Remembering a Bender Who Traveled Far and Wide

Our friend, Lou Brock, shared some family photos with us recently. It seemed the perfect time to pay tribute to his father. Included are some of the photos from Lou’s collection. 

Wheeler in the 1930s.

              Today seemed appropriate to remember a Bender 47 years after his passing on May 19.1977. Wheeler Eagle Brock’s original family home was on land adjoining my mother’s farm at her northeast corner and the Brock land’s southwest corner. Wheeler’s mother, Lavaria, was an original Osage allottee.
                My maternal grandma, Gladys Vivian Rainey, formed a bond with young Wheeler when as a young woman she was employed by his mother, Lavaria Wheeler Brock. Grandma mastered the preparation of traditional grape dumplings after foraging the “possum” grapes from vines near the Arkansas River in the early fall season. I never tasted a bowl of grape dumplings that rivaled those Grandma made. The sole reason stemmed from the “wild” grapes rendering a richer, more robust flavor. This dish remains a standing dessert for the

Wheeler's parents, Lou and Lavaria 
Brock with Mildred, Wheeler's wife in 
the 1950s.

Osages, Cherokees, Chickasaws, and Choctaws when observing the traditions from the past.
                Wheeler served in the Merchant Marines. He sailed across the equator or in other words, sailed down under. Wheeler wore a tiny gold earring as a carry-over representing his extensive sailing while serving in the merchant marines.
                Wheeler chose Mildred Holman with whom he would spend the remainder of his life. They both loved to laugh, but Millie seemed to more frequently find the witty side of situations. Wheeler’s dry humor complemented Millie’s laughter-infused responses.
                When Wheeler retired from teaching in other states and countries and returned with his family to the Bend, my grandparents enjoyed many visits with them. Grandma frequently declared to Wheeler in those conversations how he was a favorite of his mother. His sensitivity, love of learning, and thoughtfulness endeared him to his mother.
                His son, Lou, stood as one of his chief accomplishments. Wheeler and Mildred fostered and nurtured their son’s love and God-given musical talent. For many decades, Lou blessed the Ralston Baptist Church as he played the organ and sang. 

Wheeler with his son, Lou
in the 1950s

Once the church had a guest preacher on a Sunday night. The attendance was sparce, but the retired pastor commented, “I thought I was in a much bigger church” based on the music to which Lou laughed heartily.               

                Wheeler respected and valued his Osage heritage. Ironically, this week I observed anew three of the buffalo wallows on Mother’s southwest side of her farm. Mrs. Floris Brandenburg reminisced to us in her class during elementary days of the buffalo wallows that dotted Osage and Pawnee counties as she urged us to cherish, remember, and learn from the past. Wheeler did just that. As so many of us who descend from different cultural backgrounds, we learn to honor each ethnicity that has made us who we are as Wheeler did.

A beautiful Indian
Paintbrush plant
blooming at the edge
of one of the smaller
buffalo wallows this
week.

                The overarching truth of our lives remains as Moses reminded in Deuteronomy 10:17: The Lord your God is the God of gods and Lord of lords. He is the great God, mighty and awesome, who shows no partiality and takes no bribes. Then the Apostle John wrote in I John 2:2 He (Jesus) is the sacrifice for our sins. He takes away not only our sins, but the sins of all the world. May we emulate the God who created and sustains us by responding with no partiality. Wheeler’s life advocated and demonstrated this principle. May our lives as well.