Elkhart ‘61 Blog
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      These three pictures were sent in by Judy Sawyer Holdeman. She didn’t identify the students in the 3rd grade class.  Do you recognize any of them?

       Mrs. Niles 3rd Grade Class at Rice School

Mr.Bowman’s 5th  Grade Class at Rice School

Back Row: Mike Myers, Jerry Glant, Roger Denny, Dick Klingaman, Kenneth R., Randy Baker, Terry Taylor, David Miller 

Next Row: Dick Huffman, Colin Nifong, Dick Holdeman, John Gilliam, Diane Wagner,Barbara Hodge, Susan Holdeman, Jim U. 

Next Row: Jeannine Hughes, Susan Markley, Karen Schranz, Martha Headley, Betty P, Kay Krider, Billy Lilly, David S, Stephanie Truex, Duwane D. 

Front Row: Esther Sarantos, Karen Stephenson, Pam H., Ann Burkhart, Nancy Keech, Barbara Babcock, Judy Sawyer, Dave Hummel.

              Mrs. Ebersole’s 6th Grade Class at Rice School

1st Row :  Dale Hummel, Unknown, Unknown,Roger Denny, Bill Lilly, Judy Sawyer, Ann Burkhardt, Nancy Keech

2nd Row: Unknown, Unknown, Nancy Markley, John Gilliam, Terry Taylor, Stephanie Truex, David Miller, Dick Klingaman

3rd Row: Unknown, Unknown, Unknown, Jeannine Hughes, Karen Schranz, Kay Krider, Lee Parker, Susan Holdeman, Barbara Hodge

Back Row: Unknown, Susan Markey, Karen Stephenson, Diane Wagner, Esther Sarantos, Unknown, Dick Huffman, Unknown, Barbara Babcock, Martha Headley

        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

     EHS 1961 alum Joan Trindle Stiver has written a book  for children entitled "A Door in the Floor : An Underground Railroad Adventure "   The story is based on local history about the Underground Railroad.   She debuted the book recently at  Authors and Artists Day at the Elkhart County Historical museum in Bristol.   On Saturday, March 15th,  The Elkhart Truth printed a picture and article which can be read online at www.eTruth.com  .  More information can also be found on Joan’s web site www.joanstiver.com  .

       Joan retired from the Northridge School System in 2005 where she taught 2nd and 4th grades.  She is married to another EHS ‘61 alum, Jim Stiver.  They make their home  in Middlebury, Indiana.

Top Row: Rosemary Trotter, Ann Prugh, Ruth Ann Kennell, Joan Trindle

Middle Row: Unknown, Susie Sherman, Patty Johnson, Jolene Moore, Unknown, Unknown

Bottom Row: Nancy Schlabach, Unknown, Gene Trindle, Carol Perry, Janet Myers

Jim Stiver, Joan Trindle Stiver, Vicki Glick, John Perry.

The above photos were furnished by Joan Trindle Stiver

         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.

1st Row:  Tom Lehman, Bill Himebaugh, Eddie Bertrand ,  2nd Row: Scott Trotter, unknown, unknown, unknown,Marva Held, Patty Eads, CinnAnn Freel,  3rd Row: Allen Fisher, unknown, Judy Yoder, Ruth Ann Murray, Joyce Stewert, Barbara Brandchick,  Back Row, John Sailor, Owen Weldy, Tom Mathis, Ellen Chrispyn, Ruth Ann Kennell, unknown, unknown.