Now is the time.....Can you believe this was 60 years ago????

It's Been a Long Time.....

I figure it's been about 18 months since I last updated our blog. I have no excuse really; I've just not been motivated. I've many articles to post, some from quite some time ago. But if you're patient with me, and if I can continue to motivate myself, we may just get this blog brought up to date. Keep checking back to see how I'm doing.

Another Loss for Our Class

I'm so sorry to have to report the loss of yet another classmate: Marilyn Makumal Cihlar passed away November 11 in Hephzibah, Georgia, after a long battle with cancer. Needless to say, our thoughts and prayers go out to Marilyn's friends and family.

We've Lost Sue Long Larson

When Quaker Oats transferred her dad to Chicago, Sue moved into an apartment a short block from my house ---- and we became fast friends. How well I remember weekly exciting canasta games with Sue and her mom; I remember ice skating on St Joe's creek ---- and I remember the day Sue fell and broke her leg while ice skating. I remember her folks taking us to the big dog show in Chicago; suffice it to say, I remember a wonderful time spent growing up with Sue.

With the arrival of high school came our heading different directions. But my fondness for Sue never lessened. And how happy I was to learn she married Dick Larson, another childhood friend who grew up a couple of blocks from me.

2 years ago, I was stunned and saddened to learn Sue had been diagnosed with stage 4 ovarian cancer. She fought valiantly to beat this, but in the end ....... Sue passed away peacefully August 14. As Dick said in a note to me, "Heaven has a new angel".

I'm sure all in the class join me in sending our deepest sympathy to Dick and family; certainly, we all share their grief.

I have Been Remiss....

It's been some 4 months since I last updated you on John's recovery. For this, I am so sorry. My biggest problem has been my computer which, among other things, was rather "fried" when lightning hit much too close to the house. While it's now up and sort of running most of the time, it's still having lapses to the point of refusing to do anything. However, for now, it's operating and I'm here to tell you John is doing superbly. He actually "walked" into his surgeon's office on crutches. He's still limited in his activities, and he's still undergoing intensive therapy, but he's making great progress. Gordon and Allene Rudolph Rondeau dropped by for a visit with John and Ann, but I'm unable to print any of the pictures they shared; another of my computer's current problems is its inability to upload pictures.

Continue to keep John and Ann in your thoughts and prayers. Until he runs a marathon, he needs all the love and caring we can muster up. And drop him a line or a card or an e-mail --- I know he'd be thrilled to hear from all of you.

John's Adventures 3 Weeks Later.....

When I last updated you on John's condition, he had just arrived back at St Mary's Hospital for a resumption of physical therapy. Since then, each day he gets better and better because of the intense therapy and his strong will.


John has been able to transfer himself from his bed to the chair for a few weeks now. He can stand for a very short moment, but his left leg isn't able to support him yet. His core is getting stronger by the day and there are hopes his lower body will soon follow.


The hospital is talking about releasing him to home on or about 4/21. The house will need modifications (it's multi-story) and John and Ann will need assistance, but Ann says "Whatever it takes". They both are looking forward to, once again, being at home together.


If you're on Facebook, John's family has been posting pictures. I can no longer post pictures to this blog, and I'm not sure why, tho I'm in touch with Google to see what we can do about this.


Anyhow, please continue with the e-mails and cards. And please keep up the good thoughts and prayers --- they are the magic bullet to recovery.

Update on John

My last report on John had him awaiting transfer back to the rehab hospital. Well, that's been accomplished and he's having some 3 hours + of therapy per day. The staph infection is "gone", tho he will remain on antibiotics for the foreseeable future. The doctors anticipate a stay of at least 5 more weeks in rehab at which time he'll be reevaluated and a decision about future therapy will be reached.


As of now, John has left-sided deficits, mostly in his leg, tho his body seems to be responding well to the intense therapy. His right side (leg, mostly) has some weakness but is also responding well to the PT.


I spoke with him yesterday; his spirits are high, and he's thrilled with the messages he has received from our classmates. So please continue to send e-mails and/or cards --- and please continue praying for him; as Ann says "we believe in the power of prayer, so keep them coming".


I'll try to keep you informed, but if you have any questions or comments, please let me know.

Another Loss for our Class

It is with profound sadness that I write this post. A note from Barney Biestman yesterday informed us of the passing of his wife, Judie Walker Biestman, on February 26 after a 20-year battle with cancer. I last saw Judie at the 50th reunion and thought she looked almost the same as she had in high school.
Our deepest sympathy goes out to Barney and his and Judie's family. I hope it helps him to know we share his grief.

Current News about John

It seems wrong somehow to try and make John Spencer's medical issues humorous anymore.  I say this because his most recent back surgeries have made a bad situation so much worse and have caused him much pain. And there's nothing funny about that.


As you read in the e-mail I sent, John's original surgery was 1/26; it was intended to repair an impingement in his neck. Due to post-op complications, John was back in surgery 1/28 to repair bone perforations of the spinal sheath; this resulted in the fusing of C3, C4, C5, C6, C7, and T1. After a time post-op, John was transferred to a rehab hospital some 100 miles away, BUT when he developed a staph infection in the incision, he was transferred back to the hospital where he underwent more surgery to clean out the wound and incision and rid John of the infection. And that's where things are now. He's waiting to get the go-ahead for a transfer back to the rehab hospital so he can begin/continue with his recovery.


As I said in the e-mail, cards and/or e-mails would certainly cheer him up. But please don't call him because he is having difficulty managing his phone. He appreciates the thoughts but for now, it's too hard for him to deal with.


I'll try to keep this updated as best I can. It sounds like John is out of the woods but has a great deal of work ahead of him. Please keep him and Ann and the rest of the family in your thoughts and prayers.

Another Exciting Chapter of "Bionic Man from 1957"

We haven't heard the last of 57's own bionic man. A recent e-mail from John Spencer told of a forthcoming (January 26) "cervical laminoplasty", neck surgery to correct poorly located calcium deposits that are, no doubt, encroaching on the spinal cord. Though we make light of the situation, we're all pulling for you, John; good thoughts and prayers are headed your way. Keep us posted.

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.

Our Own Bionic Man

If you've been following John Spencer's history of surgeries, you'll understand why we're dubbing him "the Class of '57's Bionic Man". After decades of working as a contractor, John's body has finally started hollering tilt. He's had 4(?) surgeries to repair vertabrae problems; he's had coronary artery bypass graft (better known as CABG); he's had his shoulder rebuilt ---- and there are more, but my senior moment isn't allowing them to come to mind right now, other than the following. John's most recent surgery was left hip replacement the end of October. And I think the following e-mail from John best describes his most recent experience:

"Anyone who says hip replacement surgery is a piece of cake must have heard someone else say it!  Although after 10 days I can say that things are looking up.  Up until the last few days I have been sleeping about 20 hours out of 24.  When I came out of surgery I knew everything was going to be OK because I could see immediately that all my toes were pointing the same direction.  I go back for post-op on the 11^th and should be able to start walking without some type of assistance.

The worst is that I know I’ll have to have the right hip replaced as well, I just don’t know how long I’m going to be able to put up with it the way it is.

John"

Of course, our best wishes for a speedy and painless recovery go out to John. And hopefully, his right hip will hang in there for him, so he doesn't have to go thru this again for a very long time.