Susan (Todd) Woolington

Sue Todd graduated with the MacArthur Class of 1965.

Very active in school, she was in Secretary Club and Girls Chorus as a freshman, Girls Choir as a sophomore and junior, and Advanced Girls Choir as a senior. "Take Five" as a sophomore, Class Council as a sophomore and senior, French Club as a sophomore. Homecoming Committee sophomore and senior, Prom Committee junior, Junior Talent Show, DHS Exchange Assembly junior, Senior Play, and Cadet Staff as a senior. 

 

Susan J. Woolington

December 16, 1947 - June 22, 2024

Decatur - Susan J. Woolington (Todd), a beloved wife, mother, grandmother, sister, and friend, passed away peacefully at home on Saturday, June 22, 2024, at the age of 76 in Decatur. Born on December 16, 1947, she was the daughter of Robert and Alice (Mayhew) Todd. 

Sue married Gary Woolington on September 28, 1989. Gary preceded her in death on March 8, 2023.  

Sue was always busy and lived a life full of passion and dedication. She volunteered at Holy Family when her grandchildren attended, sold insurance for Prudential for many years, and spent her last year’s taking care of the community at Mari Mann Herb Co. Sue was a devout Catholic and a member of Our Lady Of The Holy Spirit. Her greatest joy was spending time with her children and loving her grandchildren, always rounding them up for an outing. She loved football, not for any specific team, but for the game itself. She also enjoyed reading, solving the world’s problems, and a good martini. 

Sue is survived by her children: Amy (Scott) Hartman, Ronald "RL" Lugari Jr., Megan (Mike) Smith, Michelle (Cory) Matusas, and Kyle (Laura) Woolington; her sister, Sharon Wade; her grandchildren: Chastin, Bryana, Ashton, Leo, Nathaniel, Lily, Ella, Elia, Tatum, Grayson, Gracie, Laynee, Gianna, Liana, and Mila; her nieces, Tricia and Jenny; and her nephew, Owen. She is also survived by special friends who became family, Jason and Molly Summers and Jamie Lugari. 

Sue was greeted in heaven by her parents and husband. No doubt she was met with a heartfelt "Hey Susie" from Gary. 

A private graveside service will be held at Camp Butler for family. Moran & Goebel Funeral Home is assisting with the arrangements. 

Sue’s warm spirit, kind heart, and unwavering love for those around her will be greatly missed. Her legacy will live on in the hearts of all who knew her.

Obituary courtesy of the Decatur Review

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.

Allen Fouste Dies

 

Allen Fouste

As a freshman, Allen was involved with Football, as as a senior with Auto Mechanics.

For one of our reunions, it was mentioned that Allen E. Fouste was living in Franklin, Illinois.

 Allen Fouste passed away at 11:30 pm on May 4, 2022, according to his wife Mary.

Allen E. Fouste, 74, of Waverly, IL, passed away May 4, 2022, at St. John's Hospital in Springfield, IL.

Allen was born June 28, 1947, to Gaylord and Essie (Hamilton) Fouste in Decatur, IL. He graduated from MacArthur High School in 1965, and served our country for four years in the U.S. Air Force. Allen married Mary Dick on August 4, 1972.

Survivors include his wife, Mary; sons: Aaron (Angie), Jeff (Katie); grandchildren; two brothers; one sister; and numerous other family and friends.

A Celebration of Life will be June 11, 2022, from 2:00 to 5:00 p.m., at Knights of Columbus in New Berlin, IL. Donations may be made to Waverly American Legion, Waverly, IL, or Franklin Outing Club, Franklin, IL.

Milly Smith noted that Allen Fouste is the 87th member of the Douglas MacArthur High School Class of 1965 to have been lost.

 

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.

Rod Simmons Passes Away

Rod Stanley Simmons was born February 27, 1947.

Rod was a 1965 graduate from Douglas MacArthur High School. He was in Cadet Band, played football, and in the organizing committee for the Big Mac Day, all as a freshman. As a sophomore, he played football again, and added golf. As a junior, Rod played in the Student-Faculty Game.

Rod's formal obituary noted:

Rod Stanley Simmons, 72 of Tacoma, WA formerly of Decatur, IL. passed away peacefully on Thursday July 9, 2020 at 8:25am.
Rod was born on February 27, 1947 in Centralia, IL to the late Gerald and Nancy Simmons. He married Annette M. Jacang on August 11, 1973 in Wahiawa, HI and she survives his passing along with their 2 children.
Rod graduated from Decatur MacArthur High School in 1965, after which he joined the U.S Navy and was stationed in Honolulu, HI. Rod enjoyed his sports and coaching his kids and others. Rodalso enjoyed rebuilding old classic cars and boats and making them amazing. Some of Rod’s other hobbies were cooking, fishing, his family and spending time with his grandchildren.
Surviving are his wife, Annette Simmons of Tacoma, WA for 47years; daughter, Lauren (William) Wall and Son, Roe Simmons. Rod has 3 grandchildren and 2 step-grandchildren which he loved all so very much; Step- Sister Pamela (Jeff) Luecke, Aunt Shirley Simmons Radom, IL, Cousin Andy (Monica) Simmons; and other relatives and friends.
He was preceded in death by his parents Gerald and Nancy Simmons, step-mom Joan Simmons, Grandparents Marion and Ralph Williams, Grandfather Wayne Stewart, step brother Chris Simmons, Uncles William, and Dwight Simmons.
Cremation rites have been accorded and there will be plans for a small ceremony at Rod & Annette’s House 2320 N. Narrows Dr. Tacoma, WA. 98406
There will be another service held in December where Rod will be placed at National Memorial Cemetery of the Pacific in Honolulu, HI. Actual date TBD.

The following public exchange appeared on Facebook, soon after the news of Ron Simmons’ departure swept through our alumni community. It is shared here to recall the enjoyment some of the memory still give us.


Debbie Burrows Wilcox said:

So sorry to hear about Rod’s passing. I always smile when I hear his name because of all the adventures he and Doug Wilcox shared and stories Doug or Dondeville related. One always stands out. He and Doug decided to skip school. They are at Doug’s house. Rod calls school, disguising his voice. “Ahh..this is Mr. Simmons. Rod’s father ahh..and I am calling to say he is sick and I won’t be coming to school today!!” Good times....

Michael Dondeville replied to Debby Burrows Wilcox:

didn’t they skip and go play golf, and one of them made a hole in one and made the newspaper. And because they did they got in trouble with school?

Debbie Wilcox Burrows replied to Michael Dondeville:

I'm not sure if Rod was in on that one, but probably. I’m thinking Loren Reuler and maybe Bob Dondeville were connected. It was Doug who got the hole-in-one. I think I still have the newspaper clipping unless I already gave it to Greg. Doug got a 3 day vacation for that one! Thanks for that memory. If Rod wasn’t there that day I’m sure he laughed his rear end off. What a bunch!

Michael Dondeville reflected to Debby Burrows Wilcox: 

oh ok. Well I’ve heard Rod’s name in many stories while being a kid growing up.

Debbie Dondeville said to Michael Dondeville 

I’m sure you did! Your Dad was one of the pack. Actually, Leader of the Pack!

(See below, for more about the members of the "Gang": Bob Dondeville, Loren Reuler, and Doug Wilcox.)

More on Rod Simmons

Rod moved to Hawaii in the 1970s, married Annette from Hawaii, and then lived in Tacoma since the early 1980s. Annette and Rod had two adult children and grandchildren. 

Rod had suffered a stroke on Christmas Eve 2019, and had been in hospice.

Rod Stanley Simmons died on July 10, 2020, in Tacoma, Washington State. 

Rod's daughter, Lauren Simmons Wall.

2011.

Thanks to Millicent McCaddon Smith for passing along the sad news of the loss of another classmate.

Condolences to his family and friends.

Let's hope Rod's catching and releasing the big one every day now...

###

Debbie Burrows

Notes on the Gang:

Bob Dondeville is still living; see more here about his Vietnam War art.

Loren Reuler passed away on June 23, 2013. He celebrated his 66th birthday on June 10, 2013. (See his obit here.)

Douglas O. Wilcox passed away on February 28, 2009, at 61. He was in the Army Transportation Corp in the U.S. Army during the Vietnam era. Douglas was a graduate of SIU in Carbondale with a degree in Marketing. For more see, here.

Discovering Doug Hagen

On July 1, 2020, I stumbled across an Ebay listing that lead me to discover the incredible legacy of Doug Hagen, who was the Student Council President in 1964, one year ahead of the Class of 1965.

First the listing:

It is interesting what you can find on eBay. The selling of a rather beat up 1964 Douglas MacArthur Yearbook for $199, plus shipping seemed high. But the listing caught my eye. The listing and description said:

This yearbook features Steve Hunter, Loren Douglas Hagen & Loren Coleman
1964 Douglas MacArthur High School in Decatur, Illinois IL 64
Douglas Hagen was a US ARMY special forces officer who received the Metal of Honor for his act of Valor during the Vietnam War.
Steve Hunter is an American Guitarist (Musician) who worked with Aerosmith, Alice Cooper, Mitch Ryder, etc.
Loren Coleman is a cryptozoologist and author who has written over 40 books.

The Yearbook belonged to Larry Swartz, according to the embossed name on the cover.

Steve Hunter

Wikipedia listings and google searching gave instant results on Steve Hunter. 

Hunter in March 2013.

Stephen John Hunter was born in Decatur, Illinois, on June 14, 1948, and raised in Decatur. Hunter was in the Class of 1966 at Douglas MacArthur High School, and would have been a sophomore in the 1964 Yearbook.
Hunter is an American guitarist, primarily a session player. As noted in Wikipedia, he has worked with Lou Reed and Alice Cooper, acquiring the moniker "The Deacon." He also worked with Mitch Ryder, Detroit, Peter Gabriel, Julian Lennon, Bette Midler, Tracy Chapman, David Lee Roth, and John Sauter.

While Hunter returned to Decatur during his career, he apparently presently lives "in Altea, Spain, with his wife, Cornish singer/songwriter, Karen Ann Hunter. He suffers from pigmentary glaucoma, which has rendered him legally blind," according to an August 27, 2013 article in Herald de Paris.

Loren Coleman

Also mentioned in the entry is Loren Coleman, a member of the Class of 1965, and someone of whom I'm familiar (here, here, here, and here).

Doug Hagen

The mention of Doug Hagen, Class of 1964, opened up many documents in tribute to a familiar face to several of us. Since his father was name "Loren Douglas Hagen," at MacArthur the younger Hagen was known by "Doug." But online, Hagen is recalled in news articles and Medal of Honor remembrances as "Loren D." or "Loren Douglas Hagen."

Hagen's Wikipedia entry is rather complete, as are his military entries, such as this one.

Lt. Doug Hagen 

One of the most moving articles about Doug Hagen was carried in the Decatur Herald and Review, on May 26, 2016. It was written by Theresa Churchill, and is reprinted here so as to be easily available for you to read.

Home at last: Killed in action 48 years ago, Decatur soldier to be laid to rest 

DECATUR – You hardly ever saw Alan Boyer without Doug Hagen, each new to MacArthur High School their junior year.

That's how Steve Pyle, another member of the Class of 1964, remembers the two friends, even though they were about as different as they could be.

“Doug was liberal, Al was conservative, and if you were on the student council, it was a big deal,” said Pyle, 69, a photographer who moved from Decatur to Bowling Green, Ky., five years ago. “Our senior year, Doug was president, and Alan was vice president.”

Each promising young life ended tragically in the Vietnam War; Boyer vanishing March 28, 1968, and Hagen killed Aug. 7, 1971, while serving in the same special Army operations unit Boyer had been in.

Hagen wanted to find out what happened to his best friend, but he never did.

Indeed, the first indication Boyer was dead did not come until 1973, when his name did not appear on a list of 591 American prisoners coming home after the war was over.

“They found no blood, no bodies and no personal effects, so I thought, 'OK, he's been taken prisoner,' ” his sister Judi Boyers Bouchard said in a telephone interview from her home in Licklog Ridge, N.C. “For five years, I held onto that hope.”


The mystery “shaped a whole lot” of her life, starting at age 19 when her big brother disappeared and continuing until March 7 of this year, a couple weeks after she turned 67 and on the eve of what would have been her brother's 70th birthday.

The U.S. Army telephoned to say his remains had finally been identified.

“It absolutely knocked the wind out of me,” Bouchard said. “The news is bittersweet, and I wish our parents had lived to see it.”

Charles Boyer, who worked at Borg-Warner when the family lived in Decatur, died in 1994, and Dorothy Boyer, who taught at Brush College School, died in 2013.


The Boyers, originally from suburban Chicago, settled in Rockford after their son graduated from high school in Decatur, and it was in October 1967, during Bouchard's first semester at the University of Montana in Missoula, that she last saw her brother.

It's not surprising she chose the same university he was attending when he decided to enlist in the Army to save the world from communism.

“Alan was the quintessential big brother that I absolutely adored,” she said. “He was the one who taught me how to ride a bike when I was about 4, never believing in training wheels.

“He also taught me how to drive when I was 16.”

Sgt. Alan Boyer and two other soldiers were conducting a reconnaissance patrol in Laos on March 28, 1968, when they encountered an enemy force and radioed for evacuation.

The seven Vietnamese with them escaped safely, but heavy fire forced the helicopter to leave without the three Americans, first listed as missing and later as presumed dead.

Boyer's body, in possession of remains traders in Laos, recently ended up with a peace activist who turned it over to the U.S. government. The Army confirmed his identity by comparing the DNA to samples given many years earlier by his mother and sister.

“I was told it's the strongest DNA match they have ever seen,” Bouchard said. “There is no doubt it's Alan.”

The Army awarded Boyer the Silver Star and Purple Heart posthumously.

Today, Bouchard is preparing to lay her brother to rest on June 22 in Virginia's Arlington National Cemetery, where Hagen is buried, and with full military honors.

“He's probably up there shaking his head,” she said, “but this is what our mom and dad wanted if and when they ever found him. It's going to be a wonderful tribute.”

But Bouchard hasn't forgotten all the other people she met over the years who continue to wonder what happened to their loved ones.

“Please remember all the POW/MIAs who remain unaccounted for,” she wrote to conclude a letter of thanks to friends after her brother was found. “Their families still wait.”

Sgt. Alan Boyer

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.

Bear Logue Dies

Larrie "Bear" Carl Logue, 70, of Decatur, Illinois, passed away on Wednesday, July 18, 2018, at St. Mary's Hospital, according to the Herald-Review.

Bear's birthdate is November 2, 1947.

Logue, a 1965 Douglas MacArthur High School graduate. He was in the Cadet Band 1, 2; Rifle Club 1; Concert Band 3, 4; Dance Band 3, 4; and Ensemble 3, 4.

Larry used the nickname "Bear." He worked and was retired from IBEW Local 146 (as Journeyman Wireman). He attended Southern Illinois University, and studied Biology-Chemistry, with the Class of 1967. He had one daughter, Mary Beth. He was in a relationship with Joyce Johnson-Beggs.

Liturgy of the word service, to celebrate the life of Bear Logue will be 11 a.m. Tuesday, July 24, 2018, at St. James Catholic Church, in Decatur. Visitation will be from 10 a.m. to 11 a.m. Tuesday before the service at the church.

Thanks to Bob Hayes and Millie Smith.