A Sad Farewell to Two More Classmates

Perhaps I've been remiss in not posting these in a more timely manner, but please know it's getting harder and harder for me to write obits for our classmates. We seem to be losing more and much more frequently than in the past. I guess that's the hazard of aging, but the sadness it evokes in me makes it difficult to write and post these announcements. That said........


Dorothy Spletter Yackley e-mailed John with the news she had heard from one of Virginia Maller Hartmann's kids telling her that Virginia had passed away August 4 from cancer. She was living in Vacaville, CA, at the time.


Two months later, John received an e-mail from Becky Daly, Dave Amundson's daughter. She was notifying us of Dave's passing in  his sleep on November 17 from congestive heart failure. He was at his home in Holiday, FL, at the time. Further information regarding a memorial may be forthcoming.


It goes without saying our sympathy goes out to both these families. Perhaps it will help them to know we share their grief.

Another Classmate Reaches 50 Years of Wedded Bliss

We received an e-mail from Al Panek telling us of the 50th wedding anniversary celebrations enjoyed by he and his wife Marguerite along with their kids  Brian and David; their daughters-in-law Chris and Kendra; and their grandkids Sara, Meghan, and Gabrielle. A gathering was held in September at Al's home in Naperville for 50 friends and family members. And Al, Marguerite, and their kids and grandkids enjoyed cruises to Hawaii and Alaska earlier in the year.
Al sends his best to all members of our class --- and we send our heartiest congrats to Al and his wife for this achievement.

A Mini-Reunion

Received the following from John Spencer who received it from Dave Schoenbacher -----

"Last year I found that one of our old 1957 classmates lived in Jacksonville, IL, just about 20 miles north of my place. We made contact that we would get together sometime soon. Well, that was last year; finally this year I called again and asked her to lunch. She said yes, and we enjoyed a mini-reunion for lunch that afternoon. That classmate of days gone by was Sharon Sanders Edwards. My wife also attended and enjoyed hearing some stories of my past. Sharon and I had fun going through old yearbooks trying to remember who was who. Sharon is fine and in good health; her daughter lives about 15 minutes away and helps her mom out when needed. I've attached this picture of us 2 old folks."

It's Been Almost 60 Years -- Where Have You Been, Tom??

Do you remember our 8th grade dance class? And do you remember who was one of the best dancers?  He danced a lot of the time with Diane Nordin; he is Tom Chess, who apparently can still cut quite a rug.

At the end of our freshman year, Tom moved with his family to, I believe, Massachusetts. He graduated from high school there and went on to become a dentist, ultimately settling in southern California with his beautiful family.

 But Downers was never far from his thoughts. When he started hearing about his class reunion, DGHS came to mind, and with a little effort, he found the DGHS Class of '57 on the internet and called Norma Deardorff Plummer. There's more to the story, but for now, this will suffice. He's asked for and received contact info for a few of our classmates. And Norma has managed to scrounge up a 50th reunion class directory which is on its way to him in Pasadena CA. If any of you are interested in renewing old friendships with Tom, let one of us know, and we'll furnish you with his contact information. By the way, he's still actively practicing dentistry and is now in partnership with his daughter.
It is indeed a small world........

And Now From Newport Beach CA ........

It's none other than Curtis Keller and Scott Butler. Friends since 4th grade, they reconnect whenever and wherever possible. Looking good, guys...........

Who Are These People???

More Pictures Galore

I so liked the last group of classmate's pictures, I decided to do it again.

We have: Bill and Dorothy Fletcher apparently at a diner; John and Gail LeRoy at Pensacola Beach; Scott Butler boating on Immigrant Lake; Norm and Judy Plutchak in some exotic paradise; Norma Deardorff Plummer with daughter Elizabeth at where else but Wrigley Field --- go Cubs!

Pictures Galore

How about some miscellaneous pics of classmates? Rosemary Baker Burkhead with perhaps a grandchild; Grandpa Dave Spero; Greatgrands Jack and Kathy Brennan Blaa; Paul Cassiman and his ice cream; and Nan Vancil Biddle on her 55th wedding anniversary.

A "Bionic Man" Update

I received the following from our own "Bionic Man", John Spencer, in mid-February:

"Well, the dates are set for my right hip replacement. I have scheduled pre-op for March 7 and surgery for March 27 at the Colorado Joint Replacement Center in Denver. If my second hip replacement goes anything like my first, I'll be doing most everything I want to within 6 weeks. When I went for my 6-week check-up for my left hip,I asked the doc when can I ski, he told me after the first of the year, which was like 9 weeks after the surgery. I went skiing the 2nd of January and really enjoyed myself and have skiied 7 days since then, and will mostly ski another 7 or 8 before surgery.
John"

Please keep John in your thoughts and prayers as he undergoes yet another body-part replacement. If this keeps up, he'll not only feel like a 25-year old, he'll genuinely have the body of a teen-ager.