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Comments from Classmates:
As of Novermber 18, 2008
Arranged in Alphabetical Order !

Recent Additions are highlighted by

Christa Elaine Adams

"As a single parent with three small children, I completed my B.A., M.A., and Ph.D. Today I am a college president living in Ohio. Realistically, I have a solid career. Idealistically, I want to make a difference in this very complex world. My three children illustrate one way I have been able to make a difference. My older daughter is a physician in Dallas. Her husband is a celebrated entrepreneur with a successful Internet business. They have two children. My younger daughter has her M.S.W. and counsels children for the Colorado Dept. of Mental Health. Her husband is a high school coach. They have one child. My son is a high school English teacher in Austin, Texas."

Bonnie Allen Drake

"I retired this year. My husband of 40 years retired two years ago. We have traveled quite a lot and plan to continue. We have one married son and two grandchildren. We also make crafts and sell to retail stores. We play country music, clog dancing and Western Square dance. Gee, I need more paper..."

Helen A. Azbell

"I retired from Anchor Hocking after 35 years - now working part-time for my cousin's building firm and Judy Morehead's photography studio. Doing volunteer work with Twig groups and West School. Still working as much as possible. Thinking of new ideas for next reunion."

Gary H. Bailes

"This year starts my 4th year of retirement from the Lancaster High School System. My wife and I spent a month this past summer in Africa (the reason I missed this last reunion) visiting with my son and his wife who have been backpacking across Africa for ten months. We went on many safaris into the bush, cruised up the Zambezi River, camped out in the bush, flew over Victoria Falls, and panned for gold. We also climbed aboard elephants for a trek out into the bush."

Barbara Barker DeVore

"I am now enjoying retirement. My husband and I bought three acres of land in Jax, Florida. We plan to build and eventually move to Jax. Have a son who is in the Navy and a daughter living in Jax."

Carole Beth Bender Henderson

"We moved to Bowling Green, Ky. after living 50 years in Lancaster. We have been here 7 years, Dick has been retired three years. We have decided to remain in Ky. We do quite a bit of traveling, which was the reason for missing the last reunion. I still maintain very strong ties in Lancaster; we are only 6 hours away. I have one son living in Bowling Green, two daughters living in Columbus and a son in Chicago, four beautiful grandchildren and a wonderful life."

William C. Beougher

"I attended Otterbein College, Westerville, Ohio. I married in 1968 to Nancy Jean Gwisinger and then again in 1999 to Margaret Ellen Green. I have two children. A daughter, born in 1972, named Carla Jane, who is now 27. A son, born in 1975, named James William Beougher, who is now 24 years of age. I have a grandson, named Tristin Michael Wengert aged 4, and a granddaughter, Megan Marie Wenger born this July, 1999. I work as a forklift operator for now. I was a pastor of United Methodist Churches during the period: 1968 to 1980."

Alice Bope Oiler

"Resident of Las Vegas for 24 years. Husband: Gary. Cat: Scamper. Occupation: Registered Nurse Case Manager. Deacon @ First Presbyterian Church- Member of 90 voice chancel choir and sing with the Nevada Opera Theatre."

Tillie Bowers McCarty

"My inspiration comes from many different sources/directions and I want to thank Janet (Williams) DeLong for an inspiration I will carry for the rest of my life.  Janet shared the story of her older aunt who wrote Janet's as _ _ _ _ _ _ _@hotstuff.com, and then called to see why the mail didn't fly.  Perhaps '@hotmail.com would do the trick.

Thank you Janet for that lil'giggle from me each time I write an e:addy."

Michael D. Campbell

"For those of you who lost track of me after HS graduation, I spent a few years in college in Southern California. I came back in 1962 to Ohio, married in 1965; had # 1 son (Davidand then graduated from Ohio State in 1966 majoring in geology and hydrogeology. Upon graduation, we moved to Australia. Had # 1 daughter (Julianne) in Sydney in 1968. Worked there for a major international oil and minerals company (Conoco Mining) through 1970. Relocated to Denver and Casper, Wyoming for a few years with another mining company. Returned to Columbus to work on EPA projects with one-time professor at OSU. Turned the effort into two textbooks, one published by McGraw-Hill and other by Office of Rural Water, Washington, D.C. In 1973, I was awarded a fellowship in the graduate school at Rice University and moved my research group to Houston to work on a Ph.D. Received the Ohioana Award in Science for the McGraw-Hill text in 1975. Interrupted graduate work to pay bills by joining a new group within a large consulting company in Houston and converted graduate work to master's degree. Divorced in 1975 and then married in 1977, acquiring # 2 son (Davey). Produced third textbook in 1977, published by the Houston Geological Society. In 1979, had # 2 daughter (Jennifer). In 1981, had # 3 daughter (Jessica). Served as Director for major consulting engineering company for eight years, traveling in the U.S. and overseas on industrial projects and for the United Nations and UNESCO. Resigned in 1982 to form a consulting company. One project involved developing and operating a gold mine in Nevada. Managed operations until 1988. Served two national environmental engineering firms and Du Pont through 1993. Resigned to go into private practice, consulting in environmental, water supply, and mining projects, including litigation support and expert witness services.

Over the years,

1) # 1 son (David) graduated from, yes, Lancaster High School in 1983 (Maxine and Clarence looked after him during those years), and later from Texas A&M University with B.Sc. majoring in geology, (now an Internet whiz as well), about to find the right woman;

2) #1 daughter (Julianne) graduated from Antioch College with B.A. and M.A. in art management (married a Danish guy, lived in Nice, France and taught in the American School in Monico and after a few years moved back to Santa Barbara, CA, and now teaching in San Diego, CA);

3) # 2 son (Wesley) graduated form U. of Texas and UTMB medical school, finished an internship in radiology at Johns Hopkins, now in practice in Miami area;

4) # 2 daughter (Jennifer) graduated from Sarah Lawrence College in New York and taught in the Teach America program in New Jersey returned to Houston just after 2001 attack and is active in the Houston arts community and is teaching theatre and drama in a Middle School of a Houston suburb; and

5) # 3 daughter (Jessica) just graduated from the University of Houston summa cum laude. She made the Dean's List a number of semesters and is planning to go to graduate school to study archeology. She is working for a consulting firm involved in archeological investigations for industry.

My wife, Mary Margaret, works for Baylor College of Medicine and she is also a Professional Genealogist, see (Here).

For the rest of the story on what I do, see my company web site at: http://www.mdcampbell.com. No plans or desire for retirement, yet. If you really want to monitor my family's moments, see: (Here)."

Larry D. Childrey

"After graduation, I served in the Air Force for 4 years. Barb and I have been married 34 years and have a son and daughter. We have lived in Kansas City, MO and Chicago, 29 years in Columbus, OH and back to Lancaster since 1997. I have been in sales most of my adult life."

Nancy Conrad Evans

"I have been most fortunate in my life, for which I am very grateful. My interest and later career have always been focused on the welfare of children. My first teaching job was in 1963-67; later, I resumed teaching part-time in 1975 after getting my masters at Michigan State University. I then began teaching full-time in upper elementary levels in East Lansing, Michigan in 1979. I loved it. During the last three years, before I retired in 1996, I was an Elementary Principal. I have many fond memories of the children and our learning experiences together. I have a wonderful second husband, David Evans. He's an ordained Episcopal Priest; served in the Michigan legislature for 10 years; and was Michigan Clerk of the House for 10 years. David came into our family when my daughters, Tonya (now 33 yrs.) and Erin (30 yrs.) were young. Tonya is presently a homemaker and at home with her young daughters Emma (27 months) and Claire (10 months). She graduated from U. of South Florida and taught in Florida for 7 years. She also has her real estate license. Erin went to Dennison of Ohio and transferred to U. of Michigan to get her MSW degree. She presently works for the Michigan House of Representatives as a budget analyst for the Family Dependence division. Can you tell, I'm very proud of them all.

A few years ago, David and I decided to venture off to Grand Haven, Michigan (a resort town on Lake Michigan) to open a summer retail store, called "Peace Frogs." Last year we opened a coffee house also, called "Jumpin' Java." We have since sold it to our manager. We are now attempting to decide what next challenging thing might we do. I hope to do more reading; travel more; and devote more time with friends and family and do more volunteer work. It has been great to reunite with my dear high school friends!!"

Dick Ellinger

"Lived in Philadelphia, PA, Buffalo, NY, Richmond, VA, Pickerington, OH, Macon, GA and finally back to Columbus, OH since 1977. Been manufacturer's rep since. Started with Anchor Hocking in 1963 for ten years. Now I represent them again. Petey (my wife) teaches 1st grade at Olde Sawmill in Dublin, OH. We have two kids: Richard, Jr., 29, computer type in California. Pam, 26, Lawyer in Phoenix, AZ. Great places to visit."

Darlene Ervin Coon

"Tillie, many thanks for catching up with me here in N.C.  It was a joy to go to the class web page and see where many class mates are today.  My husband is retired and we spend half our time in Florida now. I have two children, 5 grand children, and 2 great grand children!  After marrying my wonderful husband, I graduated from nursing school, then later got my license as a managing cosmetologist.  In 1996, I acquired my ordination as a minister.  I have been interim pastor of 3 churches since then, and Associate Pastor of the First Church of God here in Archdale, N.C. since 2001.  I'm semi retired now, since we have a place in Florida during the winter.  We are Blessed! Our love to all."

Barbara Funk Alexander

November 21, 2008

"I have some different information than our last update.  My cancer is Stage 4; my understanding of that is that anytime the cancer metastases, they identify it that way.  My treatment consists of the oral medication I take daily, Armidex, which suppresses Estrogen and the tumor and the once a month IV treatment of Zometa, which strengthens the bone.  For 4 to 7 days after the Zometa, the pain we were told that the pain in the bones would be more severe.  They were telling the truth about that.  Whew!!  I consider it a positive and look at it as something that has to hurt to help.

On the first of December, I will be having an MRI of the brain. I have been having some vague and rather full feeling in my head and some involuntary jerking of my limbs.  She is confident that we won't find anything and is doing it to ease my mind.

I return to the doctor a month from now and the month after that will have another PET scan, a routine follow up to see if there is still any activity in the lymph node, in a new place, or none at all. 

As I write I don't always feel as though I'm expressing myself well, but it could be the abject fear I'm having on some days, the vague head symptoms I spoke about, or the medication.  I would rather communicate with you at some level, rather than none at all, of course..so bear with me.

My bone strength in my legs is increasing and I sometimes forget to grab up the cane when leaving a room.  Yesterday I didn't use it at all. 

Dr. Bondly explained to me that the suppressing of the Estrogen and the strengthening of the bone is actually stopping the tumor in its tracks.  What is there will not go away, however.  She told us as well that if this treatment does not or if it becomes ineffectual there are other things they can try.  Once that list of options is exhausted will be all we can do.  She is treating some women at my stage of disease and with the same metastasis who are living now into their third and fourth years.

Years ago, I decided that if I got cancer, I would not treat it as in my area of work, had seen such sadness and disappointment and ravaging illness.  I remember the day you called it "the monster" and I have taken your advice and am punching the darn thing as often as I can.  This is just so scary.

Something that keeps me going is hearing from all of you, which I do regularly.  God bless all of you for that.  Hope you are doing well Phil.  This won't hurt your Bridge game will it?

Keep in touch.  Go Bucks!   Love, Barbara

_____

November 15, 2008

"I'm downstairs long enough to check mail.  Could you send the link address for our class.  Becky is home from Cleveland Clinic already and her surgery was a success.   She returns in December for the surgery on the other kidney.  She is a tough cookie. 

I don't know if you posted this last email below; please do, if you don't mind.

Thanksgiving this year will be a huge event.  My son is leaving for Afghanistan the first of the year as an instructor; he and his new wife and their children will be joining the Alabama crew.  Also my sisters from Ohio and their families will be here.  I was the center for our family football game last year; I have been assigned to cheerleading, which should be an event in itself.  I will be making my annual pinata for the children and we end the day with the guys against the girls drawing on a huge white board for our Ppictionary competition.  The girls have won each year but one, so it has become a grudge match.

Happy Thanksgiving to all of you in the Class of '59.  I am so encouraged by all of you and look forward to each correspondence I receive."
_____________

Sent: Thu, 13 Nov 2008 3:31 pm

Subject: short update

Please send this update to the class.  I am living at my daughter's, possibly only for the short term.  My treatment plan is one of taking Arimidex to reduce the Estrogen level, and getting an IV, not chemo, but something that strengthens the bone, once a month, the next one on the 20th.  I have been ill most of the time since I last wrote you, but seem to be getting stronger with rest, eating well, reading some great books and enjoying being with this family that includes five home schooled children. 

My daughter, the mom of this crowd, will be sending an update after our next visit to the Oncologist.  This form of cancer is described as breast to bone, the bigger medical term escapes me right now.  It is the best of what could be going on for me.  The last test, a PET scan showed some activity in the lymph nodes under the right arm.  The biopsy of that area gave us a long awaited answer.  It is a terminal form of cancer, but if one of the varied treatment plans works, my life can be extended.  The bones affected include the upper arms and legs, the pelvis, ribs, breast bone, and the spine.  

I have times of feeling frightened but for the most part continue to keep my pink boxing gloves on, in an effort to fight the good fight.  I am walking with a cane and rarely using a walker; an improvement.

Also, Becky Seesholtz is at Cleveland Clinic, operated on this morning for multiple, embedded kidney stones.  She will have this procedure done on the other kidney in December.  Does anyone else have any information about Becky?

I want you all to know that my hearing from you in all the forms in which I have, has helped me more than I can tell you.  I feel comforted and loved by all of you.....thanks a lot for your care.

God Bless You All,

Barbara Funk Alexander"

Thomas A. Gossel

"Married 37 years; three children; five grandsons. Lived in Ada, OH since 1972, and don't have immediate plans to leave. Professor of Pharmacology / Toxicology at Ohio Northern University, College of Pharmacy, and past Dean of the College. Active in church mission, and pastor for a small Presbyterian Church in the village of Ada, OH."

Larry Henshaw

Accidentally ran into the Class of '59 website and realized that my name is on the "missing in action" list. This is to tell all that I'm alive and kicking. 

Here are some of my particulars:

1) BA Bus. Admin.  Eastern Illinois University

2) BS Mathematics Eastern Illinois University

3) Retired Air Force Lt. Col (KC135 Pilot)

4) MBA Western New England College

5) Retired afterwards from Connecticut pharmaceutical company.

6) Retired from Brevard County School Board in 2005

Carl J. Hickman

"Married Emilie Orr in 1962. Have four children (Greg, Jeff, Kendra and Keri) and seven granddaughters. Employed 30 years by General Mills Inc. and retired in 1996. During those years lived near Chicago (13 years) and Minneapolis (11 years). Moved to near Jackson, MS two and a half years ago."

Roselyn Hildebrandt Schodisch

"We have moved seven times since 1961 and maybe moving in the near future. We have two beautiful grandsons. We remained in one location for 16 years. Our son and his family moved to Fort Wayne about two years ago. My birth family located me and I now have three younger brothers and two younger sisters. It was a pleasant occasion to meet them. Would enjoy returning to Ohio."

Gail Horcher Barber

"Paul and I were married between my Junior and Senior year of high school. We have been married now for 41 years. We have two wonderful children, who have blessed us with four wonderful grandchildren. Twelve years ago we built our home here on Cattail Road in Millersport, Ohio. We live in the country and we both still love it. We both feel that The Lord has richly blessed us, and continues too, as we serve him, as we go through life together. Hoping to see you all at the next reunion."


Dick & Carol Hoffman

"Dick's retired. I'm still a homemaker. Three children, six grandchildren. They are what we live for."

Ronald Prather

"I was in the U.S. Air Force from 1959 to 1963, stationed in France for 3 years. I worked at Anchor Hocking as Electronic Technician until 1986 when I retired to travel. Since then, I've been in Alaska, Costa Rica, Russia, Morocco, Indonesia, Malaysia and Puerto Rico. Other countries to come."

Sandra Kay Kisor Willison

"I am married and we have four children. Youngest is a junior at Ohio State. I received B.S. degree in Nursing in 1984 from Ohio University and work as a school nurse for Columbus Public Schools in a High School and Middle School. Plan on retirement in Florida soon."

Kay Kindler Kastor

"Over the past 49 years, I graduated from Grant Hospital School of Nursing, Columbus, Ohio in 1962; married in 1963; entered Army Nurse Corp as 1st Lt. in 1967; have lived in Texas, Montana, Missouri, Ohio and then Wisconsin from 1976 to present. Two daughters, Sandra (40) and Paige (37). Three grandchildren, Shannon (6) Dylan (5) and Sedona (2) who all live in Bloomington, Illinois....the loves of my life! Divorced in 1997. Recently retired from full time work as Medical Services Coordinator for an HMO. I remain employed there part time as auditor and consultant.

My two sisters have lived in Lancaster all their lives, so I visit there from time to time. Am looking forward to receiving details of the 2009 reunion. It should be a great one with good attendance.........our 50th, can you believe it? Looking forward to reconnecting............."

George Lambert

“I worked in the electrical field for 45 yrs. 40 yrs as a Industrial Electrician and Electronics Tech. I retired shortly before I was 66. And now I just encourage my three sons and three grandchildren. Two of the boys have good jobs in the computer field and the middle son is a supervisor for a building consultant company building the tall buildings. He supervises the contractors and keeps them on the time line for the completion of the building.  And I have three wonderful straight A grandchildren also. My life couldn't be better.  Life is a wonderful thing when you do your best. I have been married to a wonderful women for 45 yrs. Her maiden name was Betty Love. Without her support I don't think I would feel as good about life as I do. Looking forward to seeing everyone in 2009 at the reunion.”

Bonnie Mason Broxson

Tillie Bowers McCarty in a phone conversation with Bonnie Mason Broxson reports that: 

"Bonnie wanted to say HELLO to everyone even if she doesn't have a computer and let people know that she has been in Florida for 25 years and both she and her husband are now retired. 

Bonnie said, 'I was always so strong, but diabetes has led to legal blindness in one eye, and Fibromyalgia is causing me great pain'. Bonnie also said 'I am still lucky and look forward to the 50th Reunion since my husband takes good care of me and we plan to be in Ohio at that time,'

I will look forward to seeing Bonnieand her husband, and hope that she will hear from some of her friends. Tillie."

Sharon Murray Walton

"Retired elementary school teacher; grandmother to five; enjoy genealogy research, e-mail, reading, antiquing, traveling, and spending time with the family."

Nancy Palmer Goodman

"I married Jerald (Butch) Goodman. We have owned and operated Mid-Ohio Drywall, Inc. since 1971. We have 2 sons, 1 daughter, 3 grandsons, and 3 granddaughters. We spend most weekends from March to November on our boat on the Ohio River near Cincinnati and enjoy snow skiing, traveling, reading and doing remodeling projects."

Jacqueline Rienschield Headley

"I've been married for 36.5 years. I have a son and two daughters married. Five grandchildren that keep me real busy. I love them all."

Sandra Rudolph Arnold

"Ivan (Class of 57) and I have lived in Athens since 1973. He is employed at Krogers and I work with Ohio Dept. Rehabilitation and Correction in Nelsonville (Hocking Correctional Facility). I supervise the inmate records office - do calculations of time and deal with the Parole Board."

George E. Ruff

"B.S., The Ohio State University, 1963; M.S., Cornell University, 1965; 1st Lt. U.S. Army, 1965-67; Senior Vice President-Investments w/ Prudential Securities, Inc., 1967 to Present. Wife: Dorothy "Cookie" Ruff; four children (three now married) with three grandchildren. Involved on boards and as officer of several Columbus charities and service organizations. Still a tennis player, cyclist, and traveler, both domestic and international."

Allen Sellers

"When my family moved to Lancaster from Jackson, Ohio for my Junior year many classmates made an effort to be friendly and helped make the change easier; I remember all of them with gratitude. I worked as an Electronic Tech, Electrician and Electrical Designer for 45 years and retired from Anchor Hocking in 2007. I qualified for five pensions although a couple are small, especially the one from the U.S. government PBGC agency when Cerberus welshed on their retirement plan.

During the last 25 years I was laid off three times and quit two jobs. Thanks to the excellent teachers at LHS, an AAS degree from Franklin University and my hobby of Amateur Radio I was able to match or exceed my previous wages each time. Two jobs ago, I got tired of being abused as a salaried employee and returned to being a hourly Union Electrician (IBEW and AFGWU).

I married Linda Lama (LHS63) in 1972 and we have two boys; the oldest lives in Lancaster and the youngest in Canton, Ohio. I spent two years in the USAF (one year in Korea) and five years active reserve in the Ohio Air National Guard.

I looked forward to my sixtieth birthday so I could take free classes at OU-L. I did take several classes but subsequent birthdays have not been anticipated as eagerly.

I don't hunt or fish as much as I once did but I am more active in Amateur Radio and do lot of reading; mostly history and science fiction. Occasionally I participate in the events of the very active Central Ohio Orienteering club. I serve as a BSA Merit Badge counselor and volunteered the summer of 2008 for three weeks at Camp Falling Rock, near Newark, where I lost 10 pounds and really enjoyed interacting with scouts and the bright, squared-away young men on the staff."


Phillip M. Valentine

"Retired April, 1999. Sold my corporation."

Mary Ann Woodgeard

"Two great kids- Beth and Doug. One and nearly one grandkids. I adopted daughter, Cookie. Love life in North Carolina. Still a graphics student. Presently struggling with Adobe Go Live. Mother still in good health and able to live on her own in Lancaster."

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