Untitled Document

Tough elder finds joy in life

(Large photo at top of Francis Glaspey in his fields, background is of cows; caption underneath says: Francis Glaspey of Hills still enjoys tending animals and doing farm chores.)

94-YEAR-OLD
Continued from Page One [I'm missing the first page]

"…They took my driver's license away. That really set me back and made life unhandy," he said.

And now, Francis Glaspey wavers on the brink of one more tragic loss. "I don't mind my bones stiffening up and I don't mind my hearing going a little, but I fret everyday about going blind. My eyesight is all I've got left to depend upon. But, if it happens, it happens. I've always been the type of fellow to make do," he said.

Glaspey keeps house, does laundry once a week on an old wringer washing machine and cooks most of his own meals. Recently, a homemaker from the Johnson County Department of Social Services began dropping in weekly to help out.

The homemaker, Lisa Walz, related: "Francis Glaspey is the kind of person who would die within six months if he were forced to live in a nursing home where everything was done for him. He has a tremendously positive outlook on life. He eats and lives simply. He has terrific pride in his work and he has family nearby."

Glaspey offers no magic formula for a long life: "It boils down to good habits and good luck. I don't gamble, smoke cigarettes or drink alcohol, but I do chew (tobacco). I've still got two good legs and two good feet."

His one regret in life: "I dropped out of school in the third grade and took a job. If I had to do it over again, I'd get me a decent education."

As for death: "I give some thought to dying, but I'm still kicking. I feel good enough to make it to 100. I don't belong to any church, and I'm not proud of that. But I believe in being honest and in being neighborly. I believe in leading a good and decent life.

"What's better for a fellow to believe in anyway?"

If anyone has the first part of this article, I would love a copy! Please email me.