Obituary - John Lawrence Casper

   John Lawrence Casper was born on the 10th day of April, 1851, in Kierlindoh, Bavaria, Germany. He was made a member of the Lutheran church by his confirmation in 1864. He emigrated to this country in the year 1871 and was employed for a short time in Columbus, Ohio, after which time he came to Hardin county, where he made his home for the rest of this days. He was united in marriage with Miss Marguerite B. Frank on the 12th day of March 1872. To this union were born eleven children, six sons and five daughters, of which nine are still living, two having preceded him in death. 
    Mr. Casper remained faithful to his confirmation vows and was for fifty years a member of St. John's Lutheran church [Dola], which church he helped to organize. He became ill on the 29th of November and from that time his health and strength failed very rapidly amidst much pain and suffering until he peacefully fell asleep Monday, January 12 at 1:55 p.m. having reached the age of 68 years. 
    The following children are left to mourn him: Frederick W. Casper, Mrs. Anna Rosina Shaffer, Mrs. Maria Baier, Christ Casper, Carl Casper, Henry Casper, Mrs. Elizabeth Wedertz, and Lawrence Casper, Jr. Besides these are left to mourn him one brother and three sisters, seventeen grand children and two great grand children. Funeral services will be held at St. John's Lutheran church Thursday morning at 10 o'clock. 

The weather had become so bad, his body was taken from the church by bob-sled for burial in Smith Cemetery [located down the road.]  
(From the notes of Dorothy Casper Blumenschine, daughter of Carl Casper)
   

Tombstone Tuesday - John Lawrence & Barbara (Frank) Casper

My maternal Great-Great-Grandparents

John Lawrence Casper

Born: 10 Apr 1851 in Kairlindach, Germany

Died: 12 Jan 1920 in Dola, Hardin County, OH

Barbara Marguerite Frank

Born: 15 Feb 1852 in Washington Twp., Hardin, County, OH

Died: 7 June 1921 in Washington Twp., Hardin County, OH 

Married on 12 Mar 1872 in Hardin County, OH

+ + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + +

Smith Cemetery

Near Dola, OH

Located on the sw corner of SR33, nw corner of SR701 & TR105
(Row 5)

Many Cessna and Washington Township residents are buried in this small country cemetery. In 1904, the Trustees of these Townships erected a surrounding fence made from 1-1/4" gas pipe and purchased an additional 12 ft. of ground for a drive along the west side, sold by Mr. Findlay for the cost of $12.50. In August 1904, the land was surveyed for the purpose of laying into lots. A better wrought-iron fence was also built since the original was found to be unsatisfactory by the Trustees. A new tool house and privy was built in 1908 by George Beach for his low bid of $56.25. 

(From the notes of Luella Casper Baier) 

   

What's in a Nickname - Bokky



 Me & Bocka B.
(and her Birthday cake, 24 May 1968)



 

     Her given name was Dorothy Lucille Casper. When she married my Grandpa she became Mrs. Theodore "Ted" Blumenschine. Her siblings referred to her as "Sis" and her children called her "Mother" or simply "Mom."     

     When I was learning to talk (pointing & blabbering 'bokka' to everything in sight), she was bestowed with a unique monicker she fully embraced. Resulting from my baby chatter..."Bokka B." became her nickname among family, close friends, acquaintances & the neighborhood kids in the small town of Kenton, Ohio. In many instances, she wasn't known by any other name. Of course everyone had their own personal variations of sayings & spellings, the most common adaptation being "Bokky." As her firstborn grandchild, it makes me smile knowing my speech impediment became a lasting term of endearment for such a special lady; a gentle, loving & Faithful soul, sensitive poet & writer, who enjoyed a good chuckle!    

     After her death, I found this note she scribbled in one of her many journals: "Babka" the Polish word for cake, word often used for Grandmother.

     Close enough. But makes me wonder about the coincidences... 

     Considering Bokky's heritage was German and Swiss, was I channeling an unknown Polish ancestor?!...
     Her grandfather John Lawrence Casper was a baker before coming to America from Germany in 1871 as a young man...
     One thing I know for certain, Casper descendants inherited a sweet tooth for pastries! 

~~Miss you, Bokky~~

Love, Shanny

                               

In Loving Memory ~ Dorothy (Casper) Blumenschine

My maternal Grandmother 

Dorothy Lucille (Casper) Blumenschine

Born: 24 May 1915 in Hardin County, OH

Died: 23 October 1993 in Montgomery, Kettering, OH

 

(Obituary, The Kenton Times)

     Dorothy L. Blumenchine, 78, died in the early morning of Oct. 23, 1993, at her daughter's home in Kettering.

     She was born May 24, 1915, in Hardin County, to Carl and Lena Oberly Casper.

     In 1934, she married Theodore Blumenschine, who died in 1967.

     Mrs. Blumenschine and her husband owned and operated Blumenschine's Produce. She wrote poetry and a number of her works were published. She was a member of the St. John's United Church of Christ in Kenton.

    Survivors include two daughters, Mrs. Robert (Joyce) Cannarrozzi of Kettering and Mrs. Dick (Faith) Rapp of Lima, one son, Robert Blumenschine of Kenton; one sister Grace Sheldon of Kenton; and eight grandchildren and one great-grandchild. 

     She was preceded in death by a brother, Raymond Casper.

     Services will begin at 1 p.m. Tuesday at Price Funeral Home, Kenton. 

     The Rev. Scott Johnson will officiate. Burial will be in Grove Cemetery. 

     Friends may call from 11 a.m. until time of services Tuesday at the funeral home. 

     Memorial contributions may be made to the Mary Lou Johnson Library or Hospice of Dayton.    

~You are forever in our hearts~