Wheeling High School Class of 1968 News for 2003

12/21/2003

Nancy Drake has been tracked down. Nancy and her husband Paul live in St. Charles, IL. [204].

Terry O'Rourke and his alumni wife Mary Beth Liston '69 have made a cross-town move in Darby, FL.

12/109/2003

Ron Goffman wanted to share his family Christmas photo with us all. In front is Roh's wife Nancy. The back row is son Michael, Ron, and son Daniel. Michael and Daniel are out of the nest now according to Ron. :-)

Thanks Ron!

09/06/2003

Sadly, I have to report the loss of yet another member of the Class of 1968. Today, Tom Gurklis, passed away after a 16 month battle with brain cancer. The following is the e-mail that I received from Tom's wife, Karen:

To all,

Sad new this morning...Tom is no longer suffering...He went to be with the Lord at 4:05 AM today. The world as we know it will never be the same, but Heaven will be a whole lot brighter. I do not think he was in much pain if any at all and Tim and I were with him at the end. We fought the battle for 16 months to the day, and the tumor finally won. May he now rest in peace.
The following arrangements have been made:
***Visitation on Tues from 4-8:00 at the Hermann Funeral Home 249 N. Park St., Stockton, Il. 61085 (815) 947-3355.
***Service on Wed. at the funeral home at 10:00 with the procession via horse -drawn hearse afterward to the Morseville Cemetery on Curtiss Rd. in Stockton countryside.
***Luncheon reception at the Silkrug Saddle Shop basement at 151 S. Main St., Stockton, Il. 61085 (815) 947-3597

For anyone wanting to spend the night the following accomodations are available:
***Country Inn and Suites, 200 Dillon Ave. (just off Rte 20), Stockton (815) 947-6060. Talk to Wendy, Sara, Rosemary, or Steve about a business discount for the funeral. Don't call the 800 reservation number.
***Valley Vu Motel, Rte 20, Stockton (815) 947-2529
***Hammond House Bed & Breakfast 323 N. Main St. Stockton(815) 947-2032
***Amerihost Motel, Freeport (just off the Rte 20 bypass) (815) 599-8510

If you have any questions about directions you can call me at (815) 947-3547.

Love,
Karen

Here is the obituary place in the Northwest Illinois Journal Standard:

Thomas J. Gurklis

STOCKTON -- Thomas J. Gurklis, 53, of rural Stockton died early Saturday morning, Sept. 6, 2003, at home from a malignant brain tumor.

He was born Oct. 7, 1949, in Chicago, the son of Clarence and Mildred (Schaade) Gurklis.

He married Karen Goodpasture on Sept. 13, 1980.

He was a 1968 graduate of Wheeling High School and then served in the U.S. Marine Corps during the Vietnam era.

He was a mechanic for Northern Illinois Gas Co. for 25 years. He also had his own mechanic business, Tom's Auto Repairs, in Lake Barrington, later known as Silkrug Specialties.

He moved to Stockton in 1995 and still worked in the Barrington area, mowing riding trails for the Riding Club of Barrington Hills.

He and his wife opened the Silkrug Saddle Shop at their farm in 1997, and later moved it to Stockton in 2000.

He was a farrier (horseshoer) in the Northwest Illinois area after completing classes in 1998. He enjoyed farming, making and selling hay, horses, working with his draft horse, horseback riding, forging horse shoes and making things. He most recently was a member of the American Farriers Association, Upper Midwest Horseshoers Association and the Stockton VFW.

After being saved, Tom, Karen and son Tim became affiliated with Willow and Kent United Methodist Church.

He is survived by his wife, Karen; son Timothy of Stockton; stepson, Roger Selz, of Bartlett; sister, Diane (Bob) Betke of Pleasant Prairie, Wis., and mother-in-law, Catharine Wolff, of Leesburg, Fla.

He was preceded in death by his parents, three brothers and four sisters.

Funeral services will be at 10 a.m. Wednesday at the Hermann Funeral Home in Stockton, with the Rev. Marjorie Drickey officiating.

Visitation will be from 4 to 8 p.m. Tuesday at the funeral home.

Burial will be in Morseville Cemetery, Stockton.

A memorial fund has been established.

Pictures of Tom's wife, Karen, driving the horse drawn hearse in Tom's funeral. A final farewell.

Tuesday September 16, 2003

Daily Features

Farrier's last trailride is glory bound
By Clover Wuebben

For The Journal-Standard

With the tenacity of a Marine Corps soldier trained to fight in Viet Nam, Thomas J. Gurklis of rural Stockton battled an enemy that had infiltrated his body in the form of a brain tumor.

A stoic fighter for 16 months, Gurklis finally succumbed to his adversary on Sept. 6, with his wife, Karen and son, Tim, by his side. The Gurklis' used every weapon available to them including surgeries to remove the tumors and staph infection that developed, radiation treatments, more surgery to implant the Gliasite balloon catheter filled with liquid radiation, many medications such as anti-edema, anti-seizure and anti-anxiety drugs, and physical therapy, spending a lot of time at the Madison and Milwaukee hospitals.

R. J. Spillane and Deb Lyons hosted a Ride and Drive Benefit on September 21 and 22, 2002 to show support for the Gurklis family and assist with the family's expenses. Family and friends remained hopeful, but in spite of the best medical treatments and troops of prayer soldiers, Tom slipped into a coma and left his earthly physical suffering behind, taking the final trail ride to his heavenly home.

Visitation was held on Tuesday, Sept. 9, at the Hermann Funeral Home in Stockton where friends and family paid their respects to a Marine, mechanic, welder, farrier and family man. Surrounded by mementos, pictures and treasures from his life, such as a saddle, blanket, lariat, comfortable old boots, his farrier tools, a flag and the Marine Corps banner, we were able to celebrate Tom's life.

On Sept. 10, the funeral service was officiated by Reverend Marjorie Drickey of Willow/Kent United Methodist Church. Hearts were lifted with readings from Psalm 23 and John 14 and the joyful music and songs of the Rische Family. The mandolin, fiddles and guitars, and the sounds of an angel singing blessed family and friends with "Amazing Grace," "Heaven Eternal," "Come Home" and other Gospel selections. Reverend Drickey exalted in the spirit that his "soul was set free" and "we'll understand it better, by and by."

Casket bearers, Roger Selz, Dave Gurklis, Mike Gurklis, Steve Domski, Jim Gurklis and Jared Hodson, carried the casket to an antique hearse with R. J. Spillane's horses pulling the hearse to the Morseville Cemetery with Spillane driving and Karen Gurklis seated next to him. Following the interment, luncheon was served in the lower level of the Silkrug Saddle Shop where stories were shared about Tom's precious life on earth.

Cousin-in-law, Karen Domski-Lech, penned a poem, "Ode to a Good Man" that was read at the services. "Hair the color of the desert at sunset, eyes that twinkled brighter than stars in the night. Brawny and strong, with a smile miles long so was dear Tom, to know him was delight. God picked one of his finest from His garden of earth and said, Welcome Home, Tom my treasure beyond worth. And so up to God our hearts, do we lift. For Tom, who was to us all,a most incredible gift."

I'm proud to have known Tom through covering the story on the Ride and Drive Benefit, writing a feature on the Silkrug Saddle Shop and being included as a recipient of Karen's e-mails concerning Tom's treatment. He will be fondly remembered and sadly missed, but he's bound for glory on that trail ride in the sky.

Rest in Peace Tom.

08/28/2003

Larry Swanson has been found! Larry and his alumni wife Lynette Fee Swanson (69) live in Lafayette, IN. [203].

08/18/2003

Katie Kells Hawthorne just let me know that she moved to a new residence in FL....TWO YEARS AGO! :-) Katie now lives in Palm Harbor, FL.

08/17/2003

New address for Jeralyn 'Jerri' Schiffmann. Jerri moved from Lawrenceville, GA to Norcross, GA. Jerry also offered this info: "2 daughters oldest Michelle Lynn husband Carl have 2 boys Jacob and Chandler. Youngest daughter- Rhonda Mae (still single but has steady boyfriend) I also have a new pet- cat- Pepper!"

08/14/2003

I was just informed by Kathy Fornero Miller (Hersey '73) younger sister of Steven M. Fornero that he passed away on February 20, 1993 from Multiple Sclerosis. Kathy also offered this remembrance of Steve: " I had forgotten his High School picture and it made me smile & shed a couple of tears. At your next reunion you might want to mention Steve & the lesson he taught all the members of his family. "MS" is awful & Steve was a trooper to the end. He had a food tube in his stomach, and had to be suctioned out around the clock because he couldn't swallow. At the end his only response was a nod of his head & a "smile". That is what my brother taught all of us is that no matter how bad life can get - smile! I try to live that daily. I do not know much of Steve's time at Wheeling except about the times he let off the "M-80's" in the toilets of the men's room. (ha-ha) If you remember being jolted out of your chair because of a loud "boom" - that was Steve. Take care & "SMILE" - Kathy Fornero Miller"
Rest in Peace Steven.

08/08/2003

08/09/2003

08/10/2003

The first combined All 60's Classes Reunion was held this weekend. All the classes, '66, '67, '68, and '69 enjoyed a whole weekend of fun and remembrances. Friday night we gathered at the 94th Aero Squadron Restaurant & Bar for an informal getting re-acquainted event. Saturday morning several people got together for a golf outing, with Coach Daletski in attendance. Saturday night we had a more of a formal reunion dinner at Chevy Chase with Dr. Tom Shirley providing the invocation. Sunday was a picnic at Dam #1 for the Bombers 2nd Annual Scholarship Bash. Pictures are on line now!

07/23/2003

Kathleen McCourt Gillis has moved to Key West, FL. She bought a "Curves for Women" franchise and is opening up shop there this summer.

07/01/2003

New last name for Charlene 'Charlie' Bowers. Charlie is now married to Jerry 'Butch' Wooley. Congratulations Charile and Butch! Butch has ties to WHS, he has 3 Alumni cousins Pam '68, Doreen '69. and Judy Meyer '69

06/30/2003

Update from Maureen Murphy: "One of my funniest memories is actually the 10th reunion. The reunion committee made a movie at the school. What a blast!!! Going back to the school and roaming the halls. I have so many great memories from high school. They become even more precious as time goes by. I think that was just a great time in our lives. A really good foundation. I remember the hours we spent at Randhurst, just walking around. The great pajama parties, the sports, the teachers, the laughter, the great people of our class. My greatest achievements are of course my children and grandchildren. I am so much in love with them all, and I spend alot of time with my family. My dad still has a sailboat on Lake Michigan that he loves to sail. He is amazing. My job as regional sales manager for a sign manufacturing product keeps me really busy. My territory is Texas, Louisiana, Arkansas, Kansas, Oklahoma and Hawaii. I spend alot of time traveling and calling on sign companies through out my territory. The sign business is made up mostly of "good ol' boys", and I sure love all my customers. I've been doing this a long time, so they are not just customers, but great friends."

New address for Marcia Taugner Cabrales. Marcia now lives in Rolling Meadows, IL.

New address for Rick Loerzel. Rick and his alumni wife, Kathy Borre '70 now live in Fontana, CA.

06/07/2003

Husband and wife alumni Mark Micheles and Cheryl Lally Micheles now live in Missouri City, TX

06/16/2003

New address for Diane Marie Malin Heckenbach. Diane now lives in Mt. Vernon, IL.

Sue Rogers Tagmyer has been found! Sue is living in Centennial, CO. [205].

06/07/2003

New contact information of Jim Holt. Jim lives in Schaumburg, IL and is working for IBM.

02/11/2003

Here is a little updated on Jack Mudry:

Click here to view the jazz89 KUVO Programming Schedule

La Nueva Voz, hosted by Jack Mudry, has been broadcast on jazz89 KUVO since the station's inception in 1985. The show combines musica de contenido, commentary, interviews and historical briefings on various countries in Latin America and the Caribbean.

Issues of human rights, civil rights and social justice dominate the topics. Jack has traveled extensively throughout Mexico and Latin America and is bilingual in Spanish and English.

Jack Mudry

La Nueva Voz is broadcast on Sunday from 8 a.m. - 9 a.m. U.S. MST. on 89.3 FM
If it's Sunday 8 a.m. - 9 a.m. US MST. and you'd like to hear this program, listen Now!
To support this program become a member. Pledge now!
To sponsor this program, join the other businesses that underwrite.
Contact Jack Sunday at 303-291-0666 or anytime at info@kuvo.org

01/23/2002

then

Now

First e-mail from Jon "David" Anderson. Jon offered this to share, "A bit about me. My name is Jon David Anderson. I am the son of Swedish immigrants who settled in the Chicago area, before I was born. I am the youngest of three sons. I have two sons of my own, Justin age 24, and Jonas age 26 (one of whom lives with me), and three dogs, Roxey, Bubba and Tara. Family is the most important aspect of life

My hobbies include: Music, bicycling, sailing, skiing, walking, and motorcycling. Physically, I am 5'11", 215 pounds, with no bad habits drugs, smoking, alcohol, brutality :-). I believe mental well being is tied to physical well being, so exercise plays an important role in my life.

In a hundred years, it will not matter what kind of car you drove, what kind of house you lived in, or how large your bank account was, but to have made a difference in the life of a child, is to have been a success in life.

Some facts about my situation:
Professionally: Ten years ago I started an aviation consulting firm. I am the Chief Executive Officer, and President, responsible for the technical aspects of our company. We employ seventeen people, and have customers throughout the world. The business is doing well.
Education: I have attended 18 years of formal schooling. My major subjects of study in University were Education Music, at Western State College of Colorado. Economic reality set in after college, and I attended school for aeronautics at Colorado Aero Tech.

I am a bassist, guitarist and singer, a lover of jazz & blues. I have been an on-stage performer, a music teacher, and am a collector of old guitars. My sons have now become my musical focus. Together they are part of a 4-piece rock band GRYP (http://www.gryp.net) that plays original Christian music that is imaginative, hard, fast & loud. They play shows around California, and nationally. I attend as many of their shows as possible, as it is my largest pleasure to watch my sons entertain people with their brand of energy and creativity.

Where I have been: I have lived in many places around the USA including Chicago, Philadelphia, San Francisco, Los Angeles, and Denver. I have also lived in a number of smaller cities, which may not be as well known.

I have traveled to every state in the USA. I have visited Canada, Sweden, Denmark, Germany, Austria, Italy, Holland, and Thailand.

Thankfully, the success of my business has allowed me to remain in Fresno, California for an extended period of time. Travel is a way of life in aviation, and I enjoy it immensely, but there's no place like home.

Where I live now: Fresno is located in the geographical center of California. It is a town of 500,000 with an agriculturally based economy. My home is 9 miles from the Sierra foothills, 1-hours from skiing in the winter, and 2 hours from the Pacific coast at the Monterey Peninsula. 2 hours to San Francisco, and 3 hours to Los Angeles. A nice balance of mountains, the ocean, and major cultural centers. One of my favorite day trips is to visit the 'Big Trees' at Sequoia National Park. To see these 300-foot giants that have stood since biblical times puts a perspective on my existence.

01/01/2003

Happy New Year!

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