User Home Page Genealogy Report: Descendants of Gerke M. Tjarks
Descendants of Gerke M. Tjarks
24.Wendy Lou4 Tjarks (William LaVerne3, George2, Gerke M.1)66 was born July 02, 1936 in Methodist Hospital, Peoria, Illinois66.She married Glenn Roy Buxton November 09, 1958 in Bartonville Methodist Church, Bartonville, Illinois, son of Glenn Buxton and Mary Webster.
More About Wendy Lou Tjarks:
Occupation: Bet. 1954 - 1958, Teller, Bartonville Bank, Bartonville, IL
More About Glenn Roy Buxton:
Occupation: Photo Lab Tech., Caterpillar Tractor Company, East Peotia, Illinois
Retirement: CaterpillarTractor Company, East Peoria, Illinois
Children of Wendy Tjarks and Glenn Buxton are:
| + | 54 | i. | Vicki Lynn5 Buxton, born January 20, 1960 in Peoria ,Peoria County, Illinois. | |
| + | 55 | ii. | Michael Jerome Buxton, born May 15, 1962 in Peoria, Illinois. |
25.Gary Lee4 Tjarks (William LaVerne3, George2, Gerke M.1)67 was born November 30, 1937 in Peoria, Illinois at St. Francis Hospital68.He married Joyce Ann Genna69,70 November 26, 1960 in Chicago Heights, Illinois,San Rocco Catholic Church71, daughter of John Genna and Angelina Capua.
Notes for Gary Lee Tjarks:
Gary's formal education started at Bartonville Grade School in his home town in Illinois. Gary started playing basketball when he entered the fifth grade at the school.He was about six feet tall at the time.Throughout his school years he played the sport until his junior year in college.In 1952 Gary's Bartonville Grade School team won the state championship.Gary made the winning basket in the semi-final game.
In March of 1956 Gary and his Limestone High School team mates played in the sectional championship game against Peoria Central.Central won the game and went on to become the state champs that year.
Gary played for the same coach in grade and high school and Gary always said his coach, Fritz Millard,was a very special person in his life.Inspired by his coach's example, Gary decided he would become a teacher and a coach.
During his senior year in high school Gary continued to persue his singing career which he began in grade school were he won honors at the state music contest.He played two principle singing roles in the high school musical that year.Gary recalled, " Myhigh school days were a lot of fun and my mom and dad were always there to support me."
After high school Gary went off to college at Illinois Wesleyan University, located Bloomington, Illinois, to follow in his coach's footsteps and become a school teacher.
While at Wesleyan, Gary met fellow student, Joyce Ann Genna.Gary said it was love at first sight.The couple attended Wesleyan for two school years and then transferred to Northern Illinois University in DeKalb, Illinois to finish their undergraduate education.
Following graduation in the spring of 1960 Gary began his teaching career at Limestone H.S. in Bartonville, IL.Joyce and Gary were married in November of that year.
The couple was blessed with two children.Daughter Angela Kay was born on May 2, 1964 and daughter Beth Anne was born on November 21, 1966.
Gary started his teaching career at Limestone Community High School in Bartonville, IL in 1960.He was a Social Science teacher.In 1961 Gary also began his coaching career.He was an assistant basketball coach at Limestone High.During that time Joyce took a teaching position at Thomas Jefferson Grade School in Peoria.The couple lived in Bartonville.
In 1964 Gary was offered a coaching position, as an assistant to Mike Owens, at Wheeling High School in Wheeling, Illinois.
At Wheeling Gary continued to teach in the social science area.Since Wheeling was in the Chicago area, and nearer to her parent's home, Joyce was very pleased with the move.In 1967 Gary received his Master of Science Degree from Northern Illinois University.
In 1969 Gary made another career move.He was appointed to an administrative position and served as The Dean of Students at Forest View High School in Arlington Heights, IL.He served as the school's disciplinarian for the next four years.
From 1973 until 1984 Gary served as the Assistant Principal at Forest View High School in Arlington Heights, IL.During this part of his career, Gary distinguished himself in the areas of facilities improvement.
In 1986 Gary was promoted to the position of Associate Principle at Prospect High School in Mt. Prospect, Illinois.In 1994 Gary left this position to retire.
The following is a letter to Gary's Aunt Florence about his life after retiring.
Gary Tjarks
2420 East Miner, Arlington Heights, Illinois, 60004
June 27, 2000
Mrs. Florence Jane Smith
101 Monroe Blvd. Terre Haute, Indiana
47803-1915
Dear Aunt Florence,
I was pleased to hear from you again.I was honored that you would take the time to learn more about me.I'm sure that your love and concern for my mom has a great deal to do with your most recent note and I will do my best to respond.
I am sending you a report from The Family Tree that will explain a good deal of my past history.I hope you will find it informative.
My wife Joyce and I are both retired.As you can see in our family history we were married in 1960 and both of us worked in the field of education.While I was active in the field through my career, Joyce took off time to stay at home to be with our two daughters.
Both of our girls are now married and have children of their own.Since our retirement in 1994 Joyce and I have been baby-sitting for our grandchildren.
When our daughter Beth and her husband Matt were blessed with Alexis Genna Clemens on October 12, 1993 Joyce and I agreed that sitting with Alexis during the week, while mom was working, would be an enjoyable experience. (Beth, our youngest daughter, is a special education teacher & Matt is in the home building business)
We began our adventure in the fall of 1994.Alexis was at our home each week day during the school year.
When our daughter Angela and her husband Joe, who is a fire department lieutenant, had their first child Kathleen Anne Ratzek on March 20, 1996 we were pleased that she also joined us during the week while her mom was performing her duties as the office manager for Dr. Randall Keller, a local dentist.(Angela is also a certified teacher with a major in Latin American Studies and The Spanish Language)
On August 31, 1996 Beth and Matt had their second child and Madeline Marie also joined us during the week.At this point Nana & Papa had changed a great many diapers, but we also had a marvelous time with the children.
Then on September 4, 1998 a baby boy, Joseph Vincent Ratzek, joined Angela, Joe and Kathleen.
Later in the year baby Joey joined us during the week at Nana & Papa's house.
Spending this time with our grandchildren has been very rewarding
In 1999 Alexis started school and our daughter Beth took a sabbatical leave so that she could spend time with her family.While Joyce and I are very pleased that the Clemens girls are enjoying their time with their mother we do find that we miss their daily appearance at our house.
I have spent my entire career with other people's kids and while I wouldn't trade those many years at the high school for anything I have really enjoyed the time Joyce and I have spent with our grandchildren.
I have had the opportunity to share with them many of the things I think are important.
It has been a golden opportunity to teach the simple but important things.We continue to work on being kind to others, saying please and thank you, sharing, the value of gentleness, and respecting all people.
Some days we go to the park to play.The kids really enjoy the out of doors and the playground equipment.On other days we stay home and "play toys" in the basement. Nana has filled the place with toy furniture, dolls, and craft materials.Coloring and painting seem to fascinate the children
Also there is time to enjoy our quality movie collection.The children have seen all of the Disney classics. From Bambi and Snow White to the more current Lion King and Pocahontas.
My mom shared the classic musicals with me and I shared them with my children.Now Joyce and I are sharing them with our grandchildren.
What a treat it is when Kathleen asks if she can see Oklahoma again.When it is playing Alexis and Madeline find it hard to sit still and at times we just have to take a break so the kids can dance to the music.Little Joe loves to join in the fun.
The children have seen them all: Carousel, Annie, The Wizard of Oz, Willie Wonka and the Chocolate Factory and on and on.
On special days we take the kids to the city (Chicago).When we make these trips one of the moms joins us. Since we live in Arlington Heights we are able to take the train to the city.The kids love the train ride.
We like to ride the city bus and we enjoy the museums and Art Institute.Navy Pier and Lincoln Park Zoo are also fun places to visit.We have memberships at The Art Institute and the Museum of Science & Industry.The Loop is a great place to visit and we all enjoy our visits to the city.
Since our marriage in 1960 Joyce has remained an active member of the Roman Catholic Church.Our children have been raised as Catholics and I have attended St. James Catholics Church in Arlington Heights.I have, however retained my membership in the Methodist Church.
I have found this arrangement to work well for the entire family.Attending services at the Catholic Church has broadened my understanding of people and their beliefs and I have found that my religious needs are fulfilled.
Joyce and I support the church's work with an ongoing financial contribution.
Both of our daughters fell in love with men who were members of the Catholic faith and so our plan seems to have worked to perfection.Since you know there is no effective way of guiding your kids in matters of romantic love I am pleased with the approach that Joyce and I have taken in this very difficult area.
Thanks again for asking about me.I hope you find the materials I am sending you to be of interest.
Respectfully Yours,
Gary
More About Gary Lee Tjarks:
Bachelors Degree: 1960, Northern Illinois University-DeKalb, Illinois72
Baptism: June 12, 1938, Peoria, Illinois, Tyng Memorial Church73
Graduation, Grade School: May 23, 1952, Bartonville Public School74
Graduation, High School: 1956, Limestone H.S._Bartonville, Illinois
Graduation,College: 1960, Northern Illinois University-DeKalb, Illinois75
Masters Degree: 1967, Northern Illinois University-DeKalb, Illinois76
Profession: Bet. 1964 - 1994, Ast.Principal-Forest View,Prospect H.S.
Religion: April 15, 1954, Became member Methodist Church77
Retirement: July 01, 1994, High School District 21478
Teaching Career: Bet. 1960 - 1964, Soc. Sci.Teacher Bartonville,Wheeling,IL
More About Joyce Ann Genna:
Birth Statistic: October 23, 1938, Delivery Doctor Spencer R. Blim79
Degree: August 1960, Bachelor of ArtsNorthern Illinois University80
First Communion: May 1946, San Rocco Church, Chicago Heights, Illinois
Graduation, Grade School: June 1952, Our Lady of Mt. Carmel Grade School, District 17081
Graduation, High School: June 1956, BloomTownship H.S.-Chicago Heights,IL.82
Graduation,College: August 1960, Northern Illinois University-DeKalb, Illinois83
Religion: Member Roman Catholic Church
Marriage Notes for Gary Tjarks and Joyce Genna:
Joyce Genna and Gary Tjarks were married on November 26, 1960 at St. Rocco Church In Chicago Heights, Illinois.The Rev. Antonio Mastrangelo officiated at the ceremony.Joyce's brother Vincent Genna of Chicago Heights served as Gary's Best Man and Joyce's long time friend Phyllis Ranieri served as The Matron of Honor.
Children of Gary Tjarks and Joyce Genna are:
| + | 56 | i. | Angela Kay5 Tjarks, born May 02, 1964 in Peoria, Illinois, at St. Francis Hospital. | |
| + | 57 | ii. | Beth Anne Tjarks, born November 21, 1966 in Park Ridge, Illinois at Lutheran General Hospital. |