Although the entire community was in shock from the news of the Shaner family's tragic accident, their thoughts immediately turned to "how can we help?"
The Hancock-Henderson Quill, Inc.
On October 16 and 17, 2004, the Stronghurst community once again demonstrated what the word "love" means.
Although the entire community was in shock from the news of the Shaner family's tragic accident, their thoughts immediately turned to "how can we help?"
Alan Durkee, a close friend of Roger Shaner, heard the news in the local restaurant, left his meal on the table and went straight to Roger's farm to offer help telling him to go to his family in Chicago and not to worry about his crops. In the summer of 2000, Alan was involved in a farming accident and Roger was one of the farmers to help him. They became close friends at that time never knowing that their roles would be reversed.
Alan said that his 13 years as a Captain in the National Guard helped him organize the effort to get the Shaner crops out. He explained that in the military you have battle bullets and beans. For us the battle was the crops. The "bullets" were fellow farmers, so I asked Paul Anderson who knew names. The "beans" were taken care of by Chris Cook who coordinated feeding the workers. Alan said that after he contacted those two people, he just sat back and everyone pulled things together.
Alan and Paul made 4 phone calls to other farmers and after that, their phones began to ring....so often that Paul's cell phone went dead two days in a row. Alan received 47 phone calls offering help and he referred them to Paul and Chris. Some of the calls were from as far away as Berwick as well as Biggsville, La Harpe and Little York.
Wendell Shaner farms in two areas....his own ground and that of Agnes Shaner, his mother. In order to coordinate the harvest and to keep accurate yield records, numbers were assigned to each field. Wendell had 4 fields and his mother had 3. The elevator at Stronghurst Grain and Merchandise opened on Sunday for Wendell's crops and on Monday, gave Agnes' crops priority.
On Sunday there were 12-15 combines running and on Monday there were 8 combines with offers of more than could be used because of the 36 inch rows.
The weather was wonderful for the harvest on Sunday, but became threatening on Monday. Amazingly, although it was raining on both sides of the property, there was only a light mist in the harvest area during the morning. It was remarked that the rain was really "tears from heaven". The rain became heavier near noontime, but no one would quit. They didn't want to leave until they were done.
It has been said that an army "travels on it's stomach", and this "army" of more than 80 plus farmers was no exception. Under the expert supervision of Chris Cook and the generosity of her boss Mark Parrish at Riverland FS, the workers were fed abundantly. Chris said that her 17 years helping her father and mother-in-law at the Raritan Cafe, her dad and brother at the Stronghurst locker, and working "in most every pizza place in Stronghurst", gave her the experience to coordinate an effort this large.
The Stronghurst Fire Department donated the use of table and chairs which were moved to the meal site by Scott Ford, Pat Brokaw and Jerry Keimig. More than 30 people helped serve the food which was donated by businesses and community and many, many individuals throughout the area. Helping to serve the mountains of food were the Stronghurst 4-H members and leaders and other members of the community.
Monte Harshbarger was a great help to Roger and Tina Shaner by keeping their dairy farm running smoothly...a twice-a-day job.
Steve Wisslead of Wisslead Oil coordinated the field assignment and had diesel fuel available.
Wendell Shaner, Sr. was overwhelmed with the generosity and love shown his family that enabled him to go to Chicago to be with his son Wendell, Jr. and granddaughter Samantha Lionberger, who were critically injured in the accident that killed his wife Marian and granddaughter Sadie.
Everyone helping with the harvest agreed that tragedy is something that can happen to any of us and it gave them a good feeling to be a part of the effort. People, even if they have differences, can put old feelings aside and come together for a good cause.
Agnes Shaner said that this was the third time that the community has helped her. The first time was when her husband had the mumps, the second when he had a heart attack. The same generosity was shown to Wendell following his injuries in the tornado of May 1995.
Following the lunch on Monday, Wendell's sister Sandy (Don) Lefler spoke a few words of thanks on behalf of the family and asked a blessing for the many kind folks who are caring for them during this difficult time.
The thoughts and prayers of the community have helped tremendously and the physical help has made it possible for the family to have one less thing to worry about.
Durkee, Cook, and Anderson along with the Shaners can't express their gratitude enough to the many people of the arrea who gave their time and their service.