Norma Johnson Passed Away at Age 80
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(posted 12/24/21) ROCKFORD, ILLINOIS — Norma Joanne Johnson (Lucas) died December 19, 2021 at the age of 80.
Norma went to Roosevelt Junior High and then was with us through the first two years of West
Her husband John Lucas predeceased her October 21, 2020 and his obituary was posted on this website 12/1/2020. They married in June 1960 and have been married for 60 years. They had two children.
Memorial service will be held on Saturday, January 22, 2022 from 11am-1pm at Fitzgerald Funeral Home & Crematory, 1860 S. Mulford Road.
In lieu of flowers, please send donations to Alpine Lutheran Church,5001 Forest View, Rockford, Illinois, 61108.
See her obituary for more.
The John Russell Orchestra in 1958
(posted 12/19/21) PHOENIX, ARIZONA - You may remember John Russell in high school as a talented Saxophone player in the high school band. It may not be so well known that in 1958 John assembled a dance band from members of the high school band. Here is his story:
Here In 1958 I got together some members of West High Concert and Marching Band and asked them if they would be interested in forming a dance band to perform the current big band favorites of such artists as Harry James, Benny Goodman, Tommy Dorsey and others. I found 15 current band members who were interested. Great! So I went to the local music store and bought the stands, and the sheet music. All of us had our own instruments and each would have to arrange transportation. We would practice about once a week and learn the songs in my basement.
After about a month or so I concluded we were ready for our first gig. Our first gig was for a school dance held in the school cafeteria. All of the members wore matching sport coats and ties. It went pretty well but I knew if we were to be successful we would need more gigs. So I called Morry Hill, the President of the local musicians union. He came to our next gig and said that he was satisfied that we looked and sounded good enough that he could book us.
He also got us an appearance on WTVO-TV where as I recall, we played a Harry James tune for the television audience. Boy that really helped and as result we got lots of other dance hall jobs and private parties. One of our most memorable gigs was opening for Harry James in a concert at Rockford Armory. We stayed together for about 2 years but after High School many of us went to college or jobs that sometimes conflicted With our gigs. All in all it was a wonderful experience and most of us continued in orchestra, band and theater in college for 4 more years. I then enlisted in the Army and played with the 5th Army band for 6 more years. That is my story.
Russ Rudolph Dies from an Auto Accident at Age 79
(posted 12/11/21) ANCHORAGE, ALASKA — Russell Ramon Rudolph died July 27, 2021 at the age of 79 after a traffic accident that caused a traumatic brain injury, followed by COVID-19 and then a stroke.
He was hit on the drivers's door by a 22 year old airman who made an illegal left turn. He sustained a brain injury which led to brain surgery. During recovery he tested positive for Covid even though he was fully vaccinated. A few days later he had a stroke and passed. In a split second the Rudolph's lives were changed forever. For his wife Margaret and the family it ws a total shock.
Russ attended Welsh Elementary, Roosevelt Junior High and West all three years graduating in 1959.
He leaves his wife Margaret (Holm) Rudolph who is also from the West High class of 59. They were married August 31, 1963. They have been married for 58 years.
Depite a military life of contantly moving, they have managed to attend many of our high school reunions as can be seen in photos attched to his obituary along with their 40th reunion biography.
Howard Partch is Remembering Those Days
(posted 11/29/21) ANACORTES, WASHINGTON -
Hi All:
Hard to believe this year is ending.
As I head toward 81, the years fly by.
Hope you are all well and boostered!
Maybe some day we can get back to just being seniors!
Our fireman grandson (26) is on his way back to work today in Alaska after having a breakout case of Covid. He and his friend Lisa (also + for Covid) sat in the snow on the deck of our daughter’s home eating their Thanksgiving meal while the rest of the family celebrated indoors on other side of a picture window. Quite a photo daughter Jennifer sent us. The artist Norman Rockwell could have sketched a great cover for the Saturday Evening Post! Remember those days?
We are here for the winter. No Arizona this year. Just rain, rain and a few sunny breaks; but it beats shoveling my way to the mailbox. Did that for most of my life!
Take care & keep in touch! Merry Christmas & Happy holidays!
Howard
Anacortes, WA
Are you Getting Forgetful as you Get Older?
(posted 11/26/21) YULEE, FLORIDA -
If you find yourself forgetting where you left your keys or your phone or where you parked your car you may be getting concerns about age related dementia or Alzheimer’s disease. I became curious about this phenomenon and wanted to learn more about it. For me, as a start, I tend to look for a good book about the subject and found one called “Remember” by Lisa Genova. It turned out to be an easy read and very informative so I thought that it would be a good recommendation to make for us Class of 59ers who may have a similar curiosity.
Lisa Genova is a New York Times bestselling author with a bates college degree in biopsychology and a PhD in neuroscience from Harvard University. She travels worldwide speaking about the neurological diseases that she writes about.
In her book, Lisa explains how the brain works and what types of memory loss is normal and what is not. She also gives lots of tips on how to improve memory including many lifestyle suggestions.
The March 2021 book is available on Amazon in Kindle, Hardcover, and Audiobook formats - it just might be a good Christmas gift for you or a loved one.
Ron Ingrassia
Husband of Elissa Zacharia Passed Away at Age 82
(posted 11/14/21) LOVES PARK, ILLINOIS — Gerald D. Lindmark, husband of classmate Elissa (Zacharia) Lindmark, died November 12, 2021. They were married for 62 years.
A Memorial service will be held at 5:00 P.M. on Monday, November 22, 2021, at Roscoe United Methodist Church, 10816 Main St., Rockford IL 61073, with Reverend Paul Meyers officiating. Visitation will be from 3:00 P.M. until time of service on Monday at the church. Private family burial in Calvary Catholic Cemetery.
In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the Greg Lindmark Foundation, P.O. Box 91, Roscoe, IL 61073, to Roscoe United Methodist Church, or the charity of donor’s choice. A Celebration of life dinner will be held at the Venetian Club, 2180 Elmwood Rd. immediately following the memorial services at the church.
See his obituary for more information.
To send online condolences, please visit http://www.fitzgeraldfh.com.
Gary Fouke Passed Away at Age 80
(posted 11/5/21) SOUTH BELOIT, ILLINOIS — Gary Eugene Fouke passed away November 3, 2021. He attended Roosevelt Junior High and then all three years at West graduating in 1959.
Gary was on the track team and played clarinet in the school band.
A celebration of life will be held at a later date.
See his obituary for more information.
Linda Kincade Celebrates 60th Wedding Anniversary
(posted 9/14/21) BRANSON, MISSOURI - Our 3 daughters and families organized a 60th Wedding Anniversary celebration for my husband Harlan and me in June, 2021, at a resort in Branson, MO. Amazingly, all 28 of us shared several days together—daughters, husbands, 7 grandchildren and spouses of the 4 who are married, and 9 great-grandchildren. I’ve attached a picture. Unfortunately, a month after the celebration, cancer took our 4-year-old g-grandson Simon (wearing the striped shirt in the front row 4th from the right).
We pray God’s blessings on you all!
Linda (Kincade) Huckaba
Bette Alexander Passed Away at Age 81
(posted 9/10/21) ROCKFORD, iLLINOIS — Bette Jane Alexander (Weber-Talley) died September 8, 2021 at the age of 81.
Bette attended all three years and graduated West High in 1959.
Her sister Constance Alexander also from the class of 59 died March 11, 2018.
Family and friends may gather at 4:00 p.m. on Monday, September 13, 2021 in Fitzgerald Funeral Home & Crematory, Riverside Chapel, 3910 N. Rockton Ave. with a time of sharing beginning at 5:00 p.m. A celebration of Bette’s life will continue following that at the Lombardi Club. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the family to be established at a later date. Send condolences and share memories at www.fitzgeraldfh.com.
See her obituary for more.
Larry Hamill Passed Away at Age 80
(posted 9/10/21) SALMON IDAHO — Larry Hamill passed away September 3, 2021. He attended Roosevelt Junior High and then all three years at West graduating in 1959.
Larry spent 20 years in the Navy retiring first in Montana, then moved to Idaho.
See his obituary for more information.
Howard Partch Meets Great-granddaughter in Alaska
(posted 8/31/21) ANCHORAGE, ALASKA —
Serena & I met our daughter Anne from Oregon in Anchorage, Alaska for a visit with our youngest daughter Jennifer & family back in June. Special trip to meet our first great-granddaughter Charlie Anne. Had a great time visiting with them including checking out old haunts and a long weekend drive to Homer, AK always a favorite spot!
Alaska provided perfect weather & I even did a few finger scribbles on my iPhone. I suspect Charlie Anne will be quite the teen in about 16 years! I remember those h.s. days!
HAP
Howard Partch Becomes Locksmith in Retirement
(posted 7/20/21) ANACORTES, WASHINGTON —
All:
About every five years or so our back Dutch Door lever set decides to come undone. And I have to relearn how to fix it because my brain is a bit tattered. Anyway after finding the smallest Allen wrench made by man in my highly disorganized workshop, I pull up a stool & insert the Allen wrench end into this little hole you will find on the shank of the lever-not the lever but the part the lever is attached to. Push the little end of the wrench into this hole and you will pop a spring loaded catch that releases the lever. Then grab the round escutcheon & pull it away from the face of the door. If you do this from the exterior side of door you will expose two screws that will allow you to tighten the entire assembly & you can then reverse the process and the lever set will be tight for another five years. This could save you maybe $300-$500 depending on where you live and maybe more if you are a heavy hitter!
Take care,
Your long retired classmate!
HAP
PS: it’s maybe 65-70F & sunny @ 4:15 PM with a nice Pacific Ocean breeze blowing any smoke in Washington your way. Again, we live in Anacortes, WA about 80 miles northwest of Seattle.
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Contarino Family Reunion in Jacksonville, FLorida
(posted 7/13/21) JACKSONVILLE, FLORIDA - In June classmate John Contarino, who lives in Jacksonville, hosted a family reunion for all of his children and grandchildren. They had not all been together in seven years. They celebrated Father's Day and John's upcoming 80th birthday July 19. In the photo John is fifth from the left.
West High Potluck Group Meets
(posted 7/6/21) ROCKFORD, iLLINOIS - Mostly Class of 59 friends, some that that go back to Washington Junior High, have been meeting two to three times a year ever since Graduation. They had lunch together at the Stockholm Inn in June 2021 as shown in the photo below:
Front row: Mary Lou (Spinello) White, Mary Ann (Cacciatore) Vincent, Elissa (Zacharia) Lindmark
Back row: Karen (Fagerburg) Phelps, Ginny (Bufalo) Harezlak, Marion (Cassioppi) Ginestra, Gloria (Mortellaro) Gustafson (East High)