2008Update.htm - Class of 1956, Meade, KS High School

2008Update.htm

		2008 Update Classmates of Meade High School, 1956


	George Highfill Dee: Good to hear from you. A newsletter would be a great idea. Geocmae Contact: George Highfill Betty Fisher Curbo Hi Dee, Hope this finds you well. I have had a good and bad 2 years. Deb and I took a very nice trip last year and was gone for almost 3 weeks up to Colorado where I had a nice visit with Darlene Campbell. then to CO. Springs for all the sights and on up to Cheyenne for rodeo and bull riding then to Yellowstone up to Montana and Back down thru other side of Yellowstone. We went from there to Cody and on over to the Black Hills of SD and did Deadwood and Mt. Rushmore. We came back thru Meade and then back home. Had a nice visit with my 97 year old aunt and was so glad I did as she passed a way this summer. I had to but Deb in the hospital the 28th of September and he was in and out of hospital 17 times and put on dialysis but never did good and passed away the 2nd of August. We took Deb back to Kansas to be buried so I will be going back there Thanksgiving to see headstone we are having put down. I had been conversing with Darlene regularly but at the time of Deb's death she vanished again and her emails came back no address so I don't know about her. Was glad to hear from you and will be glad to hear from everyone. Love. Betty Contact: Betty Curbo Dean Eckhoff Dee... Sorry that I haven't responded sooner! Our lives have been very "boring" (our Motto: Boring is Good!). We have managed to keep most things on the straight and narrow. Eulonda visits her mother and daughter at least once per month in JC. She also spends time in Ark City with her two grandsons. We have been to Fort Worth and Denver once per year to visit my daughter and son. Brad's son, Dean, has entered KSU as a freshman this year. He received a fine scholarship that pays his out-of-state tuition. This has really caused my old chest to expand with pride. Dean continues the legacy (Brad, his mother, and I have degrees from KSU). Both Cindi and Brad (and their families) manage to visit us in Wichita at least once per year. We manage to visit my brother and sister (Leonard, Elsie, and her husband, Elwood) and her family at least once each six weeks. Those visits are so very special to me - lots of fun and good conversation with memories of the "good times." The highlight (for me) of 2008 was my 70th birthday. Both Brad and Cindi came to Wichita and we were able to travel to central Missouri (where my father was born) and we placed a small memory stone for pop's mother, whose remains are resting in an undesignated plot in a cemetery near Lincoln, MO. In addition we visited with a cousin and toured Cole Camp, pop's home town (he left after his father died when pop was only three years old). What a great time we had with a lot of laughs and fond memories. Dean Contact: Dean Eckhoff Charlene Kobs Keen Dee... I ‘m sorry I haven’t replied sooner, but my provider- server isp.com has been doing some transitions and I hadn’t been able to receive my emails until recently. Isn’t is terrible when we can’t use our computers!!! As you know probably by the Wichita paper, that Kenny and I are back in our home after that monster tornado hit here May 4th last year. Basically, our floor plan is the same as our old home of 26 years, but with a few changes. I had always wanted to change a few things and we needed to update our home, but didn’t think we would HAVE to do it overnight!!! Also, as you may know, our church about a mile from us, was also destroyed in the tornado the next night after our house was destroyed. So, we were also involved with building a new church this past year. We had our first worship service on Easter day, March 23rd. We had several tornadoes come close this year. We were very nervous and right down scared several nights. In fact, one was 4 miles south of us and I just knew we were going to get hit again. I don’t know if I could have handled it if it did hit us. But, the strange thing was it hit our good friends 6 miles from us. We had stayed at their farmstead while our house was being built for 4 ½ months in their mother’s house. Now, we are helping them cope with a destroyed home. Life is strange at times. Guess this is all I need to say about tornadoes. I think this is a good idea if everyone would write something. Charlene Contact: Charlene Keen Dee Kimbell My life has been great these last two years. I have maintained excellent health and do not feel more than 50 (except when I try to do something...smile). It hit home when my grandson challenged me to a game of horse. I took the basketball, made my normal shot (energy wise), except the shot lacked about five feet reaching the goal...mmm. We have had a wet year in 2008 and had a flood in 2007. I have been busy enjoying my 9th and 10th year of retirement or as I call it flexibility. I made trips to Southern California and England to visit my sons and their families. I go to California about 3 or 4 times a year and to England 2 or 3 times. My English kids returned to Austin, Texas in January of 2008. My son and daughter-in-law in Southern California live on a man-made lake and lead an active life. They water ski, ride motorcycles, and jeep the nearby mountains, scuba dive, and enjoy shooting sports. I have gone scuba diving with them twice while there. There are some great sights to see. I had the trip of my life in 2007. I have long wanted to go to France and tour the D-Day, World War II sites. I was very fortunate to share the trip with both of my sons and it was definitely the memory of a lifetime for all three of us. I also spent several enjoyable days in Colorado where Darlene Hays-Campbell served as a gracious host and guide. It was the first time I had really toured Colorado. A beautiful State for sure. Besides traveling, I stay busy doing the routine things of life. In addition, I do volunteer service: teaching Defensive Driving to the Elderly for AARP and serving as a Range Safety Officer at a shooting range for the Kansas Department of Wildlife and Parks. I look forward to seeing what others have been up to these last two years and I am anxious to see each of you at the 2010 All School Reunion for M.H.S. May God bless you and go with you until that time. I am sorry to report that J.C. Sanders passed away since our 50th Reunion and Velma is currently undergoing treatment for cancer. For those that did not know or do not recall, the Sanders live in Chanute just a couple of blocks from me. Dee Contact:Dee Kimbell Lee Wayne McCullough Dee My old computer bit the dust and had to get a new one. Thus I lost all my bookmarks, addresses and documents. What is the address of the web page referenced in his email? I'll get around to answering your earlier email about a newsletter, which is a good idea, when I have some free time. I don't understand why I'm more busy these days than when I was working. Lee Contact: Lee Wayne McCullough Earl (Bud) Ross: HI DEE, NOT MUCH GOING ON HERE IN MERIDEN KANSAS--AS USUAL. WE DID SPEND SOME TIME AT LAKE PERRY AS THE KIDS HAVE A PONTOON BOAT THAT THEY KEEP AT THE MARINA ON THE LAKE. KAREN AND I ARE DOING FINE AS FAR AS HEALTH IS CONCERNED-- JUST THE USUAL PAINS OF GROWING OLDER. I DID TURN SEVENTY THIS SUMMER AND IT MAKES YOU WONDER WHERE ALL THE TIME WENT!!!! I TOOK ON A BIG PROJECT THAT I HOPE I CAN FINISH BY NEXT SUMMER. MY DAUGHTER AND SON IN LAW TALKED ME INTO REPLACING ALL THE WINDOWS IN THEIR HOUSE. IT IS NOT AN EASY JOB BUT THEY ARE GOOD HELP. WE PLAN TO SPEND SOME TIME IN TUSCON AROUND THANKSGIVING TIME VISITING OUR KIDS THAT LIVE THERE. EARL ROSS Contact: Earl Bud Ross Bob & Bonnie Lewellen: Hi Dee: Just a quick note to let you know we think your interest in building a 'class communication' link is great. A coordinator always gets more to do than bargained for but generally are also the one getting it done while guys like me are still thinking it over. Bonnie and I are in the middle of a project here at home, she will be communicating with you a little later. As a matter of fact she may have already sent you a note expressing our intention to participate; anyway just a note to tell you more will come later. Per usual we are always up and running - so will enjoy sharing our happenings! Best regards Bob Contact: Bob & Bonnie Lewellen Lloyd (Tommy) Anderson: Hi Dee, Good to hear from you again. In reply to '56 Class news. I did enjoy our 50th party 2 years ago. Not a whole lot has happen, but I have been in touch with you, Tom, Wilma, and a few others by e-mail over the past 2 years. I really enjoy hearing from all of you. Melva and I have 16 grandkids, 5 great grandkids now. Our health is O.K. for our age. Just the normal aches and pains that go with it. I still enjoy my golf three to five times a week and work in my woodshop here at home, making table and chairs, doll high chairs, snow sheds and etc. for the grand kids. Also I make them for little ones at church. Melva ,our youngest daughter and two granddaughters, went to Italy for 15 days this summer and met up with one of our sons, who lives in Germany, his wife and two daughters. Had a grand old time. I stayed home to take care of the grand-dog and other pets of my granddaughters. Not much new for now, talk to you again soon. Lloyd (Tommy) Anderson Contact: Lloyd (Tommy) Anderson J C & Velma Sanders Hi I just visited with Velma Sanders (our Miss Crowe, Music Teacher). Her cancer treatments have not worked, the cancer has spread throughout and she has stopped treatment. She is just taking comfort type medication and is under hospice care at home. She is still her bubbly self. I told her about trying to get an update for our class and she said she would love to read it. I think it would be great if those who are so inclined would send her a cheery hello or thinking of you card. As you may know her husband J.C., our commerce teacher, passed away after our 50 yr Celebration. Velma Sanders 1002 S Plummer Ave Chanute KS 66720 Your classmate, Dee Velma June Sanders, 78, of Chanute, passed away Friday, October 17, 2008 at her home. Velma was born in Kiowa County, Kansas on June 8, 1930, the daughter of Terry Bruce and Olivia Emma (Ochs) Crowe. She graduated from Coldwater High School, Coldwater, KS in the Class of 1948. She then attended Bethany College in Lindsborg, KS, graduating in 1953. Velma was united in marriage to James C. (J.C.) Sanders on August 19, 1956 at the Coldwater United Methodist Church. He preceded her in death on January 26, 2008. They moved to Chanute in 1968. She was a homemaker. Obituary: Velma Sanders Velma was an active member of the First Baptist Church, where she directed the choir for many years. She was also a member of P.E.O. for 52 years, serving in various offices including President. Velma is survived by a daughter, Cynthia Frisbie and her husband Mike of Pleasanton, KS; one grandchild, Garrett Jennings of Athens, GA; four step-grandchildren, Michael Frisbie of Shawnee, KS, Mary Ogden of Pleasanton, KS, Joshua Frisbie of Overland Park, KS, and Katherine Frisbie of Noel, MO; two step-great-grandchildren; and two sisters, Lucille Davis of Tulsa, OK and Shirley Schenk of Wichita, KS. She was preceded in death by her parents and her husband J.C.. Funeral services will be held at 10:00 a.m. on Friday, October 24, 2008 at the First Baptist Church in Chanute. Burial will follow in Memorial Park Cemetery. The family will receive friends on Thursday, October 23, 2008 from 7:00 until 8:00 p.m. at the Penwell-Gabel Gibson Chapel. Memorials in her name may be made to the NCCC Endowment Fund, the Dr. and Mrs. J.C. Sanders Scholarship Fund at NCCC, or the First Baptist Church and may be left with the funeral home. Penwell-Gabel Gibson Chapel is in charge of arrangements. A Note from Dee She (Velma) was such a bubbly person. I talked with her several times during her last days. She was always smiling and very positive about life. Never once complained. It was a great boost to me to visit with her; just wish I could have helped her in someway, but then she really did not need anyone's help as she was at peace with everyone and everything. Another Note from Dee I just returned from Mrs. Sanders' funeral and I wanted to say Thanks to the Class of '56. When the pastor began to talk about her, he started by saying that two years ago a class from Meade High School celebrated the 50th Anniversary of their Graduation and that Velma was thrilled that she and J.C. were remembered. The thanks given to her for inspiration and guidance at that time meant so much. Then when she was facing death they (you) sent her cards and notes which thrilled her and put even more smiles on her face. She couldn't believe that she had affected so many lives and that you cared so much. You are special people, each and every one. Your classmate Dee Tom Heskett I really don't know where to start. Been some good and some not so good. My Mother passed away Sept 4th of 2007. I am still working part time but plan to quit the end of this year. Vivian, Abrianna (our greatgrand daughter), and I have taken up canoeing on Elk River south of Joplin. we manage to get upside down sometime during our trip down river, but we have a blast. We went to Colorado September 12-13-14 for a Heskett cousins reunion; we had a good time. On the health note, I was told that I have a aortia-anurisim but it is small. I just get it checked every 6 mounths. I also have developed a hernia which I will need to have surgery on later this year. I am looking forward to next alumni reunion and seeing everyone. Until then Tom Heskett Contact: Tom Heskett Katie Savage/Nona (Cordes) Newman I DID'T GET DETAILS KATIE SAVAGE HAD A STROKE. HOPE YOU CAN GET THE WORD OUT. NONA Contact: Nona (Cordes) Newman Obituary MEADE - Savage, Kathern (Cordes), 69, died Sept. 23, 2008. Service 11am, Monday, Saint John Lutheran Church. Survivors: children, Crys Ackerman, Kelly Cordes, Dean Cordes, Sherrie Olson; sister Sharlene Stauffer; brothers Denzel and Eric Savage; 6 grandchildren, Fidler-Orme-Bachman Mortuary.

Dean Eckhoff

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