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Class of 1961 at Amigos today March 1st: left side of table front to back: Jack Moore,

Jan Moore, Sally Trancoso, Betty Oiler, Nan Hayes, David Neubel; Right side of table front to back: John Kent, Linda Meyer, Georgia Merschman, Linda Hansen, Ed Merschman, Dutch Martinez!

03/02/23 11:15 AM

#1468

Always great to see the local group getting together for lunch - everyone is looking good!

Bill and I will be in Fort Madison over the weekend of June 9-12 for a Celebration of Life service for his brother-in-law, Ken Hoffmeister (wife is Jean Matthews Hoffmeister, class of 1958). Ken passed away peacefully in early January from a very aggressive cancer. His service was delayed due to the number of family members on each side who wanted to attend, but so many relatives are teachers or graduating college this May, so it made sense to hold off until everyone could arrange to be there.

I really doubt that we will have time to see classmates and hometown friends, and for that, I'm really sorry. But, this is dedicated to be family time, as who knows when we might have an opportunity to see them again. Both of our sons and their families will be there.

All is well here in eastern North Carolina ! Staying busy with other residents of our retirement community - playing lots of bridge for me and Bill and I are on the Executive Committee of the Resident's Council.........he is the Treasurer and I am Corresponding Secretary. I also volunteer in our Gift and Sundries Shop here and am a "buyer" for our wonderful Gift Showcase. I frequent TJ MAX and HomeGoods for the items - lots of fun to shop for our residents who no longer drive. Our health is what you might expect of almost 80 year old persons. My chronic back issues and Scoliosis still plague me, with severe degenerative stenosis and have lost almost 3 inches of height over the years. However, I forge ahead - not a candidate for any more back surgeries, after already having my total lumbar vertabrae fused in 2014. Bill does a pretty good job at controlling his type 2 diabetes, so that's good. His golf game has slowed down, but he still enjoys it. We are happy to have the Big Ten Channel as part of our TV package so we can watch Bill's Alma Mater's sporting events. Sure hoping the Hawkeyes Men's and Women's basketball teams do well in their respective Conference Tournaments and that the Men get in and play well in March Madness !!!!

For those of you who I kept up with on FACEBOOK, I have pretty much given up on Social Media, after being hacked so many times. I miss hearing about what you are doing, but please use this class website more, so I don't lose touch !!!!

03/02/23 05:32 PM

#1469

Classmates: I'm relaying to you all about the death of Jack Savage about two weeks ago! Jack was the husband of our classmate Cyndy Day Savage and he has been in ill health for many years and Cyndy took care of him! She told me they just celebrated their 61st Wedding Anniversary! If any of you would like to send Cyndy a card her address is: Mrs.Jack Savage, 1718 North Hosker, Independence. Mo.64050. The funeral is this coming Saturday and there will be a memorial in Burlington sometime in September. Please keep Cyndy and her family in your thoughts and prayers.

03/17/23 02:28 PM

#1470

Patsy Cordray (VanPelt)

Dear Classmates,

Thank you for the nice birthday wishes. You made my day especially happy!!

Are we called elderly when we're 80?? It's just a number right??? Thanks again everyone.

03/20/23 04:49 PM

#1471

Georgia O'Donnell (Merschman)

I would like to thank everyone for the cards, notes and prayers for our family in response to Jack's death. The class of 61 is the best. For those of remember my brother Edwin (Sunny) Day; he passed away this morning. I spoke with Sharon and she did not believe their class had the same resources as ours so I thought I would share with you all. He was an amazing brother. He worked at HyVee and worked with friends of several classes. Thank you again for all of you just being you. God bless

03/21/23 07:52 AM

#1472

Cyndy. So sorry to hear about your brother. We just saw them last summer at Pete and Marty's 60th anniversary. Had a good visit with his wife.

03/21/23 11:03 AM

#1473

Sandi Thompson (Philips)

Cyndi, I am so sorry to hear about your brother. Please know that i will be keeping you and your brother's family in my prayers.

03/25/23 08:08 PM

#1474

Thank you and thank you for the cards honoring Sunny. You are all the best.

03/26/23 07:28 AM

#1475

Cyndy, This is a belated note, but wanted you to know you are remembered in prayer and sympathy in the loss of both your husband and brother......and a double loss in such a short time. Life is so precious and we hope all the good memories of time with both of them will comfort you. There is an old saying that I always refer to when there is a death - "Friends Multiply Joys and Divide Sorrows" - we hope you know how many are doing just that.

Hugs, Sandy & Bill Matthews

03/27/23 06:12 PM

#1476

Indeed I do Sandy. I have appreciated all of the kind thoughts and prayers. We are all becoming not old friends but definitely long time friends.

04/05/23 04:18 PM

#1477

Class April luncheon: Left: Dave Beubel, Gary McVey, Barb McVey, Sally Trancoso, John Kent and Mary. Right: Nan Hays, Betty Oiler, Linda Meyer, Georgia Merschman, and Ed Merschman

04/06/23 12:06 PM

#1478

The local classmates do such a wonderful job of sharing a meal each month - everyone looks happy to be together ! Miss you all - Have a blessed Easter Holiday !

Sandy & Bill Matthoews

04/07/23 01:25 PM

#1479

Classmates, Now hear this! Jack Moore has had 3 heart attacks since March 16th and now has a pacemaker installed at Genesis Hospital! He is home taking it easy! If any of you want to send him a card his address is 1736 Avenue E, Fort Madison,Iowa 52627 and phone number is 319- 679-0147and his email is jackmoore@gmail.com. We all hope that Jack recovers to 100%

04/08/23 09:31 AM

#1480

Thank you Sharon.

04/08/23 10:16 AM

#1481

Darla Qualls (Dennison)

I'm so sorry to hear about Jack. I hope he recovers quickly and thoroughly. Jack just do what the Drs say and I'll see you at the next reunion.

04/10/23 07:56 AM

#1482

Judi Perry

Hello to all members of the class of '61 - the best class ever.

Thanks for all of the birthday wishes. Although some of my classmates pointed out that they are younger than me. Their days are coming to join the 80 group. JT's birthday is 3 days (+ year) after mine, so we always celebrate both B-Days together. This year we are spending several weeks in Daytona Beach - eating lots of grouper (our fav), visiting Cape Kennedy, walking the beach, and other area attractions. We will end our trip in a few weeks by going to Columbus, GA to visit a Military Museum, and then on to Alabama to visit JT's kids.

Cyndy - so sorry to hear about Jack - what a nice guy. You hit the Jackpot when you got him! Sorry about your brother, also. I am praying for you.

Jack Moore - Prayers for you, also. Please take care of yourself. I know that the Cardinals are off to a bad start, but don't take it personal. Pacemakers are wonderful - Sandi and I both have one - they are a godsend.

04/14/23 07:31 AM

#1483

Classmates: FYI The Boys and Girls track meet scheduled for April 25 at the FMHS track will be the Don Leach Memorial for the new track time clock. Our class donated $3,450 toward the clock. The Athletic Director and department is very grateful that we got the ball rolling to get a new clock. They can now hold bigger and better track meets with an authentic clock. Jill Leach, Don's wife and his three sons are coming for this dedication and I am inviting any and all of the Class of 1961 to attend. It begins at 3:30 and the dedication will be around 4:15. I know that they would appreciate some of us being there to honor their father.

I'm hoping this finds you all happy and healthy. Oh, by the way, I fell down in our condo in Marco Island on Feb 1 and broke my right femur. I tripped over a throw rug and down I went. I had surgery on Feb 2 and then two months of therapy down in Florida and now I am home doing more therapy M-W-F. I am still on a walker and hoping I throw it away in a week or two. A word of advice. Get rid of your throw rugs. Maybe by the track meet.

As ever,

Sharon

04/14/23 04:06 PM

#1484

Marcia Conley (Davis)

Sharon, I feel your pain! I had 2 back surgeries and a hip surgery in 18 months! I am still walking with a cane and doing physical therapy and hoping to walk unassisted soon. I went back to work 100% the beginning of this year and am in the best health I have been in 25 years!!

04/15/23 06:41 PM

#1485

Sure hope there is a good turnout at the FMHS Track Meet to honor Don Leach, since Jill and their boys will be there ! The Class of 1961 should be proud of the funds raised to purchase a worthy track meet clock !!!

04/16/23 03:05 PM

#1486

Marcia Conley (Davis)

Thank you for all the birthday wishes. I am 80!! Hard to believe and I am feeling the best in many years. Still working and enjoying every day! I am so blessed with family, friends, clients and good health. GOD IS GOOD!

04/25/23 07:05 PM

#1487

Classmates I'm posting photos from the Don Leach Memorial Track meet today that some of you donated money for their new tract time clock! This will allow FMHS hold bigger track meets that will let kids qualify for state meets right on our own FMHS track here in FM!!! The photo of Jill and her three sons, Jason, Judd,and Doug and me sitting and watching the track meet. Next photo when the family and Jeff Lamb the AD telling the audience all about the banner and the time clock and the last photo is the time clock/

04/26/23 02:39 PM

#1488

Great Pictures for Don's Memorial to purchase that track meet clock !!! Thanks for posting Sharon!

04/26/23 04:13 PM

#1489

Don Leach Memorial FYI: The track meet that happened yesterday 4/25/23 at the FMHS track was the first home track meet in quite a number of years! The reason being that FMHS did not have a means of obtaining accurate times for all the track events! We can be very proud as a class to have provided the seed money for this new track timer! It will help the track kids and track program for years to come! Thanks to all who donated!

05/03/23 02:47 PM

#1490