Mrs. Lydia M Hall's Obituary
What better way to memorialize our loving mother and grandmother Lydia than to tell her life story. The below are excerpts taken from her own story, written in about 2003: I, Lydia Marie Kroepel Hall was born to a loving family, Karl and Franciska Kroepel on January 26, 1908 in Forest Park, IL. I had a younger brother, Lester, an older brother, Carl, and a sister, Elsie. My parents were of German descent. My mother's father, William Burzlaff, lived with us. His name originally was Von Burtzlaff. My mother's parents were born in Germany and settled in Forest Park, IL. They had quite a large family: Frances, Bertha, Annie, William and Herman. All married and settled in Forest Park. My father's parents were born in Germany and also settled in Forest Park: Mary, Emma, Annie, Hanna, Herman and Theodore were their children. Most of them settled in Forest Park so there were lots of aunts, uncles, cousins, etc. in the area. I have no recollection of her two grandmothers, but Grandpa Burzlaff and Grandpa Kroepel I remember very well. They lived close by.
My sister, Elsie, died during the flu epidemic of 1917. My mother tried to ward off death with care and love, but to no avail.
My brothers and I went to parochial school, (St. John's) and graduated from Proviso High School in Forest Park. I went to Illinois Business School to learn typing and shorthand.
My first job was with a company in Chicago, a very good experience for a young woman. My mother did not like the idea of me having to take the elevated train downtown each day. She spoke to one of our church members, a Mr. Witt, who arranged for me to interview with the personnel director at the Public Service Company in Oak Park, a suburb very close to our home. The interview was successful and I was employed as a secretary to a couple of VP's, Mr. Judd and Mr. Yardley, who I enjoyed very much. The year was 1925, and unfortunately, things were not at their peak, so when the company had to cut back, the last hired were the first to go. My employer, now "ex", arranged an interview with the manager of the Oak Park Club, a very exclusive private club. I was again gainfully employed.
However, while working for the Public Service Company, I met the man, who became the "man in my life", (Nov 1925). His name was Roy W. Hall. He worked in the credit department and after one date, we saw each other every day at work and evenings thereafter. The company had many social functions where we could meet other employees. The first affair was a sleigh ride in December and I found myself next to Roy Hall. We always seemed to pair off together. When we started to date, I lived in Forest Park and Roy lived in Oak Park. Roy had no car but we managed to date with other couples who had cars. When Roy would call on me at home he would take the Madison Street car. Sometimes if he stayed too late to catch the last car he would have to walk home. I was so thrilled when Roy asked me to meet his family - what a great guy!
Roy asked me to go to a New Year's party at the Hamilton Club in Chicago. I bought my first long dress for the party. He picked me up in a limousine with his sister, Myrtle and her husband, Burt Bancroft and their friends. Myrtle was very gracious as I know she sensed how nervous I was. We had a wonderful time - Roy was a great dancer!
Finally, we were serious and talked about marriage. All of Roy's family welcomed me into their lives. My family loved Roy. Roy graduated from St. John's Military Academy. His majors were sports (baseball, football, and crew). He was a great athlete, 6'2" and 170 lbs. He was 22, and I was 18.
We were married at my home. Reverend Marcus Wagner tied the knot. Had a sit-down dinner at the Oak Park Arms Hotel, danced to the music of the "Night Owls". My brother was the best man and my cousin, Margaret Mieling, was my maid of honor. We had a two-week honeymoon at Burnside Lodge, Ely, Minnesota. Believe it or not, Myrtle and Burt and 2 other friends joined us. Burt was still in medical school and Myrtle was working to help. Burt finished school and became a very successful surgeon-that's another story.
We lived at home, having a bedroom and living room on the second floor. Every day we went to work together. After some time we decided to get our own apartment and moved into a 3 1 1/2 room apartment in Oak Park.
After being married for two years, we had our first child, baptized Roy William Hall, Jr. Born at West Suburban Hospital on July 14, 1928, 6 lbs. 5 oz. What a joy!
I quit my job after 3 months of pregnancy. At that time we felt we should move closer to my family and Roy's. Another 3 1 1/2 room apartment on Randolph Street, Forest Park. It was very nice and closer for Roy to take the Lake St. "EL" to work.
After 14 1 1/2 months we had our second boy, Richard Hadley, 7 lbs. 3 oz. He was in a hurry to arrive as he was born at home. I was in the hospital for ten days. Both our families were very helpful. Naturally, with two boys in a 3 1 1/2 room apartment it was time to think about a larger one. We found a 5 room apartment with a yard on So. Maple in Oak Park. It was a basement apartment, now called a garden apartment.
In 1933 my dear mother passed away and I believe my grief and sorrow had a effect on my as I was pregnant with James Byron, born on April 7, 1933, prematurely weighing 5 obs., 3 oz. I had a little trouble getting the right formula for him, as I couldn't nurse him. All turned out well. My father lived alone in our house on Hanna Ave and after almost three years, passed away.
It was about this time we had our first car, an Aladdin Lamp salesman reject, an old Pontiac. We welcomed even this means of getting around. By now Roy, Jr. was getting to be school age and again we were thinking of moving. This time we moved to Berwyn, IL to a 5 1 1/2 room first floor of a two-story. Mrs. Leiber was our landlady and she loved our boys. A modern school had just opened within walking distance. While living there we were able to hire a girl, Elsie, through our church, from Addison Orphanage. She was a big help and stayed with us a long time. Roy's family was small. His mother, a wonderful lady named Hermina Minnie Neuman, was married to Joseph Hall and gave birth to Roy and Myrtle. Minnie was born in Kankakee, IL. Her father was a blacksmith. She had three sisters: Bertha, Clara, and Emma, and two brothers: Gustaff and Rhinehold. She left Kankakee to make her way in the world and meet Joe Hall. She never forgot her family back there. Her brother, Gus, was crippled for life while working for a moving company and was confined to a wheelchair. Emma and Bertha both married in Kankakee and had lovely families. Aunt Clara never married and stayed home to take care of Gus and her father, Grand Pa Neuman, until his death.
Joe Hall was a telegrapher and they ran a boarding house. Joseph had a roving eye, it seems, and when Minnie discovered Joe was seeing another woman, she filed for divorce. By decree she was awarded custody of the two children, ages 2 and 4. Joe married again and with his new wife tried to see the children many times. In retaliation they kidnapped Myrtle and Roy and took them out of town. The authorities discovered them and returned the children to their mother, Minnie. There was no contact with the Joe Hall family after the divorce. Joe had two sisters who lived in Tacoma, Washington, and when they died Myrtle and Roy were advised to go there and collect their inheritance. Roy and I went, as Myrtle, by this time, had succumbed. Each family received a small amount of money, but we received a few pieces of cut glass that were in the Hall family for many years. I still have those pieces and would like my children to know they are all from the Hall family.
Since she was now unmarried and had two children to raise, Minnie continued to operate the boarding house, a very difficult job. The boarding house, which was located across the street from the Y.M.C.A. became the place for the boarders and the Y.M.C.A. group to go for meals. It was here that Minnie Hall met Victor S. Johnson. He was in Chicago to promote his company, The Mantle Lamp Company.
After a time there were married, attended by Roy (7) and Myrtle (9). Victor's company was started with three partners, who eventually sold out to Mr. Johnson. The company became Aladdin Industries, selling kerosene and electric lamps and the Aladdin Vacuum Bottle.
After their marriage, Minnie and VS (better known as Sam) moved to Oak Part with Roy and Myrtle. VS was very good to his step children, treating them as their real father would have. Neglecting to legally adopt them would cause some events after his death. Aunt Clara was asked to come to be the housekeeper at a substantial salary. When I entered the picture, Aunt Clara was a real part of the household.
There were such a lot of happy times at the Johnson house during the holidays, with the children home from school and later with the grandchildren. Minnie and VS had children of their own: Mildred married to Ayers Wolcott, Robert, a doctor who married a doctor: Lorna, and VS, Jr., who married Nancy. They all grew up in the Chicago area but settled in other areas.
The company grew and expanded. On a trip to Washington DC in 1941, VS suffered a heart attack and died. The funeral was held in Oak Park and Minnie had to put her life back together for a second time, now as a widow. The estate left by Mr. Johnson was large, and since there was no will, the children of Minnie and VS, with Minnie, shared the estate. VS, Jr. using Minnie "trusts", tried to equalize this omission.
Roy and I had started our family by the time Sam died. We had three boys: Roy, Jr., in 1928, Richard Hadley in 1929, and James Byron in 1933. The boys all remembered their grandfather: VS/Sam.
After his father's death, VS, Jr. took over the reins of the business and managed it successfully. He relocated the company to Nashville, TN. It remains there today, now as Aladdin Industries. VS Jr., Nancy, and their son, Torry, now live there. Their daughter, Chris, lives outside of Nashville.
Roy, who after Roy, Jr.'s birth, applied for a job with the Mantle Lamp Company. He went through the normal channels like any applicant, qualified and worked his way up the ladder. He invented two items with helped the company financially. One was a bracket to hold the Aladdin kerosene steady so the lamp could be installed in cabooses without the danger of fire and protect the glass chimney and the "ash" mantle. He had a couple of mantle improvements, also patented. He stayed in the Chicago office of Aladdin industries at the Merchandise Mart until his retirement in 1969, when he and I moved to South Pasadena, Florida.
Mildred had married Ayers Wolcott who also worked for the company as a salesman. They lived in Oak Park until World War II came along and he was recalled to the Navy and sent to Portsmouth, VA. While in Oak Park they had two children, Robert and Diane. While stationed at Portsmouth, Mildred gave birth to twins, Stephen and Charles. When the war ended Mildred and Ayers were transferred to California, where Ayers became District Manager for the west coast. While there were living in California Minnie visited them with great regularity.
Robert had gone to medical school and took up his residency in Framingham, MA. He married Lorna, a researcher, and she had four children: Bob, afflicted with rheumatoid arthritis, Lorna (Muffy) who became a doctor, another girl Amy, who also became a doctor, and Samuel who committed suicide at the age of 17 (no note was found and it left a grieving family of loved ones).
Myrtle had married Burton Bancroft, who was an intern. Myrtle worked hard to make ends meet while he was in medical school and they produced two sons: Burton, Jr. and John. After his graduation, VS helped financially to set up equipment and his office. He was readily accepted into his field and became a renowned internist. After some years Myrtle and Burt's marriage began to flounder. Burt became involved with another woman, Sue Candy, whom he later married. Myrtle suffered emotionally from this rejection and after a short stay in West Suburban Hospital she died. Officially reported to have been rheumatic poisoning. Burt, Sr.,and his wife, Sue, moved to Kearney, Nebraska, where they raised Burt's two boys and Sue's three children. Burt's sons both became doctors, one staying in the Kearney area and one who moved out to the Minnesota area.
Roy and I had rented several apartments and then a lovely house in South Oak Park that one of our friends heard about. Our first house had a garage, yard, and a dog, Sandy. When we were told that we would have to move, we decided it was time to buy our own home. What an ordeal! For three weeks in 1941, I kept looking and looking for the perfect house for our family. Finally, one day I found the house we had hoped for: 1210 No. Elmwood Avenue, Oak Park. We lived there 19 years and loved every minute of it.
Mother Johnson, Minnie, was a wonderful person and died after living a full 86 years. While our family was growing up and even when they had children, we all enjoyed Minnie, and she enjoyed us. She loved to eat out and play cards. Almost everyone played something: pinochle, poker, canasta, gin rummy or bridge, the cards were always ready. OUR RETIREMENT: 1969
Roy and I had 18 years of wonderful retirement from 1969 to 1987. We were fortunate to find the perfect place for us. We bought a large condo on Boca Ciega Bay in South Pasadena, Florida. It was a brand new building and all the other people who moved in were looking for new friends. We had a lot of good times. Lots of "goings on" at our recreation hall and through our Social Chairman we made many trips and cruises. Roy played golf and I played cards as often as I wanted to.
Naturally our children had to visit to see how we were doing. They all seemed to be pleased with our choice. Of course all our grandchildren and their families have visited us. After eighteen years Roy passed away. Fortunately, he suffered no pain. No one, unless you have gone through losing a husband, can know what you go through. Now I am a widow. It took me a long time to talk to people. I shied away from everyone. Half of me was gone. Luckily I had such a loving family and the first trip I took was to Denver, Colorado. That sort of broke the ice, and after almost a year I started to resume living. It is going on ten years since Roy died and I still miss him. Whatever Helen Winterhalter, our social director, had to offer in trips or cruises, I was the first to sign up. Roy made it possible for me not to worry about money and if I had to be left alone, this is the perfect spot.
At this writing I have 2 sons, 9 grandchildren and 16 great-grandchildren.
(February 1997)
I still sit in my Florida room, overlooking Boca Ciega Bay, in my condo in South Pasadena, FL.
Getting back to our move to 1210 N. Elmwood Ave, Oak Park, Illinois in 1941 I will try to cover some of the events that happened during the 19 years we lived there.
The boys, Jim (8), Dick (11), and Roy, Jr. (13) were all enrolled in Hatch Elementary School. As most of their classmates went to Fair Oaks Presbyterian Church we joined too. I became involved in church affairs: woman's Society and Church Circle.
During this time the Johnson's rented a summer place at Lake Geneva, in Wisconsin. The whole family spent many weekends and vacations there. I know the boys remember those days: swimming and the sailboat (Wendy). Along with the motorboat (Lord Jeff) and the rowboat (Ipswich).
As I mentioned earlier, Grandpa VS died in 1941 and Mother Johnson moved into a duplex in River Forest, Illinois.
Roy, Jr. graduated from OPRFTHS, and played football. He entered Amherst College and after 3 semesters he had enough. He enlisted in the US Navy and was stationed at Great Lakes, Illinois. While there he was attracted to an old classmate, Nancy Chamberlin. Roy was transferred to Yorktown, Va, the Naval Mine Depot.
Being away from us and Nancy they decided to get married. He came home (1949) on leave in November and they were married. Nancy's parents, Pearl and Bill Chamberlin, were great people. It was a beautiful wedding even with some of the football team as groomsmen. The bride and groom took the train down to Yorktown, VA.
Dick played basketball in high school and with the YMCA. After graduating he went to Missouri Valley College in Marshall, MO. While there he fell in love with a local girl, Virginia Hopkins. He was drafted into the army (1950) and after his stint he married Ginny. They lived with us until he got a job and then they had their own apartment in Oak Park.
Jim also graduated from Oak Park and attended Knox College. After graduation he was also drafted into the Army. He was stationed in Viet Nam. When he came home he got a job in Indianapolis, IN. while there he fell in love with Nell McVoy. They were married there and then moved to Springfield, IL. They had two sons, Jay and Jeff, and were later divorced. Jim and his older son moved to Wisconsin. After some time he married Theres Riley. Later they moved to Grand Rapids, Michigan. Their last move was to McHenry, IL. Jim retired in 1996, but Theres is still working.
More on Nancy and Roy, Jr.:
While in the navy they presented us with our first grandchild, Susan Valentine. Nancy's mother, Pearl, and I took the train down to Lakey, VA to help with the baby. Roy was extended one year of service. He received a wonderful education in electronics. After his navy stint they returned to Oak Park and lived with us until Roy got a job. Naturally they needed a house so house hunting we went.
They settled on a three bedroom house in Des Plaines, IL. While living there they had another daughter, Carolyn and two sons, Roy III and Bruce. Roy, Jr. had occasion to apply for a job in Denver, CO with Martin Marietta Company. When he was accepted he went on to Denver, leaving Nancy to sell the house and make plans to travel to Denver. Roy, in the meantime, bought a lot and was in the process of having their new home built. They raised their family there through grammar school, high school, and college. The four children are all married. Nancy and Roy still have their home in Denver.
October, 2002:
(It's been a long time since I wrote in my "bio", bringing it up to date)
I'm still in my lovely condo at Shore Dr and I am still enjoying Boca Ciega Bay from my Florida room.
2001 was a year I would like to forget. In March, 2001 I was diagnosed with a stomach ulcer. I spent a good portion of the year recovering from this. February, 2003: (Shore Dr. condo and Boca Ciega Bay)
I have had a long and happy life. 62 years married to a great guy, Roy. I have 3 sons, 9 grandchildren and 19 great-grandchildren. At age 95, I have lived through the following;
World War I
World War II
Korean War
Vietnam War
Gulf War
The Depression and how many presidents? I have seen inventions come to make our lives easier and better.
February, 2012:
Lydia moved into assisted living in 2007. She had many visits from children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren while there. There were outings for dinner as well as family having dinner in the dining rooms with her. A grand time was had by all at Lydia's 100th birthday, which was attended by many family members and residents/staff of the assisted living facility. Her health and memory remained very good until 1 week before she passed away. We are all amazed at her long life, good health, and tremendously strong spirit in these last years. She looked forward to being taken to the beauty shop every Friday, visits from her son Roy, Jr. during the week, and phone calls and visits from many family members.
What’s your fondest memory of Lydia?
What’s a lesson you learned from Lydia?
Share a story where Lydia's kindness touched your heart.
Describe a day with Lydia you’ll never forget.
How did Lydia make you smile?