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.

Veterans Day

Veterans Day is our most solemn holiday,

honoring all those who have served America

in peace and war, to keep us from harm.

We also remember our forty-eight classmates

who are proud veterans of the US armed forces.

Thank you. We will never forget.

Discover the Web

Ever wish you could surf the Web with ease and dispatch,

discovering new sites like a true cybernaut?

Take a look at StumbleUpon.

Just make a random pick,

or choose a topic that attracts you.

Man vs Food

As I pay the fuel bill and eye my woodpile on this brisk fall eve, Champ Davis sends a brief seasonal note:

The Travel Channel will feature the Den Chili Parlor on "Man vs. Food" on Wed Oct 7 at 9 pm. Also the horseshoe sandwich at another Springfield restaurant! The preview referred to Firebrand Chili as "evil"!

Ah, chili (or chilli): nothing better than a spicy, steamy pot bubbling on the stove as cold weather returns. Check the  Travel Channel for your local schedule; mine says Fri Oct 9 at 8 pm for the Springfield show.

More evidence of spreading fame: the October issue of Gourmet magazine has a feature on horseshoe sandwiches and recommends three local restaurants.

To encourage discussion, here's a recipe for Springfield Chili at a site called Cooking Light. If you have other memories and recipes, send us a comment!

The Past in Color

Do you recall poring over the pages of magazines (Life, Look, National Geographic) and learning to see the world? Two articles on the web sites of popular news magazines show stunning color pictures of the past.

Newsweek has a slide show, In Revolutionary Color, depicting Russia in 1907-1925. The portraits are so vivid they still seem to be living people. 

Time has a slide show, The FSA and the Dawn of Kodachrome, showing color scenes of rural workers and labor migrants in the 1930s. You may glimpse parts of Illinois, before your time.

End of Summer

Larry Workman

Labor Day brings the end of summer, the start of school. 

Here's a film on this rite of passage by Jeff Scher, a painter and writer.

For me, September always seems the best month to travel.

Are you going anywhere?

State Fair Film

from MSNBC.com

The State Fair went by quickly this summer.

In keeping with these hard times,

Admission was $3.00, and many attractions were free.

If you missed it, there's a nice quick film

On the '58 web site: look under Video.
And for a view of the annual Butter Cow, click here.
This one munches grass beside a book-reading Abe Lincoln.
(thanks to Judi Dunkel Headrick for the tip)

Blogger or Facebook?

Friends,

We've been on Blogger for four years. I just made some changes to the interface, adding the "slide show" in the upper right corner. We also now have a Follower page, for those of you who want to show your reader loyalty.

But I'm beginning to wonder if we might do better over on FaceBook. Some of you may have signed in there to stay in touch with friends or family. (Anne and I have a presence there as Dana Hand, to promote our first novel.)

FaceBook is an easier way for me (and you) to write brief notes about our lives, memories, and reunion plans. It lets you stay in touch with close friends, relatives, and colleagues. Writing comments and sharing pictures or videos is a snap.

I enjoy writing the blog, but it's a lot of work and there aren't many comments. The site gets much traffic, but most viewers "lurk" and don't say anything. Facebook is far easier to navigate, add comments, and share pictures. We all get to contribute.

So I've created a trial Group page called SHS Class of 1958. Please stop by and sign on as a Fan. You won't get any spam, and it could be much more fun for all of us. (Reunion Committee, post all of your notes there!)

Will

PS: Never fear, we won't abandon Blogger.

Isabelle Blazis

Isabelle Blazis
SPRINGFIELD - Isabelle Blazis, 95, of Springfield died at 1 p.m. on Wednesday, Aug. 12, 2009, at Lewis Memorial Christian Village. Isabelle was born Nov. 10, 1913, in New Baden, the daughter of William and Ann Zitchaukus Luishes. She married John A. Blazis; he preceded her in death in 1991. Isabelle was a homemaker and a devoted wife and mother. She was a member of Christ the King Parish and also belonged to the Lithuanian-American Club. Isabelle enjoyed crocheting, quilting, gardening, and reading. She was also preceded in death by her son, Robert Blazis in 2001; her parents; three sisters, Catherine Luishes, Margaret Zia and Anna Kuzmisky; and one brother, William Luishes. She is survived by her son, John Blazis Jr. of Springfield and Punta Gorda, Fla.; four grandchildren, Michael Blazis of Chatham, Denise Blazis-Mataya of Petersburg, Stephen (wife, Jennifer) Blazis of Chatham, and Mark (wife, Sue) Blazis of LaGrange; three great-grandchildren, Sydney, Vincent and Isabelle; one niece; and one nephew. Family will receive friends from 10 a.m. until the time of Mass at 11 a.m. on Friday, Aug. 14, 2009, at Christ the King Parish, 1930 Barberry, Springfield, with Rev. Msgr. David S. Lantz celebrant. Burial will follow at Calvary Cemetery. Memorial contributions may be made to Christ the King, 1930 Barberry Dr., Springfield, IL 62704. The family of Isabelle Blazis is being served by Kirlin-Egan and Butler Funeral Home, 900 S. 6th St., Springfield. Please visit Isabelle's online life story at www.butlerfuneralhomes.com to offer your condolences.

Getting Older

We hear a lot of bad news about old age, and the most annoying is that we are a drag on the younger generation. You know: they will have to support us and, God forbid, listen to our moldy stories about the good old days when Cokes were a nickel.

The US Census bureau says that by 2020 elders will outnumber the young, world-wide. Bad news? Not at all, according to this article. Longer lives also bring to the world better education, greater wealth, less disease or war, and happier lives. And green technology to improve the health of our planet.

Growing older? Rejoice.

Memories of Pop

(Click to enlarge)

When you were growing up, what did you call a soft drink? Pop? Coke? Soda? Champ Davis once told me that in southern Illinois, a Coke was Dope. In New England, the favored name is Tonic.

Check out this map in the Boston Globe. Springfield lies on the Pop/Soda line, north and south. Wisconsin has a similar division, but east-west. The usage is regional (North, South, West), following historic patterns of migration and settlement. 

Ah, the many good memories of Pop. If you drank it on site, five cents a bottle; otherwise, an extra penny for the return.  All the bright colors of Nehi: orange, grape, strawberry, lemon; the tangy sweet of root beer (A&W, Dad's, Hires); the varieties of cola (RC, Pepsi) or lemon-lime (7-Up, Bubble-Up), and one odd favorite of mine, Squirt.

In small grocery stores, the "vending machine" was a metal ice chest full of cold water. Plunge your hand down into that dark pool, groping for a bottle. Bring them up, one after another, until you have your prize: ginger ale, Coke, grape Nehi. Nothing better on a hot summer day. Do you have Pop memories?

Summer

Wherever you are today,

Happy 4th of July,

Independence Day,

Summertime.

May you have a safe and sane holiday!
PS: Enjoy this card from Libbie.