Dale Benington

Greetings,

Patrick Gilbert

***** Lucky you live in Ohio! *****

According to CBS Evening news on May 12th. 5 lucky Ohio winners will receive 1 MILLION Dollars just for getting Vaccinated! It's like a free lotto ticket but with much better odds! Good Luck!!

Kathleen Zaenger

Thanks for all the birthday wishes.  I am grateful to have celebrated another one!

Nancy Wolff (Szymanski)

Just an FYI - Carol Rice - art teacher at Start High School during our "school days" passed away.  Her obit was in Sunday's Toledo Blade.

Gary McMahon

Carol L. Rice

1929-2021

Carrol L. Rice, a versatile Toledo painter who had taught art at Toledo Public Schools, died Wednesday in Otterbein-Portage Valley Retirement Village in Pemberville, Ohio. She was 92.

The family did not release the cause of death.

Ms. Rice worked largely in oil and tempera, in styles ranging from abstract to realistic.

The Blade wrote in 1957 that she handled her paint "with skill," and used color "with originality and taste."

She had shown landscapes, stills, figure studies, and china dolls across the Midwest, including widely in the Toledo area at such venues as the Toledo Museum of Art, Gallery 8, and Town Gallery.

Ms. Rice also taught art at different times at several elementary schools in Toledo, Start High School, and Bowsher High School.

Most recently, she volunteered as an usher at symphonies and operas at Toledo Museum of Art Peristyle.

Her artistic memberships included Toledo Artists' Club, Toledo Museum of Art, and Athena Art Society, which bills itself as "one of the oldest women's art organizations in the country."

"The variety of techniques is rivaled by the range of content which indicates her virtuosity but beclouds her artistic point of view," Blade art editor Louise Bruner wrote in 1970 after visiting an exhibition of about 50 paintings, collages, and graphics by Ms. Rice at the McInnis Galleries in Sylvania.

"The hard-edge designs, the cubist still life, the gestural abstractions, and the romantic nostalgia of old-fashioned china dolls hardly seem to have come from the same hand," Ms. Bruner wrote.

Ms. Rice's cousin, Chrystal Brown, said she owns some of her paintings.

"Her artwork changed… What I have I would call realistic, naturalistic. And then she moved into the abstract," Ms. Brown said. "And then she was winning awards for these. Awards!"

The Blade wrote in 1962 that Ms. Rice's "abstract patterns, rendered in an impressionist palette, are strongly rhythmic and gay in spirit."

"Carrol Lee really made a contribution to Toledo," Ms. Brown said.

Ms. Rice was born March 31, 1929 in Toledo to Ester Keiser and Waldo Hefty.

A 1951 DeVilbiss High School graduate, she later got a bachelor's degree from the University of Toledo, and finally obtained a master's degree in fine arts from Bowling Green State University in 1967.

She had also studied ballet at the former Bach Conservatory in Toledo.

Ms. Rice's early teaching years included those at what is now McKinley STEMM Academy.

Her career choice as an educator was influenced by her love of children, her cousin said.

In her spare time, she enjoyed being with friends and going out to eat.

Ms. Rice was a member of Ashland Avenue Baptist Church and a friend of First Unitarian Church of Toledo.

She was preceded in death by her husband Richard S. Rice.

 

Marcia Kelso (Wilkinson)

Happy Memorial Day everyone, especially to those who are currently serving, those who have served, and those whose lives were lost to keep us free.  Thank you!

Francis Bialecki

Here's wishing all classmates a Happy Memorial Day! Please let us all remember and give thanks all who have given their all and those who survived and also all who serve today, so that we may enjoy all the freedoms we have today and in the future. I pray one day there will be peace for all.

Patrick Gilbert

Hello Spartans...

 I would like to point out how lucky our class is not to have lost any classmates in Viet Nam. We had many who served and several who are purple heart recipients.Thank You Veterans... The class of 69 lost one classmate there Rocky Sours thank you for your sacrifice Rock may you Rest in Peace.

Mark Cramer

One other SHS graduate was killed in Viet Nam. Gary Shaw (class of '66) was killed, but his remains have never been recovered. I knew Gary from both church and school. When he was listed as missing in action on Veterans Day our senior year, it really brought the Viet Nam War home to me. Gary was later listed as "killed/body not recovered."

He was in my thoughts and prayers yesterday. In the 1980s when I was in DC, I visited "The Wall" to find his name. Below is some info on his sacrifice. 

SHAW, GARY FRANCIS

Name: Gary Francis Shaw
Rank/Branch: E3/US Army
Unit: A Battery, 3rd Battalion, 19th Artillery, 173rd Airborn Brigade
Date of Birth: 13 March 1948 (Windsor, Novia Scotia)
Home City of Record: Toledo OH
Date of Loss: 11 November 1967
Country of Loss: South Vietnam
Loss Coordinates: 143548N 1073634E (YB825184)
Status (in 1973): Killed/Body Not Recovered
Category: 2
Acft/Vehicle/Ground: Ground
Refno:0905

Other Personnel In Incident: Edwin Martinez-Mercado; John Stuckey; Robert
Staton; (all missing)

Source: Compiled by Homecoming II Project 15 October 1990 from one or more
of the following: raw data from U.S. Government agency sources,
correspondence with POW/MIA families, published sources, interviews. Updated
by the P.O.W. NETWORK 2020.

REMARKS: BTL - LFT FR DED - LATR BOD GONE - J

SYNOPSIS: On November 11, 1967, PFC Edwin Martinez-Mercado, PFC Gary Shaw,
PVT John Stuckey and SP4 Robert Staton were all members of the 173rd
Airborne Brigade on a search and destroy mission in Kontum Province, South
Vietnam, when the unit engaged an enemy force.

Following the battle, the three were judged to have been killed in action,
and were left on the battlefield for later recovery. A few days later, the
area was searched for casualties, but their bodies could not be found.

James Douthett

My wife and I were reflecting on the Memorial Day holiday we shared yesterday. Jeanne said she was reading that so many of today’s youth don’t understand why we have a holiday celebrating the dead from past wars.

I thought to myself, how sad! It made me think of other national holidays we celebrate. New Years, the Forth Of July, Labor Day, Martin Luther King.

What could be more sad than recognizing we are raising a generation of kids that are not taught the meaning of sacrifice, and to respect those that made the ultimate sacrifice, to give one’s life for a country as great as ours? They are being taught this country is not worth fighting for. It makes me wonder where we went wrong.

If it wasn’t for those that died in war, we’d still have slavery in the U.S.A., Hitler would have won WWII. We’d be speaking German, there would be no Jews, they would have been exterminated. There would be no Israel, instead it would probably be called Palestine.

I for one am glad to celebrate those who gave their life in war, so that others could live on to enjoy freedom; that many of us were able to have families, and that we had the freedom to succeed. May God have mercy on those that follow us that were not taught this country and our values are worth defending. For they shall learn what it is like to live without freedom.

Nancy Wolff (Szymanski)

JIm - you are so right about celebrations such as Memorial Day.  Younger people don't have a clue & can't seem to comprehend that if it wasn't for those brave men & women, they wouldn't have the freedoms & luxuries of today.  I don't know what is taught in school anymore but it seems we've lost all of our American History.  Then we have people today trying to removes statues & change names on athletic teams because someone takes offense???  I wish the young people would take the time to learn & understand that what transpired back in "history" truly affects everyone.  We should honor & respect the history of the USA.  I am so thankful for all those who served in the Armed Forces in any capacity - they are heroes.

Kent Gardam

Rick Boyd

I knew Rocky Sowers ,good kid. Gary Shaw was our first Vietnam death,I think.. We also lost Ed Cross who was a neighborhood friend from the Whittier area 

Pam Galbraith (Hudson)

Jim and Nancy,

Well said about Memorial Day!!!!  Thank You!!

Richard Burr

So well said, Nancy. Younger people haven't a clue. Some are even trying to remove the holiday, as they say, it's a non-event to them.   Only a long weekend. Hmmm..........was that said already?! Allen, who was a close friend I grew up with, class of '68 Whitmer HS, was piloting a med  evac helicopter in Viet Nam, removing wounded U.S.Soldiers from a "hot zone" when his chopper was struck by enemy fire July 17, 1971 and went down killing all on board. Allen volunteered for duty as a pilot in Viet Nam. Was married for less than 1 1/2 years.  Allen is honored on the Vietnam Veteran's Memorial in Washington DC. R. I. P. Allen, you live on thru memories🇺🇸🇺🇸🇺🇸🇺🇸🇺🇸 A true hero. I think of him a lot, especially Memorial Day. A true hero!  

Dale Benington

Mark Cramer

I don't think that most Americans (young or old) know much about the origins of Memorial Day (originally known as Decoration Day).

Memorial Day was started by former slaves on May, 1, 1865 in Charleston, SC to honor 257 dead Union Soldiers who had been buried in a mass grave in a Confederate prison camp. They dug up the bodies and worked for 2 weeks to give them a proper burial as gratitude for fighting for their freedom. They then held a parade of 10,000 people led by 2,800 Black children where they marched, sang, and celebrated.

https://www.history.com/news/memorial-day-civil-war-slavery-charleston

Deborah Jo Cotterman (Keller)

Rick Boyd, I lived across the street from Eddie. We used to have "talent shows" in his garage. It was a neighborhood production. I remember well the day the Cross family found out they'd lost Eddie. They were expecting him home any day and instead found a stranger on their porch. They had stocked the fridge with steaks for him. It was a terrible time.

Nancy Wolff (Szymanski)

OK my fellow Spartans, one of our own is a bit "under the weather".  Frank Fischer's birthday is June 15th & I'm asking that we all flood him with birthday wishes - either on this site or on Facebook or if you want to send a card, message me & I'll give you his address.  He needs a boost to his spirits.  Thanks!  

Marge Updegraff (Mendeljian)

JUNE, 2021 FUNDANGO

TEKELA'S

GREAT TURNOUT!

SO MUCH FUN!!

Linda Carstensen (Chip's wife), Sue Albright, Jan Fought

Elaine Worley, Chris Grevis, Lisa (Chris's cousin)

Sherry & Mike Nutting

Jackie Hanna & Paul (Jackie's husband)

Bill Carstensen (CHEERS!!!!)

Nancy Wolff & Kathy Storm

Marge Updegraff and Chuck (husband)

Pam Galbraith and Ron (husband)

Bill & Cathy (Burcewicz) Carstensen

Dale Benington & Kathy Storm

Chip & Linda Carstensen

Rick Boyd & Dave Dugai

Harriet Brown and husband Terry

Joe (Kim Wening's husband) .....Kim still selling tickets!

Patrick Gilbert

Great pics Marge! Thank you.

Bill you look like you are healthy as a bull.. Keep on keepin on. So nice to see Elaine Worley in attendance. Chris you look 20 years younger after loosing the beard. Chip and Dave DiGai?? What is your secret of youth?? Not to mention all of our Spartan ladies.. Looks like the fountain of youth is in Toledo!!  You all need to share it with the rest of the class! Love seeing all of you stay well gang. We are looking forward to the next reunion..

Aloha

Pat & La-Li Gilbert

Janis Fought (Brown)

Karen White Lauber passed away. Her obituary is in today's s Toledo Blade.

Janis Fought (Brown)

A contribution in her memory has been sent to Hospice of NW Ohio on behalf of the Class of 68.

Gary McMahon

KAREN LAUBER (nee WHITE)

1950-2021

Karen Lauber, whose finesse with customers, clients, and colleagues won her respect as she became a leader in banking and real estate, died May 29 in Hospice of Northwest Ohio, Perrysburg Township. She was 70. She had cancer, her husband, James Lauber, said. Mrs. Lauber was president in 2001 of the Toledo Board of Realtors. She was the board's Realtor of the Year for 2000, in recognition of her work as a volunteer officer of the organization. She served on the Ohio Association of Realtors' executive committee and was a former trustee of the National Association of Realtors. "She just really was a wonderful leader," said Paula Hiett, former chief executive of the Toledo Board of Realtors, who became a close friend. "She was direct and spoke her mind, but did it in a diplomatic kind of way. She sought out everyone's opinion and did her homework on whatever the issue was." Mrs. Lauber in the late 1980s came to real estate sales from banking "to do something different and new," her husband said. She sold houses and through the years was affiliated with DiSalle Real Estate; Welles Bowen Realtors; Lance Tyo & Associates, and Sulphur Springs Realty. Al Hotchkiss, a former board of realtors president, said: "That's why she was so good. She was compassionate." Mrs. Lauber and her husband retired in 2013 to Angola, Ind. They later returned to Sylvania Township, after which she became a property manager for Mr. Hotchkiss' company, Noral Property Management. She oversaw rentals and management of condominiums. She also fielded calls for repairs and put the appropriate subcontractor on the case. "She was a lifesaver. She did everything for me," Mr. Hotchkiss said. "Everybody felt like they were her friend." Mrs. Lauber was born Oct. 26, 1950, to Bernadine and Clifford White and grew up on Elmhurst Road in West Toledo. She was a graduate of Start High School in 1968 and attended Davis Business College, as it was then known. After work at a finance company, she was hired by the former Ohio Citizens Bank to be a receptionist. Mrs. Lauber became a teller and, in 1982, was named manager of the Holland branch. She later managed branches at Miracle Mile and Saxon Square shopping centers. She became an Ohio Citizens assistant vice president. "She was very customer-service oriented, and the bank took notice of that and started moving her along in the branch system," her husband said. Surviving are her husband, James, whom she married Nov. 5, 1981; daughter, Kelly Kubiak; stepdaughters, Lisa Jorgensen and Amy Gorman, and five grandsons.

Marge Updegraff (Mendeljian)