Tom Manship Dies

 Tom Manship of the MacArthur High School Class of 1965 died on December 17, 2023.

Tom was involved in Track as a Junior, Vocational Graphic Arts, and Football as a Freshman.

(More details are needed.)

Kenny, Joni, and Tom Manship

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.

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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

Penny Kaler Smeltzer Passes Away on October 2, 2023

Penny Kaler Smeltzer passed away on October 2, 2023.

Her sister, Patricia, passed away in 2015 (see here).

When Penny Kaler married Robert Smeltzer in 1963, she became Penny Kay Smelzter.

Penny Kay Smeltzer, 77, of Decatur, Illinois, passed away October 2, 2023, at home.

Penny was born in Decatur on August 22, 1946, the daughter of Raymond and Fraudonna (High) Kaler. She married Robert Smeltzer on January 4, 1963, in Monticello, Illinois. Her chosen work was cleaning houses for others, which led to many of her clients becoming cherished friends. In her spare time, she was an avid reader, baker, and watcher of court-TV shows. She was a former member of the Early Idlers Car Club, a pastime she enjoyed with her husband Robert. Her greatest joy was spending time with her family, especially her grandchildren.  

Penny is survived by her children Paula Burris of Decatur and Pamela (Michael) Card, both of Decatur; siblings Karen (Rodney) Beard and Raymond Kaler, both of Decatur; sisters-in-law Marilyn Merry and Karla Campbell; grandchildren Benjamin Smeltzer, Brandie Jones, Megan Burris, Abbey Burris, and Sunshine Zuber; 10 great-grandchildren; and a host of extended family and friends. She was preceded in death by her parents, husband, and sisters Paula Rae Kaler and Patricia Michaels.  

Visitation for Penny will be held from 2pm to 4pm on Saturday, October 14, 2023, at Graceland Fairlawn Funeral Home. Following the visitation, Graceland Fairlawn will provide cremation services, and burial will be held at a later date in Mt. Gilead Cemetery.  

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.

Lynn Calhoun Passes Away

 Lynn F. Calhoun, 76, of Arcola, IL, passed away

on Sunday (04-02-2023) in Sara Bush Lincoln Health Center, Mattoon, IL. 

Lynn was born on December 11, 1946, the son of Nelson Calhoun and Alice Viola (Fisher) Calhoun. 

Lynn was a 1965 graduate of Douglas MacArthur High School.

Lynn served his country in the Vietnam War in the United States Marine Corps. He had a master's degree and was a Therapist at Adolph Meyer in Decatur, IL, for several years. Lynn was very religious and loved to read the bible and could quote many scriptures out of the bible by memory. He also loved to draw and was very good at it. 

Lynn was preceded in death by his parents, two brothers Nelson Rex Calhoun and David Calhoun, and two sisters Linda Bell and Judy Denny. 

A Graveside service will be held at 10:00 am Monday (04-10-2023) at Marrowbone Township Cemetery in Bethany, IL. 

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.

Carol Newlin Passed Away in 2021

The last photograph on the last page of the listing of all the 1965 graduates is this one.

Millie Smith has learned of the passing in 2021 of this classmate, whom we all knew as Carol Newlin. Her obituary identified her in recent years as....

Carol Lynn Fair

August 9, 1947 - October 18, 2021

DECATUR - Carol Lynn Fair, 74, died Monday, October 18, 2021, at 6:22 p.m. in her residence.

Carol was born August 9, 1947, in Mt. Carmel, IL, the daughter of Harold and Helen (Curneal) Newlin. She worked as a beautician for 38 years, and then as a supervisor at Hydrogear, retiring in January 2019. She married Howard Fair February 22, 1984, and he died December 6, 2009.

She is survived by daughters: Stacy Sheets (Bob) of Dalton City, IL, Mindy Shafer (Rodger) of Mt. Auburn, IL; grandchildren: Adam Koehler and Gage Shafer; a plethora of step-grandchildren and great-grandchildren; sisters: Marilyn Ferguson (Richard) and Kay Rudd; as well as a special sister-in-law, Karla Dillon.

Carol was preceded by parents, husband, one sister and one brother.

Published by Decatur Herald & Review on Oct. 23, 2021.

Our condolences to her family, and may she rest in peace.

 

Bill Moorehead Has Passed Away

Bill Moorehead was involved in Track as a Freshman and Sophomore, Band as a Freshman, Spanish Club as a Freshman, Mac Day as a Freshman, and Class Council as an alternate as a junior and a respresentative a senior. Bill was on the Senior Class Organization Committee.

 

As the new year dawned, a few miles outside of Decatur, Illinois, 1965 Mac grad Bill Moorehead suffered a heart attack alone at home on January 2, 2023. His services will be held on January 10, 2023.

William Dial Moorehead of Mount Auburn, Illinois, 75 on December 9, 2022 birthday, had founded the Remnant Church, was the Director of the One Way Camp Christian Retreat, and had been a foster parent for several years.

From the time he was a baby, Bill seemed to always be smiling.

Bill's formal obituary:

William D. Moorehead, 75 of Mt. Auburn passed away on Monday, January 2, 2023 at 6:56 p.m.at his home in rural Mt. Auburn, IL. He was born on December 9, 1947 in Decatur, IL the son of William and Rosemary (Merold) Moorehead.

 

He is survived by his children: Tadd Moorehead (Sarah) of Chatham, IL; Stefan Moorehead (Leah White) of Arlington Heights, IL; Sheri (Joel) Clayton of Mechanicsburg, IL; Alice Moorehead (Ashley Ferris) of Decatur, IL and Eric Moorehead of Mt. Auburn, IL; grandchildren: Brendan Moorehead (Meredith), Adalyn Smith (Reed), Cameron, Colton, Corbin, Claira and Canaan Clayton and Hugo Moorehead-White. He was preceded in death by his parents and daughter, Amanda Moorehead.

 

Anyone who knew Bill knew he was a complete character. He never met a stranger in his life. Quick to talk about his favorite coffee, recent trips on his motorcycle, what he was doing at Camp One Way, or share what his children and grandchildren were doing. His love of his children and family never relented. When Bill got a hold of an idea, he never stopped until that idea was a reality. His work in recovery programs and helping kids through the foster care system was a guiding light. 

 

Visitation will be held on Tuesday, January 10, 2023 from 9:00-11:00 a.m. at Remnant Church in Blue Mound, IL. Memorial service will be held immediately following the visitation starting at 11:00 a.m. at Remnant Church in Blue Mound, IL with Pastor Mike Smith officiating. Inurnment will be held at a later date.

 

Memorials may be made to Camp One Way or Remnant Church.

 

Sutton Memorial Home in Taylorville is assisting the family with arrangements.