Those missed

SUNDAY, JANUARY 13, 2008 01:26 PM, CST

A person’s journey through life is filled with the unknown. We spend life meeting countless people along our paths. Some people we simply pass without any notice. Others we may acknowledge for a short time, which really amounts to nothing more than a pause in our existence. And then there are those whom we meet, love, and who bring meaning to the lives of others. Melissa was a loving daughter, mother, and wife. I know that she loved her parents and wanted to make them proud. Her children were her pride and joy, and she loved their whole being. Her friends gave her the support that only true friends give one another. Of course, there are countless other people whom Melissa met on her life’s journey; people who made wonderful, caring friends. As her husband, I wanted to make her happy, but I wish I could have done so much more. Unfortunately, Melissa’s journey came to an end on Sunday, January 13, 2008 at approximately 1:20 pm , and she began a new journey – a journey that she anticipated with a great deal of faith in God. Thank you to everybody who offered so much support to Melissa and her family over the past few months. May each of you be abundantly blessed for your thoughtfulness. In lieu of flowers, Melissa asked that memorials go to Tulare United Church, PO Box 213, Tulare, SD 57476 and that they be designated for youth church camp scholarships.

Melissa's wish was to be cremated. Her memorial service will be held on Tuesday, January 15, 2008 at 10:00 am. The service will be held at Tulare United Church, which is located at 206 Ohio Street. When you turn off of Highway 281onto Tulare's main street, Ohio Street is one block south.

John Anton Grambihler, 73, Plankinton, died Wednesday Dec. 5, 2007, at Firesteel Healthcare Center, Mitchell.

Funeral services will be at 10:30, Dec. 7, 2007, at St John’s Catholic Church, Plankinton. Burial will be in the Mizpah Cemetery Plankinton.

He was born on Jan. 31, 1934, in Plankinton to Leo & Elizabeth “Bessie” Grambihler.

He graduated from Plankinton High School in 1952 and then joined the U.S. Navy shortly after graduation.

He served for four years, stationed in CA, Guam, Hong Kong and northern Japan as a communications security analyst with the U.S. Naval Intelligence Service.

Following his discharge, he served a period of time with NASA and worked on the guidance system for the Titan Missile at Cape Canaveral, FL.

He was later employed with the U.S. Air Force Security Service and served at Kelly Field, San Antonio, Texas, and then was transferred to Frankfort, Germany, where he was responsible for the Middle East Security Region. His ensueing assignment included a tour with the Pacific Area Security Region out of Hickham Air Force Base, Hawaii.

In 1969, he returned to Plankinton and became the proprietor of the Plank Inn until 1978, when he joined his brother in the Firesteel Building Company.

In May 1981, he was appointed as director of equalization for Aurora County and served in the office until 1992.

He was a certified master gardener, a member of the Democratic Party, The American Legion and St John’s Catholic Church.

He is survived by three brothers: James, Chamberlain; Dr. Ken and wife Estelle, Clarksville, TN; and Mike and wife Sue, Sturgis; and a niece and nephews.

He was preceded in death by his parents, a brother, Adolph; two sisters-in-law and two nephews.

Gone, But Not Forgotten

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