Jim & Martha Scheller

- Evansville, Indiana

 

People of Wisdom

Name: Jim and Martha Scheller

Parish: Members of Sacred Heart Church, Evansville

Jim: I probably worry more than I should, and I am congenial and methodical. Martha: I like to be organized, and I think I am patient and sympathetic.

Jim: I try to help wherever I am needed. I help paint in church and in the school, and we scrub and wax the floors. I am a sacristan and lay minister, and I also serve for Father Nunning during the Masses through the week. Martha: I help with the bereavement dinners at Sacred Heart.

Jim: I grew up on the west side of Evansville, close to St. Boniface Church. There were six boys in our family. The oldest boy died at birth. My dad was a painting contractor. I went to Reitz High School, and was drafted into the army after I graduated. I served from 1946-48. Martha: I was the oldest of 11. Our family belonged to St. Philip Church in Posey County. We lived on a farm about a half-mile from the bus stop, where we caught the bus to St. Matthew School in Mt. Vernon. I went to the academy in Ferdinand for high school. The rest of my brothers and sisters attended Mater Dei. We were raised Catholic from day one.

Jim: When I was about 13 years old, my mother’s brother was killed in a death march in the Philippine Islands. My uncle was a regular army man, and my mother had a hard time trying to get information about him. I remember the day when we finally got the notice that he had been killed. About five years later, it was my turn to go. My older brother was already in the Philippines, and I was sent to Europe. Martha: I remember writing to the soldiers in service when I was in grade school, and we prayed for them.

Jim: When I was a freshman in high school, I worked at Klein’s clothing store on Franklin Street after school and on the weekends. I got paid $6 a week. I also caddied at Helfrich Golf Course and set pins at the bowling alley. My brothers and I used the money we made to buy our books for school. My first real job was at Iglehart’s. I worked there for 35 years. I started in at $1.17 an hour. Martha: Our first jobs were babysitting and helping people with their housework. I don’t remember what we got paid, but whatever we made, we brought home and gave it to our parents. Later, I had a part-time job cashiering at DeJong’s downtown.

Martha: At Lamey’s Grove at a dance. Neither one of us danced much, but that’s where we met. When we were dating, we went to a lot of ball games because Jim played semi-pro baseball.

Jim: My parents. My dad was a very devout Catholic. My mother was a convert, and she emphasized the importance of church and made sure I was there on time to serve Mass. Martha: My parents were a big influence on me, and I was lucky to know my grandparents on both sides, and they also influenced me. I just think my mother was a saint. She was such a wonderful person. She never had it easy, but she never complained.

Jim: When I was about 5 or 6 years old, I was supposed to be a torchbearer for Christmas Day Mass, which was at 5:30 a.m. The rest of my family was sick and couldn’t go with me. My mother told me to just walk with all the other people who were walking to church that morning. I’ll never forget that first time I had to walk to and from church by myself. Martha: I remember going to church. We lived a distance from church, but we always went, even when there was ice and snow. We hardly ever missed church, and if it ever happened that we did, you didn’t go anyplace else that day.

Jim: It’s been my whole life, really. I’ve been to other churches, but it seems like something is missing. Being Catholic and having the sacraments is the most wonderful thing. It seems like the older you get, the more you appreciate your faith. Martha: I agree that your faith means more and more to you as you get older. I remember all the little things we did at home when I was growing up. We had holy water fonts at our bedroom doors, we prayed the rosary as a family, and when it stormed, Mother always lit a blessed candle. Everything really pertained to our faith.

Jim: I’ve always felt close to the Blessed Mother. Martha: Mine would be St. Jude … I have always had a lot of faith in St. Jude. I still know that prayer by heart. Also the Blessed Mother.

Jim: Dedication. To be dedicated to what you do and want to do. Also, being on time for work, doing your job to the best of your ability, and never quit trying to do better. Martha: Being honest and dependable.

Jim: I like to play golf, walk and take short vacations. We also keep busy with our grandchildren. I love all kinds of sports, especially when our grandchildren participate. Martha: I have been a volunteer at the Little Sisters of the Poor for close to 20 years. I am a member of the auxiliary there, and I enjoy visiting with the residents, helping with bingo and working in the laundry. I also belong to a few clabber clubs and am active with our grandchildren’s activities.

Jim: My rosary and my daily missal. I feel lost without them. Martha: I have two rosaries that are special to me. I have a rosary that is made out of ribbons from when my mother died, and another rosary is made out of my father’s funeral flowers. I also have a special statue of the Blessed Mother that I really cherish, too.