Classmate Delores Grenert Passed Away at Age 83
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(posted 12/31/24) ROSCOE, ILLINOIS — We just learned that Delores Jean (Grenert) Trost passed away December 28, 2024 at age 83.
Delores attended Washinton Junior High and all three years at West.
She worked for the Bank of Alex Brown and owned Crafters Mall with her daughter. Her husband George Trost died February 19, 2014.
See her obituary link for more details.
Classmate Don Clark Has Passed at 84
(posted 11/24/24) SALEM, ARKANSAS — We just learned that Donald Eugene Clark passed away September 30, 2024 at the age of 84.
He attended Roosevelt Junior High, and all three years at West High graduating in 1959.
He served in the US Air force and was a Volunteer Fireman in Sturkie, AR. In Rockford, Don retired from Eswing Manufacturing.
He is survived by his wife of 36 years, Naomi Ruth Black-Clark, and one son.
See Don's obituary link for more details.
Classmate Dave Atwood Has Passed at 83
(posted 11/24/24) ROCKFORD, iLLINOIS — We just learned that David Phillip Atwood passed away August 15, 2024 at the age of 83.
He attended Westview Elementary, Roosevelt Junior High, and all three years at West High graduating in 1959. He played violin in the orchestra.
He also served in the US Army through 1966.
David is survived by his wife of 52 years, Mary Atwood, and two children.
See David's obituary link for more details.
Husband of Norma Moody has Passed at 88
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(posted 11/22/24) ROCKFORD, ILLINOIS — John C. Ford, husband of Classmate Norma (Moody) Ford, passed away June 29, 2024 - they were married for 62 years.
John was a Real Estate Broker for Dickerson Nieman retired in 2020. They had two children.
See his obituary for more information.
Classmate Bill Lamps Has Passed at Age 84
(posted 11/5/24) ROCKFORD, ILLINOIS — William Lamps Jr. passed away November 2, 2024 at the age of 84.
He attended all three years at West High graduating in 1959.
He later attended Lincoln Junior College and Iowa Wesleyan receiving a BA degree in Business Administration.
Bill was drafted into the Army in 1964 where he served in Germany as an amulance medic driver. Later he returned to Rockford where he worked for Lamps Elevator Sales and Service.
In 1968 he married Nancy Hills and together they raised three children. Bill and Nancy were married for 52 years when she died April 3, 2021. Her obituary was posted on this website 4/6/21. They have 3 children and 8 grandchildren.
See Bill's obituary link for more details.
Classmate Gerry Lilja Has Passed at Age 82
(posted 9/18/24) FEDERAL WAY, WASHINGTON — Gerald Dale Lilja passed away in his sleep June 17, 2024 at the age of 82.
He attended all three years at West High graduating in 1959.
He later attended Indiana Institute of Technology in Ft. Wayne Indiana graduating in 1963 with a Bachelor of Science in Mechanical Engineering/
Soon after he moved to Seattle Washington where he began a career with Boeing Aviation.
In Seattle at Boeing he met Susan and they married on May 27, 1967. They have been married for 57 years with 3 children, 11 grandchildren, and 9 greatgrandchildren.
See Jerry's obituary link for more details.
Listen to Oldies on the Web by Classmate DJ
(posted 9/14/24) ROCKFORD, iLLINOIS
For over ten years now, classmate Dave Fagen has been playing oldies and soft rock music in Rockford on FM Radio and broadcast to the world on the internet. At our recent class reunion in August, Dave provided background music and created the "Name that Tune " game with prizes given out to the winners at both Friday and Saturday events.
The station is called WTPBLP Rockford Community Radio 99.3 FM. Dave shares the station with a few other radio personalities including Mike Williamson who has played dance music at several of our previous reunions. You can reach the station directly here at WTPBLP.COM or from Google or your favorite browser by entering WTPBLP.COM.
You can hear "Only Oldies" with Dave Fagen at 9:00 AM Mon, Wed, Fri, and Sun and also "Night Music" with Dave Fagen at 7:00 PM on Tues, Thurs, and Sat.
Check the WTPBLP.COM website for more station background, scheduling and additional programming.
Reunion Photos now Available
(posted 9/11/24) ROCKFORD, iLLINOIS
Photos of the reunion have been posted in the "Gallery" section as usual. For those who would like a 4x6 booklet of prints, Julie (Peeples) Thompson, who took the photos, is making a booklet available for a nominal fee plus postage. You can contact Julie by sending an email with your request or questions to either address on the "contact us" page or directly to Julie if you have her email address.
Howard Partch Writes about the Reunion
(posted 9/8/24) ROCKFORD, iLLINOIS
All:
I wanted to send my congratulations for everything that was done by you folks & your support staff to make for a wonderful reunion @ the Lombardi Club.
And I was lucky enough to spend Friday night dinner with Janice & Stan Peterson, Diane Portnoff & Alan Fitzgerald @ Tavern on Clark-great food!
Also Saturday night dinner with Mike & Rachel Messman. Lyle Klugg, Marilyn & Dennis Johnson @ Thunder Bay. See pic.
Thanks again & my best for the remainder of 2024 & years ahead.
Howard
Kaaren (Wellman) Scanio Missed the Reunion because of a Horse Riding Mishap
(posted 9/5/24) QUEEN CREEK, ARIZONA
Thank you so much for sending the new Directory booklet so quickly. I got myself a good cup of coffee, turned on Dvorak’s 9th, my favorite, and spent a fun time carefully looking through it, seeing where people were. It was so pleasant; yet, it certainly filled me with some sadness knowing I had missed all the fun of being together. I certainly did think about you all that Friday and Saturday.
I am happy to report that although I am still limping a bit, I am mobile. It took some rest and PT but I am moving ahead. I have given up mounted teaching, and certainly demonstrating barrel racing. I have only been teaching that for about 12 years and I think I have done my bit for the sport! The largest equestrian center in the Southwest is only about 5 miles from our home. I have also given up aiding in police canine training, and even my local training classes. I have been doing that, as time allowed, for decades.
I learned pretty early in my career that so many things in life fascinate me that totally devoting myself to one discipline would limit my life experience, plus, although I liked the concept of fame and fortune, the fame part of it really cuts into living—and privacy—and I am, by nature, a rather private person. I have many very successful and famous people as friends, and I would not trade places with any of them!!! In my very early career days I changed to my professional name to safeguard the rest of my life. Most people in the classical world keep there own names. At West, my best pal, Chris Saudargas Mason was the only one who knew I spent several weekends a year singing with the Chicago Lyric my senior year.
Deciding to be a B-list opera person, allowed me to pick and choose to some degree when and where I was employed. Looking back at my life now I feel truly blessed and I am deeply grateful. I have been able to pursue all my interests and yet, be very comfortable. Of course being married to just the right fellow who is also successful is a big part of the picture. We have been joyful and have laughed our way through life!! Our two sons are wonderful and successful in their chosen fields, and I have a granddaughter who I think, if she chooses, will be a dramatic first soprano like her grandmother, but better. What more can one ask!
Anyhow, this little incident caused me some introspection and I told myself (with a little kick in the pants by my husband) that it is time to concentrate on the less strenuous things in life. Since we live in Gy, Switzerland at least a third of the year, I have lots of opportunities to help opera companies and singers with difficulties , which I love doing, as well as some performance teaching. Painting is also a great blessing in my life.
I hope everyone had a terrific time at the reunion and that there will be another one in our futures. I am looking forward to the pictures on the web site. You and I never really knew each other in high school. You were Mr. Popular and I was the goofy girl in the music department. I don’t really know how you spent your life but I bet it was a life of great benefit to many people and I hope it has been one filled with happiness. Thank you for being the class “glue” holding us together. My best to the wonderful committee you have, especially my old friend, Susie Jarrett. Picture, Emily (granddaughter 9yrs. Old) took of me a couple of months ago. The top one is of Charlie, a good pal of ours across the table and me in Annecy, France about 45 minutes from our place. It was a great lunch and one of the few photos of us together because usually I take the pictures!!!The latch key is always out to you in both Queen Creek, AZ and Gy, Switzerland-tiny village just outside Geneva.
Sent from my iPad
Hear Phyllis (Taylor) Peterson Sing
(posted 9/2/24) ROCKFORD, ILLINOIS —
Dear Friends,
I will be singing at Inscape Collective, former Just Goods, at 201 Seventh Street in downtown Rockford, on Friday,
September 13th, sometime between 6 and 8 pm. Hope to see some of you there! Gentle thoughts, Phyllis Taylor Peterson
Class of '59.
Classmate Jerry Rotello Has Passed at Age 83
(posted 8/18/24) DURAND, ILLINOIS — Jasper Anthony Rotello passed away August 13, 2024 at Medina Nursing Home. he was 83.
He attended Roosevelt Junior High, and all three years at West High graduating in 1959.
He later attended Loyola University in Chicago graduating in 1963.
He was very popular at West particularly for his role as Cheerleader along with two other Seniors - the late Treasure Johnson and Sally Hoffman.
Jerry worked with the OWL, Forum, and Pep Clubs and was a member of the National Honor Society. He was in the top ten and was active in dramatics participating in Great Daze.
See Jerry's obituary link for more details.
Husband of Sharon Manning has Passed at 90
(posted 7/30/24) ROCKFORD, ILLINOIS — William T. Weigand, husband of Classmate Sharon (Manning) Weigand, passed away July 27, 2024 - they were married for 58 years.
Private memorial service will be held. Inurnment in Sunset Memorial Gardens. To share a memory or a condolence, please visit olsonfh.com.
See his obituary for more information.
Classmate Judy Gsell Passed Away at Age 82
(posted 7/23/24) ROCKFORD, ILLINOIS — We just learned that Judith Lynne (Gsell) Kittle passed away May 17, 2024 at age 82.
Judy attended Roosevelt Junior High and all three years at West graduating in 1959. At West, she was active in the Pan american Club.
She worked at Atwood Vacuum Machine Company for many years. Her husband Ed Kittle died August 10, 2008. They had been married 39 years.
See Judy's obituary link for more details.
Classmate Chris Mattison Passed Away at Age 82
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(posted 7/18/24) WOODRUFF, WISCONSIN — Christen H (Mattison) Kordash has passed July 15, 2024 just 2 days short of her 83rd birthday.
Chris was very active in school activities and was well known to all. She attended all three years at West and graduated in 1959.
Chris leaves two sisters, two children, and two grandchildren.
See her obituary link for more details and condolences.
Shirley Wilson Says Best Wishes to All
(posted 7/5/24) BONITA SPRINGS, FLORIDA — Shirley (Wilson) Blake writes I won't be able to attend the 65th as we will be in CA visiting our son and family at the time of the reunion in August.
Congratulations to all of the classmates that are able to come to the reunion. In brief, after almost 40 years of living in MN (after the army in Texas-my husband was drafted at 25), we chose to move to Florida and forget about snow. I've been painting and parenting since the 70's and continue to enjoy teaching art (in local and national art centers). I'm wondering if there is an upper age limit. However, our health is good and we continue on. Hopefully we can come to the next one-if there is another. Best wishes to all of you.
Classmate Richard Canova Has Passed at 82
(posted 6/29/24) ELK GROVE VILLAGE, ILLINOIS — We just learned that Richard Carl Canova passed away July 26, 2023 at the age of 82.
He attended Roosevelt Junior High, and all three years at West High graduating in 1959.
His career was in education teaching at the high school level Government and Social Studies.
Richard played on the school baseball teams all through Junior and Senior High school. At West, he also sang in A Cappella and was active in dramatics participating in Mikado, Wonderful Town, and Wizard of Oz.
See Richard's obituary link for more details.
Gretchen Lotzer Helps Chicago's Immigrants
(posted 6/29/24) LOGAN SQUARE - CHICAGO, ILLINOIS — Classmate Gretchen (Lotzer) Farbstein, who goes by the career name of Gretchen Moore could be retired and having a leisurely lunch at the Chicago Walnut Room but several years ago everything changed. She'd seen dozens of immigrant men in a lot on Milwaukee and Belmont streets waiting in freezing weather for non-existent work and couldn't sleep. She remembered how a grandfather had sponsored 100 displaced persons after WWII and brought them to America. He implored his 37 grandchildren to always help people out.
So the next day, Gretchen Moore went back and after herding a group of guys into Dunkin Donuts for hot coffee found out things were worse than she thought.
Soon this non-ethnic not bi-lingual woman (shown at the right at our 55th reunion) was out finding clothes, taking guys to the clinic, collecting food donations and commandeering a room in Resurrection Catholic Church at 3043 N. Francisco, Chicago, IL. In a year, she was a licensed 501c3 charity but is still primarily a one woman 24/7 show working with a couple of grass roots priests to help 100's of male Latin immigrants working for the American dream.
This is a real Chicago story of one gutsy woman and two parish priests who stay involved by enabling men who came here to find work survive and feed their families during these trying times.
Gretchen will be attending our 65th reunion and if you wish to donate household items on her "Items to Donate List" there will be a table available.
Husband of Rosanne Cuppini has Passed at 79
(posted 6/13/24) ROCKFORD, ILLINOIS — Larry William Hemmens, husband of Classmate Rosanne Therese (Cuppini) Hemmens, passed away June 11, 2024 - they were married for 52 years.
A memorial Mass will take place at 11:00 AM on Tuesday, June 18, 2024, in Saint Anthony Church, 1010 Ferguson Street with Father Carl Beekman officiating. The visitation will be from 10 AM until the time of service on Tuesday in the church. In lieu of flowers, a memorial will be established by the family.
See his obituary for more information.
Wife of Gerry Mastroianni has Passed at 81
(posted 6/10/24) WINNEBAGO, ILLINOIS — Rose Mastroianni, wife of Classmate Gerald Frank Mastroianni, passed away June 7, 2024 - they were married for 60 years.
Visitation Thursday, June 13, 2024, from 5-7 p.m., in Fitzgerald Funeral Home & Crematory, Riverside Chapel, 3910 N. Rockton Ave. with a Funeral Mass at 11 a.m. on Friday, June 14, 2024, in St. Mary Catholic Church, Pecatonica. A time of visitation will also be held from 10 a.m. until time of the Mass at the church on Friday. Burial in St. Mary Cemetery, Pecatonica.
See her obituary for more information.