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.

Loren Reuler Has Passed Away

Loren Reuler was fun and friendly. At MacArthur High School, as his yearbook entry noted, he was involved in football, wrestling, track, Big Mac Day, and served on the Class Council as a senior. His first car was a 1964 Oldsmobile, he told me for the reunion booklet.

Loren went on to study at Michigan State University (he remained a big fan of the school's football team). He then started and was the owner of a small business in southern Colorado, a janitorial equipment supply and service company. Later, including in retirement, he lived in Rockwall and Heath, Texas.

Loren and I laughed about being the only two "Lorens" in the Class of 1965, at the 2011 reunion. 

Sad news comes to us that Loren passed away from cancer on June 23, 2013. He celebrated his 66th birthday on June 10th.

Loren was married to Maria. Maria, their children, and Loren's many relatives will miss him, as will his friends from MacArthur.

Loren's formal obituary is shared here:

Loren Fried Reuler, 66, passed away peacefully at home in Heath, TX on June 23, 2013 surrounded by members of his devoted family. He was preceded in death by his mother, Dorothy Fried Reuler, his father, Richard A. Reuler and older brother Robert. Loren is survived by his loving wife of 35 years, Maria. Also surviving are his son, daughter-in-law and grandson, Michael, Martha and Aaron Reuler of Rockwall, TX, his daughter and son-in-law, Laura and Warren House of Seattle, WA, his sister and her husband, Melanie and Tom Finn of Dallas, sister-in-law Barb Reuler of Peoria, Il. and niece Andrea Richardson of Tinley Park, Il. He is also survived by Dallas cousins Sharon Reuler, Judy Bazarsky and Gretchen Lewis and his Aunt, Sarah Reuler. During his working years, Loren and Maria owned Five Star Sanitary Products in Colorado Springs, CO from 1983-2006. He was a highly respected member of his profession and will be missed by his many friends and business associates in Colorado Springs. He was an active volunteer for Boy Scouts of America and a member of El Paso Masonic Lodge # 13 in Colorado Springs. Loren and Maria retired in 2006 and moved to Heath, TX to be closer to family. As a graduate of Michigan State University, Loren enjoyed following Spartan sports, especially basketball and football. The family asks that donations be made to your favorite charity in lieu of flowers. Graveside service will be held at Hillcrest Memorial Park in Dallas Texas, on Thursday, June 27, 2013 at 10:00 a.m.
Published in The Gazette of Colorado Springs, on June 25, 2013.