70th BIRTHDAY CELEBRATION

As many of you know, for several years, we have been planning a celebration of our 70th birthdays in Maggie Valley.  All class members were invited and 11 of our class made the leap to come to Maggie Valley and Joyce Beery Miles lives there.  With spouses and classmates, we had 22 people celebrating from Friday evening to Sunday noon.  The weather was perfect as this is a rarety in August, so we all had a great time outdoors in the Pavilion at Smoky Falls Lodge.  There was plenty of snack foods as well as a wide range of drinks for all.  For dinner, we traveled down the road less than a mile to a local hang out called "Butts on the Creek" where we enjoyed ordering from a varied menu and having the outside covered deck to ourselves.  A big storm skirted the area and totally passed us by.

Saturday, everyone was on their own to explore the area.  Eight of the folks went to Biltmore House in Asheville.  Others went to downtown Waynesville to various galleries and the famous Mast General Store.  Saturday evening, Smoky Falls Lodge hosted our group for a nice buffet dinner in our own private room.  We shared our adventures of the day and talked way longer into the night than most of us realized.  Sunday, Bob and Joyce hosted us for a brunch on their deck.  Again, weather was perfect as they even had the fireplace on inside for those who thought the 54 degrees was a little chilly.  Again, we shared great stories and enjoyed being connected on our 70th birthdays.

Still working to upload photos for all to see.

MHS Loses A Former Teacher

MARY FAITH HILL, 78, NORTH MANCHESTER, IN

        

2013                                 1961

Mary Faith Hill, 78, North Manchester, IN died at 7:04 p.m. Monday, April 1, 2013 at Kosciusko Community Hospital, Warsaw, IN. She was born November 22, 1934 in Goshen, IN to Glenn & Elsie (Long) Cripe.  She graduated from Manchester College in 1956. On August 4, 1956 she married Ted M. Hill.  She was a school teacher and high school administrator in Indiana and Texas. She was a member of Congregational Christian Church, North Manchester, IN, Delta Kappa Gamma, Wabash Retired Teachers Association, Indiana Retired Teachers Association, American Legion Auxiliary, North Manchester, IN and Women of the Moose, North Manchester, IN.  She loved caring for her family, was an avid reader and very active in many church activities.  She is survived by her husband, Ted M. Hill, North Manchester, IN; one son, Rex A. (Lauri Jo) Hill, Johnson City, TN; one brother, Alvin Cripe, New Paris, IN; two sisters, Caroline Bennett, Kalamazoo, MI and Grace Cripe, Jacksonville, FL; four grandchildren and one great grandchild.  One daughter, Cinda Gambill, died in 2009. Services will be announced at a later date. For those who wish to honor the memory of Mary Faith Hill, memorial contributions may be made to Congregational Christian Church, 310 N. Walnut Street, North Manchester, IN 46962. Arrangements entrusted to McKee Mortuary, 1401 State Road 114 W, North Manchester, IN.  To send a private condolence to the Hill family, use the Condolence link on the Homepage.

Classmate Loses Son in Accident

We are saddened for Ethel Cook Lewis Family in the loss of their son, Randy.  If you would like to send condolences, this is her address:  Bud and Ethel Lewis  14437 N. Meridian Rd  North Manchester, IN 46962

RANDY LEON LEWIS, 45, NORTH MANCHESTER, IN

Randy Leon Lewis, 45, North Manchester, IN died at 12:56 p.m. Saturday, April 6, 2013 in rural Carroll County, IN.  He was born July 17, 1967 at Rochester, Indiana to Bud & Ethel (Cook) Lewis.  On July 27, 1986 he married Sharon Sue Skiles.  She survives.  Also surviving are two sons; Seth Lewis & Chad Lewis, at home.  Two daughters, Emma (Rodney) Hufford, Cutler, IN and Lora Lewis, at home.  A brother, Rick (Polly) Lewis, Cisco, TX and a sister Kathy (Bill) Wade, North Manchester, IN.  His parents, Bud & Ethel Lewis, North Manchester, IN and his Father & Mother-In-Law, Keith & Marilyn Skiles, North Manchester, IN.  Randy was the owner & operator of Lewis Tree Trimming for 22 years and a member of the Old German Baptist Brethren Church, North Manchester, IN.  Services will be held Thursday, April 11, 2013 at 10:00 a.m. at Old German Baptist Brethren Church, State Road 13, North Manchester, IN.  Friends and family may call on Wednesday, April 10, 2013 from 12:00 - 5:00 p.m. and from 6:00 - 9:00 p.m. at the Old German Baptist Brethren Church.  To send a private condolence to the Lewis family, use the Condolence link on the Homepage.  Arrangements are being handled by McKee Mortuary, North Manchester, IN.

We understand Randy was working in his tree trimming business and a bucket malfunctioned.

Loss of MHS Teacher Joyce Leckrone

Joyce L. (Griffiths) Leckrone

September 17, 1920 - March 12, 2013

Obituary

 

Joyce Lorraine Leckrone, 92, died in No. Manchester, IN; formerly of Fort Wayne, Mar. 12, 2013 at Timbercrest Retirement Community, N. Manchester, IN. She was born Sept. 17, 1920 in Brown Township, Manistee County, MI. After graduation from Manchester College, she taught at Manchester Community Schools before working as Acquisitions and Circulation Librarian at Manchester College until retirement in 1982. She enjoyed traveling throughout the United States, Europe and especially England, with her longtime friend June Enoch. She is survived by her son, Sam (Carol) Leckrone, of N. Manchester and several grand and great grandchildren.  She was preceded in death by her husband, Clifton, daughter, June, brother, Leon, sister, Garnet and parents, Lewis and Margaret (Johnson) Griffiths. There is no visitation. Arrangements by Klaehn, Fahl and Melton Funeral Home, Wayne St. Chapel. Preferred memorials to Fort Wayne Museum of Art, Fort Wayne Philharmonic, Botanical Conservatory or Alzheimer's Association . www.klaehnfahlmelton.com

 

 

          

         Photo from MHS CREST 1961

Class Updates Summer 2012

CONGRATULATIONS IN ORDER
Congratulations to Gary Montel upon being selected as a Distinguished Alumni from Manchester College. ( Now Manchester University)  Will never be able to call the college a university. (Editor’s note) As of July 12,  Gary will be officially retired after 24 years from his position working with alumni, church relations and event planning for Manchester College.  He and Dee have lots of travel planned for this summer.  Enjoy retirement, both of you.  The greatest time of your life.
CELEBRATION
Are you ready to party for our 70th Birthdays?  The invitation is still out for everyone to come to Maggie Valley sometime next summer or fall for some fun and celebration of our 70th birthdays.  I am working on a possible venue where we can meet on Friday evening as well as on Saturday evening.  Soon, you will receive an invitation to go to a “doodle” and vote on your preference for a date.  Once we set a date, then you can check out all the options for lodging as well as special things to do here in the North Carolina mountains.  
CONDOLENCES
Our condolence to Carolyn Hippensteel Hoover upon the death of her Mother at age 95.  We should all be so fortunate to live this long with a full and rewarding life.  
AGATHA K. HIPPENSTEEL, 95, NORTH MANCHESTER, IN
Agatha K. Hippensteel, 95, North Manchester, IN went home to be with the Lord Monday, June 25, 2012 at 6:20 p.m. at Peabody Healthcare Center, North Manchester, IN.  She was born September 8, 1916 in Wabash County, IN to Otto P. & Mabel E. (Wall) Young.  She graduated in 1934 from Chester High School, North Manchester, IN.  On January 1, 1938 she married John E. Hippensteel. He died April 7, 2005. She was a homemaker and member of Central Christian Church, Huntington, IN.  Agatha enjoyed raising flowers, gardening, knitting and puzzles.  She is survived by two sons, Billy E. (Beverly) Hippensteel, Huntington, IN and Robert H. (Oris) Hippensteel, North Manchester, IN; one daughter, Carolyn (Jerry) Hoover, Marion, IN; one brother, Garl "Pete" Young, North Manchester, IN; nine grandchildren and thirteen great grandchildren.  Two brothers, Paul Young & Howard Young, and two sisters, Wanda Parr & Juanita Bechtold, are deceased. Family and friends may call Thursday, June 28, 2012 from 4:00-8:00 p.m. at McKee Mortuary, 1401 State Road 114 W, North Manchester, IN and one hour prior to the service Friday, June 29, 2012 at Peabody Chapel, North Manchester.  Services will be Friday, June 29, 2012 at 11:00 a.m. at Peabody Chapel, 400 W. Seventh St., North Manchester, IN. Pastor Chris Hayden & Rev. Sue Babovec will officiate.  Burial will be at Fairview Cemetery, Servia, IN.  For those who wish to honor the memory of Agatha K. Hippensteel, memorial contributions may be made to Central Christian Church, 500 MacGahn St., Huntington, IN 46750. To send a private condolence to the Hippensteel family, use the Condolence link on the Homepage.
Condolence also to Judy Vandermark Judjhan upon the death of her mother in February of this year. Unfortunately, I was not at my home computer to update the blog with this information.

HELEN L. VANDERMARK, 92, NORTH MANCHESTER, IN

Helen L. Vandermark, 92, North Manchester, Indiana died at 11:45 a.m. Saturday, February 18, 2012 in Peabody Healthcare Center.   She was born at North Manchester, IN on July 19, 1919 to Chester E. & Lula D. (Frederick) Grossnickle.  She was a 1936 graduate of Central High School at North Manchester and International Business College at Fort Wayne, IN.  She was a secretary for Dr. J. Raymond Schultz at Standard Life Insurance Compnay, Indianapolis, IN.  Later she was a clerk at the North Manchester Water Department and from 1971 -1988 she was manager of the North Manchester BMV License Branch, retirng in 1988.  On October 13, 1940 she married Orville L. Vandermark.  He died April 29, 1995.  Surviving are a son, Donald James (Pamela) Vandermark, Akron, IN; two daughters, Judith K. (Jerry) Judjahn, Glendale, AZ and Nancy (Neil) Tate, North Manchester, IN.  Six grandchildren, four step grandchildren, five great-grandchildren and six step great-grandchildren.  Three brothers and two sisters are deceased.  Helen loved to travel and spent many winters in Florida where she liked to shell.  She was active in local politics, was a member of First Brethren Church and a former member of Ivy Chapter # 69 Order of Eastern Star, North Manchester, IN.  Services will be held Thursday, February 23, 2012 at 11:00 a.m. in McKee Mortuary, 1401 State Road 114 West, North Manchester, IN.  Friends and family may call on Wednesday, February22 from 4 - 8 p.m. at McKee's and one hour prior to services on Thursday.  Pastor J.P. Freeman will officiate and burial will be in Oaklawn Cemetery, North Manchester, IN.  For those who wish to honor the memory of Helen L. Vandermark, memorial contributions may be made to Shriners Hospitals for Children, Office of Development 2900 Rocky Point Drive, Tampa, FL 33607 or the donor's choice. To send a private condolence to the Vandermark family, use the Condolence link on the Homepage.

Loss of Another Class Member

Morrie Sites just sent me a note that Cathy Walter Gilbert passed away 2 weeks ago.  Our prayers are with her family as we mourn their loss.
Catherine C. Gilbert
,
Catherine C. Gilbert, 68, of South Whitley, died at 2:29 p.m. Monday, November 14, 2011 at Sycamore Village, Fort Wayne where she had been a resident for the past three years.
She was born February 4, 1943 in Wabash County, Indiana a daughter of Victor and Ruth (Tschantz) Walter. Her formative years were spent in North Manchester. She graduated from North Manchester High School in 1961.
On August 29, 1965, she was united in marriage to Donald D. Gilbert. They have always made their home in Whitley County moving to their farm in 1972.
She was employed by Whitko High School in the cafeteria for 17 years retiring in 2003.
Surviving include her husband, Donald; two sons, Todd ( Margaret) Gilbert, South Whitley and Troy (Morgan) Gilbert, Lafayette; a daughter Renee (Terry) Nicodemus, South Whitley; six grandchildren; two sisters, Kay Capistrona, California and Sharon (Charles) Martin, Fort Wayne and a brother, Donald (Mary) Walter, Ohio.
In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by a brother, Kendall Walter.
The funeral service were held Thursday 10:30 a.m. at United Methodist Church of South Whitley with Rev. Robert Barton officiating. The burial was in the South Whitley Cemetery.
Memorial may be made to United Methodist Church of South Whitley.

MHS Class donates to Center for History

 As those of you who attended the 50th Reunion last month remember, we took up a collection to defray some additional costs. You all were so generous that we have an additional balance in our account. It was decided to donate $100.00 to the Center for History in North Manchester in honor of our class and all those we have lost over the past 50 years. Many of you visited the Center for History while you were back for the reunion and enjoyed the quality of the work they are doing with very little financial support. Hope you all agree that this is indeed a worthy cause for us to support.