Elkhart ‘61 Blog
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         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.

             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.

     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.

        1961 Classmate  Dee Pliskin Congress passed away at home on Sanibel Island, Florida after a lengthy bout with cancer on August 5, 2008.  After high school, she attended the University of Miami .  Dee  was married to Larry Congress for 46 years.   She and Larry founded Congress Jewelers in Sanibel, Florida in 1982.  She is also survived by four children, Scot, Doug, Juli and Brad  and nine grandchildren plus two brothers, Barry Pliskin and John Pliskin

        Our condolences to her family.

          1961 classmate Dennis R. Gardner passed away on April 4, 2008 in Elkhart  where he resided. He is survived by his wife of 35 years, the former Pamela Sue Ellis, three daughters, and two sons, a sister Linda and a brother Michael.

         Denny began working for the Elkhart Truth one week after graduation as a journeyman printer and later was a night composing room foreman.  He retired after 45 years , ending his career in the prepress department.

       Our condolences to his family.  Online condolences may be made at  www.billingsfuneral-home.com

         The class of  ‘61 lost another member on October 10th, 2007.  Steve Bell passed away in Elkhart after a long struggle with cancer and diabetes.  After graduating in 1961, Steve had attended Tulane University,  the University of Hawaii, and IUSB.  He was a US Army veteran who served in Vietnam.

        He is survived by his mother, one son , one daughter and one granddaughter.   Our sincere condolences go to the family.

              The Class of ‘61 has lost two members in the last several days.

             Judith A. Luke Coelho passed away on Sunday, Sept. 2nd, 2007 at home .  Judy  was employed at CTS for 46 years.     She is survived by a daughter and a son, four grandchildren, and three sisters.     

            John M. Schlamersdorf  died Tuesday, Sept 4th, 2007.  John was a graduate of Purdue School of Engineering and was employed at Bayer Corporation,  formerly Miles Laboratories.  He is survived by his wife, Dawn, one daughter, two sons, and seven grandchildren.

          Our condolences go out to both families.

        The class of ‘61 has lost another classmate .  Charlie Miles passed away last week.  He resided in Elkhart .  Our condolences to his family.