Imagine navigating life against the backdrop of the Jazz Age, the Great Depression, two world wars, the Space Age, the Digital Age and many other historical events. The remarkable centenarians we serve at American Senior Communities possess a wealth of knowledge and are living historical treasures.
What a privilege it is to share their amazing stories and valuable advice. We invite you to scroll through this photo album honoring some of the wonderful Centenarians that we are honored to serve at ASC.
Dairy farmer Adolph Henry Niemeyer attributed reaching 100 years old to a habit he’s had all of his life: he drinks lots of milk. Mr. Niemeyer was a dairy farmer for decades. His wife, Daphine, preceded him in death. He has two sons and a daughter. He enjoys hunting.
Alice Laub was born in Kewanna, IN. She married Paul Laub who preceded her in death. They had two sons. She spent early years working on her father’s farm. She also worked at Magnavox in the speaker repair area. Her hobbies were reading and knitting. Her advice for a long life: No smoking or drinking and keep busy with hobbies.
Anna Konanz was a homemaker, creating a beautiful life for herself and her husband, Irvin. She enjoyed doing embroidery and spending time with her parakeet. Her advice for living a long life is: “take care of yourself and respect others.”
Born in Mitchell, Indiana, Mrs. Crispen graduated from Mitchell High School in 1934. Her husband, Loren K. Crispen, preceded her in death at the age of 99. The couple has a daughter, Karen, two grandchildren and four great-grandchildren. She worked for Reliance, a dress manufacturer in Kokomo and Ziker’s Cleaners of Kokomo.
Her favorite things to do include being with family, working at church, weeding her yard, decorating her home, cooking, sewing and burning candles. Her advice for living a long life: love God and family, speak your mind, no drinking or taking drugs, have clean fun and be patient.
Barbara Partain has faced much adversity in her life, including having to raise a family during the Great Depression, but she has persevered through it all. She and her husband, Phil, worked as partners to raise four children and operate a farm. During the Great Depression, the family’s farm and garden would supply the whole town with food during times of great need. Still to this day, Barbara enjoys gardening and feeding the hummingbirds that visit Brownsburg Meadows. She now has many hands to help tend to her garden including her 13 grandchildren, 18 great-grandchildren and 16 great-great-grandchildren.
Barbara says her secret to living a long life is to always be honest. "If you’re always honest, you will be rewarded."
Beatrice Beauchamp was a homemaker while also assisting her husband with the family business, Beauchamp Motor Parts. She was very involved in the church and sang every Sunday. Every year for her birthday, she enjoys eating chocolate cake.
Bernice Sayers has been a long-time Anderson resident and was an avid roller skater. A highlight of her life was a trip to New York City to see the legendary Rockettes dance group when she was 87 years old, two years after she retired. Bernice prides herself in working hard her whole life and offers the same advice to younger people: work hard for what you want.
Berniece Adamson, also known by her longtime nickname Beanie, grew up in Sweetser, Indiana. Beanie eventually moved to Hartford City, Indiana after marrying her husband Kenneth. They were married for 67 years.
Berniece was a homemaker. She enjoyed sewing and making quilts. She also enjoyed making Christmas candy and spoiling her dog Suzy. Beanie relied heavily on her Christian faith and practiced her faith with prayer. Some of the most important roles that she has had is being a wife and friend. The best advice Beanie has is, "Always be kind."
Bessie McReynolds is a proud great-grandmother and is truly beloved by all in the community. She is a delight to talk to and has a huge heart.
Bessie says the best days of her life were when her six children were born, and the best experience of her life was being a mother. She credits her longevity to her strong faith and her belief in Jesus Christ. When asked what words of wisdom she'd like to pass along, she said, "Be nice to everyone, and treat everyone with respect."