59ers` Millennium Tattler

Transcription

59ers’ Millennium Tattler
A memory book that keeps our beloved classmates and a unique era everlasting.
Biographies and Memories
Niles High School
Class of 1959
Niles, Michigan
Editors
Marilyn Jorgensen-Stiefer (McKinney, TX)
Kent Hunziker (Bellefonte, PA)
Steve Schuyler (Niles, MI)
Gary Bullen
Janet Carter-Smiedendorf
John and I celebrated 43 years of marriage on January 18th. Our
three wonderful sons!!! have busy families and we are
After graduation from NHS, I did the military thing with the USMC
grandparents to 6 super grandchildren!!!!!!
and the back to Michigan for some college at Indiana University
Rick is here in St. Joe where we moved over 10 years ago after
and then to WMU. Then I moved to New Mexico and worked for
we bought an ice cream store. The store has been sold but we
are very happy to live just 3 blocks from the beach. He and Loree
Al Unser in Albuquerque. Moved next to California and spent 23
parent Joel, 20, a student at UofM or in the summer a Silver Beach
years there in many different industries such as management in
Park Ranger. Jeremy, 16, who can be seen on the football field
various fields, auto electrician, commercial fishing in Mexico, ABC
television network, life insurance, etc. I worked for a year straight
every Friday night or in the Symphony at St. Joe High. Michelle is
and then would spend summers in Europe, Mexico or visits to
the first girl born in this family since me!!
Michigan.
Tracy is a Major in the Air Force, now at Fairchild AFB in Spokane.
There were a couple of wives during that time and no kids, so I
He and MaryLou parent Ross, 13, Mason, 8 and Madison, 5. In
spent my life with procrastination and hopefully gathering in as
order to visit this family we have also visited
Germany, Alaska and much of the USA.
much wisdom along the way as possible. After 23 years in
They head for Washington, DC next
Southern California, I got tired of wall to wall city life and moved
year.
here to the big island of Hawaii where peace and tranquility and
Todd and Kim live in Denver and
the finest weather on the planet (for me) are the norm throughout
the year.
occasionally visit on long weekends
as
Here I buy and sell vehicles from my house and enjoy the beauty
we like to do out their way.......love
those
of my surroundings. I do miss not being able to get to Michigan to
mountains. We plan to be in Denver for Todd's ordination into the
visit lifelong friends and classmates who made the last reunion
United Church of Christ when that happens.
After my retirement from Niles Community Schools (30 years as
very special to me. I remember having been somewhat of a
an SEI special ed. Classroom aide) I treated the family to a
shadow through our school years, but there were not many
Holiday reunion/vacation at Disney! It was the best money ever
classmates that I didn't know and seeing
those of you
who attended the last reunion was a
bonus to my spent. That was over 3 years ago and this June we got to do it
life. To those who did not
again! in Jackson, WY. All fourteen of us; float trips with the
attend.....shame on all of you for
missing
granddaughters, white water with the grandsons, horseback riding,
out on being able to visit
and enjoy hiking, cookouts, well you get the idea. Kodak moments galore.
each other's company.
Those
I work part-time at Curious Kids Museum as Birthday Manager and
were the years of foundation for all
of us. God some workshops and outreach. John will retire from his second
career...over the road professional truck driver in a couple of years
bless you all.
and then we plan to build on our Florida lots (Bonita Springs) to
escape the Michigan winters. We also can devote more time to
Mahalo.
mission work, both locally and in Florida (Echo) as well as Church
World Service headquarters in MD. Until then I volunteer at Peace
Temple in Benton Harbor as well as serve on United Methodist
local, district, and conference mission committees. Other interests
are Morton House (Oldest House Museum in the area) docent,
serve on the 100 Women Strong steering committee and travel
with John as time allows. Oh yes, and do as much grandparenting
as possible.
The Niles High School Class of 1959
Millennium Tattler
1
Patty Cronin-Wardlaw
Judy Fazi-Wolfe
I married out of school to Bob Wardlaw, class of '57. We
continued to live in Niles for 17 years. We were blessed with two
girls, Kim and Deborah, early in our marriage. Eight years later we
were blessed with a boy, Ryan. Now Bob had someone with
whom to play ball.
During this time I worked at Simplicity Pattern for 13 years while
Bob worked at Tyler Refrigeration. My husband moved us to
Jackson, MI in 1976 due to a new job opportunity. It was quite
strange being away from Niles. Five years later, we moved to
Barrington Hills, IL. We gave the fast-paced life a try and found
we enjoyed the "Michigan" lifestyle much better. We returned to
Michigan in 1984 and have lived in Lansing since that time.
_Looking for something to keep me busy, I found myself a nanny
for a 3 month old little boy. I told Bob I would only do this for a
short time. Fifteen years later I find myself still employed by this
family and looking out for three boys, none of who are babies! It
was really a terrific substitute for not having my
grandchildren nearby.
I have been quite busy taking care of aging
parents. Being an only child, the responsibility
fell to me. I lost my mother in 1988. For the
next 9 years, I took constant care of my father. I
lost him two years ago. As much work as it was, I sure wish I had
them back.
I currently have a small business making Soleless Sandals and
various other jewelry products. What an interesting venture.
My husband and I are grandparents 4 times. Kim, husband, 2
children live here in Lansing. Deborah in Chicago area with her
husband and 2 children. It is awesome being a grandparent. You
are always the hero! Ryan lives in Boise, ID enjoying the single
life. We will visit the warmer climates after retirement in the next
year, but not move from our "little ones." They need regular doses
of spoiling from their grandparents.
After high school, I went to work at a loan company in Niles. I got
married in August, 1959. I had 3 kids - 1 boy, 2 girls. Went to
work at Simplicity Pattern Company in Niles. I was married 30
years when my husband died of complications from a kidney
transplant. That was in 1989. In between the 30 years, I raised
kids, bought a house and worked.
I enjoyed traveling when I could and my mother and I took as
many vacations as we could. Both of my parents are gone now
and both of my brothers are too. I also lost one grandchild.
I met my husband, Don, in 1993 and married him in 1997 and
moved to Buchanan, MI. Nice little town. We enjoy gardening,
swimming and small rides in the countryside on the motorcycle.
We travel and enjoy each other. I enjoy doing crafts and dancing.
I hope to retire in 1 or 2 years.
I have 12 grandchildren and 3 great grandchildren. Boy, do we
have a good family reunion (loud!)
2
Millennium Tattler
_
Pearl Funnell-Nastvogel
1959 to 1964: Accompanied my parents to Florida and continued
my education at the University of Florida. I graduated in 1964 with
a Bachelor of Science Degree in Occupational Therapy.
1965 to 1975: I thought the people in Florida were too old so I
moved to the "Big Apple”. As a resident of
Connecticut I loved living in beautiful New England and became
addicted to skiing. I was employed by Bronx Municipal Hospital in
New York City, and worked as Director of Occupational Therapy
Services until 1974.
_In 1970 I married a very adventurous Fellow who had previous
lived in Australia. We moved “Down Under”. Prior to our departure
we
toured Europe, Canada and the United States.
1974 to 1986: I worked with an international
health care team in the development of
rehabilitation services for the Australian Capital
Territory. With no sign of children coming our way I
turned my attentions to more adventure. This
time, I became addicted to scuba diving.
1986 to 1988: I resumed a single life style and
moved to Sydney where I enroll in post-graduate
studies. In 1988
I obtained a Masters Degree in the Education and Management of
Health Personnel.
In 1990: U.S. Congress passed a law allowing Americans to hold
dual citizenship. Thanks to my friends in the American Embassy, I
became one of the first Americans to obtain citizenship with two
countries. I became an "Aussie" with an American accent. Ha!
1994: I returned to Florida to care for my aging Parents.
_Now that I have recovered from reverse culture shock and
survived a brief period of
unemployment
resulting
from health care cutbacks I
am planning
retirement in 2005. “God
Willing”, I hope
to spend retirement living
several months
each year in Australia. I
wish to share
my senior years with dear
friends in both
Countries.
Scott Grannan
After NHS I went to Michigan State for a little more than one year
but found it hard to attend class when there were so many other
interesting things to do. Then it was six years in the Marine Corps
with training as an Arabic linguist and cryptanalyst. Rather than go
back to MSU, I decided to move to Ann Arbor where I worked as a
policeman while saving for school and convincing the U of M to let
me in. Lynn and I met in Ann Arbor – she is from Decatur, MI and
was visiting a friend who lived next door. We were married (1969)
while I was in school and after graduation (BA mathematics) we
moved to Oregon where I started grad school before going broke
and dropping out. Lynn teaches third grade and I've done a
number of things relating to computers, including sales,
programming, systems analysis, and R&D. Since 1995 I've been
self employed and rent myself out as a software developer.
We have two children, Brian (born 1970) and Molly (1973). Brian
lives in San Francisco and works for an advertising agency but still
dances part time - he danced for four years with the Eugene/Boise
ballet. Molly works for an outdoor adventure company in Cooper
Landing, Alaska. They are both still single.
A favorite hobby for Lynn and me is bicycle touring. We find a nice
place, load all our gear on our bicycles and take off. In years past
we have bicycled the Oregon coast, circumnavigated Ireland and
in 1998 bicycled 2,000 miles in New Zealand over a period of three
months.
Millennium Tattler
3
John Grinnell
Jan (Pat) Hansen
After attending Western Michigan University for a year and a half
and working in retailing, I joined the U.S. Navy in January 1964. I
served 4 years including 13 months in Viet Nam as a Medic with
the U.S. Marines. On May 8, 1965, while still in service, I was
married to Mary Carol Pears (NHS Class of 1961). Immediately
following my discharge from the Navy, in January 1968, I went
back to WMU and received a Bachelors Degree in Business.
Since 1970 I have been working in Public Accounting. I became a
Certified Public Accountant in 1981. In 1990 I merged my practice
with a Company from Holland, Michigan. In 1970 and 1972 we
were blessed with a daughter and a son. And in 1993 we became
Grandparents. Just a couple other items I would like to share
would be that on January 27, 1987, I was the recipient of a kidney
transplant after being on dialysis for about 1 year. All remains
well! And on May 8, 2000 Mary Carol and I shared our 35th
wedding anniversary. We thank God for all his Blessings and try
to serve Him each day.
I graduated from Western Michigan University in 1965 with a
degree in Automotive Engineering. I went to work for a subsidiary
of Union 76 called Super Par. It was while working for Super Par
that I met my future wife, Barbara Brown, and we married on June
8, 1968. Our first child, Julie, was born in South Bend in 1969.
When we moved to Macungie, PA in 1982, it was our 8th
residence in 14 years. During this time I had a son, David, born in
Cincinnati, OH and another daughter, Laura, born in Ann Arbor,
MI.
Needless to say my wife and I got tired of all the moves and my
traveling. In my last position with Union 76, I was a Truck Stop
Sales Manager over 7 states in the Northeast. While on this job I
had the opportunity to buy a truck stop in Richmond, VA called
Speed & Briscoe. While I owned this travel plaza, I made many
improvements such as adding a Pizza Hut and Taco Bell which
brought my restaurant count up to 4. I also doubled the size of the
store, added a movie theater for truckers and put in a Mobil gas
car area.
I sold the truck stop to Travel Stops of America in 1997. I decided
to retire.
My daughter, Laura, will be a senior at Northwestern University
studying journalism. David graduated from Penn State and will
receive his MBA from VCU in December. He is a financial analyst.
Julie quit college after 2 years to work in daycare. Now she is in
the process of finishing her teaching degree.
Of all the jobs that I have had, the one I enjoyed the most was
Automotive Trainer for Union 76. I worked first hand with the
students plus I wrote most of the training manuals that the other
trainers used. But I was rewarded the most by owning my own
business.
A funny story that I remember well was hitting my wife's new VW
while returning home from work in South Bend on a snowy night.
We both used a back road that we shouldn't have. She slid off the
road first and I came by about 15 minutes later and also slid off.
With a dozen other cars off that same road, I missed them all and
hit hers. When I told the police that I owned both cars, he just
laughed and the Niles Daily Star wrote a nice article about
husband and wife meeting in a strange way.We go to
SpringTraining in FL each March to see the Cleveland Indians and
are also planning a trip to Alaska next year.
4
Millennium Tattler
Chuck Morton
Ann Mould-Bowers
After leaving Niles High School, I worked for a year at Tylers.
Then I joined the Marines. I spent four years at Camp Pendleton
in California. From there I had tours of duty in Japan, Viet Nam
and the Philipines. I had the opportunity to visit many places while
playing baseball with a Marine touring club.
I returned to Niles in 1964 and started working at Simplicity. In
1965 I married Joan Crowe. She teaches school in Niles. We will
celebrate our 34th anniversary in August.
We have two children, Dean and Buffy. They both graduated from
Western Michigan University. Dean's home is in Boulder, CO and
Buffy is married and lives near Dowagiac.
I now work for Gast in Benton Harbor. I enjoy fishing in the spring
and summer. At home I watch the sports stations a lot. As an
avid Notre Dame fan, the football season is especially enjoyable to
me.
I am looking forward to celebrating our 45th reunion with my
classmates.
After graduation, I attended Hillsdale College and received a BS
Degree. I taught school for a year and then changed career paths,
starting as a programmer for the FCC in Washington, D.C. In
1966 I relocated to Detroit and worked for Ford Motor in various
related positions. While at Ford, I completed an MBA from the
University of Michigan. I married Holton (Buzz) Bowers in 1970.
We have recently retired (me from Ford and Buzz from Chrysler.)
In 1996, we relocated to
our home in Savannah,
GA. We do a lot of
bicycling ( did a tour of
the Loire
Valley in France the
summer
of 1999), and have tried
lots
of activities we didn't have
time
for when we were working
such as bowling, golf, and travel (drove to san Diego and back the
spring of 2000.) We also have hobbies we enjoy such as
volunteer work at the library, computers, reading and my miniature
house. Retirement is great!
Millennium Tattler
5
Sally Nellans-Lampley
Saran Peters-Brock
After graduation I went to work as an off-line receptionist for United
Airlines In Chicago (Loop).
My husband, Jim, and I live in Phoenix, AZ. We've been married
for 23 happy years. We had 6 children; 1 boy and 5 girls. My son,
born first, was full-term stillborn. I went on to give birth to 4
beautiful daughters and we adopted one daughter. The oldest is
an RN, the second owns her own home health care business, the
third is manager of a Papa John's Pizza Parlor. The fourth
daughter was killed in a car accident when she was 19. She was
a very skilled artist and a "Dear Abby" to all her friends. The
youngest daughter left at home is 17. She's also like her sister
before her - one who is very caring and helpful to everyone. I
must brag - all of my girls are beautiful inside and out.
After getting married, I was basically a housewife and mother for
years. I worked in hospitals in the office and ER. I was a waitress,
cashier and bank payment processing center associate. My
husband and I owned our own cleaning business with 5
employees; we called it "Ragg Mopp Cleaning" after that old song.
Our interests together are bowling, eating out, board games,
watching basketball and movies. My interests are birdwatching,
embroidery, trivia and studying accents. I love the challenge of
trying to determine where someone is from by their accent! I get a
lot of practice in Phoenix since almost everyone is from
somewhere else. I also enjoy genealogy and have been able to
trace my grandmother's line back to the 1100's.
I guess you could say we love to travel, since we have moved a
lot. I think it's important for kids to see how other people think and
not be stuck thinking your way is the only right way. I love learning
anything new and challenging my brain.
The honors that are important to me are letter from my children
expressing appreciation and love. Also my "letters of
recommendation", my spiritual children.
I've been a Jehovah's Witness since 1975 and my husband since
1967. This is a way of life for us. I really love the ministry. The
most charitable contribution I have made is teaching people the
Bible. The joy I get from watching them apply Bible principles in
their lives, improve their marriages and really clean up their lives is
so rewarding. I feel like I'm receiving instead of giving. It's
especially rewarding because my husband does this teaching also.
I married Dwayne Brock in June, '60. I went to work after
graduation at Federal Savings for a short while until our first child
was born. My daughter, Lori was born 3-4-61. She is now married
with two children and lives in Grand Ledge, MI. Ron was born 8-762. He has two children and lives in Niles. Kim was born 2-3-64,
is married with three children (and another on the way) and one
step-daughter and lives in Buchanan, MI. That makes us proud
grandparents of 4 boys and 4 girls and a ??.
I worked at Howard Township office as deputy Treasurer for a few
years. Went from there to Niles Chemical Paint as a bookkeeper
for three years and then retired. In January, 1998, I went to work
for Wal-Mart. Was Shoe Department Manager for a while. Now
am a cashier and love it.
I am very active in my church, teaching Sunday School and I am
the music director. George Flora would be proud! I also sing in a
Gospel Quartet called "The Rainbow's End," and we have been
together for 19 years.
On June 10, 2000, Dwayne and I renewed our marriage vows
celebrating 40 years.
6
Millennium Tattler
˚ Bob Pierce
After N.H.S., I went to the U.M., graduating from the College of
Architecture & Design in 1964. A highlight of those years was
singing and traveling as a member of the U.M. Men’s Glee Club.
On a concert trip to Ohio State in 1960, I met Mary Ann Morgan
from Middleton, Ohio. We were married in 1962.
From 1964-74, I was an associate with Ann Arbor architects
Colvin, Robinson, Wright & Associates and involved with field
administration of their building and development projects.
Architect registration came in 1968 after apprenticeship and
state board exams. From 1974-95 I was Director of Capital
Planning & Facility Management with the Ann Arbor Public
Schools, responsible for facility planning, capital improvement
projects and their funds/committees/architects, and the district’s
custodial and maintenance staffs. I retired in 1995 and still live
in Ann Arbor.
We have three children. Joanne, 39, lives in Lansing with
husband Pat and their two girls – Mandy, 10, and Kristin, 5.
Jennifer, 37 lives in Ann Arbor with husband Jeff and family –
Andrew, 10, Adam, 7, Anna, 4, and Ava, 2. Steve, 35, also lives
in Ann Arbor with wife Julie and their family – Lara, 5, Ben, 3,
and Harrison, 1. It’s terrific to have all of us living so close to
each other – it makes the loving and spoiling of our
grandchildren so much easier.
Although still involved with consulting and committee work, I’m
enjoying more time for wife, family, friends, woodworking,
gardening, golf, traveling, tinkering and singing with Measure for
Measure, a nationally-known men’s chorus.
The future looks bright!
˚ Fed Quick
Immediately after graduation I worked a short time at Clark
Equipment Co. Upon being laid off, I went to work for Paul
Jedele (Janet’s father) at Paul’s Toggery. I managed two stores
for him (one in Berrien Springs and one in Three Rivers) until I
was drafted by the Army in February of 1964. I spent 30 days on
the Mohave Desert (Operation Desert Strike) and the rest of my
time at Ft. Hood, Texas. Lucked out when most of my company
went to Viet Nam.
Upon discharge, I worked at IBM Corporation in South Bend,
Indiana until old buddy, Dick Mack and I decided to venture to
Colorado. We purchased a restaurant/lounge that we operated a
couple of years - good business but not our thing.
I worked on a ranch for
our local vet - great experience but 7 days a week did not cut it.
Had a Farm Bureau Insurance Agency for about 6 years until
getting into Real Estate.
Married the mother of my two children in 1974 - divorced in
1987.
Have been with a Century 21 Real Estate firm since 1985 in
Salida, CO where I met my present wife, Bev. Between us we
have 5 children and 3 grandchildren. My son, John will be a
senior in high school this year (I started real late.) My daughter,
Jodi is going to college in Ft. Collins, CO.
Millennium Tattler
7
Ruth Ann Ramsay-Marston
Yvonne Reyniers
I was born and raised in Niles and attended the Niles Public
Schools; then moved to Tucson, AZ in June 1960 where I reside
with my husband, Edward J. Marston. We have four children and
six grandchildren.
Over the years I have worked at Falvey's and Kawneer (in Niles)
and then the University of Arizona, Southern Arizona Bank & Trust
and finally Hughes Aircraft Company (now Raytheon). Presently
work at Raytheon when not traveling or camping.
Ed and I enjoy camping and are currently the Arizona State
Directors of Family Campers and RVers (FCRV). When not
camping, we enjoy traveling and have and the privilege of traveling
in Mexico, Spain, Egypt, England, Scotland and South Africa. As
well as camping and traveling, I enjoy sewing with my specialty
being costumes for my grandchildren and their extended families.
I shoveled my last bit of snow in 1959; and after graduation, I
moved to Tampa --seeking a warm spot in the sun. After
graduation from University of Tampa in 1964, I pursued a teaching
career of 22 years, ending my career in "retirement." I pursued my
other dream as a Legal Assistant from 1984 through 1996, when I
was "downsized."
I began working for the City of Clearwater as a Staff Assistant in
the Fleet Maintenance (City Garage) department in 1997, where I
am currently working. I buy the tags for the new vehicles/trucks;
and when the vehicles and trucks break down, they are brought
here to be fixed--and I process the paperwork for the work done on
each vehicle so the vendors can get paid. I also prepare financial
reports and bill the various departments for rental charges on
vehicles.
I enjoy the Florida sun and the water. I
also enjoy cross-stitching, crewel
and needlepoint. I enjoy playing
with my two dachshunds, Lucy and
Gretchen. I love to read and visit
with friends.....but......I don't enjoy
hurricanes, tornadoes and
thunderstorms!
8
The Niles High School Class of 1959 Millennium Tattler
Kent Hunziker
Barbara Bearse-Hunziker
August, 1959 left Niles for Ferris State
College. Transferred from Ferris to
Michigan State after 1 year. Then from
MSU to University of Cincinnati - where I
originally wanted to go.
After a chance re-acquaintance and short
courtship with Barb Bearse, we married
and set up "digs" in St. Louis as she had a teaching job and I was
not employed. Barb had just graduated from Lindenwood College
near St. Louis.
My first job in St. Louis was "Sales Engineer" - I sorted punch
cards and drew plans for supermarket fixtures and coolers as
sales aids...yawn.
Daughter Kimberly was born. A year later son
Scott was born. Finally, having figured out
how NOT to have babies, we concluded a boy
and a girl was enough.
Bored, I left the first job and joined a startup
landscape and swimming pool company (of
course, since I had worked for my dad many,
many summers; and was comfortable in that
area).
Barb left teaching and then worked for a vet; then worked as
registrar for a seminary, then started a day care facility at the
seminary; then retired last year. I essentially stayed at the same
job 38 years. I hope to retire on January 1, 2003.
In August of 1983, our son Scott and his girlfriend were killed in an
auto accident. He was packed and ready to start college.
Our daughter Kim had a son a year ago ...so we joined the ranks
of grandparents and thoroughly enjoy our new role.
In 1997, after being in St. Louis for 35 years, we moved to Central
Pennsylvania where our daughter and husband reside; bought a
Victorian house to do a bed & breakfast; decided we did not have
the energy, and moved to a more appropriate dwelling. We love
the mellow mountains and are happy to be near our daughter's
little family . We are about 4 hours from Pittsburgh, Philly, DC,
Canada, & New York but, best of all, we are next door to Penn
State football!
Marilyn Jorgensen-Stiefer
Never having been more than 2 hours away from Niles while
growing up, I wanted to see more of the US. I moved to Indiana in
1960, Iowa in 1961, Massachusetts in 1962 and finally to Plano,
Texas in 1964. Had a great single life back in Boston - running up
and down the coast - went to the Newport Jazz Festival a couple
of times.
Married Art in 1968, had our daughter, Cassandra (Sandi)
Kathleen in 1972. My husband was made president of his
Company in 1987 and he died in 1988.
I've worked in several areas: Southland Corporation Human
Resources; CRC Recording Company (they made radio jingles.)
Worked at Central Engineering & Supply Company; then went to
work for Johnson Controls. Finally landed at Metropolitan Life in
the Pension
Division (funding mechanism for
retirement
programs) in 1979 and have
been here for
20+ years. For a long time I
worked
simply because I didn't enjoy
staying at
home alone; now I do it for
sustenance.
I have a
grandson, Dylan Wayne, who is 4
years old.
He knows the words to 4 George Strait
songs
from memory. He not only dresses
like a
cowboy, he is one! Needless to say
he is
the love of my life.
In my
spare time I read, crochet, and travel.
My favorite
places are the Florida Keys and New
Orleans; specifically Bourbon Maison. Do a lot of "left turn-right
turn" trips on the weekends. Find fascinating out-of-the-way
places. You can drive "forever" in Texas and still not see
everything!
Millennium Tattler
9
Steve Schuyler
The best thing I did in life was marry, my high school sweetheart, Sandy
(Schneck). We will celebrate our 48th anniversary this coming year. We were
blessed with a daughter, Shelley, and a son, Stephen. They have given us
five beautiful grandchildren and one great grandchild. They make our life
enjoyable and worth the effort to extend life. I also enjoy traveling, concerts
(classical/opera, rock ‘n’ roll, and ol’ time gospel), and family outings.
After graduation I went to work for Tyler Refrigeration and then to Clark
Equipment Co. until the plant closed. The closing was a godsend to me for it
forced me to move around the country working other careers, living in
progressive cities, having a multi culture lifestyle, and accumulating a lot of
neat friends from all walks of life.
My management and engineering experience with Fortune 500 companies and specific education with major institutions over the years compensated me with an interrelated career. Also, I assisted in the pioneering of
computerized management and industrial robotics. The experience was my
most rewarding and stressful.
My most enjoyable work was in the earlier years as a foundry worker
and supervisor at Clarks, and in later years as an independent international
consultant as a master millwright. I enjoyed the no stress, the best physical
health I ever attained, making the impossible work, and home with the family.
My lucrative career ended when a drunk driver rammed into me causing
permanent injuries to the spine and head areas. After a guarded recovery,
nearly ten years, from lower paralysis and neurological complications I was
able to work again on a part time basis. But before I was able to produce an
income again, bureaucracy red tape, legal maneuvering, acts of discernment,
and irresponsible governmental employees created years of delays for social
security/Medicare. You can bet on, I am a supporter of the 2nd Amendment.
Results from lower income: Sandy and I had to sell our dream home in
Texas and change to an abnormal life-style. The All Mighty above, and my
Earth Angels- Sandy and my children, physicians, rehabilitation nurses, and
friends all helped me plan and gave support to regain my previous lifestyle.
I’m gaining ground each day. I now walk like a duck, but I can rock ‘n
roll again (well…slow dancing anyway). Speaking out without the brain
filtering first the statement. Sometimes these artificial parts and impairments
do make life awkward, funny, and embarrassing on an occasion.
Then there are the stupid things I did in younger life. The biggest and
dangerous was setting up teenage nightclubs around the Michiana area for
the FBI to track down and arrest local drug leaders. The other stupid thing I
did was shooting an apple off the head of the 1st Apple’s Festival president,
Cliff Hurd. I didn’t miss the apples, but later we found out the bullet proof
glass supplied was not arrow proof. That was my last great shot to make. I
retired from the professional sport of archery that year. End of Story, but not
my Life!!
10
Millennium Tattler
Carol Sprouse-Hennion
! took the summer of ’59 “off” and spent most of my time at the lake. In the
fall, I finally decided I better get a job (I was running out of money) and went
to work for E. M. Morris Co., a division of Associates. I met my husband, Bob
(1956 graduate of NHS) in the spring of 1960. We became engaged at
Christmas of 1960 and married in the spring of 1961.
Our two wonderful sons, Mike and Joe, were born in September, 1962, and
on Christmas day of 1964. I was a stay-at-home Mom for many years. In the
winter of 1978, I came to Notre Dame for a month to a temporary position in
the Development Office. Guess what? I’m still here! I found I loved working
with computers, reporting and working with numbers. In 1985, I also became
very intent on completing my degree, and I have taken classes from both
Notre Dame and IUSB. The last couple of years have been so hectic that I
have neither the time nor the inclination to keep up with school - maybe next
year.....
After graduating from high school, both of the boys attended college for a
couple of semesters and then joined the Marines. Michael was stationed
mainly in California and served 2 tours in Japan and Korea. Joe went into
computing and was stationed in Hawaii. In July 1987, our dear Joe was
tragically killed in Hawaii. He and two other Marines drowned while scuba
diving. Joe was a champion swimmer and all three were certified scuba
drivers. He was engaged to his childhood sweetheart at the time of his
death. With lots of love and hard work, we pulled our lives together and tried
to make the best of all we had left. As of now, Michael is not married - he has
come close a couple of times, but so far he is still a bachelor.
In 1996, Bob and I had had a wonderful opportunity; we were asked to host a
tour on the rivers of Europe! We began in Budapest, Hungary and cruised
along the Rhine, the Maine and the Danube, stopping at many, many cities
for 1 or 2 days and ended up in Amsterdam. The cruise was 17 days long,
and we took an extra week to visit Belgium where Bob’s grandparents were
born.
Bob and I love to go to Chicago for the weekend and see some of the
wonderful musicals. We also like to spend time at the lake. Of course, I am
a world-class shopper!
I volunteered in the literacy program here for several years, teaching adults to
read. It was enjoyable, but very time consuming.
For hobbies, I read constantly. I can be found at the library every Saturday.
Also, I love to knit, and spend the winter evenings knitting sweaters and
afghans.
Dan Hess
Paul Crouch
I went to Michigan State for one year. I sold furniture and
appliances right after high school until I entered the army.
I was drafted in 1966. Having been trained in infantry, I went to
Viet Nam in 1967 expecting an assignment near the DMZ. With
the insurance background, and aptitude test results, (plus lots of
prayer and just good luck) I ended up stationed at the
headquarters of the First Infantry Division as a morning report
clerk for the entire division. We pulled guard duty, K.P., and
patrols but nothing like the boys in the field. Tet wasn't fun, but I
came home alive and with a new appreciation of life.
Entering civilian life was more of an adjustment than being in the
Army. People seemed spoiled and overfed, but not happy with
what they had. It wasn't long before I became one of them too.
I married my present wife, Tina in 1974. (She is Sue Szweda's
sister.) I didn't become a father until 1975, nine months to the day
after we married. My oldest son Jeffrey is a recent law school
graduate from U of M. He starts work in Grand Rapids. Eric, our
second son, will be 21 in October and is a senior at U of M.
Annalea (our daughter we adopted from Korea) is 14, beautiful,
thin and a cheerleader and freshman at NHS. All have been
wonderful kids. My wife has done a great job with them and me.
She has been able to stay home and it shows in the kids. Pray for
us, with the pretty teenage daughter! She may make up for the
boys being pretty docile. The phone rings more and more.
I am a member of the Breakfast Optimist Club of Niles, NilesBuchanan Habitat for Humanity, St. Paul's Lutheran Church choir,
usher, and trustee. Sponsor and bowl in Friday night early league
(which has taken first place longer than I can remember.) In 1993
I was chosen Realtor of the Year by the Southwestern Michigan
Association of Realtors.
I enjoy working with former classmates and look forward to the
class reunions.
I went directly to work doing platemaking at Simplicity Pattern
Company. In November of 2000, I will mark my 41st year with the
Company.
I married Carol Krueger and we were divorced 26 years later.
I have four children; 2 boys and 2 girls. It's a lifelong commitment!
The grandchildren are much more fun!! I have 17 grandchildren at
present.
In 1993 I married my high school sweetheart -Norma Bybee - best
move I ever made.
I love hunting and fishing. I have been blessed by being a cancer
survivor.
Millennium Tattler
11
Joan Lingnowski-Henk
John Schulke
After graduation, I entered a pre-med course at Albion College
where I joined Delta Sigma Phi Fraternity. My first year was spent
After high school, I went off to WMU to get a BS degree and
in Seaton Hall men's dormitory, and then for the remaining years I
teaching certificate. My major was Business Education (Mr.
lived and worked at the King & Helregal Funeral Home. This
Westerhoff was a great influence on me), and I got my first
required many hours of service at funerals and ambulance calls at
teaching position at Lakeview High School in St. Clair Shores in
all hours of the day and night.
1963. It was a great experience and I made many life-long friends
In ‘63, I transferred to Tri-State University in Angola, IN, from
there.
which I graduated with a BS in Electrical Engineering. While at
In 1967, I married Fred Henk who worked for a road building
Tri-State, I belonged to the Flying ThunderBirds flying club and
business as a civil engineer. When our first daughter was born in
obtained a private pilot’s license. On my first cross-country solo
1969 (Lisa), I quit teaching to be a full-time Mom. Our second
flight I crashed the plane in a plowed field where a lime strip
daughter was born in 1971 (Lori). Shortly after, I began teaching
looked like a runway. I was not hurt, except perhaps my pride.
as a part-time instructor at Macomb Community College. I found
I worked at Gates TV Repair Service while at Tri-State and after
teaching at the community college level to be very rewarding, and I graduation I was accepted as a field engineer for ACF Electronics
still am a part-time instructor there. When our oldest daughter
in Riverdale, MD. ACF was purchased in a long series of buy-outs
went off to college, I also began teaching at a private business
by General Precision, Link Simulation, Singer, CAE of Canada,
school where I still am employed.
Hughes Aircraft, Raytheon and L-3 Communications (Link
Fred and I have been blessed with two beautiful daughters, two
Simulation and Training) where I still worked some 35 years later.
wonderful sons-in-law, and three delightful grandsons. We are
Link builds military training simulators and other training devices.
thoroughly enjoying being grandparents and spend as much time
I’ve traveled extensively - domestic and foreign. Today, I‘m the
as possible with them. Brian (5 years) is entering first grade in the
manager of Software Engineering at the Link Facility in Orlando,
fall and is a terrific hockey player; Michael is 18 months and his
FL. I’ve published and presented a paper on software
energy is
endless; and
development at a joint industry/government conference.
Blake is 7
weeks and doing In ‘69, I met the gal who was to become my wife, Margaret Ratliff
well in spite of
the fact that he
Davidson, known as Marge. We married in ‘70 and honeymooned
was born 8
weeks early.
in Colorado (Marge's home state.) Marge had 2 children by a
I haven't
been back to
previous marriage, Sandy and Nancy. I adopted these children.
Niles in
many years
We lived in Rockville, MD where our son John, Jr. was born in '71.
since my
parents moved to After living many years in Binghamton, NY we moved to Orlando,
Petoskey shortly FL in '94 on a company transfer, and now own a home on a
after I
graduated. I'm
beautiful lake in a quiet neighborhood.
sure I
wouldn't recognize it, but it would be fun to Marge and the girls are very gifted in the area of craft making.
visit
again.
John, Jr. is into computers. Marge and I are both involved in
family genealogy and have traveled the country for many years in
search of relatives and ancestors. Many years were spent in
Church service, including teaching Sunday school and Junior
Church. We conducted a puppet ministry for many years with over
20 puppets and had a Train Depot ministry.
Today, our children are married and have children of their own.
We have 9 grandchildren. Son John, Jr. and Daughter Sandy live
in Binghamton, NY and Daughter Nancy lives in Baton Rouge, LA.
Our Grandchildren all love to visit and enjoy the theme parks in
Orlando, of course.
12
Dave Smith
After graduation I joined the Navy and
went to Aviation Electronics School in
Memphis, TN. I spent 3+ years in the
Navy and in some ways even enjoyed it.
I did 2 tours of duty on the USS
Neverdock. (Just kidding!) I got out of
the Navy and in August of 1962 went to MSU. I was not the best
student. I never felt that I really belonged there. I then went to
work for the Niles Daily Star while going to night school at Lake
Michigan College. I did that until the summer of 1996 when I quit
and went to work as a private investigator for Pinkerton in New
Haven, CT. I mainly did a lot of undercover work for them, but that
is another story.
In 1968 I went back to MSU majoring in school or so my Dad said.
In the summer of 1969, I left MSU - much to their delight - and
went to work for Whirlpool at the Ad Center while going to night
school. I worked there in middle management in the Physical
Distribution dept. until August of 1972 when I left to join my brother
and start an x-ray sales and service business in the Chicago area.
Actually it was in the Homewood, IL area that I met my wife to be.
We were putting in an x-ray machine at a VA hospital when I saw
a beautiful pair of legs go by. That was Lynn. We were married a
year later in Iowa.
We had 5 children, Eric, Sarah, Brian, Todd and Lisa.
In the summer of 1978, I started a boat company in Coloma, MI. If
any of you don't know how to lose money, try starting a boat
company from scratch. Actually, I am quite proud of the boats I
designed and built - they looked like the old wooden Chris-Crafts
of by-gone days but made out of fiberglass. In 1983 I sold the
boat company to a firm in Orlando with the stipulation I go with the
company. In July of 1983 we moved to sunny Florida where I was
part owner and General Manager of the new company, Classic Era
Watercraft. I stayed there until 1987 when I left to start up another
company manufacturing fiberglass repair products. This business
did have some successes but it put a tremendous financial drain
on my family. It caused me to look deep within myself and try to
figure out what I had done wrong and how to get out of the
situation...sometimes life just takes over and we are forced to go
along for the ride. (My wife is not only beautiful but also incredibly
strong. Without her I don't think I would have made it.) For me the
80's were great, the 90's were not so great, but in retrospect, they
did offer me the opportunity to learn. In April of this year I had
triple by-pass surgery and am recovering very well. I now have
the heart of a 30 year old and am ready to take on the world again.
Hopefully I will make fewer mistakes, but I am excited about the
future.
David Thompson
Following high school graduation I enrolled at Michigan State
University and was graduated in 1963. Through the years I
continued my education and received my MA from Andrews
University in 1968 and would do additional graduate work at MSU,
Purdue and worked toward an Educational Specialist degree at
Eastern Michigan.
In 1962 I married Karen Kuster and we are approaching our 38th
anniversary. We are the proud parents of two daughters, Tracey,
a high school English teacher, and Terri, a Senior Annalist at the
Urban Institute in Washington, DC.
I began my post MSU career as a Social Studies teacher and
coach at Three Oaks, MI. After three years Three Oaks was part
of a consolidation creating River Valley High School where I taught
government and US History as well as being the Head Football
Coach for eight years. In 1974 we moved to Blissfield, MI and I
continued to teach and was the Head Football Coach. In 1977, I
added the duties of Athletic Director to my teaching and coaching
responsibilities at Blissfield High School. In 1994 I became the
Blissfield High School Principal.
In 1998, after 35
years in education,
Karen and I retired
(Karen had taught in
Adrian, MI). We still
have our home in
Blissfield, but we
also bought a place
in Largo, Florida to
escape the Michigan
winters. Thus far,
our retirement has included winters in Florida, extensive traveling
across North America in our motorhome and trying to improve our
golf game.
Millennium Tattler
13
Lila Uselton
Marilyn Thompson-Gaideski
After school I married Bill Gaideski in 1960. We have 4
beautiful children, and 7 grandchildren, and last - but not least - our
present baby is an 8-year old Yorkshire Terrier named Mollie. We
still live in Niles, presently on the west side on Platt Street.
Bill and I owned and operated Niles Automotive until the year
1989 when Bill went into selling Life Insurance. He is presently the
Life Specialist for AAA Insurance. He is also #1 Life Salesman for
AAA in the State of Michigan. I also work at AAA as a Member
Representative. I get to route the maps for our members’ vacations.
I really enjoy it. It is a great place to work.
Recently, I had surgery for a malignant tumor in my bladder but
the doctor believes he got all of the
cancer. I go back to the doctor in 90
days (approx. July, 00) for more tests.
Keep me in your prayers that it
doesn’t come back.
Bill and I have been fortunate to
be able to travel quite a bit through
the years with and without our
children. We both enjoy travel and
the movies.
Since I have been out of school, I
have discovered that I enjoy oil
painting. I have sold a few pictures
but mostly give them away to friends
and family. Now I have discovered
the computer and cannot stay away
from it for very long. You can usually
find me sitting at my computer
looking up genealogy or e-mailing
friends and family.
14
Millennium Tattler
I am in my 11th year of residency at Baldwin Lake in
Union, Michigan. A retired bank officer (How did I ever have
time to work?) I am busy with volunteer work, gardening,
reading, and dancing. I have a son, a wonderful daughter-inlaw and four grandchildren in Texas, and a daughter who
teaches high school in North Kingstown, Rhode Island. (It
goes without saying that I am a Southwest Airlines Rapids
Rewards member.)
“Follow your heart wherever it
takes you and be happy. Life is
brief and very fragile and only
loaned to us for awhile.” I have a
wonderful man in my life who is
kind and gentle, and makes me so
happy.
Southwest Airlines
Gate 101
⇒
Julie White-Burbank
Well, kids, just when you think you have life figured out
something slams you right in the face. After my late
husband died my friends nearly killed me keeping me
busy. I bought a motor home and a group of four of us
all drove our RVs and did a lot of camping and visiting
old tractor shows. I began dating this man in Windsor,
Canada and we had a very nice relationship until Bob
walked into the Eagles one night when I was there for
an officer’s meeting. The next day I drove to Windsor
and broke up with Gary and two weeks later Bob and I
were together. The minute I heard that laugh, that was
it. We were married on November 6, 2006. Bob is very
creative, designing and building unique loft beds, so we
opened a store in the Courtland Mall. Did quite well
until Delphi began scaring the community with talk of
layoffs and closings. We also carried a line of Amish
furniture. I still do in-home custom designing and selling
of t he furniture but we decided to close the store as the
expenses were prohibitive. Last summer Bob and I got
a 22 foot travel trailer, two kayaks, tennis racquets, and
double string bows and we have decided that we want
to spend most of our time playing. This July we plan on
driving to the west coast as neither of us have been
further west than Wyoming so we are looking forward to
that. The Lord has blessed me with wonderful friends
and not one, but
two, great
husbands so I
consider myself
a very lucky gal.
Jim (James) Wagley
Joanne Thornton-Wagley
We were married September 17, 1960 in Niles. We are
celebrating 40 years together this year. We have lived on
White Street in Niles for 38 years.
We had four children, Ronnie was born July 21, 1961 and we
lost him February 13, 1962. Jamie was born November 7,
1962. Julie came along July 28, 1965. We decided to try for
another boy and Jerry was born June 3, 1971.
Jim went to work right after graduation for Russom Transfer.
He worked there for 16 years as a truck mechanic. Bender
and Loudon bought them out and he worked for them for 3
more years. He also had his own garage for a couple of
years. He is now at Bosch alias Allied Signal alias Bendix.
He is hoping to retire
in about 3 years.
JoAnne went to work
at Montgomery
Wards’
Credit
Department right
after graduation. I
worked there until
our first son was
born. I then
became a stay at
home mom.
Our daughter, Jamie
lives in Phoenix,
AZ
with
her
husband, Paul.
She is a stay at
home mom right
now. They gave us
a wonderful
grandson, Jordan
Paul Vinicguerra
on January 11,
1994.
Julie, our middle child, lives on the street north of our
property. She is a Special Education Teacher at Oak Manor.
She and her husband, John have given us two Grandsons.
Kyle Wayne Isabel was born January 16, 1986 and Karter
Wayne Isabel was born April 2, 1988.
Jerry and his wife, Angie lives in Niles in the house JoAnne
was raised in. They were just married in July of 2000 so no
grandchildren yet. Jerry is working in construction.
We spend the biggest part of our free time enjoying our family.
We are spending a lot of time at sporting and 4-H events. We
sneak away now and then for a long weekend in Northern
Michigan. We have visited Costa Rica when our daughter
Jamie and her family lived there. We are now looking forward
to a trip to Hawaii in November - a gift from our kids.
16
Ruth Anne Yaw-Vite
After graduation from Memorial Hospital School of Nursing in
South Bend in 1962 as an R.N., I began working in OB - labor and
delivery. I have continued in that field since, but now work parttime at St. Joseph Community Hospital in Mishawaka.
Married my husband, Rick, in 1963. We grew up together as
neighbors and in our local church where we still attend. Rick is
actively involved in farming.
We have three daughters, Sarah, Susan and Jennifer and five
grandchildren; Rachel-7, Jacob-5, Jessica-6, Jenna-4 and
Thomas-18 months. The grandchildren are so wonderful and keep
me busy even though the nest is empty. (An interesting sidenote!
Susan married Diane Wirant-Fritz' son, Tom, so Diane and I share
3
grandchildren; Jessica, Jenna and
Thomas.)
The travel
bug got me in 1992, so since then
have
been to several European
countries
and Hawaii. A favorite place close
to home is
Mackinac Island. Also love to ski,
bike, read
and spend time with friends.
What a great
way to keep in
touch. Hope to
see many of our
Classmates at
the 45th or
sooner.
16
Orla Zimmerman
After graduation, I attend Southwestern/National Graduate Bible
Academy. I earned a Bachelor of Bible Philosophy at the
Academy.
I went to work in the tool and design business. Have done office
and factory work throughout my life.
I have two cats, Missy and Sassy, who I adore. I am into art,
painting, choir at Church.
_
Sally Ahlgrim-Doebler
The day after graduation from NHS our family moved, as my dad
had become the commander of the Michigan State Police Post in
Pontiac.
Four years later, I graduated from the University of Michigan and
was married. After teaching for seven years in both Ann Arbor and
Akron, Ohio, having four children, and moving to Holland, I found
myself single again. So, naturally, I began doing what I love teaching kids.
My claim to fame is summarized on the Hudsonville Deer Traxx
Ice Cream carton. Yes, the idea to have a state mammal
originated in my classroom. With lots of prayers, guidance, and
work, our idea became a House Bill in January of 1997 and then a
law in June of 1997. So, now Michigan has a state game
mammal because of 30 fourth graders and a crazy teacher.
One year ago in September of 1999, I married Bill Doebler, a
neighbor since 1977. His first wife, who passed away in the spring
of 1996, was a good friend of mine and our children attended
school together. Never did we dream that the Lord would
someday unite the two of us.
Together we have seven children and twelve grandchildren living
is six different states. We also have two moms, living in Holland,
who are both in frail health.
Bill has thankfully
overcome some
serious cancer and is still
working. I,
too, continue to teach 4th
grade. We are
looking forward to retiring, some
missionary
trips and exciting travel beginning in
the summer of
2004.
My thoughts often turn to many of
you and our
wonderful times at NHS.
Jerry Blood
After graduation, I joined the U.S. Navy. Then I attended
Jacksonville Junior College and obtained an A.S. Degree in
Criminology. I worked 3 1/2 years with the Florida Highway Patrol
and the remainder of my career was spent with the Sheriff's Office.
I retired in 1997.
I married a Florida girl, Doris Howard, and we had two children.
Both are graduates of University of Florida (gators). My son,
Garry is a major in the Air Force and my daughter, Kerry is an
executive assistant to the President of a Pharmaceutical Research
Company in Tampa, FL.
I have one beautiful granddaughter, age twenty-one months
(my son's daughter.)
Doris and I enjoy riding our motorcycle (Goldwing) all over this
great country of ours. We are also avid campers and for the last
two years since my retirement have gone out west for three
months at a time. We have a 30' fifth wheel camper that we enjoy.
I met Doris in May of 1963 while stationed in Jacksonville, FL with
the U.S. Navy. We were married in November of 1963 and will
soon celebrate 37 years of marriage.
(Copied from the Hudsonville Ice Cream Carton)
"The 30 nine and ten year olds in Sally Rhind's fourth grade class at
Borculo Christian School in Zeeland, Michigan, made the Majestic White
Tail Deer Michigan's Official State Game Mammal. Governor Engler
signed the students' bill, making it law on June 11, 1997. The 30 students
collected 65,964 signatures and testified before the House and Senate
standing committees. 30 young Christian Americans learned that with hard
work and guidance, they could do anything. It started with a study of
Michigan, and Sally Rhind led her class through each step of the legislative
process."
Millennium Tattler
17
Ronald Brock
I joined the Marine Corp in 1959 and married in 1961. I am
blessed with 2 sons and 3 grandchildren. I drove truck for
35 years and retired in 1998 and plan to live happily ever
after.
18
John Carlton
After graduation, I joined the U.S. Navy in August of 1959. I
served until September of 1962.
I met my wife, Eulalia, shortly after coming home from the
service. We were married in Niles, Michigan by my father,
Rev. John Carlton in 1963.
Eulalia taught elementary school in Niles and I had several
jobs. I was a dog census taker. I sold cars for Joe Hayden
Ford in Niles and then I worked at Clark Equipment
Company in Buchanan.
We moved to Van Wert, Ohio in 1969 and I landed a job
with Aeroquip Corporation. I was employed there for 23
years. In 1992 I was let go from Aeroquip because of
downsizing of the company. I started working for Federal
Mogul Corporation. After 8 years with them, I retired on my
59th birthday, September 10, 2000 and am enjoying life
even more.
My wife and I have three children: John, Sara and Nick. We
also have five grandchildren. We consider ourselves lucky.
Only one of our children lives
away from
Van Wert and he is only one
and a half
hours away.
I enjoy golf, fishing,
woodworking and
spending time with my
family.
Jerry Keltz
John Farmer
Anne (my wife since 9/2/67) and I are in the same town where we've
lived since 1968. Our daughters, Alicia (6/4/69) and Alison (10/30/74) were
born here in Milan, but now live in Ann Arbor and Washington, D.C.,
respectively. Alicia and Philip made us grandparents for the first and only
time (so far) with Avery John's birth on 3/14/99. A month earlier, we
moved into our retirement dream home, a naturalist's delight set at the
edge of the Saline River in rural Milan, near Ann Arbor.
I left teaching for early retirement in '94 and have been pursuing my
hobbies and the domestic duties of a househusband ever since. Before
that, I'd followed in the footsteps of Russell Payne and John Schwann,
attempting to present the wonders of life, nature and science to a full
generation of our town's young people. I’d prepared for my career with an
A.B. in Biology (UMich, ’63) and an M.S. in Zoology (UMinn, ’68).
Fortunately, Anne still enjoys teaching, meaning that she's able to keep
food on the table and a little gas in our vehicles. She's a special education
teacher/consultant at the
Middle School just a mile
away from our house, as
the crow flies.
Nowadays, when the
laundry is done, dishes
washed, lawn mowed, and
garden hoed, I'm off to field,
stream and woods in
pursuit of everything that
enthralled me as a kid. In
the spring I walk the
county's cornfields with 1 or
2 other members of the Michigan Archaeology Society, searching for
prehistoric occupancy sites before the bulldozers destroy them forever. On
calm spring evenings, Anne and I census singing frogs and toads for the
DNR's amphibian survey. Since '95, I've spent many spring and summer
mornings searching for nesting birds in two dozen nearby wood lots.
That's one of many Cornell Bird Lab citizen science projects I do.
To keep in shape I’ve jogged nearly halfway around the world (well, its
equivalent!) since starting that in '78. Back pain has slowed me to a walk
lately, but a more ergonomic computer chair is helping. I hope to resume
jogging soon.
To balance my work in the wild, I meet for coffee several times a week
with “the boys” at the local restaurant. Another set of friends - pretending
to be literate - have met monthly for 20 years to discuss books. More B.S.
than enlightenment!
Family remains my top priority. To you other grandparents, I need
not relate the associated joys of having a grandchild. In deference to all
others, I’ll say no more!
I was in the U.S. Navy from 1959 to 1963. I spent 2 years
at Business College and Western Michigan University. I
married Jan Mitchell in 1965. We had 4 children; 3 sons
and 1 daughter; Brian, Bruce, Brett and Bethany. We also
have 4 granddaughters: Taylor, Ashley, Barrett and Lauren.
I began my career in 1963 as a night shift timekeeper for
Tyler Refrigeration in Niles, MI - and went to school during
the day. In 1965, Clark Equipment purchased Tyler and I
moved into the audit department of Clark in Buchanan, MI
and in 1967 transferred to the Cost Department as an
Internal Auditor and Cost Accountant. In 1968, I moved to
the Construction Machinery Division in Benton Harbor as
Rental Accounting Manager. In 1973, I moved to the
Marketing Department into the
position of
Marketing Plans Manager from
1977 to 1986.
I joined the Field Sales Team in
Asheville in
1986 and am now a member of
the Finance
Support Team. Clark is now
Volvo
Construction Equipment.
After 36 years, I retired on
June 11, 1999.
Millennium Tattler
19
Barbara Mudd-Mooney
Dennis Moore
In the baseball movie, The Natural, one of the characters says, "I
sometimes think we have two lives, the one we learn with and the
one we lead after that." This statement certainly applies to me.
Professionally, things have gone pretty smoothly. After high
school I went to college at the University of Michigan, then to
graduate school at Northwestern. Over the next twenty years I
taught English at Beloit College in Wisconsin, and since 1987 I
have been academic dean at Cornell College in Mount Vernon,
Iowa, a beautiful spot an hour from the Mississippi River and ten
miles from where "American Gothic" artist Grant Wood grew up.
Personally, it's been less smooth, though very instructive. It took
me more than one false start to strike the right chords in marriage,
but I finally did that in 1982 when I wed Helen Damon-Moore, a girl
from Maine whom I met when I was a faculty member at Beloit.
Now Helen teaches courses in education and women's studies
and is director of volunteer services at Cornell. Subsequently,
thanks to Helen, I became a late, delighted father in 1985 (Laura)
and again in 1988 (Stephanie), making me the frequently
astonished parent of a middle-schooler and a high-schooler in
2000. Over the years I've been a
constant reader,
movie-goer, and
photographer,
making regular family
visits back to
Michigan, especially the
Traverse City
area, and to
Massachusetts and
Maine.
Recently I've been
writing
reminiscences of
childhood
and youth for my
daughters.
Not surprisingly, it
turns out
that all my memories
of friends
and classmates are
fond ones.
20
Jim (Red Mooney - Class of '57) and I married in September of
1960 and moved to Mt. Pleasant so he could finish his degree at
CMU. Upon graduation we moved to Williamston, MI about 15
minutes east of MSU, and aside from moving to Florida for two
years, we have been here the entire time.
We have three children (2 girls and a boy) and five grandchildren
ranging in age from 3 1/2 to 13. Two of our children live in Florida
and one lives about five miles from us in Williamston. Jim taught
(notice I used the past tense - we just retired this year) school in
Williamston and coached football, baseball, golf and wrestling. I
worked for the City of Williamston for ten years and just retired
from the school system as a secretary after nine years.
The last two years have been quite exciting for us. Jim wrestled in
high school and continued as a coach in that sport. Two years
ago our team went to State in Battle Creek. The previous year I
made a promise to our wrestlers that I would dye my hair green if
they went to State. I started out with one streak after we won the
League, added another section after District, and by the time we
went to State, my whole head was green. (Our granddaughter
who was 1 1/2 at the time wouldn't come near me.) It was all
worth it though because we won the State Championship that
year. Jim was named "Coach of the Year" and received many
honors. Words can't describe how I felt when the fire engines and
fans with horns blaring met our wrestlers as they entered the city
limits that night. It was sooooo cold as they stepped out of the bus
in the middle of town and stood under the banner that read
"Williamston Wrestlers on the road to #1." What an accomplished
bunch of
young people
and what a
proud
moment it
was. As I
write this,
those same
feelings
come back.
It will be a
moment I will
never forget.
Ken Acton
Ronald Quick
I'm still superintendent for a construction company in
Wisconsin.
As many of you will remember, Anita Brooks (class of '58) and I
dated all through high school and married a few weeks after my
graduation. The marriage blessed me with 3 wonderful children, a
daughter and two sons. Unfortunately, after 25 years the marriage
ended in divorce.
A couple of years later the Lord brought into my life my present
wife, Pat and her 2 sons. We were married in December of 1987.
After graduation, I stayed in the Niles area until 1966. During that
time I worked at Tyler Refrigeration, Overton Machine Co. (in
Dowagiac) and National Standard Company. In the summer of
1966, we moved with the children to East Lansing where I
attended Michigan State University. Graduating in June of 1970
with a Bachelors Degree in Agricultural Mechanization, we moved
to Dubuque, Iowa, where I accepted a position as a senior
engineering technician
with John Deere
Dubuque Works. In
1974 we were
transferred to the
East Coast; Bel
Air, Maryland for
three years and
returned to Dubuque
in 1977. In
1978 I left John Deere
to
accept a teaching position at
Ferris State University in Big Rapids,
Michigan. I am currently in my 22nd
year of teaching in the Heavy
Equipment Technology Program.
My daughter, Shelly and her
husband, Joe Hensley, live near
Grayson, Kentucky. Son Mark lives
in Battle Creek, MI. Son, John also lives in Battle Creek, MI. My
stepson, Casey deVoyst lives in Millington, MI and stepson,
George deVoyst is a missionary living in Ukraine.
All of these wonderful children have blessed us with 12 beautiful
grandchildren.
Pat and I both look forward to retirement in the near future. We
both love to travel and I am looking forward to pursuing my many
hobbies, which include Civil War History, flying and restoring old
cars, trucks and tractors.
Millennium Tattler
21
Pat Heckathorn-Irwin
After graduation I continued to work at Kawneer until September of
1961 when I left to attend the Grand Rapids School of Bible and
Music. There I met Don Irwin and the following September we
were married.
We lived in Grand Rapids and had two daughters - Wanda and
Charlotte. Both are married and neither have made us
grandparents.
We moved to Brighton (near Ann Arbor) in 1972. I've worked
various jobs - crossing guard, lunchroom helper, light factory,
nursing home aide and typist at an insurance company. Currently
I work two part-time jobs;
home health aide for senior citizens in the the mornings and proof
operator at Old kent Bank in the afternoons. Don has retired.
Mom and Dad are still in Bertrand and my brother, Steve, lives
close by, so I'm there often.
Don and I love NASCAR, especially Jeff Burton and Mark Martin.
22
Janet Jedele-Paullette
I attended the U of Michigan and in the fall of 1962 was an
exchange student in Sheffield (England). I met Bob Paullette in
Ann Arbor and we were married in 1963. While Bob attended
medical school, I taught school in Detroit. Our daughters were
born there; Terri (1966), Laurie (1967) and Kathie (1969). In 1970
we moved to an Air Force base outside Marquette, MI. Finally in
1972 we settled in Niles when Bob joined an Ob-gyn practice.
We enjoyed 14 years in Niles, raising our girls and living close to
my folks. During that time, I worked at Old Kent Bank, IUSB, and
a kitchen shop in South Bend.
In 1986 we moved to Phoenix
where Bob joined a large
clinic and I worked in the
catering business at a
hotel (hated it) and then
as an elementary
school secretary (loved
it). In 1990 we moved
to Tucson, AZ where I
got a job in a small
school
district. I retired in
1995 as
Director of Personnel; I loved the job and saw the district double
the number of employees and grow from 5 schools to 8. I retired
when the job became more about legal issues and less about
human resources.
I then got involved in volunteering at a needlework/gift shop. It is
staffed completely by volunteers and since 1981 has donated over
$1,000,000 to women's and children's charities here in Tucson.
Proceeds last year alone were $100,000. I also enjoy reading, golf
and needlework. Since 1997 when Bob retired, we have enjoyed
traveling.
Our family here has grown. Laurie, her husband and triplet
daughters, age 3, live only two hours away. Kathie, her husband
and 20 month old daughter live here; my parents and my father-inlaw live here also. Only Terri, her husband and 5 month old
daughter continue to live in the Midwest. Babysitting takes up
much of our time and we enjoy it tremendously. We consider
ourselves truly blessed; we enjoy good health and good friends in
a wonderful community. Our retirement move was made years
before our retirement!
Vernon Dale Anderson
After graduation from high school, I joined the National
Guard. I worked at Davis Products and later as an
engineer for the Norfolk Southern Railroad.
I married in July, of 1966 and we have 2 boys who are
finally grown! I have 3 grandchildren, 1 granddaughter and
two grandsons.
My oldest son loves to hunt, and my youngest son lives at
the drag strip on the weekends. My grandchildren live in
our swimming pool in the summers.
Hobbies include bareboat charter certificates. I own a 26
foot MacGreagor, cruise/sailboat and sail on Lake
Michigan with my wife, sons and grandchildren.
Working on the railroad doesn't give me much time for
activities. Hope to retire this year and would like to sail in
Florida's gulf.
Pat Haas-Knox
I retired in 1996 from teaching and owner of a pre-school in
Madera, CA. Don and I have moved to Sun City, AZ, a retirement
area for the oldies but goodies.
We have four children who live in four different states - Arizona,
California, Indiana and New Mexico.
We have six grandchildren, so we travel to see them trying to
make an impact upon their lives and making sure that they know
their grandparents.
We golf, travel, socialize and attend church regularly
Millennium Tattler
23
Chris (Skip) Harrison
I received my BA from the University of Houston in 1966 and I
worked two years in the corporate world for International
Harvester Corporation. I knew on the first day of the job that it
really wasn't for me. However, I worked hard and did a good job
for them and in my off time
I searched deep into my heart for something I really wanted to do.
It took me two years and I found Chiropractic, a drugless, nonsurgical, all natural healing art. I enrolled at the Los Angeles
College of Chiropractic in California in 1968 and completed my
four-year doctorate in Chiropractic in 1972. I practiced in
California for 21 years. I was appointed Chairman of the
Research Committee for the California Chiropractic Association
and was Chairman of the Department of Applied Kinesiology at
the Palmer West College of Chiropractic. In 1994, I migrated to
Birmingham, AL and set up practice here.
I have been married on more than one occasion, am presently
married to Leda, have four wonderful children and two grandchildren.
In 1991, I accepted Jesus Christ into my life and slowly but surely
He has tamed me down and molded me into what He wants me
to be. I have a long way to go, but I feel sure that I will get there.
In many ways my life is just getting started.
I love my work as a Chiropractor and am in the middle of writing
my second book
in the health
field. Please
give me a jingle I want to know
each of you on a
personal basis.
God Bless you.
24
Harold Masten
After graduation I worked at various jobs and tried some college
at IUSB but it was not for me. Went to California and stayed for a
year with my brother and then came back to good old Niles. Met
a partner with whom I shared a business and relationship with for
fifteen years - Pine Tree Lamp Shop. Did that til 1983, sold it and
partied for while.
A friend talked me into looking into going back to school. Did
that! Went to Southwestern Michigan College and then to
Western Michigan University. I was very active on campus,
starting the first four year Phi Theta Kappa in the State of
Michigan. I won lots of honors in college including Who's Who.
Also was person the college used for advertising for older adults
returning to college. Anyway, enough of that. It was a very good
time. I graduated with Social Work degree and went on to get my
masters as well.
I went to work for Madison Center in South Bend for six years
before moving here to sunny California. Lived in Rancho Palos
Verdes with my ex of nine years, who I had met in college before
moving to Long Beach. It is just me and the dogs now. No one
special in my life right now, but looking. I am now working for a
foster care agency doing case management and therapy with the
kids. I love it and never thought I would ever work with kids.
If noone has guessed by now, I am gay, always have been and
now am free being just who I am. Same loveable guy, just
different strokes.
Marge Morris-Sherwood
In my Junior year of High School I met the love of my life, Eugene
Sherwood. We were married November 15, 1958. This
November will mark 42 years of marriage. We lived in Dowagiac,
MI for 3 years and Coloma, MI for 5 years. We then moved back
to Niles in 1966 and bought Gene's parents' home where Gene
was raised.
We have been blessed with 4 children (2 boys, 2 girls), 6
grandchildren (4 boys, 2 girls) and one step granddaughter. I was
and still am a stay at home wife and mother.
For many years I helped Gene on the farm. I was a room mother,
a seamstress, a bus driver (for my 4 children) and, of course, a
referee. I was what you call a "monkey wrench" for about 8
years. We had 3 drag race cars. We still have two 1968
cameros. We are collecting antique tractors, 22 in all. We go to
numerous tractor shows during the summer. I feel I am very rich
(not money).
Two times Gene has had life threatening accidents. I thank God
for healing him. I have had a great life since my school days.
Bruce Secor
I married Doreen Hegerfeld (class of '60) a little over 30 years
ago and we're still here. Two kids, both grown, with first
grandchild expected in October, so we are very excited about
that.
I spend some time in the Navy after NHS and then at Olivet
College. Knocked around at some odd jobs and settled at Tyler
Refrigeration (where I met Doreen) and lasted 31 years at Tyler
until I retired last September. Still playing as much tennis as this
old body will allow, and for the past few months have been taking
it pretty easy - just some "honey-do" stuff. Doreen now considers
me her "house boy" - but I don't think it's working out too well.
The place is never clean enough - I may have to retire again.
Millennium Tattler
25
Patsy (Pat) WogatzkeThompson
The first few years after graduation were very eventful and many lessons
were learned! I married a "rival" from Buchanan, Larry L. Thompson.
Some of you guys may remember him from wrestling and football. We
have six children. Our oldest son, David and wife, Donna live in Steger,
IL (about 80 minutes away) and are parents of Chris, Matt, Nathan and
Elizabeth. Three are in Buchanan; Laurie is back home after living in
California for 15 years and Larry Alan is a few blocks away. Tammy and
husband, Mark are parents of Gregory (who recently joined the Navy),
Chad (C.J.) and Tanya; mother of Gabrielle Alyssa (that would make us
great grandparents!!) Karon and husband, Mike live in Niles along with
daughters, Ashley and Michaela. They recently lost their daughter,
Nicole, 16. (God needed another Special Angel so he took our Nicole on
7/7/00.) Patricia (Trish), our youngest, lives in Mishawaka. We are
blessed with a great family. It's crowded and noisy at our family
gatherings, but always nice to have everyone together.
I was lucky to have been a stay-at-home Mom for the first 15 years of our
marriage. I sold Beeline Fashions and earned many trips. Larry and I
spent 8 days on Oahu (it was beautiful); several days in Marco Island, FL
and also Nashville's Opryland Hotel and Amusement Park. I also won 5
minutes in a grocery store. I took home over $1,200 in meat and canned
gods. I really enjoyed that and wish I could move that fast now! The kids
thought they were in heaven with all the extra food!
I worked as a secretary and most recently spent 10 years at a factory in
Buchanan. I worked as a hand-packager, operated the shrink-wrap
machine, assisted in shipping, parts return and many other jobs. The last
5 years were in the bagging department as head "Bag-Lady" and trainer.
In
February 1995, Larry was transferred to
Manistique; (Upper Peninsula) and I retired.
He hated it but I loved it - we were only 3
miles from the Casino! We lived in the UP
for 3 years. We traveled all around the
area, visiting waterfalls and Casinos. It
was a beautiful place for family vacations.
Larry retired in March, 1998 and we returned to our home in Buchanan.
His retirement lasted 1 week, he's now foreman for Semco Energy Const.
Co. He will be retiring (again) in a year or two. We hope to travel and
enjoy the things we haven't had time to do.
I spend my days helping care for my grand-DOGGER, Jessica, grandkids
and great-granddaughter. I love playing on my computer and spend way
too much time on it..
26
Lyman E. Bybee
I married Delores J. Wallace
on December 5, 1959. Most of
my working career was
connected to sales and
marketing. I retired in 1996
from American Electric Power
Company, after nearly 25
years of service. I am enjoying
retirement and golf.
I was an assistant coach in
little league football – lost 1 game in four years. Became
interested in genealogy in the 70’s. Put on classes on genealogy
for several years. I conducted projects of restoration at three of
the area’s abandoned cemeteries.
I have 2 sons and 2 daughters. Scott Allen was born in 1960 and
died in 1991. Kimberly Kay was born in 1961 and is married with
3 children. Cynthia Ann was born in 1965, married and divorced
with no children. Shane Alan was born in 1970, married with 3
children.
I am still active in family research but most of my time is spend
enjoying our grandchildren.
Keep an eye on the Harris twins from Brandywine (football and
basketball) they are awesome. Sorry Vikings’ fans.
Nina Erwin-Robinson
Rodney Beckwith
What Have I Been Doing?
Joined Boy Scouts in 1952 and have been involved since. Received Silver
Beaver Award in 1990. Scout Master for 15 years, District Round Table
Chairman for 5 years. Lead 4 crews at
Philmont hiking 11 days at 6,50012,000 feet altitude. I will
work at the Boy Scout
National Jamboree for my
third time July, 2001. I will
teach Confidence course
action Center B (38,000
Scouts and Leaders).
Married Georgia Bruining from
Grand Rapids on June 27,
1964. We have a son, Rodney
IV, who married Micki Hartsell
and they have one son.
Rodney works in Ford
Engineering – Suspension &
Steering Development in
Dearborn, MI. They live in
Pinckney, MI about 10 miles
south of
us. We have a daughter,
Deborah,
who married Jeff Weeks and they
have a
daughter and son. Deborah has worked and
taught Interior Design at Eastern Michigan University. They live in South
Lyon, MI. We currently live in Howell, MI. I’m still active with Boy Scouts
and Mission programs with our Church in Livonia, JI.
I teach First Air and CPR for Red Cross and American Heart. I retired from
Ford Engineering January, 1997 and enjoy wife, children, grandchildren
and helping others.
My son and I race SCCA Road Racing National Circuit. That is 31000#
cars (mustangs) running up to 140 miles per hour at Road America as one
example. It is an extension of my engineering background.
I invested well during my 33 and 1/2 years at Ford Motor Company and my
wife and I enjoy gardening, playing and helping others. One of our projects
is taking a crew of church people to Albany, GA the last of January each
year and working on building Habitat homes.
I dropped out of school in 1958 due to an accident. In 1959, I
married Dale Robinson from Dowagiac. We have been married for
42 years. We have two sons – both born premature. In 1966 I
went to work for Simplicity Pattern. I was permanently laid off in
1976. I started a janitorial service at this time. It was a profitable
business. I went back to school in 1977. Received my G.E.D. and
diploma in 1978.
During the 80’s we lived in Arizona and Wyoming. In 1988 my
husband received a job offer from Checker Motors where he is a
tool & die maker. I went into home health care at this time. Not
liking the city, we settled on 11 acres outside the small town of
Gobles. We love it here.
Our son, Don, lives close by and is an A+ Certified Computer
Tech. Younger son, Ed, lives in Niles and is owner of ‘Robinson
Pest Control.’ We have four grandchildren whom we adore. Don’s
child, Jennifer, was born in 1977. Ed’s children are Chad, born in
1981, David born in 1984 and Amanda in 1988. We have two
great-grandchildren from Jennifer. These are the children in the
photo with me, Trenton Michael and Megan McKenna Adams.
Through the years I have enjoyed writing poetry. Some have been
published. I am a member of the National Poets Society. I enjoy
reading, crafts and walks through the woods.
We have had our share of tragedies. Our parents are all gone, a
son with type 2 diabetes, and a totally disabled brother that I take
care of. We have lived a simple life, but one that has been
blessed and rewarding. I wish the best for all my classmates.
Millennium Tattler
27
Leroy Hilligoss
After graduation I went to work at French Paper Company. I
worked there for nine years. In 1968 went to work for National
Standard, worked there until 1972. Moved to Phoenix, AZ for
about two months and returned to Niles and went to work at
Garden City Fan in 1973 and I have been there every since.
I worked 20 years in the
shipping department
before I was offered a
management
position. In 1996 I
spent every other
week in Mexico
City, Mexico
coordinating
shipments to
and from our
sister
company in
Mexico City.
In December of
1996 the
company sent me
and my wife
there to live. We were
scheduled to
stay for a year but
were called backed
to help out in Niles
only after four
st
reassigned
months. As of April 1 I have been
to our Mexico plant as Director of Operations.
I played fast pitch softball from 1959 to 1968 and then played slow
pitch from 1973 to 1991. I am currently married to Judy (Kirk) a
1961 classmate. Together we have six daughters. I have four
daughters from previous marriages; Marilyn - 36, Shelley - 34,
LeeAnn - 31, Peggy - 22 and Judy has two daughters from a
previous marriage; Cherie - 36 and Kelly - 34. We have a total of
six grandchildren.
Judy and I enjoy traveling especially through the southwest (New
Mexico and Arizona). I play a little golf in the summer just for
enjoyment. I have been bowling since 1958, but I have cut the
number of nights down from 5 nights a week to only one night.
Two years ago I had the privilege to see my favorite teacher, Miss
Mouwer. She was visiting Chuck Morton and he let me know that
she was going to be in town. What a great lady!
28
Madeline MarquisDyszkiewicz
After graduation, I worked for a short time at Michigan Bell before moving
to Miami, FL. I didn't linger in Miami long before marrying a "coastie" from
Georgia and moving to Portsmouth, VA. One daughter, Eden was born
there and then my husband transferred to Alameda, CA. Daughter two,
Elizabeth was born at the Oakland Naval Hospital. Later we moved to
Eureka, CA and lived there until we were divorced.
I moved back to Niles and went back to Michigan Bell. Eventually I met
my next husband, a "Scotsman" who lived in Mishawaka, IN. I left "Ma
Bell" and worked for a time at the Penn Central Railroad in Elkhart. Son,
Geordie arrived and put an end to my railroad career.
The next few years were spent raising children. I went to work in 1986
for the United Religious Community in South Bend as bookkeeper and
office manager. Before retiring I worked as bookkeeper and assistant to
the director of the Center for the Homeless in South Bend at its inception.
During this time my second husband returned to Scotland for good and I
met husband number three (the keeper).
We married in 1989 and in 1992 he took an early retirement and we
moved to The Villages, FL. The Villages has become the premier site built
retirement community in FL and, as the owners brag, in the country. You
can find it on-line at TheVillages.com.
After several years of retirement, enjoying the weather, golfing, hobbies,
crafts, travel and painting, I decided a part-time job would be just the ticket.
Through an acquaintance, I was offered a position as part-time accountant
for a group of doctors who specialize in Urology. This is a position I really
cherish. I'm well paid and I work when I choose.
The children are all doing well; my daughters are both married with two
daughters each of their own. My older daughter, Eden and her husband
own two Nationwide Insurance Agencies in North Carolina. Their
daughters are “A” students and doing well in sports.
My younger daughter, Liz is Assistant to the Registrar at Notre Dame
and her husband is a construction job site foreman. Their daughters also
are both on the honor roll at school (Mishawaka, IN) and they both play the
violin in the grade school band.
My son, Geordie (Mishawaka) is a landscaper who loves his work. He’s
still single and having fun, so no grandchildren for me to spoil and brag
about, yet. He is a sports nut and loves the Indy 500 type stock car races.
Diane Wirant-Fritz
Harry Slaughter
I left Niles in June, 1961, moving to Dayton, Ohio. I returned to
Michigan in August, 1961, to marry my present wife, Delores
(Bufkin) Slaughter of Cassopolis, Michigan.
We have two wonderful sons and daughters-in-law and a
handsome grandson. God has also blessed us with a beautiful
daughter who died at an early age of 3 and 1/2 years old.
I retired from the City of Dayton, Department of Finance, as
Paymaster on December 30, 1994 with thirty-three years of faithful
service and dedication.
My most noteworthy
accomplishment was the
“Harry Slaughter
Customer Service
Award.”
Not much has changed since our 30th reunion except we have
more grandchildren. From 2 pregnancies (a set of twins) there are
11 grandchildren - 8 girls and 3 boys. Each family has one boy.
Tom is retired from his management job and is a sub-teacher. I
am retired since June of 2001. Tom will probably sub-teach for a
couple more years.
I survived eight months of serious illness in 1998, but am ok now.
I am most proud of my kids - they are all educated and most of all
they are nice people married to nice spouses. All have stayed with
and married in the faith they were raised in. I would love having
them live closer but such is life. One is in St. Joe, MI, one in
Fenton, MI and one in Peoria, IL.
We will celebrate 40 years of marriage in September.
My son is married to the daughter of a classmate. He is married to
Ruth Ann Yaw Vites' middle daughter, Susan. Ruth Ann and I
even sort of arranged it.
We will spend more time at our cabin in the Upper Peninsula in
DeTour, MI. Also will plan on seeing our grandchildren more –
especially the ones that live far away. I also plan on doing some
volunteer work.
I am looking forward to seeing everyone at the next reunion.
“The Harry Slaughter
Customer Service Award”
In 1991, the Harry Slaughter Customer Service
Award was created to recognize one employee
annually for outstanding customer service. The
award was named in honor of its first recipient,
Harry Slaughter, Payroll Supervisor in the
Department of Finance. Harry exemplifies what it
means to be genuinely customer-oriented and is
held as the prototype for every employee
dedicating themselves to outstanding customer
service.
Millennium Tattler
29
Harold Rudlaff
Shortly after high school graduation, enlisted in the United States
Air Force for four years (three of these years were spent in
Germany.) Then attended Western Michigan University, receiving
a B.S. degree in 1966. Also in 1966, married Sharon Otis (Niles
High School class of 1962) after meeting and then dating her in
college for three years. We had one daughter (Barbara), currently
living in Colorado.
Started my management career at Ford Motor Company as a
production Supervisor. After a couple of years (and a number of
experiences living and working in the Detroit area) decided that
B.S. may not be enough, so returned to school. Was a graduate
teaching assistant with and received an M.S. degree from
Michigan State University. After leaving Michigan State University,
I joined The Upjohn Company (a Pharmaceutical Company based
in Kalamazoo, Michigan.) Spent 28 years with the company
starting as a Packaging Engineer and ending as Executive
Director of Technical Operations in Europe. During my time with
the Upjohn Company had the opportunity to work in a number of
Domestic and International
positions/assignments (including living
in Europe for more than ten years.)
My wife (Sharon) for more than 27
years, passed away in 1993 while we
were living in Belgium (have not
remarried.) In early 1997, I returned
from Belgium and retired. However,
continue to work as a part-time
management consultant with a
consulting firm based in New Jersey.
Also have been working as a part-time operations consultant (as a
volunteer) with Goodwill Industries of Southwestern Michigan.
Continue to maintain a residence in Kalamazoo, but remain an
avid traveler.
Sharon Wedel-Niles
Never being able to get something right the first time, it took three
tries at marriage. You can believe what you have always heard;
the third time really is the charm. After working at the Paris Candy
Shop, W.T. Grant, Dean’s Drug Store and Krogers, I thought why
not try New Mexico? I have been here 25 years and would never
leave.
Both my husband and I love hunting and fishing and have been
able to do both in many locations. The most exciting was hunting
and fishing in Alaska. We still manage to get in at least two hunts
a year but the distance back to the truck seems to get longer and
longer. Certainly it can’t be age!
Since you need work to get in the way of fun, we were in property
management for several years. After moving to Oklahoma and
being in charge of properties in four different states, we decided it
was time to come back to New Mexico. We started our own
business and are still working at it today.
I have two wonderful children
and three stepchildren.
Our eight grandchildren are a
joy. They are in Indiana,
North Carolina and Georgia
so we don’t see them as
often as we would
like, but it is wonderful
when we do.
Life has
been good!
Millennium Tattler
31
Stephen Curtis
Carole Otter-Brock
I married Chester Brock (Niles class of '55) shortly after
graduation. We lived in Niles for three years, the Washington D.C.
area for five years, then Kansas City for two and one half years.
Subsequently we moved to Schaumburg, IL where we have lived
for the last thirty years.
We have six children, Brian-39, Bruce-37, Carrie-33, Bradley-29,
Patrick-6 and Patriece-4. Bruce lives in the Chicago area and has
blessed us with our only grandchild, Isabella who is one year old.
Carrie has had some medical problems due to an adverse reaction
to a rabies shot. Bradley has just returned from Costa Rica, where
he hope to reside permanently in the near future. Patrick and
Patriece were our foster children (they are half brother/sister) prior
to our adoption being finalized. We received both when they were
two to three months old. They are African American with special
needs, which keeps me busy with classes and therapy. Both were
premature but Patriece is a blessing as she was one and a half
pounds at birth, fourteen weeks early. A second family wasn't
what Chester had in mind for retirement but God had a different
plan for us. I attended our local junior college for two years. I took
mostly art classes and
enjoyed working in
clay. I lost my mother in
a train/automobile
accident in 1970. My
father is 83 and living in Colorado.
I've been blessed and
I wouldn't want to
be doing anything
different.
Patriece
Patrick
32
I have resided in Mishawaka, IN for the past twenty-five years.
Have been married to my wife, Peggy, for twenty-three years and
we have five children; two daughters and three sons. Both girls
and the youngest son are married with another son to take that
step in October. Grandchildren currently total eight but I am most
often the last to know of any additions so this figure could be in the
process of changing as I write this.
After twenty-five plus years of employment in industrial supervision
and management, left to become a charter bus driver. Have been
employed by United Limo, Inc. of Mishawaka, IN for the past
eleven years where I hold the position of dispatcher/supervisor.
My wife and I both love simply being outdoors away from the
crowds. Spend most of what free time we have simply observing,
enjoying and photographing nature and the animals that reside all
around us. With a seven year old golden retriever always at our
side, we have enjoyed the wolves of
Yellowstone,
bears of Banff, moose in Maine and
all the sights and sounds in many
regions of the United States
and Canada.
Look forward to joining and
visiting with those I have not
seen for so many years.
Frances Prusinski-Sigle
Robert Humbarger
I am living on a farm near New Carlisle, IN with my wife, Sharon.
We have three boys: Christopher, 25, who is a chemical engineer
with Mittler. Hans is a grad student at the University of Wisconsin
and Robert F. will be starting 7th grade this fall.
I took many courses regarding Advanced Roofing, Roof
Technology, Construction Supervision Course, Built-Up Roof
Systems Technology, etc. I also attended the US Army Survey
School for Topographical Coordinate Control as well as accounting
courses at Lake Michigan College.
From 1967 to 1973 I was an associate planner for City Planning
Associates in South Bend, IN. From there I worked for Korbuly,
Graf, Weber, Architects also in South Bend as a Chief Field
Inspector/Specification Writer from 1973 to 1995.
I now am President and Founder of ConSpectT Services, Inc., a
Registered Roof Consultant and Construction Documents
Technologist.
I married Dale Sigle from Buchanan in May, 1960. We moved to
New Jersey in 1961 and had two boys, Robert and Alan. In 1965,
we moved back to Buchanan and had our third son, Greg.
In 1970, we were transferred with National Standard to
Columbiana, AL. In 1971 I proceeded to get my real estate
salesmen’s license and in 1974 got my broker’s license. At first it
was because I couldn’t find anyone helpful enough to find us a
house and then I found I had a knack for being a salesman. I had
already worked co-op at Thayers, had sold flower arrangements
with my sister, had sold Amway and even auto parts when in New
Jersey. So my business snowballed to the point where I was
really quite busy. Found out that I had a lot of energy as the boys
were into all kinds of sports and we had parent’s bleacher butt for
years. We did take trips to Michigan every year; took a driving trip
all over the west; went to Hawaii; and various trips throughout the
years.
In 1982 we had the tragedy of our lives when our middle son, Alan,
was killed in an automobile accident a month after he had
graduated from High School We all had to really pull together with
all our might. Robert and Greg both graduated as Electrical
Engineers from Auburn University and are both doing very well.
In 1989 we visited my pen pal in Australia that I have been writing
to since grade school. Had a great time in New Zealand,
Australia, Figi and Hawaii. In the middle 90’s Dale had quite a few
surgeries from work, and my business had slowed so we decided
that, after talking about it for years, we were finally going to move
to Florida.
By that time Greg was in Orlando, had married Kris who had one
boy and now they also have Haley who just turned two.
Rob was married and had our first granddaughter, Mallory, and
then got divorced. He has since remarried a girl with three
children. So, basically, we have 6 grandchildren. We just love
them all.
In October of 1997 we finally did take that plunge, no jobs or
anything and a house not sold in Alabama, and moved to the
Tampa, FL area. I got my real estate license down here and work
as a buyer’s representative which means that I don’t represent
sellers or list houses. I just sell to and represent buyers. Dale
works as a construction manager for a builder and really likes it.
Millennium Tattler
33
Ron Flannery
Joe Davis
Upon graduation I attended college. After a
couple of years I found I could not support the
Ideology and politics involved so I left academia
never to return. (Some call this being bullheaded,
I prefer to see it as strength of character, or
something like that.)
From 1961 to 1964 I generally bummed around, working in factories, home
construction, sawmills, bought a restaurant, etc. I married Alan Bennett’s
sister, Madelon, in 1964 and we are still going strong…one of my better
decisions.
We left Michigan in 1972 and have lived in either Wyoming or Montana
since that time. Our two sons have both graduated from college. The
oldest lives in Portland, Oregon and has a business involving stats and
manufacturing resolutions in the computer industry. The youngest is
married and living in Belen, NM. He works for Wells Fargo Banks and his
wife is employed by the state as a parole officer. Together they own two
businesses in Albuquerque, NM.
Madelon works for State Farm Insurance and will continue to do so for
another couple of years, maybe longer if she can’t stand being home with
me!
Most of my working years have been in either the construction trades or
the telephony business. I retired last year and love every minute. I hope to
have more time to fish and take those pack trips into the mountains. We
live on the Yellowstone river and can be at several trail heads in under an
hour so that is where you will catch me.
I have just been offered a job as a consultant for Fujitsu Fiber Optic
Terminals. Now I have to decide if I am going to be “retired-retired, or just
semi-retired.” I
thought at our
age those
decision
making days
were over and
all we were
supposed to do
was sit in a
rocking chair on
the back porch
with a bucket of
home brew. Oh
well,
(Actual Photo of Yellowstone River)
See ya down the trail folks!
34
I was born and raised in Niles and still live here just two
blocks from the house where I lived when I was born.
After graduation from NHS, I went to work for a short time at
Kawneer. From there I went to work at Garden City Fan
Company, working in every department there over the
years. I spent the last 15 years as a welder. I welcomed in
the new millennium by retiring.
In 1960 I married ’59 classmate, Judy Knauf and we had
two children. Penny lives in Niles and Craig lived in South
Carolina and died in 1972. Our marriage ended in divorce
in 1969.
On March
31,
1972, I
married
the
former
Karen
Ingram
and
gained two
more children; Kenneth
who lives in Niles and
Sandee who lives in Muncie,
Indiana. Between us, we have 9 grandchildren – 5 girls and
4 boys.
Since retirement I have more time for the things I enjoy –
woodworking and fishing. We also love to travel and have
visited 46 of the 50 US states. After Karen retires, we hope
to buy a winter home in Florida and become snowbirds returning to our real home in the summer.
Keith Hess
It’s amazing to me how, from this end of my life, time seems to
have hurried by. Yet as I considered my future after graduation,
everything seems so far in the future. I enrolled at Michigan State
in the fall, 1959, graduating with a BA in Accounting in early 1964.
I began work as an accountant with CTS Corporation in Elkhart. I
also began night courses at the MSU Extension in St. Joe for my
MBA. In December of 1964, Roberta and I were married – in
Mexico City, Mexico. Marrying Roberta was one of the smartest
decisions I ever made. We returned to the MSU campus in the
fall, 1965, completing the MBA in Marketing and working on a
Ph.D. In 1969, we moved to Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada where I
was an Assistant Professor of Marketing at the University of
Manitoba. In the summer of 1971, another couple and we spent
six weeks touring Central and South America – it was a great trip
and we still talk about it today. We returned to MSU on sabbatical
to continue the Ph.D. and then back to Winnipeg, completing
everything but the dissertation for the degree. In 1972 our son,
Burritt, was born. Shortly after his birth, my wife and I made the
best decisions of our lives – we committed our lives to Christ as
born-again believers, which we continue in today. In 1974 our
daughter, Constance, was born. In 1976, we moved to Kihei,
Maui, Hawaii, where we lived and worked for about 8 years; first
for a Community Development Corporation, and then for a lighting
company handling their computer operations.
We left Hawaii in 1984, returning
briefly to Winnipeg, and then
moving to Tuscaloosa, Alabama,
where we still live. Presently we
are grandparents of three and a
fourth is on the way. Our son (a
Baylor University graduate) is now
a family practice physician in Texas, married to Mindy, and has
two daughters. Our daughter (also a Baylor University graduate)
is married to John Hester, a civil engineer with the USDA, has one
son and a daughter on the way, and lives in Missouri. I continue to
work in computers, providing training and support for courthouse
records systems our company develops and installs. My wife has
retired (I think for good) from teaching in a Christian school. We
are looking forward to the next NHS Class of ’59 reunion.
Peggy Moore-Ruetz
From 1960 to 1968 I was married to Bob Bauer. We have
two sons – Rob (in Phoenix) and Brad (in Dowagiac) and 5
grandkids. We have remained good friends throughout the
years.
I married Milo “Doc” Ruetz and we have lived in Florida for
30 plus years. He passed away 14 years ago.
I have been involved with catering and being banquet
manager at resort hotels. Been lots of fun and very
interesting.
Met a widower about 12 years ago. Raymond Martorana –
a wonderful Italian man – can he cook! We are really
enjoying our life together.
Millennium Tattler
35
Leonard Njus
I have lived in Niles since graduation. I retired from Allied Signal
(formerly Bendix) in 1996 after 30 years there. I have enjoyed
retirement and keep busy with various projects around the house
and elsewhere.
I volunteer my handyman skills at local Christian camps as needed
and I am on the administrative board at Community Evangelical
Free Church in Niles and work with a crew of volunteers on
Thursdays at the church doing remodeling and maintenance. The
church is located in a building some of you may remember - it is
the former Bertrand Elementary School.
I have been married to my wife Sue since 1986 and she enjoys
being retired, too.
My children live out of state and that gives me a good reason to
travel the country! My oldest daughter, Stacy is married and has
two children - Ryan who is seven and Rebecca who is five. They
live in Chesapeake, VA.
My youngest daughter, Jodie, is married and lives in Monroe, NC.
My oldest son, Kurt, is married and lives in Tijeras, NM and my
youngest son; Kirk is married and has a son,
Garrett who is 7 months. They live in
Amarillo, TX.
I still love cars and drag racing
although I don't actively participate in
racing these days. I'd rather take
my '69 Camaro for a cruise to
dinner or to the lake. I
watch all the drag races I
can on TV and I follow
NASCAR too.
36
Bill Robertson
I went from NHS to Central Michigan where I did a little wrestling
and a lot of partying. Graduated on time in June of 1963. Went off
to sunny California to start my business career. Landed a
management training job with the Bank of America and worked in
several banks. Got the greetings from Uncle Sam. Sold my few
worldly possessions and started hitching back to Michigan to take
the physical. Was headed to Houston to see Skip Harrison when
Kennedy was shot. Had an interesting time getting through Dallas.
Got home and flunked my Army physical. Tore up a knee at CMU.
Found a job with Standard Oil, later Amoco Oil and now BP
Amoco. Spent 34 years there on 22 different jobs. Moved 11
times the first 14 years and stayed in Wheaton, IL the next 20.
Retired in September of 1998 as Vice President of Brand
Marketing for Amoco. Had many great jobs at Amoco and enjoyed
my career, but enjoy my retirement even more.
Married Susan Lambertson of Three Rivers, MI in August of 1965.
We have two daughters and four granddaughters, including twins
born last September. All are in the Chicago area so we get to
spend a lot of time with them. In addition to my work and personal
history, I have had the opportunity to go to Harvard Business
School. Amoco sent me for the 14-week PMD accelerated MBA
program in 1978, survived the United AL crash in Sioux City, Iowa
in 1989, ran a marathon, climbed Mt. Rainier, got my professional
racing license, was on the network morning TV shows (air crash),
and scraped out two holes in one in a largely undistinguished golf
career.
Susan and I bought a lot in Scottsdale, AZ last winter. We are
building a house there and plan to spend future winters there. We
will keep our house in Wheaton to enjoy the kids and grandkids.
We do a fair amount of traveling and will visit Northern Italy for 14
days in September. Yes, I still do fly. Flew home the night of the
crash and have stayed in the air when travel dictates. Have been
blessed with good health and good fortune. We have been to the
25th and 35th year reunions and have enjoyed both.
Tom Smith
After graduation in 1959, I started to work for Tyler Refrigeration,
Niles. In December of 1960 I began studies at Ferris State in Big
Rapids. Enlisted in the U.S. Navy in December of 1962. Received
my basic training in San Diego. Completed special training for
criminal investigation and remained in San Diego area (Naval Air
Station, North Island) as a criminal investigator for the Navy for the
rest of my 4-1/2 years of enlistment.
While in the Navy I met and married my wife and best friend, Boo
Howard Smith. Boo and I lived in San Diego until the spring of
1966. At the end of my enlistment we returned to live in the Niles
area.
My first experience at civilian employment after the military was as
an insurance salesman for Western Southern Insurance. Went on
to Simplicity Pattern as the Assistant Traffic Manager. In 1967
became a car salesman for Briggs' Chrysler/Plymouth Dealership.
In 1969 I became an employee of National Standard Company of
Niles where I have spent the past 31 years.
Boo worked at Tyler Refrigeration for five years, became a "stay at
home mom" then went to work for Brandywine Public Schools
where she is still employed.
After 7 years of marriage Boo and I were blessed with two
daughters, Brooks and April, born within a year of each other. The
girls both graduated from Brandywine High School. Brooks
attended Western Michigan University and then married in 1995.
She and her terrific husband, Christopher Baker, have given us
two wonderful grandchildren, Madison and James Thomas and
they live in Kentwood, MI, near Grand Rapids. Our youngest
daughter, April, married soon after graduation, had one daughter,
Katelyn. She is divorced, still lives and works in the Niles area.
We have Katelyn with us a considerable amount of time. She is a
delight and we enjoy every minute of it.
Since our return to Niles in 1966 I have been a volunteer, then a
Board Member of the Niles United Way, Niles JCs, Brandy-wine
Optimist and spent 8 years as a member of the Brandy -wine
Board of Education. Finally, I have been a part of the Class of '59
Reunion Committee for many reunions.
Boo and I are looking forward to retirement in the next two-three
years. We have several interesting trips planned and hope to
spend more time with our children and grandchildren.
I am also looking forward to many more reunions with all of you in
the Class of 1959.
Jackie Virgil-Brock
Having gotten married in 1959 and starting a family I never
got to go back to school but I helped my husband get his
Master’s Degree from Western Michigan University.
I was married 32 years when divorced in 1991. Single since
then.
I was a wife, mother, homemaker and went to work full-time
at Simplicity Pattern Company in 1966 and I’m still working
there. Hoping to retire from there in a few years.
I have three children: all in the area. Rusty is 42, Tami Fisk
is 40 and Cindy Foster is 32.
I have three grandchildren ages 23, 21 and 18 – all in the
area.
I have 4 stepgrandchildren
and 4 stepgreat
grandchildren.
Millennium Tattler
37
John Cook
After graduation, I attended Loyola
University in Chicago for a year.
Still unsure of my calling, I returned
to Niles and worked for Kawneer and
then Uniroyal for several years.
In 1964, I took a leave of absence
and enlisted in the U.S. Army Reserves.
On completion of active duty in 1965, I met and
subsequently married my first wife, Susan Wall, a school
teacher at Eastside Elementary. And wouldn’t you know it,
37 years later she’s still my first wife. We have 2 children,
Scott and Tracy, and 5 granddaughters.
In 1966, we moved to Schoolcraft so I could finish college at
Western Michigan University. I graduated in 1968, with a
B.S. in Manufacturing Administration, and sent to work for
Continental Can in Three Rivers, as an Industrial Engineer.
We moved to Sturgis in 1970 and have been here ever
since.
During the past 32 years I’ve worked for several companies,
large and small, and got to travel around quite a bit. I
acquired a lot of experience involving plant relocations,
corporate buyouts, company downsizing, and company
closings. I also gained first-hand knowledge of how
expendable an Industrial Engineer is, particularly during
economic downturns. At the present time I am “retired”, and
really enjoying it!
Susie taught elementary school for most of those years,
retiring in 1992. She has been diagnosed with Multiple
Sclerosis in 1970, and then suffered a cerebral aneurysm in
1993. Despite being confined to a wheelchair and residing in
a nursing home, she has found many ways to accomplish
the unimaginable. She was named Sturgis Citizen of the
Year, 2000, for her many contributions to the community.
That wheelchair is motorized, so you better stay out of her
way!
Scott moved back home awhile back, and Tracy teaches
school here in Sturgis. Beside family activities, I have
several hobbies that keep me pretty busy. Golf is one of my
passions, but certainly not a skill that I have mastered.
Another passion, ever since my formative years in Niles, is
Notre Dame. Since 1998, I’ve been a stadium usher at the
home football games. If you come to a game, look for me at
Gate E, the student gate. During the game you will find me
in the student section – But I’ll look a little older than them.
38
The Niles High School Class of 1959 • Millennium Tattler
Toni Bogue-Nelligan
First of all, I have many wonderful
memories of our classmates and activities
at NHS. I attended Pucker Street School,
which was a one-room school along with
some fellow ’59 NHS Classmates.
I remember how exciting it was for our class to be one of the first
classes to go through the brand new high school. Secondly, I am so
grateful that we have NHS coordinators like Steve Schuyler, Jon
Reyniers, Kent Hunziker and Marilyn Jorgensen-Stiefer who are
working so hard to help keep us all informed and together. I thank
you for your interest, patience, your caring and all the extra efforts
you put forth to find our classmates. I really enjoyed reading fellow
bio’s and saddened to hear of those precious lives that have left us.
Last of all, I guess it is time to tell you my auto-bio. Time has really
flown by and I am grateful that I have had an interesting life and
good health through the years. Upon graduation, Barbara BearseHunziker and I headed to Lindenwood College in St. Charles, MO.
They had an excellent English Riding program which was one of the
reasons I chose to go there. Barbara and I were co-presidents of
our dorm. During the summer of my freshman year I decided to
transfer to Michigan State because I really missed my wonderful
family. Transferring from a Presbyterian Girls school to a big ten
school was quite a shock. I graduated with BS degree in education
with a major in physical education. I married and moved to Buffalo,
NY, where my husband played a couple of seasons with the Buffalo
Bills and then another season with the Denver Broncos. We had
two daughters and I went back to teaching after they were in school.
I moved back to Michigan where I ventured into property
management for a while. I divorced and married a Univ. of Michigan
graduate who is still working for Bechtel International in Russia. My
most favorite place to spend my summers is in Montague, Michigan
at a beautiful RV park on Lake Michigan. I am there from May to
th
September 30 every summer. If any of you are in the area I would
welcome a chance to visit with you. I enjoy the beautiful Lake
Michigan beach and sunsets whenever possible. I love the state of
Michigan and the Upper Peninsula where we have some property.
For the most part, life has been good and I am thankful that I have
two wonderful supportive sisters in my life. Some of you knew my
wonderful brother, Tim Bogue NHS Class of ’61. He was also a
teacher, father and businessman in California. He died of AIDS at
the age of 48.
I have traveled extensively in the U.S., Alaska, Canada-Nova
Scotia, Prince Edward Island, Germany, United Kingdom, Ireland,
Caribbean, and the Canary Islands. I have attended two NHS
reunions and I am looking forward to visiting with you at the next
NHS reunion. Happy trails to you until we meet again.
Judy Eich-Herlache
Jeri Sumners
I moved from Niles to Mt. Prospect,
Illinois the beginning of my Junior
year. Came back several times to
visit, but graduated from Arlington
Heights High School. I married in March, 1960. We moved
13 times in 12 years. Always working for a shoe company.
Mainly U.S. Shoe Corporation. We had four children, each
born in a different state. Rusty, ’61, Joliet, Illinois. Craig,
’62, New Kensington, PA. Julie, ’65, St. Louis, MO. Curt,
’70 in Cincinnati, OH.
John and I were married in March
of 1958. In March of 1959, our
son, Michael, was born and in
June of 1969, our daughter,
Margo, was born. We have since
lost our son, Michael, to cancer in
1992.
John worked for the Berrien County Road Commission for 30
years. I lost my beloved John in June after 43 years of
marriage. It’s been very hard to do, but I am trying to move
on with my life. We have 4 grandchildren, 2 of which live in
Florida, and whom I don’t get to see very often. The other 2
are here in Niles and are the joy of my life. Michael is 25
and a mechanic and Shannia is 8 and goes to school at
Howard Community.
John and I had a great 43 years of marriage. We bought a
home on Barron Lake in 1991. We did a lot of fishing in
those few years. That is what we loved to do best.
I have a spine injury from an auto accident, so I have a
limited amount of things that I can do…but fishing is one of
the things I can do!! I miss my beloved John more than I can
say, but I am thankful for the 43 years that I did have him.
May God Bless You All.
In ’74 we decided to settle down and let the kids graduate
from one school. So we bought a shoe store in Sturgeon
Bay, WI. In ’86, after 26 years of marriage, I was suddenly
single and went out into the real world trying to find a job.
Had always been pretty much a full time mother. Went to
work for the Bank of Sturgeon Bay and met my husband,
Ralph Herlache, who is an attorney. We were married in ’89
and two years later I opened my own shoe store, The Shoe
Box. I have been doing this for ten years.
Ralph has two daughters and we have four married. They
live in Dallas, Phoenix, Minneapolis and St. Petersburg. Fl.
Two of the boys, both single, live about two miles down the
road from us. We have six grandchildren – from 17 to 6
months.
We are heavily involved in Rotary. I am an Assistant District
Governor now and will be District Governor in 2003-2004.
For down time, we live on Lake Michigan, so I do a lot of
beach walking. In the winter it’s downhill skiing, quilting and
trying to figure out which of the children to visit.
The Niles High School Class of 1959 • Millennium Tattler
39
Karen Frucci-Wise
I went to Vogue Beauty College after high school and
became a beautician.
I have worked as a bookkeeper, beautician, retail sales at
Radio Shack and as a cashier at a
supermarket.
I married Douglas Wise in 1964 and we
have three boys. My two sons are twins.
Ronald is a paramedic and Captain of the
South Haven Fire Department. Donald is an
EMT-S and is a Lieutenant with the Niles City Fire
Department.
I am a deacon at Westminster Presbyterian, and have spent
30 years as a 4-H leader. I am co-superintendent of the
craft building at the Berrien County Youth Fair and I also
am a Certified Advanced Master Gardener. I serve as
coordinator of the Berrien County Master Gardening
Program. I grow many different herbs. And, finally, I'm still
a country bumpkin.
40
Barbara Leggett-Merimonti
After graduating I went to Benton Harbor Junior College (LMC).
From there I transferred to Western Michigan, earning a B.S. in
Education. I also earned my Masters at Western. Between
Western and Michigan State I earned 30 hours to get better
placement on the salary schedule not a PhD.
In June 2002, I will have taught 39 years for Niles Community
Schools. I’ve taught grades 2, 4 and 3. This past year I replaced
st
nd
Joan Morton in Reading Lab. I have 1 and 2 graders and in
January we added two sections of kindergartners.
Met John (a Minnesota native) in Niles as he
worked within the school system. We married in
Litchfield, Arizona during a sand storm. Most
recently John plans to re-retire from
apartment management and
maintenance. I have a married stepson
but no grandchildren in the picture yet.
Our children are Hana and Stasha our two
very spoiled dogs.
We moved from Niles six years ago to
semi-retire. In the summer we pontoon on Diamond Lake, in
winter we plow in to Niles to our jobs in the “city”.
We have a large fishpond in the back yard with fish 8-10 inches
long that started out as minnows. We enjoy the geese, blue
heron, wild turkey and deer. Deer sleep in the woods near by or
feed in the fields. Wild turkey challenge us as to who has road
rights. After the traffic of US 31 we have a tranquil setting.
Retirement is not too far off and then we hope to winter in Arizona
and summer here in Cassopolis.
Jane Moore-Freestone
After NHS I attended University of Michigan. In 1963 I graduated
with a BSN and started a career in nursing. Ann Mould and I set
out for Philadelphia in the summer of ’63. I had always wanted to
be in the Philadelphia area as both my father and grandfather
graduated from Jefferson Medical School in Philadelphia. I
enjoyed all the history of the area. After two years I moved to
Chicago, another fun city, and worked at Children’s Memorial
Hospital.
It was in Chicago that I met my husband, Bob. Bob’s aunt,
Hildreth Pifer (Pifer Funeral Home), also a friend of my parents,
introduced us. We were married in Chicago and
moved to Muncie, Indiana. My husband is a
podiatrist. I have worked for him some in the
office and also as a substitute school nurse.
Most of my time has been devoted to our
family. We have three children. Gail Alice,
our first, is now married and the mother of two.
Gail is a nurse and in charge of the Birthing
Center at our local hospital. Rodney Scott, we
call him Scott, is also married and the father of a son. Scott is a
full time farmer. Ryan Charles is our youngest. He is single and
lives in Indianapolis. He works for a company that makes robots
for industry.
Muncie has been a good place to live. We enjoy many cultural
events at Ball State and in Indianapolis. Bob has introduced me to
rural life. We now live on a 70-acre farm, close to town and the
mall. I have been active in various church functions (bazaars and
circles). I have always been active in our children’s schools. I
love to sew and do smocking. Also, I am active in the Master
Gardener program. I am a member of PEO.
In the summer we spend most weekends at Lake Webster 100
miles north of Muncie. Lake Webster is not as nice as the
Michigan lakes that Bob and I both enjoyed in our youth, but it is a
relaxing place to spend the weekends. In the winter we spent time
in Punta Gorda, Florida.
We would be thrilled to have former classmates stop and visit us in
Muncie or in Florida.
42
Jim Overmyer
In 1959 I found myself a few credits short for graduation. I received my
diploma in Jan. of 1960 and went to work at Simplicity. In the fall of 1963, I
married Mary Kay Williams and started a part-time auto repair business to
supplement our income. My love for fast cars, and the reputation that goes
with them, required long hours in the shop. This, along with my regular job,
began to drive a wedge in the marriage.
In 196I I began work as an apprentice electrician. This was a turning point
in my life; academics were now very important. Long hours of study, my
job and the shop drove the wedge even deeper in my marriage.
In 1966 my son, David was born. 1968 was a banner year in racing; I was
crew chief of one of the winning cars at the NHRA nationals in Indianapolis.
I completed my training in 1969 and was now a proud journeyman
electrician. That same summer my daughter, Debbie was born. I started
to race my own car in the NHRA Sportsman ranks. The budget was hard
on the family; the strain on the marriage was more than my wife could bear
and we divorced in 1970.
Every fall, since ’64, I played football in the Michiana Touch League. The
Whitehouse Inn was a sponsor and the owner was Les Hartman. It was
there that I met his daughter, Leslie and we were married in 1971 and just
recently celebrated 31 years of marriage.
In 1974 I was featured on the cover of Popular Hot Rodding. In 1975
racing ended. The company I worked for gave me an opportunity to earn
an Associates degree in Electronics. This allow me to rise from the ranks
and become involved in Industrial Process control. In 1977 I became an
instructor at Ivy tech and my teaching career began. I am still an instructor
today and I tell my students,” You will never learn anything well, until you
decide to teach it.”
1978 I learned to fly. I purchased and built a small ultralight aircraft in 81 .
I competed in the EAA (Experimental Aviation Association) and found
myself on the cover of “Ultralight and the Light Plane” and winning awards
at Oshkosh, WI in 1984.
In 1990 I purchased a new Harley and became an avid touring rider. That
same year I purchased an older Chevy pickup and started an extensive
rebuild. My truck and I were featured on the cover of “Classic Trucks” in
1997 at the National Rallies that the motor company held through our
H.O.G. (Harley Owners Group). We were fortunate enough to win best in
show 5 times in a row.
2002 found me returning to my roots. I purchased a JR funny car for my
grandson.
Along with 3 associates, I am writing a book on magnetic and inductive
theory to be used in our national training program. One of the co-authors
and I have been approached by the University of Notre Dame to teach a
class on motor theory to the engineering students. We have an extensive
lab at our facility and will hold classes there.
Paul Bennett
Where has all the time gone? Did I fall
asleep and miss some of it? It seems not so
very long ago I left all of you and Niles behind.
Let me tell you what I did with some of my
time since then. After graduation I never
really returned to Niles except for summer jobs for a couple years, or to
come home from college on a few weekends and holidays. The year
following graduation from Niles High School I went to Western Michigan to
play football. I soon found out that I wasn’t much of a football player and
decided the real reason I was in college was to be a good student and get
an education. I soon found out I wasn’t much of a student either but
somehow managed to graduate with a group science major in chemistry
and physics. Now what in the world was I going to do with a degree like
that? Well, it soon became obvious to me. Join the Marines and learn to
fly. I did just that and soon decided I wanted to be back in college. But
that couldn’t happen so I became a Naval Aviator. And, yes, I was a pretty
good pilot. Finally good at something. But I found myself flying a
helicopter in Viet Nam for thirteen months. After about four and a half
years in the Marines I got tired of polishing my shoes and belt buckle and
decided it was time to move on. But what to do next? I had no idea but I
had read a magazine article that talked about being a salesman and
winning trips to Hawaii for you and your wife. I forgot to tell you that I
married my beloved wife the last year in the Marines. Met her in college
but she really got an education around all my Marine buddies. Anyway it
was obvious what to do next. Be a salesman and get to Hawaii as soon as
I could. I never made it to Hawaii but I was a salesman for the next 35
years. I sold chemicals. Not that kind but additives for polymers. Plastics.
(Hello, Mrs. Robinson). After 27 years my company decided they didn’t
want me any more and gave me an early retirement. Actually, I kept it a
secret but I didn’t want them anymore either so it was a mutual parting.
They just didn’t know it. I went to work for a competitor and took most of
the business away from my former company. I had to be careful however
not to take it all away because I needed the pension check from them. I
just retired from my second job in May of this year. You are probably
wondering if we had children and we did. Karrie and Carl. Karrie lives with
us in Florida and is getting a teaching degree. Carl is a chef at a country
club in the Philadelphia area. Now back to retirement. For several years
now we have been living six months in Florida and six months in Upper
Michigan. It certainly is a contrast in lifestyles but works for us as we love
both areas. I play a lot of golf in Florida and do a lot of fishing up North. I
have now used up a lot of your time reading this but let me say this. Over
the years I have often thought about a lot of you and wondered what roads
life took you down. Thanks to Jon and Steve I now have the rest of your
stories and you have mine. God bless you all.
Ron Bucha and
Helen Hargreaves
Ron Bucha: After graduation in 1959, my
family moved to El Cajon, California. In
October I enlisted in the US Air Force and
was sent to jet engine mechanics school.
From there I was sent to Ellsworth Air Force Base in Rapid City, South
Dakota.
Helen Hargreaves: After graduation in 1959, I lived in Niles and worked at
Steve’s Market on M-40 until Ron and I married in 1962.
Ron and Helen Bucha: In August, 1962, Helen and I were married and we
moved to Rapid City, SD where I was stationed in the Air Force. I was
discharged from the Air Force in March, 1964 and at that time we moved
back to Niles. In September, 1964, we took a vacation to California where
we decided to stay and have lived here since that time. We lived in the Los
Angeles area until 1974. At that time we moved to Garden Grove where
we now reside.
Helen and I have two children: Victoria Lynn (born on my brother’s
birthday) and Ron, Jr. (born on my mother’s birthday). We have no
grandchildren. Vickie and her husband recently (April , 2003) moved to
Henderson, NV and Ron Jr. lives at Lake Elsinore, CA. We don’t get to
see them as often
as we would like as they both live quite a
distance from
us.
I worked for
Hughes Helicopters for twenty-five
years and
was laid off when they decided to
move
their facilities to Arizona. Since then
I have
worked for other small companies.
Since my
cardiac arrest in September, I am
now fully
retired. Helen worked in the
warehouse
for Thrifty Drug Company for twentyeight years
and was laid off when Rite Aid bought
them and
moved the warehouse facility to
Nevada in 1997. At that time she retired.
We are very active in the Independent Order of Foresters, a fraternal
organization, which keeps us very busy. They concentrate a lot of their
efforts on “The Prevention of Child Abuse”, and “Loma Linda Cancer
Research.”
We have a motorhome that we enjoy traveling around the country in and
we also belong to a camping group that we go camping with once a month.
Since both of us are now retired, we hope to do more traveling and see
more of this beautiful country.
Millennium Tattler
43
Patsy Daly-Eakins
Mike Machalleck
Not long after high school, I
went to Vogue Beauty College and later married
and was blessed with three sons and two
daughters.
As a stay-at-home mom, and in my spare time, I
crocheted many afghans, wrote two songs and
many poems.
I’ve also been writing my biography for the past
18 years and I also wrote two other books about
the work that God has led me to do. I enjoy
singing as well.
I also did security work a few years ago.
After NHS I attended WMU for four years. With
a BBA degree in hand, I headed to Naval
Officer Candidate School in Newport, RI. As a newly commissioned
Ensign, my first assignment was to be a Gunnery Officer on a destroyer
homported in California. While on a deployment to Japan and the Orient,
we just happened to be in the South China Sea when the US declared war
with Vietnam. I spent two deployments in the South China Sea. My next
assignment was at the Naval Weapons Station in Yorktown, VA. After five
years of active duty I decided to return to civilian life. I continued to remain
in the Naval Reserve until 1983 when I retired with the rank of
Commander.
In 1969, I married Katha Butler, NHS Class of 1963. We have two
children, Brian and Lori. Both children graduated from Indiana University.
Brian, with wife Kris and daughter, Addison, live in Mishawaka and he
works in the candy industry. Lori and husband, Jason, live in Lansing, MI,
where she is a Child Care specialist for the State.
As a civilian, I returned to the financial/accounting field working as a tax
specialist, corporate controller and treasurer before I had the opportunity to
become a co-owner of a candy manufacturing company. It’s been a sweet
business.
Since 2000, I have been semi-retired when my son took over most of my
job. I still oversee the financial reporting aspect of the business. My wife
and I spend the winter at our home in Sebastian, FL where I enjoy tennis
and golf. Our summers are spent at Birch Lake where we enjoy sailing and
spoiling our granddaughter.
44
Dennis W. Shufelt
I must begin my story with the week of
graduation from NHS. I asked Mary Ellen Good for a date and by
the end of summer we were engaged. We broke up after a year
and I left Hillsdale College after my second year and went to Union
University in Jackson, Tennessee. I graduated with a BA majoring
in English and history with a teaching certificate.
Graduated one day and married my first wife, Sue Crouch of
Jackson, TN. In the fall of 1963, we started our teaching careers
in Marshall, MI. I coached JV football and earned an MA in
secondary school administration from Western M U in 1966.
January, 1967, I became Principal of Lawton HS in Lawton, MI. In
August of 1969, I moved to Holland HS. Served four years in the
principal’s office. By now Sue and I had three wonderful
daughters: Jennifer, Laura, and Tiffany.
In July of 1973, we took our family and went to seminary in
Louisville, KY. Received a Masters of Divinity in 1975. I pastored
churches in Indiana from 1974-92. Then came back to Michigan in
January of 1992 and served The West Highland Baptist Church
near Milford, MI. until June of 1997.
Then in June of 1997 we went off to Wisconsin where I served as
pastor of FBC of Walworth, WI until Sue died of ovarian cancer of
September of 2002.
After raising our three daughters, Laura and her husband blessed
us with two grandsons, Jeremiah and Joshua – What a Deal!!!
Jennifer is a youth minister-missionary. Laura is in the legal dept.
of Abbot Laboratories in Libertyville, IL. And Tiffany is a school
psychologist with the Waukegan, IL Public Schools.
I recently married Anita Moore, a former parishioner of mine, and
we have moved back to Niles. Enjoying retirement with my new
wife! I am also enjoying playing bridge, tennis, and other assorted
mischief! Hope to see you all at the 2004 round up of the Class of
1959!
Betty McHone-Colcord-Jewell
After high school I went directly to
work as a waitress. I married
Norman Colcord and we were
married for 26 years before we
divorced. I remarried in 2002 and 6
weeks later my new husband died
from cancer.
My daughter, Diana is 44 and has 3 children and 1
grandchild. My son, David is 43 and he has 3 children and
no grandchildren. My daughter, Melody is 37 and she has 3
children and one grandchild on the way.
I have been very active in my church.
Throughout the years I have worked as a meat wrapper at
LouAnn’s, Dixie
Cream Bakery,
through Niles
Kitchen. I have
worked at the
Happy House
Restaurant for 25
years.
Millennium Tattler
45
Jimmie D. (Jim) Vandagriff
Frank Spain
After graduation I continued to study electronics through
Commercial trades in Chicago and went to work for Electro-Voice
in Buchanan.
I took a leave from Electro-Voice and joined the Marine Corp a
year later. The first two years was spent going to school. I spent
the last two years stationed at Cherry Point doing electronic
repairs and flying as a radio operator on test flights.
One month prior to getting discharged I married Juanita Odum
who lived in Portsmouth, VA. (where I spent a lot of weekends.)
This was one of the better decisions I made growing up and
helped settle me down.
Juanita and I moved back to Niles and I returned to Electro-Voice.
I enjoyed the 43+ years that I worked there and they sent me all
over the world doing seminars, training and troubleshooting all
types of problems. I was a member of ASQ, NASM and SME.
Some of my most memorable times were during the 20-year
period I worked at the Sevierville, TN plant. While in Sevierville we
were involved in the community through Jaycees. The Sevier
County and Tenn. Jaycees honored me with a lifetime
membership and presented me with a JCI Senatorship.
Our more enjoyable projects were working with the youth of Sevier
County and St. Jude’s Children’s Hospital in Memphis. Juanita
and I moved back to Niles in 1988. I was promoted from Quality
Assurance and Mfg. Eng. Manager to National Service Manager
for all the EVI brands (Altec, DDA, Electro-Voice, KT, Midas and
University Sound).
I retired October 28, 2003 after spending nine months in Morrilton,
AR setting up a new service facility. Employees in AR wanted me
to become a HOG but my blood runs Orange after having spent 20
years in Tennessee and attending UT during that time.
We purchased some property on Douglas Lake while in
Tennessee and look forward to building a house there so we can
spend part of our time in Sevierville and part of our time in Niles.
At present I am enjoying retirement working in the yard, in the
pole barn on my two old thunderbirds, and whatever else Juanita
decides.
46
Upon graduation I attended
Milwaukee School of Engineering to study electrical
engineering. Later at Lake Michigan College I continued my
studies.
To keep the family going I worked at Toefco Engineering
Co., Inc. Later for M.D. Brown Co. building electric
scoreboards. In 1973, for South Bend Lathe, Inc. as an
industrial electrician.
My wife, Betty, and I moved to Texas in 1974 where we live
now. Between us we have one boy and two girls, six
grandchildren - five beautiful girls and one handsome boy.
At Toefco Engineering we did custom application of Teflon
(RT…E.I. DuPont). I worked up to foreman. I started as a
draftsman at M.D. Brown Co., to electrical shop foreman to
sales engineer to plant manager. My last work was with
Otto Dukes Machinery Co. 25 years in machine repair.
(Industrial Electrician). We did warranty repair work for six
major machinery companies.
The help and guidance from some very good teachers has
made my life a great joy. One that comes to mind is Mr.
Willis Dunham. See the NHS 1959 Tattler for all the great
people that I owe my thanks and gratitude.
Garland Winningham
Duane Wickstrom
I joined the Navy out of high school
and returned to Niles in 1962 and
married my wife, Helen Sue in 1963.
We have two children and one grandson.
I worked around Niles until 1971, then moved to Texas and
went to work for General Electric. I started college and
received my degree. I left General Electric in 1986 to join a
start-up air conditioning company. It grew to be the second
largest a/c company in the U.S.
I retired in 2001 as the President/CEO and now keep busy
working on my wildlife ranch.
Susan Pierson Wickstrom and I have been married for 34 years.
We have three children: Davin (Sheryl), Krystin (Michael) and
Steven, and one lovely granddaughter named Kathryn Hocevar. I
am sometimes surprised at all this because in some ways it is still
1959. Our lives remain in process, always instructional,
occasionally lovely.
I taught High School English and coached wrestling for 6-years at
Highland High School, Anderson, IN. MA, English, Ball State
University. Following, it became flexible packaging sales and
marketing for 30 years. Current position: National Accounts
Manager, Kendall Packaging.
Faith, family, sports and music remain central and afford joy. I
founded an IKWF kids wrestling program in Geneva, and have
sung bass in a Barbershop quartet for 20-years. (We still sing on
key….mostly!)
We’ll
home in
weeks
retire in 3-years, then expect to keep our
Geneva while enjoying the Caribbean 3each year, reflecting on what all this has
meant.
Millennium Tattler
47
Charles Luke
Well it’s been a few years since I’ve talked to most of you. Life here
in Niles hasn’t changed much. The streets still have the same
names so none of us has become famous enough to have them
changed.
Edwin Iliff
Upon leaving school in 1957 and
moving to Watervliet, Michigan, I left
school in my senior year and went to work in construction.
I married Cassandra in 1961 and we had 3 boys and 1 girl. My
daughter passed away at six weeks with crib death.
We moved to Texas for 30 years. My oldest son runs the
Cabinet Company now. The next to the oldest is a computer
repair person working on Liquid A.C. and makes molds for
movie makers. He is making one for an airplane for a Sci-Fi
movie coming out this year. The youngest is a Stain Glass and
Leaded Glass Man. He has glass in Westminster Cathedral,
and his biggest work is
19 ft. by 38 ft.
I am an ordained
minister and I’ve spent 5
years in the Federal
Prison System with my
Ministry. I have been in
God’s service for 37
years. I have been
married to my lovely
wife for 42 years. I
wrote this to show that
some good can come
from nothing.
After graduation I wasn’t sure what I wanted to do so I took the
whole summer off and played tennis. It was fun and not a care in
the world. Then came the fall. My dad asked me what I was going
to do. I hadn’t applied to any colleges so it looked like I would have
to get a job. Jobs were easy back then all you did was go out and
apply and they hired you (not like today).
My first job was with the Kawneer Company and was in the office
area as I was too young to work in the factory. The job was easy
and a lot of good people to work with. This went on for 5 years and
then it hit me that I was going to be doing this for the next 30-40
years. My boss was only a year older than I was and he wasn’t
going to step aside for me.
In the fall of ’64 I took some classes at Lake Michigan College and
found out that they had a tennis team. I tried out and made the
team, quit Kawneer and became a full time student.
I majored in biology, as that was the one area I had a little
background in (Thank you Mr. Schwan and the tennis coach who
taught biology at LMC also.)
After Lake Michigan College I was accepted at Western Michigan
University. There I majored in Agriculture and a minor in biology.
While working on my bachelors in agriculture I met this cute
redhead. Well 6 months later I was married and still had one
semester of school left. Kathy had already finished her degree in
education. She applied for a second grade opening in Niles and
accepted the job. We moved here and I commuted to Western to
finish up my degree.
I graduated that spring of ’69 and went job hunting. I was offered a
job by Niles Schools and accepted the job to teach elementary
education.
In August of ’69 our daughter Kelle was born and is now married and
lives with her husband and two children in New Hampshire. In ’71
we had a second daughter Heather who is now an educator and
living in Indianapolis. In ’76 we got a surprise, our son Scott, who
now is married and living in St. Louis.
I am still in education and still teaching elementary. Only one
difference now I am teaching kindergarten science to all the
kindergartners in Niles.
No plans for retirement as yet as the job is still fun.
Roland Kring
In June of 1959 I graduated from Niles
Senior High. In October of 1959, I
joined the U.S. Navy. From October
to January of 1960, I was in Boot
Camp at San Diego, CA.
In February of 1960, I served for 5 months at the U.S. Naval
Station, Pacific Beach, WA. From July through September of 1963
I served aboard the U.S.S. Hancock – CVA-19, including 2
shipyard periods, 2 _ west PAC cruises, Hawaii, Guam,
Philippines, Japan and Hong Kong.
October 3, 1963 I was released from active duty at San Francisco,
CA Treasure Island.
In September, 1968, I returned to Niles to live and work.
In January, 1971, I became engaged to Noreene Louise Mitchell.
We were married July 10, 1971 and had our son, Vincent Roland
Kring, on April 17, 1972.
In April of 1974, I rejoined the U.S. Navy.
Memorial Day weekend, 1974, I moved my family to Jacksonville
Beach, FL. I served 2 years on the U.S.S. Grand Canyon. I
served 2 years S.I.M.A. out of Mayport, FL.
In September of 1978, I transferred to the U.S.S. Shanandoah in
Norfolk, VA. August, 1980 I left Norfolk, VA and transferred to
U.S.S. Sierra. I made an Indian Ocean Cruise in 1982 on the
Sierra.
June, 1984, I transferred to S.I.M.A., U.S. Naval Station, North
Charleston, SC.
September, 1986, I transferred to U.S.S. Holland (AS-32).
On April 18, 1990, Noreene died. We buried her by her mother
and father in North Branch, MI.
On April 30, 1992, I retired from the Navy as a machine repairman
first class (E-6) with a total of 22 years U.S. Navy Service.
From June of 1992 to September of 1998, I worked at Anderson
Armored Car Service – mostly courier work.
From September, 1998 to July, 2000, I worked at Momentum
Logistics. From July, 2000 until September, 2002 I worked for
Southcoast Community Bank as a courier.
From September 13, 2002 until March 26, 2003, I was
unemployed.
On March 26, 2003, I started working at WABCO in North
Charleston, SC, as a temporary to be hired employee. On July
th
28 , I became a permanent employee of WABCO as an
assemblyman.
Working on assembly line for air compressors for diesel engine
trucks.
On October 1, 1992 I moved into my present residence.
Don Langguth
Upon graduation from NHS I went
directly to work in the family business
tool & die shop. I also attended Lake
Michigan College part-time. By 1963, I married my
neighborhood sweetheart, Penny Ann Weston and settled down to
raise a family.
During ths time I went to work for Material Handling Equipment
Corp., a Clark Equipment Dealer. In 1972 with a move to a
corporate position at Clark’s, we moved to Farmington, Michigan.
It didn’t take long to figure out we moved east and should have
“gone west.” Quitting a great corporate position was tough but the
family needed the wide open spaces.
In 1974 we relocated to Jackson Hole, Wyoming, a place we had
vacationed for many years. We have a son and two daughters,
who grew up and were educated through college in Wyoming. It’s
still home for us even though we no longer have a house there.
Our oldest daughter, Jennifer, still resides in the Jackson area with
her husband. She is a teacher and raises Welsh Corgi’s.
Number one son, Ben, is in Bozeman, Mt. He owns his own
business and helps significant other with her horse business.
The youngest, Sarah, is in Alaska with her husband and our only
grandchild, Katie. Sarah is an RN.
I’ve worked with the Boy Scouts for thirty years. Receiving the
Silver Beaver Scouter award and the National Whitney M. Young,
Jr. Service award from the Boy Scouts.
All this was done between hunting, fishing, skiing, snowmobiling
and boating. We have done a lot of traveling in recent years. For
example, in the first 90 days of 2004 we have been from the Gulf
of Alaska to the Gulf of
Mexico. Hopefully we will
continue to go, there are
so many places, just not
enough time. Our life
together continues to be
an extracurricular
adventure.
49
Millennium Tattler
Sharon Pollock-Burger
Esther Ellis-Fleming
After graduation, my search for the future was
undertaken with a combination of courage,
naiveness and adventure… enhancing my love for music, the arts and
writing. Soon after HS, I returned to my Southern roots where I enjoyed
singing the blues and listening to jazz down in New Orleans. From there I
moved to NYC where I pursued acting/singing and competed for a chance
to represent NY in the Miss America pageant. Several years later, I came
to Chicago…I took college courses that placed me in the “safety zone” of
middle income opportunities such as librarian for Merrill Lynch, office
manager, private teacher and certified dental nurse.
Some 37 years ago I met and married…James. After he graduated from
Princeton Seminary and was ordained, he was called to the Fourth
Presbyterian Church...a large church in downtown Chicago where we lived
for almost 14 years. It was a wonderful life! Three churches and 21 years
later Parkinson’s Disease and a triple by-pass made it necessary for
James to retire two years ago. New challenges come each day but I am
determined to prevail with a winning spirit.
Of all my accomplishments...raising our daughter, Stacey, is my proudest.
She and her husband have lived in Vancouver, BC for over 10 years.
Stacey has type I diabetes which caused complications in her pregnancy.
It was a special time for us all when we first held our grandson but shortly
after we said “Hello” we had to say “Good-bye.” Some of life’s “gifts” have
brought deep personal pain and forced me to face the reality that God does
not alter these events to soothe us, but He finds a way to fill some of the
void. Stacey’s love of children and teaching has led her to express that
love in her writing. Recently she published her first children’s book.
Stacey is beautiful inside and out..I am blessed to be her mother!
Early on in my youth, I heard the call of “justice and equality for all.” Over
the years my journey has expanded my view of the world and deepened
my compassion. I have been privileged to personally meet and write about
people from all walks of life involved with Peacemaking, I have chaired
activities for some 90 churches through counseling, conducting retreats
and teaching. When time allows I travel, enjoy playing golf and getting
together with friends and family. I also love taking brisk walks along the
shores of Lake Michigan….clearing my mind and energizing my body and
soul. Someone once said that, “Life is a gift to be received with gratitude
and a task to be pursued with courage.” So I’m discovering every
day!
50
Two days after graduation, I married Carl Burger. A few
years later, a sorority I belonged to, started the Kappa Delta
Nursery School. I assisted the teacher for five years. Still
later I worked as teacher’s helper for grade school for four
years. Finally, I have been a teacher at Starz Day Care for
fifteen years and still working.
In 1960, our son Randy was born, followed by Scottin 1963
and later Chad in 1974. Randy & Chad are in partnership
with their Dad on the family farm. Scott works outside the
farm driving for Reliable Disposal. Randy, Scott and Chad
married Pearl, Beth and Kim, respectively, and gave us a
fine grandson and three beautiful granddaughters so far.
Raising the three boys on the farm has been a wonderful
life experience. They have raised animals and shown
animals for 4-H that gave them many awards. Also we took
snowmobile trips, trips out West, up North with our family.
Later we took trips with their families. We love to ski, swim
and camp with our children and grandchildren.
Noel Lesniak
After graduation, I attended the University
of Southern California as a music major. I then served as first
trombone in the West Point Band. I moved to New York City after
leaving the service in 1964 and worked as a free lance musician in
a variety of Broadway shows, including Man of La Mancha, the
Bell Telephone Hour TV Show, and toured with the Metropolitan
Opera National Company, as well as the Royal, Lenningrad, and
Bolshoi Ballets thorugh 1968.
My last performance was in Lincoln Center the spring of 1968. I
decided to change careers and became a computer programmer.
A year later in May I met my future wife, Phyllis, and we were
married the following February. During this period I worked for
several companies in NYC including RCA and Computer Sciences
Corporation.
In 1974, we relocated from New York City to Phoenix where I had
accepted a position with American Express. We built our home in
Cave Creek two years later and our love of the desert and its
wildlife has continued to bring us a great deal of pleasure. We see
coyotes, javalinas, hawks, roadrunners, and hummingbirds on our
property on a daily basis and have watched baby doves hatch
outside our bedroom window.
After American Express, I joined Motorola where I served in
several
management and strategic marketing
roles until
my retirement in 2000. I have
since started
my own market research
firm, Six 9s
Associates, Inc. Our
clients include
Discount Tire Co. and
PETsMART. My wife,
a registered nurse, has
also retired, so I get a
lot more attention now.
My career has allowed me to see a good part of the world, and I
especially enjoyed visiting countries in Asia.
I was appointed to the City of Phoenix’s Village Planning
Committee that developed the growth plan for the north of Phoenix
and guided the development of the area. I also serve on the
Board of Directors of the Enterprise Network, a Phoenix
entrepreneurial business organization.
Phyllis warned me before we married that I’d better be an animal
lover. Fortunately I am as our household includes two dogs, two
cats and a fish. The dogs are good travelers too and love the
beaches in California and Oregon.
Shirley Smith-Lohse
Upon graduation I went to work at the
then Niles National Bank in the
bookkeeping department for a year and
then I worked as a teller. I was married in 1960 and had two
children, Kevin Jones, deceased in 1987, and Karena Jones
Nygaard. In 1966 I went to work for Niles Federal Savings & Loan
Association (now Standard Federal Bank) as a teller and in 1968
married Eugene Fender and became a member of St. Paul’s
Luthern Church in Niles and was active in the organizations of the
church.
In 1974 I wnet back to work part-time at Standard Federal Bank
working at the Niles Main, East Towne, Bertrand and Edwardsburg
(which in 1993 became Shoreline Bank, now Chemical Bank),
offices.
While married to Gene, we were able to travel to many places in
the United States, including trips to Hawaii and made a trip to the
Passion Play in Germany, spent time also in Austria and
Switzerland. After 26 years of marriage, Gene died in 1994. I
continued to work part-time and did volunteer work.
In September, 1997, I married Paul Lohse and my life really
changed. I left the bnak to help Paul in the Lads & Lassies store
he owned in Niles. Then in 1999 he decided to attend the
Concordia Theological Seminary, a four year program in Ft.
Wayne, IN (my first time living away from Niles) to become a
Lutheran pastor. His field work assignment, first 2 years, was at
St. Paul’s in Niles so we were able to come home most every
weekend. While at the seminary I was active in and treasurer of
the student wifes association and involved in other groups on
rd
campus. We did his vicarage year, 3 year, at St. Paul’s in Niles
and were able to live there for the year. We were able to travel to
Isreal in 2000 and Germany 2001. He graduated in May, 2003
and was placed in St. Peter’s Lutheran Church in LaGrange, MO,
a small (population 1,000) Mississippi River town in northeast
Missouri. I am now a pastor’s wife in a congregation of about 250
members. I am kept very busy helping him and being involved in
the organizations of the church. My daughter Karena (& Leif) now
live in Goodyear, AZ, a suburb of Phoenix and has two children,
Trey Terry 17 and Kelsi Nygaard 9. Paul has a son David (&
Tomoko) in Alexandria, VA and a daughter Karen Callan (& Tony)
in Sterling Heights, MI and they have two children, Hunter 5 and
Jordan 3.
Millennium Tattler
51
Patsy Bailey-Davidson
After graduation I worked at Benton’s in South
Bend. Then I applied and was accepted with
United Airline Stewardess (that word dates me)
Training School. I trained in Des Plaines, IL. After graduation I
was based in Chicago and then in Washington, D.C. with
temporary duty in San Francisco, Miami and Seattle. It was a fun
job and a great education in life. At times I felt like a country
bumpkin, but the travel, people and the adventures grew on me. I
loved every minute of it.
When I was in Chicago, Barb Riddle lived with me for awhile, God
rest her soul.
I got married to Bob Carr in Silver Spring, MD in 1964. He worked
for United in management so I had to give up my flying career.
(Rules are Rules, you could not be married at that time). Shortly
after we were married, we were transferred to Denver, CO. That is
where my daughter, Robin, was born. To make a long story short,
there were lots of problems in Shangri-La and we split.
Robin and I moved back to Niles to be close to family and friends.
I took a job with
Montgomery Wards as catalog
manager
and furniture manager until they
closed.
In the
meantime, I met and fell in love
with Chuck
Davidson (Linda Davidson’s
brother).
We had a short whirlwind
relationship.
We met and married in less than 6
months. Our
friends (bless their hearts) gave the
marriage six
months to a year at the most.
And look at us
now; we’ll celebrate 30 years on
th
Dec. 7 .
After leaving Wards, I went to work for the Niles Daily Star as an
advertising rep. In 1982 I left the newspaper to work as an interior
decorator for Pat’s Interiors. After a couple of years of decorating,
I went back to the newspaper to my old job. I worked there until I
retired in 1996. Chuck and I bought a home in Winter Haven, FL
and moved here in June, 1996. Robin gave us our only grandchild
and his name is Aaron and is 14 years old. They still live in Niles
and they are the loves of my life. Right now we are living the good
life down here in sunny Florida. Chuck bowls and plays a lot of
golf and I play golf every chance I get. We love entertaining
friends, traveling and looking forward to a long, healthy retirement.
So far so good.
52
Judy Ham-Coughlin
I attended Western Michigan
University, left to work at Henco in Niles. Met my husband
on an airplane in Miami. After marriage, we moved to
Miami where my husband received his Master’s Degree in
Ocean Engineering with a Bachelor’s Degree in Electrical
Engineering from Note Dame. While he was in grad school
in Miami, I completed my degree in Business.
After we left Miami, we moved to Connecticut. My husband
then, while working at Electric Boat, completed his PhD in
Engineering from Southern California University. I raised
our one daughter while pursuing a career in business. I
have been working as a legal assistant for the last few
years.
I also got involved in politics. For the last 14 years I have
been sitting on the Town Council and I have also been the
Republican Tower Committee Secretary for 10 years.
Are you ready for this…for the last 6 years I have had a
Public Access TV Show called “Republican Talk” of which I
interview state and national politicians, as well as the local
ones.
My husband’s name is Michael and we have one daughter,
Laura, who is married and is a schoolteacher. She has a
daughter named Chloe, who is 7 months old and our only
grandchild so far.
We are hoping for
more. Being a
grandma is great; I
can spoil her and
then send her home
to Mom. My dad still
lives at Barron Lake
and I get home a lot
to visit. I am looking
forward to the Class
Reunion.
Janice Johnson-Hartz
Shortly after graduation I went to work for Tyler
Refrigeration where I have spent thirty-seven
years in the Accounts Payable Department.
I had three boys. The oldest graduated from
Northern Michigan University and majored in
chemistry. Our second son graduated from
Central Michigan University when he majored in
biology. Our third son, being more like his
parents, opted not to go to college and went to
work at a print company.
Our three sons have given us 3 grandsons and a
lovely granddaughter.
We are looking forward to retirement in South
Carolina.
Robert Meyer and
Mary Jo Patterson-Meyer
Robert Meyer: I attended Michigan State University from
’59 – ’67 undergrad and graduate Business degree.
I married Mary Jo Patterson in 1963.
From ’68 – ’73, I was Assistant Pro at Point O’ Woods. From ’74 –
’81 I was Head Pro at Orchard Hills. From ’81 – ’87 I was Head
Pro at Brookwood and from ’87 – 2002 I was Head Pro at Signal
Point. During ’71 – ’81 I played in mini Golf tour in Florida. In
2002, I retired from signal point.
I won several State Championships including the Michigan
Amateur. I was in the Sweet Sixteen at the Western Amateur. I
played in eight major National Championships as an amateur.
Mary Jo Patterson: I attended Western Michigan University for a
BA in Education. In 1963, after our marriage, I started my Masters
in Reading at MSU. I taught first grade in Lansing from ’63 – ’67.
Then we moved to Niles where I taught first grade for 27 years and
was a reading consultant for 8 years. In 2003, I retired
after 39 years. This year I’m working part-time
th
with 6 and k students who need extra help
with reading.
I enjoy working with children, especially
those who are at risk. That’s why I retired,
but couldn’t stay away. I also enjoy baby
sitting my three granddaughters and going
places with them.
Robert and Mary Jo: We had two girls. Our oldest, Kathy, is a
nurse at Memorial Hospital in the critical newborn area. Susan,
our youngest, is working in Pittsburgh. She has no children.
Kathy and Jeff Smith have 3 girls – Nicole 15, Meagan 6, and
Allison 3.
Millennium Tattler
53
Mary Jo Stull-Bond
Mike Haviland
From High School I enlisted in the U.S. Navy.
From the Navy I enrolled and completed a
Masters Degree from Michigan State University.
College summers afforded the opportunity to
fulfill my travel interest early on in life. Travel included summers in Japan,
Europe, Mayan ruins in the Uacatan, whitewater rafting on the Colorado
River, the Cayman Islands, etc.
Following graduation from Michigan State in 1970, I began as a late career
starter with my first real full-time job as the Executive Director of a
community development corporation in Columbus, Ohio. In the course of
advancing what turned out to be a fairly accomplished career as an
economic development professional, I have relocated into seven different
communities across the country. Also in the late 1980’s, I completed a
second Masters Degree at California State University, Northridge.
Today I live with my two boys, Jeff 22 and Scott 19, in Fillmore, California.
Fillmore is a small community located adjacent to the Los Pardes National
Forest, about an hour North of Los Angeles and 30 minutes West of the
Pacific Ocean. Scott is in his junior year at college, and Jeff is finishing his
Bachelors degree with the ambition to begin a doctoral program this year.
On my extracurricular accomplishments list, I had modest success as a
race car driver winning seven National and Regional Sports Car Club of
America DSR Divisional Championships. Subsequently after climbing
Mount Whitney and running in numerous marathons, I evolved into ultra
distance endurance running competing in 30, 50 and 100 mile race events
across the country. At the age of 60 I won the Bronze medal for my age
group in the National USA Track and Field 24 hour Championships, which I
am quite proud of. Also at 60, I completed Badwater, another benchmark
accomplish-ment. Badwater is an extreme 135 mile ultra race held in July
of each year. Beginning in Death Valley with 128 degree temperatures, it
climbs over 16,000 and ends at Mt. Whitney. Over the last five years I
have completed thirteen 100 mile ultra races.
My running goals this year are to complete 12 races of marathon distance
or longer. So far I have completed 8 of the 12. I’m also currently enrolled
and will complete my third masters degree at Cal St. Northridge this year.
Once this Master’s Degree program is completed, I’m shifting my focus
toward building and campaigning a new race car program for 2005.
Life is good. I’m physically fit and healthy, my boys are doing great. I have
reached all of my personal financial goals, and far exceeded any academic
expectations anyone ever held for me. I certainly never dreamed that in
my 60’s I would be running 100 mile ultra races. With my “post children”
years very near, I am excited about the opportunity of raising the bar
another notch, change after some new dreams and challenges, and “living
Life”.
54
Right after graduation I went to work
for Tyler Refrigeration in the office for two years. I then
married and moved to Kalamazoo while my husband
finished college. We then moved to Saginaw, where we
resided for eight years.
The married ended in divorce after ten years, at which time I
moved back to Niles with my son. Three years later I met and
married a wonderful man named Charles Bond from Canton, Ohio.
We married in 1974 and moved to Canton, where I still reside. We
had a wonderful life and were looking forward to retirement,
however sometimes The Lord has other plans for us. My beloved
husband passed away from complications during angioplasty
surgery in July of 1998. I had a very difficult time for quite some
time, but with the help of family and prayer, I am doing well.
I have been blessed with 5 wonderful children and step children,
and 12 precious grandchildren. They are the light of my life. I
work part-time for a doctor and really enjoy it.
In the summer months, I spend most every weekend at my
summer retreat, a 44-foot long park model trailer with all the
comforts of home. I have been going there for 22 years, so my
fellow campers are like my second family.
Our last reunion was only one year after my husband’s death and I
was very apprehensive in going alone, but I did. Everyone was so
wonderful and kind. I am so glad I did not miss it. I am looking
forward to visiting with my fellow classmates at this year’s reunion.
Carol Reum-Bristol
I have been married to my husband, Larry, for 35
years. We have two married daughters and four
wonderful grandchildren. Larry and I have lived in
the Niles-Buchanan area until seven years ago
when Larry's job took us to New Buffalo as a
resident manager of an apartment community.
I work as a customer service rep for a local bank.
Larry and I enjoy traveling and most of all being
with our grandchildren. We are looking forward to
retirement.
Mitzi Surge-Loutensock
January, 1960 married Brent Plonkey.
Moved to Arizona in April, 1960. Had my son, Brett, while in
Phoenix. Divorced. Married Richard Loutensock in June, 1963
and moved to California. Richard has an engineering degree from
University of Utah and worked in the space program. We lived in
Merritt Island, Florida for three years before returning to California
and Morgan Hill. We are celebrating our 37th anniversary this
month. We have lived in this beautiful place for 20 years. We own
a place of peace and solitude near the hectic pace of Silicon
Valley. Richard retired 9 years ago and works on the home and
yard which is a full-time job. We love to camp and travel and visit
family.
I owned a consignment shop for 9 years and have had my nutrition
consulting business for 19 years. I love the outdoors and the
challenge of finding and refurbishing old things. My greatest
accomplishment and joy has been that of a mother. I have 5
wonderful children and 14 grandchildren (so far) ages 3 months to
17.9 years. Eight girls and six boys.
Brett lives here in Morgan Hill. He has spent many years working
with the disadvantaged and is now working on a computer degree.
He has 3 daughters. Sara Ann lives in Albuquerque at this time
with her 5 children and husband Steve who is a Major in the Air
Force. She just received her Arts & Humanities degree from BYU.
Paula lives in San Jose with 4 children and husband, Lance.
She's our contractor, but has a teaching degree from BYU.
Shay Beth lives in Cincinnati with her husband, Kevin. She has an
engineering degree from BYU and a doctor of medicine degree
from University of Cincinnati. She is a resident in Family Practice
& Psychiatry at University Hospital.
Aleece lives in Salt Lake City with her two children and husband,
Martell. They own the old family home/mini farm. She has a
teaching degree from BYU but spends all her time with family,
home and garden.
Our home is always open to our friends. If anyone comes to the
San Francisco Bay area please call or visit. I would love to see
you.
Millennium Tattler
55
Chris Thorpe
Marvin Sorenson
Went to Michigan Technological University;
graduated with a BS in Metallurgical
Engineering. Also received a BS in Business. Went to Southern
Illinois and received a MS in Finance. Graduated from
Rhemabible Training Center with my degree being that of a
Pastor.
Married to Paula and we have 2 boys, 2 girls and 7 _
grandchildren. Son Kip is National Sales Manager for a Company
based in San Diego, manufacturing in Mexico, biggest customer:
Anheiser-Busch.
Daughter Kim is General Manager for Spring in St. Louis, MO.
Daughter Tracie is going to nursing school in St. Louis. Paula and
I are evangelists. Our ministry is Family Harvest Ministries in
Thomson, GA. They have a food and clothing outreach and feed
and clothe 400+ families.
Positions I have held are: Chief Metallurgist, Wheland Automotive
Industries, Warrenton, GA, the world’s largest product of brake
components. Senior Metallurgist, Lufkin Industries, Lufkin, TX.
Vice President of Wormuth Metal Casting, Athens, NY. Managed
the plant for a self-made millionaire who lived in Manhattan and
spent 4 months on his 34’ yacht in Sag Harbor. The nice thing
was I didn’t see him too much.
Vice President/General Manager of Erst St. Louis Metal Casting in
Washington Park, IL. Managed 2 divisions of a 3 division
company. We made products for Caterpillar Tractor, automotive
aftermarket castings, General Electric and others.
Plant Manager, Moline Corporation, St. Charles, IL. Managed 1
division of a 5-division company. The plant was completely
automated. The casting did not touch human hands until the
product was packed in a shipping container. Main customers were
Whirlpool, Ross Gear, Chrysler and others.
Technical Director, Bendix Corporation, St. Joe, MI. I was
responsible for the chemical laboratory, sand lab, quality process
control and metallurgical lab.
I love fishing, golf, reading, tennis and softball and I coached
soccer for 3 years in Geneva, IL. I umpired baseball for 2 seasons
in South Bend, IN. It was a blessing coaching 10-12 year old boys
and girls. They are at the age when they are coachable.
Paula and I have been joined at the hip since we were married.
We do everything together: walking, tennis, reading, shopping
(and I do not like to shop), church work, singing, watching Tiger
Woods or the Green Bay Packers.
56
I received a B.S. from the University of Michgan and then attended
the University
of Michigan’s Medical School and received
an M.D.
After 13 years in Ann Arbor (undergrad,
med school,
surgery residency) I was assigned to the
Aerospace
Medical Research Lab/USAF Wright-Patt,
Dayton to
fulfill my draft deferment 2 year
obligation.
We bought a little farm in the area and
stayed on
in Ohio for seven years in private
practice and
eventual fulltime academic surgery at
Wright State
University Medical School.
In 1980 we
moved to the San Francisco Bay Area
(Napa) to
practice with the Permanente Medical
Group in prepaid medicine, a more ordered life with scheduled
surgery, night call and set day hours for my wife, Naomi’s, internal
medicine practice.
As head of our vascular surgery section and then Chief of Surgery,
I enjoyed a full professional life until tendonitis required giving up
the operating room in 1998. Fortunately (??) we had planted
grapevines on our Napa Valley ranch in 1990, so the wine
business occupies my “retirement”.
Our daughter and son live in the Bay Area and help my son-in-law
(our Adastra Winery General Manager) and me with the family
business when their writing and music careers allow. As with early
years growing up on a farm near Edwardsburg, Michigan, I’m back
to agriculture, though encouraging moderate wine consumption
has health benefits that could qualify as “preventive medicine”
practice too.
Every day has new challenges, but few regrets, as it seems the
past determined our pleasant present, with some optimism for the
future.
Mary Hamel-Heskett
Dale Sherwood
After school got out I went to Kansas and found a
job in an office. I didn’t like it so I went into a
meatpacking factory. I met my husband three
months later. Got married six months later in
1961.
We later moved to Merriman, Nebraska. We
stayed there until October of 1961.
Moved to Michigan again. I have worked at
various jobs and raised four kids, two boys and
two girls. They all live in Niles, except my
youngest who lives in Texas.
I have five grandchildren and my oldest daughter
has a foster baby.
I have retired and am working part-time at the
Niles library.
After graduation I worked one year at Kulsia
Standard Station. Then I worked at Garden City
Fan Company from 1962 to 1968. From 1968 to
1973 I worked at Supiore Home Builders in St
Joe, MI.
I married Karen Gibbs on April 7, 1961 and in
1962 we had our daughter, Robin Ileen and in
1966 we had our son, Rodney Dale.
In 1973, I started my own business of Sherwood
Building & Excavating. My son took over the
business in 1999. In 1988, I built Dale’s Mini
Martand it opened in January of 1989. It is a gas
station-convenience store.
Our son and daughter have given us 6
grandchildren – ages from 5 years to 17 years.
They are a joy to us.
My hobby is collecting farm tractors. I specialize
in Minneapolis Moline tractors. I restore them and
show them. I
have 10 different
minis and 9 of
other varieties.
Millennium Tattler
57
Donna Scott-Shaw
Bill Harrell
Married, 5 Children & 10 Grandchildren & 1
Great Grandchild.
Retired after 32 years in Print Shops.
USAF, 1960-64, married 1965.
Daughter, Jennifer Rebecca born
1967; son, William Jason born 1969. Computer programming
and management, until 1987 when I started Santa Cruz Mining
Company, a technical services and Investment Company.
Moved to Santa Cruz California in 1972, where the kids grew up
and memories of the best kind have been built. There have
been lots of activities with friends, school and church picnics
and get togethers, and lots of backpacking and sailing; and
occasional trips to see family and friends.
My parents have passed, I’ve divorced, and my son died in a
diving accident when he was 29; so happy times are tinged a bit
with the tragedy of time.
I retired in 2002, live in Kauai part of the time and Santa Cruz
the other times. I still sail, backpack, fish, and roller-blade and
generally enjoy this wonderful world. I have three
grandchildren; two girls, (Hannah 7 and Rebecca 5) and one
boy (Ryan), all with whom I spend most of my time doing the
things that “gramps are for”, as my granddaughters, say.
My three brothers and I get together once a year for a “brothers
weekend”, and
generally I spend much
time with my
friends, kids and
grandchildren.
59
So there you
Bill Harrell after
grandchildren’s
and grandfather;
kid at heart.
have it. I’m what’s left of
my children’s and
attempts to raise a father
it didn’t work…I’m still a
The world gets
wonderful!
older, and so do I - life is
I wish you all
live!
rainbows as long as you
Dan Weller
Barbara Donaghe-Weller
Phyllis Radican-Shuffler
Upon graduation I joined the U.S. Army Medical Corps., where I served for three and half
years. I was married while in the Army and
stationed in Okinawa. When we returned to the
United States, we settled in the Dallas-Fort
Worth, Texas area (my husband’s home). I was
married twelve years. I now live in the ‘Great
State of New Mexico’, where my parents moved
following my graduation.
There were three children born in my marriage. I had three awesome boys, Rick, Randy
and Rob (it was that generation - R, R, & R)
I have been working in the legal field since the
early 80’s. I love my job and my boss is great. I
plan to retire from here.
Life has not been very kind to me, I have had
some real tragedies along the way. But, HE was
always right by my side. I am very active in my
church (independent Baptist). I also work in the
Nursing Home Ministry and sing with the choir.
I am very happy now and if I have learned
anything in my journey through life...I have
learned that GOD is Good - All the Time!!
I wish you well my fellow 59ers and I am sorry
I was unable to attend this year’s Reunion. I am
making plans now for the next one and hope to
see you all then. God Bless!
Dan and I have been married almost 43 years now and
shortly after Dan was graduated from Michigan Tech,
we moved to New York State where we lived in several
locations until 1969 when we moved to our current
home in Millbrook, New York. We have two sons, one
employed in Atlanta, Georgia, as a naturalist in the rare
and endangered species division of the U.S. Fish and
Wildlife Service, and one who is assistant controller for
The Central Park Conservancy in New York City. We
also have three granddaughters and a grandson and
spend as much time as we can enjoying them and
wondering why they have to grow up so fast. Dan and I
are both now retired. After 37 years of service to New
York State, he retired in 2001 as Chief Forester and
thus ended a 20-year daily 70-mile commute to Albany.
I retired in 2000 from IBM where I was employed first
as an employee manager and later as editor of Spotlight, IBM’s bimonthly
semiconductor magazine. We both thoroughly enjoyed our careers and can only
hope our years of service somehow made a difference. Only time will tell, I guess.
Although retired, we both keep pretty busy. Dan’s
retirement allows him more
time to pursue his varied hobbies, which include ice fishing, woodworking, saltwater
fishing and baking bread. Since he refuses to buy a bread machine, we can only
assume he gets great satisfaction from kneading and pounding the dough into
submission.
As for my hobbies, when I left
IBM, Dan built me a
greenhouse. So now I spend
long hours in the winter months
keeping our family supplied
with cherry tomatoes and
lettuce, growing bedding plants
for our spring and summer
gardens and learning far more
than I want to know about
aphids, root rot and damping
off. In addition to exercising my
green thumb, I also continue to
do some freelance writing and
graphics.
Dan and I both love to travel and have spent many weeks each fall exploring both
this country and countries abroad. We will probably continue that passion until we’re
too old to rent a car or too crotchety to deal with language barriers or maps that
assume the readers know where they are to begin with.
Those are the highlights. Since 1959, Dan and I have led full and busy lives and
now we are happily enjoying our retirement, our family and each other. Life has
been kind and we are grateful.
Millennium Tattler
59
Dr. Jon Reyniers, PhD.
Not a stellar student, sportsman, or socialite of NHS, hunting, fishing,
weekend poker games, cars, and Niles history were my pursuits. But,
interests in science and technology was ever-present. In 1959, our
family moved to Tampa FL. I entered the USAF, worked on missiles,
and witnessed much of our country’s early missile development at
Cape Canaveral. Admitted to M.I.T. in 1963, I went “tuition broke”
after the first year. Working for Germfree Life Research Center in
Tampa FL, I met and married a wonderful lady, Tamma Susan
Joseph, from Brandon FL. I earned a B.A. degree in bacteriology in
1970 and an M.A. degree in cell biology in 1973, both at the
University of South Florida in Tampa FL. In 1972, I was awarded a
research fellowship at the National Cancer Institute in Bethesda MD
and worked at the Papanicolaou Cancer Research Institute in Miami
FL. In 1973, my wife and 3 children, Alicia, Philip, and Cara, moved
to Niles, and I attended the University of Notre Dame, where having
written and received 4-years of FDA grant support, I was both a fulltime employee and a full-time graduate student at UND. With an
earned Ph.D. degree in microbiology, NIH-sponsored research
postdoctorals were undertaken in 1979 at the University of Tennessee/
Knoxville TN, in hematology and the biochemistry of rare nucleosides
and amino acids. As a microbiologist at Texas A&M University/
Kingsville TX Branch in 1983, a slow drifting apart sadly ended a 20year marriage in 1985 and revenue losses during the mid-80’s “oilcrunch” caused me to lose my academic job by 1988. I came to
Florida A&M University/Tallahassee FL as a cell/molecular biologist in
1988. Political realities evident, I resigned from FAMU in 1994 and
operated a successful financial services business through 1998. But,
prayerful reflection and the lure of teaching and mentoring students
called me to reenter academia with Keiser College, a small and
dynamic private 4-year+ institution based in Ft. Lauderdale FL. I’m
currently a teacher, statewide Director of KC’s General Education
Program, and Chairman of the Department of General Education at
KC/Tallahassee. Through patience, commitment, and love for my
profession, the Lord calls me to make the world a better place by
mentoring of my students and faculty. I’m blessed with 3 grown
children and 6 grandchildren. Motorcycle interests were traded for
aviation in the 1970’s, and I flew UND students home on the
weekends and faculty to scientific meetings. Aviation is still my
interest as are geology, archeology, astrobiology, and ancient
history. Volunteering in my community giving seminars, judging at
science fairs, and mowing lawns for the elderly is my way of “giving
back.” Degrees, publications, and awards aside, accounting for
every 1959 NHS classmate is a “quiet-time” joy and passion.
Blessed with good health, I’m having too much fun to retire!
Audrey Evans-Johnson
Niles High School 10th grade
(nickname Nellie Belle)
Benton Harbor High School – 11th & 12th Grades
Married 1959 in Aberdeen, Maryland. Husband, Don, was
stationed at Aberdeen Proving Grounds (Army Division).
Happily married for 44 years. Back to St. Joseph in 1964.
Four children (2 boys – 2 girls). Eight (8) grandchildren ages 3
months to 12.
Don and I formed an Advertising
business in 1967. I am no longer
active in the business. Don is
CEO. Owner of JohnsonRauhoff Communications Group
and CEO Johnson-Rauhoff
Photography located in St.
Joseph and Benton Harbor.
My activities include golf,
bowling, presently Vice President
of Berrien Hills Country Club.
Liaison for Tennis, House and
Pool. Won Club Championship
for 6 years. Carry 18 handicap.
Bob Leets
A story in the Flint Journal: and it turned out to be one of our own hometown boys,
Bob Leets, known in the DJ world as Bob Steel.
Disc jockey Bob Steel cruisin’ with fusion of sleek cars, retro music
Bob Steel (Bob Leets) behind the wheel of the 1962 Buick Skylark convertible he
shares with wife Judy. The couple plans to drive one of their antique Buicks on
Wednesday or Thursday during rolling cruises along Saginaw Street, part of this
year’s four-day ‘Back to the Bricks’ car event.
As a disc jockey who became involved early on in the music-car connection, radio
personality Bob Steel, 67, has become something of a car-cruise authority.
Don Wroblewski
His garage is nearly a museum, wrapped around a pair of cherry-red antique Buicks
and lined with a unique antique jukebox and shelves stacked with petroleum and
automobile memorabilia.
I’m still working for Niles Concrete Sawing & Construction, mostly
driving truck from April through November. As co-owner of Michiana
Holiday Trees, I sell Christmas trees in December at Coquillard’s
Market on M-60 in Niles.
My wife, Dee, and I enjoy renovating old houses in the winter months
when I’m off work. We also enjoy traveling, especially to Las Vegas
and the surrounding southwest area.
We have two great kids, Melissa and Justin. Melissa just finished
her Business Administration degree last spring and Justin is in
Pharmacy school at Ferris State University in Big Rapids. Any
wonder I still work two jobs?
My main hobby is my ’55 Chevy 210 that I’ve been working on for
about a year now. I hope to be finished with restoration and
changes this summer to show it at some of the local shows.
Beneath a ceiling draped in antique paper kites advertising oil brands, a shelf plays
up an extensive collection of all things automobile: car photos, supersized A.C.
Spark Plugs and an old Christmas present, a brown turntable for 45 vinyl discs.
“When I was 6 or 7 my folks gave me my first record player for Christmas,” Steel
said. “I loved music, played the same 45s over and over until I’d drive my folks nuts.
Then when I got a couple of bucks I’d go get another 45. I developed a mad love
affair with music.”
Bob Steel of Flint emcees the weekly car cruise at Twins in Clio. Steel has hosted
over 800 cruises and car shows in his career.
At the WNIL station in Niles where Steel grew up, he recalls pushing his nose
against the glass to watch the DJ spin music. “It was ultra cool,” he said, “but it
didn’t take me long to figure out there’s not many people in local radio that make a
lot of money.”
Steel worked in radio from 1968 to 1977, then realized he “needed to get a real job”
and took a job with Motorola.
His second preoccupation came in 1986, “pretty much by accident,” when Steel and
wife Judy joined a couple of bowling buddies for a trip at a Buick Club national
meeting in 1986 at the Indianapolis Speedway. They became so enamored with the
Buicks that they bought a 1969 Buick Electra convertible on the way home.
Later, the couple bought a blue-and-white 1956 Buick Special Riviera and traded the
Electra to have the 1956 painted red. They also purchased a 1962 Buick Skylark
convertible, like the one Judy rode in as a teen.
After retiring in 1989, Steel said he had the opportunity to get serious about DJ’ing
again.
bbbbbbbbbbbbbbbbbbbbbbbbbbbbbbbbbbbbbbbbbbbbbbbbbbb
He dubiously accepted an invitation to spin music at a car show but the popularity of
the car-music mix snowballed into a slew of work, including the WFNT (1470) radio
show, “Cruisin’ with Bob Steel.” This year alone Steel has DJ’d 75 car cruises and 19
car shows.
Car enthusiasts relish the opportunity to re-live their youth when they hear the music
of Elvis and Ricky Nelson at the shows, and so does Steel.
“I’m playing the music I grew up with and loved, the music I listened to as a
teenager,” said Steel.
Steel said collecting antique cars — not to be confused with classic cars such as
antique Duesenbergs and 1920s and 1930s-era Cadillacs — is one of the country’s
friendliest hobbies, in which visitors are guaranteed not to feel like strangers for long.
Millennium Tattler
“I would love to take my car to more shows but I can’t work and play at the same
time,” said Steel with a chuckle. “But I sneak in three or four shows a year.”
Did it happen to you?
By Paul Bennett
The other day I looked at the clock. Am I really this old because it been such a
short walk. Did I accomplish what I was meant to do? I think I have, I believe
this to be true.
It happened to me! Did it happen to you?
Life didn’t turn out quite the way I had planned. But for all the surprises
that came my way I wouldn’t change anything, not even this day, for I’m still here
on earth and enjoying what I do.
After high school graduation I didn’t know what to do, didn’t know how to find my
path in life. So it was on to college to learn something new and another
graduation with much ado; A cherished moment.
Now it was time to get on with the rest of my life, time to find that job, marry,
have kids, and own a house. It was quite a list that one had to do.
As that young man I was full of dreams. As I look back I can clearly see the
ones fulfilled were the ones meant to be. God didn’t leave the choice up to me.
These things I tell are all very true.
As I look back over the years.
With all the laughs and all the tears. It
seems to me that time really flew. Now, it’s gray hair and beards that match too;
Retirement, travel, and other things to do.
We were quite a class, that of 59. I think back on those high school days from
time to time. Those days were grand but then these are too. Life is now, each day
is new, hold it, and treasure it, as a jewel.
Because it’s happening to me and it’s happening to you!!
Have great holidays. As Always, Paul
River Music Of The Night
By Bob Cork
The temperature was 55 degrees, cool for the 8th of August, 1992. I launched my slender flatwater kayak on the
Housatonic River at twenty minutes before three o’clock in the morning. I zippered a small flashlight into the pouch of
my yellow nylon pull-over.I paddled downstream, cruising at forty double strokes a minute, with a steady breeze behind
me. There were lights at Indian Well State Park and at nearby cottages. A car by the other bank flashed beams across the
water. Then it was dark. Clouds covered the moon.A white sign barely visible on the shore would be my starting beacon,
and a post across from the Yale boathouse would be my finish line. My plan was to paddle on my river in Connecticut at
the same time Greg Barton and Norm Bellingham would be racing in the Olympics near Barcelona, Spain.Obviously, it
was a strange thing I was compelled to do, paddling alone in the dark for two hours, visualizing competition I could not
see, offering cheers that could not be heard. Even my son Jason, my partner in canoe racing, doubted my sanity.But
Jason also understood that I wanted more than for Greg and Norm to win, that my purpose was to somehow touch the
fragments of a tragically broken dream that was shared by another paddling father and son, Ray and Donald Dodge.Their
dream was spawned on the St. Joseph River in lower Michigan, where marathon canoe racing, up to three hours and 20
miles of short power strokes, has long been an alternative to California surfing and skinny Ivy League
rowboats.Architectural engineer Ray Dodge believed marathon paddlers could beat East Europeans in Olympic canoe
and kayak sprints. To help the sport grow, Dodge started a boat and paddle business in 1958.High school senior Donald
Dodge, a serious musician, was smitten in his father’s garage by a mahogany veneer masterpiece imported from
Denmark. It weighed only 26 pounds and looked as musical as a bass violin, but the only strings were cables to the
rudder.In the narrow kayak Donald Dodge discovered a silent antithesis to his bass trombone. As tone, timing and feeling
are important to music, Don learned that technique, strength and stamina win kayak races.Don also found drawbacks. He
once told his father, “kayaking is a lonely sport. If you really get a good work-out, you always end up alone on the
water. Fortunately for Don, training partners were on the way.University of Michigan swimmers Marcia and Sperry
Jones, their dreams beached at the Olympic Trials, came curiously to Buchanan. Under Don’s tutelage, the sisters were
soon comfortable in kayaks.In 1961 Donald Dodge won National and North American K-1 titles at 1000 meters. Then
he returned to the University of Rochester’s Eastman School of Music, a junior majoring in public school music. His best
friend, Tom Mowrey, doubted Don would ever lead a high school band. “He liked music, and he was a good trombone
player,” Mowrey said, “but his passion was paddling.”Eastman students aim more for Broadway than for Yankee
stadium, but they applauded their gregarious friend and embraced his Olympic dream. Trombone department head
Emory Remington, known as “The Chief,” dubbed Donald “The Champ” and all of Eastman cheered.The next spring
Donald paddled up to 30 miles a day, training for the World Championships in Europe. Thursday morning, May 24, he
went to the school nurse for typhoid and tetanus shots required for his passport. Later the junior class took a break from
studying for a picnic by Lake Ontario. After lunch, Tom Mowrey played for a few minutes in Don’s delicate kayak. Then
Don decided to paddle three miles across the bay.Don was one of the few flatwater paddlers who was able to execute an
Eskimo roll, so he was not concerned that the water surface was rolling. Besides, the bay was protected by breakwaters.
No thought was given to the shots that morning that might effect his equilibrium, or to the water temperature of 38
degrees.Tom Mowrey drove three miles to the Charlotte Pier, and waited for the chip-toothed smile that he would never
see again. The empty kayak was located later in the afternoon, and Don’s body was recovered three weeks later. The
paddle, which perhaps had broken in the wind or on a swell, was never found.Tom drove Don’s little white pickup truck,
with a piggyback boat, to the Michigan home of Ray and Mavis Dodge. Ray Dodge wrestled painfully with his decision
to import kayaks and introduce his son to the sport. He would say that “My first reaction was wanting to burn all the
boats, but I knew Don would not have wanted that.”Marcia Jones was stunned by Don’s death, but not distracted from
her goal. By 1963 she was national champion, a title she would hold for nine years. At Tokyo in 1964 Marcia broke the
medal barrier for American women with a bronze in K-1 500 meters. At Mexico City in 1968 she was 4th in K-1 and 7th
in K-2, with sister Sperry as partner. At Munich in 1972 Marcia was 9th in K-1.Ray Dodge was a stand-in father in 1965
when Marcia married Bill Smoke, also a kayak Olympian. Bill and Marcia built a home on the river in Buchanan. Susan
Dodge, Don’s youngest sister, brought friends to Marcia, and the Niles-Buchanan Kayak Club was born.Several years
earlier Ray Dodge sold paddles to Mike and Kathy Barton, marathon racers who raised pigs near Homer, 90 miles
upriver. In 1970 the Barton’s brought their kids, Bruce, Connie and Greg, to Marcia, who sent them out to run, for
conditioning.”I noticed that Greg, the youngest, ran slower, but he did run, without complaining,” Marcia would recall.
“Three days later Kathy told me that Greg was born with club feet, a condition that put his feet in plaster casts when he
was a baby, and under a surgical knife three times before he was a teenager.”Despite an ankle that would not turn, Greg
played baseball, wrestled and ran cross-country in high school. But from the time he was ten years old, Greg was serious
about paddling. Marcia remembers that he was also very coachable, “doing everything that I asked him to do.”Bruce was
a K-2 and K-4 Olympic paddler in 1976, and both boys made the team in 1980, then stayed home because of the boycott.
At Los Angeles in 1984, by then an engineering graduate of the University of Michigan, Greg won a bronze in the K-1
1000 meters. It felt good, but it was not gold.At the 1985 World Championships, Greg first teamed up in K-2 with Norm
Bellingham, a former whitewater paddler. They “pushed each other beyond pain” in K-1 workouts, then went to Seoul in
1998 as allies. On the last day of competition they came to the 1000 meter finals, as ready as dream-chasers could ever
be.In the K-1 final, Grant Davies of Australia crossed the finish line with Greg and was initially declared the winner.
Examination of magnified photographs gave Greg the gold, officially by one hundredths of a second. Just 90 minutes
later, in an incredible achievement, Barton and Bellingham surged past New Zealand and Australian boats to win the K-2
final by less than a meter.After 52 years without gold for Americans in kayaks, there were two glittering races back-toback. Ray Dodge, watching on television, found peace that was a long time coming. The gold of the quest was won by a
marathon paddler from the St. Joseph River. For Ray the national anthem was a ballad for bass trombone.Four years later
I passed my white marker at three o’clock. Hearing a starting gun in my head, I increased my stroke rate, paddling hard
while Greg was racing in Barcelona.It would take me six minutes to paddle 1000 meters, partly because I was 49 years
old and overweight, with a slower, heavier boat and a conventional wood paddle. Greg would cover the same distance in
just over 3 1/2 minutes, with a wing design paddle, a carbon fiber kayak, and a superbly conditioned 32-year-old
body.But I did not care that I was slow. Downstream I could see the outline of the Derby dam, and I paddled with a
vertical plant, a steady pull, a quick lift of the blade and a smooth rotation. In my mind’s eye my form was perfect in the
dark.Then I saw the white post, so I turned my kayak in a wide circle. I was pleased to learn later that Greg won a
bronze medal in K-1, seven tenths of a second from another gold. At the time it was happening across the ocean I had a
gut feeling he had done well. I sang my old high school fight song as I looked upriver.Usually, when I push it, I can
paddle the 4 1/2 miles upriver to the Indian head rock in 50 minutes, but in the dark I was cautious as I cruised into a
slight headwind, looking out for swans and logs, hoping for occasional lights from shore.Past Indian Well the river was
wide. I listened to river music of the night. One blade plunged into water as the other scattered droplets, the nylon shell
of my life jacket swished against itself, the bow of my kayak gently furrowed the surface.I remembered an experience
when Jason was ten. There was a low dam, the water rushing over an 18-inch drop. We portaged our canoe around the
dam going upstream. I suggested we stay in the boat and shoot the dam on the way back. Jason agreed.I knew about
undercurrents at dams, but I thought the water was deep enough on top that we would sail over it safely. As we
approached, when it was too late to turn back, I asked Jason if he was sure he wanted to do it. His question seared my
soul.”We won’t die, will we?” he asked.”No...of course not,” I said, but I was frightened as we slid over the dam. Later
my heartbeat returned to normal. I wondered if I had endangered Jason, when all I wanted was a good time together.
That’s all Ray Dodge wanted, when he imported kayaks from Denmark, just good times on rivers with his son.The
Housatonic was wider then, the water shallow and grassy. A pizza restaurant on the bank had many yellow lights, left on
all night, illuminating the river. It looked like the jungle village by torchlight in the movie “Apocalypse Now.”Then it was
dark again. I paddled past permanent homes on the right and summer cottages on the left. Residents were sleeping, their
lights turned off. I could not see the painted Indian head rock, but I heard the gurgling water behind it. I turned in a
tighter circle, then paddled downriver.Soon I was out of the dark, past the jungle village,then into the darkness of the last
mile before Indian Well. I thought about Greg and Norm Bellingham, ready near Barcelona for the K-2 final.I heard
another starting gun, and I picked up the tempo of my strokes, entering the race with Greg and Norm. I cheered them on
as I paddled hard. I still could see very little, but I had been on the water for an hour and a half, and I felt comfortable, so
I stopped worrying about swans. Again I heard river music.Suddenly I was in Rochester, witnessing the friendship of two
young men who were roommates at Eastman. I could smell pizza they shared, and see them studying. Lights went out.
They talked about girls and dreams. Then I saw them laughing on an afternoon in May.I was with Tom Mowrey as he
drove the pickup down a lakeshore road, catching glimpses of Don paddling. Then trees blocked the view as the road left
the shore. At the Charlotte Pier Tom was bothered by waves that were crashing into the pilings. Conditions at the mouth
of the Genesee River were severe.”I warned him about Lake Ontario,” his father would say, “but Don was like a
mountain-climber believing that a fall would never happen to him.”Tom went to the Coast Guard. They had a higher
priority, a cabin cruiser taking on water seven miles out on suddenly stormy Lake Ontario. Tom drove to the airport,
rented a private plane to fly him over the bay, and there he spotted the empty kayak.Students left open books on their
desks and searched for Don. Members of the Phi Mu Alpha fraternity searched beaches all night. After breakfast they
went to tell Dean Flora Burton they would continue to search.”Tom,” she asked, “don’t you realize Don is
dead?”Acceptance of death brought an explosion of grief, a jolt I felt in 1992, where I had no answer to the question that
Tom Mowrey had recently told me still tortured him. Which one of the boys had suggested that Don paddle across the
bay?My thoughts went back to Barcelona. I pulled my boat quickly past my launch point, moving smoothly along the
shore at Indian Well State Park, until I reached the swimming area. I stopped paddling, and I collected my emotions
while the boat was gliding. I kept thinking “I’m proud of you guys.”Later I watched on television as Greg and Norm
finished fourth, half a second from bronze, and I really was proud of all they had done together, for themselves and for a
sport that few people in America know or care about.I remembered that ABC filmed Marcia Smoke’s 1972 final, the last
Olympic race for a woman who was national champion nine years, a bronze medalist once, an Olympic finalist each time
she competed. The film stayed in the can.”If you won a gold medal, we would have aired it,” said Jim McKay.”If you
showed more minor sports,” Marcia replied, “kids might become interested and someday win more medals.”Then Marcia
went back to Michigan, to continue coaching a boy from a pig farm upriver, a boy who could hardly walk, but dared to
run.Twenty years later I sat in my kayak, with a blade in the water for balance. The breeze was gone, the water was flat.
There were no car horns or dogs barking or train whistles, not even a ripple caressing the sandy beach. It was incredibly
quiet, this river music of the night, the silence of a God who gave no answers to the father and friends of a boy who
loved to paddle his kayak and play his bass trombone.~ ~ ~ ~ ~
Mos t Po p u la r
Toni Bogue
Bob Pierce
Mo s t Mu s ic a l
Sally Ahlgrim
Jim Karstens
Mos t Devoted Couple
Pat Brown & Bob Pierce
S h a rp e s t Dre s s e r
Toni Bogue
Tom Smith
Mo s t Like ly to S u c c e e d
Mary Ellen Good
Denny Moore
Mos t Fickle
Donna Hover
Bob Leets
Bigg e s t B lu ffe r
Janice Johnson, Dennis Schufelt
Mos t S tudious
Mary Ellen Good Denny Moore
S hy Gal
Sandy Banach
S hy Guy
Dick Adler
B e s t Dan c e rs
Peggy Moore
Steve Schuyler
Mos t Dram atic
Abby Hibbard
Denny Moore
Bes t S e ns e of Hum or
Saran Peters
John Cook
Best Looking
Toni Bogue
Tom Smith
Most Popular Teacher
Mrs. Allis
Class Will
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I, Kenny Acton, will with pleasure my government class to my cousin Jerry Probst.
I, Dick Adler, will my tenor voice to any bass who wants it for next year’s choir.
I, Sally Ahlgrim, will my pink three-inch high heels to Mr. Jurgensen.
I, Bob Anderson, will anything anyone wants to anybody who wants anything.
I, Dale Anderson, will my pencils to Loretta Hempell because they are hardly used.
I, Karen Anderson, will my place as left guide in the fourth rank to Ruth Ross.
I, Pat Bailey, will my ability to get into trouble to Clara Ham.
I, Sandra Banach, will my “Monster” magazine to Harold Stalter’s third hour Chemistry class.
I, Barbara Bearse, will “Eloise” to Gloria Bowman.
I, Alan Bennett, will my ‘church key’, lost at Smith’s party to anyone who can find it.
I, Bonnie Bevilacqua, will my Piccolo to Peggy Huss if she has the courage.
I, Bill Blank, will my Economics book to Jim Donaghe.
I, Dick Boettcher, will my French horn to Harry Lydick.
I, Toni Bogue, will my Homecoming number 11 to Sue Richardson.
I, Dwight Bollman, will my pole-vaulting pole to Hugh Tracey.
I, Nadine Brant, will my seat in Economics to any Junior who thinks he likes the Army.
I, Mitzie Brock, will the Student Council candy money to any person who can stand to count it.
I, Ronald Brock will my ability to sleep in class to any Sophomore that will benefit from it.
I, Ray Brooks, will my ‘church key’ to my little brother.
I, Pat Brown, will my Usher’s Club uniform to a good Sophomore girl.
Mt. Weede
Class Will
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(cont.)
•I, Jim “Bruno” Bruhler, will my nickname to anyone who is silly enough to own it.
I, Ron Bucha, will my loud mufflers to anybody to pay for the tickets.
I, Gary A. Bullen, will my brewery to all remaining men.
I, Lyman Bybee, will my ability to stay in the 11th grade to anyone who thinks they can do it.
I, John Carlton, will my spot on the bench to some Sophomore who I hope will do better than I.
I, John Clark, will my red 3’s and good grades to Jim Chubb.
I, Pat Cole, will my locker to any Junior that wants it.
I, Alan Coles, will my reserved parking spot and silver plated ‘church key’ to Dick Parker, who knows how to use
them.
I, Dick Cooper, will my horn to anyone who will be in band next year and wants it.
I, Mary Catherine Corey, will my job as R.L.’s assistant to some patient Junior who can decipher written assignments.
I, Robert Craig, will my trombone to Jeff Hale so that he will become first chair next year.
I, Larry Crane, will my sleeping spot in 6th hour government to Jim McKamee.
I, Paul Crouch, will my straw with my English teacher to Bob Cook, hoping he gets better grades than I have.
I, Ron Curran, will my Refresher Math classes to any unlucky student.
I, Pat Daly, will my locker to anyone who can get it open.
I, Joe Davis, will my ability to stay out of trouble to Jerry Seals.
I, Nancy Davis, will my height to Larry Linville.
I, Anne Dawson, will my locker to my sister because she needs it.
I, Dennis Day, will my worn out eyeglasses to Mr. Pilarski to watch next year’s baseball games from the stand.
I, Joan Dell, will my boyfriend to the girls in Jackson.
I, Brenda Dobson, will all extra school supplies to Dick Farrell.
I, O’Dell Dockery, will my faithful Ben Franklin no. 4 pencil to Arton Briggs.
I, Don Dodge, will my ability to argue to my sister Nancy.
I, Barb Donaghe, will my report card to Jim to take home next year.
I, Henry Duis, will my brand new baseball glove to Harry Pilarski because he’s been trying to steal it for 2 years.
I, Orville Dunham, will my “hot” Pontiac to Mike Redman and Hugh Wordlane, but don’t wash it with Root Beer.
I, Barb Dunnuck, will my hard auditorium seat to my brother Paul.
I, Jon Earl, will Tower Hill’s sunshine to Jim Gourlay.
I, Liz Egbert, will my ability to have fun to Bonnie Leggett.
I, Lee Ellsworth, will my auditorium seat to anyone who can stand a hard chair.
I, Verl Elms, will my sleeping spot in Mr. Singles 5th hour Social Studies class to anyone who can get away with it.
I, Audrey Enger, will my ability to stay in school to Jeanne Whalen.
I, Joyce Elo, will many lonely days and nights for her use to Sue Jones.
I, Jane Elrod, will my auditorium seat to Erma Erickson.
I, Judy Fazi, will to any junior girl who does not watch her step while running down the stairs, a broken foot.
Class Will
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I, Joline Forbes, will my ability to be engaged longer than 6 months to Karen Friggard.
I, Betty Frantz, will my ability to sit home for 15 long, lonely months to Janice Freeze.
I, Karen Frevol, will my sticky locker to Sandy Weede.
I, Karen Frucci, will the tape on Scooter’s class ring to Phyllis in hopes she will have use for it in the future.
I, Doug Fry, will my tuba to Judy Baker.
I, Pearl, FunNell, will a year’s supply of envelopes with a Florida address on them to a certain Junior.
I, Verdell Gardner, will my ability to sleep in school to Tom Thompson.
I, Keith Gentry, will my wonderful teachers to whoever wants them.
I, Jon Glossenger, will Sue Richardson to Al Goble while I am gone.
I, Al Goble, will everything in town to Karen Myers.
I, Phyllis Godman, will my midnight studying to someone who always puts things off till the last minute.
I, Mary Ellen Gondeck, will all the wonderful and happy experiences I have had this year to Carolyn Wood.
I, Mary Ellen Good, will my “Civil War model” piccolo to Marsha Merson, in case there is a band.
I, Betty Gordon, will my locker to my sister.
I, Helen Green, will my beloved shorthand book to Dianna Webber.
I, John Grinnell, will all my knowledge to anyone who can find it.
I, Pat Haas, will my ability to earn 3’s and 4’s to Linda McAbee and Sharon Perry.
I Merry Jo Haines, will good luck through her senior year to Sue Siderits.
I, Tom Haley, will my seat in school to Bubbles Mione.
I, Pat Hansen, will my ability to keep my name a secret to anyone that needs it.
I, Ilah Hare, will locker 271 back to my sister.
I, Judy Ham, will my ability to get better grades to my sister, Roberta Ham.
I, Gracie Hamel, will my ability to be good to any Junior girl who thinks she can do it.
I, Mary Hamel, will my books to any Junior girl who wishes to use them.
I, Ray “Huck” Hanback, will my Anglia to Fred Smith so he will have a ride to school.
I, Sandra Hamilton, will my “A’s” I didn’t get to Dick Farrell in Spanish.
I, Jerry Harbaugh, will my advisor to the Junior Class.
I, Helen Hargreaves, will my seat in Mr. Jurgenson’s class to any girl who likes to blush.
I, Skip Harrison, will my empty sake bottles to Mr. Smith.
I, Bill Harrell, will my “grouchiness” to Lois Horvath.
I, Ron Hartline, will my hall post and wandering to any Sophomore or Junior who can wander even more but not get
caught by Mr. Singles, like I do.
I, Walt Hatcher, will my picture of Huckleberry Hound to Eugene Fortier.
I, Mike Haviland, will my talent to find and create new and different hats to any short good looking, blonde, that goes
by the name of Judy Whitfield.
I, Kathie Healy, will Mary Ellen Gondeck’s locker combination and my ability to steal her lunch each morning to
Sandra Ritter.
I, Pat Heckathorn, will my ability to blush to anyone who wants it.
I, Keith Hess, will the dancing sticks to Robert Greene. I hope he can hold them, I couldn’t.
I, Leroy Hilligoss, will my talent to throw a knuckle ball to anybody that doesn’t want to pitch.
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I, Martin Hodges, will my booming bat and ability to walk to Leonard Whittaker.
I, Pat Hojara, will my locker to Chick Smith.
I, Bob Humbarger, will high school nightlife to anybody who wants it.
I, Janet Jedele, will my influence on the Board of Education to Mr. Luce.
I, Janice Johnson, will my ability to come to school to Benny Kime.
I, Ken Jones, will my eternal poker playing skill to Dale Lenox, who needs it.
I, Marilyn Jorgensen, will my paper napkin cartoons to Mr. Stalter’s third hour chemistry class.
I, Kathy Kale, will my ability to get “A’s” from Miss Pritchard to any speedy (speedy, not fast) girl taking Gregg next
year.
I, Beverly Kane, will my nurse’s aid uniform to Karin Friggard.
I, Peggy Karns, will my ability to tell the teachers what I think to Pat Haas and Rick Parker because they have a better
start.
I, Jim Karstens, will my seat in the tenor section to any person big enough to fill it.
I, Kent Keller, will my seat in Mr. Smith’s advisory to any Sophomore.
I, Jerry Keltz, will my marked cards to John Stull.
I, Pat Kendall, will my ability to please to David Fordyce.
I, Don Klute, will my used typewriter ribbon to Pegi Nellans.
I, Judy Knauf, will my government notes to Karen Gibbs.
I, Roland Kring, will my nickname “Speedy” to Richard Huntman.
I, Amelia Kupper, will my ability to be good to Kathy Kupper.
I, Don Langguth, will my ability to get along with the teachers to all underclassmen and my locker to anyone who
wants to clean it.
I, Bob Leets, will my tremendous love of jazz to Jim Raschel.
I, Barbara Leggett, will my “Hot Pepper Gum” to anyone who can stand it.
I, Noel Lesniak, will my private parking place on Kings Road to any Junior couple who are lucky enough to find it.
I, Robert Lewis, will my church key to Jerry Quick.
I, Terry Linville, will a gravel pit at Lake Michigan to Bill Mooneyham.
I, Larry Lipps, will my little black book to Ronnie Wayson, who needs it.
I, Shirley Lucas, will my old worn dictionary to Judy Barker.
I, Chuck Luke, will my ability to play tennis to Dave Miller.
I, Dick Mack, will my ability to cut weight to Jack Mooney knowing he will never make 112.
I, Betty Mangus, will my beautiful voice to Jim.
I, Dick Marks, will my excellent track speed to “Little Joe”.
I, Harold Masten, will my temper to Karen Prenkert, if she needs it.
I, Sally Maxwell, will my ability to get along with Mr. Hausman to Sue Willman.
I, John May, will my class ring to Karen Borden.
I, Don McAbee, will my cigarette butts to the “Student Court”.
I, Ray McCarty, will the care of Janice Freeze to Mr. Singles until I return.
I, Ken McCombs, will my church key and good times to my buddy, Rich Ramsby.
I, Betty McHone, will my ability to wait on 2 and 3 tables at one time at Maggie’s 31 Grill to Bettie Shuford and
Mildred Harris. Also to these two girls I will my ability to get along (?) with the opposite sex.
I, Mike Machalleck, will my locker to anyone who can clean it out.
I, Harold Messenger, will good luck to every Junior and Sophomore of Niles High School.
Class Will
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I, Sharon Middleton, will my red tights to Mr. Jurgenson so that he won’t freeze next winter in Room 35.
I, Dale Miller, will my seat in Mr. Neiboer’s class to any Junior who can stay awake during his lectures.
I, Vernon Miller, will a nice warm jug to Granville Miller.
I, Dennis Moore, will my Student Council gavel to Dave Miller, with best wishes for a successful year.
I, Jane Moore, will my E flat flute to some lucky person (preferably in band) who likes to fool with screws.
I, Colette Morse, will my bottle of diamond cleaner to Sandy Schneck so she can keep her “sparkler” just as bright
and shiny as mine.
I, Chuck Morton, will my Redman chew to Coach Pilarski if he should forget or doesn’t get his script to pay for his
cigars.
I, Ann Mould, will my position under the raining tree to Carol Mihills with the hope that she has enough money to buy
windshield wipers.
I, Barbara Mudd, will my Ushers’ Club Uniform to any up and coming Sophomore who thinks they can fill it both
mentally and physically.
I, Sally Nellans, will my “clean” locker to Sandy Weede.
I, Alfred E. Neumann, will my good looks to the Niles teaching staff.
I, Jack Noble, will my ability to get out of art class to Marie Smith.
I, Dorothy Osborn, will my Spanish grades to Tommie Worham.
I, Carole Otter, will my co-op job at Westside School to anyone who likes to work.
I, Dick Parker, will my advisory bench to any unlucky Junior.
I, George Paquette, will my first lunch hour and all the good food to Terry Schrumff.
I, Saran Peters, will my cheerleading uniform to Jeanie Krillinburger.
I, Ron Pethick, will my ability to know “57” locker combinations and to get out of class all the time to anyone who
thinks he can get away with it.
I, Teresa Phelps, will my ability to wait 2 hours for a prom date (just because of a track meet) to Nate’s date next year.
I, Bob Pierce, will my ability to be elected president of the “N” Club to my sister Cathy.
I, Caroline Plath, will my everything: shyness, smarts, 3 lockers, flat tires and the ability to keep quiet (when
absolutely necessary) to Marianne Plath, Marcia Balough and Kathy McQuire.
I, Sharon Pollock, will my books and teachers for 2 years to Sandy Schneck.
I, Betty Polly, will my $.00010 to James Akey.
I, Frances Prusinski, will my ability to go steady for 19 months plus to Karen Myers and Roberta Mitchell.
I, Fred Quick, will my Jeanie to Vern and Chub for safekeeping next year.
I, Ann Radican, will my chair in Economics to anyone who is dumb enough to want it.
I, Rich Ramsby, will Barb Ditmar to the U.S. Marines for my mascot.
I, Ruth Ann Ramsay, will my acting ability to any Junior in the Senior Play next year.
I, Rusty Randall, will my red hair to anyone who thinks they can get the color.
I, Jim Reed, will my straw with L.Mc to Al Young. Good Luck.
I, Mary Reidenback, will my job as teacher assistant to anyone who thinks they can remain friends after correcting
their papers.
I, Carol Reum, will my dimples to any Junior who can take the teasing.
Class Will
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I, Nancy Reum, will my co-op job at Veni’s to any Senior girl who wants it.
I, Yvonne Reyniers, will my ability to write term papers to whoever can use it.
I, Joyce Reynolds, will my seat in Mr. Nieboer’s class to Paulette Snelson.
I, Gene Roberts, will my unlimited oil supply to the luckky fool who buys my bomb.
I, Bill Robertson, will my milk selling job to any farm boy who can milk.
I, Karen Robinson, will my sunburn to anyone who thinks they can face the heat.
I, Sharon Sawyer, will my gym locker to Barbara Gordon.
I, Donna Scott, will my Government book to Joyce Wilcot.
I, Joyce Schmidt, will my cheerleading outfit to one of the Junior cheerleaders, hoping they will have as much fun as I
did.
I, Bruce Secor, will my ability to stay out of trouble (or not to get caught) to Jack Mooney.
I, Ken Seifert, will my planting bar to Art Drewer.
I, Janet Shedrow, will my talent to tell jokes to my cousin, Beverly Wruck.
I, Dennis Shufelt, will my ability to eat candy in Mrs. Moskal’s class and get away with it to Roger Hargreaves.
I, Richard Simpson, will my ability to get along with Mr. Flora to Caroline Curran.
I, Leo Six, will my car “keys” to Janis Rogers.
I, Harry Slaughter, will Niles Senior High School to Robert Slaughter.
I, Janet Smiedendorf, will my co-op job in Mr. Luce’s office to Kay Baker, who knows more than I do about it.
I, Alda Smith, will my gym shorts, blouse and locker to my sister, Carol Smith.
I, Dave Smith, will my harem to Don Albert.
I, Jan Smith, will all my lonely evenings any home to any girl to can stand it.
I, Shirley Smith, will my seat in second year shorthand to Shirley Ingleright.
I, Tom Smith, will my ability to get the bench to any up and coming (Soph.)
I, Marvin Sorenson, will my crutches and violin to Ron Wingeart.
I, Frank Spain, will my church key to Terry Williams.
I, Carol Jean Sprouse, will my seat in Mr. Nieboer’s 5th hour class to anyone who can pass.
I, Mike Stanford, will my ability to sweep the floor at National to Larry (Spike) Johnson.
I, Paul Stanford, will my black corduroy club jacket and my collection of church keys to “Harry Bud” and the Junior
class.
I, Ted Steele, will the United States Navy to Jeff Putz.
I, Jerry Steere, will my flat (marching) feet to Harry Miller.
I, Mary Jo Stull, will my ability to stay out late nights to my brother John.
I, Mitzie Surge, will my Dad’s Chevy to Mike Cook so that he can get to school next year.
I, Sue Szweda, will my eyelash curler to Carolyn Wood in hopes that she will acquire the art of using it.
I, Dorothy Thomas, will my seat in Study Hall to Karen Thomas.
I, Dave Thompson, will my tennis racket to anyone with guts enough to string it.
I, JoAnn Thornton, will my 6th hour hall post to Jackie Cochran so she can sit down instead of running around the
halls.
I, Chris Thorpe, will the headaches of a newspaper to anyone fool enough to want them.
I, Yvonne Tiffany, will all the fun there is going to Niles Senior High to Sue Wilson and Dick Tiffany.
I, Barb Tracey, will my love for school to any Junior released from Kalamazoo.
Class Will
(cont.)
• I, Ron True, will my place on the Jr-Sr competition team to any Sophomore boy who thinks he wants it.
• I, Lila Uselton, will my ability to get an “A” in Shorthand to all the Junior girls who are just dying to take a second
year.
• I, Jim Vandagriff, will my old study light to my sister, Shirley Vandagriff.
• I, Gladys Vanderberg, will my seats in school to my sister, Sarah.
• I, Ray Vandusen, will my seat in H.A.’s advisory to some poor Sophomore.
• I, Bill Vannie, will my fabulous high school days to any poor sap who uses them like me.
• I, Davy Vary, will my class ring to Mary Beck.
• I, Mark Vernau, will my ability to crash through brick walls to Mr. Lehman.
• I, Tom Villwock, will my locker to any three Juniors who can use it.
• I, Jim Wagley, will Frank Spain’s funnel from I.L.E. to Lannie Ham.
• I, Donna Walls, will my basketball height to Barbara Gordon.
• I, Sharon Wedel, will that fatal quarter mile to Jim McKamay any time he thinks he can fit in the squall marks of the
Big M.
• I, Dan Weller, will Minnie Ha Ha to Mr. Walker.
• I, Sandra Westfall, will my ability to listen to gossip to anyone else who can stand it.
• I, Julie White, will my unused gum to Marsha Merson.
• I, Duane Wickstrom, will my 133 pound spot to Jack Mooney.
• I, Tom Wiggins, will my wheel covers and fender skirts to Jerry Quick so he won’t have to borrow any.
• I, Jerry Wingeart, will my football ability to my brother, Ron Wingeart.
• I, Sue Wise, will my co-op job to any girl who can try and satisfy the next year’s band director.
• I, Pat Wogatzke, will my roller skates to the girls that collect slips next year.
• I, Melvin Woodford, will my ability to broad jump over 20’ 8" to Mike Freshley.
• I, Whitey Wroblewski, will my hot power glide Chev. 6 to any Junior who is strong enough to hold it on the road.
• I, Ruth Ann Yaw, will my natural blond hair to all peroxided underclassmen.
• I, Orla Zimmerman, will my old math book and teacher to Jackie Cochran.
“What a
Class!”
Class Prophets – John Cook and Denny Moore
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RON PETHICK owns nation’s largest drugstore chain.
DICK ADLER just published his novel on college life, “Moments to Remember”.
KENT HUNZIKER patented his first invention, an automatic pea-picker.
SALLY AHLGRIM plays first clarinet in the New York Philharmonic.
BOB LEETS owns Milwaukee’s largest brewery.
DALE ANDERSON is publisher of the South Bend Tribune.
OCIE MITCHELL is center for the Harlem Globetrotters.
PAT BAILEY just divorced her 31st husband, for a world’s record.
TOM HALEY has just become head of the English Dept. at NHS.
STEVE SCHUYLER is teaching Arthur Murray instructors how to dance 50’s style.
BARBARA BEARSE has just bought the Palace Theatre in New York (free tickets?)
HENRY DUIS still is pitching for the N.Y. Yankees.
DEVONNE MARBLE heads Powers, Inc., world’s largest modeling agency.
PAUL BENNETT is coaching last place Cleveland Browns.
JOHNNY GRINNELL has finally become taller than Bob Anderson.
BILL BLANK manages Sears & Roebuck in Niles.
SARAN PETERS is still cheering for NHS fans (in the bleachers).
TONI BOGUE is head usher at the 1980 World’s Fair.
KEITH MIONE is a British Commando Captain…a 30 year man.
DWIGHT BOLLMAN has cleared 17 feet…without a pole.
BOB HUMBARGER has just bought his 50th Carmen Ghia.
MITZIE BROCK has just become secretary to President DAVE CARLSON at the Chase Manhattan Bank.
ABBY HIBBARD has just become head nurse at Billings hospital
MIKE BROWN has just replaced Norman Rockwell as Saturday Evening Post Cover artist.
SANDY NAGY has just become U.S. Ambassador to Spain.
PAT BROWN has just become the first woman Vice-President of Kawneer.
JIM BRUHLER has just become lightweight boxing champion of the world.
JOHN FARMER is the Chief Justice of the U.S. Supreme Court.
GARY BULLEN has become parole officer at Jackson.
JOHN CARLTON heads the U.S. Seventh Fleet in the Pacific.
JIM VANDYGRIFF heads Sun Oil Company.
BOB ANDERSON is world’s tiddliwink champion.
JOE DAVIS is director of Hollywood Bowl Symphony.
KAREN FRUCCI organized the Berrien County Youth Fair this year.
CHUCK MORTON is batting 400 for the Detroit Tigers.
KEITH HESS has just won Grand Prix.
DICK MACK owns the corner of Main and Oak Streets.
HAROLD RUDLAFF is a photographer for “Life Magazine”.
JON REYNIER heads the Biological “Research Dept.” at DuPont.
JOYCE SCHMIDT is president of our alumni associates.
CAROLE OTTER is secretary to the Director of Public Instruction for the State of Michigan.
TED STEELE has just given his first million to the Red Cross.
MARVIN SORENSON is the Gypsy Fiddler at Delmonicos.
ANNE BAUMGARTNER is a lady lawyer for Jones, Smith, etc.
ESTHER ELLIS heads the pie division at Pillsbury.
JOLINE FORBES heads the make up department at Pillsbury.
LINDA HUBBARD trains horses for Roy Rogers.
Class Prophecy (Continue)
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RAY HANBACK just won the Olympic Hop, Step and Jump.
BILL CLINGENPEEL is playing with Shelly Mann.
NANCY DAVIS has just broken her leg.
SCOTT GRANNAN owns 150 suits.
ANN MOULD teaches 7th grade calculus.
MARY ELLEN GONDECK is principal at Pokagan High School.
JOHN COOK is a casino owner at Monte Carlo.
BOB MEYER just won the Masters Tourney.
CHUCK LUKE is non-playing captain of the Davis Cup Team.
KATHY KALE teaches underwater breathing at Ah Qua U.
SALLY MAXWELL is an interpreter for the upcoming Summit talks.
NOEL LESNIAK plays a wild trombone for the Boston Pops.
DENNY MOORE is writing TV shows for star RICH RAMSBY.
GEORGE PAQUETTE is singing bass in the Met.
TOM SMITH has replaced Arthur Murray as World’s greatest dancer.
PAUL SPENNER has finally disproved Einstein’s theory of Relativity.
BILL VANNIE has become our answer to Valentino, Cassanova and the rest.
DUANE WICKSTROM and MIKE FRASER have just defeated the Volkoff brothers for the world’s championship.
MARY CATHERINE COREY is the first woman to head Atomic Energy Commission.
SKIP HARRISON accompanies DAVE “TOM DOOLEY” SMITH on RCA records.
DAVE THOMPSON is still trying to get a date with LINDA MEYER.
RON TRUE is a submarine commander in the atomic fleet.
BRUCE SECOR is teaching Pancho Gonzales how to keep his temper.
JUDY HAM writes a gossip column for “Confidential”.
BILL ROBERTSON is posing for LARRY LIPP’S new statue, The Discus Thrower.
DANNY WELLER is a fur trader at Cheboygan.
JANET JEDELE is secretary to J. Edgar Hoover.
DALE MILLER is head of research at Dow Chemical Company.
DONNA HOVER is driving trucks for Hover Trucking Lines.
TOM GUYOTT raises “white rats” for laboratory use.
BARB DONAGHE is head airline stewardess for United Air Lines.
MARTY HODGES is shortstop for the Washington Senators.
JOAN LINGNOWSKI teaches conversational Persian at the U of M(oscow).
JANET SMIEDENDORF works in the Principal’s office at Hollywood High.
JON EARL has finally painted his car (orange).
GEORTH RETH has just received his 5th PHD at Harvard.
BOB PIERCE has just received the contract to rebuild Washington D.C.
CAROL SPROUSE is head of the library at Yale University.
CHRIS THORPE has become editor of the Christian Science Monitor.
FRED QUICK has just run the hundred in 9 seconds flat
LORRIE STOWE is producing Uncle Tom’s Cabin for Warner Brothers.
SUE SZWEDA owns her own donut shop.
JOANIE PFEFFERLE is a forestry expert at Gary, Indiana.
DICK SIMPSON sings ballads over WJJD.
YVONNE TIFFANY is a house mother at Vassar.
JIM YOUNG plays tackle for the Chicago Bears.
Note:
In deference to our deceased classmates, it was decided to “omit” their prophecies rather
than offend anyone.
Karen Anderson
Alan Cole
Colette Morse
Don Dodge
Phyllis Godman
Orville Dunham
Immortality
-Clare Harmer Lyon, 1934
Ron Meador
Mary Ellen Good
Jim Karstens
Do not stand
By my grave, and weep.
I am not there,
I do not sleep…
I am the thousand winds that blow,
I am the diamond glints in snow.
I am the sunlight on ripened grain,
I am the gentle, autumn rain.
As you awake with morning’s hush,
I am the swift, up-flinging rush of
Quiet birds in circling flight.
I am the day transcending night.
Do not stand
By my grave, and cry.
I am not there,
I did not die.
Keith Mione
Dorothy Orsborn
Dale McBain
Richard Marks
Sue Wise
Betty Mangus
Melvin Woodford
Joyce Reynolds
Tom Mooneyham
Mary Reidenbach
Ed Wiseman
Barbara Tracey
Terry Linville
Patty Lee
Alan Bennett
Verlene Pease
Lasting Friendship
Mark Vernau
Phillis Moore
Helen Green
Written with a pen
Sealed with a kiss
If you were my friend,
Please answer this:
Were we friends or were we not?
You told me once, but I forgot.
So tell me now and tell me true,
So I can say I am here for you.
Of all my friends I had ever met,
You’re the one I didn’t forget.
And since I reached immortality
before you,
I am in Heaven and
waiting for you.
-- a Friend
Yvonne Reyniers
Janette Simms
Lila Uselton
Barbara Leggett
Paul Spenner
Keith Gentry
Bob Craig
Donna Walls
Larry Crane
Ocie Mitchell
Barbara Riddle
Vivian Hossfeld
Fred Huffman
Sharon Wetzel
John Reum
John Myers
Fred Binns
A NHS 59er’s Fate
By Ed Iliff (Class of 1959)
Death is really nothing at all, It’s just
obeying the Master’s call.
Ron Hemphill
Whatever we were to each other, that we
are still, I’m just obeying the Master’s
will.
Call me by my old familiar name, nothing
has changed, it’s still the same.
Laugh as we laughed at life’s little
jokes, please share them with the other
folks.
Just remember me once in awhile, I’m sure
something, will bring back a smile.
Remember in hard times, we never gave up
to defeat, as a team we were hard to beat.
Life is all that it ever meant, I’m gone
because it was for me he sent.
I’m waiting for you in my mansion above,
it’s worth the price we paid in friendship
and love.
Nothing has passed, lost, all is done,
once again we will be in Christ, and with
spirit of the NHS 59ers we have won.
Vernon Miller
I’m A Proud 59er
by JimmyO
In the years at good old NHS, I couldn’t wait for the end of
school. Through the last couple of years, the upperclassmen had
told me that the senior year was a breeze. You could skate along
without doing very much and graduate with ease. As my plans did
not include college, this sounded like a perfect plan for old JO.
After the first two grading periods, I found myself failing at
more than one class. Not hard to figure out, as I had not put
forth the effort it takes to do even the minimum for a passing
grade. I left school, and why not, I had a job and I would be
fine. My boss, Gordon Fickes called me into his kitchen one night
and we had a long talk. I have never forgotten that night, as I
went back to school and did as well as I should have. I was short
2 hours, so graduating with my classmates was out. I continued
the next year and had the required credits in January of 1960. I
went through the graduation for my mother, but it was
bittersweet. I had been left by me classmates, and rightfully so.
All the years since, I have never aligned myself with the class
of 60, as I was a member of the class of 59. I had friends in the
class of 60, but in living and in death, I will be a 59ner.
Having known Bob Britton, and of George Reth, I feel that they
were proud of their heritage and would not want to be connected
with any class other than their own. To some who think this would
be the greatest honor to be named with us, just ask me, as I will
tell you that I would never be named in the class of 60. The
oddball trying to set forth his own agenda and making assumptions
for the deceased is making decisions he has no right to make. We
have guidelines and those will be the rules for who is remembered
on our list. Ask the members of the class of 58 and I’m sure
you’ll find they think like me. I am, and always have been a
member of the class of 1959.
Jim Overmyer
This memorandum was in response to an attempt to change the acknowledgement of what is a true classmate of 1959. The
classmate who tried to change the rules to match college graduation statute failed. Also, over a hundred emails and calls
supporting the Class of 1959 Acknowledgement Rule were received.
Our Class Rule Keepers will continue to acknowledge our classmates who were listed in our Year Book (Tattler), Class of 1959
section, during a specified amount of time and/or considered a fulltime student. Graduates and Non-Graduates will be
acknowledged with the same consideration and respect, including invitation to all Class Reunions and Social Events.
Also, a person attending class(es) to make up lost credits to graduate from a previous or later class, and does not match the
above rules, is not a class member of the Class of 1959. This includes a person receiving additional studies' credit. Any
changes must be approved.
NHS Class of 1959 Rules Keepers: Lyman Bybee, Betty (Frantz) and Dick Mack, 'the Late' Lila Uselton, Jim Overmyer, Ginger
(Schiele) Ingleright, Tom Smith, Steve Schuyler, Dick Boettcher, and Jon Earl.
WE ARE SURVIVORS!!
By Author Unknown
We were born before television, before penicillin, before polio shots, frozen
foods, Xerox, plastic, home computers, contact lenses, Frisbees and the Pill.
We were before radar, credit cards, split atoms, laser beams, and ball point pens,
before pantyhose, clothes dryers, electric blankets, air conditioners, internet &
Email, drip-dry clothes – and before anyone walked on the moon.
In our time, closets were for clothes, not for “coming out of”. Bunnies were
small rabbits and rabbits were not Volkswagens. We got married first and then
lived together; having a meaningful relationship meant understanding, loving and
caring, and honoring each other. Divorce was almost nonexistence.
We were before househusbands, gay rights, computer dating, dual careers, and
computer marriages. We were before day care centers, group therapy, and nursing homes. We never heard of FM radio, tape decks, car telephones, artificial
hearts, word processors, yogurt, rating on movies and music, and guys wearing
earrings. For us, time-sharing meant togetherness. A “chip” meant a piece of
wood, hardware meant hardware, and software wasn’t even a word!
We hit the scene when there were 5 and 10-cent stores. Theater tickets were 25
cents. For a nickel we could ride a streetcar, make a phone call, buy a Pepsi or
enough stamps to mail one letter and two postcards. We could buy a new Chevy
Coupe for $600, if you could afford one! And gas was 11 cents a gallon. In our
day, cigarette smoking was fashionable, grass was mowed, coke was a cold
drink and pot was something we cooked in. Rock music was Grandma’s lullaby
sung in a rocking chair and aids were helpers in the principal’s office.
We certainly were not before the difference between the sexes was discovered,
but we were before the sex change. And we were the last generation that
thought we needed a husband to have a baby!
We settled our disputes with others by honorable means – not the coward way
with verbal disrespect or guns.
–No wonder we are so confused and we have such a generation gap.
BUT WE HAVE SURVIVED!!
59ers’ Favorite Quotes
“Life is not a journey to the grave with
the intention of arriving safely in a
pretty and well preserved body, but life
is to skid in broadside, thoroughly used
up, totally worn out, and loudly
proclaiming...wow..what a ride!...”
--Bill Harrell
,
ng
i
ch rt,
t
a u
w e h g, .”
is b nin rth
e
er e a
on ev list n e
no ’ll n is n o
e u e e
lik yo on eav r
ce ike no s h yle
n
a e l ke it’ hu
D
“ ov li ke Sc
L ing li e
S ive ev
L St
--
Keep in
Touch!!
“N
if o d
-- it le ay
”C a is
oo ve ov
kie s a er
,
”
Mu mem
dd or
y.”
Average Prices In 1959
• House: $30,000
• Average Income: $5,016
• Car: $2,132 - $3,979
• Milk: $1.01
• Gas: $ .25
• Bread: $ .20
• Postage Stamp: $ .04
• Brook Trout: $ .59
• T-Bone Steak: $1.09 lb.
• Sirloin Tip Steaks: $ .89 lb.
• Nestles Quick 1# Can: $ .39
• Tiny Tears Doll: $9.88
• Steve Canyon Jet Helmet: $2.88
Burma Shave
I m ages Fr om A W h i l e Back
I m ages Fr om A W h i l e Back
In 1955 . . . .
Polio shots are given in schools
for 1st time.
The famous “Don’t Walk signs are
introduced to the streets of New
York City.
US starts sending $216 million in
aid to Vietnam. Now, if only we
could have stopped right at this
point!
The U.S. will import 57,115
passenger cars. That number will
climb to 668,070 by 1959 which
will be a stellar year for imports.
Ann Landers starts her famous
column in the Chicago Sun-Times.
Richard J. Daley is elected mayor
of Chicago and begins a 21- year
reign powered by patronage
politics.
Defying Alabama law, Rosa Parks
refuses to give up her seat on a
bus to a white man.
There are 38,426 motor vehicle
related deaths. In the air, there
were 9 accidents resulting in 158
fatalities.
The first home microwave ovens
are manufactured by Tappan.
They cost $1,300 which really
slows sales.
Instant Oatmeal is invented by
Quaker Oats Company.
On the Air! You’d find 2,635 AM
radio, 553 FM radio and 411 TV
stations.
Warsaw Pact, signed by eight
countries May 14.
Bella Lugosi (Dracula) goes into a
hospital for treatment of 20 year
drug addition.
Big year for car dealers. They
produced 9,188,000 cars, trucks
and buses. A million above the
previous banner year, 1950.
The corticosteroid prednisone is
developed.
Marian Anderson becomes 1st
black singer to perform at the
MET.
Disneyland opens and has over 1
million visitors in only 7 weeks.
New at the market – Pillsbury
Chocolate Angel Food Cake Mix –
“you love it in white…now
Pillsbury has it in chocolate too!”
Top of the line mink coats are on
sale this week for $895.
The Man in the Gray Flannel Suit,
by Sloan Wilson; Andersonville by
MacKinlay Kantor; and Gift from
the Sea, by Anne Morrow
Lindbergh top the Best Seller
lists.
The American Federation of Labor
and the Congress of Industrial
Organizations merge, making the
new AFL-CIO an organization with
15 million members. George
Meany becomes president.
President Eisenhower takes part
in the first televised press
conference.
Johnson & Johnson invents the
West Germany is admitted into
NATO May 9th. The Soviets
counter NATO with creation of the
first “baby shampoo”. No More
Tears!
MORE > > > >
In 1955 . . .
(Cont'd)
cookskin caps were bough that
the raccoon population was
endangered.
Unemployment is 4.4%
There is a 41.6 business failure
rate.
New drugs Thorazine and
Reserpine are found to be very
useful in the treatment of mental
patients.
The 1995 Thunderbird comes to
Ford showrooms. At just under
$3,000 without options, the
Corvette now has competition.
And a classic car is born.
It’s finger lickin’ good! Kentucky
Fried Chicken.
Crest, the first toothpaste with
fluoride clinically proven to fight
cavities, was introduced.
NY psychologist Joyce Brothers
won the $64,000 Question. Her
topic? Boxing.
The National Review appears,
edited and published by William F.
Buckley, Jr.
Argentina’s President Juan Peron
is overthrown by a military coup,
and he flees to Spain. Pope Pius
XII ex-communicates him. When
you’re out…….
st
1 automobile seat belt legislation
enacted in Illinois.
st
Barbara Striesand’s 1 recording
“You’ll Never Know” at age 13.
Ray Kroc starts McDonald’s chain
of fast food.
Davy Crockett is reborn on TV as
three one hour installments of
Disney. Supposedly so many
The adult Western comes to TV
with The Life and Times of Wyatt
Earp and Gunsmoke.
Disneyland opens and has over 1
million visitors in only 7 weeks.
Operation Alert begins. It is the
first civil defense exercise and
assume 60 cities are targets.
For serious trivia buffs –
11/12/1955. Date returned to in
“Back to the Future” & “Back to
the Future II.”
Congress authorizes all US
currency and coins to say “In God
We Trust”
Not only is Del Monte Stewed
Tomatoes (inspired by the recipe
of an employee’s mother)
introduced, but so is Pineapple
Grapefruit Drink.
Organizations merge, making the
new AFL-CIO an organization with
15 million members. George
Meany becomes president.
Johnson & Johnson invents the
first “baby shampoo”. No More
Tears!
No-iron Dacron is introduced.
Alright!
Appearing in East of Eden and
Rebel Without a Cause, James
Dean is killed in an automobile
accident when his Porche 550
Spyder crashes near Paso Robles,
California.
Albert Einstein, the world’s
greatest genius, dies at age 76.
In 1956 . . . .
Pepsodent inaugurates “You’ll
wonder where the yellow went”
ad campaign.
the first American to land an airplane
at South Pole.
Wizard of Oz first aired on TV.
The Dow Jones Industrial Average
marks a new high – 500.24 points.
Yahtzee is born!
Nate Sherman of Chicago
establishes Midas and
introduces the muffler
guarantee – Hugh Landrum
signs agreement to open first
Midas Muffler shop in Macon,
GA.
Budweiser Brewery introduces
Busch beer.
On the Air! You’d find 2,790
AM radio, 650 FM radio and 442
TV Stations.
Actress Grace Kelly marries
Prince Rainier III of Monaco in
a highly publicized Monte
Carlo wedding on April 19.
A busy year for Nikita – The
Soviet Union sends troops and
tanks to occupy Hungary to
put down anti-Soviet protests.
Why? Hungary is the best
place from which to launch
mid-range ballistic missiles
and Soviets can’t afford to let
the natives think
independence.
Dash laundry detergent – gets
clothes cleaner than any other
product especially made for
automatic washers!
The first prefrontal lobotomy
performed in Washington, DC.
No comment.
Admiral George Dufek, as part
of Operation Deep Freeze, is
Albert Woolson, the last Union
soldier of the Civil War dies at age
109. The last Confederate soldier,
Walter Williams will die in 1959.
Marilyn Monroe marries Arthur Miller.
A dollar buys only as much food in
1956 as 41 cents bought in 1939.
The first transatlantic telephone
cable goes into operation
(Newfoundland-Scotland.).
Americans exported 700 million
cases of canned goods.
The La Leche League is founded in
Illinois to encourage mothers to
breastfeed their infants.
Last Ringling Bros. Barnum & Bailey
Circus under a canvas tent.
Clairol introduces the “Does She or
Doesn’t She” advertising campaign.
“Only her hairdresser knows for
sure.”
Allen Ginsberg publishes Howl,
which he had read the previous year
at Berkeley. It will become a classic
of the beat generation in American
poetry and literature. “I’ve seen the
best minds of my generation
destroyed by madness.”
The first commercial videotape
recorder is introduced. The device is
intended for industrial applications,
and it quickly revolutionizes the way
television programming is produced.
Engineers race to produce a practical
VCR for consumers.
MORE > > >
In 1956 . .
(cont'd)
Peyton Place is published.
related deaths. While in the
air, there were 6 accidents
resulting in 152 fatalities.
The U.S. Dept. of Agriculture
formulates the four basic food
group.
At a Fourth of July family
barbecue, Milton Levine
dreams up the idea for the first
Ant Farm, complete with live
ants.
The Andrea Doria sinks.
200,000 Soviet troops and
tanks crush anti-Communist
uprisings in Hungary.
As the World Turns and Edge
of Night premiere.
Los Alamos Laboratory
discovers the neutino, an
atomic particle with no electric
charge.
At a reception in the Kremlin,
Soviet premier Nikita
Khruschev tells ambassadors
from the West, “History is on
our side. We will bury you!”
Choosy mothers can now
choose – Jif Peanut Butter.
Wizard of Oz first aired on TV.
President Eisenhower ( R ) is
re-elected defeating Adlai E.
Stevenson ( D )
Britain abolishes dealth
penalty.
Anti-protons detected in the
atmosphere.
My Fair Lady opened at the Mark
Hellinger. The original production
featured a run of 2,717 performances
over nine years.
Elvis Presley makes his television
debut on CBS Dorsey Brothers’
Stage Show.
The after-tax income of the average
American is $1,700, up $63 from
1955. The average weekly take-home
for a worker with three dependents is
$74.04.
Samuel J. Seymour, the last
eyewitness to the death of Abraham
Lincoln, dies.
Finally, a law is passed allowing the
FBI to enter a kidnapping case 24
hours after the abduction. Before, it
was local matter.
A big year as momentum builds in
the quest for Civil Rights.
The gross national product is $408
billion.
650,000 US steel workers go on
strike.
Israel captures Egyptian military post
at El-Thamad, Gaza, Sheham and the
Straits of Tiran & reach Suez Canal in
Egypt.
By now, more than 80% of
households have refrigerators. By
contrast, only 8% of British
households do.
Bob Cousy (basketball), Bobby Lane
(football) and Duke Snider (baseball)
get their own Wheaties boxes.
Unemployment is 4.2%.
I n 1957 . . . .
There are 47,200,000 TV sets in
39,500,000 homes.
Barry Gordy, Jr. invests $700
in found “Motown Records.”
And the rest, as they say…..is
history.”
The 13-year-old Bobby Fischer
becomes a chess champion.
It’s here! The Pink Flamingo!
Music Man, starring Robert
Preston, opens on Broadway.
Britain becomes the 3rd nation
to join the “nuclear club” with
the explosion of an atomic
weapon.
More news from Merry Ole
England. Britain’s Queen
Elizabeth and Prince Philip
visit Dwight and Mamie
Eisenhower at the White
House. Talk about your fun
crowd….
Everready produces “AA” size
alkaline batteries for use in
“personal transistor radios”
Ghana (formerly Gold Coast)
declares independence from
UK as does Malayasia
(formerly Malaya)
Elizabeth Taylor’s 2nd divorce
from Michael Wilding and 3rd
marriage to Mike Todd.
Please Don’t Eat the Daisies by
Jean Kerr is a book smash!
The Frisbee is renamed and
nationally marketed.
Chairman Mao of China implements
his “Great Leap Forward” which
places 1 million Chinese in
communes.
Wagon Train debuts on TV. Also,
Have Gun Will Travel, Tales of Wells
Fargo and Maverick.
At a Miami radio station, new
employee Lawrence Harvey Zeiger
abruptly adopts a stage name – Larry
King – and begins broadcasting.
Treaty of Rome establishes European
Economic Community (Common
Market)
Americans Clarence W. Lillehie and
Earl Bakk invent the internal
pacemaker.
The Little Rock Nine require federal
intervention.
I can’t believe it isn’t…Margarine
sales take the lead over butter.
Better Homes & Gardens prints its
first microwave-cooking article.
related deaths. While in the air, there
fatalities.
The first commercial videotape
recorder is introduced. The device is
intended for industrial applications,
and it quickly revolutionizes the way
television programming is produced.
Engineers race to produce a practical
VCR for consumers.
There is a 51.7% business failure
rate.
Williams-Sonoma opens in San
Francisco. Alright!
Unemployment is 4.3%
NYC ends trolley car service.
I n 1958 . . . .
Sterophonic recordings, which
use two separately recorded
channels of sound to recreate
a sense of space, come into
commercial use.
Japan’s new Datsun (Model
211) cars begin shipping to the
US but only 52 will sell. An
especially meager # since in
1958 America will import
430,808 passenger cars.
related deaths. While in the air, there
fatalities.
Rice-A-Roni, the San Francisco Treat,
is introduced.
Pope Pius XII declares St. Clare of
Assisi patron saint of television. Her
placement on the TV set is said to
guarantee good reception.
By now, more than 45 million
American households have television
sets.
Pope Pius XII died.
This is the peak years for
drive-in movies with 4,063
outdoor screens nationwide.
400 million frozen pot pies are
sold in the U.S..
Bill & Mark Richards of Dana
Point, CA, invented the first
skateboard. They attached
rollerskate wheels to a square
board and sold them at their
Val Surf Shop for $8 each.
The John Birch Society, a radical
anti-communist organization, is
created in the U.S.
Dr. Zhivago is published in the US.
Banned in the USSR, Zhivago won
author Boris Pasternak the Nobel
Prize which he was forced to decline
due to political forces at home.
The price of 1st class US postage is
raised to 4 cents from 3 cents where
it has been for 26 years. Hard to
believe – only a penny in 26 years.
9,000 scientists of 43 nations
petition UN for nuclear test
ban.
Charles de Gaulle becomes premier
of France, a position he will hold until
1969.
Air Force Academy opens in
Colorado Springs, CO. The all
male facility won’t go co-ed
until 1976.
On the Air!. You’d find 3,156 AM
radio, 537 FM radio and 492 TV
Stations.
The nuclear submarine
Nautilus traverses the North
Pole under the polar icecap.
The Chevrolet Impala is
introduced!
Dr. Ake Senning installs the
first pacemaker.
30.6% of all advertising dollars are
spent on newspapers – 13.3% on TV.
Sweet n’ Low is introduced as an
artificial Sweetener, using saccharin
instead of sugar. Sweet n’ Low
received U.S. trademark patent no.
1,000,000.
UP & International News Service
merge into United Press
International.
MORE > > >
I n 1958
( con t 'd )
NASA is created and Explorer
is launched. A big year for the
US in the Space Race.
Friskees introduces first dry
cat food.
Dodger catcher Roy
Campanella is paralyzed when
the car he was driving skidded
into a telephone pole.
Campanella was the NL’s MVP
in ’51, ’53 and ’55.
The Jolly Green Giant appears
on TV with less than stellar
results! In his first incarnation
he looks like a monster which
scares kids. So the lightened
him and and added, “Ho, ho,
ho” and the lilting “Good
Things from the Garden” song.
Modern consumer credit is
born. The American Express
Company introduces a charge
card meant to compete with
the successful Diners Club
card. The Bank of America
introduces the BankAmerica,
which will become the Visa
card.
Crest toothpaste inaugurates
the “Look, Ma! No cavities!”
Ad campaign.
Eighteen-year-old Frank
Carney sees a story in the
Saturday Evening Post about
the “pizza fad” among
teenagers and college
students. With $600 borrowed
from his mother, he opens the
first Pizza Hut in Wichita, KS.
RIAA awards the very first
Gold record. The first ever
“Grammy” Awards.
31.3% of all domestic passenger
travel was by railroad; 27.7% by bus;
and 38% by air.
It’s Here! The Hula Hoop!!!
Vice President, Richard Nixon, is
shoved, stoned, booed and spat
upon by protesters in Peru as he
makes a goodwill tour of South and
Latin America.
Charles Starkweather & Caril Fugate
go on their killing spree.
Nelson Mandela weds Winnie
Madikizela.
Harry Winston, Inc., donates the
45.52 carat Hope Diamond to the
Smithsonian Institution.
In the worst recession since World
War II, nearly 5.5 million people are
out of work.
The first women are admitted to the
British House of Lords.
The first domestic jet-airline
passenger service is begun by
National Airlines between New York
City and Miami.
There is a 55.9% business failure
rate.
Cocoa Krispies breakfast food is
introduced by the Kellogg Company;
it contains 43% sugar.
Americans will import 430,808
passenger cars.
Unemployment is 6.8%.
Prime commercial paper (4 to 6
months) was at 2.46%. In New York
City a commercial loan ran 4.12%.
In 1959. . . .
Danny’s Coffee Shops are
renamed Denny's.
Pantyhose, which give women
the look of stockings without
garters, garter-belts, or
corsets, are introduced. By a
man, no doubt.
A plane crash kills singers
Buddy Holly, Ritchie Valens
and J. P. Richardson (The Big
Bopper.)
South Africa decided not to
introduce any television. The
decision will stand for 16
years.
Lee Harvey Oswald announces
in Moscow that he will never
return to US.
Space monkeys Able and Baker
boldly go where no monkey (or
human) has gone before.
The average American Worker earns
$91.53 a week.
Americans will spend $1.2 billion on
books in a year in which 14,876 new
ones are published,
The microchip is invented by Jack
Kilby and Robert Noyce of the U.S. A
host of products using miniaturized
electronics will be produced in the
next few years.
The Elements of Style, by William
Strunk, Jr. and E. B. White is
published. This book remains the
“bible” for writing skills.
Pulitzer prize awarded to James Agee
for Death in the Family.
The Nikon F 35-mm. Singlelens reflex camera is
introduced by Nippon Kogaku
K.K.
The Sound of Music starring Mary
Martin opens on Broadway.
She’s here! Barbie!!!!!!!
Swiss males vote against voting
rights for women. Now that’s
progress!
U.S. supermarkets number
32,000 and account for 69% of
all food store sales although
they comprise only 11% of
food stores.
Swimmer Esther Williams gets
her own Wheaties box!
Maxwell House inaugurates the
“Good to the last drop” ad
campaign.
A banner year for imported
passenger cars. Some 668,070
of them. Up from 21,297 in
1950. The trend will reverse
itself and by 1961 when they
are only 279,437 imports.
Presbyterian church accepts women
preachers.
Walt Disney’s “Sleeping Beauty” is
released.
Alf Dean using a rod and reel hooks a
2,664# 16 ft., 10” white shark. Getting
it in is one thing, mounting it on the
wall…
Groucho, Chico & Harpo Marx’s final
TV appearance together – on G.E.
Theater with host, Ronald Reagan.
The BIC ballpoint pen is introduced in
America.
MORE > > >
In 1959. .
(CONT'D)
related deaths. While in the
air, there were 8 accidents
resulting in 125 fatalities.
New York’s Four Seasons
restaurant and The Brasserie
open in the new Seagram
Building.
New Best Friends, Iran & US
sign economic treaty. Iraq and
USSR sign economic/technical
treaty. Israeli Knesset agrees
to weapons sales to West
Germany.
South Africa decided not to
introduce any television. The
decision will stand for 16
years.
On the Air! You’d find 3,287
AM radio, 578 FM radio and 509
TV Stations.
Lady Chatterly’s Lover banned
by the U.S. Postal Service.
31.7% of all advertising dollars
are spent on newspapers –
13.7% on TV.
Hurray for Jiffy Pop!!
“Think Small” campaign from
Volkswagon. In 1999
Advertising Age picked this as
the number one ad campaign
of the century! Must of worked
because VW will sell 120,000
cars in the U.S. this year,
which is four times the number
sold in 1955.
On February 3, Alaska is
admitted to statehood.
Followed by Hawaii on August
21. For about a year in
between, American had a 49 star flag.
One billionth can of Spam sold.
Remember, you heard it here first!!
Aluminum beer can introduced by
Coors of Golden, Colorado
Bonanza debuts on TV, as does
Twilight Zone.
Oklahoma repeals their 51 years old
Prohibition law leaving Mississippi as
the only “dry” state in America.
A sad number: 1.25 million
Americans have now died in car
accidents, which is more Americans
than have died in war.
Anthropologist Louis S.B. Leakey’s
wife Mary discovers bones and tool
fragments in the Olduvai Gorge,
Tanzania, Africa. These suggest that
Australopithecine Man lived more
than 1.75 million years ago. The find
greatly increases scientists’
estimates of humankind’s history.
Side note: In 1961, while attending The
University Of Cincinnati, Kent Hunziker took an
ancient literature class from Professor Leakey,
daughter of Louis and Mary Leakey. The class
became well aware of her parent's adventures.
The Guggenheim opens in New York
City.
The Sound of Music starring Mary
Martin opens on Broadway.
12 nations sign treaty for scientific
peaceful use of Antarctica.
Vince Lombardi signs on to coach
Green Bay Packers, a job he would
hold until 1968. Lombardi took the
losing Packers to winning back-toback NFL titles in 1961 and 1962 and
Superbowls 1 and II in 1966 and 1967.
Unemployment is 6.8 %
Music from 1955
Ballad of Davy Crockett - Tom Blackburn
Love Is A Many Splendored Thing - Paul Webster
Learnin’ The Blues - Dolores Silvers
Tweedle Dee - Winfield Scott
Something’s Gotta Give - Johnny Mercer
Cherry Pink & Apple Blossom White - Mack David
Rock Around The Clock - Max C. Freedman
Melody of Love - Tom Glazer
Unchained Melody - Hy Zaret
Autumn Leaves - Johnny Mercer
Sixteen Tons - Merle Travis
Yellow Rose of Texas
Sincerely - Harvey Fuqua
Hard To Get - Jack Segal
Ko-Ko-Mo - Eunice Levy, Jake Porter & Forrest Wilson
Ain’t That A Shame - David Bartholomew & Fats Domino
Love & Marriage - Sammy
CahHeart - Richard Adler & Jerry Ross
Music from 1956
Don’t Be Cruel - Elvis Presley
Hound Dog - Elvis Presley
I Want You, I Need You, I Love You - Elvis Presley
My Prayer - Platters
(You’ve Got) The Magic Touch - Platters
You’ll Never Know - Platters
See You Later Alligator - Bill Haley & The Comets
The Wayward Wind - Gogi Grant
Honky Tonk (Parts 1 & 2) - Bill Doggett
In the Still of the Night - The Five Satins
Singing The Blues -Guy Mitchell
Whatever Will Be, Will Be - Doris Day
I’m In Love Again & My Blue Heaven - Fats Domino
When My Dreamboat Comes Home - Fats Domino
Treasure of Love - Clyde McPhatter
Goodnight My Love - Jesse Belvins
Moonglow and Theme From Picnic - Morris Stoloff
Lisbon Antigua - Nelson Riddle
Just Walkin’ in the Rain - Johnnie Ray
Green Door - Jim Lowe
Memories Are Made of This - Dean Martin
•
•
Mu si c f r om 1957
•
Blueberry Hill - Fats Domino
Wake Up Little Susie - Everly Brothers
•
Peggy Sue - Buddy Holly
Searchin’ - The Coasters
•
That’ll Be the Day - Buddy Holly &
The Crickets
Have I Told You Lately That I Love You Ricky Nelson
•
Whole Lotta Shakin’ Going On
- Jerry Lee Lewis
Love is Strange - Mickey & Sylvia
•
You Send Me - Sam Cooke
Happy, Happy Birthday Baby
- The Tune Weavers
•
Young Blood - The Coasters
Party Doll - Buddy Knox
•
Come Go With Me - The Dell
Vikings
Chances Are - Johnny Mathis
•
All Shook Up - Elvis Presley
•
(Let Me Be Your) Teddy Bear
- Elvis Presley
Twelfth of Never - Johnny Mathis
So Rare - Jimmy Dorsey
Jailhouse Rock - Elvis Presley
•
Too Much - Elvis Presley
•
Love Letters in The Sand
- Pat Boone
Diana - Paul Anka
•
April Love - Pat Boone
School Day - Chuck Berry
•
Tammy - Debbie Reynolds
I’m Walkin’ - Fats Domino
•
Little Darlin’ - The Diamonds
Be-Bop Baby - Ricky Nelson
•
Honeycomb - Jimmy Rodgers
Bye Bye Love - Everly Brothers
•
Tonite, Tonite - Mello-Kings
Banana Boat (Day-O) - Harry Belafonte
Music from 1958
At the Hop - Danny and the Juniors
Great Balls of Fire - Jerry Lee Lewis
Johnny B. Goode - Chuck Berry
All I Have to Do is Dream - The Everly Brothers
Chantilly Lace - The Big Bopper
Tequila - The Champs
Splish, Splash - Bobby Darin
Yakety Yak - The Coasters
Book of Love - The Monotones
Tom Dooley - The Kingston Trio
It’s All in the Game - Tommy Edwards
Volare - Dominico Modugno
Catch a Falling Star - Perry Como
Don’t/I Beg You - Elvis Presley
Twilight Time - The Platters
Rockin Robin - Boddy Day
Who’s Sorry Now? - Connie Francis
Tears on My Pillow - Little Anthony & The Imperials
Bird Dog - The Everly Brothers
Purple People Eater - Sheb Wooley
Witch Doctor - David Seville
Lollipop - The Chordettes
Dede Dinah - Frankie Avalon
He’s Got the Whole World in His Hands - Laurie London
Lonesome Town - Ricky Nelson
26 Miles (Santa Catalina) - The Four Preps
It’s Only Make Believe - Conway Twitty
Music from 1959
Mack the Knife - Bobby Darin
Venus - Frankie Avalon
Battle of New Orleans - Johnny Horton
Smoke Gets in Your Eyes - The Platters
Lonely Boy - Paul Anka
Stagger Lee - Lloyd Price
Personality - Lloyd Price
La Bamba - Ritchie Valens
Donna - Ritchie Valens
Poison Ivy - The Coasters
Sixteen Candles - The Crests
There Goes My Baby - The Drifters
A Teenager in Love - Dion & the Belmonts
What’d I Say? - Ray Charles
Sea of Love - Phil Phillips w/the Twilights
Since I Don’t Have You - The Skyliners
Put Your Head on My Shoulder - Paul Anka
My Heart Sings - Paul Anka
Dream Lover - Bobby Darin
Never Be Anyone Else But You - Ricky Nelson
It’s Late - Ricky Nelson
We Got Love - Bobby Rydell
Bobby Sox to Stockings - Frankie Avalon
George
Burns &
Gracie Allen
J ack Webb
in
Arthur Godfrey’s
Talent Scouts
Dinah Shore
Chevy Hour
J ohnny Carson
Tonight Show
The Price
is Right
Elvis
Ed Sullivan
Toast of the Town
Milton Berle
Winky Dink
The Honeymooners
With Jackie Gleason &
A udrey Meadows
Colgate Comedy Hour
With Dean Martin
& Jerry Lewis
The Real
McCoys
Highway
Patrol
The Jack Benny
Show
Perry Mason
Alfred Hitchcock
Tonight Show
w ith
Steve Allen
Your Show of Shows
Twenty One
w ith Charles
Van Doren
D av e
Garroway
Early TV Shows
The Andersons
Howdy
Doody
Captain
Kangaroo
I’ve Got
a Secret
The Donna
Reed Show
Leave
it to
Beaver
I Love
Lucy
Lassie
American Bandstand
Early TV Shows
Ozzie & Harriett
Kukla, Fran & Ollie
The Millionaire
The Many Loves
Of Dobie Gillis
This is Your Life
Walter Cronkite
The
Mouseketeers
Lawrence
Welk
W AR STORY : 1959
Dennis Moore
Some may recall that I was president of the Student Council in our senior year. As
usual the council accomplished a lot, despite the pretentious conduct of its president, but the
accomplishment that stands out for me to this day was a kind of accident. In notes I put down
a few months later I called it "The Great War Orphan Mystery." The confession below is
mainly taken from those notes. My current memory (no surprise) isn't nearly as precise.
Others' memories, of course, may be altogether different.
Following the spring Region V meeting of student council officers in Michigan, treasurer
Scott Grannan told me he'd heard that a number of student councils were sponsoring Korean
War orphans. We had about a thousand dollars left in our budget, and we'd been looking for a
good cause to support. What did I think? I thought that Scott should pursue the idea. He
talked to a woman in town named Mrs. Carmon, who had United Nations contacts. Mrs.
Carmon thought that adopting a Korean War orphan was a wonderful idea. She mentioned
that, fortuitously, Eleanor Roosevelt was scheduled to speak at the high school the very next
week. The former First Lady would surely be able to offer us good advice on the matter.
Mrs. Roosevelt appeared as scheduled, gave an inspiring address about world
cooperation and, prompted by Mrs. Carmon, graciously agreed to meet Scott and me
backstage after the program. We were thrilled to meet this famous personage. Surprisingly,
she did not have a firm handshake, but she had firm ideas about the war orphan project. "Use
your money to support an international exchange student," she told us. "That's where you can
have a real impact." We thought this was excellent advice.
The next day, however, the Niles Daily Star, reporting on Mrs. Roosevelt's visit, noted
that the NHS student council had committed a thousand dollars to support a Korean War
orphan with Eleanor Roosevelt's blessing. Oh, no. What to do? Mr. Luce and council adviser
Mr. Nieboer suggested that doing nothing might be best. Accordingly, the student council
made no public statements about the war orphan project either way. Scott and I hoped that
everyone would forget about it, but our hope was dashed by a letter to the Daily Star from Mrs.
Carmon praising the student council for its generous investment. She concluded, "This last
statement may sound melodramatic, but certainly may be applied: and a little child will lead
them." Groan.
Then, paging through the current issue of the Atlantic Monthly, required reading for his
English class, Scott saw an ad stating that you could support a Korean War orphan for as little
as $120 a year. Great! We jumped at this option, and during our last meeting the council
approved funds for this purpose as well as several others, which gave Scott and me a great
feeling of relieved satisfaction. The feeling only lasted about ten minutes, though, because at
the end of the meeting, Mr. Nieboer announced that the NHS student council had been
nominated by Mrs. Carmon for a Parents Magazine student organization service award--on the
basis of our $1,000 Korean War orphan gift!
In order to take the nomination further, the council would have to submit an official
report. Mr. Nieboer and I put our heads together and decided how to approach the issue. It
didn't seem to occur to either of us to decline to submit the report. We had, after all, actually
adopted a war orphan, at a bargain rate. In the end, we agreed that it would be best to
mention all the various projects for the past year but give no dollar amounts.
Our nuanced effort made no difference whatsoever. That next fall, Parents Magazine
announced that one of their national awards had been given to the 1958-59 Niles High School
Student Council for committing $1,000 to sponsor a Korean War orphan. I believe that there
was a commemorative picture in the Daily Star showing Mr. Nieboer, Mrs. Carmon, and new
council president Dave Miller, who was holding the plaque and wearing a big smile.
Class of 1959 Reunion 19??
Class of 1959, Reunion 19??
NHS Class of 1959 40th Reunion, 1999
40th Reunion, 1999
40th Reunion, 1999
(continue)
40th Reunion, 1999
(continue)
The 45th Reunion - Hayride & Roast
August 19, 2004 - Attendance: 68
45th Reunion - Hayride & Roast 2004
45th Reunion - Hayride & Roast 2004
45th Reunion - “Ice Breaker” 2004
The 45th Reunion - “Ice Breaker”
The 45th Reunion - “Ice Breaker”
August 20, 2004
45th Reunion - Decoration Committee 2004
A Big Thank you to...
Audrey (Evans) Johnson
Karen (Frucci) Wise
Judy (Eich) Herlache
Carol (Otter) Brock
Vernon Phillips
Chuck Luke
...For A Job Well Done!!
The 45th Reunion - Banquet
August 21, 2004
August 21, 2004
August 21, 2004
August 21, 2004
The 45th Reunion - Banque 2004
The 45th Reunion - Memorial 2004
The 45th Reunion - Memorial
A NHS 59er’s Fate
By
Ed Iliff (Class of 1959)
Death is really nothing at all, It’s just obeying the Master’s
call.
Whatever we were to each
other, that we are still, I’m
just obeying the Master’s
will.
Call me by my old familiar
name, nothing has changed,
it’s still the same.
Laugh as we laughed at life’s
little jokes, please share
them with the other folks.
Just remember me once in
awhile, I’m sure something,
will bring back a smile.
Remember in hard times, we
never gave up to defeat, as a
team we were hard to beat.
Life is all that it ever
Our Rev. Ed Iliff administers the Memorial.
Mrs. Tom Haley sang Amazing Grace.
meant, I’m gone because it was
for me he sent.
I’m waiting for you in my mansion above, it’s worth the price we
paid in friendship and love.
Nothing has passed, lost, all is done, once again we will be in
Christ, and with spirit of the NHS 59ers we have won.
Reflection on the 59ers 45th Class Reunion
The Memory of it: So sweet, so clear, and so beautiful.
I would like to thank Steve, Jon, and all who worked to enable us to have the reunion. It was great. Saturday
evening was full of chatter, laughter, backslapping, and hugging. It was wonderful to see. You could tell just how much
the classmates of ‘59 have touched each other’s lives. I recently read The Five People You Meet in Heaven. Watching
you Saturday evening reminded me of that story. There was warmth and a bond there, and everyone was so friendly.
The memorial service on Sunday morning was a continuation of Saturday evening. On the way to the service I passed
where the old Central High School once stood. I recalled the days when we played baseball for hours on the playground.
We kept track of our home runs so we could see who was the champ at the end of the season. I passed my house on
Seventh Street and then the one on Third Street where we lived when we first came to Niles. I passed the old
Montgomery Ward building where my dad worked, and I earned money over the Christmas holidays. As I entered
Riverside Park, I recalled my first paper route when houses were still there. Such sweet memories. As I parked my
truck and walked over to the gathering place for the memorial service, the sky was so clear, and the day so beautiful. We
all gathered around the wreath, and some shared memories of departed friends and classmates. Then it came time to lay
the wreath on the river. As the wreath was laid on the water, Tom Haley’s wife sang Amazing Grace. So sweet, so clear,
so beautiful. The wreath drifted slowly away and three ducks appeared, almost as if they were appointed pallbearers, to
escort the wreath to Lake Michigan. With that it was time to go, but not without many hugs. (I believe the class of ‘59
has a patent on hugging.)
As I left and headed out with the memory of this reunion tucked away in my heart and mind, I knew we all have a
special bond, and, yes, the class of ‘59 is beautiful. That has left me with a warm contented feeling. I’m glad I was able
to attend. It was a privilege to share this moment in time with all of you.
Till we meet again.
—Paul Bennett
I want to thank you and Sandy, from the bottom of my heart, not only for a fabulous evening, but for being
wonderful friends to me and for caring...Your friendship means more than you will ever know.
—Lila Uselton
After two or three days for reflection, the 45th reunion just gets
better. My hope is that you and your excellent team have gotten
a chance to smell the flowers. The planning and loving care
that you and they brought to the party was evident throughout
all the events. Those of us lucky enough to have been there
delighted in your efforts and are very grateful for your hard work.
Mary Ann & I thank you—a thanks that’s hardly adequate for our
deep appreciation, especially for your leadership.
Our classmates & spouses are an impressive group. There has
always been some special chemistry among the people in our
class—something indescribable to me. The time we spent
together last weekend shows that the magic is still there. We
look forward to our 50th reunion.
Steve, we’re all concerned about your health and pray for better
things for you in the future! Take good care of yourself, and
Godspeed to you.
Best Regards,
—Bob Pierce
You and the committee did a great job on the reunion I really enjoyed myself. I know it was a lot of hard work and
wanted to let you know we all appreciate all you do.
Your classmate of ’59
—Janice (Johnson) Hartz
I wanted to tell you how great I thought the reunion was. I think it was the best one yet!!! Also wanted to tell you to
take care of yourself. Let your sweet wife have you as long as possible.
—Shirley (Lucas) Daly
Helen and I would like to thank you and your team for a wonderful 4 days for the reunion. Everything was great. We
had a very good time. Hope to see you before we leave. Thanks,
—Ron & Helen Bucha
Congratulations on a great 45th reunion program!
—Mike Haviland
Thanks for all your (and your wife) hard work. the event went smoothly. I am quite sure all had a great time. Good
planning!!! I am also requesting a copy of the Millennium Tattler that was on the tables. How can I receive one? I
would be happy to drive to Niles if need be. Thanks again. take care, friends
—Audrey (Evans) Johnson
Thanks for the get together. The food was great and the people were the ones I would want to meet. Too bad some
chose not to come and others were unable to come. Thanks for a great time; My prayers to your good health. Thanks
to Sandy also.
—Rodney Beckwith III
Thank you so much for the awesome job you both did on the class reunion. I know I have thanked you before, but I
was just so impressed with the turn out and the fun we had. I am so glad I did not miss it. I love you both. Take care
and God bless you. I am praying for you and for God to send you a kidney for you Steve.
—Saran (Peters) Brock
Congratulations on a very successful 1959 Class Reunion! You had such a good turnout. We know you put a lot of
thought and effort into making it the huge success that it was! It’s good you had lots of help in working out the many
details. We appreciated being invited and Irving enjoyed visiting with several former students and teachers that he had
worked with. Thank you!
Take care! Keep looking up! Our love and best wishes to both of you.
—Marion and Irving Eldred
Just wanted to say thanks for a great reunion. It was good to see everyone, although I didn’t get to talk to all I
wanted. What a delight it was to see Ms. Parrott and Mrs. Cousins. You did a great job and I know without your
perseverance, it wouldn’t have happened. Take care.
–“Cookie” (Mudd) Mooney
A big thank you for a wonderful reunion! Words cannot describe how meaningful our reunion was. I enjoyed the
fair…where I use to show dairy heifers, quarter horses, and a parliamentary procedure team with the Al-Bar 4-H Club.
I enjoyed having lunch with Pearl Funnel, what a wonderful strong woman she is. I enjoyed connecting with
classmates as never before.
Your beautiful Sandy is so appreciated for all the loving responsibilities she does. Steve, you are so special and you
have made our class “special”.
When I talk to my friends about all the work that was done for the reunion - they can hardly believe it that our
classmates are just so important and that a few people have donated so much time setting it all together. You are so
appreciated!
How about the Memorial Services!! It will stay with me forever, and the beautiful voice (Jean Marie Haley, Tom’s
spouse) singing “Amazing Grace”. What a gift she gave to our class.
From the beginning, Hay ride Thursday to the Memorial on Sunday, an outstanding job so well done! Thanks from
my heart!
Thanks again Steve. I love your “sparkling” sense of humor and love that you have for your classmates, and for
being so persistent through incredible odds. You are so loved and are in our thoughts everyday. Take care and God
Bless you and Sandy. Love,
—Toni (Bogue) Nelligan
I never had so much fun…the reunion was great!
—Tom Smith
Dear Steve, Chuck, and all other ’59 Committee members,
What a fantastic job you did in putting together your reunion! Congratulations! And to think I had expected to
decline your gracious invitation until Chuck told my son Dan about the event and encouraged him to prod me into
coming.
I’m so glad you did Chuck, because I thoroughly enjoyed the evening. I could not believe how many former students
came up to me and shared their memories of cooking (boys especially) and serving. Those classes are now passé I
understand.
To show my gratitude for your extreme kindness to me I am enclosing a gift to help further plans for your 50th
event. Thank you kindly!
Sincerely,
—Ruth (Horner) Carey
You and your committee did a wonderful job!
—Marjorie (Mowrer) Hemphill
Thank you so much for inviting me to the NHS Class of 1959 Reunion. It was a wonderful evening!! I enjoyed
every minute, especially renewing old acquaintance. I look forward to the 50th Reunion.
Sincerely
—Peg Parrott
Thank you for going above board for the reunion.
—Karen (Frucci) & Doug Wise
Dear Reunion Committee,
I’m still thinking about the wonderful time I had at your reunion Saturday night. It was so nicely planned…really
special!
Thank you for inviting me, for the dinner, corsage, and especially for the chance to reconnect with students from my
very first teaching experience. This class will always hold a special spot in my heart and memories.
Sincerely,
—Margaret (Miller) Cousins
You did a great job. The Reunion was great!! I loved every minute of it! I will cherish the time we spent with Marge
Mowrer!!
I have been a little overwhelmed since back. Will send a message soon.
It was great to see you again. It was even greater to see you up on your feet. Take care. Keep well, keep positive!!
Love,
—Pearl (Funnell) Nastvogel
You have a special gift for making others feel welcome. Thank you for such a good time. Thanks for everything.
Love,
—Carole (Otter) Brock
I am looking forward to getting the picture and book. My pray is that, all who were there for the 45th well be back
in 5 years. Thanks again for all you and Sandy did!!!!!!!!!
—Margie (Morris) Sherwood and Gene too.
What a wonderful job you two did with the reunion. Thank you. Chuck and I had a great time. It was good to see
everyone. I would like to get a copy of the class picture and a copy of the Tattler, what do I need to do? Let me know
the cost and I’ll get a check out to you ASAP. Again, thanks for a wonderful reunion. See you in 5 years.
—Pat (Bailey) Davidson
If the Class of ‘59 had a Spirit Award to confer on the classmate who’s done the most to bring us all together after
these many years, you’d certainly be my nominee. And I bet everyone in attendance at the reunion events would agree.
You’ve done us all a great service. Thanks so much!
Singling you out for top billing is not meant to - nor does it -diminish the appreciation I feel for everyone else who
played a part in the reunion. I hope all who played a part in pulling it together got their own extra kicks from seeing the
rest of us rekindling old connections.
—John Farmer
Hi...... I too, want to say thank you for including me in your class of “59 reunion...it was wonderful to be back. I had a
Rotary meeting to attend from Wednesday-Sunday after we got home and today my son had lung surgery in Green Bay,
so it’s been a little busy around here. I hope you include me in the invitation for the 50th....Take care and God Bless.
—Judy (Eich) Herlache
You did a great job. The Reunion was great!! I loved every minute of it! I will cherish the time we spent with Margie
Mowrer!! I have been a little overwhelmed since back. I will send a message soon. It was great to see you again. It was
even greater to see you up on your feet. Take care. Keep well, keep positive!! Love...
—Pearl (Funnell) Nastvogel
It was the best time, I loved seeing everyone. You and the should pat yourselves on the back. Way to go!! If God is
willing, I will see every at the 50th. If you need help, let me know, I get home five times a year. Next breakfast on me!
See you soon and God Bless Sandy.
—Judi (Ham) Coughlin
Each reunion we seem to come closer together. All of your hard work is so appreciated by me and I know by others,
especially knowing what you have been going through. If I went through just half of what you went through Steve I
would be in Heaven right now. Thanks so much for what you have done and Sandy, you are an angel. I know we cannot
forget Chuck Luke and all of the others that worked so hard as well. I am so proud to be part of the 59ers I have never
felt so loved and at home. Thank you all for coming. Lets get everybody back for the 50th, come in your wheel chairs,
walkers and canes and your comas but come and get loved on.
—Skip Harrison
I would like to thank you and your committee for a “GREAT JOB”. It was
nice to see all the classmates and of course Marge Mowrer again. Take care
of yourself and I plan on seeing you again in five years. (Also a few
times between now and then).
—Leroy Hilligoss
Steve, I missed the Sat session as we had to race at Martin. My grandson is leading the points and we have a great
chance to win the track championship. The get together on Friday was great, and I knew I was going to miss a great
reunion. While I have worked on three reunions, and realize the effort that it takes, the effort that you put into this is
unmatched, unequaled, unparalleled, and so dedicated that I am humbled. I don’t know if anyone has ever put five years
into planning like you have. Take care!
--Jim Overmyer
Steve, thanks to you, Sandy and the rest of the committee for putting on such a great reunion. Although I had little time
and much family and friends to spend time with and couldn’t get to the other events, I very much enjoyed seeing old
schoolmates. I especially enjoyed seeing the neighborhood and Southside grade school kids. I spent some time with
Margaret Cousins and reminisced about the Southside school recreation program which she helped run before teaching
at Niles High. I brought up memories that she had forgotten and she was surprised that she made such an impression on
me even back then. I can’t say enough about what a wonderful experience you all gave to each of us. And it was quite an
experience to have our reunion on the property where our old grocery store stood and where I lived above it for
sometime. Hugs and Kisses,
—Madeline (Marquis) Dyszkiewicz
Steve et al . . . I want to add my thanks for the efforts of all in preparing and planning—and to those who made the trip
for the reunion. My time was limited on both ends with other family matters, but it was wonderful to re-connect with
classmates I saw on Saturday. And it’s wonderful to have contact information for so many others.
--Denny Moore
Congratulations on the reunion!! It sounds like everyone had a great time. I wish I could have been there, but when
the old “Doc” says no flying, I had better stay grounded.
--Sharon (Wedel) Niles
Mary Jo and I wanted to let Sandy and you know how much we appreciate all the work both of you did in making
the reunion such a success. We always enjoy the time back home even though it seems we spend a lot of time running
back and forth between our mothers. I know we didn’t get much time to talk because you were always in overdrive
making sure everything went according to plan. It was good to see Miss Mowrer (she will always be Miss Mowrer to
me). I may get back to Michigan later this fall and if I do, I will make a special point of calling you.
—Jerry Steere
Steve, really enjoyed reunion and hope you are doing okay.
—Dick Boettcher
Thank you, Thank you, Thank you, it was great.
—Janet (Carter) Smiedendorf
Steve, Sandy, Chuck and all others that helped make the reunion so wonderfully successful, I would like to thank you
from the bottom of my heart. I have attended most reunions since the 15th and never has it been so heart warming and
fun. I am looking forward to the big 50. God bless all of you and be well until we meet again.
—Tom Haley
After seeing all your comments and thoughts about our 45th., it is hard not to repeat what has already been said
many times over.
Our 45th. was more than just another class reunion. It was really a celebration of
our time and life together.
For those of us from the band, we were reminded of what an inspiration Miss
Mowrer was for us then as well as now.
Of course many thanks must go out to all who helped bring us together: Audrey,
Plan now for the
Chuck, Janet, Jon, Karen, Kent, Marilyn, Margie, Sandy, Sharon, Steve, ...
50th...it is just a
I would also like to thank all of you for making Phyllis feel a part of our class
few days away!
and our celebration! Regards,
—Noel Lesniak
My Dear Classmates and Honored Guest,
Thanks for all those kind words. We are most happy you enjoyed
the Reunion. I am equally most happy you came. It was so good to
see you again too.
Our primary goal was everyone to have fun and renew ol’
friendships...it was a most successful plan! We really had fun
these five years planning the 45th. To tell you the truth I think I
am alive today because of the strong desire of putting on a good
reunion, and from your prayers for my recovery. My only regret that
I could not get the majority of our “locals”
to attend. Maybe the next reunion we can
have it more centrally, like the Marriott’s
Renaissance in Chicago. If not, we can get
the Marriott’s Riverfront in South Bend.
A special thanks to CharlesLuke, Audrey
(Evans) Johnson, Carole (Otter)Brock, Karen
(Frucci) Wise, Judy (Eich)Herlache, Vernon
Phillips, Rev. Norman Tubbs, Rev. Ed Iliff,
Rev. Dennis Shufelt, Mrs Thomas Haley.and
Dr. Jon Reyniers, PhD.
To our honored guest, our loving teachers,
Peg Parrott, Margorie (Mowrer) Hemphill,
Ruth (Horner) Carey, Margaret (Miller)
Cousins, Dr. Jack Schwan, Erving Eldred, and Noble Lewallen, all of
you were the bright stars of our reunion.
I don’t have the right words to thank my “Seeing-eye Angels”, my
Sandy. To have someone to proof-read my material was such a
blessing.
To all of you, thank you again for coming to the 45th, you made
a big differences in the success of it. We’ll see you at the 50th!
Love ya...
Steve & Sandy Schuyler
Field Trip, 195? How Many 59ers Do You Recognize?
Dan Hess, State
Wrestling Champ
1958 Team - State Champs
59ers’ State Wrestling Team
Front Row: Tom Guyott, Dick Mack, Tom Hannon, Bob Blair.
Back Row: Dan Hess, Dale Johnson, Ron Wingeart, Duane
Wickstrom, and Ebenezer Spencer.
Our Fearless Football Team
Who does these beautiful legs belong too?
This Class was a
bunch of Misfits...
I Love It!!
Bruce Secor
Dick Marks
Our New High School
Our Old Jr. High School
Dick Cooper
Summer days at Camp WakeshmaSummer days at Camp Wakeshma
Before Our Time - Niles Dairy and Sinclair Station, 1930
John Farmer & Family
Fred Quick & Dick Mack
Janet Jedele-Paulle & Family
Chris Thorp
Sally Ahlgrim-Doebler & Family
Denny Moore & Family
“Pearl” Funnell-Nastvogel withAustralia Kangaroos
Carole Otter-Brock & Family
Marilyn Jorgensen-Stiefer & Family
Marilyn J’s Daughter & Grandson
Ron Quick & Family
Ruth Ann Yaw-Vite’s Grandchildren
Bill Harrell fishing onhis summer home in Kauai.
Rodney Beckwith with Grandchildren.
Ron & Helen Bucha traveling in their Motor Home.
Paul Bennet at summer home in Grand Marais, MI.
Margie Morris-Sherwood and Family.
On Saturday, May 18, 2002, the Niles High
School Class of 1959 (John R., Ed I., Chuck L.,
Barara L., Karen F. & Steve S.) planted tree
and plaque on the grounds of Niles High School.
Plaque reads: “Dedicated to those that cared
enough to each. The Class of 1959.”
If any of you have doubt about what we kids paid for
a coke and a sandwich at F.W. Woolworth store in
the 1950’s, here’s proof of the era we lived...and it
was a GREAT ERA to live as a teenager!!!
—Rodney J. Beckwith III
The End!!

59ers` Millennium Tattler

Transcription

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