"Sweet April showers

do bring May flowers."

HELLO APRIL

...May you scatter blossoms

& blooms everywhere bringing

JOY & delight to us all!

"April hath put a spirit of youth in everything."

                                   - William Shakespeare

HANG ON!

Life can be a Wild Ride!!

A HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO:

John Greer                                                                        04/02  

Bruce Snow                                                                       04/03

Sarah Silva Chavez                                                            04/07

Dennis Norman                                                                 04/08

Nancy Keith Colgrove                                                         04/11

Sue Bumpus                                                                     04/17

Kathy Marciniak Zierer                                                       04/20

David Connor                                                                   04/25

IMPORTANT DAYS IN APRIL

Class of 1968 Tree Dedication in 2018:

In memory of our classmates 

our earliest friends

Our best friends

Our first loves

We planted this tree.

May your roots find nourishment as ours did

here at Plainwell High School.

We planted this tree with memories

of the kid we sat by in history,

the girls we giggled and laughed with,

the bright spirit wheelchair bound

we passed in the hall.

To the war in Vietnam

we lost our first classmate, Phil Wilson.

Jr. High, in Mr. Barton's class, I sat next

to Phil.  Once correcting his paper,

I thought his answer incomplete and asked

Mr. Barton should it be marked wrong?

He said "Take it with a grain of salt."

That lesson has stuck with me all these passing years.

"Take it with a grain of salt."

The decisions we are asked to make

are not always right or wrong, black or white, hard and fast.

In memory of Phil Wilson, we planted this tree.

In memory of Cathy Brunner, the happy twin of Connie,

my friends at Gilkey, we planted this tree.  Together we stomped

puffballs in the field behind their house, delighted, laughing.

I never understand how the art teacher  Mrs. McAndrew

couldn't tell Cathy and Connie apart, they were so distinct

individuals.  But then, Mrs. McAndrew saw people's torsos

as triangles, their arms, elongated ovals, and I didn't see that.

In memory of Cathy Brunner, we planted this tree.

Cindy Boulter, her zest for life snuffed early.  Memories

of Cindy include: our first two piece swimsuits,

Fish Lake, quitars and banjos, overnights and double-dates.

In memory of Cindy Boulter, we planted this tree.

We planted this tree with memories.

Becky's smile, Craig's sideways wry laugh,

Locatis's low bemused chortle. We see them,

hear them still.  We hold them in our hearts.

Five years ago at our forty-fifth reunion

we lit lanterns, watched them drift into the night sky

thinking of those we'd lost;

Phil and Cathy, Cindy, Becky Shearer, Craig Nelson,

Suzanne Edgerton, Karen Retherford, Mary Vist,

Paul Rinehart, Ed Marcinkowski, Terry Kelly.

The number has doubled.

Some who were with us that night,

now are gone:  Murray Harrison,

Sharon Spencer, Steve Locatis. Dear

departeds.  So imbedded in our lives.

We planted this tree in memory, with thanks and love.

Paul Sherwood, Donald Keech, Mary Austin,

Dean Boulter, Randy Weaver, Debbie Andrus,

Lyle Carpenter.

We planted this maple in your memory.

May your seasons be as full as ours have been

with the budding joy of spring

the green growth of summers

the blaze of color that comes in Fall

and as winter bares, your limbs will stand out against

a field of snow as if in quiet contemplation.

All the classmates, friends that have passed,

you are part of our strength, our lives

so we planted this tree in memory with thanks.

                                      - Jill Doster Marcusse

                                                  A New Year 2024

                                                Happenings of 2023

We received word that Ginger Everett Ludeman passed away on Tuesday, June 20, 2023.  Her husband John sent a note letting us know.   Our thoughts and prayers are with her family.  Full obituary in our In Memory page.

Sadly, we found out that Edie Baker DeNeau passed away on April 9, 2021.  Her daughter Kimberly let me know.  Her obituary is in our In Memory page.

                                                                                                                                                                                                                          Happenings of 2022

11/12:  Millard Doster's mother, Eloise will be celebrating her 100th birthday.  What a blessing.

1/19:  Linda Sue Keith passed away on January 19, 2022.  Her information is on our In Memory page.Many thoughts and prayers are with her family.

01/10:  Robert M. Bennett passed away on January 10, 2022.  Our thought and prayers are with his family.  Read his full obituary in our In Memory page.

                                               Happenings of 2021

12/10:  With much saddness during this Christmas season, two of our classmates have passed away: Janice (Earl) Drewyor on December 5th and Ralph Zuidema on December 7th.  Please read their full obituaries in our In Memory page. Thoughts and prayers are with their families during this difficult time.

08/01:  Gene Little passed away unexpectedly Wednesday, September 1, 2021.  Our thoughts and prayers are with his family.  Read his full obituary on our In Memory page.

06/08:  It is with much saddness that our dear friend, Cheryl (Prouty) Bakker passed away on Tuesday, June 8, 2021 in Holland, MI. A reception will be held at Lakeshore Memorial Services, 11939 James Street, Holland, MI. on Tuesday, June 15th at 5p.m.-8p.m. Read more info on the In Memory page.

04/23:  Orrin "Ray" Miller Jr of Plainwell, went to be with his Lord on April 23, 2021.  Read his full obituary on our In Memory page.

04/12:  Kathleen Rose Stephens passed away on Monday, April 12th 2021.  She made friends wherever she went.  She touched many with her caring personality and also with her gift of music. Our thoughts and prayers are with her family.

                                                Happenings of 2020

 9/17:  Dennis Nelson passed away Thursday, Sepember 17, 2020 at his home in Otsego.  Our heartfelt thoughs and prayers are with his wife Joyce and son Cory.  Read his full obituary in the In Memory page. 

07/14:  My sister, Barb (JO) Brown Sanford passed away on July 14, 2020 after a courageous six year battle with cancer. She fought with such grace and dignity.  Our family will miss her forever. - Kathy Atkins

05/04:  Sue Bumpus' mother, Shirley Bumpus passed away on May 4, 2020.  A Memorial  service to celebrate Shirley's life is planned for July 26th, 2020 at 1 p.m. at Bear Lake Christian Church in Kalkaska MI. Our thoughts and prayers are with Sue and the rest of her family.

03/18:  Our thoughts and prayers are with Woody Myland in the loss of his dear Sister, Peggy.  She passed away on March 18, 2020 due to her lungs being destroyed by cancer radiation treatments. God Bless you Woody.

                                            Happenings of 2019

09/19:  Don Millisavljevich passed away on Monday, September 16, 2019 in his home at Bay Ridge.  Our thoughts and prayers are with his family.  To read Don's full obituary, go to our "In Memory" page.

With sadness, I received word that our friend and classmate, Barry Cunningham passed away on Monday, February 4, 2019.  Cause of death was due to atherosclerosis of the heart, and pulmonary issues.  He was born to Henry and Shirley Cunningham on July 12, 1950.  He was pre-deceased by his parents and brothers, Carl and Calvin. Barry served in the United States Navy.

08/12:  Halbert Stanton Sands, age 90, passed away on Monday, August 12, 2019.  

Hal was the only child born to Herbert and Gladys Sands.  He grew up in Springfield, Missouri.

Hal served in the U.S. Army during the Korean War.  Hal served as teacher, coach and administrator at Plainwell High School from 1955 to 1985.He is survived by his wife Jeanne, sons, Mark and Charles and four granddaughters, and 13 great grandchildren.

A family graveside gathering will be held at Hillside Cemetery in Plainwell.

01/10:  Millard Doster's father, George Doster, age 96 passed away on January 10th at Rose Arbor Hospice Residence. George was proud to be a full-time farmer all his life.  The family will receive friends on Saturday, February 2, 2019 at 10:00-11:00 a.m. at Doster Community Reformed Church. Our thoughts and prayers are with Millard and the family. 

                                        Happenings of 2018

      05/07:  The Class Reunion Committee members are:  

                       Sheila, Jo, Kathy and Bonnie 

10/16:  With sadness, we lost another classmate and friend. Judy Fox Palmer passed away on Tuesday, October 16th.  Our thoughts and prayers are with her family.  Her full obituary is in our In Memory section.

07/27:  Sue (Barber) and Jim Newcomb are celebrating their 50th Wedding Anniversary.  Wishing them many more years of happiness.  Enjoy your special day.

04/06:  If you are interested and would like to donate to the planting of a tree to honor our deceased classmates at Plainwell High School, please mail your donation to: Bonnie Mills Hoffman, 1014 Goodsell Street, Otsego, MI  49078.

 If you have any questions, please call Bonnie at (269)694-6059 or Kathy Atkins at (269) 685-8293. Deadline for accepting donations is May 11th.   We would like to plant the tree sometime in May.

Thank you very much.

03/20:  I talked with Laurie, Assistant General Manager at Comfort Inn in Plainwell.  She is reserving a block of rooms (8) the weekend of our class reunion.  They will give a discount of 10%.  If you are planning on staying there, let them know that you are part of the PHS class of 1968 when making your reservation.  Their telephone number is:(269)685-9891. You have to make your reservation no later than June 24th for them to hold the eight rooms..

01/17:  The Reunion Committee mailed out the "Save the Date" post cards for our 50th class reunion.  Mark your calendars for the weekend of August 10, 2018.  The committee is now going through e-mails and current addresses to contact everyone about the upcoming Reunion.  In order to assist us, we are asking for you to upate your contact information on your Profile.  We would like you to at least check and, if neccessary, update the following information:  e-mail address, mailing address, home/cell phone numbers. This will give the committee more accurate contact information.  

Thank you for your time and we hope you can attend the 50th Plainwell class of 1968 Reunion on August 10, 2018 at Lake Doster Golf Club.

                                                 Happenings of 2017

11/19: Dixie and Bob Henckel were re-married on November 19th on the deck of their new home in Inverness, Florida.  Congratulations; and may God Bless you both with many more years of happiness.

11/06:  Mr. James Bump, age 78 of Plainwell, MI and Tucson, Arizona passed away on

November 6, 2017 at the Tucson Medical Center.  Jim was born at the William Crispe Hospital

 in Plainwell on March 26, 1939 to Elmer and Evelyn (Lett) Bump.

Jim has been revered in Plainwell as he taught high school history classes until he retired in 1990.

A memorial service will be held on Saturday June 16, 2018 at the Plainwell Methodist Church;

200 Park Street in Plainwell at 11 a.m. with a luncheon to follow. 

Wishing Millard's parents a Happy 75th Wedding Anniversary on October 22.  What a wonderful blessing.

03/02:  Lyle Carpenter passed away on Thursday, March 2, 2017.  Our thoughts and prayers are with his family.  

07/05:  Debbie Andrus Pillars passed away Wednesday, July 5th, 2017.  Our thoughts and prayers are with her family.  Please read her obituary information on our "In Memory" page.

05/10:  Randy T. Weaver passed away on Wednesday, May 10, 2017 at his home in Otsego.  Our thoughts and prayers are with his family.  Please read complete obituary on our "In Memory" page.

03/23: Congratulations to Denver Cade, grandson of Jacquie Pallett Cade for being part of Buckley's first ever undefeated basketball team.  The team went on to Lansing to play in the class D semi finals. They won the first game, but lost to another northern town; Powers.  Way to go Denver!

03/01: Congratulations to Virginia Belcher Nendel and Roger Minor on their marriage, Tuesday, March 1st. Wishing you both love and happiness on your journey together.  Love and blessings.

02/19: Sue Haskell Nelson's dear Mother, Ellen J. Haskell passed away on Sunday, February 19, 2017. Visitation is Friday, Feb. 24th-5-8 p.m. at Langland Funeral Home, Burdick St. Kalamazoo.  Funeral service is Saturday, Feb. 25th at 11 a.m. at 1st Congregational Church, W. Michigan Ave. Kalamazoo.  Our thoughts and prayers are with Sue and her family.

                                            Happenings of 2016

11/27:  Mr. Ronald Lude passed away on November 27, 2016 in Oro Valley, Arizona.  He was born on October 31, 1935.  He was a great teacher, counselor and coach.

07/18:  Sheila Gregory Howard's mother passed away on Monday, July 18th.  Visitation is Sunday at Winkel Funeral home in Otsego between 3-6 p.m. Funeral service is Monday at the Alamo Community Church at 11 a.m. Our thoughts and prayers are with Sheila and her family.

07/16:  I just learned of the passing of Dean Boulter on April 29, 2016.  Services were held at the Life Story Funeral Home in Plainwell on May 3.  Our thoughts and prayers are with Dean's family.  His obituary is on the In Memory page.

06/24:  Sue Barber Newcomb's mother passed away on Friday, June 24th.  Our thoughts and prayers are with Sue and her family.

06/21:  It is with sadness that we lost our classmate and friend, Murray Harrison.  Murray passed away on June 21, 2016. Friends may visit with Murray's family at St. Margaret's Church in Otsego, MI on Friday, July 8th at 10:00 a.m. until the time of the funeral mass service at 11:00 a.m. with Rev. Fr. Donald Klinger officiating.  In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to Kalamazoo Animal Rescue.  Arrangments by Life Story Funeral Home - Plainwell.

05/31:  Woody annouced that he is retiring from Sherwin Williams on June 16th.  Enjoy your retirement Woody! God Bless.... 

05/31:  Linda Lovelace Discher had back surgery on May 11th in Ann Arbor.  Praying for a speedy recovery. 

05/31:  Alice Nocis TerMeer had surgery on May 26th.  The doctors removed the bottom portion of her left lung due to lung cancer. Possible treatment plan is pending following next weeks Dr. appt.. Please pray for a complete healing.

04/10: It is with sadness that we lost another classmate and friend; Sharon Spencer Lober. She passed away early this morning.  Our thoughts and prayers are with her family during this most difficult time. A graveside service will be held at the Hillside Cemetery in Plainwell on Tuesday, April 12th at 2:00 p.m.  A celebration of life gathering will be at the Moose Lodge in Otsego  following the graveside service. 

03/16:  Our classmate and friend, Mary Austin Rouse passed away today.  She has battled cancer for a number of years.  Her Mother also passed away yesterday.   Our thoughts and prayers are with her family during this very difficult time. Visitation begins at 10:00 am on Tuesday, March 22, 2016 at the First Baptist Church in Otsego until the time of the funeral at 11:00 am.  Read Mary's obituary in our "In Memory" section.

03/08:  Requesting prayers for peace and comfort for Mary Austin Rouse.  She is in the hospiital because her cancer came back again.  All prayer warriors needed...

02/27: Woody sent a message and wanted us to know that his beloved Mother-in-law passed away on Thursday, February 25th.  Let's keep Woody and family in our prayers.

             *We now have a Facebook Page... Plainwell Class of 1968   

                                  HAPPENINGS OF 2015                    

                        65th "Survivor" Birthday Party

               The Class of 1968 SURVIVOR WINNERS:

  Gail, Sheila, Nancy, Steve & Edith Sanders and Larry Peterson

                     (**ALL Pictures are under Survivor Party 2015)

We thank Sheila and Dave for opening up their home for our Survivor Party.  It is such a beautiful home with a perfect setting.  We are all very blessed to have been classmates in our youth and to become good friends in the present.  (August 8th, 2015)

Woody is requesting prayer for squamous cell skin cancer which is scheduled for Dec. 18th.   This is his 3rd surgery for skin cancer.  Please keep him in your thoughts and prayers.               

10/19/15:  Our dear classmate and friend, Paul (Doc) Sherwood passed away on Monday, October 19th 2015 at his home.  He was born on September 19th 1950 in Plainwell.  Visitation will be Wednesday, October 21st from 4-7 p.m. at the Life Story Funeral Home in Plainwell.  A funeral service will be held on Thursday, October 22nd at 11 a.m. at the same location.  Memorial donations can be made to the American Cancer Society or to Heartland Hospice.  You can read Paul's life story in our In Memory section.  Our thoughts and prayers are with Paul's family. 

0/04/2015:  Congratulations to Nancy Schiffer and her Husband on the birth of their precious first Grandson Reef Ian Howerton born to their daughter, Amelia and her husband on October 4th. Everyone is doing great.  What a blessing!!

09/30/15:  Recieved word that Carole Sharrard Morely's husband passed away a couple of months ago.  Our thoughts and prayers are with Carole and her family.

I heard from Melanie McBride Springer on the "Message Forum" regarding the loss of her precious step-Grandson, Brian on July 20th at age 26.   No words can describe the heartache of losing a loved one at such a young age.  Our thoughts and prayers are with Roger, Melanie and family.

Some of the classmates were talking at our 65th party; and stated that if anyone of us needs  prayer, that we should start a prayer chain going.  Please let Kathy, Bonnie, Sheila, Nancy Colgrove, Linda Glaz and Woody know, so that we can pray for your specific prayer request.  You can contact us either through the website or facebook.  Remember, prayer changes things! 

*I can NOT find the following classmates:  Gene Little, Michael Colasanti, Karen Schmidt-Rocha, Michael Carpenter and Ben Koetje.  I received their postcards back for our 65th party.  If you know where they are, please let me know.

7/08:  Received word from Virginia Belcher Nendel that she is buying a house and moving to another town in Florida in a few weeks.  She is really excited.  Enjoy your new home!!

July 1:  Mary Austin Rouse is undergoing chem treatment right now.  Wishing her a complete recovery.  God Bless you Mary.

Carol Heenan Seajay's Mother passed away on Thursday, May 28th 2015.  She was 88 years old.  Sincere sympathy to Carol and family.

Murrary Harrison's Mother passed away on May 4th 2015.  She was 98 years old.  Our thoughts and prayers are with Murrary and his family.

Gloria Baldwin's Mother passed away on Saturday, May 9th.  Our thoughts and prayers are with Gloria and her family.

Jim (Tiny) Cowles, a former classmate of ours who went through the 2nd grade with some of us at Gilkey passed away on Saturday, March 14, 2015 from complications from diabetes.  He still lived in Plainwell.  Our thoughts and prayers are with his family.

Gloria Chase Brainard's Husband, Roger passed away on Sunday, March 8th, 2015.  Our thoughts and prayers are with Gloria and her family during this most difficult time. 

 Mary Austin Rouse will be having further cancer surgery on January 26th.  Please keep her in your prayers or send her a card of encouragement.  Send to her new address: 290 S. 16 ST, Otsego, MI  49078.

Kathy Keith Hughes had minor surgery on March 2nd and is doing great.  Wishing her a speedy recovery.

Margaret Polasek Korabik's Sister, Jeannette (Classs of '67) passed away January 11th from cancer.  Please keep Margaret and family in your thoughts and prayers.  Margaret took great care of her Sister during her illness..

Mike Kingsbury's Father passed away on January 4th in Smithville, TN.  Please keep Mike and family in your thoughts and prayers.                                                                                       

I'm not sure at what age you realize what a gift it is when someone offers

you his or her friendship.  Perhaps we know it intuitively as children, when we

enviously eye the cliques that form among our peers--but I doubt it.

I think then we want the companionship but we don't yet understand the gift and

obligations of a good friend.  It is not until years later; when we've lost friends or

outgrown them or failed at the attempt to reconnect with an old friend, that we

realize just how valuable a commodity a friend is.

Friends are one of the great wonders of life.  They are the gift you never expected,

rarely deserve and always treasure.                                                     

Although it is unfortunate that we have lost some of our classmates over the

years...We can help keep their spirit alive by posting a funny story or

a kind remembrance of them. 

         Visit "In Memory"

           Plainwell High School Class of 1968 - Sweet Memories...

        THANK YOU TO OUR VETERANS

Barry Cunningham          Navy Reserve

Bill Robertson                   Army

Bruce Snow                      Army

Craig Nelson                   Air Force (deceased)

Darwin Myland               Army

David Thomas                Army

Dennis Gillette               Navy

Dennis Nelson                Army

Gene Little                     Navy 

James Weeks                Marines

Jerry Roden                   Army

Jim Boyce                      Navy

John Greer                    Air Force

Larry Foster                  Air Force

Lee Gorton                   Seabees

Linda Mapes Glaz        Air Force

Melvin Valkner             Army

Paul Sherwood            Marines

Phil Curtis                    Army

Phil Wilson                  Army (died 12/16/1970-Viet Nam)

Randy Weaver             Army

Rick Hughes                Army

Stephen Sanders        Navy

Terry Kelly                Army (deceased)

        What made us friends so long ago when we first met?

        Well, I think I know.  The best in me and the best in you

        found each other because they knew that always since

        life began...our being friends was part of God's plan.