Newsy News
So many people write and email about our website. When doing so, they relate news that is worth sharing with everyone; thus the formation of this page. If you have news about any of our classmates, feel free to message: cavemen61@att.net
July 2011 - A couple interesting developments for our 50th Reunion ...... the Class of 1961 has eight couples who married. Six of those couples have already made reservations to attend. See them by clicking HERE. We also have a few classmates coming who have never attended a reunion. We are so happy they have decided to attend!
July 2011 - Here is a picture of Lou Ann Huff Dixon (left), Sue Brady Cox (middle) Eloise Bishop (right) at the Molly Brown House in Denver, December 2010. Lou Ann lives in Westminster, CO, Sue splits her time between Boulder, CO and San Francisco and Eloise lives in Brighton CO. Lou Ann and Sue travel together going to the Galapagos in 2010 and this August to Germany for a bike/barge trip down the Moselle River. Thanks to Lou Ann for supplying this great photo of "forever friends". It's a good feeling to know these classmates have kept in touch over the years.
May 2011 - Condolences to family and friends of deceased classmate, Mary
Ann Egendoefer. Mary Ann passed away in Merritt Island, FL, on May 7,
2011. Her husband, Philip (2009), and son, Scott (2010), preceded her in death. She
is survived by a son and daughter.
May 2011 - During our recent attempts to locate lost classmates, we have verified the death of two additional lost classmates: Ellen Wilson and Barbara Olson. Ellen Wilson died on December 24, 2010 in Columbia, MO. She is survived by her husband, Sherman Horton and two daughters. She was active in the Upward Basketball and Cheerleading program at the Memorial Baptist Church in Columbia. Barbara Olson died on November 30, 2008 in Waukesha, WI where she had lived for 40 years. She was survived by two daughters and one son.
February 2011 - Congratulations are in order to classmate, Bill Huys, for being presented the 2011 Mishawaka Person of the Year Award presented at the Mishawaka Business Association Annual Meeting. . The award was presented at the 2011 MBA Annual Meeting and Dinner at The Riverside Terrace in Mishawaka. The award was presented by Robert Stephens, who was last year's recipient of the award. Bill has served as CEO and owner of Jordan's Mishawaka Transfer since 1974. It is a professional moving company that has served the Michiana area since 1897. Bill has directly been involved in various local organizations and agencies. He has served on the St. Joseph County Housing Allowance, Chairman of the Professional Services Committee at the Family and Children's Center, and on the Board of Director's for VLM International, Inc. Bill has also donated his company's services as well as contributed personally to many charitable organizations in the area such as Hannah's House, Festival of Trees, Center for the Homeless, Junior League, WNIT and Century Center.
February 2011 - Dave Mow and his wife, Hazel are spending February in Florida along with Larry Zehring and his wife, Kay. They also plan to visit with Dick Nelson and his wife, Marjorie who sidestep the Mishawaka weather and resde in Deland, FL for 3 months each year. Dave and his son along with the the Zehrings took a Segway tour recently. It look like they are enjoying the Florida weather!
January 2011 - Charlotte Rogers retired from MHS in 2008 after 22 years of service as a Media Clerk in the Library. For 20 years she was the "substitute" score keeper for the basketball team (boys and girls). She often worked alongside Mr. John Badry who was the official score keeper. Perhaps you remember Mr. Badry as a French teacher while we attended MHS??? This season, Charlotte was appointed the official score keeper for the MHS Girls Basketball Team. She attends all home and away games and said she enjoys her "official" status. Once a Caveman always a Caveman.... or should we call her a Cavewoman to be politically correct??? Good luck Charlotte and continue enjoying your retirement.
January 2011 - Mr. Don Portolese, 78, retired teacher from Mishawaka High School and longtime resident of Mishawaka passed away on January 19, 2011. Mr. Portolese taught Drafting at M.H.S. for 36 years. He also taught Driver's Ed during the summer months. A student initiated scholarship The Don Portolese Scholarship was founded upon his retirement. This scholarship is a genuine testament to his student centered teaching skills. We send our condolences to his wife and three children. Click HERE to read a 2002 Tribute written about Mr. Don Portolese.
January 2011 - Did you know that John Gleissner is a 23 year veteran on the Mishawaka Common Council? On Monday, January 3, 2011, he began his 4th "tour" as the Council President.
November 2010 - Condolences to family and friends of deceased
classmate, Joyce L. Rudduck. Joyce passed away in Waterloo, Iowa,
on November 24, 2010 after a brief illness. Joyce was an elementary school teacher
in Jackson, Michigan, from 1966-1974 and then a Missionary to Bangladesh from 1974-2009.
Rev. David Miller (Class of '61) officiated at Joyce's funeral
service.
Prior to our 45th Reunion, Joyce sent a note to her
classmates that appeared in the reunion booklet. A brief passge from that note
appears below:
.....I was happy to get the invitation to the reunion of the MHS Class of 1961.
Actually, I left Indiana and moved to Waterloo, Iowa, in my senior year, so I didn't
actually graduate from MHS, but that was "MY CLASS" more than the one in
Iowa." ..........
November 2010 - Mr. David R. Robertson, 82, retired teacher from Mishawaka High School and longtime resident of Mishawaka passed away on November 12, 2010. "Robbie" taught at M.H.S. for 38 years and touched the lives of all his students. His love of teaching was very evident to anyone who took one of his Social Studies classes. All who knew him loved his sense of humor and shared stories. We send our condolences to his family and friends.
November 2010 - Seen feeding their faces at the monthly Mishawaka Alumni meet were: Frank Cackowski, Charlotte Rogers DeBroka, Bob Irish, Kay Eberhart Johanson, Elaine Michele Hahaj, Lauretta Maggart Hoose, Ron Littrell, Sandy Felabom Paszli, Mary Jane Kertes Ringhoffer, Mary Ann Sones, and Carolyn Minzey Stabrowski.
August 2010 - Joe DeKever and his wife, Mary Ann were featured in the South Bend Tribune on August 28. The feature page article "Finding a House to Love" solicits community members to tell the tribune about the house they love. Both DeKevers were interviewed to explain why ....."A home is more than just bricks and mortar, wood and nails. It's a refuge where we find peace and comfort, spend time together with those closest to us and dream our dreams." A color photo of their nice Mishawaka home also appeared.
August 2010 - Condolences to family and friends of deceased classmate, Joyce Wozny. Joyce passed away on August 24 in the Indiana University Medical Center in Indianapolis after a two year battle with cancer. She is survived by her twin sister, Joan.
August 2010 - If you are wondering.....YES.... the Ross Signorino who appeared and won the recipe contest on the Regis and Kathy show for his outstanding "Rib Recipe" is the son of Gary Signorino. Kudos to the "Proud PaPa!!"
July 2010 - We received an address update from Heidi Schmidt... only to find that she has moved from Minnesota to beautiful Colorado. She also has her own shop, Heidi's Handcrafted Quilts. Word has it that she is very talented. Need a quilt? Get in touch with Heidi!!!!!
July 2010 - Condolences to family and friends of deceased classmate, Tom Branch. Tom passed away on July 29 in Crawford, Colorado, and is survived by his wife, Kay, and two sons.
April 2010 - Rose Wight and Carol Hill traveled to Peru together. They had not seen each other for 49 years, but Rose reports it was as if they had been close friends the entire time. Rose and Carol will run with 10 other runners this coming January 2011 in a "Relay for Life" run for cancer from Miami to Key West Florida. Rose reports she is so looking forward to our 50th reunion. The only person she has kept in contact with over the years is Gail Wells who currently lives in Florida.
April 2010 - Condolences to family and friends of deceased classmate, Linda Toombs. Linda passed away from natural causes on April 21. She is survived by a brother and three children.
September 2009 - Sharon Gerow traveled to Tippecanoe Lake on September 14 where she reunited with Marilyn Goodrich Shroyer and Martie Taylor Black after 48 years. Sharon reports......in the 50's we dove from the boat and swam. Now, we sip wine from the boat and watch the turtles. We're still looking through the yearbook though.
January 2009 - Condolences to family and friends of deceased classmate, Marilyn Hall. Marilyn lost a 15 day battle on January 20 with injuries she sustained in an auto-pedestrian accident. Marilyn is survived by two sisters and one brother.
May 2008 - Condolences to family and friends of deceased classmate, John Hyska. John passed away on May 25th suffering complications from surgery. He was a lifelong resident of Mishawaka and is survived by his sister, Karen.
May 2008 - A national television crew visited the home of Frank Cackowski recently. A NASCAR crew was filming excepts about Frank as well as his comments about one of his ex-students, Ryan Newman. Ryan had named Frank as his "Hometown Hero." The excerpts were edited along with those from four other NASCAR drivers and a one hour show aired on the Speed Channel. A South Bend Tribune article also followed. Frank would be more than happy to share the video with you! Ask him!!!!!!!!!
May 2008 - Condolences to family and friends of deceased classmate, Joseph Cocquyt. Joe passed away on May 4th. Joe continued working when his prostate cancer turned into bone cancer and continued to work until the last few weeks of his life. He is survived by his wife of 41 years, Jodie, his two chidren, Kevin and Kristin, as well as his four siblings.
April 2008 - Condolences to family and friends of deceased classmate, James R. Eckert. Jim passed away on April 19.
February 2008 - Soling, our foreign exchange student, reports that she had dinner with Rollie Stroup, our class president. Rollie and his wife, Marlyd, were in the Philippines to attend Marlyd's 50th reunion in Iloilo in the Visayas. Soling experienced amnesia when Rollie reminisced about the double date to the prom with Wayne Heinke and Pat Geist, horseback riding the day after, and the picnic as well as other events that special day. Rollie assured her that the events did happen the way he detailed them to Soling. Rollie told Soling he would be attending our 50th reunion in 2011.
November 2007 - Condolences to family and friends of deceased classmate, Karen (Outcalt) Miller. Karen passed away on November 1, in her residence in Kenosha, WI. She is survived by her husband, Ron, and four children, Sherry, Glenn, Deborah and Lance.
September 2007 - Condolences to family and friends of deceased
classmate, Sandra Sue Smith. Sandra passed away on September 18, in
Methodist Hospital, Indianapolis. Sandee lived in Osceola with her husband, Richard
and is also survived by her two sons, Michael and Daniel.
August 2007 - After years of searching for Jerry Yunker, our MHS Band Drum Major,
news has been received of his death in 2001. A friend of Jerry's who had attended
high school in Ft. Wayne just "happened" on to our website by accident.
He stated he had been friends with Jerry since 1962. Jerry died in Hawaii and his
friend supplied the brief obituary that appeared in the Honolulu Star-Bulletin
Hawaii News. It read as follows:
Jerry Yunker, 57, of Kihei, Maui, a property manager for a condominium association , died on January 19, 2001, at home. He was born in Indiana. He is survived by caregivers John and Debbie Claypoole. Private services. Donations suggested to the Hale Kau Kau at St. Theresa Catholic Church.
August 2007 - Some of you may or may not know that retired classmate, Pat (Gesto) German, settled in the small town of Kyle, TX. Kyle is located off Interstate 35 near Austin, but if one heads south, San Antono is not far ahead. Pat's active life as a retiree was recently highlighted in the Free Press, a newspaper serving Kyle, Buda, a nearby city, and the surrounding communities. Pat... we are all so proud of what they had to say about you. In fact, it sounds like something an MHS graduate would be doing with her life. The article follows:
.....Prominent among Kyle's long list of dedicated senior volunteers is Pat German, who finds her motivation in "getting to know my community....history, development, support for others, and programs of activitiesto make this one of the best places to reside."
Considering her personal checklist of responsibilities, Pat must be making real progress toward satisfying that motivation.
She serves as program director for the Kyle Area Senior Zone, is a board member for the Onion Creek seniors, volunteers with the hospice program at Central Texas Medical Center, is preparing for the Hemphill Elementary reading program through Hays Community Incorporated School District - Retired and Senior Volunteer Program (RSVP), and serves as treasurer for the Ladies Auxiliary Post in Kyle.
"I enjoy meeting people and becoming part of their lives from a smile to a hug. The Kyle/Buda folks are very precious and I am very appreciative that God has brought me here to enjoy my retirement years," the active volunteer said with obvious enthusiasm, at the same time inviting other seniors (age 50 and older) to join any of her groups.
August 2007 - The following classmates were seen at the August Alumni Club Meeting: Frank Cackowski, Joe Cocquyt, Charlotte (Rogers) DeBroka, John Gleissner, Ron Littrell, Carolyn (Minzey) Strabowski, Carol (Hartman) Nilles, Mary Ann Sones. The numbers are growing. Let's get more in September!!
August 2007 - Those of you driving by the downtown MFB office may have noticed that classmate, Gary Signorino, is featured on a large banner announcing Gary's recent job change. Those of you who have not visited downtown Mishawaka for some time, MFB was called (during our high school days) The Mishawaka Federal Savings and Loan and many current classmates received their first real estate mortgage from said firm. Congratulations to Gary! Nice photo!!!!!!
July 2007 - Soling Villasenor Navarro, our foreign exchange student from the Phillipines, made a brief unexpected visit to Mishawaka on July 10. She was able to visit with her host host brother, E. Spence Walton, as well as her host sister Sharen Walton Katona. She also met for lunch in downtown Mishawaka at The Phoenix restaurant with Frank and Sharen Cackowski, Tim Wixted (Class of 1960) and Bruce and Carol Chamberlin. Soling's youngest son, Mark, joined her along with her sister, Josefina Villasenor from San Francisco. Soling was also able to attend the MHS Alumni Club luncheon on July 11 where she was introduced to the 500+ in attendance. Soling was quite impressed with the retail development of the North Main Street area as well as the maintained beauty of our Mishawaka High School. She was also able to visit Notre Dame, St. Bavo Church, Beutter Park, St. Monica Church, Shiojiri Garden, Merrifield Park and downtown Mishawaka. The night before Soling departed she was able to visit with her next door neighbor (in 1961), Jim Carpenter. Jim's wife, Cheryl Key Carpenter also accompanied Jim. Soling promised to return for our 50th class reunion.
Soling (left), Josie (Soling's sister) and Mark (Soling's son)
Article
published July 19, 2007
Friends are never far away from home
VIRGINIA
RANSBOTTOM
South Bend Tribune Staff Writer
She spent only a short time as a foreign exchange student at Mishawaka High School, but the experience created friendships that are lasting a lifetime.
Soledad “Soling” Villasenor-Navarro graduated with the MHS Class of 1961. She traveled from the Philippines in 1960 to be an exchange student with the American Fields Service (AFS) intercultural program.
In 2007, she made the trip
again to visit friends she made 47 years ago.
Oh, we’ve kept in touch,” she said mingling among former classmates at the monthly MHS Alumni meeting.
Late Judge E. Spencer Walton
Jr. welcomed me into his family for a whole year and forever.”
She’s been back to visit
five or six times, staying with her “American brother” E. Spencer Walton Jr.
after the passing of his father.
He was only 8 years old when
I came here as an exchange student,” said Navarro, who now visits with her husband
and children. She has been visited by the senior class president during the Vietnam
War. She has visited the class valedictorian in Colorado. And there’s no
gap in miles when classmates are on the Internet.
Accompanied at the alumni
meeting by classmate Frank Cackowski, she said, “He is my best friend, best body
guard and driver!”
Before the school year
between ’60 and ’61, she had graduated in the Philippines where students only
attended 10 years before graduation.
Coming to America, she would
need to complete 12th grade in order to graduate and take advantage of a
scholarship in engineering.
But after spending a year and
a half in an engineering program, she decided it wasn’t for her.
With foreign studies too
expensive to become a pediatric dentist, she returned home and followed her father’s
footsteps running a large dentistry. Today, she runs a full-time
dentist/orthodontist practice while serving as chairman of a pediatric dentist training
center, which she founded 11 years ago. She also teaches dental practices at
undergraduate school.
Although it was her calling,
she doesn’t regret testing other choices.
I attended several schools in the Philippines,” she said with a perfect smile. “Mishawaka was one of the best and I’m very happy to be here.”
July 2007 - Mary Ann Soens and Ron Littrell were seen "feeding their faces" at the July MHS Alumni Club meeting.
July 2007 - On July 4, 2007, Miss Rosa B. Weikel, long time Art teacher at MHS passed away at the age of 86. She retired in 1980 and became a world traveler visiting much of Europe, Asia, and even the Soviet Union. She also spent countless hours painting the Michiana area, and planting one of the most beautiful backyard gardens loaded with her favorite flowers and shrubs. She recreated many of her painting into living stills that remain a traditional part of the MHS Vesper service today.
June 2007 - Heard from Pat (Gesto) German in Kyle, TX. She said to say hello to all our MHS "associates" and that she enjoys keeping up on everyone by paying frequet visits to our website.
June 2007 - Classmate, Tom Scheibelhut,
has organized a new woodcraft club which will have its initial meeting at his home on June
7. The new club is seeking members who like to share all phases of woodworking in a
show and tell setting. Former MHS vocational wood shop teacher, Milt Ross, is part
of the group as is his brother, Stan Ross. Yes... that is the same Milt Ross who
taught woodshop when we attended MHS and is also the brother of classmate, Rodney
Ross. By the way.... Tom Scheibelhut was a former wood shop student while
attending MHS.
May 2007 - Condolences to family and friends of deceased classmate, Dennis
R. Hurley. Dennis passed away on May 26 in Mishawaka where he spent most of
his life.
May 2007 - Condolences to family and friends of deceased classmate, Shirley (Harrington) DeAngelis. Shirley passed away on May 12 in Ft. Myers, FL where she had retired after moving from the Chicago area.
May 2007 - Harriett (Steiner) Freeze and Bob Freeze were seen at the recent monthly meeting of the Mishawaka Alumni Club at the F.O.P. Hall on 12th Street.
April 2007 - Shirley (Bunch) Wachs and George, Class of 1962, Carolyn (Minsey) Strabrowski, Frank Cackowski, Charlotte (DeBroka) Rogers, and Jo Ann (Piraccini) Neely were seen feeding their faces and visting at the monthly Mishawaka Alumni Club meeting at the F.O.P. Hall on 12th Street.
March 2007 - Tom Berry revealed he was so happy to see we had found Eddie Adrain, his old fishing buddy, that he called him directly following the program at our 45th Reunion. He said Eddie was very happy he called and said he was making plans to attend our 50th.
January 2007 - Many of you know that Denny Bodle has
been afflicted with a mysterious illness. The following "Miracles really do
happen!" note arrived and we thank Denny for sharing..........
I thought I would give you an update to my health progress. As you know I have
been "gone" for the last 3 years. A change in meds brought me out of this
degeneration of my life, but I am back to almost the same prior to the 3 years. People
tell me how I was and they can't believe how I am now and all I can say is
...."really". I remember very few things that went on during this time. If
it wasn't for Carol, I would probably be in the here after. Many of the doctors gave
up and kinda let it known I would probably be gone this spring. Carol tells me that I went
on a cruise and we visited the nude beach on St. Martin. I really wish I could remember
that. We also went to Cancun, don't remember that.........
January 2007 - Received the following note from Mary (Giannuzzi) Boutiette ........
Happy New Year classmates!
Althought I haven't been able to make it to our reunions, my heart is always there with everyone. Thanks to all who have worked so hard to make them such a success.
The big change in my life is that I retired May 15th after 30 years of teaching Spanish and "am lovin it." After many years of seeing the pictures of Machu Picchu in my textbooks and wanting to visit it, I finally was able to make a dream come true. The end of May my daughter, Andraea, and her two girlfriends and I hiked the 27 mile Inca Trail in the Andes Mountains to the lost city. Physically, it was the most challenging thing that we have ever done. Day 2 was especially difficult hiking up 4,500 ft., to 14,000 ft., but we made it and are so pround of ourselves.
My best to all of you!
January 2007 - Married classmates, Martha (Emminger) and Joe Emmons sent in a current photo to be placed within the MEMORIES link. The also promised to make every attempt to attend the 50th Reunion all the way from Edmonds, WA
January 2007 - Larry Stillson was elected as School Board President by his fellow Board members.
January 2007 - Charlotte (Rogers) DeBroka, Shirley (Bunch) Wachs and Frank Cackowski were seen feeding their faces at the monthly MHS Alumni Club meeting.
November 2006 - Marsha (Buckles) Pullin sent in an email correction which was printed in error in the class booklet. Contact Frank Cackowski if you need to contact her.
November 2006 - Marcia (Sawdon) Vargo reports she was unable to attend the 45th since she fell in November of 2005 and broke her back. She had surgery in April of 2006 and had a spinal cord stimulator implant to help ease the pain.
September 2006 - Rolland E. Stroup, Jr. sent in an address correction.
September 2006 - Dennis Davidson sent in an address correction and
reported he was unable to attend the 45th due to the birth of their 8th grandchild.
He also graduated from Dodge's last year in South Carolina after 36 years of
employment. He said he bought a new red convertible Corvette and never looked back.
September 2006 - Sheila (Brugh) Reiter sent in her new email and
reported she is still working for a computer consulting firm in the Chicago area.
September 2006 - John Hardy sent in his corrected email address and said he enjoyed viewing all the photos from the reunion. He hopes to make it to the 50th!
September 2006 - Dr. Ed Clynch just retired from Mississippi State
University after 25 years of service as a Professor in the Dept. of Political Science and
Public Administration. Ed and his wife, Barbara, will be staying in Starksville.
A recent visit from Joe DeKever and his wife, Mary Ann allowed Ed
to view our reunion booklet as well as review our website noting the many photos of the
gathering.
September 2006 - Jerry Watts, Joe Cocquyt and Frank
Cackowski were seen "feeding their faces" at the September MHS Alumni
Club.
August 2006 - Condolences to family and friends of deceased classmate, Pat
Greene. Pat passed away on August 7 in Columbia City, IN where she
had lived since 1965.
August 2006 - Miss Martha C. Miller, 91, retired teacher at Mishawaka High School and longtime resident of Mishawaka passed away on July 31, 2006. She was a resident of St. Paul's Retirement Community of South Bend. Miss Miller was the sponsor of the Miskodeed and Quill and Scroll. In fact, she was also editor of her own high school yearbook. She was our Bookkeeping and Typing teacher and also was the teacher responsible for starting the popular yearbook autograph dance. We send our condolences to her family and friends.
June 2006 - Condolences to family and friends of deceased classmate, Kathy Wever. Kathy was battling cancer and passed away on June 4 in Florida. She was being cared for by her sister, Janet, at the time of her death.
March 2006 - Pat (Geist) Stiles and her husband are now residents of Florida. Moving from Chicago, Pat reports .... in an amazing coincidence, Marilyn (Goodrich) Shroyer and her husband just purchased the unit next to ours!!!!
December 2005 - Condolences to family and friends of deceased classmate, Tina Callaway. Tina passed away on December 23 in Huntsville, Alabama. She is survived by her husband, Joe Jurjevich, three children and two brothers, both of Mishawaka.
October 2005 - Condolences to family and friends of deceased classmate, Eldon Haden. Eldon passed away on October 22 in the Hospice House in South Bend. He is survived by his wife, Patricia, and seven children.
May 2005 - Condolences to family and friends of deceased classmate, Patti Ann Mustard. Patti passed away on May 25 after a long and courageous battle against cancer. She was being cared for at Hospice House in South Bend.
March 2005 - The inspiring life of Mr. Merle D. Blue, retired teacher at Mishawaka High School and longtime resident of St. Joseph County, ended on March 27 in Tempe, Arizona. Mr. Blue was salutatorian of his high school class in Marion, Indiana; was a Phi Beta Kappa at IU; received the George Award from the Mishawaka Enterprise in 1960 and taught Social Studies while we were students at MHS.
September 2004 - Condolences to family and friends of deceased classmate, Peggy Radabaugh. Peggy passed away on September 2 in Elkhart General Hospital as a result of injuries suffered in an automobile accident in Elkhart.
July 2004 - Thanks to the curious eye of Kathy Wever Ryno, an Indianapolis Star article featuring our own Sarah Beth Evans Barker is available online for you to read. We don't know how long it will be available, but hope you get a chance to read it. Thanks for the "heads-up" Kathy. The link is no longer available.
June 2004 - Condolences to family and friends of deceased classmate, Sharon Praklet. Sharon passed away on June 3 after a 2 1/2 year courageous battle with cancer.
March 2004 - Condolences to family and friends of deceased classmate, Kurt Friedman. Kurt passed away on Saturday afternoon, March 20.
January 2004 - It's now official! As of January 1, 2004, Larry Stillson is now a member of the School City of Mishawaka School Board. Larry was appointed by the Mishawaka Common Council.
November 2003 - Received the following note from Richard A. Smith (aka
"Smitty"). After all these years, it seems as if he hasn't lost
his sense of humor. Happy retirement Smitty!!!
I am now retired after driving a truck for 35 years. I am married to a
marvelous woman, Margaret. We met in Bremen after returning from the Army, and
married in December of 1968. We now live in Elkhart, and enjoy puttering around the
house. My wife still works so I do the cooking!! Now that I'm a "house
husband", I have found out the most difficult thing about retirement is deciding what
I am NOT going to do first!
September 2003 - A big THANKS! to Mary Rudduck (Class of '56), sister-in-law of our lost classmate, Joyce Rudduck. After visiting our class website, Mary noted the listing that Joyce was "lost!" She wrote: My sister-in-law is Joyce Rudduck, whom you have missing. She is a missionary in Bangladesh. She has been there for 27 years.
September 2003 - In case you missed it, the October issue of the "MHS Alumni
Newsletter" contained a nice article about 7 of our classmates.
Talk about things
in common . . . . .
A side note: if interested in getting the "MHS Alumni
Newsletter,"
click the ALUMNI CLUB link on our Home Page for additional information.
September 2003 - We found fellow classmate, Gary Fitzsimmons residing in California!
August 2003 - Miss Helen G. Stoddart, 93, passed away on Saturday, July 19, 2003, in North Tonawanda, NY She retired from MHS in 1976.
March 2003 - Condolences to family and friends of deceased classmate, Roy Robinson. Roy's wife, Judy, informed us that he battled cancer that was contracted shortly after our 40th reunion. According to Judy, Roy really had a good time meeting so many of his classmates.
February 2003 - Condolences to family and friends of deceased classmate, Jim Kizer. At the time of Jim's death on Sunday, February 9, 2003, he was living in Portage, IN and working as a car salesman in Merrillville, IN.
January 2003 - Received the following notes posted w/permission:
Message #1
Hi, I was searching the MHS alumni page for news on my class (1988) and decided
to check out the other pages. I was very touched to see the memoriam page for
the class of 1961 which included my father, Robert Myers. I want to
thank you for doing that and for the message of condolences to our family and friends.
It was such a shock losing him so soon after his diagnosis with malignant melanoma,
but kind words like those on the website help us keep him close to our hearts.
Thanks again! Lisa Myers-Lang.
Message #2
I'm sorry I don't have any leads for you in the search for the missing Myers
classmates. One of my uncles said he last saw Danny in 1968 but had no idea
where he was now.
I was telling the girls I work with about your webpage and finding my Dad's picture.
One of them said she was going to find out when her Dad graduated and see if there
was anything about him. I coudln't believe it when she got off the phone with her
Mom and said her Dad graduated in '61. Her Dad was John Evans.
He passed away from a brain tumor when Sally was only 2 years old. She is
getting married this summer and has been desperately looking for photographs of her Dad to
use in a slide show at the reception. I have my Dad's year book so we are going to scan
the pictures of her Dad for her to use. If it weren't for your website we would never have
realized our Dad's were classmates and she would still be trying to find pictures. I
can't tell you how much it meant to her to see that. Your work has meant so much to
us both. Thank you again! Lisa Myers-Lang
January 2003 - Received an unexpected phone call from Tom Craven detailing the fact that his 15 year old son, Frank, would be getting his driver's license this summer and they are planning a "drive" to show him some of Tom's ol' stomping grounds! I advised Tom of the many changes to Mishawaka and informed him that Frank could get some really good driving experiences in the vicinity of University Park Mall. Since Tom's wife, Francine, is from France, they travel there every other year to visit relatives. After a one hour conversation we decided to continue the discussion at a later date.
December 2002 - Our spies tell us that Gary Signorino was involved in a home accident that included a ladder. Three broken ribs and a punctured lung reminded Gary that we are not as young as we may think!!!! Seriously, I have since talked with Gary and I assure everyone that he is "back-in-the-saddle!"
December 2002 - Received a flyer detailing a new book titled Latter-Day Richard -Poor Richard's Almanac Paraphrased by Rolland E. Stroup, Jr. The book will be published March 2003 and is already listed on Amazon.com. Yes, that is the same Rollie Stroup, our class president. Another testament to our very special English teachers! Book ISBN: 0533142482 Now if Rollie had a computer, he could see his name on Amazon, Barnes and Noble, etc.!!!
November 2002 - Received a nice note from Bob Ellsasser in Waterbury, VT detailing some of his endeavors over the year. He mentions many of our classmates listed on our website and promises to make a reasonable attempt to attend our next reunion. Bob currently is president of an adventure travel company, Country Walkers. If you would like to see a photo of Bob and a "brief" about his company, point your browser to: www.countrywalkers.com/about-company.html
August 2002 - Received a note from Wayne Heinke in Colorado Springs, CO. In addition to some personal comments, Wayne reflected on three "single ladies" he had as English teachers while at MHS. They included: Miss Ward, Miss Martin and Miss Monhaut. Wayne mentioned how their students were their life and as a student he didn't realize or fully appreciate their dedication and the work ethic they instilled on this retired Air Force Colonel and high school math teacher. Wayne currently works in the mortgage industry and keeps very busy.
June 2002 - Received a phone call from Judy Robinson informing me that her husband, Roy
Robinson, has a serious medical condition and has been confined to a wheelchair.
Roy has been spending a lot of time on the Internet as well as our website.
Send Roy a card and/or email. He would love to hear from you.
Roy . . . . our prayers are with you!
May 2002 - Received a nice note from Mike Bell that I felt needed to
be shared with everyone . . . . . (with Mike's permission)
Hi, you have no reason to remember me from MHS, but I was a sophomore in '61
and transferred the next year to John Adams High School. I was one of the Family and
Children's Center kids that bused to school each morning. I looked at your wonderful
page about In Memorium and Memories and was greatly
moved to see photos I recall vividly from the Miskodeed (e.g. Soling Villasenor and many
others I remember clearly from school). My best friends from those days were
football players, Ron Adams, Walter Hall, Chuck Martin and others. What a
heartwarming project this is . . . Thank You! In another note Mike reports:
I remember the big news in Mishawaka back in those days was whether or not
the town should flouridate its water!!! While at MHS I served in the Usher's Club. I
served in Vietnam and have four kids who are now 34, 25, 24 and 22. I actually live
south of Joplin, Missouri where my family settled in the mid 1800s from
Tennessee/Kentucky/Virginia, so I'm related one way or another to 5% of the population
within 100 miles. I have a nice little 20 acre farm here with horses, dogs, a cat
and the usual farm stuff. I make my living substitute teaching and as a handyman for
elderly folks. I worked as an art museum curator for nearly 20 years before
retirement. Rosa Weikel is the one who got me facinated with art in the first place
. . . . so MHS is dear to my heart for that reason too! Thanks again for your
effort. I know it makes a lot of good for a lot of people.
.....and we're glad you are one of those people Mike! Your note is so important as a
reminder of the all-around influence the Mishawaka Community had on all of us.
Thanks for the reminder.
May 2002 - Our covert operatives continue to provide valuable data. John Taylor will retire from MHS after 35 years of service as a classroom teacher. Joyce Wosny Underly is also retiring from Twin Branch.
April 2002 - A "little spy" informed us that Shirley Bunch Wachs will celebrate her birthday on May 3. We're told she would love to hear from old friends with a friendly e-mail or a cyberspace greeting.
April 2002 - Jim DeBroka received a letter from lost classmate, Michael Anglin. While reviewing some old papers, it seems as though Mike came across a 1986 Reunion invitation. He decided to write Jim. Mike didn't realize he was "lost" but was very happy when he received a phone call informing him that he is now considered "found"!!! So close and yet so far!! Mike lives in Michigan about an hour from Mishawaka.
April 2002 - Received a nice e-mail from our Valedictorian, Eloise Bishop Ruff. She reports that she had a great time visiting her son in Japan and traveling to the cities of Nara and Nagoya. She reports that the shrines are so old and they are very interesting/educational. Eloise doesn't know the language, but her son, Kent, is fluent. Enough said! Eloise . . . perhaps you can show us some pictures at the next reunion. Hope you can make it the next time around!!!
March 31, 2002 - Condolences to family and friends of deceased classmate, Carol Lippens Chikar. Carol was a teacher for the past 27 years. She spent the last 15+ years in the Fairfield Community School Corporation where she served as an art teacher for grades 1 through 6, mainly at the Millersburg and New Paris schools.
March 2002 - Found Karen Royce now known as Karen Katz. Out of "the clear blue sky" a message was received from Karen's son, Aaron. He saw his mom's name listed as a lost classmates. He contacted her and then let us know where she is located [California]. He said "mom" was really excited,