Thursday, March 22, 2012 / The Oldham Era Saying goodbye...
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Thursday, March 22, 2012 / The Oldham Era N E W S / A2 EXPERIENCE THE 2012BuickVerano includes all maintenance, XM and OnStar #12344 $ 349 - 24 months * CHECK THIS OUT! 37 MPG 33 MPG 37 MPG 3 EXPERIENCE CE T THE HE 2 2 201 01 01 0 2 2 2 B Bu Bu Bu Bu Bui ic ic ic ic ick k k k k k k k k k k k k k k V V V V Ve Vera ra ran no no includes all maintenance, XM and OnStar #12344 $ 349 24 th * 33 MPG DISCLAIMER: *On select models only. **39 month lease with approved credit from Allied Financial, low mileage lease, 12,000 miles per year. Zero due at signing.***48 month lease with approved credit from Allied Financial, 12,000 miles per year. $2,194 due at signing. Financing as low as 1.9%. 12 mo/12,000mi bumper to bumper warranty. 5 yr/100,000mi Powertrain warranty. 2yr/no charge maintenance included. 11493B • 06 CHEVROLET S10 •$6,671 P3208 • 11 GMC ACADIA AWD • $33,938 P3217A • 98 BUICK REGAL LS • $4,990 12246A • 06 GMC CANYON CREW • $15,400 P3215 • 04 MERCURY GRAND MARQUIS • $9,999 12031B • 07 CADILLAC CTS • $13,990 P3213 • 08 PONTIAC G8 GT • $25,837 11648A • 02 SATURN SL2 • $3,826 12343A • 08 SUZUKI SX4 • $10,567 P3223A • 06 PONTIAC GRAND PRIX • $8,980 P3154B • 03 AVALANCHE 4X4 • $13,495 12308A • 08 BUICK LUCERNE CXL • $15,385 12310A • 02 HONDA CR-V EX • $7,663 12071A • 04 CORVETTE COUPE • $23,918 12295A • 07 MERCURY MONTEGO • $12,000 12242B • 05 GMC SIERRA 4X4 • $14,500 12072A • 09 NISSAN MURANO • $24,676 P3218A • 06 CORVETTE CONVERTIBLE •$34,041 P3225A • 10 SILVERADO CREW CAB • $23,250 12271B • 06 CHEVROLET EQUINOX LT • $10,360 P3226A • 07 CADILLAC ESCALADE • $24,224 P3230 • 11 CHEVROLET IMPALA LT • $19,406 P3229 • 11 CHEVROLET MALIBU LT • $18,530 Make the short drive to La Grange and find out why no one beats a Champion! 12075A • 09 HONDA ACCORD EX • $16,990 2012ChevroletEquinox LS package, 6 speed auto, well equipped #12346 $ 23,500 or $ 229/mo ** 2012ChevroletCruze LS package, 1.8 liter ecotech, all power equipment #12232 $ 17,343 or $ 159/mo ** 33 MPG 20 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 012 12 12 12 12 Ch Ch Ch Ch Ch Ch Ch C e e ev evr rol l l let t Eq Eq E E E Eq E Eq Eq Eq Eq i ui ui u u ui u no no no o o o no o ox x x x x x x x LS S S S S pac pac kage, 6 speed d auto uto w w , well ell ell ell eq eq eq equip uip uip uipped ped ped ped #1 #1 #1234 234 2346 6 6 $ $ $ 2 23 3 3,5 5 50 0 00 0 0 or $ $ $ $ 2 2 22 2 29 9 9 9/ / /m m mo o o o ** 33 MPG 1-866-2-FREDSCHEVY • 502-222-9477 • driveachampion.com 502 S. 1st St • La Grange • I-71 at Exit 22 n C h amp i on CHEVROLET BUICK Y o u c a n ’ t b e a t a c h a m p i o n . . . EMPLOYEE PRICING ON ALL CHEVROLETS AND BUICKS At Champion! $ 1000 REBATE FOR AARP MEMBERS ON IMPALA AND COLORADO TRADE-IN BONUS CASH UP TO $ 2750 * ON ALL SILVERADO’S ON ALL 2012 BUICK ENCLAVES Get the Buick Experience BY TRACY HARRIS STAFF WRITER, THE OLDHAM ERA A young father of three lost his battle with cancer Sunday. Craig Merimee, 34, of Crestwood, was diagnosed with pancreatic cancer in October 2010. Merimee and his wife, Michelle, maintained a blog about the fam- ily’s journey. Michelle entered a final post Sunday, telling readers that Craig was surrounded by family when he died. “It was truly an alpha and omega moment as the same nurs- es and staff that took care of him in October 2010 helped keep him comfortable in his last moments of this journey,” she wrote. “Overwhelming feelings of relief, happiness, sadness and disbelief are on our hearts today.” When he was first diagnosed, Craig recalled friends and family who successfully battled cancer and believed he could fight it too. While his wife called family and friends, Craig Googled “pancreatic cancer” on his smartphone from the hospital bed. But when he read only 6 percent of pan- creatic cancer patients survive more than five years, he turned off his phone and prayed with the hospital chaplain. The disease is the fourth most-common cause of cancer death, with an estimated 44,000 diagnosed in the United States this year. But only 1.4 percent of those patients are younger than 40. Craig, who worked at BB&T Bank in La Grange, became an advocate for pancreatic cancer awareness, supporting the PANCAN organization and fundraising for research. He spoke to fiscal court about it and Judge-Executive David Voegele declared November Pancreatic Cancer Awareness month. Craig also met with a local repre- sentative for Sen. Mitch McConnell to encourage support of a bill that would develop a plan to research and provide education about the disease. The Merimees struggled with tough decisions, like ending chemo- therapy in December and what to tell their three young daughters, ages 6, 5 and 1. Michelle considered each holiday a milestone — the family was able to celebrate Christmas together, then birthdays for Emily, Morgan and Craig. His health began to deteriorate in mid-February. “Things are unfortunately getting worse and I’ve got that bad feeling,” Craig wrote on Valentine’s Day. At the end of February, Craig said he was realizing each day was not better than the day before. But in early March, Craig found the strength to attend a Jimmy Buffet concert in Louisville — an event that Craig and Michelle had looked forward to for several months. He was admitted to the hospital Saturday. He is survived by his wife, Michelle, and daughters Emily, Morgan and Hannah. For obituary information, see A16. Email us about this story at: [email protected]. with Jones after graduation. She still remembers Jones turning the Danity Kane song “Show Stoppin’” into a motto for students. “Whatever it was, he told us to be show stopping,” she said. “I hope we can all find comfort in the little things he left to make us smile.” Jones taught at the North Oldham cam- pus for nine years, spending his first year as a middle school teacher before NOHS opened the following year. As one of the first teachers at NOHS, Jones encouraged students to be positive about becoming a high school, Ricks said. “There was no school spirit, no belief in ourselves,” she said. “But he never let us say ‘I hate this school.’” Jones wanted the students to be proud of NOHS and wanted to see a school commu- nity develop. “We really are North now,” Ricks said. Jones continued teaching through much of his battle with cancer — his last day in the classroom was March 9. Jones underwent a number of surgeries, radiation and chemotherapy. The beginning of his treatments came during summer break, but Jones continued radiation treatments during the fall semes- ter. Jones told The Oldham Era then that he didn’t know if he would be able to make it through the school day because of nausea and other side effects from treatment. But he continued teaching and coaching football, despite the aid of a walker and cane for several months. In October 2009, the cancer in his liver and lungs had nearly disappeared and Jones was optimistic — although his opti- mism didn’t waver as his battle continued. That month, “Walkin’ For Will” at NOHS raised nearly $5,000 for his cancer treat- ment. The walk-a-thon was held before the season’s last home football game, and many players, students, faculty and parents walked to support the assistant coach. Students and staff wore “Walkin’ For Will,” “You, Me and Mr. Jones” and “WILL Power” T-shirts throughout Jones’ treat- ment. Jones became both a recipient and pur- veyor of the faculty’s prayer list, a fact that caught the eye of teacher and documentary filmmaker Roy LeBlanc. He interviewed Jones in February for an upcoming short film about the prayer list and showed that interview to faculty just after Jones died. LeBlanc plans to make the footage available to Jones’s family for use in memorial ceremonies. Coaches handed out football jerseys Friday so players can wear them to the funeral. School receptionist Lisa Lowrey describes Jones as a wonderful member of the NOHS family. “North Oldham High School was lucky to have had such an inspiration and he will never know how much he will be missed,” she said. Hundreds of former students, colleagues, friends and family posted on the “Support Will Jones!” Facebook group Thursday. More than 1,500 people belong to the group, which Jones and his wife, Katie, used to post updates. Many students have changed their Facebook profile photos to the “Will Power” fist that adorns many posters and T-shirts. Michelle Aubrey, a former student, said she had Jones as a teacher twice while at NOHS. “Out of all the teachers I had he had one of the greater impacts,” she said. “His enthusiasm and joy was inspiring. He was never afraid to do something silly for a laugh and his unadulterated kindness and spirit is something that will stick with me for life.” Jones was admitted to the hospital with pneumonia on Monday. Katie posted on the Facebook group that Jones did not suffer in his final days and spent his last hours surrounded by family and friends. “After a long, determined battle, Will could fight no more,” she wrote. Many teachers and students heard the news before school began Thursday. Junior Will Conard led a student prayer circle Thursday during lunch attended by several hundred students. Jarrett said the strength and together- ness shown by students and staff has been “truly remarkable.” Students have written cards and let- ters to Jones’s family and are starting on a mural in the lobby. Jarrett said they hope to rename the football stadium after Jones. In her final update, Katie echoed the impact the community had on her family’s lives. “I have never witnessed such an outpour- ing of love and support in my life,” she said. “I will never be able to thank all of you personally or enough for all you have done for our family over the past two-and-a-half years. I know that it meant the world to Will, too.” Originally from Marietta, Ga., Jones earned a bachelor’s degree from Hanover College in Indiana and his master’s degree from Bellarmine University. Jones is survived by wife, Katie, and son, Mack. Services were Monday, March 19, at Northeast Christian Church. For obituary information, see A16. Memorial contributions may go to the “Will Power” student scholarship fund at NOHS or to the American Cancer Society. Email us about this story at: [email protected]. Jones Continued from A1 Saying goodbye Young Crestwood father dies from pancreatic cancer Crestwood father Craig Merimee became an advo- cate for pan- creatic cancer research. Craig and Michelle Merimee with their daughters – Emily, Morgan and Hannah – at Christmas. SUBMITTED PHOTO
Transcript of Thursday, March 22, 2012 / The Oldham Era Saying goodbye...
Thursday, March 22, 2012 / The Oldham Era N E W S / A2
EXPERIENCE THE 2012BuickVeranoincludes all maintenance, XM and OnStar #12344$349 - 24 months*
CHECK THIS OUT!
37 MPG
33 MPG
37 MPG
3
EXPERIENCECE T THEHE 2 220101010 222BBuBuBuBuBuiicicicicickkkkkkkkkkkkkkkVVVVVeVerararannonoincludes all maintenance, XM and OnStar #12344$349 24 th *
33 MPG
DISCLAIMER: *On select models only. **39 month lease with approved credit from Allied Financial, low mileage lease, 12,000 miles per year. Zero due at signing.***48 month lease with approved credit from Allied Financial, 12,000 miles per year. $2,194 due at signing.
Financing as low as 1.9%. 12 mo/12,000mi bumper to bumper warranty. 5 yr/100,000mi Powertrain warranty. 2yr/no charge maintenance included.
11493B • 06 CHEVROLET S10 •$6,671
P3208 • 11 GMC ACADIA AWD • $33,938P3217A • 98 BUICK REGAL LS • $4,990 12246A • 06 GMC CANYON CREW • $15,400 P3215 • 04 MERCURY GRAND MARQUIS • $9,999 12031B • 07 CADILLAC CTS • $13,990P3213 • 08 PONTIAC G8 GT • $25,837 11648A • 02 SATURN SL2 • $3,826
12343A • 08 SUZUKI SX4 • $10,567 P3223A • 06 PONTIAC GRAND PRIX • $8,980P3154B • 03 AVALANCHE 4X4 • $13,495 12308A • 08 BUICK LUCERNE CXL • $15,385 12310A • 02 HONDA CR-V EX • $7,663
12071A • 04 CORVETTE COUPE • $23,91812295A • 07 MERCURY MONTEGO • $12,000 12242B • 05 GMC SIERRA 4X4 • $14,500 12072A • 09 NISSAN MURANO • $24,676 P3218A • 06 CORVETTE CONVERTIBLE •$34,041P3225A • 10 SILVERADO CREW CAB • $23,250 12271B • 06 CHEVROLET EQUINOX LT • $10,360
P3226A • 07 CADILLAC ESCALADE • $24,224 P3230 • 11 CHEVROLET IMPALA LT • $19,406 P3229 • 11 CHEVROLET MALIBU LT • $18,530
Make the short drive to La Grange and fi nd out why no one beats a Champion!
12075A • 09 HONDA ACCORD EX • $16,990
2012ChevroletEquinoxLS package, 6 speed auto, well equipped #12346$23,500 or $229/mo**
2012ChevroletCruzeLS package, 1.8 liter ecotech, all power equipment #12232$17,343 or $159/mo**
33 MPG
2000000000001212121212ChChChChChChChC eeevevrrollllettEqEqEEEEqEEqEqEqEq iuiuiuuuiu nononoooonoooxxxxxxxxLSSS SS pacpacp kage, 6 speedd autouto ww, wellellellell eqeqeq equipuipuipuippedpedpedped #1 #1 #1234234234666$$$ ,22333,555000000 or
$$$$2222229999///mmmoooo**
33 MPG
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BY TRACY HARRISSTAFF WRITER, THE OLDHAM ERA
A young father of three lost his battle with cancer Sunday.
Craig Merimee, 34, of Crestwood, was diagnosed with pancreatic cancer in October 2010.
Merimee and his wife, Michelle, maintained a blog about the fam-ily’s journey.
Michelle entered a final post Sunday, telling readers that Craig was surrounded by family when he died.
“It was truly an alpha and omega moment as the same nurs-es and staff that took care of him in October 2010 helped keep him comfortable in his last moments of this journey,” she wrote.
“Overwhelming feelings of relief, happiness, sadness and disbelief are on our hearts today.”
When he was first diagnosed, Craig recalled friends and family who successfully battled cancer and believed he could fight it too.
While his wife called family and friends, Craig Googled “pancreatic cancer” on his smartphone from the hospital bed.
But when he read only 6 percent of pan-creatic cancer patients survive more than five years, he turned off his phone and prayed with the hospital chaplain.
The disease is the fourth most-common cause of cancer death, with an estimated 44,000 diagnosed in the United States this year. But only 1.4 percent of those patients are younger than 40.
Craig, who worked at BB&T Bank in La Grange, became an advocate for pancreatic
cancer awareness, supporting the PANCAN organization and fundraising for research. He spoke to fiscal court about it and Judge-Executive David Voegele declared November Pancreatic Cancer Awareness
month.Craig also met with a local repre-
sentative for Sen. Mitch McConnell to encourage support of a bill that would develop a plan to research and provide education about the disease.
The Merimees struggled with tough decisions, like ending chemo-therapy in December and what to tell their three young daughters, ages 6, 5 and 1.
Michelle considered each holiday a milestone — the family was able to celebrate Christmas together, then birthdays for Emily, Morgan and Craig.
His health began to deteriorate in mid-February.
“Things are unfortunately getting worse and I’ve got that bad feeling,” Craig wrote on Valentine’s Day.
At the end of February, Craig said he was realizing each day was not better than the day before.
But in early March, Craig found the strength to attend a Jimmy Buffet concert in Louisville — an event that Craig and Michelle had looked forward to for several months. He was admitted to the hospital Saturday.
He is survived by his wife, Michelle, and daughters Emily, Morgan and Hannah. For obituary information, see A16.
Email us about this story at: [email protected].
with Jones after graduation.She still remembers Jones turning the
Danity Kane song “Show Stoppin’” into a motto for students.
“Whatever it was, he told us to be show stopping,” she said. “I hope we can all find comfort in the little things he left to make us smile.”
Jones taught at the North Oldham cam-pus for nine years, spending his first year as a middle school teacher before NOHS opened the following year.
As one of the first teachers at NOHS, Jones encouraged students to be positive about becoming a high school, Ricks said.
“There was no school spirit, no belief in ourselves,” she said. “But he never let us say ‘I hate this school.’”
Jones wanted the students to be proud of NOHS and wanted to see a school commu-nity develop.
“We really are North now,” Ricks said.Jones continued teaching through much
of his battle with cancer — his last day in the classroom was March 9.
Jones underwent a number of surgeries, radiation and chemotherapy.
The beginning of his treatments came during summer break, but Jones continued radiation treatments during the fall semes-ter.
Jones told The Oldham Era then that he didn’t know if he would be able to make it through the school day because of nausea and other side effects from treatment.
But he continued teaching and coaching football, despite the aid of a walker and cane for several months.
In October 2009, the cancer in his liver and lungs had nearly disappeared and Jones was optimistic — although his opti-mism didn’t waver as his battle continued.
That month, “Walkin’ For Will” at NOHS raised nearly $5,000 for his cancer treat-ment. The walk-a-thon was held before the season’s last home football game, and many players, students, faculty and parents walked to support the assistant coach.
Students and staff wore “Walkin’ For Will,” “You, Me and Mr. Jones” and “WILL Power” T-shirts throughout Jones’ treat-ment.
Jones became both a recipient and pur-veyor of the faculty’s prayer list, a fact that caught the eye of teacher and documentary filmmaker Roy LeBlanc.
He interviewed Jones in February for an upcoming short film about the prayer list and showed that interview to faculty just after Jones died. LeBlanc plans to make the footage available to Jones’s family for use in memorial ceremonies.
Coaches handed out football jerseys Friday so players can wear them to the funeral.
School receptionist Lisa Lowrey describes Jones as a wonderful member of the NOHS family.
“North Oldham High School was lucky to have had such an inspiration and he will never know how much he will be missed,” she said.
Hundreds of former students, colleagues, friends and family posted on the “Support Will Jones!” Facebook group Thursday. More than 1,500 people belong to the group, which Jones and his wife, Katie, used to post updates.
Many students have changed their Facebook profile photos to the “Will Power” fist that adorns many posters and T-shirts.
Michelle Aubrey, a former student, said she had Jones as a teacher twice while at NOHS.
“Out of all the teachers I had he had one of the greater impacts,” she said. “His enthusiasm and joy was inspiring. He was never afraid to do something silly for a laugh and his unadulterated kindness and spirit is something that will stick with me for life.”
Jones was admitted to the hospital with pneumonia on Monday.
Katie posted on the Facebook group that Jones did not suffer in his final days and spent his last hours surrounded by family and friends.
“After a long, determined battle, Will could fight no more,” she wrote.
Many teachers and students heard the news before school began Thursday. Junior Will Conard led a student prayer circle Thursday during lunch attended by several hundred students.
Jarrett said the strength and together-ness shown by students and staff has been “truly remarkable.”
Students have written cards and let-ters to Jones’s family and are starting on a mural in the lobby. Jarrett said they hope to rename the football stadium after Jones.
In her final update, Katie echoed the impact the community had on her family’s lives.
“I have never witnessed such an outpour-ing of love and support in my life,” she said. “I will never be able to thank all of you personally or enough for all you have done for our family over the past two-and-a-half years. I know that it meant the world to Will, too.”
Originally from Marietta, Ga., Jones earned a bachelor’s degree from Hanover College in Indiana and his master’s degree from Bellarmine University.
Jones is survived by wife, Katie, and son, Mack. Services were Monday, March 19, at Northeast Christian Church. For obituary information, see A16. Memorial contributions may go to the “Will Power” student scholarship fund at NOHS or to the American Cancer Society.
Email us about this story at: [email protected].
JonesContinued from A1Saying goodbye
Young Crestwood father dies from pancreatic cancer
Crestwood father Craig Merimee became an advo-cate for pan-creatic cancer research.
Craig and Michelle Merimee with their daughters – Emily, Morgan and Hannah – at Christmas.
SUBMITTED PHOTO
