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.
-
Ellanore Hartman
March 19, 1921
Ellanore Hartman was born in Marion County, Indiana on March 19, 1921. She was raised on a farm as an only child and spent most of her time in the company of animals. From this farm lifestyle, she cultivated a love of gardening. She finds joy in her potted plants and flowers. She was blessed with two children. She has one granddaughter and two great-grandsons. She has said that her favorite job was being a midwife and delivering babies into the world. She was married to her husband Ervin for 50 years. She is an avid lover of animals, especially cats. She loves to watch the news, especially Randy Ollis on channel 8. In fact, he even came to surprise her for her 100th birthday celebration! As we look back at her 100 years on this earth, we celebrate the many things she has achieved and seen in her long and full life.
-
Cecil Stringer
March 7, 1918
Cecil is a COVID-19 survivor and attributes her recovery to hot sauce! Cecil loves hot sauce on everything. In addition to hot sauce, she has two big loves in her life: BINGO and her family! -
Emma Glass
December 27, 1918
Emma was raised on a farm and loves animals, especially horses. She also enjoys a variety of activities at the North Woods Village. Emma states, “The secret to living this long is activity. You got to keep the body moving. You can’t sit around on your buns.”
-
Edith Hallett
February 23, 1918
Brownsburg Meadows – Garden Homes, Assisted Living & Memory Care
Edith Hallett is an absolute joy to be around. She loves playing games and spending time doing arts & crafts in the community.
-
Lizzie Mae Barrett
January 24, 1917
Heritage House Rehabilitation & Healthcare Center
Lizzie Mae Barrett is a sweetheart! She loves engaging in activities and is always open to trying new things!
-
Virginia Swim
January 20, 2021
Coventry Meadows – Assisted Living, Memory Care & Garden Homes
Virginia Swim is a kind-hearted woman who always knows just what to say. She’s fun to be around and is a genuine friend.
-
Carmen Leffler
November 24, 1917
Good Samaritan Home & Rehabilitative Center
We are truly honored to serve Carmen Leffler. She is a joy to be around, and her uplifting spirit makes us all smile.
-
Stella Bennett
September 4, 1917
Swiss Villa Nursing & Rehabilitation
Stella is a mother to four children. She enjoys spending time with her family and friends, attending church services, going outside, listening to hymns, making crafts and playing Bingo! Stella’s best advice is, “Just get up everyday and do the best you can!” -
Catherine Hennemann
August 29, 1920
Stonebrooke Rehabilitation Center
Catherine “Katie” Hennemann conquered COVID-19 the same year she turned 100! Her only child, Deanna, is 80, and the two are very close. They always are so positive and love spending time with their family!
-
Eva Wilson
April 18, 1920
Eva Wilson was born and raised in Griffin, Indiana. She was married to Douglas for 45 years and is the mother of four children, two boys and two girls. She worked as the head cook at Gibault schools for over 35 years, and her favorite dish to make is chop suey. She has seven grandchildren, six great-grandchildren and one great-great-grandchild.
She said some of her favorite memories include getting to see her children grow up before her eyes, every first day of school and winning a spelling bee in the fifth grade.
Her best advice is, “Always be good and go to church!”
-
Earl Schneider
April 10, 1920
Heritage House Rehabilitation & Healthcare Center
Earl was born in Jennings County. He served in the Air Force for four years during WWII, ending his career as a Sergeant.
Earl loved hunting and going fishing. He was married for over 40 years to the late Helen Schneider. In his spare time he enjoys watching sports, especially baseball.
When asked if he had any words of wisdom, Earl said, “Live it up!”
-
Erna Yarck
April 4, 1920
Valparaiso Care & Rehabilitation Center
Erna Yarck was born in Hammond, Indiana and grew up with nine siblings. She has been blessed with many nephews and nieces. She loves to sew and to color, and her faith is very important to her. She always has a smile on her face, and she’s always putting smiles on other people’s faces.
-
Berniece Adamson
February 15, 1920
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.”
-
Betty Deree
January 7, 1920
Brownsburg Meadows – Healthcare
Betty Deree loves being a mother. In fact, aside from her faith, being a mother was the most important thing to her. She often says her favorite days were when she gave birth to her daughters. Her advice to everyone is to eat lots of candy!
-
Yvonne Steep
December 23, 1919
Zionsville Meadows – Assisted Living & Garden Homes
Yvonne graduated school in Westfield at the age of 16. In November of 1938, she married her first husband, Richard Essex. They had four beautiful children together. After 56 years of marriage, Richard passed away. She then met her second husband, James Steep. On their honeymoon, they went white water rafting in Alaska. She was 79 at the time! Yvonne enjoys painting, needlework, making quilts and coloring. She is most proud of her four children, nine grandchildren and 17 great grandchildren. Her best piece of advice for living a long life is, “Don’t let your brain know your age and always try to learn something new.”
-
Mary McEowen
December 3, 1919
American Village – Garden Homes, Independent Apartments, Assisted Living & Memory Care
Mary McEowen is a funny and kind member of the American Village community, and she credits her longevity to enjoying every possible moment. She recommends that we all follow her lead on that. Great advice, Mary!
-
Bessie McReynolds
November 14, 1919
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.
-
Flossie Borders
October 27, 1915
Flossie Borders has a huge heart and absolutely loves children. In fact, she raised 14 foster children over the course of her life! When she’s not talking to them, she’s playing Bingo or socializing with her peers. When asked for words of wisdom, she said, “Be compassionate and truthful to others.”
-
Ruby Newlin
October 4, 1919
Ruby was born in Camelsburg, Indiana to Vance and Gladys Batt. Ruby grew up with one brother and one sister. She has two sons, four grandchildren and eight great-grandchildren. She loves spending time with them! In 1996 Ruby was able to watch and cheer on her granddaughters on their way to a State Championship in softball!
-
Martha Bymaster
October 8, 1916
Zionsville Meadows – Assisted Living & Garden Homes
Martha was born in Lizton, Indiana. She graduated from Lizton High school in 1934. She grew up on a farm and as a young girl her father told her that she was not allowed to date until she was able to catch a chicken, kill it and fix it for dinner!
A mother of four, Martha has 10 grandchildren and “too many great-grandchildren to count.” She loves her big family and says it has always been the most important thing to her.