Loney was a gifted athlete, starring on the football team at Streator Township (he was our quarterback), starring on our basketball team (he was the point guard and top scorer), and starring on our baseball team (he was a superb pitcher). Loney was also one of the most popular students at SHS during the years 1957-61. When I think back on my high school years, I remember the great friendships with certain classmates. Loney was a good friend of mine and I am saddened to think he is no longer with us.
Loney was my best friend and a neighbor across the street on La Rue. He was so good at sports it made me mad. He didn't golf but went to Anderson Field and beat everyone else. He didn't bowl but threw a 220 out of the gate at Bowl-Mor Lanes. Sometimes we were on different Little League or Pony league teams and I couldn't get him out.
I had one heck uv a pick off motion in high school, once getting 3 Pontiac Indians in one inning, but I could never pick off Loney.
At one of the reunions, someone told me I had a phone call. This was way before cell phones and way before $3 beers. It was Loney calling to talk. I could barely hear him and couldn't undertand what he was saying. Three days later he was gone. I still miss him.
What a fun...and funny...guy! Sometime in the years after I relocated to Los Angeles, I started calling him "LA" and encouraged him to visit his initial-sake city. On one of my visits home, we were sitting at the Broadway Tap bar (imagine!) on a Saturday afternoon, and I commented on someone's hair. LA, quite bald by then, said, "Better gray than nay!" I continue to envision him on a barstool in Heaven, hoisting a brewski to all of us at our many reunions.
it was the winter of l968 at a nightclub called " chances R " in Champaign, IL, the band was playing, people dancing, when out of nowhere a guy jumps off the balcony railing and lands right in the middle of the dance floor to the amazment of everyone including the bouncers. I was sitting at a table nearby and from a distance thought no that can't be......and it was ! Loney Augustine.......Loney has come to U of I that weekend to see Jodie Harrison play basketball and was out celebrating, as only Loney could do . Dan Daugherity
I was with him that nite and my job was to get people to bet he couldnt do this crazy jump. It was a bout 10-12 feet up , but he was in the 82nd airborne and he could tuck and roll when he hit. After he jumped he said how much did we make and if I remember correctly I had to tell him 3.00 dollars. Thats one of the many crazy things he and I did great guy he life was cut short.
OMG! How could I have overlooked the "big night"...when we were crowned king and queen of the Queen of Hearts dance (YMCA gym, with the ever-present hint of chlorine in the air). Just saw the picture in the '60 Hardscrabble. You forgot to ask me to dance, so when we meet again, I expect to collect!
One night when Loney was a hero. I saw Loney in the golden gloves finals at the Streator Armory. In the third round of the last fight in his weight division, the two were very closely matched. Loney’s opponent nailed loney’s nose and there was blood clear down to his chest. The referee was going to call the match but Loney got right in his face waving his arms and shaking his head no. The ref gave in, wiped of their gloves and motioned them to fight. Loney came back like an animal knocked the guy down for the count and won his golden glove. I was so proud he was my friend.
According to an obit I saw from Springfield,MO. Loney died July 31, 1987. He had moved to Springfield some years before. I believe that was his mother's hometown.
David Roffman
Loney was a gifted athlete, starring on the football team at Streator Township (he was our quarterback), starring on our basketball team (he was the point guard and top scorer), and starring on our baseball team (he was a superb pitcher). Loney was also one of the most popular students at SHS during the years 1957-61. When I think back on my high school years, I remember the great friendships with certain classmates. Loney was a good friend of mine and I am saddened to think he is no longer with us.
-- Dave Roffman
Craig Roberts
Loney was my best friend and a neighbor across the street on La Rue. He was so good at sports it made me mad. He didn't golf but went to Anderson Field and beat everyone else. He didn't bowl but threw a 220 out of the gate at Bowl-Mor Lanes. Sometimes we were on different Little League or Pony league teams and I couldn't get him out.
I had one heck uv a pick off motion in high school, once getting 3 Pontiac Indians in one inning, but I could never pick off Loney.
At one of the reunions, someone told me I had a phone call. This was way before cell phones and way before $3 beers. It was Loney calling to talk. I could barely hear him and couldn't undertand what he was saying. Three days later he was gone. I still miss him.
Bonnie Beall
What a fun...and funny...guy! Sometime in the years after I relocated to Los Angeles, I started calling him "LA" and encouraged him to visit his initial-sake city. On one of my visits home, we were sitting at the Broadway Tap bar (imagine!) on a Saturday afternoon, and I commented on someone's hair. LA, quite bald by then, said, "Better gray than nay!" I continue to envision him on a barstool in Heaven, hoisting a brewski to all of us at our many reunions.
Dan Daugherity
it was the winter of l968 at a nightclub called " chances R " in Champaign, IL, the band was playing, people dancing, when out of nowhere a guy jumps off the balcony railing and lands right in the middle of the dance floor to the amazment of everyone including the bouncers. I was sitting at a table nearby and from a distance thought no that can't be......and it was ! Loney Augustine.......Loney has come to U of I that weekend to see Jodie Harrison play basketball and was out celebrating, as only Loney could do . Dan Daugherity
Dale Hornick
I was with him that nite and my job was to get people to bet he couldnt do this crazy jump. It was a bout 10-12 feet up , but he was in the 82nd airborne and he could tuck and roll when he hit. After he jumped he said how much did we make and if I remember correctly I had to tell him 3.00 dollars. Thats one of the many crazy things he and I did great guy he life was cut short.
Dale Hornick
Bonnie Beall
OMG! How could I have overlooked the "big night"...when we were crowned king and queen of the Queen of Hearts dance (YMCA gym, with the ever-present hint of chlorine in the air). Just saw the picture in the '60 Hardscrabble. You forgot to ask me to dance, so when we meet again, I expect to collect!
Ken Crosiar
One night when Loney was a hero. I saw Loney in the golden gloves finals at the Streator Armory. In the third round of the last fight in his weight division, the two were very closely matched. Loney’s opponent nailed loney’s nose and there was blood clear down to his chest. The referee was going to call the match but Loney got right in his face waving his arms and shaking his head no. The ref gave in, wiped of their gloves and motioned them to fight. Loney came back like an animal knocked the guy down for the count and won his golden glove. I was so proud he was my friend.
Craig Roberts
According to an obit I saw from Springfield,MO. Loney died July 31, 1987. He had moved to Springfield some years before. I believe that was his mother's hometown.