Students conducted interviews with family members, and some were able to gather additional resources and pictures to help tell their story. While there were many great stories written, not all will be published.
This project was a collaborative effort between students’ history classes with Mrs. Kruthoff and Mr. Armstrong, English class with Ms. Shabani, and their families. It was inspired by the original project that long-time English teacher, Mrs. Wiersema, made a tradition in her 8th grade class. Students enjoyed getting to know more about their families, and many were surprised to learn how interesting their families were. We hope you all will enjoy their stories, too!
Keith Douglas Wolever
By Ava Wolever, 7th English, Ms. Shabani, 5-5-25
Do you know about the battle of Normandy? In his early life he liked playing basketball and went to school in Erie. In his adult life he fought in the harsh battle of Normandy. In his last life he retired from his barber business after thirty two years and left a legacy. Keith Douglas Wolever was heroic because of his humorous childhood, time away in the military, and legacy he left behind.
Keith Douglas Wolever was born on 2/24/1922. He was born in Erie, Illinois. First of all, father was Franz Wiliam Wolever and he was born in Geneseo 1886-1952. Secondly, his mom was Sarah J. Wolever and she was born in Tennessee 1893-1985. He had four siblings Robert D. Wolever (1918-2001) Norman E. Wolever (1916-1991) Betty C. Carpenter (1925-2000) and Shirley L. Ropp (1933-2011). All his siblings were born in Erie, Illinois.
Keith went to school in Erie his whole life. He played for the Erie basketball team as number seven. Keith was in the class of 1940 and joined the Army right after school. After serving in the Army, he went to the Moler Barber College in Chicago. Then, he got his nickname duck for being a good swimmer. Also, he grew up in a house on Main Street in Erie.
Also, he used to walk with his brothers Robert and Norman and go swimming in the Rock River. Once, Keith swam a little farther out so his brothers could not see him. He hid and his brothers thought that he had drowned. Next, they got their mom and she came to the river while Keith was walking up and she cried running to him. Lastly, she spanked him.
Keith Wolever only ever had three jobs which were a veteran, barber, and a custodian. He was a custodian for both Erie high school and Sterling high school. However, he served in the military for a total of three years in the Army. Some of his hobbies were cutting hair and playing golf.
Keith was also in the battle of Normandy in World War Two. During the battle, he went to save two of his fellow comrades but got shot in his arm twice. But, he did save two peoples lives. Also, he served in the European theater of operation.
Keith was a barber for thirty-two years in Erie, Illinois. In present-day Erie, his barber shop would be on the left side of Harvest Bakery. Also, when Keith began his hair cutting business haircuts were only seventy-five cents then when he retired they were four dollars! His barber shop was open seven days a week and he took no days off. Lastly, the most haircuts he did in a day was a total of fifty.
In his later life, he never ended up moving and stayed in Erie, Illinois. Next, a massive achievement he had was he lived in the battle of Normandy. He had a couple of friends who were Hugh Don Stancil, Lawerence Greth, and Gerald Gulusha. One hardship he had was almost losing his arm in battle. Sometimes, he spent his free time golfing or cutting hair. Also he was a member of the Erie country club. In the country club, he got a hole in one on hole number five. But, when he was in the military he earned many awards. Also, he was a member of the Erie Baptist Church.
One award he earned is the Purple Heart award. He got this award for being wounded in battle. Another award is the bronze heart which he earned by saving two fellow soldiers. Then, he got the European Campaign medal for being in the Campaign. Another award he received was the American Campaign medal for being in the American Campaign. Then, another award he got was good conduct for listening and being good. Next he earned the World War Two victory medal for winning World War Two. Lastly, the last award he earned is the combat Infantry badge for learning how to use a gun. Also, he belonged to the American Legion. Finally, he died on 12/26/1998 in Rock Island, Illinois.
In conclusion, Keith Douglas Wolever was brave because of his adventurous and fun childhood, time away in the military as well as being a barber, and he will be missed and loved by many. His time in the military was something special to him. In his adult life he enjoyed working as a barber. Now, he is resting peacefully in heaven. Lastly, I now know more about my great grandpa Keith.
“The majority of us lead quiet, unheralded lives as we pass through this world. There will most likely be no ticker-tape parades for us, no monuments created in our honor.
But that does not lessen our possible impact, for there are scores of people waiting for someone just like us to come along; people who will appreciate our compassion, our unique talents. Someone who will live a happier life merely because we took the time to share what we had to give.
Too often we underestimate the power of a touch, a smile, a kind word a listening ear, an honest compliment, or the smallest act of caring, all of which have a potential to turn a life around.
It’s overwhelming to consider the continuous opportunities there are to make our love felt.”
― Leo Buscaglia
