"See ya later Sonny"
Hi Sonny,
How have you been today?
It saddened us when Barb called and
told us that you'd passed away.
Marge & I wish we'd known you better Sonny...
what more can I say?
Marge told me that she had a nice talk with
you on the phone when was pregnant with Jay.
Your family & friends hope to see you in
heaven again someday.
I remember meeting you & Connie at Grandma
Mellinger's trailer one time.
Marge & I have been married for 36 1/2 years
and we're doing just fine.
Marge told me her dad "Bob Phillips" used
Lava soap to wash his hands because he said
it cut the grease and grime.
Marge told me you and her dad thought alot
of each other.
That's probably because you were her uncle...
her mom's brother.
I didn't get a chance to meet Marge's Mother.
That's pretty neat that you shared buckets of
vegetables from your garden with neighbors and
used to be a trucker.
I work on a lineboat called "The Bernard G".
The company I work for is "Alter Barge Lines"...you see.
I started out as a deckhand, then became a pilot on
the tugs, and now I'm a "Captain" and can do all three.
Marge & the kid's say I'm their "Hero" and their very
proud of me.
The food they serve me on the boat is as good as it
can be.
Marge did this memorial to honor your memory.
She's a good woman and means the world to me.
She & I are happily married and we have the
perfect family.
I've been working on the river now for right at
31 years.
It wasn't an easy adjustment at first and If I
remember right Marge & I cried a few tears.
I have to stop the boat and wait it out sometimes
until the fog clears.
I eat oatmeal every morning for breakfast on
the boat with milk, cinnamon, and honey.
The sky's the limit when it comes to the money!
Gotta go catch the boat so, "See ya later Sonny"!
Poem by: Marge Hillgartner
To: Sonny
From: John Hillgartner
Sonny's niece xoxo
MARGE
17th March 2008
John & I dedicate the song
"Proud Mary" on behalf of
Sonny's love for the river.
MARGE
12th March 2008
A Loved One Has Died
And we are filled
with feelings of loss
and tears of emptyness.
Surround us with friends.
Support us as we share this mystery
of meaning and this common
burden of grief together.
In this quiet silence we have only
your caring presence to help
comfort us and assure us that the
person we have lost, touched more
lives than ours.
For that we are
sincerely grateful.
In Loving Memory of:
Jeffrey Edward Land xoxo
The son of: Ed & Pat Land
The Brother of: Tracy Arnold & Jenny Land
Rose Hopson's Grandson
Sonny & Connie Land's Grandson
Jesse Land & Sarah Mellinger's Great Grandson
Waldo & Delphine Phillip's Great Grandson
This scripture was taken from the
memorial card from Jeff's funeral.
Jeff is dearly loved and deeply
missed by all of his family & friends.
MARGE
12th March 2008