The Hancock-Henderson Quill, Inc.
by Bonnie Johnson, Quill Staff
When you read the caption under the picture, you might think "that's an interesting old tractor and planter". But the equipment isn't what the story is about. It's about the courage of the man who is driving the tractor.
Jerry Rehling, a former Carman and Stronghurst area resident, lives with his wife Bonnie Waddill Rehling in the country, north of Abingdon. Jerry once farmed for the "Dannenberg Brothers" near Carman.
Then Jerry was offered a chance to farm for himself, so he and his family moved to Abingdon. After several years, he gave up farming and began driving a semi truck cross-country for a trucking firm out of Abingdon.
In 1988, Jerry suffered a heart attack and was taken to Springfield for care. After a period of time, Jerry returned to driving, but with limited day trips.
Jerry seemed to be doing pretty well, but in 1994 Jerry suffered a massive stroke. He spent several months in the Peoria and Galesburg hospitals for rehabilitation. When Jerry returned home, he had virtually no use in the right side of his body. For over two years Jerry kept close to home.
But as the saying goes "You can't keep a good man down", and Jerry proved this point. Bonnie began to discuss with Jerry the possibilities of him driving again. With the help of his children, they found a way for him to take both the driving and written test since his speech was greatly impaired. They purchased a riding lawnmower that operated from the left side. He practiced using the lawnmower and to this day Jerry continues to keep the lawn immaculately groomed.
But Jerry didn't stop there. A neighbor and friend, Joe Krupps, said the magic words "can do" and gave Jerry the opportunity to do more. This they managed to accomplish without his wife Bonnie knowing.
Bonnie said Barry came home one day and said, " Mom, you probably need to know this, Dad has been on a tractor." She doubted this because she knew there was no physical way he could mount it. Barry said, " Well Joe has welded and fixed up some way for him to mount it and drive it with one arm and one leg." Bonnie said she didn't want to know how he got on or off the tractor, it would have to be between them."
His family believes this has been the single most determining factor to add sustenance and encouragement to his life. Joe trusts him to do field work and haul in grain.
Bonnie says, "Every spring we have this "fight' we call "planting the sweet corn' in a patch of ground beside our house. He and our kids love to give the corn away and we put some up for ourselves, too."
Certainly Jerry has shown courage, determination and drive with the help of his loving family. He won't allow his handicap to get him down. Jerry turned 65 on June 7th. What a pleasure it is to know Jerry and what a great example Jerry is to many people.
Jerry Rehling, Abingdon, with sons Barry and Beau. Jerry is planting sweet corn with an old Massey tractor using an old John Deere two-row planter. The tractor had been sold to a farmer many years ago by Waddill Implement Dealership. When the farmer retired, he sold the tractor back to Wayne Waddill. After Wayne's death, his daughter and son-in-law Jerry and Bonnie Rehling received possession of the tractor.
-photo by Kent Kriegshauser /submitted