she'd teach us to harmonize together. Holidays were special times when the whole family would gather. Uncle Lowell with his guitar, and Uncle Bob with his fiddle, and all of us would stand in the middle.                                           These last few years has taken a toll. I watched the strong determined woman become a small frail soul. But,she never gave up. "Do you suppose it's the medicine ? Maybe I'm eating the wrong food. "This last year she worked diligently to finish four photo albums for her four children to enjoy after she was gone. She was worrying about Christmas and how she was to supply the gifts. I'd tell her, "Well, Mom some years are just like this. Don't worry, we'll get by". What a beautiful Christmas gift she had already supplied for each of us.                               The day we went to the hospital, she glanced at the picture on the wall, That's my Mama. She'll be with me and I'll be with her soon." She reclaimed that statement one day soon before her departure. The day before she passed, we had a special day. She laughed and smiled like I hadn't seen her in years, as we shared these same memories of the past. I actually had hopes she was coming back. I returned to her room the next day in response to that dreaded phone call. She was lying on her bed, her hand outstretched, her head tilted toward the door and a smile on her face as if to welcome me in.                                                                                                Mom never went to church till we were raised, but she lived a life of Christian faith. She taught us courage, patience, and kindness as virtues in life that made us the adults we have become today. We can ask today, "Why Christmas? Why did it have to be the same day we lost Uncle Bob just three short years ago." Or we can reply "Why not Christmas?" It's the best Christmas she's ever had. She has no more tears or sorrows, no more grief or pain. She's rejoined with the family and they're singing of God's Grace. Tis not ours to question an Omnipotent God who has a purpose for everything, who is in complete control. Rest assured, He cares about each living soul when we can't feel Him, He'll carry us through. I can hear His words proclaimed at the first Christmas many years ago "They shall call His name Emmanuel, being interpreted as "God with Us".                                                                                    So today, we give honor to whom honor is due, to a mother who gave her entire life to raise her children with dignity, respect, and truth. Mom loved wild geese. Before her illness, she'd hear them in flight and immediately go to see where they were headed. At the grave site, the minister had just finished the committal prayer when we heard the sound of what seemed to be at least one hundred geese taking flight. It was almost as if Mom had orchestrated it. "Here's my last HURRAH! Good night !"

More About T
HELMA ELIZABETH MCNETT:
Burial: 23 Dec 1996, Cheshire Cemetery
Death Certificate: Dec 1996, 30907/095257
Graduation: 1940, Berlin High School
Social Security Number: 1940, 281-20-3538

Notes for J
OHN MELVIN COLLINS:
Dad was living in Stratford, Ohio where his family had a commercial greenhouse when he met and married mom. His occupation listed on their marriage application was railroader. He served in World War II, being inducted into the U.S. Army at Fort Lewis Washington in 1941. He was transferred to Fort Dill Field in Tampa, Florida then to Fort Dix, New Jersey. He was then sent to London, England where German's were bombing. He was shipped to Wiesbaden, Germany where he remained until the end of the war. He lived in Berlin Township, Delaware County Ohio. He delivered milk for Tippicanoe Dairy for a time and was a master mechanic for Keefer Chevrolet in Delaware.                                     He married his second wife, Shirley Firstenberger in 1958. Moving to Florida, he started a second family and his career as a mechanic in the Bradenton-Sarasota area. He later returned to the Wenatchee area, where he owned Johnny's Union 76 in Leavenworth. In 1968 he worked for Cascade Chevrolet until an injury forced his retirement in 1972. No mention of his first family, our family, in his obituary below. The times in and around Delaware and Tampa, Florida conveniently and unfortunately omitted.

Wenatchee Daily World, August 2001......." John M. Collins, formerly of Wenatchee, passed away August 2, 2001, surrounded by his family in Dallas, Oregon. He was born Aug. 9, 1919 at Sunnyslope. He lived with his family in the Sunnyslope, Cashmere area. He entered the U.S. Army Air Corps in 1941. During his tour, he was General Dwight Eisenhower's driver. he spent much of his remaining tour patrolling waters of the English Channel. After honorable discharge in 1945, he moved to Delaware, Ohio where he married Shirley Firstenberger in 1958. Moving to Florida, he started his career as a top mechanic in the Bradenton-Sarasota area. He later returned to Wenatchee with his family in 1960, owning Johnny's Union 76 in Leavenworth and East Wenatchee. In 1968, he worked for Cascade Chevrolet until an injury forced his retirement in 1972.
He enjoyed camping and fishing with his children and grandchildren, especially the Icicle River area, and traveling with his children and seeing the sites.
He is survived by his son John Collins and wife, Cheri of Dallas, Oregon; daughter Debbie Barnett and husband James of Wenatchee; daughter Phyllis Reisman and husband Ron of Wenatchee; sisters Reva Sturtz of Wenatchee and Betty Wright of Milwaukee, Oregon; cousin Thomas Hackworth of Lake Wenatchee; seven grandchildren and one great grandchild.
He is preceded in death by his wife Shirley, parents John and Molly Collins, Sr. and a brother Charles.


More About J
OHN MELVIN COLLINS:
Burial: Aug 2001, Wenatchee Cemetery
Occupation: 1945, Auto Mechanic

Marriage Notes for T
HELMA MCNETT and JOHN COLLINS:
Delaware Gazette, 10/16/1941 ........"Announcement is being made of the marriage of Miss Thelma McNett, of Peachblow, and Mr. John M. Collins of Stratford. The ceremony being performed Saturday, Oct. 4, in Chillicothe by Rev. Charles Lusher. The bride wore a blue dress with blue accessories. Mrs. Collins, who is the daughter of William McNett, of Peachblow, is a graduate of Berlin high school. Mr. Collins attended school in the state of Washington. They will spend the fall and winter with the former's parents in the state of Washington."
     
Children of T
HELMA MCNETT and JOHN COLLINS are:
17. i.   GARY WILLIAM9 COLLINS, b. Private.
18. ii.   LARRY JOHN COLLINS, b. Private.
19. iii.   BONITA LOUISE COLLINS, b. Private.
  iv.   SANDRA SUE COLLINS, b. Private; m. THOMAS NELSON GARDNER, Private; b. Private.


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