Dianne Gustin Passes Away

Unfortunately, over Thanksgiving 2021, a third classmate passed away.

Dianne Elizabeth Gustin was an active member of the Douglas MacArthur Class of 1965. As a Freshman she was the Girl's Choir Treasurer; on the Girl's Choir as a sophomore; "Take Five" as a sophomore; and "Musical Montage," "Curtain Raiser," and Fall Concert as a junior. As a senior, Dianne was on the A Choir and Choraliers. She participated in the Christmas Programs, every year, from Freshman to Senior.

Dianne was a Class Council Representative, Student Council, and Homecoming Committee as a freshman; in the French Club as a freshman and sophomore; Art Club member as a sophomore and junior; and was in Music Man as a senior.

For the Mac '65 reunion, she noted her first car was a Mazda 626, and she went on to be the director of marketing as her career. She said she married "Steve Kirtley."

On Facebook, Dianne Gustin Kirtley listed herself as living in Mission Viejo, California, but then she added "Just moved back to Decatur Feb 2011! Had lived in Orange County, CA for 34 years. Have two grown daughters and three grandchildren. Married to my best friend."

Her obituary lists her as having moved again.

Dianne Gustin Kirtley 

(February 26, 1947 ~ November 14, 2021)

Dianne Elizabeth Kirtley passed away at her residence in Delta, Colorado on Sunday, November 14, 2021. She was 74 years old.

Dianne was born February 26, 1947, to JoAnne Faye (Allsup) and Dale Gustin in Decatur, Illinois. She graduated from MacArthur High School in 1965 and then attended Eastern Illinois University in Charleston, Illinois.

She was a “Total Craft Lady” that loved any and all crafts from jewelry to home décor. She was always on a search for “Pretty Little Things.”

Dianne is survived by her husband Malcolm Steve Kirtley of Delta, CO; two daughters Julie Baker-Sweet of Rancho St Margarite, CA and Betsy Johnson of Lake Forest, CA; brother Mark Gustin of St Charles, MO; and three grandchildren.

Dianne is preceded in death by her parents; sister Nanette “Nan” Smith and an infant son James.

This is a December 6, 2011 photograph in which Rita Ooton hosted a Christmas luncheon of MacArthur High School friends. In front is Rita, left to right is Millicent Smith, Dianne Gustin Kirtley, Judy Wayne Rexroad, Susan Wakeman Lemons, and Carol Carter Hill. A fun Christmas memory!

2010

2011

Di and her daughters ~ 2016.

Her obituary photo published in 2021. Di suffered from Alzheimer’s in recent years.

Our condolences to her family, and friends.

Two Passed Away Over Thanksgiving: Mary Ann Bass and Leslie Jane Glynn

During the days surrounding Thanksgiving (November 25, 2021) this year, we have separately learned of the deaths of two women who are MacArthur High School graduates of the Class of 1965. 

Mary Ann Bass  

On Thanksgiving Day, after an ongoing battle with cancer, Mary Ann Bass Davis, whose home was in Hanover Park, Illinois, died.

Her Matt wrote on Facebook on November 25, 2021:

"It is with a very heavy heart that I share the news that Mom has passed away this evening. She is no longer in pain and back with Dad. MaryAnn Bass Davis was an amazing woman and me, Dawn, and Dominique are so happy that we got to call her Mom/Grandma!! Give Dad a big hug for us!! Love you Mom!!"

June 14, 1947 ~ November 25, 2021

In the Class of 1965 yearbook, The Cadet, Mary Ann Bass was listed as the Vice-President in the senior year. She was in the Orchestra, Pops Concert, and the Fall Concert from the freshman to the senior year. Mary Ann Bass was in the Girls Glee Club her freshman year.

Leslie Jane Glynn

Douglas MacArthur High School graduate of the Class of 1965, Leslie Glynn Lowe of the Warwick, Rhode Island area, passed away on November 18, 2021.

Leslie Jane Glynn was in MacArthur High School's Class of 1965 French Club during her sophomore, junior, and senior years. She also was in the American Friends Society Club as a sophomore, and on the Cadet yearbook staff as a senior.

Leslie went on to study at University of Rhode Island.

Her former husband Lynn Lowe wrote:

"Leslie was a wonderful mother to three children and grandmother to six.
She was a medical secretary working for the chief of staff at Brigham and Woman’s hospital in Boston, at Albany Medical Center, and at Woman and Infants hospital in Providence.
She loved to knit and cross stitch and loved her pet dogs.
She will be missed by all."

Leslie Glynn Lowe

 

Douglas MacArthur High School graduate of the Class of 1965, Leslie Glynn Lowe of the Warwick, Rhode Island area, has apparently passed away.

Leslie was in Mac's French Club during her sophomore, junior, and senior years. She also was in the American Friends Society Club as a sophomore, and on the Cadet yearbook staff as a senior.

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We have been unable to find any details of her passing, and anyone knowing more is asked to contact Donna Maddox, Sandy Porter, Millicent Smith, or Loren Coleman.

We will carry more information when it is revealed, thank you.

John Richard Niederbrach Has Passed Away

John Richard Niederbrach passed away on Friday, October 1, 2021. 

John, a Mac 65 graduate, lived on North MacArthur Road in Decatur. 

John was born March 22, 1947 in Decatur, IL, the son of Robert and Catherine (Adams) Niederbrach. John was a Master Gardener through the University of Illinois Extension Office. He volunteered for Central Illinois Christians in Mission (CICIM) and the Good Samaritan Inn. John was a member of St. Paul’s Lutheran Church. 

John was born March 22, 1947 in Decatur, IL, the son of Robert and Catherine (Adams) Niederbrach. After graduation, he said he went into the insurance business.

John was a Master Gardener through the University of Illinois Extension Office. He volunteered for Central Illinois Christians in Mission (CICIM) and the Good Samaritan Inn. John was a member of St. Paul’s Lutheran Church. 

Surviving is his sister: Jacklyn Sellers of Alva, FL, special friend: Brenda Niederbrach of Decatur; two nieces, one nephew, and his special canine Moyen Poodle: Brach.

A memorial service was held at 10:00 a.m., Thursday, October 7, 2021, at St. Paul’s Lutheran Church, Decatur, IL. Dawson & Wikoff Funeral Home is assisting the family with services. 

Brenda Niederbrach

COVID19 Takes Danny Smith in 2020

 

Danny Paul Smith 

June 6, 1947 - November 12, 2020

Danny was a member of the MacArthur High School, Decatur, Illinois, Class of 1965. He was on the wrestling team as a sophomore and lived at 714 West Leafland, as a freshman.

Millicent Smith writes:

"To the Mac Class of ‘65……I am sorry to announce that I have just discovered that our classmate, Danny Smith of Decatur, IL, passed away November 12, 2020. I’m very sorry that I didn’t know before now. RIP Danny"

On November 26, 2020, Danny Smith's son posted the following:

"I just wanted to let his Facebook friends know that [Danny Smith] has passed away due to complications from Covid 19. There will not be any services, but he will be laid to rest at Graceland Fairlawn cemetery in Decatur, IL."

The Graceland Fairlawn obituary reads:

"Danny Paul Smith, 73, passed away Thursday, November 12, 2020, at Decatur Memorial Hospital.
Danny was born June 6th, 1947, in Decatur, IL to Paul and Marjorie Ruth (Goddard) Smith. He served in the United States National Guard for 4 years and was a tool designer for Caterpillar from 1972 until his retirement. He enjoyed woodworking, DIY projects, and traveling.
He is survived by his two children, Heather Smith and Robby Smith; his granddaughter, Abby Whipple; his sister, Janice (Jim) Harper; his brother Roger (Barb) Smith; and his dog, Molly.
Interment will be at Graceland/Fairlawn Cemetery in Decatur, IL."

Danny's beloved Molly

For Mac 1965's 50th Reunion, Danny shared this information:

"(Lived in) Decatur, IL ~ Worked for Federal government of the United States; Senior Designer at Caterpillar. Attended Richland Community College."

Danny had an appreciation for cars, and owned and sold some unique ones.

He would mention his trips to Cancun and Lake Tahoe after he retired from Caterpillar.

As a final tribute to Danny Smith, here is a link to the last song he posted late in October 2020, on his Facebook site: Fleetwood Mac's Dreams Live.

Fred Miller Goes To Heaven

Fred Louis Miller's family announced via Facebook, on September 1, 2021, that Miller had passed away.

In the Senior Yearbook of the Graduating Class of Douglas MacArthur High School, Miller was acknowledged as a transfer from Stephen Decatur High School as a sophomore. He is listed as participating in Cadet Band as a Sophomore and Junior, Vice President as a Junior, and in the Concert Band as a Senior. He is noted as in Concert Choir as a Junior; in Choraliers, Music Man as a Senior, and in the All-State Music Festival as a Junior and Senior. Miller was in the German Club when a Junior and Senior. In high school sports, Fred Miller was involved with Football and Baseball as a Sophomore, and then Wrestling as a Junior and Senior.

Fred Miller's hometown was Decatur, Illinois, having been born there on January 28, 1946. At the time of his death, he lived in Oswego, Illinois.

 

After graduation, Miller joined the U.S. Marines. He mentioned that his final location where he served was at the Moffett Naval Air Station, near San Francisco, before coming home. He never talked too much about his service to the country, but he would remember his fellow Marines frequently on social media. 

Fred Miller went on to a university education in Music at Millikin University (Class of 1973, Bachelors of Music Education) in Decatur, and then on to study Music Ed-Choral at the University of Illinois in Urbana-Champaign, Illinois, receiving a Master of Science. 

Fred Miller was involved with ΑΦΑ at the national level.

Besides the Marines, the other great fraternity Fred Miller joined was Alpha Phi Alpha. Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc. (ΑΦΑ) is the first intercollegiate historically African American fraternity. It was initially a literary and social studies club organized in the 1905–1906 school year at Cornell University but later evolved into a fraternity with a founding date of December 4, 1906. It employs an icon from Ancient Egypt, the Great Sphinx of Giza, as its symbol. Its aims are "Manly Deeds, Scholarship, and Love For All Mankind," and its motto is "First of All, Servants of All, We Shall Transcend All."

Starting in August 1980, "Mr. Miller," as his junior high school students knew him, was to become an extremely admired and popular music teacher at Valley View Community Unit School District 365 in Oswego, Illinois, until he retired in June 2011. 

"One of the most influential teachers I've ever had," said one student who went on to be a published author and ordained minister.

Fred and Gwen Miller

Regina King

Fred married Gwendolyn Thomas-Miller on August 7, 1977. Some have commented on how much Regina King looked like Gwen Miller. The Millers raised a family (son Nicholas), and went on family outings such as to Cubs vs  White Sox games, and trips to Washington D. C. 

Fred Louis Miller was an active member of the Cathedral of Grace - St. John AME Church.

Fred immensely loved being a husband and father.

He also loved being a grand dad.

He is missed. 

Fred Miller's favorite quotes are:

"It is within my power to dream, to build air castles, to think great thoughts, to aim at the stars and grasp the moon...whatever I do I will strive to do it so well that no man living and no man dead and no man yet born can do it better." Dr. Benjamin E. Mays, "I Can Do All Things Through Christ Who Strengthens Me," Philippians 4:13, "There is no fear in love; but perfect love cast out fear; because fear involves torment. But he who fears has not been made perfect in love," 1 John 4:18

The Mac Class of 1965 sends our deepest condolences.

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John Massey Dies

 

John Massey III was born on June 25, 1947, and grew up in Decatur, Illinois. 

John passed away August 3, 2021, reportedly from COVID-19, while living in Fort Myers, Florida.

While at Douglas MacArther High School, John was involved in Vocational Arts Mechanics as a junior and senior; Football as a sophomore, junior, and senior; Basketball as a sophomore; and Track for all four of his high school years.

John graduated from Douglas MacArthur High School in 1965, and joined the military on December 15, 1965. 

John Massey trained at Fort Leonard Wood, where the above series of photos were taken.

John married Connie Erue Massey on July 28, 1968. She graduated from Eisenhower High School in 1968. 

John noted in the Mac65 50th reunion survey that he was a Caterpillar employee from 1965-1998, and that the first car he ever owned was a 1940 Ford coupe.

Another Caterpillar employee whom John knew, Bill Tuttle, died only a few days ago, on July 27, 2021. 

The Massey couple remained together for life, having children, grandkids, and enjoying their retirement in Florida.

Our condolences to Connie, their children, their family and friends.