Herald and Review from Decatur, Illinois • Page 28

www.herald-review.com D4 LIFE TUESDAY, AUGUST 30, 2005 DECATUR, ILLINOIS Reserve officer's wife thinks he's chosen Army over her Dear Abby: My sister needs help. Her husband, "Dale," who has been in the Reserve for 15 years, is being deployed to Kuwait next month, and she's a mess. She went to the emergency room this morning because she thought she was having a heart attack. It was an anxiety attack. One minute she's distraught because he's leaving; the next she wants to divorce him.

"Andrea" was always proud of Dale's service. She has happily bragged that she's an officer's wife, about the pay, the retirement that will come their way, and the travel deals they have enjoyed staying at Army properties all over the country. Until now, she has supported the action in Iraq and Afghanistan. Now, however, she has kicked Dale out of the house because she believes he has chosen the Army over their family. She says he won't be allowed to call or e-mail her or their two kids while he's on Library's seeing a therapist for the past few months for depression, but her next session isn't for a few weeks.

How can I help? What can anyone else do to help? Concerned Sister Dear Sister: Please put aside your anger and give your sister all the emotional support you can, because she's extremely needy right now. She has been hit with cold reality. Her behavior is irrational because she is frightened. Her husband is headed for a war zone from which he might not return. With her husband gone, she may also have to find a job to supplement his salary.

She should be talking to her physician and clergyman as well as her therapist. (She may need medication as well as therapy to see her through.) I hope your sister comes to her senses before it's too late, or she may spend the rest of her life regretting her immaturity and self-centeredness. for Labor Day ct BEAR ABBY active duty. Andrea refuses any suggestion of support services through the Army because she doesn't think the session will be kept confidential. Although I want to support her, I believe she's denying Dale the support he deserves.

It infuriates me that she has been in favor of the military action as long as it involved other people's families and not her own. Andrea and Dale have been married 20 years. She has never lived alone, nor does she have the means to support herself. She has been THE annual sale set sK Her attempts to punish her husband are counterproductive and could sabotage his peace of mind and safety. This is not a matter of choice Her husband is fulfilling an obligation.

Still responsible? Dear Abby: My husband and I are in our late 20s, and we agreed to be the godparents of our niece when she was born. My husband's brother and the mother of our niece are not married. The baby now lives with her maternal grandparents because her parents are young and irresponsible Both of them are on drugs, and at least one of them has charges pending. Are we still responsible as godparents now that the parents no longer have custody? There is nothing in writing, and this is getting to be a very sticky situation. The little girl is in good hands now.

Please advise us. Unsure In Pennsylvania weekend I Herald ReviewKelly J. Huff A ,4 FAUSTROM We've lost an 'angel of mercy' Martha Schrodt marched into my hospital room and took charga "Have you had a bath? Where's the lotion? Where's your fresh water?" The certified nurse assistant (CNA) came in, Martha pointed out that I was in need of attention. Ever the ultimate nurse, Martha washed my back, straightened the linen supply and told the CNA who to see at Richland Community College for a scholarship to the Schrodt Health Education Center. I called Martha Schrodt "My Angel." The other night, Martha Schrodt awakened her husband, Joseph, the retired orthopedic surgeon.

"I can't breathe," she gasped. "She was gone before we got to the hospital," Joseph Schrodt mourned. At the funeral home visitation, Carol Condon, a Richland colleague, observed: "She was a caretaker to all of us." A couple of years ago, in a Herald Review Outlook edition section called "In Our Own Words," Martha Schrodt, a farm girl from the Sullivan area, told her story, starting with "My dream was to become a nurse, so I could take care of others." She trained in Champaign and worked as a nurse while Joseph Schrodt was in medical school. Martha and Joseph Schrodt were married in 1959. They came to Decatur in 1970.

Then she found the perfect job: She became a teacher. "I saw an ad in the paper for a nursing instructor at Richland," Martha Schrodt recalled. "I went in for an interview and started teaching. My dream had come true to plant the seed in as many students as possible to care for others since I knew that I could not do it alone." They called Martha Schrodt the "Bag Lady," because she carried equipment and materials in a shopping bag. "We started with nothing in one small space at Decatur Memorial Hospital, just some donated lab she said.

In the summer of 2002, the Schrodts retired, Martha after 25 years of teaching, Joseph after repairing the bones of more than 60,000 patients. In November that year, the Schrodts cut the ribbon on the high tech Schrodt Health Education Center containing classrooms, a nursing lab, surgical technology lab, computer lab and faculty offices. The Schrodts made a monetary gift to the center and created an endowed fund to provide scholarships. This is Martha Schrodt's legacy. "Many come forward to learn and now Richland has good labs to teach the best." She had reached her goal of setting an example for the love of nursing and caring for others.

Martha Schrodt was Decatur's "Angel of Mercy." Bob Fallstrom can be reached at 428-4875. Dear Unsure: Do you want to serve as the child's godparents? If the answer is yes, pick up the phone and inform the grandparents that you were asked to be. If the parents of the baby are as irresponsible as you say, it may be news to them. If the grandparents are agreeable, I'm sure you can work it out between you. To receive a collection of Abby's most memorable and most frequently requested poems and essays, send a business-sized, self-addressed envelope, plus check or money order for $5 to: Dear Abby Keepers Booklet, Box 447, Mount Morris, IL 61054-0447.

(Postage is included in the price.) Dear Abby is written by Jeanne Phillips for Universal Press Syndicate. Write to Dear Abby at www.DearAbby.com or Box 69440, Los Angeles, CA 90069. OBITUARIES Continued from D3 Knecht VANDALIA William H. "Bill" Knecht, 94, Vandalia, formerly of Blue Mound, Farm Service employee, died Sunday (Aug. 28, 2005).

Services: 10 a.m. Wednesday, Holy Cross Lutheran Church, Vandalia. Visitation: one hour before services in the church. Burial: Macon Cemetery. Arrangements by: Hohlt File Funeral Home, Vandalia.

Memorials: Holy Cross Lutheran Church of donor's choice. Member: Holy Cross Lutheran Church. Survivors: sister, Lucille Meseke, Monroe, La. Preceded by: parents; wife Gladys; three brothers; and two sisters. Online guest book at Legacy Home.asp yXl Kroenung TUSCOLA Francis H.

Kroenung, 73, Tuscola, died Sunday (Aug. 28, 2005). Arrangements incomplete: Hilligoss-Shrader Funeral Home, Tuscola. Meinhart WHEELER Rose M. Meinhart, 95, WTieeler, died Monday (Aug.

29, 2005). Arrangements incomplete: Wright Funeral Home, Dieterich. Satterlee OWANECO Carl "Bill" Satterlee, 90, Owaneco, retired Soy City Tire Treading co-owner, died Sunday (Aug. 28, 2005). Services: 11 a.m.

Thursday, Sutton Memorial Home, Tay-lorville. Visitation: 5:30 to 8 p.m. Wednesday with 8 p.m. Masonic rites. Burial: Owaneco Cemetery.

Memorials: Owaneco United Methodist Church. World War II veteran. Member: Owaneco United Methodist Church, AF 623. Survivors: wife, Margie; daughters, Penny Moomey, Owaneco; Lana Campbell, West Frankfort; sister, Virginia Hott, Moline; five grandchildren; 10 great-grandchildren. Preceded by: parents, five brothers and three sisters.

Online guest book at www.legacy.comherald- review Legacy Home.asp Weesner OLNEY Chris W. Weesner, 98, Olney, died Monday (Aug. 29, 2005). Arrangements incomplete: Summers-Kistler Funeral Home, Olney. Wendling ALTAMONT Wanda "Jean" Wendling, 75, Alta-mont, died Sunday (Aug.

28, 2005). Arrangements incomplete: Kull Funeral Chapel, Altamont. if 1 1 1 Jerry Hunt, vice president of the Friends of the Decatur Public Library, and Assistant City Librarian Scott Pointon look over some of the books that are being moved from library shelves for the sale. I I' i ill III IIHH :t.lf.-.,,.r,-r-tf-ag,a.-' Pointon sorts through books. of best sellers and after a year or so not so many copies are needed," Pointon said.

"We're constantly evaluating." Want to get the jump on your neighbors? Dick Fiala, a member of the Friends of the Library board of directors, points out that paid members of the Friends of the Library are invited to an early opening from 9 to 11 a.m. Sunday. "Memberships can be purchased art the door for $15 individual or $25 family," Fiala explains. There are about 300 members of the Friends of the Library. About 100 volunteer to work at the sale, including sorting books and transporting them to the Decatur Civic Center.

Proceeds support special library programs and services including the summer reading program, Baby TALK lapsits and the Master Gardener beau-tif ication of the library grounds. This is the Friends of the Library's major fund raiser. Need more information? Contact Sheila Robinson at 424-2900, ext. 100. Bob Fallstrom can be reached at bfallstrom herald-review or 421-7981.

By BOB FALLSTROM Community News Editor DECATUR Looking for a bargain? Check out the used book sale Labor Day weekend in the Decatur Civic Center. "More than 30,000 books and audio visual items will be for sale," said Jerry Hunt, chairman for the sponsoring Friends of the Library. "Included are hardbacks, paperbacks, books on tape, specialty books and sets, vinyl records, compact discs and video tapes. Many more items than in the past." Sale hours are 11 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Sunday, Sept. 4, and 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Monday, Sept. 5.

Here's the bargain aspect: On Sunday, hardbacks and audio visual items are $1 and paperbacks are 50 cents. On Monday, individual books are 50 cents and 25 cents or fill a bag for $5 ($3 a bag from 2 to 3 p.m.) Specialty items are priced from $5 up. What kind of books? All kinds, particularly adult fiction. About 80 percent are donated books. The others have been evaluated as no longer needed on the Decatur Public Library shelves, said Scott Pointon, assistant city librarian.

"We often have several copies A A. i.nn,- nhnmsA Hunt carries another sorted box of books to a stack readied for the big sale. REUNIONS Luncheon cost is $8 per person. Reservations must be made by Sept. 7 by calling Norma Marshall at 428-1527.

RAMSEY Petty family Members of the Petty family will have a reunion and potluck dinner at noon Saturday, Oct. 1, at Ramsey Lake State Park, Ramsey. Participants are asked to bring two dishes to share; table service, drinks and meat will be provided. Call (815) 725-8052. Sept.

16, at Marcia's WTaterfront Restaurant. Dinner will be served at cost is $22 per person. Reservations are due by Sept. 10 by calling Betty at 423-1049. DECATUR Durfee, Centennial, Ulrich, Brush College I II, Warren, Grant, St Johannes The 22nd reunion for students who attended Durfee, Centennial, Ulrich, Brush College I and II, Warren, Grant and St.

Johannes schools will be 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Wednesday, Sept. 21, in the AIW Hall, 2882 N. Dinneen St.

TUSCOLA Auten family The 67th Auten family reunion will be Sunday, Sept. 4, in Ervin Park, Tuscola. Lunch will begin at noon. DECATUR Wabash Hospital employees Wabash Hospital employees will hold a reunion luncheon at noon Saturday, Sept. 10, at the Wabash Memorial Hospital Association.

Reservations must be made by Sept. 2 by calling 428-0617. 01MEY Van Matre family Members of the Van Matre family will have a reunion at noon Sunday, Sept. 11, in the Olney City Park Shelter. Participants are asked to bring a covered dish; plates and utensils will be furnished.

Call 618-395-1251. DECATUR Decatur High '47 Members of the Decatur High School class of 1947 will have a reunion at 5:30 p.m. Friday,.