Elkhart ‘61 Blog
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     The Class of 1961 has lost another classmate.   Judy Davis Doctor passed away February 9, 2010 in Hammond , Louisiana.   Until recently, she was employed as a receptionist at Quad Area Community Action Agency.   Judy  was married to Tom Doctor for 46 years.  He survives along with her mother, Marjorie Davis, sisters Carol Taylor and Evon Winguard, and a son Todd, a daughter Tonya, 4 grandchildren,  and one great grandson.   An online guestbook is available at  www.harrymckneely.com

     Our sincere condolences to the family.

        The following e-mail was sent to me by Jim Pettit and Jim  has given his permission to share it with classmates.     Jim can be contacted at jim@jpengraving.com         Ellen

Date: January 26, 2010

To: Friends and Business Associates:

From: Jim Pettit

Subject: Health Update

Dear Friends and Business Associates:

I have had 6 month check-ups for my previous bout with prostrate cancer for the last five years.

About 18 month ago a small spot was found on my spine as a result of the prostrate cancer spreading. It was pinpointed and through radiation, it was treated and I was given a clean bill of health. I have learned that once you have a cancer, it can and it often times comes back, thus the purpose of this health update.

I was scheduled the later part of November 2009 for my 6 month check-up only to find out my prostrate reading had jumped considerable from the previous six months. Both my regular doctor and my urologist thought I had possibly had an infection so treated their suspicions with Cipro for 30 days. After the 30 days of the antibiotic, I again had a blood test to find out my prostrate readings had doubled again. Upon reviewing the findings with my urologist on Jan 12, I was advised he was along with my regular doctor, referring me to a specialist on such issues, a doctor of hematology and oncology. In checking out the referral with others in the medical community, he is most respected in his knowledge and application of the latest findings in chemical treatment, chemotherapy.

I underwent a complete body scan last Monday, Jan 18^th along with a CT scan to pinpoint the issues. The findings were that I have numerous spots on the bone from my waist up. As of today, I am getting an infusion of Zometa, a drug to make the bone become harder and resistance to the prostrate cancer which it is now feeding on the bone. In addition, I will begin chemotherapy on Thursday, Feb. 4^th for 12 sessions. A session is getting chemo on day one and then again in 3 weeks. This equates to 36 weeks of treatment. I have a battle before me and I have made up my mind to fight like hell to beat this cancer again.

I am headed to FL tomorrow for 6 days to attend a board meeting of our condo association on Friday and our annual meeting and election of board members for the next 2 years. I am in high hopes of being re-elected for another 2 years. I feel my performance and contributions to our association over my last 8 years as a board member will be supported by the owners vote.

I will keep you posted as I progress down the road to recovery.

Your thoughts and prayers would be most appreciated!

Jim

1st Row - Mary Steinke, Mary Wentz, Elenor Heiliger, kay Robinson, Jolene Moore, Sandra Cooper

2nd Row - Carol Perry, Joan Buzzard, Jackie Brown, Janet Fair, Sara Kohler, Barbara Carter

Top Row - Marilyn Wise, Sharon Wheeler, Laurili Chester, Karen Holopeter, Joan Trindle, Nadine Reed, Frances Baylor

1st Row - Lawton Shank, Barney Pletcher, Homer Stonein, Allen Mechling, Herb Bevington

2nd Row - Steve Lichtenberger, Jack Pressler, Steve Vargo, Warren Johnson, Dennis Stout

                                      The above photos were provided by Joan Trindle Stiver

         Another 1961 class member has passed away.  Daniel G. Wright ( Dan) died January 3, 2010 at home after a brief battle with cancer.

         Dan is survied by his wife, Marie: one son,  Daniel J: three daughters, Deb Goodman, Susan Barlow and Celeste Mashburn: one brother Richard, nine grandchildren and three great grandchildren.

        He worked for Krogers at Pierre Moran Mall for more than 47 years performing all of the stores duties at one time or another.  He was also a high counselor for the Church of the Latter Day Saints. He enjoyed playing bluegrass on his guitar, fishing, writing and researching family genealogy.  He also kept an English garden at his home.

       Online condolences may be sent to Billings Funeral Home at www.billingsfuneralhome.com

       Our condolences to the family.

       An article in People Magazine , December 21, 2009 issue,  tells the story of a young woman who just celebrated her 25th anniversary with a transplanted heart .   On October 8, 1984, Dr. Phil Oyer, as a member of Dr. Shumway’s heart transplant team at Stanford Hospital, placed a heart in the chest cavity of the two year and ten month old little girl named Lizzy Craze .  Lizzy made medical history as one of the first toddlers to undergo a successful heart transplant.  She is also the longest-surviving pediatric patient.  At the time, the surgical team was hoping that it might last 5 years.   Phil stated  , "Making it to 25?"  "It’s a bit of a miracle."   Phil is pictured with  Ms. Craze  in the list of contents.

       Phil was also given "kudos"  from Danelle Steele, the prolific author, in her book, "Change of Heart" , a few years ago.   

       Phil has certainly made  the class of 1961 proud !!!!     

             The Class of 1961 has lost another member.  Lee Feddersen passed away on November 17, 2009 in his home.  Lee was the Owner and Operator of Hawkwind, Inc . in Elkhart and also had worked as a mail carrier for the US Postal Service, retiring in October 2009. 

            Lee is survied by his daughter Jennifer of Brooklyn, NY, his son Jeffrey, also of Brooklyn, a grandson, one sister, Ann of New York and a brother John of Elkhart . His wife, Mary Nichols,  passed away in October of 2002. 

           Our sincere condolences to his family.

               Brent Leroy Barkman passed away on September 21, 2009 in Cicero , Illinois.    Brent married Christine Jamka and she survives along with two sons and three grandchildren.  He is also survived by  two brothers, Tom ( Sandi) Wade, and  Daryl ( Carol) Wade, and one sister ,  Meribeth ( Don )Mulnickle.

             Funeral services were held on September 25th at the Baran Funeral Home, Chicago.

            Our condolences to the family.

             These pictures of the Roosevelt Junior High School 7th grade basketball team and football team were first printed in the Roosevelt paper, the "Blue and Gold" in June of 1956. The photos were attributed to Jim Fair.

Front row - Manager Brent Barkman, Merrill Smith, Tom Mathis, David Harvey, Bill Kincaid, Bob Silcott, Don Galloway, Coach Hank Morris. 

Second row- Owen Weldy, Bill Himbaugh, Larry Yoder , Dave Duthie, Charles Twa,   Third Row- Charles Gramm, David Pendill, Bill Holdeman, William Hilliar, Tim Barrett, Willy Newsome.   

        Front row - Dennis Mann, Merrill Smith, Owen Weldy, Steve Lichtenberger, David Pendill, Dave Duthie, Bob Woodward, Bill Petty, Dennis McCarty 

Back Row - Allen Mechling, Stanley Reilly, Otis Irving, John Coblentz, Don Galloway, Tom Mathis, Bob Silcott, Tims Hicks, David Kidder, Phil Oyer, Louis Linderman , Coach Hank Morris.                                                                                            

     William C. Lambdin passed away in Nashville, TN on June 19, 2009.  He graduated from Purdue University’s Krannert School of Business in 1968 and was employed by General Electric for 25 years.  He enjoyed golf, ham radio, food, traveling and family vacations to North Carolina.

      He is survived by his wife of 45 years, Ann (Miller) Lambdin, two daughters, and one son, and his sister, Sharon Lambdin Stauffer.  Harpeth Hills Funeral Home, Nashville, TN   ( http://www.harpethhills.com )  is assisting with arrangements.

     Our condolences go out to the family.

      The EHS Class of 1961 has lost another member.  Kay Plummer James passed away August 24, 2008 at UNC Hospital.  Kay was employed by the hospital and worked in the reproductive endocrinology department.

      Kay was survived by her husband of 44 years, Daniel, 3 sons, 1 daughter, 3 grandchildren, 1 brother ( David ) and 1 sister ( Nora Webb).

     You may sign the register @ http://www.lowefuneralhome.com

    Our condolences to the family.