TV commercial for an auto body shop in Beardstown..Booley
We sometimes forget how much of what we’ve learned comes from those we grew up with.
Keenan’s hands “That’s not how I taught him to do it.”
In a small community we may have good schools, but so much of what we know, we’ve learned from our friends.
Sometimes it’s best not to learn from them. When my brother and Kennan were in 7th grade, their basketball team played their fathers. Elmer, Lee, Bob Reeves and others. Lee took the tipoff, dribbled own the floor…and score the first basket…for the wrong team. The fathers lost the game by two points that night. There was some question as to whether he did in on purpose.
George "Lee" Stinebaker, 92 of rural Griggsville, IL (change that: Perry) passed away Monday, January 26, 2015 at Blessing Hospital in Quincy, IL. Lee was born in Chambersburg, IL on October 14, 1922 a son of the late Elmer and Addie Ray Stinebaker. He married Edna Pauline Shelton on August 18, 1942 and had celebrated 72 years of marriage. (That’s a long time.) Lee grew up in the heart of the Depression which left an indelible mark on his life. He was a conservative to the core. Ron and Keenan…I have father like that, too, and you have my sympathy. Lee left school to go to work for Joe Ackles in the orchard at Valley City. He farmed for 74 years of his life starting out in Chambersburg and later moving to Perry in 1956 where he continued to farm until his death. Lee had a passion and love for horses. When he was younger he had working horses and could tell every detail about each horse. He had a thirst for knowledge and loved to read books and Encyclopedia's. In Lee's earlier years he was a member of the Chambersburg Men's Club. He loved country music and played banjo in a square dance band which played semi professional at weekend area dances and numerous benefits. Ron said his dad bought his first banjo from Montgomery Ward when he was about twelve…and that’s about what the banjo cost…12 dollars.
I got to play with Lee many times…at the Legion Hall in Perry for the square dances and at the Pittsfield Legion Hall. I was just a teenager then…playing for a square dance your brain can kind of go numb. The same three chords over and over. I once asked Lee how we were supposed to know when the dance was over. He said, “Whenever the caller…Lyndle Waters… starts repeating himself. That means he’s run out of verses and we need to call ‘er quits.”
In the early 40's, Lee played on Don Irving's traveling baseball team and always said that he and "Porky" were the only Republicans on the team. The other team members enjoyed reminding them of that. Keenan said that Lee told him they had a first baseman who wasn’t doing his job and somebody suggested bring Lee in from the outfield. Don didn’t know if that was a good idea. The pitcher told him that he simply refused to pitch unless Lee played first base. Lee loved the St. Louis Cardinals and was a very avid fan. His greatest love was his wife, his sons and his grandchildren. He is survived by his wife, Pauline; two sons, Ron and wife Jane Stinebaker of Griggsville …there’s Griggsville again…and Keenan who’s the husband of Valerie of Baylis; …Baylis? Keenan, I’ve been to Baylis. There’s nobody there.
Then seven grandchildren and twelve great-grandchildren. ..and one great-great grandchild. A brother Truman, of Arizona. He was preceded in death by his parents, three brothers, Allen, Verne, Neil "Porky" Stinebaker, a sister, Dorothy Farrell and an infant sibling at birth.
Ecclesiastes says…A good name is better than precious ointment, and the day of death than the day of birth. That first part…What better description of Lee? Most of us here grew up in a time when a good name was what counted most. I cannot think of a more respected name in our community than Lee Stinebaker.
But the second part… “The day of our death is better than that of our birth” And as Keenan told me Thursday night, that death part is just sort of hard for the rest of us to take. But Lee had it figured out….Again, we learn from those we grew up around.
Why are we sitting here today on this cold hillside west of town? Because it’s something we learn from others. I’ve been in teaching for over forty years and I’ve seen generations of young people who do not have Lee Stinebakers in their lives. Polly, you’ve seen it, too. How many times, Polly, have you seen a young rascal in trouble and known that a good dose of Lee would have made things so much different for the kid? And Keenan…even in your line of work…I truly wonder how many inmates we’d have in our local prisons if they had a Lee for a dad.
The most valuable things we give to each other aren’t things at all…they’re values, they’re character traits, they’re a broad smile, a love for farming, a love for family, a love of music and a good name. To the family: From Isaiah: Fear not, for I am with you; be not dismayed, for I am your God; I will strengthen you, I will help you, “Fear not, I am the one who helps you.” --And there’s really nothing I can add to that. . . . except to say that God’s help is not a requirement…It’s your option in these coming days. Lee played a four-string banjo…a somewhat unusual instrument. He always told me he just never had enough money to buy that fifth string. Now I own only one stringed instrument…a four-stringed banjo…and I’m still waiting on Lee to teach me to play it.
But let’s sing one for Lee….Amazing Grace
Let’s pray