Classmates for Life
In Memory of Our Departed Classmates.
Classmates of ’59,
I am saddened to learn of the deaths of two of our classmates on the same weekend. I fully understand that we are at the stage of life that will find us experiencing this more frequently, nevertheless it produces sadness in me—I value the years we spent together growing up in Pontiac, working, going to school, having fun, playing sports, in the band, the choir, the plays, establishing relationships and friendships that are resumed with every reunion—preparing ourselves for our life ahead, wherever it took us and learning what life is all about. Mary Ann and Mary Lou are a part of my life, of all our lives—for a short, but formative period in our history they were there laughing and crying with us, enjoying all the same activities in which we all participated. We all have memories of each one—may we cherish those and resolve to keep all members of the Class of ’59 somewhere in the backroads of our memories, thoughts, and prayers. I’ve said it before and I will continue to say it—we were and are a very special class. Fondly remembering Mary Ann and Mary Lou and all of the Class of ’59,
Dave Arnold
_________________
Pontiac Township High, Class of ‘59
~ ~ ~
Seems like only yesterday,
When we were kids in school.
Together, trying to make it through,
Classes, dates and being cool.
~
Laughter, tears we shared it all,
Back in those high school days.
Band and choir and games to win,
Sock hops and proms and plays.
~
Then, graduation finally came,
We went our separate ways.
Miles and years, so long ago,
Those precious youth-filled days.
~
Through the years, we’ve said goodbye,
To those no longer with us.
Classmates found in yearbooks now,
One by one, we turn the pages.
~
The hallways echo all your names,
We won’t forget your faces.
Our hearts embrace your memory,
No one can take your places.
~
The moments that we shared live on,
In the back roads of our minds.
All hail, once more, to the orange and blue,
God Bless the Class of ’59
~ ~ ~
Copyright © 2011 LeRoy Dean All Rights Reserved
___________
~ Remembering Our Deceased Classmates ~
Some were there the whole distance…
some were there part of the way…
but all are part of our memories.
~
John D. Blair 08/12/11 age 70
~
Alice J. Brackney 02/15/19 age 78
~
Byron Craig Brunskill 10/04/13 age 72
~
Jack Casey 02/04/94 age 52
~
James Cunningham 04/17/17 age 76
~
Rose (Decker) Ziegler 03/29/14 age 72
~
Barbara (Durham) Schopp 01/14/92 age 50
~
Charles Ehrhardt 02/23/12 age 70
~
Carl Fleshman 10/23/99 age 58
~
Carl Franzo 07/09/04 age 63
~
Robert L. Goodart 05/14/03 age 60
~
Brenda (Griebel) Grimm 03/11/13 age 72
~
Mary Ann Grundler 04/02/11 age 69
~
Carol (Gschwendtner) Eversoll 04/27/95 age 53
~
Carolyn “Joy” (Hendershot) Franklin 12/13/12 age 71
~
Brian Hepperly 06/02/2017 age 76
~
William Hoggins 06/22/89 age 49
~
Janet (Howard) Corrigan 09/16/01 age 59
~
Barbara J. (Johnson) Jensen 10/12/94 (age 53)
~
Don Z. Jones 10/15/97 age 55
~
Charles D. Kiper SR 09/12/12 age 71
~
Shirley (Lambert) Dehm 12/09/13 age 73
~
Mary (Lambrich) Duffy 08/06/97 age 55
~
Mary Lou (Lardinois) Hinrichs 04/14/11 age 69
~
George E. Leckie 10/15/98 age 56
~
Wesley McCawley 1960 age 19
~
Albert McClurg
~
Earl Meier 05/22/84 age 42
~
James Miller 12/02/11 age 71
~
Don Minar 2003 age 63
~
Barbara D. Myers 11/23/13 age 72
~
Rose Ann (Nelson) Shuster 11/03/92 age 50
~
Russel Neubauer 05/27/84 age 43
~
Judy Pellouchoud 04/17/14 Age 73
~
Robert Peterson 08/29/79 age 37
~
Carl Frederick “Fred” Ronnow Jr. 02/17/12 age 71
~
Jerry Schuliz 06/04/13 age 72
~
John Scott 12/27/02 age 63
~
Melverne (Shoop) Weber
~
Robert Smith 03/23/67 age 25
~
Linda (Stahler) Lyons 01/22/12 age 70
~
James Steimle 07/02/06 age 65
~
Beverly (Stith) Ketenbrink 12/11/18 age 77
~
Doris (Studebaker) Wells 09/08/02 age 61
~
Donna (Studebaker) Bowles-Mauser 08/07/19 age 78
~
Sharon (Whitmore) Cornwell 06/29/09 age 67
~
Howard Williams 04/11/03 age 61
~
Michael E. Willis 05/19/63 age 21
~
Nancy (Winstead) Baker 10/21/04 age 65
~
John Wynant 05/08/94 age 53
~
*** Rest In Peace ***
~ ~ ~
God Bless all that have passed and a prayer for all still with us.
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It makes me sad to read of Don Minar’s death. He was such a gentleman! I remember him at the dime dances in the gym, always chivalrous toward all the girls. And how quiet he was, but when you talked with him you were rewarded not only with a nice conversation but also with his sincere smile. The world is a poorer place without Don. Thank you, Donna, for sharing the sad news.
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Dean, I wanted to tell you Don Minar died in 2003 at age 63.
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Donna: Sorry to hear that. I will get him on our list. Thanks.
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I read this for the first time today, I did not realize we had lost so many of our classmates over the years. The people who know me now will never believe this but I actually cried over the young ages that some of us passed on. I am so sorry for all those that have left us. I hope and pray they are all at peace, free of pain now. Donna
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Many thanks and blessings to those who began this Memorials page for our class. All of us, I’m sure, have many thoughts about Mary Lou and Mary Ann. What lovely ladies! (although they’ll always be “girls” to me.
I can’t count the times Mary Ann would smile and ask how I was doing — when I’m sure she had more than her share of hard times. How I wish I’d taken time to really talk with her, get to know her even better, but when we’re young we feel time is our friend, our limitless friend. But even now I can remember her face with those beautiful blue-grey eyes, the ready smile, and that beautiful skin — and most of all, her kind and generous spirit .
And Mary Lou (who lived just down Walnut Street from us) with her long dark blonde hair that always seemed curled just right, who gave our marching band such a snappy and professional image as we trekked up and down the streets of our parade routes. I can see that light dusting of tiny freckles, the white tasseled boots, and her baton always parked beneath her desk at Central Grade School or PTHS.
I’m so grateful for this opportunity to recollect thoughts about them — and as I look through Butch’s listing of others who’ve gone ahead I feel sad I didn’t know about their deaths and didn’t take time to think about memories of them — even if I didn’t write them. Thanks to you, Butch, that’s no longer a problem. The list is so long, and there are memories of each of them — I still can see Carol Gschwendtner playing her french horn! But I wonder at what took so many of them away from us so early in their lives.
Reading the comments from others of you brings back so much — Judy, I do remember the incident with Wesley McCawlay and Miss Adams. Thanks for reminding me of it now — having taught 36 years (or so), it often went through my mind as students would surprise me with unexpected achievements, and I haven’t thought of it since my retirement in 1999. And it makes me think, too, of how much just one or two kind words can mean to a person who may be struggling.
I haven’t been to Pontiac since 1993, I believe. It’s gratifying to be in touch, even on so somber an occasion. Although I wasn’t able to attend the reunion, I’m so grateful for the picture, and the communications and good wishes I’ve received fr0m many of you. Things look good on the health horizon now, and I so look forward to the next reunion. In the meantime, I hope we don’t have cause to write many more tributes, and yet I look forward to hearing from some of you.
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I was in the class of ’58 and we are losing many of our classmates too. I remember so many of your classmates and think this memorial is really great and hope it is continued.
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I was only at PTHS for one year and moved to Topeka, KS. My father was in the military so I only landed in Pontiac between duty stations. I had just returned from 3 years in England with my folks when we came back for the final stay. I live in a suburb of Austin, TX now but think of Pontiac often. I still have lots of aunts, uncles and cousins in Pontiac, Odell and the surrounding area.
I think the memorial is a wonderful idea and very well thought out. As I read the the names I also was saddened to see Wesley’s name and thought of how much he had missed dying at such a young age.
I look forward to hearing from some of you.
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In my initial posting, I forgot to mention a classmate Wesley McCauley. Over the years I have thought of him often. He was pressed by Miss Adams in eighth grade I believe to real outloud. He astounded all of us. When he passed I think we all felt a little ashamed of our actions and knew we contributed to his sense of loneliness and feelings of not being worthy. I am sure he had the capabilities to be a c0ntributing member of society. I have used the story of Wesley to perhaps teach my children and grandchildren the importance of grace and inclusion. He is remembered.
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Butch and Dave,
Thank you for your creativity, thoughts and words. Judy and Sharon, thank you for keeping the way to get together in the consciousness of folks who grew up in a simpler time. We thought compact transistor radios were the wave of the future. TV was a wonderful window on the world, we could only imagine, and dream of visiting.
As Dave said so eloquently, our class is blessed and special. Our times together condense the years into moments, and we pick up where we left off, regardless of the length of the lapse.
We miss all of those mentioned above. Their memories remain with us, even as we may forget what we had for breakfast. ;-{)
Be well, and keep in touch,
Craig
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Butch, I am one of Jerry Follett’s sisters. Jerry is a member of the class of 1959. I remember as a young girl, feeling so close to my brother’s classmates. I was in the class of PTHS 1963. Some of Jerry’s classmates were lifeguards and taught me to swim, some I could only dream that I could twirl a batton in the parade like them, some were neighbors, some were life long friends, some I met in St. Mary’s grade school and some I watched serve mass as alter boys, one measured my guy friends for their tux for prom, some played basketball with my brother, some taught me to bowl, some sold me a car, some fixed my car, some I just had a young crush on. When I read this beautiful tribute to the classmates who are now angels, I remember them with great fondness and tears. Thank you for sharing this with me. May they rest in peace.
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You did such a great job with this. It is so nice of you to keep in touch, I miss my old classmates and friends. Every time I hear from one it brings back memories of so many others. It was great seeing everyone at the reunion and I hope it doesn’t take so long before I see you again. I can’t believe how old we have gotten, seems like just yesterday we were the class of ’59.
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I literally grew up with Mary Lou. We lived down the street and from kindergarden on we played together. I lived in Bloomington for two years when she had her first daughter and we saw each other once in a while. I remember how good she was with the baton and she even taught lessons for awhile. Mary Ann Walters Lee, Mary Lou and I played dress-up together for several years in Jessie Campbell’s backyard. I always look forward to seeing them both at the reunions. I wish now I had spent more time with her at the 50th reunion. I know her family will miss her terribly.
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Butch,
“Great minds run the same course” so the saying goes. When I learned of the loss of Mary Ann & Mary Lou, I thought, “It sure would be great if someone were to compose a “memorial” page in their honor” Bless your heart!! You have done just that. I want to let you know what a beautiful Tribute you have done in honor of our lost classmates. It truly was good to be able to be in attendance at our 50th Class Reunion and see and fellowship with each of you. I was especially thrilled to see “Pud” Shaughnessy Fitzsimmons as her brother, Mike, was my neighbor at Rooks Creek and his daughter Erin has always been like a “granddaughter to me. Pray all going well with you. Since my Mom died last of May, 2010, I won’t get back to Pontiac as often as I did.
Peace & Blessings,
Sharon Spangler
Phil. 1:3-6
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