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.

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.

Elam's Drive-In Silverfross Root Beer

Do you remember Elam's?

When I was 14, I worked at Elam's exactly one night. What an experience. Worked one shift and had to pay management because two jerks stole two entire trays and mugs I served them. 

Rough night.

But I still loved their root beer, years later.

An antique store now occupies the former building that was Elam's Drive-In Silverfross Root Beer.

Have you visited there?

I wonder if they ever have Elam's souvenirs for sale? They had cute "baby mugs."

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.