In November 2008, my mother's father died after battling lung cancer for more than a year. I've wondered whether I would actually post about this, and now with a bit of time having passed, I think I can. Here are some photos of my more recent visits with Grandpa and his wife of 40+ years, Iris.
Spring Break 2005 in Florida. It was really winter break for me in Grand Rapids, but spring in Florida.
This was taken in late 2005, when I visited in December.
Iris took Grandpa to Illinois to celebrate his 80th birthday in June 2007. Here they are with Aunt May (Grandpa's younger sister) and her son, Danny.
Ever since I went to Illinois for graduate school and went to visit at least once a year, Grandpa and I have been pretty close. When they moved to Florida, it was even nicer to visit since I could enjoy some sunny weather as well.
I last went to visit both Grandpa and Iris in June 2008. I was in Daytona Beach, grading Advanced Placement exams, and so went to see them. I'm really glad I did, as this was the last time I saw Grandpa.
My brother, Mitch, wore his Navy dress uniform to the funeral events (church service, wake, burial).
Grandpa was buried in Florida National Cemetery in Bushnell, Florida. He had served in the Army in Japan shortly after World War II. Mitch and my cousin, Gregory, served as pall bearers.
Mitch was presented with Grandpa's flag, which he then presented to Iris.
Mitch clearly broke protocol by kissing Iris on the cheek.
The church memorial, the wake, and the burial all were beautiful services and wonderfully memorialized the good man that was my grandfather.
Spring Break 2005 in Florida. It was really winter break for me in Grand Rapids, but spring in Florida. 
This was taken in late 2005, when I visited in December. 
Iris took Grandpa to Illinois to celebrate his 80th birthday in June 2007. Here they are with Aunt May (Grandpa's younger sister) and her son, Danny. 
Ever since I went to Illinois for graduate school and went to visit at least once a year, Grandpa and I have been pretty close. When they moved to Florida, it was even nicer to visit since I could enjoy some sunny weather as well. 
I last went to visit both Grandpa and Iris in June 2008. I was in Daytona Beach, grading Advanced Placement exams, and so went to see them. I'm really glad I did, as this was the last time I saw Grandpa. 
My brother, Mitch, wore his Navy dress uniform to the funeral events (church service, wake, burial). 
Grandpa was buried in Florida National Cemetery in Bushnell, Florida. He had served in the Army in Japan shortly after World War II. Mitch and my cousin, Gregory, served as pall bearers. 
Mitch was presented with Grandpa's flag, which he then presented to Iris. 
Mitch clearly broke protocol by kissing Iris on the cheek. 
The church memorial, the wake, and the burial all were beautiful services and wonderfully memorialized the good man that was my grandfather.
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