94 year old man dies on his way to his wife's funeral

[PennyQuilts]

NY man dies on way to late wife's funeral service | Fox News

Love this story. Apparently, the husband died on the way to the funeral of his wife of nearly 66 years. The funeral director was also the local coroner and he was able to pronounce him dead. Rather than have two services, they tossed the old boy in a handy, nearby casket (he was already dressed up) and when the guests arrived, the family explained they were doing a two for one deal.

Sounds like a family with a sense of humor.

[kelroy55]

Good story

[kevinpate]

My kind of family. Not the sort of comment I often make of northerners, but yeah, they qualify for an exception.

[ThomPaine]

"Surprise -- It's a double header -- Gwen and Norman Hendrickson -- Feb. 16, 2013."

Awesome. I hope I go the same way, and my kids are quick enough on their feet to do the same thing!

[Uncle Slayton]

I had only heard of this one other time, and it was an ancestor of mine I've been tracking from Talladega Alabama to eastern Arkansas. The 1904 writing style would be considered somewhat cold hearted, but in the spirit of the 'gallows humor' of the OP, I will reproduce it here:

Feb.19,1904-Forrest City Times Newspaper

Death of Tillman Vaughn and Wife

The Grim Reaper has made quick work in the Vaughn household, and the friends and relatives of the family are appalled at the fatalities which occurred therein in the last ten days. It was just ten days ago that Chas.Padgett, the second husband of their daughter in law, died in the home of Tillman Vaughn, in Franks township, near Haynes. On Wednesday evening, Feb.17,1904, Tillman Vaughn himself passed away, aged 71 years. He had pneumonia and his advanced years made him an easy prey to the disease. The remains were interred in the Mt.Vernon cemetery. Undertaker Stevens had just arrived at the house, and had the remains in his casket, when Mrs.Vaughn, wife of the deceased, and two years his senior, passed away from old age and general debility. She will be buried this afternoon alongside her husband. They were well respected in the community, and we extend our sympathy to the friends.

[RadicalModerate]

Thanks, sincerely, for a couple of honestly heartwarming stories. I read the last one first, then I read the OP. When I read Uncle Slayton's contribution somehow I was expecting something involving crime but instead found a story involving a lotta love and a sense of community. It was probably the "gallows humor" cite that skewed my pre-misconception. Even after realizing that there were some folks back there in '04 who had a sense of decency and common sense I expected something vaguely snarky and/or disquieting, in the unread post, above. Imagine my happy surprise to discover that even the funeral industry has a heart. =)

All of this reminds me, somehow, of a story told by one of the best story tellers ever--some guy from up in Minnesota somewhere, whose name escapes me at the moment--who did an audio thing, on a local NPR station, back in the 80's, about an old couple whose car gets stuck on a railroad track with a train coming and the old man decided that, rather than stand back and watch his infirm wife disappear under the wheels of the train, would hold her hand . . . one more time. Even my daughter--who, was only about 8 at the time--and my mom who is currently in her 80's--was as mesmerized as I was listening to the love story.

In the parking lot of that Braum's over on 63rd . . . =)

Just remembered!: The guy's name is Kevin Kling!
(it was a great story . . . reminded me of the best of Garrison Keillor =)
(it is probably recorded somewhere on the Internet and available for listening. but i'm not sure where.)

Thanks again!!! (no kidding, no snark, no agenda) This thread was the icing on the cake of an already great day!
(i think i need to stay away from that "politics" area . . . =)

[please file this as a LIKE x 2 +, thank you.]

[Hawk405359]

NY man dies on way to late wife's funeral service | Fox News

Love this story. Apparently, the husband died on the way to the funeral of his wife of nearly 66 years. The funeral director was also the local coroner and he was able to pronounce him dead. Rather than have two services, they tossed the old boy in a handy, nearby casket (he was already dressed up) and when the guests arrived, the family explained they were doing a two for one deal.

Sounds like a family with a sense of humor.

Man, I don't know whether to find that story sad or heartwarming. I mean, the kids lost both of their parents in that short time frame, but at the same time, you can obviously tell that they really lived for each other and it's hard for me to feel sad that they don't have to live apart.

The way the daughters handled it, though, was really impressive.

[PennyQuilts]

I think when a young person dies, it is much more likely to be considered tragic - taken before their time, everything lost, etc. You grieve not just the loss of the person, but the loss of all the possibilities. Most of the people I know who lose a very elderly parent are much more focused on the joy of their life and enjoying the memories. Doesn't mean they don't miss them, but they don't have the same feeling of wrongness about the whole thing.

[ThomPaine]

I think when a young person dies, it is much more likely to be considered tragic - taken before their time, everything lost, etc. You grieve not just the loss of the person, but the loss of all the possibilities. Most of the people I know who lose a very elderly parent are much more focused on the joy of their life and enjoying the memories. Doesn't mean they don't miss them, but they don't have the same feeling of wrongness about the whole thing.

Perfectly stated Penny!

[RadicalModerate]

Not to "gild the lily" . . . but I did a Google Search for "kevin kling just one more time" and this link was at the top of the list.
It isn't the audio recording (which I'd bet is out there somewhere) . . . but it is the transcript of the story he told on air many years ago.

Imagine it being read by a guy with a really heavy Minnesota accent.
The "hook line" is in the last paragraph . . .

Hearts on the Edge: One More Second...