US Army Spec 4 Viet Nam Veteran Bill Heister leaves us, another of our brave boys gone too soon.

Kirkwood friends we have lost another brave Viet Nam veteran, with last night's (1/27/26) death of Bill Heister. (Joseph W. Heister III)  Thank you to Roxanne Guels Rassi, who knew and dated Bill at KHS, and who is in touch with Bill's daughter Melissa, for letting me know of his illness a few weeks ago and his death today. Our late classmate Ardy Stanfield also dated Bill, but I am told the girls did not date him at the same time! :-)) Bill was a 2 time Purple Heart recipient, still bearing leftover shrapnel after all these years. Note in the article he was only 21 when getting that second Purple Heart.  Here is an article Rox sent, if there is an official obituary I'll post it. Rox reports that he was living in St. Peters near Melissa and Bill also had two sons, Michael & Matthew, several grandchildren and most recently 2 great grandchildren! Bill and his first wife had divorced and his second wife died some years ago. I'll be posting here and on Facebook if I learn more.  Thanks again Roxanne for being in touch, and for caring.

  

   

Jack Toman's Obituary and funeral arrangements - burial at Jefferson Barracks

 For our friends, here is Jack's obituary, published today.  It says nearly nothing of his amazing career in the world of wonderful music.  He arranged music for Frank Sinatra, played in the Army Band and entertained folks all over the world.  To say nothing of the joy he brought his hometown friends over many years at, among other things, our class reunions, our class Christmas and summertime get-togethers, sometimes playing with other classmates, which were often enhanced by the music he brought us.  He was an amazing man, gone too soon, like so many others of our time.

 See my post just below this one for more information about Jack.

 

OBITUARY

John R. Toman

February 14, 1947 – January 9, 2026

IN THE CARE OF

Hoffmeister South County Chapel

John Ralph Toman, lovingly known as "Jack", was born February 14, 1947 and passed away on January 9, 2026. Jack lived in Glen Carbon, Illinois and passed away peacefully at American House Memory Care in Town & Country, Missouri.

He is survived by his daughter, Jacquelynn (Sheri Swihart) Toman, Christopher Toman, Jeni Sommerfeld, Martina (Jeff) Kroupa, dear grandfather of Jessica Toman, Oliver Sommerfeld-Sager, Finneas Sommerfeld-Sager, Sebastian Sommerfeld-Sager, Nina Kroupa, and Devin Kroupa; great grandfather of Leo Kroupa; and his beloved companion, Jan Geninatti, along with her family, all of whom were deeply loved and brought him great pride, joy, and meaning throughout his life.

Most people will remember Jack for his music. A truly talented musician, he performed under the name Jack Kent and played with many well known artists throughout his life. He wrote and recorded albums.

SERVICES: Visitation 2-6pm Sunday, January 25, 2026. Funeral 11am Monday, January 26, 2026 at Hoffmeister South County Chapel 1515 Lemay Ferry Rd., Lemay, MO. Interment with Military Honors will follow in Jefferson Barracks National Cemetery.

 

 

 

We lose another of our stars, Jack Toman (Kent) leaves us too soon but hopefully entertaining all of heaven!

 We have lost another of our class members who most of us knew and in some fashion or other loved - his service to our country, his music, his inventions to help truckers and others on our roads and highways, his wonderful smile and that mellow satin voice.  How many of us danced to his music both at KHS and in our adult lives, so many.  He passed away last night (January 9, 2026) after suffering from Alzheimer's for some time and spending some of his last time in a nursing home.  I will post a formal obituary if/when I find one but for now all I can do is share my sadness at losing someone whom I knew from early grade school until we saw him at a KHS65 Christmas function just a few years ago. I personally was in awe of his musical talent - I come from a family of piano players but unfortunately got only part of one of those genes, as I say, I can play the notes (I took lessons off and on for several years) but I can't make the music.  Jack did both in spades -around the world and here at home - at KHS, at several restaurants and music venues around town, with the Army Band and at private gatherings all over the place.  He played, and provided spectacular musician guests for our 25th KHS65 Silver Anniversary reunion.  He played for us at other KHS65 gatherings too, even at the pavilion in Kirkwood Park.  He and our late classmate Alan Yount played together for awhile in the Army Band.  

 Jack's mom and mine were room-mothers together one year and one day while at my house baking cookies, Jack and I were sent out to our front yard to fly a kite by my mom, no big trees or phone lines in the way, to stay out of our moms' hair while they were trying to bake!   His mom gave great birthday parties for him, some of which I was able to attend, and there was a great birthday bash for him when he turned 50, his mom talked about those grade school days with me that night.  

Sorry to go on and on, I'm so sad today, especially since when Karen Lowe Adams and I were talking on the phone this morning I was driving through Kirkwood on Kirkwood Road and telling Karen what I was seeing; we were commiserating about all the change, some of it great, but some of it costing us the charm of our town...I am always waxing sentimental when I come home from somewhere through Kirkwood or visit friends there.  If you haven't been here lately, you should come before even more is gone.  Otherwise, my advice is just to cherish the memories you have of how it was.  That's what I try to do, as I drive I remind myself of what used to be there so I don't forget, but in a couple places I have!!  Below is what I posted a bit ago on my Facebook page, some repetitious, so sorry.... but I feel better saying things about our friends who are no longer with us and whom we will always miss as we remember them fondly. Please stay well everyone.  I need a vacation from obituary postings!

 

Kirkwood friends I am sooo sad to tell you of the passing last night of our wonderful, lifelong for some of us, friend and musician par excellence Jack Toman. Karen Lowe Adams and I were on the phone this morning, we hung up, and she called right back having just learned of Jack's passing. He had been suffering from Alzheimer's for some time, and in a nursing home in recent times. We've lost such a talent and such a good friend but heaven is getting a treat! I can't even begin to count the times I've danced with someone as Jack played and/or sang. When he played at various restaurants around town there were frequently Kirkwood folks present. He allowed my daughter as a little girl to sit on the bench with him as he played at Rick's Cafe Americain in Des Peres years ago. We flew kites together in 4th grade as our room mother moms planned our class parties one year. Who better to have been born on Valentine's Day than a man who could create a loving atmosphere with a few notes on a keyboard or a few bars of a love song? My mom was a clothes horse and bought me a beautiful party dress one year, which I wore to Jack's birthday party. I refused to get rid of it for years, passing it on to a niece when she was the right size, it was such a pretty dress! I know many of us have many happy memories of the joy Jack brought to so many for so long. Think of his playing in the Army Band, how many people he entertained! Wow.... At least now he is no longer suffering. I am sure he is resting at peace with many fans who will have the privilege of enjoying his talents. He and Alan Yount can start up a new band, throw in David Sanborn and heaven will be rocking on for eternity courtesy of these great men from good old Kirkwood, MO! I think I'll work at my desk today with tapes of Jack's singing in the background.

Karen Lowe Adams

Leslie Vander Meulen Richards, what a lovely tribute to Jack. He certainly was one of the good guys. I know many of us will always remember his smile, his music and his ability to always make everyone feel welcome. Our parties were always more fun when he played for us.

 

 Here is a second post after my first:

Kirkwood friends, do you remember that Jack Toman & his family owned ParkMark, a parking lot/road striping firm? He was very active in the attempt to make highway roadways safer for the drivers and road-side workers. To that end, look at his invention below! A few more bits about him below also.

Licenses & Certifications

FAA Commercial Pilot License - Multi-Engine Rated

Federal Aviation Administration, US Department of Transportation

Volunteer Experience

Wild Bird Rehabilitation Inc Graphic

Contributor/Fundraising

Jan 2010 - Present 16 years 1 month

Patents

Method; - commonly referred to as the 'Dash-Cam' in police cars, etc.; Method, Utility; Highway Work-Zone Intrusion Alarm Device; Method, Utility; Radar Emulator for highway safety; Method, Utility; Non-Visible spectrum signaling for work-zone; more...

Issued February 14, 1982 US (see USPTO data base under TOMAN, JOHN)

Original inventor of the Eyewitness System (dash-cam) in 1982; Inventor, 'Highway Work-Zone Intrusion Alarm'; Inventor, Radar Emulator, 'Myriad SafetyBeam@tm, a radar-based device used on highway construction zone signage to forewarn drivers of hazardous conditions ahead, this device was field-tested and it's resultant and unprecedented speed reduction data published by the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety in 1993, the first such safety device to be granted FCC Authorization that same year; Inventor, CORStm (Coded Optical Response System) issued in 1996, a method of utilizing non-visible light signals to activate visible arrays over indefinite distances to warn workers of impending personal danger; One of three inventors; a method of activating tail-lights on large, semi-trailers to forewarn 

 following vehicles of 'engine-compression braking deceleration', commonly known as using 'jake brakes' instead of normal air-brakes. Jack talked to me about this activity of his and was passionate about it, devoted to safety for highway workers!

 

 

Fred Henry - Passed Away in Chicago in November

Thanks go to Rev. Joe Marting for alerting me to Fred's passing in November. Another of our classmates who has left us before he should have.   

Frederick Edward (III) Henry OBITUARY

Frederick Edward Henry III of Chicago, passed away on November 27, 2025 at the age of 78, following complications from whooping cough.

Fred married Vallie Henry née Jones, his wife of over fifty years, in 1969. They met at Duke University, where Fred earned his undergraduate degree, also in 1969. He then graduated from Duke Law School in 1972. His time in North Carolina instilled a lifelong passion for Duke basketball.

Fred built a distinguished legal career spanning several decades with Baker & McKenzie’s Chicago office. He served as Managing Partner of the Chicago Office and Chair of the Chicago Tax Practice Group.  His position at Baker & McKenzie allowed Fred to travel the world. He had solo business trips to China and Puerto Rico, vacations with Vallie to Southeast Asia and Northern Italy, and extended family vacations in Spain and the UK.  Fred was also committed to his community. He served as President of the Old Town Triangle Association and as an Elder of Fourth Presbyterian Church.

Born in 1947 in Missouri, Fred was a proud St. Louis Cardinals fan. His baseball allegiance shifted after moving to Chicago, where he became an enthusiastic White Sox supporter—a change he attributed to his inability to root for the Cubs after being a Cardinals fan.

Fred was an avid gamer, from some of the earliest PC adventure games to the Civilization games of world conquest. He and Vallie maintained a monthly bridge night with friends for many years, and their bridge-playing continued well into retirement.

Fred is survived by his wife, Vallie Henry of Chicago; his brother, Barry Henry of Cathedral City, California; his son, Charles Frederick Henry (Natalia Blandon) of Las Vegas, Nevada; his daughter, Christine Henry Andresen (Carsten) of Austin, Texas; and his grandchildren, Truman, Sabine, and Ulysses Andresen.

A memorial service will be held at Fourth Presbyterian Church at a time to be announced later. In lieu of flowers, donations to Fourth Presbyterian Church of Chicago or the American Civil Liberties Union are appreciated. But the best way to honor Fred’s memory is to stay current on vaccinations.

Chicago Tribune from December 7, 2025

 

John Guyer~ friend, veteran, family man and classmate has left us too soon.

 

 I was saddened to learn just recently of the passing of our Robinson, Nipher and KHS classmate John Guyer.  I remember him from grade school, junior high & KHS, soft-spoken and very pleasant, often smiling! There is no open service planned but here is his recent obituary:

 John William Guyer, age 78 (February 25, 1947 – December 11, 2025) of Fenton, Missouri, passed away on December 11, 2025, in St. Louis, Missouri.  John was born in St. Louis, Missouri, to John and Pauline (Edwards) Guyer. He was raised in Kirkwood, Missouri, alongside his brothers Gary, Richard, and Randy Guyer.

John served his country as a member of the United States Army Reserve. He spent the majority of his professional career working as an audio-visual technician with Maritz, where he traveled the world.

He is survived by his wife of 48 years, Patricia (McBride) Guyer; his sons, John W. Guyer, II (Mamiew) and Thomas F. Guyer (Martha); his daughters, Teresa M. (Guyer) Teekell (Andrew) and Jaclyn P. (Guyer) Hall (Kurtis); and his six grandchildren. John was a devoted husband, father, and grandfather who enjoyed fishing throughout his life and remained active in retirement, taking up pickleball. He also had a lifelong appreciation for music and photography, often sharing it with others by creating slide shows for family gatherings—always adding his signature touch of humor.

John will be laid to rest in Oak Hill Cemetery in Kirkwood, joining his parents and other family members. A memorial service may be held at a future date.  In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made on behalf of John to Circle of Concern Food Pantry in Valley Park, Missouri (https://www.circleofconcern.org/) or an organization of your choice.

Family and friends can view and share stories, photos and condolences online at www.stlfuneral.com and follow details of this event and others in the community at www.facebook.com/stlchapelhill.  

Tom Marenholz - Veteran, husband, dad and grand-father has left us.

 

Earl Thomas Mahrenholz

April 19, 1947 — November 30, 2025  O'Fallon, Missouri

Earl "Tom" Thomas Mahrenholz, of O’Fallon, MO, passed away Sunday, November 30, 2025, at the age of 78. Beloved husband of the late Trudy Ardell Mahrenholz; cherished son of the late Earl A. and Alma Lucille Mahrenholz; devoted father of Stacy (Raphael) Price and Scott Mahrenholz; loving grandfather of Emily (Donnie) Bess, Harrison Price, Grant Eaton, Claire Price, Scarlett Price, and Holly Mahrenholz; dear brother of the late Carol (James) Anderson.

Tom was a dedicated grandfather, always looking forward to watching his grandchildren play sports. Family was of the utmost importance to him, and he enjoyed family dinners and good conversations around the table. He and his wife Trudy shared 50 beautiful years together and built a lifetime of memories. A proud military veteran, he was dearly loved and will be greatly missed by all who knew him.

Upcoming Services - Memorial Gathering

Thursday, December 18, 2025  4:00 - 8:00 pm (Central time) 

 Baue Funeral Home - 3950 W Clay Street, Saint Charles, MO

KHS65 WAY BACK IN 1995, OUR 30TH REUNION - A FUN PHOTO COLLAGE BY TALENTED ARTIST TIM LAPPING

 Our recent reunion activities occasioned me to unpack some of our archives.  One of these years I need to go through and organize them - it's all eventually going to live at the Kirkwood Historical Society, but for now I will go through and try to pull things out to share.  This one is sooo fun, especially on the heels of our 60th reunion, it's been hiding in a storage box for 30 years ~ I'm thinking I must have had it on display at some reunion or other!!  The collage is composed of cut out segments from paper photographs, artfully arranged by Tim as a souvenir of our 30th Reunion, which took place in July at the Kirkwood Community Center.

 There are only 2 or 3 faces I don't recognize, one has a name tag so we do know his name.   If someone wants me to list the names, I will but for now I'll just let you all do your own remembering. I have no idea of the identity of the fellow in glasses next to me, if you know please post a comment to let me know!

 

 

 

• All I can say is that someone must have said "Say Cheese" and I took it literally in a big way, what a dumb pic of me!  You will see some of our classmates who have left us in this photo.  Below is a blow-up of the top center rectangular photo.  Pat Corpening Hoag is just to the left of that photo, she was also a Robinson Elementary classmate but not in the rectangular photo. At most reunions we have taken grade school group pix, and this one is the Robinson group from 1995.  See below for the great sadness it brings to us.  

Top left to right - the late Roger Little, the late Doug McKelvey, the late Rich Mills,

the late Jack Toman, the late Larry Barnett, the late Sharon Lowe Zieroth, the late Claudia Margedant Schleuter, Priscilla Flint and our wonderful artist Tim Lapping.In front left is the still living and still adorable Karen Lowe Adams.   All of us, including me, in this photo were Robinsonites and some of us are still in regular communication; what a gift!

  Once I got to looking at the collage and realized the top photo was our Robinson group and that so many are no longer with us, I was compelled to pull that image out to honor those missing friends.  I have been in touch with Tim in recent weeks; he is well and busy in Texas and has no computer and no cell phone - and yet he thrives !!! There is a lesson in that I do believe!  Thank you again to Tim for making this collage for us and being such a great friend to so many for so long.

 

 

 

 

Updating some information on the blog - check it out, an update on the format

 Having recently enjoyed another reunion, our 60th anniversary, I've been in touch with many classmates, which is what I love to do!  I've updated our database (If you've moved recently or had other changes, or just want to check on how you are listed, please email me at leslie at khs65 dot com).  Additionally, I have added the names of more Veterans to my post in 2015 after that reunion, the list is more complete now.  I have also moved the SEARCH this blog utility up closer to the top of the articles on the right side, just scroll down right under the picture of our senior yearbook, which is a clickable link.  Type in a name, place or other term, such as Hall of Fame, and you will see the posts on that term.  There are multiple posts about our classmate Veterans, just type in VETERAN and you'll see them all. The 2015 list is complete now, as far as I know, but there may be more, PLEASE let me know if you know others, including yourself.  There is one post with comments from and about our veterans which has more information that the list itself...you'll find lots of interesting classmate information there!  Unfortunately, there are way too many listings when you type "obituary" OR scroll down to that label listing, on the right, where you can select several different categories of post subjects.

I've made it as easy to navigate as the site lets me!  PLEASE SEND ME your news or writings, poems, stories, memories, whatever you'd like to share!  I have a ton of things to add as time goes on but it's easy to add quickly when I receive an entry you'd like to share!  I recently used our yearbook to look up someone and spent time reading the signatures & greetings in my book, something I haven't done recently.  I had some great giggles, and of course some sadness, as I read the entries.  If you see something fun you'd like to share in Your yearbook, DO!  I must say, one that tugged my heart strings was M'Linda Jennings' comment, so sweet and light, just like she was, always smiling; reading it immediately brought her face & beautiful smile to mind.  So sad that she left us so early.

 Send news, pictures, whatever you'd like to share with the rest of us lucky folks who as Gary Schmidt, Esq. always reminds us, "Going to KHS was like winning the lottery!"

GO PIONEERS!! 

 

Cheryl Forbes Newell Gaynor, another classmate no longer with us

In working on our database of classmember information, I have discovered yet another person who has left us.  I am so sorry that we have not known about these recent deaths in a more timely manner, but of course we have scattered over all this time, so at least now we know  and can remember them in our own way.  Here is Cheryl's obituary courtesy of her former husband, our musical classmate Clancy Newell.  They were married nearly 14 years and had 4 children together.  I hope some of you are enjoying Clancy's music around town, if you don't know about that check his Facebook posts!

Cheryl's Obituary

Cheryl Gaynor (nee Knapp/Forbes), 75, of Wildwood, MO passed away on Saturday, October 29, 2022 after a two-year battle with cancer. Cheryl is survived by her husband, David Gaynor, her brother, Scott Forbes (Kelly) of San Diego, CA and her five children: Heather Stanley of St. Louis, MO, Melissa Shepherd (Jason) of St. Peters, MO, Andrea Newell-White (Jason) of O’Fallon, MO, Greg Newell (Amy) of Wildwood, MO, and Dane Horst of St. Louis, MO. She is also survived by eleven grandchildren.
Cheryl was born in Omaha, NE to the late Janice Forbes (Dean) and Ralph Knapp. Cheryl graduated from Kirkwood High School and attended college at the University of Wisconsin - Oshkosh where she obtained a Bachelor of Arts degree. She also obtained her Master of Arts degree from the University of Missouri - St. Louis. Cheryl’s passion was teaching. She was well loved and respected by many of her students. Cheryl also loved to travel and spend time with her grandchildren.
Services: Following a private family service, a celebration of life will take place on Saturday, November 5 from 1-3PM at the Missouri Athletic Club at 1777 Des Peres Rd, Des Peres, MO 63131. As a service of the SCHRADER Funeral Home and Crematory, friends may sign the family's on-line guestbook at Schrader.com.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in Cheryl’s name to the St. Louis Crisis Nursery.
<https://www.crisisnurserykids.org/ways-to-give>

 

Another death in our class discovered during Reunion research - Roger Little, Robinson, Nipher, KHS65

 I remember Roger well, we began in grade school together, always a very friendly, fun fellow.  I recently learned that he was a business partner of our classmate Bob Baker, who by the way is Godfather to two of Jim and Linda Girard Day's sons!  Don't ya just have to love growing up in Kirkwood!!!  

Roger James Little

Birth

18 Nov 1947 Kirkwood, St. Louis County, Missouri, USA

Death

27 Mar 2020 (aged 72) Manchester, St. Louis County, Missouri, USA

Burial

Macedonia Cemetery Rolla, Phelps County, Missouri, USA

 Roger Little of Manchester, Mo. passed away suddenly at his home in Manchester, Mo. on Friday March 27, 2020. He was 72 years of age. He was born on November 18, 1947 in Kirkwood, Mo. the son of the late Ernest and Eula James Little.

Survivors are his daughters: Lindsay Dittmer of Spring, Texas and Stacey Walter of Leander, Texas, along with 6 Grandchildren: Jaxson, Caroline, Hadleigh, Catherine, Leighton and Asher.

He is preceaed in death by his parents and one brother: Keith Little.

Private Graveside Services for Roger Little will be conducted at the Macadonia Cemetery in Vichy. The Graveside Funeral will be Webcast on the Jones Funeral Home Facebook Page at 2:00 p.m. Thursday April 2, 2020.  Memorials may be given to the Vichy Community Church of Vichy, Mo. Memorial Donations may be mailed to the Jones Funeral Home in St. James.  It appears from the headstone that he was an architect.