News Summary

Paula Burgstaller, director of activities at the Ohio Masonic Home, is right.

Stanley Turton "has every reason not to be happy."

Fortunately, he is not an entirely reasonable man.

At 85, Stanley lives at the home, 80 pumps of his wheelchair from his wife's room.

Before her condition deteriorated, Dolly would "just light up the minute he would come in," said Laura Bannick, activities supervisor.

With her Alzheimer's worsening, "she can't say anything," Stanley said. "But I talk to her" — and he does so in a voice as soft and warm as the blanket on her bed.

Another blanket hides the ends of Stanley's legs, largely removed in 2003, the ultimate result of the frostbite suffered while serving in a tank in World War II.

In those bitter European winters, "It was like sitting in a freezer," he recalled. Seated next to him was tank commander David Cameruci, also a Springfielder. It was while paying a visit to him that Stanley found Cameruci's sister, Dolly, in a snow bank.

"I put my hand out," he recalled, "and she took it."

A married Stanley doubled his wages to $1 an hour when he was hired on at Crowell-Collier, loading huge rolls of paper on to presses.

Every other Friday night, he'd go frog hunting on Beaver Creek with Cameruci and Dolly. Bull frogs were the quarry. They'd whack them with a board, clean them, then freeze them until the next June, when it was time to party.

"Everybody likes frogs legs," Stanley said.

He eventually moved on to the William Bayley Co., working in the paint room and by then wrapping his ulcerated legs every day before going in.

"You had to work. You had to keep on," he said.

Stanley and Dolly raised a son, Reece, who still lives in town. They also looked after some nieces and nephews after a fire killed their mother and burned their father.

For a month after his amputations, Stanley couldn't bear to look down. And he acknowledges that his and Dolly's aren't quite the golden years people expect.

But he doesn't brood.

"I'm just thankful that I'm here. I'm thankful that I'll be here with my wife. I'm thankful that I have a good home."

Between visits with Dolly, dominoes and cards, he does crafts and stops in on those who have lost limbs or have other troubles, offering encouragement.

He found a way to give this Christmas, too, pitching in $100 to help the less fortunate. Asking that it be used "for the babies," his money filled three kits of diapers, wipes and other necessities.

Stanley's advice?

It's as good for a new day, new week or new month as it is for a new year.

"Be happy every day," he said. "Take one day at a time."

And don't be an entirely reasonable person.