TWO MORE OF OUR KHS65 GIRLS HAVE LEFT US, MUCH TOO SOON - Marilyn Haakman and Lynn Blackwell

It is once again my sad duty to tell you of the death of two of our classmates.  Marilyn Haakman Wurth-Perry has died recently and here is her obituary:

Marilyn Haakman-Wurth Perry

Marilyn Haakman Perry   November 30, 1946 – February 1, 2025

Marilyn Perry, a beloved mother, grandmother, sister, and friend, passed away peacefully, surrounded by family, on February 1st after a courageous battle with lung cancer.

Born on November 30, 1946, Marilyn grew up with a deep love for family, laughter, and the simple joys of life. She carried that love into everything she did, touching the lives of all who knew her with her kindness, wisdom, and grace. Marilyn was born in St. Louis, but eventually followed her dream to move to Florida to be by the sandy beaches and the warmer weather. There, she was able to explore new places, embrace the welcoming community, and create lasting relationships with those she met before moving back to the midwest.  Marilyn’s greatest joy was her family, always offering unconditional love, wisdom, and support. She was a devoted mother to her two sons, Scott (Elizabeth) Wurth and Eric (Debbie) Wurth, whom she adored with all her heart. Her love extended to her grandchildren (Chase, Gavin, Hayden) and great grandchild (Camden), who brought her endless joy. She was truly blessed to share a bond like no other with her dear sister, Nancy (Ron) Seeker, who was not just family, but her best friend and caretaker in her final days. She also leaves behind two nephews, Matt (Suzi) and Mark (Robin), and many dear friends from St. Louis to Florida, who will forever hold her memory close.

A celebration of life will be held on Friday February 28th from 3-5 pm at St. Louis Cremation (320 Jungermann Rd, St Peters, MO), where those who loved her will gather to honor her spirit, share memories, and find comfort in the bond she created among them.

Marilyn’s strength, love, and laughter will never be forgotten. Though our hearts are heavy, we take comfort in knowing that she is now at peace. She will be deeply missed but forever cherished in our hearts.  In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made to LUNGevity, the nation’s largest lung cancer-focused nonprofit, in her honor.

Right after learning about Marilyn's death I learned that Lynn Blackwell Bullerdick died on February 1.  Lynn has always lived here in St. Louis County but had not been in close contact with some of us in recent years.  I was hoping to contact her soon regarding our upcoming 60th Reunion, happening the last weekend in September at Orlando's Event Center in Maryland Heights, with a Friday night no-host get-together somewhere likely in Kirkwood, and a picnic at Kirkwood Park on Sunday, our regular routine!  

Here is Lynn's obituary (who was a cousin of our classmate Bill Hindman which some of you may not remember): https://www.stlfuneral.com/obituaries/lynn-bullerdick/#!/Obituary

Visitation is Feb 15 10:30 - 12:30 at Chapel Hill Mortuary 10301 Big Bend Road, Kirkwood - with graveside service at Oak Hill Cemetery there at 12:30.  As Leslie Bright Wainwright just said, she was a lot of fun, easy to get in trouble with...to which I have to agree as I did that too, more than once!

Because on-line obituaries disappear after awhile, I am printing it here, but as of now it's still online with the comments made by friends and relatives:

Obituary for Lynn B. Bullerdick

Bullerdick, Lynn (nee Blackwell) of Manchester, Missouri, was born May 3, 1947 in St. Louis, Missouri and entered into rest Saturday, February 1, 2025 in Manchester, Missouri at the age of 77.

She is preceded in death by her parents, Dwayne and Margaret (nee Wilson) Blackwell, her brother, Kent Blackwell, and her son, Doug Bullerdick.

Lynn is survived by her sons, Chad Bullerdick, Craig (Kara Brostron) Bullerdick and daughter-in-law Chrissy Bullerdick; her two grandchildren, Zach Bullerdick, Matt Bullerdick; along with numerous other extended family and friends.

It is with heavy hearts that we announce the passing of Lynn, a devoted mother, doting grandmother, and beloved sister. Lynn dedicated her life to her family, cherishing every moment spent together. She adored hosting holidays, creating joyful gatherings filled with laughter and love. Her smile could light up any room, and her infectious happiness was a source of inspiration for everyone who knew her.

Beyond her role as a mother and grandmother, Lynn was a cherished friend who maintained lifelong connections with her high school buddies. Whether it was catching up over shopping or reminiscing about old times, she valued these relationships deeply.

A lover of life, Lynn enjoyed indulging in her passions. She had a keen eye for jewelry, often spending afternoons shopping for the perfect piece. Evenings were often spent engrossed in thriller movies, captivated by the suspense.

One of her greatest joys was cruising in her convertible, the wind blowing through her hair as she embraced the freedom of the open road. These simple pleasures were what made her life beautiful.

Lynn touched the lives of everyone she met with her kindness, warmth, and vivacity. She will be dearly missed but forever remembered for the love she shared and the joy she brought to the world.

A Visitation will be held on Saturday, February 15, 2025 from 10:30 a.m. until 12:30 p.m. at CHAPEL HILL MORTUARY, 10301 Big Bend Road, Kirkwood, Missouri 63122. A Graveside Interment will immediately follow the Visitation on Saturday, February 15, 2025 at Oak Hill Cemetery in Kirkwood, Missouri.

Family and friends can review 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. 

 

[Lynn did indeed love convertibles.  One of my favorite high school stories is driving around Kirkwood one spring afternoon in her parents' convertible with the top down, she makin' out in the back-seat with her then-current beau, me just enjoying the driving, I was a newer driver and didn't have a convertible at my disposal, and it was a beautiful day  ----  until we ran out of gas!  I have NO memory of how we dealt with that, but obviously we did because we got home somehow or other, and no, I do not remember who the guy was!  But we laughed about it for years!  lvr] 

  This sad news delivery service is getting to me, we all need good news!  Send me some and I'll post it!

Proud U S Army Viet Nam era Veteran and degreed nurse Linda Lou Stevens has died

 It is with sadness that I report the death of Linda Stevens, RN.  Linda had been in poor health for some time, having suffered a couple of strokes I believe, the most recent that I knew of was in the spring.  At KHS Linda and I did not know one another particularly, perhaps had gym together, but had become pals through our reunion activities and of course through the proliferation of internet tools.  She knew I was involved in several lineage societies through my genealogy work and asked to join one of them.  She was SO proud of her very thorough work on her family tree, and of course of her career as an Army nurse.  Many years ago she discovered she had lost her KHS class ring and was desolate.  Through my contacts both on-line and through our reunion activities, I found a classmate who wanted to dispose of hers, it was a great match-up!!!  Linda was so appreciative, she never forgot and thanked me often; it was an easy thing to do for someone who was so thoughtful and so wanting that ring!  Below, with appreciation to our classmate Lois Lindley, is her obituary:

https://www.osfuneralhomes.com/obituary/linda-stevens

Show Your Sympathy
to the Family

Cemetery Service
Thursday, Nov 21, 2024
10:00 AM

Linda Lou Stevens

January 28, 1947 - November 10, 2024

Share this obituary

Linda Lou Stevens was born on January 28, 1947 to Betty Gault Stevens and Edward Roy Stevens, and died on November 10, 2024 at the age of 77 years. She was the oldest of 3 kids, having 2 brothers Edward and David.

She graduated from Kirkwood High School in 1965 and attended Deaconess School of Nursing, graduating in 1969. Later in life, she received her BSN from Phoenix University. As a young nurse, Linda joined the Army working in New York with wounded soldiers returning from Vietnam. She was very proud of her military service and after she left the Army she became a Reserve Police Officer. She continued her nursing career after the Army, specializing in cardiac care. She is survived by her wife Lydia McVeigh and her brother Edward Stevens. She was preceded in death by her mother, father, brother David and wife Billie Walker. 

Linda was a devoted lover of animals, having had many pets throughout her life, including a duck, a pot-bellied pig, turtles, birds and several dogs and cats. She was a strong advocate of animal and child welfare causes. Linda was an avid collector of autographed photos of actors, sports figures and people of note including the Queen of England. She researched and published a genealogy of her family back to Robert the Bruce King of Scotland.  To honor her New England roots, she was a member of Three Flags Colony, National Society of New England Women [and I believe also of the Daughters of the American Revolution, lvr].

Funeral procession leaving from the Ortmann Funeral Home, 9222 Lackland Rd., Overland, Thursday, November 21 at 9:15 a.m. to Jefferson Barracks National Cemetery for 10:00 a.m. Cemetery service with Military Honors.  

SERVICES

Cemetery Service

Thursday, November 21, 2024
10:00 AM

Jefferson Barracks National Cemetery
2900 Sheridan Rd.
St. Louis, MO 63125

Get Directions on Google Maps

Mina Hohlen has died awhile ago. Another KHS65 girl gone too soon.

 While I did not know Mina at KHS, reading her obituary makes me wish I had.  What an interesting life she led!  Here is her obituary I found after news of her death reached us courtesy of a neighbor who was kind enough to contact our Reunion Committee upon receiving the post card mailing announcing our recent picnic. 

Mina Mae Hohlen

November 8, 1947 – March 11, 2022

Mina Mae Hohlen, 74, of Washington DC passed away on March 11, 2022. Mina was born on November 8, 1947 in Lincoln, Nebraska . She attended Hanover College in Hanover IN and then went on to get her BA and MA in Sociology from Indiana University. Mina worked as a research analyst and director of data management from 1981 to 1988 at Northwestern University in Evanston, IL. She worked for several pharmaceutical companies before being employed by the FDA as a Regulatory Information Specialist in 1995. She retired from the FDA in 2016.

Mina was preceded in death by her father Karl Hohlen and mother Juanita Craig Hohlen of St. Louis, MO. She is survived by her brother, John Hohlen and sisters Elizabeth Hohlen Pfleger and Linda Hohlen Deutsch along with four nieces and one nephew.

In her spare time, Mina enjoyed gardening, traveling, the arts & ballet, the museums of Washington, reading, experiencing new cuisine and a variety of cultural events. She had a pleasant personality, a quick smile and enjoyed being around friends, especially children. She had an inquisitive mind and a thirst for learning. She was beloved by many friends in St. Louis, Chicago, Arlington, VA and Washington, DC.

She loved her time in Chicago and her “Chicago bungalow” home. She lived in the Ballston area of Arlington for several years before moving to Northwest DC in 2016. She was active in the landscaping, walking and dinner groups in her co-op/condo building.

 May she be resting in peace.

Lynn Jerner Jones, another of our sweet girls leaving us before she should ~ October 2, 2024

 Some of us will remember the department stores in town (Famous Barr & Stix in particular) had a teenage Fashion Board group which was recruited to be ombudsmen to the community of young folks aka teenagers for the stores.  One had to audition for the Fashion Board, and I'm pretty sure my memory is correct that Lynn was one...I'm sure I have something in our KHS65 archives which would prove my memory correct.  In more recent years I learned she had joined our local chapter of United Daughters of the Confederacy so I called and chatted with her.  Unfortunately I never did succeed in encouraging her to attend a meeting, but she did have some health/dietary challenges that made 'lunch out with the girls' not so doable.  At any rate, we had lovely chats.  She and Fairfax lived in Glendale for many years but unfortunately she never did attend any of our KHS65 reunion activities...  now it is too late to woo her into joining us for our 2025 upcoming 60th reunion.  We will though remember all of those who have gone before us so she will not be forgotten.

Here is the link to her obituary :  https://www.legacy.com/us/obituaries/stltoday/name/lynn-jones-obituary?id=56469151

KHS 63 & 65 ATHLETES INDUCTED INTO ATHLETIC HALL OF FAME CLASS OF 2024 CHECK OUT MORE HERE

 This link will take you to the recent article in Webster Kirkwood Times about our athletic stars!  The photo is all of the inductees who attended whom we could get herded onto the riser.  I proof-read the text twice for various publications and people, but they still didn't get it right. Jim Olson and J L (Joe) Charleville (KHS63) should have ** because they are unfortunately no longer living.  Joal was there with us to honor her brother Joe.

Here is the link to the recent article:

https://www.timesnewspapers.com/webster-kirkwoodtimes/2024-athletic-hall-of-fame-inductees/article_ae8acaba-7693-11ef-be1a-5b5e2a7f191e.html

Front row l to r:  Gary Schmidt on end, Rod Bruckdorfer w/ cane, Doug McDougal KHS63 (62 team honoree), and our own Bob Leonard.  

Second row between Doug & Bob is Phil Mills (KHS66).  Note in text, Rod was honored for both teams, he was on the winning team our sophomore and senior years!  The inductees marched in single file onto the football field Friday night to be introduced individually.  AND the PIONEERS beat Pattonville 50 - 20!  Gorgeous evening to be out and what a great game!

I was thrilled to be invited to all of the festivities by virtue of my 12 year old nomination of the team of 1964/65 for the Hall of Fame - it was about time they were honored.  And as a side note, Jim Olson was already honored as an individual in the Athletic Hall of Fame and Gary Schmidt previously in the Alumni Hall of Fame for his stellar career as a lawyer and jurist.  See my other FB posts and the Kirkwood High School website Hall of Fame listing for ALL members of the HOF since its inception.

What a whirlwind weekend it was ~ good fellowship, gorgeous weather and even great food!  Dinner at PJs in Kirkwood Saturday night was fun and tasty too!  Lee & Karen Walters, Dianne Eddins Cook & hubby Frank, Karen Lowe Adams and members of Gary Schmidt's family PLUS a drop in surprise appearance by Steve Woodard added to the festivities of our dinner.

Our appreciation goes to all the staff of Kirkwood High School who were SO accommodating to us all, especially those who needed a bit of extra help; warmly welcoming and watching out for us at all the events, we felt very special!

Please scroll down for my earlier posts about our weekend....more photos coming!

KHS65 ATHLETES HONORED IN 2024 ATHLETIC HALL OF FAME FESTIVITIES & INDUCTION CEREMONY

WHAT A WEEKEND WE HAVE HAD IN KIRKWOOD, I'M WAXING RATHER NOSTALGIC TODAY SO PLEASE BEAR WITH ME.

 A couple of months ago Dr. Seth Harrell left me a phone message telling me he is the principal of KHS and "I have some great news for you".  I immediately tried calling but reached voicemail so had to wait til Monday to finally reach him. When I identified myself he said "Your team is going to be inducted into the KHS Athletic Hall of Fame in September."  I had to think about that for a second and probably said something stupid like "Which team?" the reply being the 1964 Cross Country team.  Well, dummy me I thought he meant the cross country team of the class of 1964 so I told him I was the wrong person to talk to so I'd get him to the right person!!!  Well, somehow or other I got the picture that it was OUR '65 boys so I called the person at the alumni affairs office to whom I was directed and spoke to Amy Bullmer and when I quizzed her about why I got the call from Dr. Harrell she said, "Well Leslie YOU nominated the team! I have the nomination sheet in front of me."  Well folks when she said that I had immediate recall, luckily my mind is not quite as bad as I sometimes accuse it of being.  It was 2012 when I did that!!!!  For awhile back then I watched the KHS public places wondering when the team would be honored and after some time I guess I just totally forgot!  At any rate, I've spent some wonderful few late summer weeks working with the great gals at KHS on the program, finding and contacting the inductees, making new friends and visiting with those KHS65/66 members who were all so surprised and honored to be recognized for their amazing talents way back in our youth. 

Fast forward to this past Friday we had a reception for the inductees and families and invited friends, then went up to the amazing MODERN football field and watched the Pioneers trounce Pattonville 50 to 20.  I was so busy talking and taking pix I had to google the score just now, last I saw it was only 6 points for Pattonville  - I guess I wasn't a good football fan the last half of the game.  There was something amazing that happened to me personally that night so admittedly I was side-tracked a bit, but that story has to wait for another time.  And we were interrupted by having to get our herd of cats down to the football field to be introduced and honored, along with all the other inductees of the night, during the half-time show.  They all entered the field, single file in order and were introduced individually, it was a GREAT few minutes.  That ceremony was followed by a rousing performance by the fabulous KHS Marching Band, another special treat.

Yesterday began with a reception for the inductees, family, friends and the public, then the induction ceremony in the Keating Theatre.  The inductees were seated on the stage and Doug Vaughn of CBS local channel 4, a KHS74 alum himself and frequent emcee for all things KHS, introduced Dr. Harrell, Corey Nesslage, Athletic Director and Dr. David Ulrich, School Superintendent who each presented short greetings.  Doug then introduced the 12 individual athletes who spoke, 2 being deceased but others spoke for them; next were the teams, the long-awaited opportunity for our guys to shine once again!  Representing the 1962 team & chosen to be the spokesperson was Kent Overbey, their coach.  We spent great time with him at both receptions, what fun he is at age 86!  Our own Joal Charleville Russell's brother Joe was one of the posthumous awardees as were Mike Hensgen, Charlie Harris & Rick Haefele.   Dan Dykstra, Steve Jones, Tom Goodwin and Ken Mulherin (a neighbor of ours in Sugar Creek Ranch) were other team-mates not in attendance but with us WERE Doug McDougall and our OWN ROD BRUCKDORFER!  Yes, Rod was on the winning team in our sophomore year as well as our senior year! More about that in a moment.  Joal was given the award for her late brother.  I forgot to ask Rod if he received 2 but I bet he did because I think they had the year on them. As I am typing a long-lost memory popped into my head- happens to me a lot.  I was dating Jack Maris our sophomore year and we went somewhere on a double-date and I haven't thought of it in eons but as I typed the name I realized it was Charlie Harris and whomever his date was!  I had to check the '63 PIONEER to be sure my memory was correct!  Funny how our brains can just toss us a long-lost memory at the oddest times!  In my next life I'm going to study the mechanics of how the heck our brains do that!!!

Finally it was OUR turn to honor our inductees - the 1964-65 Cross Country Team. Those with us last night were Rod Bruckdorfer & wonderful wife Lenora from NC, Phil Mills (KHS66), Bill Pape, who drove from upstate NY, Mike Bosworth, Bob Leonard driving from San Antonio and Judge Gary Schmidt who rode the train in from Jefferson City (Alumni Hall of Fame 2010 individually for his stellar legal career).  Also on the team were Jim Olson who was the individual State Champion that year, and is already in the Athletic Hall of Fame (2009) individually and who is no longer living, Bill Barrow and John Rogers also deceased.  I throw out the places and means of transport here to give me the entree to reminding everyone that Bill Pape RODE HIS BICYCLE here from New Jersey for one of our class reunions!  I'll never forget that factoid, Bill is an amazing guy, a long-time lawyer and municipal judge.  

I have been privileged to be a friend of Gary Schmidt's for many years; he has been of great help to me during some dark times, and I'm so proud of his record as a jurist, athlete, father and friend to many.  He sent me his talk (teams were allowed 5 minutes with one spokesperson) to look over which I did, tweaked it a bit and then made sure I kept a copy so I can share it here.  We should ALL be so proud of ALL of our KHS athletes, but these guys were and still are superior people and super friends. 

"In 1964 Kirkwood’s  cross-country team finished second in the nation.  Arch-rival Riverview Gardens finished fourth in the nation, but never came close to Kirkwood.  In the National Championship Kirkwood could have had better luck with weather or injuries, but that's not what happened and Kirkwood finished with the silver medal by two seconds.

In many ways our slowest runner was our MVP.  In practice and at a meet Kirkwood runners never quit.  Every athlete applied constant pressure to the teammate in front of him.  And that upward pressure went to the top of the lineup.  Kirkwood was deep and every member of the team made a significant contribution.

Rod Bruckdorfer was the team captain for a group of very strong-willed individuals.  Herding cats would have been far easier.   To this day, no one can explain how that dead fish found its way to Jim Olson’s locker.  Several teammates awoke to find dozens of “real estate for sale” signs in their front yard.  One athlete discovered his car had been listed for sale.   No one knows how these things happened, they just HAPPENED.

But when it came time to work, the team concentrated and worked hard.  The hard work paid off with great results.

Coach Lyon was an excellent coach who had succeeded the very much beloved and also excellent Coach Overbey.  Several years later Kirkwood won a National Championship under Coach Lyon.

Jim Olson was the individual State Champion, and second in the nation.   But this was a great bunch of guys, each with their own great story.   I want to share with you one of those stories from Bill Pape.

 "I was running on Longview near my family home for a Boy Scout merit badge during the summer before 10th grade.  

A car pulled up beside me and some tough guys rolled down the window and directed me to show up at Kirkwood Park to run that Saturday.

I asked Coach Overbey about this and he admitted he sent soon-to-be-seniors on the team to go look for recruits.

They saved my life because I was a shy kid going nowhere fast.  Suddenly, I had friends, a coach, and a life."

At that time high schools did not have women’s sports.  Becky  Emrich,  Mary Domrese, and Chris Hofstetter, as well as the cheerleaders made up for this lack by providing incredible  support for the team. [Mary was in the audience and Gary pointed her out and she waved then joined us later at dinner.]

Before the State Meet, the Cheerleaders delivered boxes of Special K to the home of each teammate.  Although the cereal is gone, sixty years later I still have the box, it meant so much to me (and I suspect the others).

At the State meet Chris, Mary, and Becky rallied what seemed to be hundreds of great young ladies who ran all over the course ahead of the runners imploring them to go faster, faster, always faster.  Words cannot express the effect this had on a sixteen year old.  It was magnificent inspiration.

We would like to thank Leslie Richards and Lisa Wade for the work they did putting us together with this event.   We thank them and we thank the committee for the honor of our induction.  I think the team would agree, going to Kirkwood and being on this team was like winning the lottery. 

We have six surviving inductees with us today.   Unfortunately Jim Olson, Bill Barrow and John Rogers have passed away.

With us tonight are, in no particular order save Bill Pape who threatened me,  Bill Pape, Bob Leonard, Mike Bosworth,  Phil Mills, Captain Rod Bruckdorfer and me, “the Tiger”, Gary Schmidt."

 On the walls at the school were large posters with pix of some of the inductees, including the 'official' photo of the full 1964 Boys Cross Country Team.  I'll post it and some other pix when I have a chance, today is a gorgeous cool day and hubby Jack and I have a LOT of neglected yard work to tend to so I'm off to grab a rake and some pruning shears.  Come to our 2025 60th reunion to see the poster, and lots more KHS65 memorabilia....keep your eye out here for Reunion date and news in coming months and hopefully I'll get lots more pix posted 'ere too long.  THANK YOU TO ALL who participated this weekend, including Lee and Karen Walters who joined us for dinner last night, as well as Karen Lowe Adams who did also and Steve Woodard who happened to look to his left as he was parking his car to have dinner at PJs and recognized my license plate, I glanced over and saw his face and knew immediately who he was so he joined us for few minutes too!  Dianne Eddins Cook & hubby Frank also had dinner with us, always so much fun to be with them, Dianne the consummate cheerleader who never stops caring about our KHS65 friends. 

Signing off - as I watch a hummingbird flitting around in the tree by my office window, on its way to my feeder no doubt.  It will soon be the end of watching those amazing little birds as I work, they head south by the end of this month.   Thanks for reading and happy September, my favorite month!

Noted Math Teacher at KHS dies at age 91 after a lifetime love of mathematics

 

 While I was not a student in Mr. Leech's class at Kirkwood High, others do remember him and my attention was called to his obituary courtesy of my pal, Pat Hoag, so that I could share.  He certainly led a life devoted to mathematics to the advantage of many I'm sure.  May he be resting in peace and love.

  Leech, John David, passed away on Aug. 8, 2024, at the age of 91

 David was born on Aug. 5, 1933, in Odessa, Missouri, to Howard Wray Leech and Emelia Louise Florentine Leech (née Zopf).  After graduating from Chillicothe High School in 1951, David attended the University of Missouri-Columbia, where he earned a bachelor’s degree in education in 1955.  David served as a reserve officer in the U.S. Army from 1955-1964, during which time he rose to the rank of first lieutenant. David then continued his education, earning a master’s degree in education from the University of Missouri-Columbia and a master’s degree from Saint Louis University. 

David was a longtime public school math teacher.  Starting his 35-year teaching career in Russellville, Missouri, David taught at Berkeley High School and Valparaiso Middle School (Indiana) before concluding his career as a fixture at Kirkwood High School.  His time in Kirkwood led him to becoming a longtime chair of the math department. His passion also led him to a 30-plus year part time position teaching mathematics at St. Louis Community College - Meramec. In retirement, David continued to advocate for mathematics education by serving as a volunteer math tutor.  David was proud of having been an Eagle Scout. A formidable Rummikub opponent, David’s passions included yearly trips to New Smyrna Beach, Florida, woodworking, bocce ball and custard pie.

Mr. Leech is survived by his wife of 65 years, Martha Susanne Leech (nee Ledgerwood); his children, Melissa Leech (Glenn Hoffmeister, deceased; Brian Armstrong), Melinda Looby (Jim Looby) and John Leech (Joy Hannel); and six grandchildren, Matthew (Caitlyn), Emily, Andrew, Thomas and Daniel Looby; and Rachel Hannel Leech. He was preceded in death by his brother, Robert Wray Leech; and his sister, Nancy Jane Harding. David was proud of all his children and grandchildren. David’s kindness and sense of humor were not easily forgotten. He will be missed dearly by not only his family, but all who had the pleasure to know him. 

A memorial service will be held at Friendship Village Chesterfield on Saturday, Aug. 31, at 2 p.m. In lieu of flowers, the family asks that donations be made to the employee assistance fund at Friendship Village Chesterfield. Arrangements by Bopp Chapel.

 

Peter Moisio, Pat's brother lived a good life, now he's gone - a wonderful family story of love and care

 

Peter Moisio Obituary

Moisio, Peter Anton 62, of St. Louis passed away peacefully on July 7, 2024, with St. Louis Arc Rainbow Village staff by his side.

Peter started his 21 years of growth and independence in the St. Louis area when he moved from Tucson, Arizona, where he lived with his brother Rick and his wife Mary, to live with his sister Pat and her late husband, Stanley. Stan and Pat encouraged Pete in his independence, creativity, volunteerism, and confidence. Stan used his real estate expertise to help Peter find an apartment that was safe and perfect location-wise to Peter's friends as well as his many activities. When living in his apartment, he was supported by Midwest Easter Seals staff. Additionally, Peter learned skills taught by Bill, Cathy, Carol, and Piper. When he moved to the St. Louis Arc Rainbow Village (Promise Community) campus, he evolved further with help from Craig, MaryAnne, Ed, Seth, Kristie, Eli, Amber, and countless others.

Services: The celebration of Peter's life will be at Webster United Methodist Church, 600 North Bompart Avenue, Webster Groves, Missouri 63119, at 11:00 a.m. on Saturday, September 7, 2024. The celebration of Peter's life will be streamed live. For those who are unable to attend Peter's celebration of life, please use the following link to participate in the live streaming,

https://websterunitedmethodist.org/wum-online-watch-online/.

In lieu of flowers, consider donating to the St. Louis Arc, (Supporting people with developmental disabilities and their families since 1950.), 1177 Warson Road, Saint Louis, MO 63132, 314-817-2242.

To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.

Published by St. Louis Post-Dispatch on Aug. 17, 2024.

Another classmate has passed away

 

KHS65 folks, in working on getting our class database in shape I've found another classmate who has passed away. Elizabeth Cason died in 2013 in Holmen, Wisconsin. The obituary is in a newspaper which won't let you read w/o a subscription but I could read between the ads enuf to learn she had a PhD in Math, maybe something else too. She was a professor somewhere in WI, one of her advanced degrees was from Mizzou. At KHS she belonged to Biology & Chemistry clubs, sang in Girl's Chorus and did girls' sports, graduated in the top 10% of the class and earned the gold K. She apparently never married or had children. She had an endowment of some sort because the LaCrosse (WI) Area Foundation has, or at least had in 2017, an M. Elizabeth Cason Foundation award which was given to someone. I am afraid I'll find more of our classmates gone, but when I began trying to revive our database, I assumed that would be the case...Don't forget if you want to see the Memorial List, it is on the right side of this blog, scroll down on the front page and you'll see it. Stay well everyone!!! 

 

 Send info so we can keep in touch! I'm working hard on updating our data base so we can reach as many as possible!

KHS65 LOTS GOING ON - COME ONE AND ALL, SOMETHING FOR EVERYONE

 

KIRKWOOD FRIENDS - heads up, lots of doings for KHS65 members.

 

September 6 & 7 KHS Athletic Hall of Fame celebration with some of our class members being honored. More details coming but for now - Friday night football game half time honors & Saturday public ceremony and reception for the inductees. I have more info but need to gather some details...it's going to be a great weekend! 

 

Sat Sept 14 We will have a float in Greentree Festival Parade. Bill Bailey, Karen Lowe, Dave Beardsley & Pat Corpening Hoag will ride in the Bailey family 1967 Galaxy 500 convertible.

 

SEPTEMBER 28 KHS65 PICNIC -KIRKWOOD PARK LYONS PAVILION 11 -3, our normal brats, dogs & burgers; bring sides to share or for yourself, BYOB soft drinks, water or whatever beverage you wish to drink.

 

AND LAST BUT NOT LEAST HARD TO BELIEVE BUT A 60th REUNION IN 2025 IS IN THE PLANNING STAGES - if you have an idea, get in touch. Please send me any contact info for you that we might not have, especially email addresses, we're getting ready to send some announcements and email lets us keep our money for parties!!! Messages here will be accepted to put you on the list! OR emails or phone calls... you know the drill... if we gotta age, this is the way to do it, the KIRKWOOD way! 636 220 2442 GETS YOU TO MY VOICEMAIL 

LESLIE@KHS65.COM GETS YOUR INFO TO ME TOO...