This post was written by Tim O’Sullivan, spiritual and social services supervisor, Parkview Hospice.
The Canal Stock Farm is more than a historical landmark along Old 24 in New Haven, Indiana. It is the home to now six generations of Ronald Hockemeyer’s family. Over the past year, members of the Parkview Hospice team had the privilege of getting to know Ron and the legacy of his familial home.
As Ron was aging, and care needs arose, it became clear that the farm was no longer the safest place for him to stay. He moved to a local care facility, with the understanding that he might not see the family farm again. However, the change in surroundings did not diminish his connection to home. He often shared stories about his days on the farm with his hospice caregivers.
Ron’s great-grandfather started the farm in 1882 when he purchased the property located between the Maumee River and the Wabash and Erie Canal, which had been abandoned in 1870. He moved onto the land with his wife and ten children (they ended up with thirteen). In the earliest days of the farm, a significant amount of muscle and sweat went into harvesting timber from the land. With this lumber, the family began constructing a barn to house horses, cows, hogs, hay and grain. This barn was completed in 1888.
Through both abundant and lean years, the farm continued to operate. It was passed down to Ron’s grandfather, then to his father, and finally to him. After a lifetime of memories and hard work, Ron handed the farm to his son, Kyle, who grows corn, soybeans and alfalfa hay for the farm’s Angus beef herd.
Ron expressed his desire to have just one more day on the farm with his Parkview Hospice social worker, Emily Zimmerman. Emily was aware of a new program that makes the wishes of Parkview Hospice patients come true. She filled out the application and identified all the resources needed to secure a safe visit. Through the generosity of donors to the Parkview Foundation Hospice Fund, Ron’s day on the farm was made a reality.
He was accompanied by his wife, daughter, and five grandchildren. On the day of the visit, the planned event on the farm was to make hay. It was a typical mid-July day, hot and humid. Rain tried to slow the work, but by late evening, the hay was brought into the barn for winter feed, and a farmer’s heart had been blessed by spending one more day down on the farm.
Giving opportunities
Philanthropic support to Parkview Hospice through the Parkview Health Foundation enables care for all patients, regardless of insurance coverage or ability to pay for services. Your gifts provide comfort to those spending their final time at home with family by alleviating pain, reducing discomfort, treating symptoms and enhancing the quality of life. To learn more about designating a gift to the Parkview Foundation Hospice Fund, visit our website here.
