Without your support, our organization cannot exist.

Members,

Being a member of the Family Thiels – Tiels – Thils – Tils” has many advantages:

• Every half-year, you get your family issue send home.
• You keep up with all the family news.
• You get a better view of the other branches of the family tree.
• A reunion will be organised every 5 years.

Contribution,

• One becomes a member by transferring to our account number: 001-2047737-46 .
• The contribution for Belgium members is € 12 a year.
• Members from other European countries pay € 18 a year.
• Non-European members pay $ 25 a year.
• Supporting contribution is always welcome.
• IBAN and BIC Nr. of our account can be found in our periodical or on demand.

Family photo book Thiels - Thils - Tiels - Tils,

• After years of collecting, scanning, editing the photo book is finally published. The photo book of the family. It’s not just any picture book; it’s a grasp out of the rich photo collection of the Thiels – Thils – Tiels – Tils family history.
• We have included photographs of our relatives in Belgium, USA, the Netherlands and France. Individual and family portraits, as well as photographs of wedding parties and Holy Communions, the photo book is truly comprehensive. For reasons of nostalgia, the older photographs take center stage, but of course, we also included a few recent ones.
• Totally 733 photos were published.
• You can order the photo book by transferring € 25 or $ 30 on our account.
• This photo book is presented to family members only.

ALSO STILL AVAILABLE

BOOK

The Thiels family of the USA

• 169 pages of information and genealogy.
• 92 photos.
• 30 documents.
• Printed on quality paper.
• Price: $ 25 per book
• Upon order received, books will be mailed. Price includes the costs of shipping.

TOP

HOLVAO and HOLVEO

As you can read the family Thiels - Thils - Tiels - Tils consist, concerning Belgium , into two separate parts named Holvao and Holveo. These two files are not connected so far.

HOLVAO = The Old Land of Aarschot and its surroundings.
HOLVEO = The Old Land of Edingen and its surroundings.

The Holvao file consist of 10784 names and 3845 relations.
The Holveo file consist of 4468 names and 1792 relations.

To keep the structure of these files well-organized, these two major files are divided into branches in which you, by this, can find the parents and where they came from. These parents are the beginning of a side branch.

HOLVAO- parents

Josephus Joannes Thiels x Anna Barbara Rombouts
Rosalia Thiels x Louis Mariën
Elisabeth Thiels x Joannes Michael Geysels
Florentinus Norbertus Thiels x M. T. Vandenbosch
Joseph Sebastianus Thiels x Florentina Verheggen
Ludovicus Thiels x Rosalia Maria Aerts
Joannes Carolus Thiels x J. Florentina Van Braeckel
Ludovicus Leopoldus Thiels x M. T. Goukens
Petrus Vincentius Thiels x Joanna Maria Knoops
Josephus Thiels x Christina Schae
Joannes Baptist Thiels x Maria Leonia Goos
Regina Thiels x Josephus Lamineur
Petrus Josephus Thiels x Maria Van Herck
.Thiels x . (= 5 generaties voor de 17 kinderen)
Petrus Servatius Thiels x Anna Maria Van Den Broeck
Anna Barbara Thiels x Petrus Wouters
Joannes Thiels x Anna Theresia Morreaux
Maria Dymphna Thiels x Nicolaas Joseph Franck
Eugenia Helena Thiels Thiels x Jocobus Geyskens
Maria Crescentia Thiels x Paulus Meynkens
Maria Bernardina Thiels x Van Dingenen / Van Den Bulck
Anna Maria Thiels x Joannes Lintermans
Maria Catharina Thiels x Laureys / Derboven
Franciscus Alphonsus Thiels x Coleta Vermeulen
Maria Catharina Thiels x Jan Baptist Soels
Carolus Franciscus Thiels x Maria Theresia Leynen
Franciscus Thiels x Maria Paessens
Maria Barbara Thiels x Josephus Vercammen
Maria Florentina Thiels x Arthus Roothooft
Isabella Barbara Thiels x Norbertus Sybens
Maria Dymphna Thiels x Michael Van Eepoel
Joannes Norbertus Thiels x Elisabeth Maria Janssen
Joannes Franciscus Thiels x Maria Aldegonda Delhaye
Anna Barbara Thiels x Bernardus Torfs
Augustinus Thiels x Marie Joanna Fillette
Bernardina Thiels x Alphonse Petrus
Ludovicus Thiels x Emma Elisabeth Petrus
Joannes Michael Thiels x Marie Louise Fillette
Josephus Thiels x Theresa Mary Vanswyvelt
Georgius August Mariën x Maria Philomena Vandersypen
Joannes Franciscus Mariën x Theresa Verswyvelt
Joseph Mariën x Paulina Margaretha Lemmens
Bartholomeus Tielens x Gertrudis Willems
Maria Dymphna Thiels x Jan Baptist Sterckx
Ludovicus Tils x Johanna van Waarsenburg
Catharina Tils x Dominicus Willems
Johannes Thiels x Ida van den Boer
                             xx Maria Anna Mollen
                             xxx Digna Allewijns
Arnoldus Thiels x Johanna Elisabeth de Kuster
Ludovicus Thiels x Maria Cornelia Wils
Adrianus Tils
Johannes Jacobus Tiels x Anna Elsen
                                           xx Johanna Donkers
Gregorius Tils x Anna Maria Cuijpers
                         xx Hendriena Verdonk
Charles Amandus Thiels x Ingetje Leenheer

HOLVEO- parents

Guilielmus Thiels x Joanna Moermans
Vincent Jan B aptist Thiels x Maria Margareta Dierickx
Marie Lucie Thiels
Maurice Thiels x Henriette Dilger
August Tiels x Catharina Decoster
Petrus Thiels x Maria Catharina Virginie Bethume
Benjamin Thils x Zaïre Vandenabbeele
Egidius Thiels x Signies / Grevelinckx
Sylvester Tiels x Maria Vanhoegaerden
Joannes Victor Tiels x Maria Leunens
Maria Josephina Thiels x Carolus Ludovicus Favaits
Leontina Thiels x Debobbeleer / Allebosch
Adrianus Thiels x Anna Maria Decoster
Joannes Franciscus Thiels x Somers / Sermeus
Carolus Joseph Tiels x Maria Sophia Grisez
Désirée Thiels x Franciscus Neufkens
Petrus Josephus Thiels x Maria Victorina Paridaens
Leander Tiels x Philomena Moonens
Eugène Petrus Tiels x Adrienna Moons
Maria Louisa Thiels x Julien Bellemans
Josephus Thiels x Maria Thérèse Gerard
Petrus Thiels x Maria Bernardina Gheys
Petrus Thiels x Maria Coppens
Lucia Christina Thiels x Nestor Dedobbeleer
Philippus Thiels x François / Van Yperseel
Petrus Joseph Tils x Cecile Meeremans
Adrianus Thils x Carolina Vercleren
Jan Baptist Thils x Maria Irma Marin

Branche

Aarschot I
Aarschot II
Aarschot III
Antwerpen I
Antwerpen II
Blauberg I
Blauberg II
Brussel I
Brussel II
Brussel III
Duffel I
Emblem I
Herentals I
Herselt I
Herselt II
Herselt III
Herselt IV
Herselt IV a
Herselt IV b
Herselt IV c
Herselt V
Herselt VI
Herselt VII
Langdorp I
Langdorp II
Lummen I
Molenstede I
Ramsel I
Ramsel II
Ramsel III
Ramsel IV
Rijkevorsel I
Roisin I
Tessenderlo I
Alexandria I
Alexandria II
Alexandria III
Alexandria IV
Alexandria V
Alexandria VI
Alexandria VII
Alexandria VIII
Veerle I
Veerle II
Helmond I
Luyksgestel I
Luyksgestel II

Luyksgestel III
Luyksgestel IV
Valkenswaard I
Veldhoven I

Veldhoven II

Rotterdam I

Branche
 
Bever I
Bever II
Burbure I
Canada I
Chapelle I
Corroy I
Edingen I
Galmaarden I
Herfelingen I
Herfelingen II
Herfelingen III
Herfelingen IV
Herfelingen V
Herfelingen VI
Herfelingen VII
Herfelingen VIII
Kester I
Kester II
Kester III
Kester IV
La Louvière I
La Louvière II
Oetingen I
Oetingen II
St. Pieters-Kapelle I
St. Pieters-Kapelle II
Tollembeek I
Waterloo I

On November 18, 2010 is born Mathis COLLIN, son of Serge COLLIN and Sofie OST, grandson of Etienne Ost and Christiane Raveydts, great grandson of Frans Raveydts and Adolphine De Dobbeleer. Mathis belongs to our family branch Oetingen II.

On February , 2011 is born in Wilrijk Fill Fien Tim THIELS, third child of Jens THIELS and Anke MUYLLE. She is the grand-daughter of Frank THIELS and Linda PEETERS, great grand-daughter of Jozef THIELS and Elisabeth SEEBREGHS. Godfather is Tim Van Neuland and Godmother is Fien Offeciers (friends of the parents). Fill belongs to our family branch Antwerp II.

On October 4, 2010 is born in the General hospital of the city of Geraardsbergen Isis DELBAUF, daughter of Jurgen DELBAUF and Saskia LETOUCHE , granddaughter of the late Hendrik DELBAUF and Greta MEGANCK. Godmother and Godfather are respectively Greta Demeuldre and Arthur Delbauf (uncle). Isis belongs to our family branch Galmaarden I.

On July 18, 2010 is born in Antwerp Pep THIELS, son of Thomas THIELS and Karden DESMEDT, grandson of Frank THIELS and Linda DECKERS. Pep belongs to our family branch Antwerpen II.

On July 23, 2010 is born in Alexandria, Louisiana Maddox Carter GAINES, son of Matthew GAINES and Mandy MATHEWS, grandson of Charles ‘Chuck’ GAINES and Janel THIELS. Maddox belongs to our family branch Alexandria IV.

On September 25, 2009 married in Halle Lieven TROOST and Daisy GERYL. Lieven is the son of the late Erik TROOST and Lutgart THIELS, the grandson of Hubert THIELS and Germaine OSCE. The ecclesiastic wedding took place in the Our Lady Basilica in Halle, the civil wedding also in Halle. The new couple belongs to our family branch Brussels I.

August 1, 2009 is the wedding day of LeeAnn Elisabeth ASHLEY and Luke Anthony BORREL. They married in the St. Francis Xavier Cathedral in Alexandria, Louisiana. LeeAnn is the daughter of the late Gary ASHLEY and Marilyn DUNN, granddaughter of Houston DUNN and Lucille THIELS. The  new couple belongs to our family branch Alexandria IV.

On October 16, 2009 married on board of the paddle wheeler ‘Natchez’ in New Orleans, Louisiana Ashley PARSONS of Waldron, Arkansas and Christopher DEKEYZER. Ashley is the daughter of Alan and Polly PARSONS. Christopher is the son of John Jeffrey DEKEYZER and Susan SCARBOROUGH, the grandson of Glynn Lamar SCARBOROUGH and Alice Faye VAUGN, great grandson of Prentis SCAERBOROUGH and Odile THIELS. The young couple belongs to our family branch Alexandria IV.

On March 12, 2010  are married in Charleroi Françoise TIELS and Henri THYRION. Françoise is the daughter of the late Eugène TIELS and the late Josette FELIX, granddaughter of August TIELS and Joséphine DE COSTER. The new couple belongs to our family branch Chapelle I.

On May 8, 2010 were married in the Saint Francis Xavier Cathedral in Alexandria, Louisiana Andrew Franklin SIMMS from Leesville, Louisiana and Kimberly Marie AARON from Pineville, Louisiana. Kimberly is the daughter of Hubert Franklin AARON III and Annette Marie DUNN, the granddaughter of Houston DUNN and Lucille Elizabeth THIELS. The young couple belongs to our family branch Alexandria IV.

On January 7, 2012 passed away Gregory Stephan THIELS husband of Nicole JACOBS. He is born in Diest on February 17, 1946 as the son of Alphons THIELS and Paulina Taskin, grandson of Ludovicus THIELS and Maria Stephania SWEERTS. The funeral services for Gregory were held in the chapel of ‘Julis’ funeral home in Diest on January 13, 2012. The cremation and the placing of the urn have been done within the family circle. Gregory belongs to our family branch Veerle I.

On November 28, 2011 passed away in the Rapides Regional Medical Center in Alexandria, Louisiana Francis Raymond "Ray" VAN MOL, husband of Margaret GILGO and widower of Louise PRINGLE.  Ray was born in Alexandria, Louisiana on April 16, 1932 as the first child of Francis Joseph VAN MOL and Alice THIELS, grandchild of Franciscus Ludovicus THIELS and Emma Elisabeth PETRUS.  The Mass of Christian Burial was celebrated in the Saint Frances Cabrini Church in Alexandria, Louisiana, followed by the interment in the Alexandria Memorial Gardens on December 1, 2011. Ray belongs to our family branch Alexandria III

On November 7, 2011 died in his home in Blauberg (Herselt) Augustinus Florentina "Staf" THIELS, husband of Simonne Maria Rosalia SCHAUWAERS. He is born in Herselt on July 18, 1944 as the son of Ludovicus Josephus (Jef) THIELS and Laura Maria Dymphna DE GROOT. He was the ex-manager of the “Timber yard Thiels” in Blauberg (Herselt). The funeral Mass of Christian burial took place in the Our Lady of Immaculate Conception in Blauberg on November 12, 2011, followed by the cremation in Turnhout and the burial of the cinerary urn at the cemetery in Blauberg. Staf belongs to our family branch Blauberg II.

On November 5, 2011 died in his home in Vremde Karel Hubert Gerard Cornelius THIELS, husband of Nelly CORTEZ – ORTIZ. He is born in Lummen on October 26, 1931 as son of Joseph Carolus THIELS and Maria Louisa VANDUFFEL. Karel was between 1957 and 1966 diocese priest in Potosi, Bolivia. The cremation took place on November 12, 2011 as well as the funeral liturgy in the parish church of Saint John in the Oil in Vremde. Karel belongs to our family branch Lummen I.

On September 3, 2011 passed away in St-Pieters-Leeuw, Julien HUWAERT, husband of Francine HEREMANS. He is born on December 8, 1928 in St-Pieters-Leeuw. Julien is the father of Rudi Huwaert and father-in-law of Rita Dedobbeleer of our family branch Oetingen II. The farewell ceremony was held in the crematorium in Vilvoorde on September 8, 2011 followed by the dispersion of the ashes in closed family circle.

On August 11, 2011 passed away in his home in Diest Romain Stephanus THIELS, husband of Simone GELAES. He is born in Diest on May 11, 1929 as the son of Petrus Joannes THIELS and Maria Anna JACQUEMIJN. He was co-manager of the NV THIELS in Diest.
The funeral service is held on August 19, 2011 in ‘Julis’ in Diest where-after he has been put to rest on the cemetery of Diest. Romain belongs to our family branch Veerle I. 

On May 5, 2011 passed away in the Red Deer Regional Hospital, Red Deer, Alberta, Canada, Marcel Victor THIELS, son of Maurice Joseph THIELS and Henriette Simone DILGER. Marcel was their first born child on September 21, 1931 in Haine-Saint-Paul, Belgium. In 1939 his parents emigrated to Canada with their 3 children. There another 2 children were born. The funeral service took place on May 11 at the Metcalf Funeral Chapel at Innisfail, Alberta.

On May 19, 2011 services have been held for Andrew Joseph VAN MOL in “Alexandria Memorial Gardens” in Alexandria, Louisiana.
Andrew was born in 1939 as the son of Andrew James VAN MOL and Rosalie MARIËN and passed away in his home in Latenier, Louisiana on May 15, 2011. Andrew was a farmer and cattleman in Latenier. He belongs to our family branch Alexandria VIII.

We recently learned about the death of Lamberta THIELS, wife of Lodewijk MULKENS and this on November 29, 2009 in the elder home St. Lambertus in Zelem. She was the oldest child and daughter of Antoon THIELS and Rosalia VANDERLINDEN born in Beringen on July 19, 1929. Lamberta was a nursery teacher and later teacher in Congo, she belongs to our family branch Lummen I.

On Saturday April 2, 2011 passed away in her family circle in Dilbeek Germaine Petronella OSCE, wife of Hubert THIELS. She is born in Dworp on September 29, 1913 as the first child of Jan Frans Oscé and Victorina Petronella Denayer. The Funeral Mass was held on April 9 in the Dominiek Savio Church in Dilbeek, followed by enternment on the cemetery in Saint-John-Molenbeek. Germaine is the mother of our family president  Mark Thiels and she belongs to our family branch Brussel I.

On March 26, 2011 passed away in the General Hospital Saint Lucas in Ghent Sylvain Stephanus TIELS, husband of Monique VAN LAER. He is born on July 22, 1950 as son of Petrus TIELS and Maria Alice Elisabeth LECOCQ, grandson of Sylvester THIELS and Maria Antonia VANHOEGAERDEN. The funeral Mass was held in the Christ King Parish Church in Wetteren.  Sylvain belongs to our family branch Herfelingen I.

On Sunday March 13, 2011 passed away at the age of 69 years in his residence in Alexandria, Louisiana James Louis "Jimmy" DE KEYZER. James is the son of Jerome Augustine “Pete” DE KEYZER and Josephine Bertha MARIËN, grandson of Joseph Mariën and Paulina Margaretha Lemmens and great grandson of Franciscus Mariën and Rosalia Thiels (sister of Henricus Thiels married to Anna Maria Brems). A Mass of Christian Burial was celebrated on Wednesday March 16, 2011 at the St. Rita Catholic Church, followed by the burial at the "Greenwood Memorial Park" in Pineville, Louisiana. James was a retired farmer and belongs to our family branch Alexandria VIII.

On January 19, 2011 died in Tienen Angèle VAN EEPOEL, widow of the late Michel DECA. She  was born in Aarschot on December 6, 1923 as daughter of Petrus VAN EEPOEL and Maria Ludovica SYBENS, granddaughter of Norbertus SYBENS and Isabella Barbara THIELS. Angèle belongs to our family branch Ramsel III.

On February 3, 2011 passed away in Boyce, Louisiana Christopher Keith HOLT, Jr. He is born on May 16, 1975 in Beaumont, Texas as first child of Christopher Keith HOLT, Sr. and Evelyn Faye THIELS, grandchild of James Leroy "Jimmy" THIELS and the late Beverly Jane "Betty" MATHEWS. A Mass of Christian burial was celebrated at St. Rita Catholic Church in Alexandria, Louisiana followed by the interment in St. Peter Cemetery in Elmer, Louisiana. Christopher belongs to our family branch Alexandria V.

Life continue and also the celebration of jubilees.
This time we look to the United States of America where we note a golden wedding anniversary into our family branch Alexandria I.
On May 20, 2011 Peter Joseph THIELS (named “Pete” or “Buddy”) and Elisabeth Kay SANDERS (named “Kay”) were celebrating their 50th wedding anniversary and this together with their children, grandchildren, family and friends.
Peter was born on November 6, 1938 in Alexandria, Louisiana as second child and son of Peter Louis THIELS and Bonnie Opel HAYWORTH. His grandfather, Augustinus THIELS, was still born in Ramsel in 1873, before emigrating with his parents to Louisiana.
Kay was born on October18, 1939 in Alexandria, Louisiana as daughter of Aubrey Carroll SANDERS and Lola Marie DUPUIS. On May 20, 1961 they married in Alexandria, Louisiana.
To use Kay’s words: “We really can’t believe that we have been married 50 years…. But, it has been good years full of fun, excitement, sometimes sadness, love and respect. We are blessed and grateful…”
We wish Pete and Kay a lot of good years to come, plenty of love and respect!

June 4 is a milestone in the life of Anna Maria Mathilda THIELS and Raymond Gabrielle Frans DAEMS.  On that day they Anna and ‘Mon’ celebrate their ‘gold-plated silver’ wedding anniversary. That means: it is 45 years ago they gave each other their ‘Yes – word’ and this on June 4, 1966 in Antwerpen. Anna is born September 13, 1936 in Rijkevorsel as daughter of Franciscus René THIELS and Elisabeth Maria de HOON. Mon is born as the son of Gustaaf DAEMS and Elisabeth DE BOCK on June 1, 1941 in Antwerpen. We wish Anna and Mon a lot of warm and intense days in the years ahead. We congratulate them and ask them to enjoy every single upcoming day!

Fifty years of marriage is called "Golden Jubilee" and that leads to a feast!
We just learned about one into our family and this April 24, 2010.
That day Adolphine Maria TIELS and Nestor Joris LUCHTENS celebrated their Golden Wedding with the entire family and friends.
Adolphine TIELS is the oldest child and girl in a series of seven of Richard Maurits TIELS and Jeanne Joana LEBACQ. She is born on November 22, 1939 in Herfelingen and on April 23, 1960 she married there with Nestor LUCHTENS. Nestor is the youngest out of three and was born in the neighbouring village of Herne on November 17, 1939 s the son of Isidoor LUCHTENS and Emmerance ALLEBOSCH. The celebrating couple belongs to our family branch Herfelingen I.
Nice to know is that in both Adolphine and Nestor are kin, because they both are a descendant of the same Thiels ancestor. For this relationship, we refer to “About family trees, branches and twigs” in our family periodical number 11, issue VI of October 2002.

Monday July 13, 1959 and Wednesday July 15, 1959 are the dates of respectively the civil and Church wedding of Marcel THIELS and Angela VERLINDEN. The in October 29, 1928 in Blauberg – Herselt born Marcel Thiels marries the in August 16, 1931 in Herselt born Angèle Verlinden. Marcel was a schoolteacher and later principal all his career and Angèle a kindergarten teacher.
Marcel and Angèle celebrated their fiftieth wedding anniversary together with the children, grandchildren, family and friends on Sunday August 23, 2009. They belong to our family branch Blauberg II.
We wish you both many sunny healthy years and we hope to have Marcel as vice-president of our Thiels family organization for many years to come.

The Wonderful Wide World of Google

Those who are a little familiar with the internet or the world wide web (www), know that “Google” is one of the favorite and probably the most used search engine. There are, besides Google, tens of others which makes searching the internet an easy job. But, the popularity of Google is also of course, the different by-products they continually provide for free use. We know Google Maps, Google Earth, Google Video, Google Book search, Google Space, Gmail, Picasa, etc.

“Google Earth” is one of those fantastic programs, when sitting behind your pc, you can explore the whole wide world. What is unique, is that by zooming in, you get detailed views on landscapes, cities and buildings. Together with “Google Maps”, where detailed maps appear on your screen, we can spend fascinating hours.

Google versus Thiels – Thils – Tiels – Tils 

As we already published in our book Number 10 of April 2002, there is in Lecompte, Louisiana, USA a street named “F. Thiels Road”.  In fact, it isn’t much more than a gravel road, leading to the house where Frank Thiels and his wife Marguerite Dekeyzer used to live. This road was thus named after Frank Thiels.

Where would there exist somewhere on our earth, more of such street names, with the spelling: Thiels – Tiels – Thils – Tils?
We did the test and found this:

1. BELGIUM: in 1390 Grez-Doiceau there is a “Rue des Thils”.
2. USA : In the state of Massachusetts, some 30 miles south of Boston, there is a “Thiels Way” in     Raynham.
3. USA : In the state of Illinois, near Carlinville there is a “Tiels Road”.
4. AUSTRALIA: near Pinnaroo, province South Australia, some 140 miles east of Adelaide there is also a “Thiels Road”.

Concerning Australia, we have sent an e-mail to the embassy of Australia in Belgium asking for some information. If they know to whom this way is named after, if perhaps some Thiels live there and if we eventually can contact them. So far, we have not received an answer. Regrettable.
Perhaps, one of our readers, with family, relations or friends in Australia who can help to obtain this information. If so, we like to hear it!

There are, perhaps more streets, roads, boulevards or buildings, waterways, mountains and bridges named after a Thiels-Tiels-Thils-Tils. This leads us to the question to those who are using internet, the search is still open.
We are awaiting your results.

USA Thiels family reunion

On Sunday, August 31, 2008 we celebrated the one hundred twenty-fifth (125th) anniversary of the arrival of our Thiels Family branch to America. The reunion was held in Alexandria, Louisiana. Father Luke Melcher delivered the invocation in Flemish and in English. President, Jerry Thiels delivered the opening address amid our Belgium and American flags. He reminded us of how we came to arrive here and how proud we are of our heritage. Our flags Honor Guard were presented by Tim Thiels and his son Keit, family of Jerry Thiels.

Our elders in attendance were Lillie Mae Andries Thiels (widow of Jerome); Lucille Thiels Dunn and husband Houston, Joe Rino Sr. (widower of Mae Mae Thiels), James Thiels Sr. and Gloria Michiels Thiels (widow of Martin). The ladies were presented   corsages of yellow mums and the men a yellow rose boutonnière.

A memorial board was presented in honor of those family members who have died since our last reunion five years ago.  Judy Michiels McClaran did a wonderful job of gathering pictures and information for this.

Tables were set up for each of the five family branches to display pictures and memorabilia in honor of other family who have gone before us.

Daniel Thiels presented a violin arrangement of  “Tennessee Waltz” in honor of his father, Marty Thiels. Marty was killed in October 2007. His passing is a great loss to our entire family, fellow Postal Employees and the Alexandria area where he worked. His wife Laurie, was in attendance and their sons John and Daniel who provided the Public Address System and music.
Olivia Vanderhoeven, age 10, entertained us with two songs.  She sang “Good Morning Baltimore” and “Life’s What You Make It”. Olivia is the daughter of Bridget and David Vanderhoeven, granddaughter of Cecilia Michiels Couvillion.
Both Daniel and Olivia are very talented young people and a joy to see. They are descended from the Joannes Michael (Shall) and Mary Louise Thiels family line.

Lunch was prepared and served by the Jimbo Thiels family.  This consisted of Beef, Rice Dressing, Baked Beans and rolls. As always, it was superb. Everyone brought desserts to share. We had cakes, pies, cobblers, puddings, cookies in every flavor and description possible.

Family group pictures were taken. The families represented were August, Louis, Shall and Jeff.  The number in attendance was 371. Janet White Lohman and husband Paul drove in from Alabama to be with us.

Due to the fact that “Hurricane Gustav was knocking on our door” the attendance was less than planned, however, everyone had a great time and enjoyed visiting. Many of us only get to see each other at reunions.

We are all looking forward to the next Reunion in five years.

Peggy Irby