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THE POSEY COUNTY NEWS
We are Posey County's Definitive Source for News in the Mount Vernon, New Harmony, Poseyville, Saint Philip, Saint Wendel and Wadesville areas. Period.
Opinion
The way I see it:
Responsibility for Redman stories begins, ends here
Couples listed from left to right: Robert and Sandee Redman, Martin
and Wanda Redman, Carl J and Judy Redman and Marvin and
Ruth Redman. Photo by Dave Pearce.
By Owner Connie Pearce
I will have to confess that doing a story about the “Redman
Brothers” was my idea. With Valentines Day approaching it occurred to me
that this fall will complete the celebrations of 50th wedding anniversaries
for my dad and his three brothers. I think that is quite an accomplishment
for a family. In this world with so many divorces and sicknesses there are
so many things that get in the way of this milestone.
After sharing my idea with Dave he agreed it would be good for our Valentine
edition and asked Pam, our feature writer, to begin doing the interviews and
stories. I thought it would be fun to add my spin on the family.
My grandparents, Carl and Faye Redman were married in 1934. They had their
sons within six years so to say they were all very close is an
understatement. As the four boys graduated from high school they each took
different paths but they all married and all now reside in Posey County
again. Dave refers to it as the Redman Commune.
When I think of Valentines Day, like most people I think of romance. To put
romance and the Redman boys in the same sentence may seem a little crazy for
those of you who know them as I do. I guess it depends on how you define
romance. Webster Dictionary defines it as a love story or love affair. My
initial thoughts of romance are in the movies or in the fairy tales I
learned when growing up. Those romances always seemed so perfect with no
problems and always a “Happily Ever After.”
Unfortunately my grandparents didn’t make it to their 50th anniversary with
both of them passing away way before they reached that milestone. I was the
oldest grandchild. My dad farmed with my grandpa so I was at their house
probably the most of any of the grandkids. I would spend every possible
weekend at their house and as much of my summer as they would allow.
Grandma and Grandpa Redman’s love story to me was how they spent all of
their time working together on the farm. Grandma did not have her drivers’
license until late in life. She didn’t need one. She went everywhere Grandpa
did, they were inseparable. I still remember our trips to Evansville. The
three of us would get into the pickup and drive to the farm store. We may
stop at the bank or the store but before we got back home we always stopped
at the gas station in Wadesville to get a Pepsi from Pete.
When my Grandpa died unexpectedly after a routine surgery it left my
grandmother heartbroken, which is what I think eventually was the real cause
of her death. As a family we did everything to make her happy but to no
avail. A heart attack took her one cold December night but I am sure it was
a very warm reunion when she was reunited in Heaven with her true love.
My dad and his brothers all have their own love stories that I am sure Pam
did excellent job writing. I have not read those stories yet but I can tell
you that all of them have had their challenges and disappointments through
the years but all have persevered. I am guessing that any of them would tell
you there were times when they could have called it quits as so many couples
do these days.
As their daughter and niece I can tell you that I am proud of all of them
for being great examples in their own unique way. Because of each one of
them I am a better person and I think my brothers and cousins would agree
that if you got to pick your family they would keep the one God gave them.
They say you can’t choosey your family but if you could, I would choose the
one I have.
Living for the Journey: Four Redman brothers living a journey of love with their wives and families
By Features Editor Pam Robinson
Seldom will anyone encounter four brothers all living within a few
miles of each other and their birthplace. The sons of Carl and Lucretia Faye
(Green) Redman all express humble gratitude that they’re not only still
speaking, but also still enjoying regular visits together in relatively good
health.
Every single one of the boys—Robert, Martin, Carl and Marvin (in birth
order)—will have celebrated 50 years or more of marriage by the end of this
year. As Robert and Sandee, Martin and Wanda, Carl and Judy, Marvin and Ruth
have so graciously (and a bit nervously) shared their stories, they have
taught the importance of patience and perseverance in their lives certainly.
Yet, above all, they have demonstrated the value of their prayers in their
laughter and love, the greatest of all these.
Every single one of the boys highlights their annual reunion here in Posey
County with their cousins and all the generations of young people as a
blessed time. They don’t just pay lip service to keeping in touch with one
another. In fact, each brother knew the interview time for all the brothers
as we prepared for the Valentine issue. It’d take a clever person indeed to
ever spring any kind of surprise on this family. They just don’t keep
secrets.
Every single one of the boys along with his wife has also made community a
priority. Whether serving God or country, they’ve all helped to shape Posey
County into a place of generosity for friends and neighbors. They love all
God’s children, not just their own.
Every single one of the boys looks forward to more good years of marriage
with his lifelong bride. They might look no farther than to Posey County
natives Charles and Lillian (Schutz) Stevens. They will celebrate 70 years
of marriage this July 3. A tragic auto accident has them recovering in Mount
Vernon Nursing and Rehabilitation Center, but it hasn’t prevented them from
keeping close watch on one another from their adjoining rooms. Their love
light still burns bright in spite of the passing of years.
From everything I’ve seen, the Redman brothers and their wives all hold such
a steady flame, but it never hurts to set candles alongside one another and
enjoy the warmth of their far-reaching glow.
Cartoon of the Week by Gary Varvel
