Savanna Reunion

The near-annual reunion of the Hart-Sandlin clans transpired this year in Savannah, GA, where Dick and Ann Tobin Hart often meet with Bob and Leslie Heineke Sandlin. Savannah is a place to escape wintry Springfield and view a St. Patrick's Day parade, featuring a team of the world-famous Budweiser Clydesdales. The parade is the second largest in the USA, taking three hours to pass and viewed by a third of a million spectators. 

Another exciting event will be April 15, when Robert Redford releases his historical thriller, The Conspirator, about the assassination of Abraham Lincoln. Filmed at Savannah locations, the movie makes extensive use of the Sandlin's former home, especially the scene where Lincoln lies on his deathbed in a "boarding house" while his Cabinet meets in a nearby parlor. This film was a big hit at the Sundance Festival; watch for it in your local theaters.

Leslie, Bob, Ann, Dick

Pictures by Dick Hart

Gordon Jones

Harmony Boys (1958); Gordon second from left.

Gordon R. Jones died on March 30, 2011 at his home in Springfield. He was born June 21, 1940 in Roodhouse, the son of James I. and Rebecca Spencer Jones. Surviving are his mother, Rebecca “Reba” Jones-Tull of Springfield, four stepsisters, eleven cousins; their extended families, and his life-long childhood friends. His father preceded him in death in 1991. 

Gordon was the original drummer for the Harmony Boys, Springfield's first country-rock band. At a 1958 telethon in the Abe Lincoln Hotel, a "Battle of the Bands" pitted The Harmony Boys against Hobie Henson's Red Devils. The match was even until Gordon's drum solo: he jumped up and danced around his white Slingerland drum set, twirling sticks in the air and not missing a beat. This act astonished the band and brought the house down.

He graduated from Springfield High School in 1958. After high school, he served in the U.S. Navy. Following graduation from Arizona State University, he pursued a career as director of OSHA and Risk Management for the State of Arizona. He was a Mason for 44 years and a member of the Springfield Ansar Shrine. He enjoyed art, hiking, and mountain climbing. He climbed Mt. Whitney twice. Gordon also enjoyed restoring motorcycles and his 1948 Willys Jeep. 

Funeral services will be held 3:00 p.m. Sunday, April 3 at the Mackey Daws Funeral Home in Roodhouse with interment in the Murrayville Cemetery in Murrayville. Visitation will be Sunday from 1:00 p.m. until time of the service at the funeral home. Memorials are suggested to the Murrayville Cemetery or Memorial Hospice. Condolences may be left on line at www.mackeydaws.com. Pictures of the funeral are at this site.

Melba Engel Frederick

Melba Elsie Adeline (Engel) Frederick, 94, a life-long resident of Springfield, died on Thursday, March 24, 2011. She was born April 1, 1916 in Springfield, the daughter of Melvin and Louise Seaman Engel. 

Melba graduated from Springfield High School in 1934 and married John Alfred Frederick on November 26, 1934. Her first job was in 1934 at Dazee's Orange Juice Store. She was employed by Thrifty Drug Company from 1952 until her retirement in 1978. She was also a tour guide with Presley Tours throughout the 1970's. Melba volunteered at Memorial Medical Center for over 20 years. She was a member of First Christian Church for more than 60 years; active in the Christian Women's Fellowship and a member of Lincoln Circle of King's Daughters. Melba enjoyed life to the fullest, participating in many hobbies and activities, including playing on a women's softball league in the 1930's, pinochle clubs, ceramics, traveling and camping. She was known among her close friends as the "Camp Director."

Her husband of 71 years, Al Frederick, preceded her in death on May 30, 2006. She is survived by her four daughters, Shirley Tonjes of Albuquerque, NM, Janet, Suellen and Jeri Frederick, all of Springfield. One of her joys in life was spending time with her grandchildren, Rick (Wanda), Gary (Leann), and Stephen (Laura) Tonjes, Elisabeth (Josh) Hillman and Emma Frederick; eight great-grandchildren; Cody, Eric, Jerra, Jessica, Brandt, Julia and Luken Tonjes, and Eva Hillman. She is also survived by a brother, Quentin S. Engel of Springfield; and many nieces, nephews and cousins.

Visitation: Family will receive friends from 10:00-11:00 a.m. on Saturday, April 2, 2011 at Kirlin-Egan & Butler Funeral Home, 900 S. 6th St., Springfield. Funeral Ceremony: 11:00 a.m. on Saturday, April 2, 2011 at Kirlin-Egan & Butler Funeral Home. Burial will follow at Oak Ridge Cemetery. Memorial contributions may be made to: Central Illinois Food Bank, 2000 E. Moffat Ave., Springfield, IL 62702 or First Christian Church, 700 S. 6th Street, Springfield, IL 62703.

Sandra Castles Skeeters

Sandra Castles Skeeters, 70, of Springfield, formerly of Bethalto, died at 7:07 am, Thursday, March 10, 2011 at Sunny Acres Nursing Home in Petersburg, Illinois. 

She was born October 2, 1940 in Springfield, Illinois to Donald E. and Eloise C. Velie Castles. She married Joseph L. Skeeters on February 21, 1959 and he preceded her in death on June 4, 1992. Her father and one brother, Kenneth Castles also preceded her in death. 

Surviving are one daughter, Traci K. Skeeters (life partner: Nick Mably); mother, Eloise Castles of Springfield, three grandchildren, Christina, Zachary and Brianna Skeeters; one brother, Donald Castles of Florida and several nieces, nephews and cousins. 

Sandra was an Executive for the Illinois State Lottery. She loved spending time with her grandchildren and fishing.

Visitation was on Sunday, March 13, 2011 with a funeral service on Monday, March 14, at Staab Funeral Home with Rev. Vaughn Beeman officiating. Burial will be in Oak Ridge Cemetery.

Memorial Contributions may be made to the Alzheimer’s Association.

Miss Lois Body

SPRINGFIELD - Lois Maurine Body, 96, of Springfield, died February 15, 2011 at Gilman Nursing Home, Gilman, IL.

She was born near Woodland on March 23, 1914, the daughter of Clarence William and Florence Edna Body.

Miss Body graduated from Watseka Community High School; received her bachelor's degree in education from Illinois State University; and her master's in liberal arts from the University of Illinois. In her undergraduate days, she was a member of Kappa Delta Pi, Pi Gamma Mu, and Kappa Delta Epsilon. She belonged to the Woodland United Methodist Church.

Before retirement in 1972, she taught at Rutland, Fisher, Pekin, Feitshans, Springfield College in Illinois, Lincoln Land Community College, and Springfield High School.

Preceding her in death were her parents.

Cremation rites have been accorded. Interment will be in Oak Ridge Memorial Chapel Mausoleum. Boardman-Smith Funeral Chapel is in charge of arrangements. Sign the online guest book at www.boardman-smith.net

Memorial Contributions may be made to the United Methodist Church in Woodland, IL or to the Iroquois County Historical Society in Watseka, IL.

Published in The State Journal-Register on February 19, 2011

On the Road

Dick and Ann Tobin Hart have returned to Springfield after a month on the road, visiting family and friends.  They spent Christmas with their daughter in Austin, TX, New Year's in Santa Fe, NM, and in Santa Monica, CA, visited their son and an old friend from Butler-SHS days, Arnold "Sonny" Myerstein. 

Sonny's wife, Jeri, is a school friend of Louise Taper, whom the Harts know as a Lincoln collector. Louise put on a dinner at her Beverly Hills home, which produced the picture above: (l to r) Dick Hart, Jeri Myerstein, Sonny Myerstein, and Ann Hart on January 17, 2011. (Please note the severe winter conditions.)

Louise showed pieces of her collection, items about Abraham and Mary Lincoln and John Wilkes Booth. Ann and Sonny talked of the good old days at home. He is still close to his Springfield neighbors, Charlie Adams and Fred Hoffmann '59. Sonny and Jeri both plan a return to Springfield before long.

On the return trip, the Harts made their first visit to Las Vegas, NV, and then drove the Plains back to Prairie land. Their faithful pooch, Sammie, made the journey with them. As Dick reports, "…the trip was a long drive for old folks, but it was on our bucket list."

If you have news and pictures to share, please send them to Will Howarth. 

Will Tranquilli

The following obituary, by Devin Carroll, appears on the Community Alliance web site, dated November 1, 2010. 

With sorrow, we announce the peaceful passing of William James Tranquilli on September 3, 2010, after a lingering illness. A well-known activist for many causes, Will enjoyed living in Fresno for many years.

Will was born April 13, 1940, in Springfield, Illinois, to Joseph and Martha Tranquilli. Will learned his activism from his parents. Martha, whose activism began in her youth, was a shining example who taught her children the basics of social protest. Martha served as a peace witness for the Women’s International League for Peace and Freedom during the federal government’s occupation of Wounded Knee reservation and prior to that was incarcerated for nine and a half years in federal prison at Terminal Island as a tax protester.

Will graduated from Springfield High School and Southern Illinois University with a degree in communications. Will’s activism began in high school where, for the debate team, he took the position in favor of the legalization of prostitution. In college, Will worked with the Student Nonviolent Coordinating Committee in Cairo, Illinois, and later in Mississippi.

In his teens, Will suffered from a nasty bout of polio. He spent many months in an iron lung, which may have given him his sense of compassion. The doctors said he would never walk again, but his tenacity proved them wrong.

In the early 1970s, the family relocated to California, eventually settling in Dobbins in the Sierra Nevada foothills, where his brothers Joseph and Vincent still reside. Will later moved to Fresno.

Will worked for a myriad of causes, including tenant’s rights, gay rights, free speech and Americans for Democratic Action, just to name a few. He was a prominent member of Health Care for All in Fresno.

Will often attended the Fresno Friends Meeting and enjoyed meetings of the Humanists of the San Joaquin Valley.

Will’s razor sharp wit and contagious sense of humor will be sorely missed by all who knew him. His latest passions were the struggle for the rights of the disabled and world peace. Now Will has found his peace.

CE Welch

Clarence "CE" Welch, Jr., 70, of Springfield, died at 2:04 p.m. on Wednesday, December 22, 2010 at Memorial Medical Center. He was born on August 10, 1940 in Quincy, the son of Clarence E. and Juanita Schroder Welch. He married Joleen Fox on May 30, 1970 in Springfield.

CE graduated from Springfield High School and served on its Class of 1958 Reunion Committee for 52 years. He earned his Bachelor's of Science in Education from SIU Carbondale and his Master's from the U of I Springfield. He served in the U.S. Army during Vietnam from 1966-1967. He formerly taught at Grant Middle School and retired from Southeast High School in 1998. 

CE was a member of Phi Delta Tau Fraternity and very active in Springfield and IL Education Assoc. He was also past president of the IL High School and College Driver Ed Assoc., the American Driver & Traffic Safety Ed Assoc. and Phi Delta Kappa. CE was a member and Sunday School teacher at Central Baptist Church. He enjoyed fishing, golfing and traveling.

He was preceded in death by his parents and is survived by his wife, Joleen of Springfield; son, Chad Allyn Welch of San Diego; daughter, Kitty Joy and her husband, Frank Springhart of San Antonio, TX; aunt, Helen Welch and many cousins.

Family will receive friends from 3:30-7:00 p.m. on Monday, December 27, 2010 at Central Baptist Church, 504 S. 4th St., Springfield. Following visitation, cremation will be accorded by Butler Cremation Tribute Center.

A funeral ceremony will be held at 10:30 a.m. on Tuesday, December 28, 2010 at Central Baptist Church with Rev. Reg Mills officiating. Burial will follow at Camp Butler National Cemetery with military honors.

Memorial contributions may be made to: Central Baptist Church, 504 S. 4th St., Springfield, IL 62703 or American Diabetes Association, 2580 Federal Dr., Ste. 403, Decatur, IL 62526.

The family of CE Welch, Jr. is being served by Kirlin-Egan & Butler Funeral Home, 900 S. 6th St., Springfield.

Allan Stephens

Major Allan Durand Stephens, 70, husband of Rev. Mary Lou Stephens, died Tuesday, December 14, 2010, at the Hospice Compassionate Care Center of Richmond.

He was born on June 2, 1940, in Springfield, Illinois, to Charles Bennett Stephens and Cordelia Jane Crout Stephens, both of whom preceded him in death. He attended and received his BS degree from Southern Illinois University, and later received his teaching certificate from the University of Texas at Austin. Allan completed his Masters degree at Southwest Texas University at San Marcus. He proudly served his country in the U. S. Air Force during the Vietnam conflict.

He served as band director at Model Laboratory School, in Richmond, for 24 years. Music and Ham Radio were his life. He was a member of the Central Kentucky Concert Band, the Richmond Area Community Band and the Rose Barn Theatre. He belonged to the Ham Radio Club and his call sign was N5AIT. Allan was a member of the First United Methodist Church, where he proudly took part in the music program by playing hand-bells and singing in the choir.

In addition to his loving wife, Mary Lou, of Richmond, he is survived by one daughter, Susan Zarzycki (Scott) of North Hollywood, California; one granddaughter, Natalie Zarzycki; one brother, C. Bennett Stephens, Jr.; one sister, Dee Dee Gain of Springfield, IL; two step-brothers, Russ Fues of Memphis, TN and Don Fues of Columbia, MO; one sister-in-law, Barb Stephens-Rich of Sandusky, OH; and numerous nieces and nephews. He also leaves an “extended family” of students and MADD (Music Art Drama Dance) Camp Campers.

Memorial Services will be held later. Friends may sign the Guest Book at the Oldham, Roberts, & Powell Funeral home web site.

A Cappella Choir

Judy Sink Stephens Scott 

sent this photo of the 1957 a cappella choir.

Can you still identify the names and faces?

(Click on it to enlarge.)

Nina K. Chesebro

Nina K. Chesebro

NORMAL-Nina K. Chesebro, 95 of Normal, IL, formerly of Saunemin and Springfield, Il died Sunday, November 7, 2010 at Advocate BroMenn Regional Medical Center, Normal, IL.

Her memorial service will be held on Friday, November 12, 2010 at 11:00 am at Saunemin United Methodist Church with Pastor David Phillips officiating. Cremation rites have been accorded. Inurnment will be at Sunnyslope Cemetery in Saunemin, IL. There will be no visitation. Memorials in Nina's name may be made to Saunemin United Methodist Church. Martin Funeral home, Pontiac is handling the arrangements.

Nina was born July 21, 1915 in Saunemin, IL, a daughter of Ralph and Katharine (Kyser) Chesebro. Nina was preceded in death by her parents, 2 Sisters: Patricia and Ruth and 1 brother in infancy.

Nina was educated in Saunemin Schools. She received her B.S. in Education from Illinois State Normal University and her M.S. of Education degree from the University of Illinois. Nina taught school for 2 ½ years in a rural 1 rooms school in Livingston Co. She then taught for 6 ½ years at Saunemin Grade School and then for 31 years in Butler, Lawrence and Franklin Schools in Springfield, Illinois.

She was a 50 year member of Saunemin United Methodist Church. She was a member of the Gamma Theta Upsilon at ISNU and Kappa Delta Pi at University of Illinois. She was also a member of the Sigma Delta Pi Sorority. Nina also was a member of the Springfield Education Association, the Illinois Education Association and National Education Association, The Lincoln Land Retired Teachers and Illinois Retired Teachers Association. Nina was a member of the Pontiac Elks Ladies Golf Association for many years and the ISU Women's Golf Association. She participated for many years in South East Iowa Golf Tournament and the Illinois State Amateur Tournament.

This obituary may be viewed and private condolences left at www.martin-funeralhomes.com

Photograph by Jo Ankeny Lindamood, ca. 1953-54

George Sabo

JONESBORO, LA - George Matthew Sabo, 70 of Jonesboro, LA died Tuesday, September 14, 2010 at home. He was born June 20, 1940 in Springfield, IL, the son of George and Erma Furlich Sabo. They preceded him in death. He married Pat Sabo in 1962, she preceded him in death in 2005.

He was a Seabee in the United States Navy. After 33 years, he retired from the Smurfit Stone Container Company in Hodge, LA.

George married Elaine Holsomback of Jonesboro on June 14, 2010 and she survives. He is also survived by son, Mark Sabo of Simsboro, LA, grandchildren, Stephen Sabo (Tammy) of GA, Nikki Rivera (Alex) of GA, Robert James Sabo of Simsboro, LA, Tasha Sabo of Simsboro, LA, 8 great-grandchildren, 2 great-great grandchildren, step-children, Angie Caskey (Eddie) of Dallas, TX, Jennifer Norred and Erin Bowen (Rhett) of Jonesboro, LA, step-grandchildren Jayden Caskey and Oren Caskey of Dallas, TX, Cole Wise, Karley Wise, Cameron Bowen all of Jonesboro, LA, very special friends Gary and Susan Hinkley of Jonesboro, LA, sister, Sharon Kirberg of Springfield and brother, Larry Sabo of Petersburg, aunts, Betty Tarr and Carolyn Daley, uncle, Carl (Rita) Sabo all of Springfield, niece, nephews and many cousins.

His funeral service was Friday, September 17, 2010 in Jonesboro, LA, at the Southern Funeral Home. Burial was in the Garden of Memories Cemetery.

Memorials may be made to Jonesboro Masonic Lodge #280, 209 Main St., Jonesboro, LA 71251.    Visit Guest Book

Rogers E. Baker

BAKER, Rogers E. Passed away September 22, 2010 at home after a long illness. Beloved husband, father, grandfather, friend and coach. 

Survived by his wife, Bonnie Bruce Baker; children, Karen (John) Clinkscales, Rochelle (Romeo) Stockett, Rogers Sean (Jacqueline) Baker, Thor (Amy) Catalogne, Jason Catalogne and Dominic (Alethia McGarvey) Baker; grandchildren, Kamila (Kasmir) Evans, Asha, Tabia & Salihah Clinkscales, Nichelle & Herman Robert Pate, Rogers Ian, Marisela & Luna Baker, Lucie, Cole & Luke Catalogne; two great-grandchildren; goddaughter, Legny Uban; nieces, nephews, cousins & many friends. 

Visitation will be Sunday, September 26, 2010 from 1 to 3, with Memorial Service to follow at 3 p.m., at West End United Methodist Church, 2200 West End Ave. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to St. Mary's Adult Day Care, 30 White Bridge Road, Nashville, TN 37205 or to Alive Hospice, 1718 Patterson St., Nashville, TN 37203. Visit Guest Book

Don Nelle

Donald E. Nelle, 71, of Springfield, died at his home on Thursday, September 2, 2010. Born on March 24, 1939, in Springfield, Don was the son of Richard S. Nelle and Monita E. Nelle. He married Sandra J. Evans on December 26, 1960, in Springfield at Blessed Sacrament Catholic Church.

A graduate of Cathedral Boys High School, Don earned an engineering degree at the Univ. of North Dakota. His career included work for Pillsbury, Kraft, and Del Monte.

Preceded in death by his wife and father, Don's survivors include his son, Evan Nelle, of Cambridge, MD; a daughter, Jeanne Travers of Fargo, N.D.; his mother, Monita Nelle of Springfield; four grandchildren, Beth (Kevin) Secrist, Lesli (Scott) Hurley, Stefany Travers and Andrea (Cory) Dean; five great-grandchildren, Colin Secrist, Clay Wilson, Kendall Secrist, Hallie Jo Wilson and Johnathon Dean; and siblings, Dick (Bev) Nelle of Springfield, Jan (Alice) Nelle of Springfield, Pat (Joyce) Nelle of Huntsville, AR, Mike Nelle of Minier, IL, Marianne (Leo) Lombari of Huntsville, AR and Kathleen Nelle Davis of West Fork, AR.

The family will receive friends from 11:00 am to 12:00 pm on Thursday, September 9, 2010, at Kirlin-Egan & Butler Funeral Home, 900 S. 6th St., Springfield. A funeral ceremony will be held at 12:00 p.m. on Thursday, September 9, 2010 at Kirlin-Egan & Butler Funeral Home, Rev. Robert Jallas officiating. Burial will follow at Oak Hill Cemetery.

Memorial contributions may be made to St. Agnes Catholic Church, 245 N. Amos Ave., Springfield, IL 62702. Friends may sign a guest book at the funeral home web site.

Byron Hathorne / Hathhorn

Byron Hathorne (also Hathhorn)

SPRINGDALE, Ark. - Byron (Barney) Ellis Hathorne, 71, of Springdale, Ark. died Friday, July 16, 2010, in Fayetteville, Ark.

He was born April 12, 1939, in Springfield, the son of Byron Ellis and Mildred Lorene (Kramer) Hathorne Sr.

He was the owner of Barney's Auto Parts and Service and Barney's Auto Sales. He served in the Illinois Air National Guard. Byron was a Mason and Shriner, and a member of Bear Creek and Christian Ambassadors Fishing Clubs. He was a past member of the Hope Evangelical Free Church and Westside Christian Church of Springfield, and was a recent member of the First Baptist Church in Springdale, Ark.

He was an avid fisherman and woodworker, flew his own airplane, loved playing cards with friends, doing good deeds for his neighbors, and he built five houses, and could fix anything that had an engine.

Byron was preceded in death by his parents. He is survived by his wife of 49 years, Carol Hathorne of the home; a daughter, Jodi Stamper of Lowell, Ark.; a son, Doug Hathorne and wife Dianna of Springfield; four grandchildren, David (wife, Andrea), Lindsay, Andrew and Brianna Fairfield; one great-granddaughter, McKenna; an aunt and uncle, Robert and Rosetta (Zett) Anderson; and several cousins.

Memorial services will be held at 11 a.m. Tuesday, July 20, 2010, at the Chapel of the First Baptist Church in Springdale, Ark., with Pastor Charlie Foster officiating.

Memorials may be made to the First Baptist Church, 1709 Johnson Road, Springdale, AR 72762.

To sign the online guest book please visit www.nelsonberna.com

Arrangements are under the direction of Nelson-Berna Funeral Home and Crematory of Fayetteville, Ark.

Published in The State Journal-Register on July 18, 2010

Charles Harmony

ASHLAND - Charles B. Harmony, 69, of Ashland died at 3:50 p.m. Monday, May 31, 2010, at Heritage Manor Nursing Home in Springfield. He was born September 7, 1940, in Springfield, Illinois to Louis and Ella Darnaby Harmony. His parents preceded him in death. Also preceding him in death were 4 sisters, Louise Fishwick, Lillie Bain, Lela Dykes and LuVina Brown.

He is survived by his special friend, Joe Willis of Ashland; 3 brothers Henry (Gerry) Harmony of Springfield, Lewis (Anna) Harmony of Chatham and Benjamin (Helen) Harmony of Springfield; several nieces, nephews and cousins; and several great-nieces and nephews.

Charles was a resident of Ashland since 1997 and formerly lived in Ludlow Falls, Ohio. He worked for a ceramic mold company in Ohio and retired from the Sangamon County circuit clerk's office as an assistant manager of the phone center. He was a U.S. Army veteran and a volunteer at Senior Services of Central Illinois where he worked in the ceramics department and also volunteered for Gift of Hope. He enjoyed music and played in the Harmony Brothers Band with his brother, Ben.

Visitation will be from 4-7 p.m. Thursday, June 3, 2010, at Staab Funeral Home. Funeral service will be at 10 a.m. Friday, June 4, 2010, at Staab Funeral Home, Pastor Mark Gifford officiating. Burial will be at Oak Ridge Cemetery. Memorials may be made to Memorial Medical Center VNA Home Hospice. 

Grade School Days

In 2008, I rashly promised to produce a DVD for our 50th reunion. It was to contain early school pictures, music, films, and all sorts of memorabilia. 

Then my life got complicated with retirement, shipping books, injury and surgery, family deaths, and publication of a first novel.

Meanwhile, technology moved on. It's now possible to post on the Web most of the contents I envisioned for the DVD.

So I begin today with an album of pictures from our Grade School Days, 1945-54. It's 21 pictures sent in by Don Arenz, Lynn Prater Chandler, Jey Schien Kramer, and Allan Stephens. The featured schools are Dubois, Hay-Edwards, Lawrence, Stuart, West Grand, and Miss Joe's Nursery.

More will follow, including the 50 pictures now in the Grade School Pictures of our '58 Album. 

Jan Schermerhorn Killian

HICKORY, N.C. - Margaret Jan Schermerhorn Killian, 69, of Hickory, N.C., and formerly of Springfield, IL, passed away on Monday, January 25, 2010, at Frye Regional Medical Center in Hickory, N.C. Born July 3, 1940, in Springfield, IL, she was the daughter of the late Roland Earl and Eloise Dudley Schermerhorn.

She is survived by her husband, Alfred John Killian of the home; two daughters, Diane Killian Wesson (husband, Gene) of Claremont, N.C. and Donna Killian Collins (husband, Philip) of Hickory, N.C.; a brother, James D. Schermerhorn (wife, Darlene) of Sherman, IL; a grandson, Cody Wesson of Claremont, N.C.; a granddaughter, Natalie Collins of Hickory, N.C.; a number of nieces and nephews, and her faithful cat, Kittyboy.

The funeral service will be held at 11:00 a.m. on Thursday, January 28, 2010, at Mt. Olive Lutheran Church, with Pastors David Keck and Scott Berry officiating. Burial will follow at Woodlawn Memorial Gardens. The family will receive friends on Wednesday evening from 6 to 7:30 p.m. at Bass-Smith Funeral Home.

Memorials may be made to Mt. Olive Lutheran Church, 2780 N. Center St., Hickory, NC 28601. Online condolences may be left for the Killian family at www.bass-smithfuneralhome.com. Bass-Smith Funeral Home is serving the family of Margaret Jan Schermerhorn Killian.

Bill Benedict

The obituary below is for the husband of Delores Squires Benedict '58. 
The class extends its sympathy to DeeDee and her family.

William H. Benedict "Bill" Jr.

Benedict Jr., William "Bill" H., 72, of Pompano Beach, FL, passed away December 30, 2009. Bill was born In Washington, D.C., to Lt. Cmdr. William and Mary Benedict. He served in the Navy from 1957-1959 and was on the USS Mitscher as 2nd Class Fire Control Tech. He earned a BS in Physical Science from Illinois State University and an MA in Education from Florida Atlantic University. He taught in the Broward County public school system, and at the Mills School for Children with Learning Disabilities. He was an active member of the 1st United Methodist Church of Pompano Beach, serving on the board of Trustees, teaching Sunday school, a Scout Master, Volunteer at the Thrift Shop, and a Stephen Minister. He is survived by his loving wife of 52 years, Delores; children Michael (Marissa ), N. Hollywood, CA, Kathleen Bruhnke, Ft. Myers, FL, and Amanda (Michael) Vlader, Tamarac, FL, and grandchildren: Melissa, Katelyn, Andrew, Cori and Jason. There will be a Celebration of Bill's life on Jan. 9th at 11 am in the Chapel, 201 NE 2nd. Street, at Christ United Methodist Church Pompano Beach Campus. No flowers, please. Donations to the Outreach Program of Christ United Methodist Church Pompano or the Outreach Program at the Davie United Methodist Church. Officiating at the Celebration service will be Rev. Lynn Batista and Rev. Fawn Mikel. The family would like to give a special Thank You to the nursing team from Vitas Hospice.

Harvey Najim

Harvey Najim, Bob Wicks, CE Welch

From 5th to 8th grade, I ran a paper route in Leland Grove, and on many a cold morning Champ Davis and I folded State Journals in the garage of another Butler classmate, Harvey Najim. Harvey was quick and funny; but while we read the comics, he scanned the financial news. We should have followed his lead.

Today Harvey is a wealthy Texan, the chairman and CEO of Sirius Computer Solutions, which sells IBM mid-range computers to corporations across the USA. The kid who grew up on Bates Avenue collects antique cars, owns a lake house, and flies to meetings in his private plane.

Lately, Harvey's life has shifted from business to service. "I want all kids to have the same opportunities as mine," he says. In 2006 he donated $75 million to create the Harvey E. Najim Family Foundation, which supports children's charities in San Antonio. Grants range from small to large; in just two years, the Foundation has disbursed over $21 million. BusinessWeek lists our classmate among the Fifty Top American Givers.

The Foundation's work centers on prevention of abuse or neglect, childhood diseases from cancer to autism to Down's syndrome, and educational opportunity. San Antonio has the highest school drop-out rate in the USA, a statistic Harvey wants to change.

Behind his generosity is the surprising news that he flunked out of college. After finishing SHS, he began in pre-med at Washington U, then moved on to Kansas U, but still couldn't settle down. Finally he turned to Wichita State, majored in math, and earned his degree in 1964. 

With an ROTC commission, he served in the data-processing unit of Brook Army Medical Center, in Fort Sam Houston. After military life he worked for Boeing and then IBM in Atlanta, Dallas, and San Antonio. In 1980 he formed Star Data Systems, which in 1997 became Sirius Computer Solutions, named for the brightest star.

Harvey's father was born in Beirut, now the capitol of Lebanon. In 1918 he emigrated to Springfield and joined his brother to run the Lincoln Candy Company, distributors of candy and tobacco in central Illinois. Harvey's mother was from Wichita, home of a Lebanese community since the 1890s. Their marriage produced four boys, of which Harvey is the eldest. In his own family life, he raised two daughters and now enjoys three grandchildren.

Philanthropy energizes Harvey. He pins notes from children on his office wall, visits neighborhood centers, and gives pep talks to kids on the importance of education. The math is simple, he says: education brings earnings, which make for a better quality of life. His politics are practical and progressive. His thoughts on President Obama: "He's smart, articulate, and he knows it’s the right thing to help the less fortunate."

Sounds much like Harvey. The honors he has received to date: Lifetime Achievement from IBM and VARBusiness, Friend of San Antonio Youth, San Antonio Business Hall of Fame, and soon he may join a university board of trustees. If anyone from '58 deserves to be in our SHS Hall of Fame, it's Harvey Najim, and I hope that our Reunion Committee will nominate him.