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 & Mr. Armstrong, English class with Ms. Baldwin, 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!
My Ancestor, by Blake Burns
“Snap!” The shark bit down on the bait. It was when my great grandfather was in the Navy, catching the biggest fish he ever caught with other Navy officers. My great grandpa’s name is Melvin Thomas Saad Sr. I know him because he is my maternal great grandfather. He is also my barber. He was named after his grandpa, Melham, who was an immigrant from Lebanon. I picked him because he had a very interesting life and is the oldest in my family.
My great grandpa was born in rural Tampico Illinois on March third, 1933, or 3/3/33. His parents are Melia and Louie Saad, both of them were immigrants from Lebanon. Melia died a year before I was born and Louie died six months before my great grandpa was born. He had many stepfathers, but he always kept Louie’s last name, Saad. He was an only child, he didn’t even have any stepsiblings. Growing up, he walked to school. His class started football for Erie. He graduated at a height of 5’ 6”, but a year later he was 6’2”. He really liked band and choir, and even though he did every sport he could, he wasn’t amazing at any of them. As a kid, his family was very poor. One thing he really loved, and still loves, is dancing.
When he got out of the Navy, he married Marlene Gerdis, now Marlene Saad. They were married at St. George Orthodox Church in Moline, Illinois. They have been married now for 70 years! His children are: Melvin Jr., Marilynn, Michael, and Melody. He went to barber college after the Navy to become a barber. He was a veteran in the Korean War. In high school, he worked many small jobs. As an adult, after being a barber, he did appraising, and owned a real estate agency that he gave to Melvin Jr. Now he does farm management, and is a barber for his family. He loved to work with his family, and to help his family. Now, he lives at 605 8th St. Erie, Illinois. He has lived there since 1959. When he was buying the house, he built it with a loan from the bank. After he had enough money to build it, he decided he wanted brick. The bank wouldn’t give him any more money, so he had to offer free haircuts and a loan to the plumber to get enough money.
Two of his biggest accomplishments are running the Memorial Day parade in Erie for 45 years. This is important to him because he loves serving the community. He always asks me to carry a flag in the parade. The second accomplishment that I have is he is a 72 year Legionnaire which is important to him because he loves supporting people and it is part of the military. One fun fact about him is his grandpa owned a store (Shaheens) where Harvest is now. Another fun fact is he was delivered by the same doctor that delivered Ronald Regan. One final fun fact is his idol is his grandpa.
If I had to describe my great grandpa in one word, I would use loving. I chose this word because he helps everyone he comes across, loves everyone, and supports communities and people in need. One thing that my great grandpa did that I will always remember is when we were fishing in Missouri when I was about seven years old he had a huge fish, it was a 40 pound blue catfish. After writing this paper, I want to spend more time with him and learn more about him.
Blake Burns, Miss Baldwin’s Language Arts class
