We have Lost Vea Lynne Snyder at Age 81
(posted 12/26/22) WINSTON-SALEM, NORTH CAROLINA — Unfortunately, during the holiday season, Vea Lynne Snyder died December 20, 2022 at the age of 81.
Vea Lynne was with us all through Roosevelt Junior High and all three years of West graduating in 1959.
Vea was very well known for all of her school activities including the May Court, Pep Club, French Entre Nous, 8-5-3 club, and the school orchestra.
A visitation will be held from 5:00 PM - 7:00 PM on Monday, December 26, 2022, at Hayworth-Miller Silas Creek. Burial will take place at a later date in Sunset Memorial Gardens in Machesney Park, IL.
See her obituary for more information, photos, and condolences.
Judy Whitcomb Passed Away at Age 81
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(posted 12/7/22) ROCKFORD, ILLINOIS — Judith Kay (Whitcomb) Severson died December 3, 2022 at the age of 81.
Judy was with us through all three years of West and graduated in 1959.
She leaves her husband Jerry Severson who accopanied her to several reunions including class picnics at Sinnisippi park. They have been married for 60 years. They have two children and two grandchildren.
Memorial visitation will be held from 6:00 PM – 8:00 PM Monday, December 12, 2022 in Honquest Family Funeral Home with Crematory – Mulford Chapel, 4311 N. Mulford Road, Loves Park. In lieu of flowers memorials may be given to the family in care of Judy’s son, Kirk Severson.
See her obituary for more.
Classmate John Myers Passed Away at Age 82
(posted 11/21/22) BROOKLYN CENTER, MINNESOTA — It was less than five months after his wife Judy died (posted 4/2/2022) that classmate John Bruce Myers passed on October 18, 2022 at the age of 82.
John attended Roosevelt Junior High and all three years at West graduating in 1959. He was in the ROTC.
See his obituary link for more details.
Wife of Sante DeMarco Passed Away at Age 79
(posted 11/20/22) PECATONICA, ILLINOIS — Kay DeMarco, wife of Classmate Sante DeMarco, passed away November 16, 2022 at the age of 79. They were married for 58 years. Kay had Parkinson's disease for over twenty years.
A Funeral Mass of the Christian Burial will be held at 10:30 a.m. on Monday, November 28 in St. Mary's Catholic Church, 126 W 5th St, Pecatonica, IL.
See her obituary for more information.
Husband of Barbara Buchli Passed Away at Age 83
(posted 9/27/22) PEWAUKEE, WISCONSIN — Dowell W. Calvert husband of Barbara (Buchli) Calvert passed away August 23, 2022 at the age of 83. They were married 61 years.
See his obituary for more information.
Recent Comments from Classmate John Laurenson
(posted 9/5/22) BRADEY, TEXAS — Thanks for the update Ron. John Laurenson is in the heart of Texas, Brady Texas. Retired from chevron 22, years sailed the gulf of Mexico and Caribbean for 3 years and then work with west marine for 12 years and Retired from them. Bought 14 acres in the country and really Retired. Thanks for all you do for the class of 1959. Something that a ton of people do not know is that there are 2 that's 2 John Laurensons that graduated that day. Me in the morning and my dad that afternoon. Awwwwwsome
Classmate John Dowling Died at Age 80
(posted 9/4/22) THE VILLAGES, FLORIDA — John Edward Dowling passed away August 5, 2022 at the age of 80. He is survived by six children and ten grandchildren. He lost his wife Judy January 3, 2019. Together they attended several West High Class reunions over the years.
A Celebration of Life was held Thursday 11 AM, September 1, 2022 at the Lady Lake Chapel of Beyers Funeral Home in Lady Lake Florida.
The photo on the right is of John and his wife Judy at the 50th reunion:
John attended Washington Junior High and all three years at West graduating in 1959. He was a member of the orchestra.
See his obituary link for more details and to send condolences.
Reunion Committee Begins Planning for 2024
(posted 8/12/22) ROCKFORD, ILLINOIS — Planning for the 2024 Class reunion has begun preparing a mailing to update classmate contact information and to request feedback on possible change of venue format. Future meetings will be held via ZOOM.
Committee members in the photo are L to R Sue (Jarrett) Martinetti, Virginia (Bufalo) Harezlak, Ron Ingrassia, Mary Ann (Cacciatore) Vincent, and Gerry Mastroianni.
Other members not present: Mary Lou (Spinello) and Jim White, Joanne (Zander) Finley
Howard Partch Shares a Story About Climate Anxiety
(posted 8/10/22) ANACORTES, WASHINGTON — Climate anxiety: How to cope with eco-anxiety, from a psychologist:
Ron:
Interesting article in URL below on the earth occasionally speeding up in its rotation and how that might affect peoples’ anxiety about the climate.
Anyway article suggested taking a walk in the woods to relieve stress & get away from today’s constant social media news.
I do enjoy walking and am blessed with a nearby park where I can do a 2 mile loop along the inland waterway up here. I do that early at sunrise three days a week when the weather is cool and not much pedestrian traffic.
And in Rockford, I love the loop trail out on Guilford Road adjacent to the Midway Village Museum. It has open fields and woods to walk thru-very peaceful. Also the River walk along Sinnissippi Gardens is enjoyable.
Walking keeps me in shape and gives me lots of joy. I’m not one to walk every day but walking regularly is important to me.
So I encourage all our classmates to get out there and remember, there is no shame in a cane or whatever helps you along. I have a walking stick I brought down from Alaska that I use to prop me up when the hills slow me down!
Take care.
Howard
https://www.cnbc.com/2022/08/10/how-to-cope-with-climate-anxiety-from-a-climate-psychologist.html
Joanne Whitlow had Died at the Age of 78
(posted 7/23/22) ROCKFORD, ILLINOIS — It was just recently discovered that classmate Joanne Marie Whitlow (Dennison) died May 10, 2019 at the age of 78. She had been on the missing list ever since graduation!
She was connected via her parents and sister all buried near each other in Willwood Burial Park. See her obituary link for more details.
Joanne attended Roosevelt Junior High and all three years at West graduating in 1959. A full obituary could not be found.
Highs and Lows in Leroy Joesten's Life
(posted 7/23/22) PARK RIDGE, ILLINOIS — Following is a story submitted by classmate Leroy Joesten:
Ron,
Thank you for your faithful work of keeping our class of '59 connected. I've not contributed anything before now, but I'd like to share two recent key events in my life if you are able to include them in an upcoming edition of the newsletter. If you need anything in a different format please let me know.
1. Death of my adopted son Andrew. My wife and I adopted Andrew when he was three weeks old while I pastored a small rural church in Northeast Iowa. He was Lakota Sioux by heritage, his birth family residing on the Rosebud Reservation in South Dakota. Andrew died in New Mexico at age 53 in March of this year from a blood infection he contracted while receiving kidney dialysis. Please see an announcement of his death we sent to family and friends earlier this year.
2. In the Fall of 2021 our grandson Rowan Keefe was quarterback for Maine
South High School in Park Ridge, Illinois. Maine South played for the state Class 8 A championship at Northern Illinois University in DeKalb. They lost, but it was an exciting season. Rowan will be playing for Valparaiso University this coming Fall. Please see the picture of Rowan with his parents, our daughter Michelle and son-in-law Jim Keefe (both of Park Ridge, Illinois).
Many thanks.
Leroy (Lee) Joesten
Classmate Bob Buckavekas Died at Age 80
(posted 7/21/22) ROSCOE, ILLINOIS — Robert William Buckavekas passed away July 18, 2022 at the age of 80. He is survived by his wife Barbara who has been his caregiver for years as he struggled with dimishing eyesight. He managed to attend the 55th class reunion and especially enjoyed the tour of West High largely enjoyed through his other heightned senses.
The family has planned a private service. Cremation rites have been accorded. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the family, for a tree to be planted in Bob’s memory.
The photo on the right is of Bob and his wife Barbara at the 55th reunion:
See his obituary link for more details and to send condolences.
John Haggstrom is Gone Too Quickly at 81
(posted 7/7/22) SARASOTA, FLORIDA — Classmate John Charles Haggstrom passed away on June 27, 2022. Although John had Parkinson's Disease, it was a shock to the family that he passed so quickly. They still need more time to grasp the enormity of it all so it may be a while before we see what they plan for his final arrangements and memorial. Meanwhile he has been cremated.
John attended PR Walker Elementary (where he later taught fifth grade in the same room where he was a student), Roosevelt Junior High and all three years at West graduating in 1959. He was a member of the Madrigals A cappella choir and performed in the "Wizard of Oz", a member of the Junior Red Cross and the National Athletic Society. He was also in the ROTC Band, Top Ten, "Circus Daze", "Wonderful Town", and many other activities. His membership in the Forum Club where they discussed national and international events may have set the direction for his future career.
John is Survived by his wife Margaret (Austin) Haggstrom nickname Bandy. They were married for 54 years. See his obituary for photos, condolences and more information.
The following is a comment about John from Sharon (Simpson) Sbragia:
"So sad to hear this! We last saw John on a visit to Italy which coincided with his Germany stay. He was so kind and personable that he was a favorite of our whole family!! ❤️"
Another comment from Ginger (Bufalo) Harezlak:
"Thoughts and prayers for John and his family Thank you Ron!"