Dad is Gone

My apologies to anyone who may have been checking this blog for updates and found none. After becoming dehydrated at an assisted living facility, my father spent several weeks in the hospital, much of it in intensive care. When it looked like he had stabilized, he was moved to a nursing home. Although the care there was far better than either of the assisted livings he'd been in, he took a turn for the worst in mid-December. On Christmas evening, he passed away. Here's his obituary, from the South Bend Tribune, which I wrote. I didn't realize how limited words are until I had to sum up the lives of my parents, two of the most extraordinary and wonderful people who ever lived. I didn't come close to doing either of them justice.


December 29. 2006 6:59AM

Robert L. Moneysmith

May 12, 1918 - Dec. 25, 2006

NILES - Robert L. Moneysmith, 88, of Isaac McCoy Drive, Niles, Michigan, died of natural causes at 7:38 p.m. Monday, Dec. 25, in Cass County Medical Care Facility, Cassopolis, Michigan.

Robert was born May 12, 1918, in Niles, to William and Louise (Carpenter) Moneysmith, the oldest of five children.

He attended Niles High School where he excelled at science and biology in particular. After graduation in 1936 he was offered a full scholarship to Michigan State University to study veterinary, but turned it down to stay at home and help his family.

At the outbreak of World War II, Robert joined the Army where he spent four-plus years and rose through the ranks to become sergeant. While stationed in Germany, he met the love of his life, Fenia Kryll, a Polish refugee, and the two married on April 24, 1946, in Mannheim, Germany. After Robert's honorable discharge, the young couple returned to Niles and began their new life together in a small home on ten wooded acres on Philip Road.

Over the years Robert's carpentry skills transformed the simple cottage into a three-bedroom home for his family, even while he worked full-time for the U.S. Post Office, rising to the position of supervisor. Robert displayed his devotion to his family on a daily basis, always putting their needs before his own, selflessly and without complaint. A quiet and private person with a quick wit and delightful sense of humor, he spent the time others would use for vacation working in the family's garden or on home-improvement projects.

In 1972 Robert retired from the Post Office after 22 years of service. Although he worked for several years in construction for a local builder, after retirement Robert spent most of his time with his beloved grandchildren or tending to his trees, birds, and animals on his property. To him, hunting season was the least favorite time of the year, simply because he did not like to see the animals harmed.

Patient, kind and always considerate of others, Robert as well as Fenia, who preceded him in death in 2005, will be deeply missed by their family.

Survivors include a brother, William Moneysmith, and a sister, Jean Mather, both of Niles; two daughters, Marcia (Ron) Hunt of Niles and Marie Moneysmith (Thomas Martin) of Beverly Hill, CA; three grandchildren, Jennifer Hunt and Kelly (Geza) Bruckner, and Robert Andrew Martin; and two great-grandchildren, Alex Hunt and Kyle Bruckner.

A private family service will be held today, December 29, 2006, in the Halbritter Funeral Home.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made to the Wesley United Methodist Church in Niles or to the Alzheimer's Association.