Family at the Funeral

Unfortunately, Fletcher went to his first funeral on Saturday. Fortunately, a lot of family got to see him or meet him. I have never met part of this side of the family, so Saturday was the day I did.

It was a long day in the car down and back, but something we wouldn't miss. However, I drove around in circles for about 40 minutes (when I was right next to the funeral home!) and I almost missed the viewing. Luckily I got there just in time to say goodbye before they closed the casket. The service was the quickest I've ever attended, topping out at about 20 minutes. Then we drove to the cemetery.  I was the last in line since it took me so long to find the funeral home. A short ceremony there and then a long visiting time followed. I was able to get some pictures of most of the family I knew. Austin and his dad were in their car, so it completely slipped my mind to get them for a picture. I'm sure neither of them minded as Austin was napping. But I got some of the others. There was a great turnout to say farewell to Great Granny and Claudia was even reunited with her college roommate after about 45 years!

Here are some of the people that came to the gravesite:

Here's proud Opa and his two grandkids:

I bet if he looked back in a photo album of Becki and Jesse growing up, there would be some similar faces surrounding him at a younger time.

Here's Ramona and the apple of her eye...Angel:

Here's Trouble 1 and Trouble 2, Stephanie and Angel:

Pete and his little girl:

Two of the sweetest people on Earth, Joey and Rachel:

Another sweet and sincere couple, Pete and Nel:

Here's Virgil and the rest of the Hooty Howells that I got to meet for the first time:

Here's Jesse's sister, Becki and Ryan and Ashlyn:

A Fletcher Sandwich for Opa and Oma:

A picture of us at Granny's:

And finally, a laugh among the men after a long day: