EULOGY WRITTEN AND READ BY VANCE LOCKHART AT THE FUNERAL OF
 CHARLES BUTLER LOCKHART

    





Charles B. Lockhart was born April 21,1893.  He was the last survivor of the union of John Stockton
    Lockhart and Monnie Leona Truax.  An eighth generation American, he spent his entire life, except
    for the last few years, when he lived in Spencer, within a two mile radius of the farm on which he was
    born, in the NE corner of Owen County. Alaska was the nearest town then, although it is now only an
    unmarked cross roads.

    He served in the Army during WW I, but like a goodly portion of the recruits of his time, fell victim to
    the great flu epidemic of 1918 and was spared thereby, overseas duty.  His brief military experience,
    however, remained a significant experience in his life.

    During the thirties he served two terms as trustee of Harrison Township.

    His formal education was limited to that offered in the LaPossa grade school, now long since de-
    serted.  His education, however, was enriched by a home life filled with lively discussion.  While
    there was no television or radio, his father and family were ever ready to discuss and to argue
    politics, philosophy, religion, and the meaning of life with any intinerate peddler or visitor who came
    by the farm.

    Charles B. was a farmer during most of his life--he took care of the soil, was kind to animals and was
    particularly fond of his horses and he was a good horseman--my mother has said that one of the
    reasons she married him, was that he had the fastest horse in the country.

    His religion, as Thomas Jefferson once said, was known only to himself and his God, but he was not
    without belief.  As a farmer, he recognized the order of the universe, accepted the whims of nature,
    and believed in the continuum of life.  His public profession was to quote from the poem Abdu Ben
    Adam, who wanted only to be recorded as one who loved his fellowmen.

    As we come to bury the man, let us remember the woman who rested here, only a few months ago.
    On July 17, 1917 Mary Jones joined with Charles Lockhart in a marriage which lasted over 67 years.
    Together they weathered two World Wars, the great Depression, the drought years, the loss of a
    daughter and years of poverty, but they never cried out 'why me' or cursed God, but stoically accept-
    ed whatever life offered.

    Our mother was a proud woman--but not too proud to forgive us our trespasses.  She was ambitious
    us, but her primary concern was not for our material success, but for our happiness.  She was always    
loving and caring--regardless of one's age or the hour of the day. She made sure one was fed, clothed
    and cared for.  She was the family nurse, the family historian and the family dictionary. Her knowledge
    and understanding of  the world around her, far exceeded her formal education.  She could make any
    house, a home.

    Dad always remained in part a little boy-- a prankster, trickster and story teller.  He was the one who
    told and retold the story of Goldie Locks and The Three Bears, the Three Little Pigs and the Night Be-
    fore Christmas--but he would mix up the story just to tease, and sometimes to the annoyance of the
    listening child.  His dominant characteristics were his sense of honesty and fairness and his sense
    of humor--he favored the humor of a Davis Harrum or Will Rogers.  But most of all, he was forever, the
    breadwinner and the guardian of the door.

    Together they made the most supportive parents.  They were as one on most aspects of human rela-
    tions.  They did not speak ill of others and we were sure of a frown or reprimand, if we made light of,
    or spoke critically of someone less fortunate than we, or someone in a situation which they could not
    change.

    Soon these two loving people will rest side by side, with parents and neighbors, in the Mannon Cem-
    etery, as they knew they would--they will rest in soil cut from the farm they tilled together in 1920-21.

    As we turn to the last page of the last chapter in the book of Charles and Mary Lockhart, we thank them
    for giving us love and care; for their compassion, understanding and tolerance, and we thank them for
    raising us to be strong enough to stand alone, without them.

    They shall remain forever a part of our lives.


    October 21, 1986
    Written by Vance Lockhart, eldest son of Charles and Mary Lockhart