Elkhart ’61 Blog
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      EHS 1961 Classmate James Pettit passed away Monday, June 14, 2010.  Jim was also a graduate of Tri State College, and was employed beginning in 1965 at First National Bank in Elkhart, serving as senior vice president until 1990.  In 1991, Jim founded J.P. Industries, Inc. with divisions of J.P. Engraving, Keline Manufacturing, A-One Corporate Apparel and A-One Signs and Graphics and served as president until his death.

     Jim was a member of Trinity United Methodist Church, Elcona Country Club, served on the board of directors of Horizons West Association, Greater Elkhart Chamber of Commerce, formerly served on the board of directors of the Humane Society of Elkhart County, Elkhart General Hospital, Elkhart County Fight Crime Fund, Board of Aviation, Chairman of the Elkhart Sesquicentennial and St. Joseph River Flotilla Committee.  He served in the National Guard, and as an Elkhart City councilman and as the council’s finance chairman and president.

     Jim is survived by his wife, Sue: son, Jeff ( wife Ginger) of Dublin, Ohio: daughter, Jill ( husband Marc ) Barfell of Elkhart, grandchildren Brad and Ben Barfell and Natalie and Molly Pettit, a sister Phyllis ( husband Charles ) Gordon of Elkhart and a sister-in-law Judy ( husband Robert ) Sassaman of Elkhart.

    Jim was an intregal member of our reunion committee and will be greatly missed.  Our sincere condolences to the family. 

     Toni R. VanPatten, a EHS class of 1961  graduate , passed away May 11, 2010  at her home in Mishawaka, Indiana.  Toni graduated from the Purdue University School of Pharmacy in 1966 and was formerly employed at Newman’s Pharmacy, Alick’s Drug Stores and the Pharmacy at Elkhart General Hospital.  She also worked in the pharmacy at Saint Joseph Regional Medical Center in South Bend for 26 years.     She was a member of Zeta Tau Alpha Sorority and was an avid collector of Peanuts and Snoopy memorabilla.  She loved animals, especially her dog Max.

       Toni is survived by her mother, Tura Jane Van Patten, a sister,  Victoria B. Van Patten, both of Mishawaka,  two cousins, Bill ( Marilyn ) Van Patten Jr. of Elkhart and Nancy ( Steve) Blough of Shipshewana, her companion, Debra Anderson of Mishawaka and her dog Max.

     Our Condolences to the family. 

        EHS 1961 Grad Carolyn Staub Edwards passed away on April 25, 2010.  She was a homemaker who resided in Shipshewana, Indiana.   She enjoyed bowling and motorcyling with her husband of 11 years, Steven .

       Survivors include her husband, Steven of Shipshewana;  her mother , Margaret Chandler of Elkhart ; daughters, Tina L. ( Ron) Drake and Margaret ( Dennis ) Tam, both of Elkhart, and Angel Wells of New York;  son Harry Wells of Lagrange; stepson Steven Edwards Jr. of West lafayette;  brothers, Tom and Kenny Staub, both of Elkhart;  17 grandchildren and five great -grandchildren.  She was preceded in death by her father, Harry Staub ; her stepfather, Leroy Chandler; a son Richard Brown;  and a brother Ray Staub.

       A memorial service will be at a later date.  Elkhart Cremation Service is in charge of the arrangements.

      Our condolences to the family. 

         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