I was sorry to see the passing of John Hetzel of our Class of '65. He had struggled for years overcome ael-abusive behavior and other health issues, fighting to the end. I remember John most, I think, from his basketball days in Junior High and High School, days in which I was mostly a bench warmer and pep band member. He had a way of approaching the basket that sometimes looked like he sneaked in an extra step, but it worked. I also remember just a little, his dad "Jake" and his struggle with alcoholism, and, of course, his mom who was the Junior High English teacher to many of us. I wish your road would have been easier, but then it probably would have been someone elses. See ya next in the next half. Thom
My memories of John start way back in elementary school, now called Wileman, in Delavan. I think he and I had the same 3rd grade teacher, but whatever, I was in some reading group (the Bluebirds or something) and John and others were in another "bird" group because they had a hard time learning to read during this early reading development. For some reason, I remember thinking how John persevered in that reading group, even though it was a so-called "slower" group. I remember thinking how I wish all of hid group could magically move into our "middle" group because most of these new little friends of mine were trying so hard. As a teacher for 39 years in 4th-6th grades, I had great empathy for all levels of readers in my classes. I tried very hard to group everyone together as "readers" regardless of their level. Those who struggled got the piece of reading we were studying in SOME way which left them with the knowledge of the story or article because we didn't use just reading to learn content which 4th-6th graders had the ability to understand if somehow exposed to the information. A multi- sensory presentation about any given topic they had to "read". Everyone felt included and not "separated " by ability. And all could and wanted to contribute to discussions of the story. article/topic as they had in one way or another got the information through more than just reading. Reading help wasn't ignored but neither were other avenues of learning about a topic. John's reading group always came up, my memories from the 1950's. So, I like to think this group I observed as a third or 4th grader ( as a fellow student, ) taught me something about making "reading" more than an isolated skill. In real life we learn about things through many senses, even more so today with technology.
Just because a student had a bum leg, for example, doesn't mean he/she can't run and play and participate with all the other children.
When I was teaching I realized those OTHER children each had their own weaknesses but we tried so hard not to let that weakness get in the way of learning. That's my memory of early John. As he grew up, his perseverance continued to serve him. Others will talk about John's abilities in sports or social activities at which they remember he excelled. And the bottom line was the nice guy I always knew on up through high school. Always friendly, always laughed at my silly jokes....never saw a negative behavior from him. When we graduated, I lost track of lots of classmates, so I can't speak for those years. Yes, his mom was my English teacher, and a good one. (Those of you in her junior high home room, should remember our chosen home room name "Hetzel's Headaches". Mrs. Hetzel was always gracious and tried her best to put up with our junior high shenanigans. More often than not, after a class disruption, there would be a little smile on her face. She did secretly think many cut-ups she was given were genuine clever, humorous people. Maybe that's where John got his easy-going ways...at least that was the John I knew. )
Rest In Peace, John. The attitude I saw in you as long ago as third grade, made an impression on me as an
elementary teacher years later.
I have more specific memories of John's mom, my beloved English teacher--as I had just moved to Delavan and she helped with the transition. My memories of John were of his wide popularity and notoriety as a basketball player for the Comets. While I saw him as one of the "popular", he was never intimidating and his smile and sense of humor seemed to shine on ALL around him. Thanks for that, John. Ruth Ann
Thomas Holden (1965)
I was sorry to see the passing of John Hetzel of our Class of '65. He had struggled for years overcome ael-abusive behavior and other health issues, fighting to the end. I remember John most, I think, from his basketball days in Junior High and High School, days in which I was mostly a bench warmer and pep band member. He had a way of approaching the basket that sometimes looked like he sneaked in an extra step, but it worked. I also remember just a little, his dad "Jake" and his struggle with alcoholism, and, of course, his mom who was the Junior High English teacher to many of us. I wish your road would have been easier, but then it probably would have been someone elses. See ya next in the next half. Thom
Suzanne Seuser (Loft) (1965)
My memories of John start way back in elementary school, now called Wileman, in Delavan. I think he and I had the same 3rd grade teacher, but whatever, I was in some reading group (the Bluebirds or something) and John and others were in another "bird" group because they had a hard time learning to read during this early reading development. For some reason, I remember thinking how John persevered in that reading group, even though it was a so-called "slower" group. I remember thinking how I wish all of hid group could magically move into our "middle" group because most of these new little friends of mine were trying so hard. As a teacher for 39 years in 4th-6th grades, I had great empathy for all levels of readers in my classes. I tried very hard to group everyone together as "readers" regardless of their level. Those who struggled got the piece of reading we were studying in SOME way which left them with the knowledge of the story or article because we didn't use just reading to learn content which 4th-6th graders had the ability to understand if somehow exposed to the information. A multi- sensory presentation about any given topic they had to "read". Everyone felt included and not "separated " by ability. And all could and wanted to contribute to discussions of the story. article/topic as they had in one way or another got the information through more than just reading. Reading help wasn't ignored but neither were other avenues of learning about a topic. John's reading group always came up, my memories from the 1950's. So, I like to think this group I observed as a third or 4th grader ( as a fellow student, ) taught me something about making "reading" more than an isolated skill. In real life we learn about things through many senses, even more so today with technology.
Just because a student had a bum leg, for example, doesn't mean he/she can't run and play and participate with all the other children.
When I was teaching I realized those OTHER children each had their own weaknesses but we tried so hard not to let that weakness get in the way of learning. That's my memory of early John. As he grew up, his perseverance continued to serve him. Others will talk about John's abilities in sports or social activities at which they remember he excelled. And the bottom line was the nice guy I always knew on up through high school. Always friendly, always laughed at my silly jokes....never saw a negative behavior from him. When we graduated, I lost track of lots of classmates, so I can't speak for those years. Yes, his mom was my English teacher, and a good one. (Those of you in her junior high home room, should remember our chosen home room name "Hetzel's Headaches". Mrs. Hetzel was always gracious and tried her best to put up with our junior high shenanigans. More often than not, after a class disruption, there would be a little smile on her face. She did secretly think many cut-ups she was given were genuine clever, humorous people. Maybe that's where John got his easy-going ways...at least that was the John I knew. )
Rest In Peace, John. The attitude I saw in you as long ago as third grade, made an impression on me as an
elementary teacher years later.
Suzanne Seuser Loft
Ruth Ann Berkholtz (1965)
I have more specific memories of John's mom, my beloved English teacher--as I had just moved to Delavan and she helped with the transition. My memories of John were of his wide popularity and notoriety as a basketball player for the Comets. While I saw him as one of the "popular", he was never intimidating and his smile and sense of humor seemed to shine on ALL around him. Thanks for that, John. Ruth Ann