July 2019 Daniel and Lily Dunn Blair

Baby Giesler

4 Generations...
Great gramma Marilyn Blair
Grandpa Paul Blair 2
Mama Joyce Blair Giesler
Baby John Griffin "Griff" Giesler

Beautiful baby ..

4 generations

John Griffin Giesler May

Wings of Peace memorial for veterans

Wings of Peace memorial

2019 April 14.. Wendell passed away

2019 has had its ups and downs.. big time. 
The most outstanding thing was Wendell's death..
Wendell was born in Grove City PA, the youngest child of Paul and Isabel Blair.  He lived all his life in Butler County.  We married June 21, 1969- almost 50 yrs ago and when he finished active Army duty, we moved back to his dad's dairy farm until we built our own home in the early '80s.  

In 1962, he graduated from Knoch High School and was drafted into the Army in 1967.  He then signed up and went to Army Signal School studying radar and graduated near the top of his class.  Before he left for Viet Nam, he visited his Uncle David Hartzell who urged him to read Psalm 91 as often as he could.  Wendell did so, and was encouraged daily.  When he went to Viet Nam, he was stationed at Vinh Long Air Force base and spent his hours watching the radar screen for incoming mortars when they were under attack.  He said that the radar men were the target, as without them, the Viet Cong could do much more damage.  One of his buddies said when the alarms went off while he was sleeping, he never sat up, but went from a lying down position to directly on his feet running.  It wasn't an easy life there .  He said that the temperatures were over 100* most of the time and that when it dropped to the 80s, he refused to wear his heavy jacket though many others did so.  "That'll be the day when I wear a heavy coat in 80* weather."

He tells the story of coming home.  Flying from Vinh Long to Anchorage Alaska and arriving in the states 10 minutes before he left.

Wendell was very proud of his Covenanter heritage.  If you were around him much, sooner or later he'd tell you about his grandfather Blair who was a Covenanter minister serving at the North Union church until his death.  The Blair family comes from a rather long line of Covenanters.  

We met and were the first couple to be married at Manchester RPC in the present sanctuary.

Wendell loved kids.  Actually for many years we called him 'the baby hog', as every time there was a baby around, he would be holding them.  He dearly loved his grandchildren and looked forward to our first great grandbaby coming in May.  He knew exactly how to handle them and how to talk to them to make them giggle.    He was so proud of all of his own children, and then was always wanting to know what was happening in our grandchildren's lives.  He had great joy in having them visit while he was confined in his room at home.  He was very much looking forward to Daniel and Lily's wedding this summer and asked about how soon we had to order the extra tank of oxygen so that he could be there. It was special time when Dan and Lily would come during the week and chat with him about their future plans. When Josh and Joyce got married, there was nothing that would have held him back from attending- he heartily approved..  He always asked about Isaac and Esther's athletic events,  and looked forward to maybe a visit from Isaac when he got a chance during the school year at Geneva.  How Esther honored him by doing a presentation to her class at school with his service in Viet Nam.   He talked about David's interest in computers- every family needs computer experts, and wondered if Annabelle would walk in Joyce's footsteps in culinary arts.  He wanted to tell everyone about young Paul's accomplishments at Toyota and loved to tell people about Paul's Toyota belt buckle "as big as the state of Texas".  He talked about what a beautiful bride Gayle would be one day and how talented she and Esther were musically.  He loved to hear them play and sing.  He wished he could have spent more time with Ana, but loved her and was proud of how she is becoming a talented and beautiful young lady. He commented about what a great helper Elijah was and wanted to hear more about his scouting and hoped he'd be an Eagle scout one day.  Asher looks just like his Papa Blair did at the same age.  I think secretly that Wendell was tickled that at least one of his grandsons resembled him.   And then there is John.. He lives next door, so we saw more of him than all the rest.  He made Papa laugh so many times with his antics and wild stories.  He was good strong medicine for both of us. When he came to visit, he would burst through Papa's door and say 'Papa!  Wake up!" and then run away.  Wendell would sit up in bed and call out "How 'bout you, Bubba!"  and John would run in and hop up on the hospital bed raising and lowering it and then jumping on the bed behind him.  Most evenings John wanted to play in Papa's room and we would play ball there or trains, or whatever.  They were very close.

He dearly loved each of his children and their spouses and looked forward to their visits as often as they could come. Paul was his firstborn and only son.  There was a bond there that couldn't be broken.  He was so proud of Paul's accomplishments and needed him nearby especially at the end of his days.  JJ, always ready to help no matter what, brought him coffee in the hospital and talked to the doctors about his care.  He looked forward to seeing her every day. He was so proud of the woman she has become.  Wendy had a slow start at birth.  Wendell said he was afraid to touch her, but afraid not to, she was so tiny.  He was proud of the professional woman she is and her courage to go on to school.  Amanda is the youngest.  How he loved her for all she did for him whether her chili that he loved or just a visit.. He relied on you and John a lot and trusted you completely.

There are amazing sons in love as well.. Cory- Wendell had great love and respect for you in every way.  He said he loved how you cared for Wendy and our grandchildren and wished you lived closer.  Keith- he loved you as well.  He appreciated the things you do for JJ and Ana, and he would be honored if he knew the kindness that you've shown to me too.   John- He felt secure having you next door and watching over not only Amanda and Bubba, but us as well.  When we got in trouble, he would always say "call John, he'll know what to do".  

Our only daughter in love is Amy, the mother of 5 of our grandchildren.  She is strong woman and we loved the way she has raised our grandchildren.. homeschooling, giving selflessly to them.

Wendell was the one who made sure everyone was at worship every Sabbath including himself.  He was faithful.  He attended until he couldn't due to health issues..  

He was a good provider for our family.  Pullman Standard making railroad cars, Winters & Fleming operating a tractor trailer with a 40' tanker filled with hot asphalt, tractor trailer delivering mail to Harrisburg or Syracuse... or his last and favorite employment- working at Raccoon State Park in maintenance.  There he worked outside with a lot of other guys who lived in the city all their lives.  They would ask him 'what kind of animal is that?" or "what's that growing there?"  Once he said 'that's skunk cabbage'.. the guy said 'do you eat it?'  Wendell said "I don't eat it, but if you want to try it, go ahead".. He liked being able to help others.  He was a good neighbor when someone needed pulled out of a ditch or needed gas in their tractor, he was always willing to assist.

We often referred to  Wendell as 'the trivia king', as he knew so much that most folks didn't.  You could ask him anything from Bible, to old time westerns, to farming,  and he would think for a moment and give a correct answer.  It all slowed down when dementia started to invade his mind and erase those memories.  

He had many physical issues and was on continuous oxygen for several years.  His legs were dressed frequently with Unna Boots, kidneys were failing, and he suffered many indignities.  He wasn't a complainer, and let others do what they had to do with the encouragement that this was how he would be able to get back home when he was in the hospital..He would listen as others spoke to him, but couldn't answer without struggling for words.  I was with him on Saturday before he passed away.  Many of the family visited him that Sunday.  He died of acute cardiac death.  His heart just stopped  and the lack of oxygen lead to unconsciousness..No more pain, just peaceful. His eyes closed and when he opened them, his soul was in Heaven.

We all miss him greatly.  It's hard to  go on without him, but by the grace of God, we will continue until we meet again.

“Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy and my burden is light.”

~Matthew 11:28-30