Sharon Tincher (Scholl-Nabulsi)

HI CLASS OF '61; THE LADIES OF THE CLASS OF '61 HAD A FUN LUNCH AT THE PIZZA HUT LAST FRIDAY, THE 25TH. THOSE IN ATTENDANCE WERE, JUDY SWANSON, SALLY MORTON, LINDA KIRCHNER, BETTY MCCLINTHEN, GEORGIA O'DONNELL, LINDA HAYES, KARAN KREIGHBAUM, SHARON DUNCAN, SHARON TINCHER, CAROL NARRIGON!!!  WE INVITE ANY CLASSMATES TO OUR LUNCHEONS THAT WOULD LIKE TO COME. WE MEET THE LAST FRIDAY OF EACH MONTH EXCEPT DECEMBER AND OCTOBER'S LUNCEON WILL BE AT AMIGOS ON OCTOBER 30, 2015 AT 11:30 A.M.  Y'ALL COME NOW Y'HEAR!!!!

Loren(Andy) Andrews

Notice no one has commented or posted a FMHS Class of 1961 graduate Betty Lou Dodson Ballard passing away October 20, 2015 with funeral at St. Boniface Catholic Church, Farmington, IA at 10:30 am Friday October 30. Maybe I missed it. Complete obituary on Barr Memirial Chapel website.

Linda Hayes (Meyer)

Andy-  thanks for the update.  I didn't know Betty Dodson had passed.  It's hard to believe so many of our class have gone.  

Karan Kreighbaum (Faul)

Andy... Thanks for letting us know about Betty. I wasn't aware. Too many of our class members are leaving us too quickly!

I will send a memorial from the class for the Great River Hospice House as suggested in Betty's obituary.

Thanks again for being on the ball.

Sharon Tincher (Scholl-Nabulsi)

Andy: Thanks for the heads up about Betty Dodson passing. I do not take the Democrat anymore so I do miss a few. I will put them on our memory page. Thanks again!

Loren(Andy) Andrews

Was in Burlington Hawkeye obits 10/22 but not in Democrat until last night. Thanks.

Bill Orr

For the Jackson gang!

Jim Hawtrey's wife , Margie, has had a stroke and is in the UIHC at the University of Iowa. She will undergo brain surgery today or tomorrow. Their E-Mail address is:margiehawtrey@gmail.com.

Bill

Linda Kirchner (Schrader)

Very sorry to hear about Margie Hawtrey. I will try to send an email to James to encourage him & let him know I'm thinking about them both. Our lives can change so quickly, as so many of us know. It's so comforting to know there is someone thinking about you & praying for you. We all need to support each other. When we don't live close to family, we often feel isolated. It's always good to hear from friends when we feel alone or ill. It's such a small thing we all can do, but it's a BIG deal when you're the one going through something serious. Even a note here on the forum for support helps. I remember all the encouragement I received exactly 2 years ago. Thanks for helping me.......Linda Lu

Bill Orr

Reference Margie Hawtreys brain surgery yesterday.

I received this at 10:00 PM last evening.

 Margie is doing well. Her color is good.  Her conversation is good for the most part.

She will be in the UIHC for the rest of the week and then Physical and Speech therapy.

Their son and daughter are present and will help until no longer needed.

He thanks everyone for their prayers and concern.

Bill

Carole Narigon (Wilson)

Thanks for passing on the information.  I'll be praying for her!

Bill Orr

Reference Margie Hawtreys condition.

AT 9:10 last evening Jim reported that Margie has been moved to St. Lukes Hospital in Cedar Rapids and is doing well. Her son Ben and daughter Amy are with her.The doctors anticipate she will be there for 10 to 15 days and then released to whatever. She looks great. Thanks for your prayers! 

Linda Kirchner (Schrader)

I received an email from Melinda Lang Bachman today. She said she had fallen up her basement stairs. Ambulance took her to ER. She fractured the C2 vertebrae in her neck. She will be in a brace for 2-3 months & can't drive. I'm sure that will be difficult for her to depend on others to take her places. I know her, she's very indepentant. Will be getting physical & occupational therapy plus home care to help her. I'm sure she'd appreciate hearing some encouraging words from classmates. Her address is: 3216 Alpine, Ann Arbor, MI 48108. 

Nan Nelson (Hays)

Thanks Linda...I will follow through.

Linda Kirchner (Schrader)

Have my reservation & Melinda Bachman's made at the Comfort Inn in Ft. Madison for Fri. Sept. 30th., 2016 and Sat. Oct. 1st. for the 55th. class reunion.........anyone else??

Bill Orr

Made reservations several weeks ago. See you then if not sooner.

Bill

Sandra Buckley (Matthews)

Sandy Brown took charge of making reservations for she & David, Bill and I and Terry and Margaret Noonan at the new Boulder Inn for Friday & Saturday night of our 55th Reunion - looking forward to seeing everyone !

Melinda Lang (Bachman)

I want to thank those who have sent me cards and phone calls since Linda posted about my fall.  They certainly helped to boost my spirit!  I had x-ray yesterday and the doctor said the fracture was progessing but will take some time to heal.  I go back in 6 weeks to be checked again. In the meantime I must wear the brace 24 hours a day.  Just thankful as it could have been worse.

Wishing all of you a Happy Thanksgiving!

Sandra Buckley (Matthews)

Melinda,  I was also sorry to learn about your accident - as many of you know I had major back surgery in October of 2014, with 6 fusions of all 5 lumbar vertebra and the top of my tail bone.  I have 14 screws and 2 Titanium rods now in my back.  I still wear a soft brace at times when I am on my feet for any length of time. So, I can readily sympathize with what you are going through with the fracture in a cervical vertabra - not fun at all, but as you said, it coule have been so much worse - leaving you paralized.  Bill and I send warm wishes for your complete recovery !

Marcia Conley (Davis)

Just a quick note to say "Hi".  i am looking forward to the Reunion next Fall.  I will make my room reservations in the next few days.

I am busy closing out 2015 tax season and gearing up for 2016.  2016 will be my 50th year in the tax profession and 31 years owning my firm.  Where did the time go!!I  I have seen monumental changes in my profession.  I have never regretted the day I chose it.

Thanksgiving is behind me and am looking forward to my short vacation to Hawaii between Christmas and New Years.

Tax seminars are ramping up and I will be going strong thru January.  Leave Wednesday for a 2 day seminar in San Antonio.  Then, I am all over Southern CA through the end of January.

I continue to battle a severe arthritis problem in my lower back.  Pain pills, no surgery possible.  I also had a recent scare with a retina problem with my right eye.  It is okay but I am limited for awhile to no night driving. That hampers my driving with the seminars.  May need to do some car pooliing.

HAPPY HOLIDAYS TO EVERYONE AND GOD BLESS!

Bill Orr

Please take Jerry Rees off the Missing  list.

Sharon Tincher (Scholl-Nabulsi)

Thanks Bill! I have remived Jerry Rees from the Missing Classmates page!Merry Christmas!

MERRY CHRISTMAS TO ALL!!!!

Charlie LaFrenz

Andy,  yes you will always be younger, but I will always be prettier!!  And, you have a great day on the 13th and many more after that.  Best wishes! Charlie

Bill Orr

Some thoughts for the reunion.

The old High School - I don't have any good memories of the building or activities therein. It was a very depressing place. So count me out on that one.

Sterzings in the park - Love the idea. Can I help?

The Sheaffer Mansion - Could we get a tour of the building and grounds. Years ago I climbed the bluff from the RR tracks and received a glass of water for my efforts from a gentlemen who lived in the house. But never got in to look around.

The old Jackson School - Wonder if the Jackson Gang could get a tour or walk around of the grounds.

plaques and trophies - Does anyone know what happened to those that were in the Trophy Case of the High School. 

I will continue my work on locating missing classmates. 

Bill

Linda Kirchner (Schrader)

Yesterday I went to the visitation for Leroy Thomas. It was good to see Barb. She looked very tired...I remember the feeling. She's a very strong lady, she'll be okay. She has lots of family close. That really helps things go easier. Lots to take care of in the next months.

I also got to see Susie. She looks great. Was so nice to see her again. The last time she was back was for the 40th. reunion She was a very close gf in HS. We named our oldest daughter after her. 

Susie plans to come back next year for the reunion, hope her plans work out. She would really like to see everyone again. 

I would like to wish everyone a VERY MERRY CHRISTMAS & A HEALTHY NEW YEAR. 

LINDA

Sandra Buckley (Matthews)

Linda,  I was happy to hear that you were able to visit with Susie and her sister, Barb, at Leroy's visitation.  I'm sure they appreciated you coming over to Fort Madison for that !  I do hope Susie is able to return for the Class Reunion in the fall - I have really enjoyed her Facebook postings and would love to visit with her.