I just love this photo.  Such precious faces captured forever by our cousin Jean Bourscheidt.  It reminds me of a photo that Kansas native might have taken in his early years.  I found this gem in the scrapbook Jean took along with many other photographs of her students.  On the back she wrote, Aaron Porch, Wilbert Wilkins, March 6, 1925 Douglas Kindergarten.  I’m thinking that Aaron is on the left and Wilbert is on the right.  

I think he boys are sitting on the steps, in front of an entrance to the school.   The expression on their faces, Wilbert looks so happy to have his photo taken.  I just love their clothing.  Aaron, so dapper in a sailor suit.  Both boys have stockings and “short pants” And while Wilbert’s shirt has some tears to it, he is there at school ready to learn.  And his hands!  I just love how he has them positioned between his legs, like he was nervous to have his picture taken and just didn’t know what to do with them.  

Since Cousin Jean put their names on the photo, I thought I’d see what I could learn about the boys.  

Aaron Porch, was born March 7, 1920 in Birmingham, Alabama and died March 5 1985 in Peoria, Illinois.  I found that when he registered for the draft in 1941 that he worked for the Peoria Malleable Casting Company.  He was 5’10” and weighed 180 pounds.  He along with his wife, Fannie B are buried at Lutheran Cemetery in Peoria.  

Wilbert Wilkins was born February 11, 1921 in Peoria.  He too registered for the draft in February 1942 at the age of 21.  When he registered he was 5’9” and weighed 169 pounds.  At the time he worked for Walgreens Drug Store.  Wilbert died June 21, 1976 at the age of 55.  His obituary stated that he was an Army veteran of World War II and had last been employed by the Jefferson Hotel.  He was survived by one daughter, Miss Margaret Ann of Chicago and one brother James Collins of Peoria.  He is buried in an unmarked grave in Springdale Cemetery, in Peoria.  

An educator can touch your life in ways that you remember forever.  I hope that these two thought fondly of their time with our Cousin Jean and all that she taught them.