Yuletide Passing of Jack Vandevanter

Jack Lee Vandevanter, a member of the Douglas MacArthur graduating class of 1965, was involved with freshmen and sophomore football.

Jackie Lee “Jack” Vandevanter, 77, of Decatur, Illinois, died at his home on Sunday, December 15, 2024, with his family by his side.

Jack was born in Decatur in January of 1947, the son of John and Wanda Vandevanter. He was a 1965 graduate of MacArthur High School. Jack worked as a draftsman for Illinois Power Company. He was an avid bowler, member of the Decatur Bowlers Association and recent inductee to the Decatur Bowlers Hall of Fame. In his younger days he was a racecar co-owner with Lee Jenkins involved with Macon Speedway. 

Jack Vandevanter was a coach for Karla’s traveling softball teams. His grandkids loved their papa dearly. Jack married his sweetheart Joette Donovan in Decatur on October 16, 1976.

Surviving is his wife Joette Marie Vandevanter of Decatur, children, Lorie (Jeffrey) Laskowski of Argenta, Christopher Vandevanter of Decatur, Karla (Michael) Lamberto of Pasco, WA., six grandchildren Karson, Konnor, Luke, Zachary, Rachel, and Gabrielle, one great grandchild Katara, sister Marsha Kohler of Decatur, nephew Joshua (Amy) and great nephew, Oliver Smith of Decatur. He was preceded in death by his parents. (Source.)

A memorial celebration of Jack’s life was held at 7:00 pm Friday December 20, 2024, at West Decatur Church of God (4500 West Main Street Decatur, IL., 62522) with Pastor Ed Hollis officiating. Memorials if desired may be made to the American Cancer Society or to The Macon County Humane Society. R.I.P.

Thanks to Stephen Haury for passing along the news.

Don Bivens Has Passed

 

Donald Lee Bivens, Jr. was a member of the Mac Class of 1965. He was active in Track as a freshman and the Spanish Club as a freshman and senior.

Donald Lee Bivens Jr., 77, of Illiopolis, passed away on September 27, 2024, with his children by his side. Don fought courageously through many health struggles over the last decade. He was the beloved husband of Sue (Quigley), with whom he was blessed to spend the last 35 years together.

Born in 1947 in Decatur, Illinois, he was the son of Donald Bivens Sr. and Margaret (Mehsling) Bivens. After graduating from MacArthur High School, he joined the U.S. Army and proudly served his country during the Vietnam War in the 87th Combat Engineering Company. As a proud military veteran, Don enjoyed speaking to fellow veterans about their shared experiences.

Don is remembered for his work at Shur-Co in Decatur, first as a branch manager and then as a regional sales manager, a position which afforded him the opportunity to travel to areas such as Nova Scotia, Oregon, Canada, and Florida. He retired from the company in 2009.

Upon retirement, Don’s love for traveling took him all across the United States and the Caribbean with his dearest Sue, with Vero Beach, Florida, and Branson, Missouri, among his favorite destinations. Camping was also a favorite pastime of Don’s, and he enjoyed relaxing and spending time with his family at various campgrounds throughout the United States. For much of his life, Don also had a passion for antiques, and he was the proud owner of three antique stores in central Illinois. Notably, Don was known by his family as a devout Christian who loved the Lord. His favorite topics for prayer were his children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren, all who were close to his heart.

Don is survived by his wife, Sue; daughters Jennifer Bivens and Catherine Bivens; sons Don (Krista) Bivens and Tim Bivens; stepchildren Janna (Dennis) Drew and Jerry (Amy) Aldridge; 19 grandchildren; 15 great-grandchildren; and brother Steve (Ailyn) Bivens.

Don was preceded in death by his parents.

Charles J. Holliday Has Passed Away

 

Charles J. Holliday was a member of the Class of 1965. He was in the Cadet Band as a freshman and sophomore, Wrestling and Track as a freshman, and involved in Baseball as a sophomore.

Below is his official obituary.

Charles Joseph Holliday

Sept. 18, 1946 - Feb. 6, 2024

DECATUR - Charles Joseph Holliday, 77, of Decatur, IL, passed away February 6, 2024, at McLean County Nursing Home, Normal, IL.

Charles was born, September 18, 1946 in Decatur, IL, the son of Walter Francis and Lorene Edna (Kalinski) Holliday.

Charles married Vicki Morvan in 2013 in Decatur, IL.

Charles was a veteran of the US Army serving during the Vietnam Era. Following his military service Charles worked as a delivery driver, delivering gas cylinders.

During his leisure time, he loved to fish at Lake Shelbyville, and was involved in area fishing clubs.

Surviving are his stepson, Tynan Morvan of Decatur, IL.

He was preceded in death by his wife, Vicki; and his parents.

Funeral service will be held 11:00 AM Wednesday, February 14, 2024, at Graceland Fairlawn Funeral Home. Visitation will be from 10:00 AM - 11:00 AM Wednesday February 14, 2024, at the funeral home.

Fred Ganaway Passes Away Oct 17, 2023

Fredrick Ernest Ganaway

was a member of the MacArthur High School graduating class of 1965. 

He passed away of cancer on October 17, 2023.

He was in the German club as a sophomore and junior, in the AVA club as a sophomore-junior-senior.

He was in the Varsity Track as a sophomore-junior-senior too.

He was a Cadet yearbook and Monitor photographer as a junior-senior.

As a senior, Fred was on Class Council, Student Council, and on the Senior Class Play.

The first car Fred owned was a 1958 Chevy wagon.

After graduation from MacArthur High School in 1965, Fredrick Ganaway attended the University of Illinois in Champaign-Urbana. 

In 1986, he married his high school sweetheart, Deborah Ann Foster, SDHS 1966.

They both attended and graduated from college in February 1970; Fred with a BS in Industrial Engineering and his wife with a BS-LAS in Psychology.

Fred went to work at Moline Manufacturing Company in Bloomington, as a industrial engineer.

Then from July 1970 through February 1972, Fred served in the U.S. Army as a sergeant in the infantry. He was on duty overseas in Berlin, Germany, and his wife Debby joined him for six months there.

Afterward, they came back to Modine, and his career lasted nearly 39 years until he retired on October 31, 2008. ("Happy Halloween," he would say.)

During their marriage, Fred and Debby had three children. Their first, Bryan Fredrick, married Irina, and have two granddaughters, Mila and Lydia. They live in Charleston, SC, and work at the College of Charleston as history professors. Their second child, Katherine Marie, lost her battle with bi-polar disorder March 1. 2004. The youngest Andrew David is married to Angela. They live in Racine, and Andrew works at CNH as the program administrator.

Fred recorded he and his wife would move through 13 residences, 7 in Illinois, Georgia, Berlin, Germany, Indiana, two in Ohio, and finally in Racine, Wisconsin, in 1981. Thirteen moves in 13 years, he once recalled.

His career with Modine went through various engineering management positions and division operations management over multiple plant operations. His final position was Operations and Manufacturing Engineering Services Manager, with global responsibility.

When Fred retired, Debby remained employed full time as the Executive Director of NAMI Racine. One of Debby's early work positions was as a special education teacher at MacArthur High School, Decatur, Illinois, 1970-1971.

__

Family's remembrance:

Fredrick “Fred” Ernest Ganaway, 76, December 5, 1946 – October 17, 2023

Fredrick “Fred” E. Ganaway, age 76, passed away Tuesday, October 17, 2023, at Froedtert Memorial Hospital, Milwaukee. He was born in East St. Louis, IL, December 5, 1946, son of the late Ernest and Mary (Nee: Jacobs) Ganaway.

He was a graduate of The University of Illinois. On August 31, 1968, in Decatur, IL, Fred was united in marriage to Deborah Ann Foster. Fred proudly served his country in the US Army as a sergeant in the Berlin Brigade. Fred was employed by Modine Mfg. for 39 years until his retirement in 2008. He was a member of the First United Methodist Church, the Institute of Industrial Systems Engineers, and Chairman Emeritus of Gateway Technical College Foundation. 

He thoroughly enjoyed the arts, in particular the Milwaukee Symphony Orchestra. Fred enjoyed

traveling, golfing and dancing. He learned professional photography in high school; the money he earned helped pay for his education. Above all it was time spent with his family, particularly his granddaughters, that Fred cherished most.

He was loved dearly and will be sadly missed by his wife of 55 years, Debby; sons, Bryan (Irina)

Ganaway, Andrew Ganaway and his former spouse Angela Dos Santos; granddaughters, Mila

and Lydia; sister, Carole (David) Baars; brothers-in-law, Paul Foster, David Foster (Dale

Hoiberg); other relatives and many dear friends. In addition to his parents, he was preceded in

death by his daughter, Katherine Ganaway.

Funeral Services celebrating Fred’s life will be held 10:30 am, Saturday, October 28, 2023, at

the First United Methodist Church, 745 Main St., Racine, with Rev. Jakes Voker officiating.

Relatives and friends are welcome to meet with the family for Visitation, Saturday, 9:00 am, until

the time of service at the church. Memorials to the Gateway Technical Foundation or to the First

United Methodist Church have been suggested by the family.

A very special thank you to Dr. Thomas Giever and his staff for their loving and compassionate

David G. Knight Passes Away

We have lost David G. Knight. His local newspaper recorded his obituary. I've added some photos in the fashion he liked to be remembered:

David G. Knight, 76, of Bloomington passed away at 7:40 a.m., Sunday, July 9, 2023 at his home with his family by his side.

David was born February 19, 1947 in Danville, the son of Gleason and Virginia Stortzum Knight. 

He married Luella Barrett on June 23, 1973, in Hume, IL. She survives.

David attended both Danville and Decatur Schools. He enlisted in the US Army and served during Vietnam. A man of many hats, David owned and operated McLean County Fence and Deck, was a snowplow operator for the Illinois Department of Transportation and enjoyed his earlier years as a photographer.

David was a member of both Epiphany Catholic Church and St. Patrick Catholic Church of Merna. He was involved in TEC, CURSILLO; and Life Teen at Epiphany.

David loved learning and lived a life of adventure. He enjoyed golfing, fishing and hunting bears in Alaska. He also enjoyed music, especially Queen and the Beatles. Always having good stories to share, David kept the room filled with laughter.

David was very family oriented; was a loving husband, father, brother, uncle, friend and a beloved grandfather of six. He will be dearly missed by all those who knew and loved him.

+++

David is survived by three children, Jeff Knight of Normal, Todd (Bethany) Knight of Janesville, WI and Laura Reid of Manito; six grandchildren, AJ Anders, Layne and Harper Knight, and Ella, Aubrey and Paxton Strange; one sister, Carol Kelly of Normal; one nephew, Brian Luckenbill of Stanford, one niece, Alicia Bachert of Tolono; and his extended family on Luella’s side, whom he adored.

He was preceded in death by his parents and one brother, Jeff.

His funeral will be at 11:00 a.m.,, Wednesday, July 12, 2023 at St. Patrick Catholic Church of Merna, Bloomington with Rev. Dustin Schultz officiating. Burial will be in Young America Cemetery, Hume, Illinois at a later date. There will be time to visit with the family before and after the service, Wednesday, at the church. Carmody-Flynn Funeral Home, Bloomington is assisting the family with arrangements.

Memorials may be directed to St. Vincent de Paul Society, Birthright or Shriners Hospital for Children.

The Yelverton Twins Have Both Passed Away

The adolescent Yelvertons enjoyed playing Football for the Douglas MacArthur High School Generals, as well as Donald being involved in Wrestling as a sophomore and Ronald in Orchestra as a freshman.

Back in 2015, we discovered that one of the Yelverton twins had died 40 years earlier.

Donald Gene Yelverton. Donald Yelverton, 28, of Santa Ana, Calif., formerly of Decatur, died Tuesday night November 18, 1975 in a traffic accident in San Jose, Calif. Don Yelverton was born in Decatur, a son of Buford and Katie Yelverton. Surviving are his wife, Jane; sons, Jimmy and John, at home; daughter, Julie, at home; brother, Ronald D., of Tustin, Calif.; sister, Linda Paschal of Burkley, MO.; mother of Warner, Okla. 

Now it has come to our attention that Donald's brother, Ronald died four (4) years ago.

Ronald D. Yelverton, age 72 of Highland, IL, died Sunday, January 20, 2019, at San Gabriel Memory Care in Highland, IL.

Ron was born January 13, 1947, in Decatur, IL, the son of Buford and Katie (nee Virden) Yelverton.

On October 05, 1996, he married Cynthia A. "Cindy" Buehne in Edwardsville, IL.

He was a member of St. Andrews Episcopal Church. 

Ron was born in Decatur, IL and graduated Douglas MacArthur High School in 1965. He joined the US Marine Corps for 10 years in Aviation Management., with duty in Vietnam. He earned a B.S. degree from SIUE. He worked at McDonnell-Douglas Aircraft for over 10 years, C.S.C. in Champaign, IL from 1993 to 1996, and worked from 2000 - 2012 with Dept.. of Defense at Scott Air Force Base as a Contracting Officer. Ron loved the St. Louis Cardinals and fell 5 short of visiting all the major league ball parks. He enjoyed travel to Alaska, Panama Canal, and National Parks, especially the Grand Canyon. He loved spending time with friends, reading and was a presidential history buff, reading presidential biographies. 

Survivors include eight survivors:
Wife - Cynthia A. "Cindy" Yelverton nee Buehne, Highland, IL
Son - John J. "JJ" Yelverton, Saint Louis, MO
Daughter - Jodie M. (Tucker) Bauman, Madras, OR
Grandchild - Michael Bauman, Madras, OR
Grandchild - Becca Bauman, Madras, OR
Brother In-Law - Douglas F. Paschal, Highland, IL
Nieces and Nephews - Numerous.

He was preceded in death by :
Father - Burford J. Yelverton - Died 7/30/1974
Mother - Katie L. Yelverton nee Virden - Died 12/20/1993
Brother - Donald G. Yelverton (twin to Ron) - Died 11/18/1975
Sister - Linda Paschal - Died 5/22/2014

Interment was at Highland City Cemetery in Highland, IL.

We are sorry
 these familiar faces 

of the Class of 1965

are no longer with us.

Mac 65's Senior Class VP Richard K. Williams Dies

Richard K. Williams, MacArthur High School Class of 1965 Vice-President has died, on April 10, 2022, Palm Sunday.

Williams was very involved in student activities, including the chairman of the Homecoming while the Senior Class Vice President. He was in the Concert Band as a Junior and Senior, in the Student-Faculty Game as a Junior, German Club as a Junior and Senior, and on the Student Council as a Sophomore and Senior, and serving as the Student Treasurer as a Junior.

Williams moved to and lived in Greenwood, Indiana, where he died. The following obituary was published in the local paper there:

Richard Kent Williams

Richard Kent Williams, aged 75 years, 3 months, died peacefully at his home on Sunday, April 10, 2022 following a battle with metastatic bladder cancer. He was surrounded by his loving wife, daughter, and step-daughter.

Rich was born in Decatur, Illinois Macon County on January 16, 1947, the first child of Harrison Richard ("Bud") Williams and Norma Deardorff Williams.

He graduated from MacArthur High School in Decatur, Illinois in 1965. While at MacArthur, Rich enjoyed and excelled at playing the trumpet, was involved in both the marching and jazz bands. He and his bandmates played at the World's Fair in New York City in 1965. He also played for the varsity baseball team.

Rich attended the University of Missouri-Rolla (now known as Missouri University of Science and Technology) in January 1970, having earned a bachelor of science in chemical engineering. He later earned a Master of Business Administration from the University of Illinois' executive program.

Former employers included A.E.Staley Company, Kane Molass Laboratories, and Madison Chemical Company (Madison, Indiana). While at Madison Chemical, he developed a method for processing and treating oily wastewater, for which he was granted a United Stated Patent in 1993. Richard retired in Greenwood, Indiana, after owning and managing a successful sign company (Boomerang, Inc., affiliated with Sign-A-Rama).

Rich was a true American patriot and was proud to have served his country in the Army, Reserves from 1970-1976, earning the rank of sergeant (E-5).

Rich married his first wife, Suzanne Breed, in 1970. Two children were born during that 27-year marriage: Natalie Smith Williams and Justin Breed Williams.

Richard met his second wife, Sally Wood Moglia, in late 1998, while battling prostate cancer. Sally was Rich's nurse; following his hospital discharge, he sent a letter to the attention of his treating nurse at the hospital, which finally made its way to her. They were married October 27, 2001; a union that lasted until his death.

Richard was a brilliant man with characteristics that included humility, integrity, honesty, and strong beliefs. He had a fierce love of God, family, and country. He had a quick wit and terrific sense of humor. He was a lifelong, die-hard Chicago Cubs fan and was grateful to watch them (finally) win a World Series in 2016. He looked forward to annual family trips to the iconic Indianapolis 500 race (held each Memorial Day weekend). Rich was a passionate Purdue University men's basketball fan. He was a proud member of the Indianapolis German American Klub. Rich and Sally traveled the world extensively, and visited locations such as Hungary, Italy, Ireland, Germany, Scotland, and France. He had an eclectic taste in music, spanning several genres: country, jazz, blues, classic rock, hard rock, and classical. He particularly enjoyed live music and shared many concerts with Natalie (Rolling Stones, Guns N' Roses, Kenny Chesney, Lynyrd Skynyrd, Bob Seger, Kid Rock, and Jimmy Buffett) just to name a very few.

He was predeceased by his parents and his favorite pet, Codicat's Lord Geoffrey, a sable Burmese (please see additional information regarding Geoff's life, below).

Richard is survived by his wife, Sally as well as his children Natalie (Todd) of Brandenburg, Kentucky and Justin (Kendra) of Lumberton, Texas. Justin and Kendra share three children: Harrison Beckett, Jameson Trade, and Caroline Grace.

Rich was a proud grandfather and watched Harrison and Jameson's baseball games as well as Caroline's cheer competitions, via Facebook live, without fail.
Richard is also survived by two siblings, and four stepchildren: Michele Moglia Klempner (Mitch), Karen Moglia Maxwell (Mark), Frank Moglia, and Tom Moglia (Ashley).

Additionally, he had four step-grandchildren: Todd and Natalie's daughter Katie Barrow (Jon), Michele and Mitch's son Zachary, Karen and Mark's daughter Amanda as well as Emma and Charlie, and Frank's daughter Delaney. Rich also had a great-grandson, Katie and Jon's son, Jensen.

Richard's funeral was a private event and was held on Wednesday, April 13, 2022.

Codicat's Lord Geoffrey

Codicat's Lord Geoffrey "Geoff E. Kat" a sable Burmese feline, pranced across the Rainbow Bridge on March 1, 2017 at age 19. He died of old age, at his home in Greenwood, Indiana. Geoff was whelped on January 18, 1998; the son of Tilley of Codicat's Cattery, in Dublin, Ohio.
Geoff lived a long, happy life with his best friend and caregiver, Richard Williams. He brought joy and unconditional love not only to Rich and to Rich's wife Sally, but also quickly converted even people who previously thought they did not like cats into fast friends.

In his younger years, Geoff traveled America. He visited 14 states including Iowa, Missouri, Kentucky, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Michigan, Illinois, Tennessee, Louisiana, Mississippi, New York, West Virginia, Virginia, and Maryland.

Geoff was a true "road warrior", riding in the car while the miles piled upon the odometer. He escorted Richard on multiple business trips, as well as visits to family and friends. Geoff enjoyed helping to navigate by perching on the dashboard, sitting in Rich's lap, or resting on his left shoulder. Geoff also watched where he and Rich had just been while resting in the rear window.

Later in his life, Geoff traveled to 2 additional states: Alabama and Florida. He loved resting in the sunbeams in a rented condo on Perdido Key, Florida.
Around Christmas 2015, Geoff became blind. Not long after that, he suffered a stroke, which limited his mobility, but not his appetite or his vest for life. Though blind, he maintained his sense of smell. He could always find his food, his water, and his potty box.

Geoff was preceded across the Rainbow Bridge by his mother, Tilley, Charlie Dickens, a Cavalier King Charles Spaniel (and Margaret Thatcher's litter mate) Also, Natalie (Rich's daughter's) cat Princess Haley Angelique of Cheruburm, a champagne Burmese.

Geoff was survived by his caregiver Richard Williams (who just died on April 10, 2022) and Richard's wife, Sally,
Additionally, Geoff was survived by several of his housemates (who have also since passed) including his canine friend and best animal buddy and protector Margaret Thatcher "Meg", a Cavalier King Charles Spaniel. Feline buddies Simon Peter (a black Persian) and Samson "Sammy)", a Norwegian Forest Cat, have also pranced across the Rainbow Bridge. Rich's daughter Natalie later acquired two other cats from Codicat cattery (who were not blood relatives of Geoff but who got along with him famously: Wrigley "Bob", a blue Burmese, and Maggie (a platinum Burmese). Wrigley and Maggie have also crossed the Rainbow Bridge.

Geoff is survived by Natalie's cats Murphy (sable Burmese) and Frankie (Siamese mix).

Geoff has been missed by all who knew him. However, he left behind magnificent memories of the fabulous times, travels, companionship, and love that was shared between he and his caregiver, Rich. Geoff E. Kat was a special feline. He was a lap cat who preferred a human friend's left shoulder (always the left shoulder!) whose remains were cremated.

Geoff was interred with his master, Rich Williams, on Wednesday, April 13, 2022.

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

Bill Tuttle Dies

William D. Tuttle, 74, has passed away on July 27, 2021. He died during double-bypass heart surgery at Memorial Medical Center in Springfield, Illinois. 

Bill was born on May 2, 1947 in Decatur, Illinois, the son of Charles M. and Norma R. (Stevens) Tuttle.

At MacArthur High School, as a member of the Class of 1965, he attended school for a half-day, and then went to building trades classes the other half-day. He did not graduate, although he is listed in the Senior Yearbook. 

Bill got married to Charlene Mize, became a father, worked at Caterpillar, and build houses on the side. He got re-married to Darla Blakeman on August 4, 1972. He was a welder at Caterpillar, retiring after thirty-one years of service. Bill then owned and operated Tuttle Built Inc., a siding business. 

Bill was a member of and an ordained deacon with Argenta Baptist Church. Bill loved spending time with his family and friends. He was also a master carpenter. 

Bill is survived by his wife Darla, children Joseph D. (Jennifer) Tuttle, Matthew T. (Sonja) Tuttle, and Christine A. (Joseph) Fort, and grandchildren Craig, Brandon, Maegan, Noah, and Alex. 

Bill was preceded in death by his parents, brother Steven Tuttle, sisters Judith Kramer and Karen Tuttle, and son William R. Tuttle. 

Services to celebrate Bill’s life will be 10:00 AM Monday, August 2, 2021 at the Dawson & Wikoff Funeral Home in Mt. Zion. The family will receive friends from 4:00-6:00 PM Sunday, August 1, 2021 at the funeral home. Burial will be at Point Pleasant Cemetery in Long Creek. Memorials are suggested to the Argenta Baptist Church. 

My thanks for contributions of information from Donna Maddox, Millicent Smith, Charlene Mize Tuttle, and Dawson-Wikoff Obituaries.

Jackie Clark Cole Has Passed Away

Jacqueline Lee Clark was a member of the Douglas MacArthur High School graduating class of 1965.

As a Freshman, Clark was involved with Big Mac Day, and as a Senior, she was on both the Homecoming and Homecoming Assembly committees.

When I gathered information for our 2011 reunion, she shared that her first car was a 1962 Chevy Nova. 

Early Monday morning, November 30, 2020, Jackie Clark Cole, 73, passed away at home. She lived in Lutz, Florida. She formerly called Hollywood, Florida, home.

Please share any memories you may have of Jackie, what she did after graduation, and any other information of her life. 

Thanks to Charlene Miss Tuttle and Millicent Smith for conveying this sad news.

Tracey Boyle Devore Passes Away

The always-smiling, humorous, friendly Tracey Boyle, 72, has passed away, according to her daughter, on the evening of Halloween 2019. Tracey loved Batman, and I'm certain she would enjoy her final event synced with this costumed holiday. We all are in mourning, and yet celebrate having known this wonder woman of justice.

Tracey was forever popular. At Roosevelt Junior High School, before Gary Devore, whom she would go on to marry, I was one of Tracey's boyfriends.

Moving on to Douglas MacArthur High School, Tracey Boyle got more involved in the broader social life of high school and beyond. She was in French Club 1; Big Mac Day 3; Prom Committee 3; Office Assistant 3; Class Float 2, 3, 4; Student Government Day 3; Homecoming Decorations Committee 4; and Class Council Alternate 4.

In high school, her first car was a 1960 Pontiac Starchief.

After graduating, Tracey studied at Sparks Business College, married Gary (Mac ’65), and eventually moved to the American Southwest. I once asked her why she and so many others in the Class of 1965 moved to locations like Albuquerque, New Mexico, and cities in Arizona. She told me that one Mac '65 person moved there, and through word-of-mouth, other families would follow, based on the good reports of the weather and work.

Tracey Devore found work quickly in the SW. She was a civilian employee of three police departments for 25 years, as a Police Records Division transcriber. She retired as a Police Records Technician with the Glendale, Arizona, Police Department.

Tracey and Gary would end up living in Sun City, Arizona, which is where she was when she died.

Tracey and I would privately message each other about serial and mass killers, attempting to figure some things out and covertly help the authorities. She was always in communication with her old police contacts.

But in the last two years, Tracey began to detail her health concerns at length. In December 2018, she shared with me, in part, that:

...I had an exacerbation of my COPD. My oxygen level was 83, which is bad. I went to a sleep center to see if I have sleep apnea. I didn't sleep all night. When it was over I was really sick and couldn't breathe. They called 911 and I had an ambulance ride to the hospital. I was there five days. They gave me LOTS of prednisone, and shots in my stomach to stop bleeding. (That was proactive.) Anyway I went to the lung unit and was then transferred to the heart unit. They think my heart was weakened by the attack. I didn't go for the stress test (chemical) until next month. So they put me on a no or very low salt diet, limited my fluids, and can have chicken, turkey or fish if it is broiled, boiled, but no breading and nothing fried. I am so limited that it is miserable. I used to love to cook, but not now. Even going to the store is difficult. I can't have anything in a can, frozen, it has to be fresh. I am still tired, but worse. So many doctor appointments. You know how it goes....
Oh, and all the heavy prednisone doses have given me diabetes. So I have to watch sugar for the next three months, then they will test it again. Are we having fun yet???

Tracey's 72nd birthday was on August 26, 2019.

In September 2019, she back channeled me some of the following:

Hang in there, Loren! I have had a copd exacerbation where oxygen was 83%, which was like that for too long. Long enough that it caused heart damage and had only 40% left. Now I have 20% left with heart, congestive heart failure, very low blood pressure (used to be 140/70), but 85/40 now. I've fallen several times, the last was in front of the restaurant where 12 people were waiting on me for my b'day party. Hurt my foot and thought it was broken as the pain was over the top. However, they said it is gout. LOL Gary has had it for 20 years, but I've never had it. Anyway, that's my story. Still in rehab. Haven't been home in 17 days. I got over my stroke almost immediately because I thought it could be one and took an aspirin immediately. It was in my left eye. Was only blind about 5 minutes....
I was in the hospital in Phoenix from 9/3 to 9/13. They sent me by ambulance to this care home/therapy location that is closer to the house. I have been taken care of from 9/3 to 9/26. They are trying to build me up enough to have open heart surgery, to walk again, etc, Starting tomorrow trying to walk. Every time i turn around its something new.

Publicly, on Facebook, Tracey then wrote on October 16, 2019: "Hi...at home, doing fine. Still ornery and positive. :) Gary says to tell you we are hangin' in there. Love you all and thanks for your many prayers."

Then, Tracey stopping writing.

We all sadly will miss her. She was greatly loved by the Class of '65. And she loved Gary and her family so much...

Missing Mac '65 Grads

No telling why someone vanishes from the rolls of the graduates of a high school. But it usually does not have an outer worldly explanation. A little digging might find the new locations for some folks with whom we use to go to school.

There are some still missing classmates from the Douglas MacArthur High School, Decatur, Illinois, Class of 1965. 

Do you know where they are? Can they be found? If you know them, know what has happened to them, know where they are, please contact Sandy Porter, Donna Maddox, or Millie Smith, if you are in touch with one of those folks. 

Or you can overtly or covertly alert me to the missing people's whereabouts by clicking on CONTACT, and I will forward the info to our class's private MHS '65 database. 

Here is the list of our...

MISSING CLASSMATES

Jim Alexander
Martha Allen Taylor
Donna Barfield Barlow
Dan Cole
Bob Cross
Donna Cunningham Fehrenbach
Annie Kate Currie
Diana Dotson
Pam Goodwin Kemp
Shirlee Grupe McCartney
Maira Lynn Harris
Barbara J. King
Jim Douglas Klausmeier
Joan McElrath
Darrell Lynn Miller
Susan Ramsey
Kathy Elaine Reeter
Beverly Ann Rogers Donovan
Linda Mae Rutherford
John Shields
Joanne Marie Singleton
Nancy Karen Smith
Jeanette Ann Sullivan
Carolyn Trudy Summer Cummings
Joanne Elizabeth Taylor
Lucille Paulette Taylor
Claudia Voelcker (Purviance)

Thank you.

Penny Tennant Passes Away

Penny Joyce Tennant-Starkey, who would have been 70 on August 12, 2017, passed away quietly from cancer on July 24.

Penny's daughter Jennifer Starkey posted this on Facebook on Monday evening:

At 5:37 pm this evening surrounded by her loved ones and family and friends, my mother, the most amazing woman I know, Penny Joyce Tennant-Starkey, is now resting peacefully. She is no longer in any more pain from this horrible cancer. Rest In Peace momma! We love you so much!!!!

Once again, the entire Mac '65 community shares our condolences.

Penny Tennant was an active member of the Douglas MacArthur High School Class of 1965. As noted in the Senior Yearbook, she was a member of the Latin Club as a Freshman; Big Mac Day 1; Freshman Attendant; Homecoming Committee 2, 4; Student Council Representative 2; Alternate 4; Junior Talent Show; French Club 3, 4; Prom Committee 3; Freshman Orientation 4; Homecoming 4; Lakeview Exchange Assembly 4; Cadet Class Co-Editor 4; and C.D.A.S.C Convention Hostess 4.

Penny shared, for the 50th Reunion Book, that her first car was a 1963 blue Ford Falcon. She continued her education after graduation, and attended the University of Missouri. Then she went on to graduate school at Arizona State University, and became a psychiatric nurse practitioner.

Penny remained in the Phoenix, Arizona, area the rest of her life, living in Gilbert, Arizona, as her base of operations, from where she visited her family, and friends.

Penny loved her time with family, whether it was just visiting, or traveling to fun locations.

2013

Penny was a happy spirit and it seems appropriate to end with this photograph of Penny swimming with dolphins, a moment she appears to have enjoyed immensely.

Thanks for info and photos via Donna Maddox, Ginny Vaughn, and Mille Smith ~ Loren Coleman