Metheny's
Online
A Family Newsletter for
Metheny-Matheny-Mathena Families.
On January 19th, 2000 our Great Nephew Alan Thomas, while serving our country with his Green Beret Unit deployed to Venezula, departed this life at the age of 32. What a terrible tragedy, for him, his young family, and our family. Our deepest sympathy goes to his Mother, Lynn Nichols, His Grandmother, (and my sister), Madonna Waldrip, (Both members of the MRR Group) and his immediate family, his wife Jennifer and his two children. What follows is the Obituary as supplied by his Grandmother.In Memoriam..........SFC Michael Alan Thomas Born 12 September 1967, Died 19 January 2000.
Michael Alan Thomas was born on 12th of September 1967 in Winsor, Missouri. He graduated from South Vermillion High School, Indiana in 1986. He married the former Jennifer C. Miller on October 19, 1990. They have two children, Bethany and Trevor. SFC Thomas enlisted in the army in 1986. He graduated from Single Channel Radio Operator Course, Basic Airborne Course, German Headstart, Primary Leadership Development Course, Special forces Selection and Assessment, Special Forces Communication School. Basic Noncommisioned Officer Course,Spanish Language, Special Forces Combat Diver Course, and Air
Movement Control Officer's Course, He served as an 18E with 7th Special forces Group (Airborne). His most recent assignment was as the Communication NCO for ODA 725 in company B, 1st Battalion, 7th Special Forces Group (Airborne).
He is survived by his wife, Jennifer, and two children, Bethany and Trevor, his mother Lynn Nichols, his father Ed Thomas, his brother Charlie Nichols, two sisters Jesse and Sarah, his grand mother Madonna Waldrip and many relatives and friends to cherish his memory. His Memorial Service was held on January 27, 2000 at the John F. Kennedy Chapel at Ft. Bragg, North Carolina.
In death as well as in life I wish to present this memorial to a wonderful man, husband, father, son, grandson, and nephew so that we can celebrate his life too. For a continuation, and more pictures of Alan and family. Click HERE.
For the Valentine Month Birthday Babies... Happy Birthday! For all of the MRR Members who wish to share the Month and Day of their Birthdays, we will post them here!!
February Birthdays:
Sammie Jo Gray - 2nd
Jeffrey Matheny Sr. - 9th
Cherie Latimer, Riggins - 14th
Mason Matheny -16th
Terry Matheny - 17th
Sandy Hardins, Mother - Geneva Matheny, - 20th
Ralph Robert Metheny - 22nd
Mary Ann (Metheny) Rasmussen - 22nd
Lisa Renee Metheny - 23rd (Mrs Cool)
Dating Tombstones
* If the stone is flat-topped hard marble, dates are about 1830-1849.
* If the "mystery" stone is round or pointed soft marble with cursive inscriptions, look for a date of 1845-1868.
* Masonic four-sided stones began in 1850 and are still in use today.
* Pylons, columns and all exotic-style monuments are usually dated 1860-1900.
* Zinc monuments date from 1870-1900.
* Granite, now common, came into use about 1900.
If the writing is too faded to read, use a 75 watt black light bulb in any lamp that casts light directly on the written message. The writing will miraculously appear.
We all enjoy the Biographical Sketches. It gives us real insight to the real person we do the sketch of. Over the last two or three years we have grown to a respectable group, and I get information from all sources. Some get send in by email, some come from the various list I am on, and some simply come from the snail mail. But this month I started digging back thru some of my files, and came across this sketch that was sent out almost a year ago. I have told stories about my family, and stories from the lists of family members and groups. But this is one I really would like to share with you all.
Most of the MRR Group knows our dear Rev. Ralph Metheny from Florida (winter time) and Ohio (summertime), and to have met him in person at the reunion last August was a tremendous pleasure. Some time back he wrote a biographical sketch of His father, and it shows life as it was, and as it is... So with Ralph's Permission, here is his family and his Father. Read the Complete Biographical Sketch here.
The Genalogy World Site has grown considerably since the century changed. I have added the "Cox" Genealogy Site, done by Rita's Brother. (He has done well), and added several new databases, including a ROYALTY SURNAME database. That along with promoting Genalogy Detective Software. Folks, I Bought a copy, BEFORE I agreed to put up a link for it. I found it very Interesting, very useful, and I know several of our group have gotten a copy. I will also tell you I make a couple bucks off each copy that gets sold thru Genealogy World, and that certainly helps pay for the server. I have added more resources, and keep adding more as I get it. Membership is right at 2000 members, (free of course), but that is what its all about. It also now has increased the traffic to well over 120 hits a day, so the MRR Group is getting more exposure. And we get new connections each day. Pesonally I have made at least four or five new ones since Christmas. So get involved!!
Each and every month we grow,just this month I added at least six new members to the mailing list, and we are at just over 90 members. But the group continues to grow, and now with the Y2K Holidays over, the Committee will start actively planning for the 2001 Reunion. Expect to see some email traffic about it, because we will be asking for your ideas and buy-in on the ones we have now. Also, I understand the Reunion VIDEO's are ready. For those that ordered copies, send me an email, and I will forward the mailing address for you to get your copy. The cost is $10 per copy. Now that is GREAT, as we all know that you cannot hardly even get a blank tape for that! I know Linda put lots of work into this, and even tho' I havent seen it yet, I hear it is FABULOUS. But Please...Only those that previously ordered them email me for the address.
Following a couple weeks of SNOW, ICE, and then doing it all again, I am tired of WINTER already! Mr Ground hog better NOT see his shadow!! But things are progressing. I still am looking to transfer back to IL soon. On the 1st of January Jeff had his 15th birthday and I posted a picture called "Mr Cool Has a Birthday!! Well THIS MONTH Jeff's Mom has her Birthday, and a pix I snapped of her is posted... Happy Birthday "Mrs Cool!!" 8-)
Thanks go to all of the MRR Group, and the new members. And to all my readers..without all of you coming each month to read our ramblings, this wouldn't be worth it. But you all are so kind, and we thank you. Lets all say a prayer for Lynn, and her family for such a tragic loss.
PROPOSED - AUGUST 2001
Stafford, VA.
