Monmouth High School - Eagle Yearbook (Decatur, IN)

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enckva I was very thrilled indeed when I received an invitation to a weekend house party for a reunion of the Class of '55 of Monmouth High. I had in- tended to travel back to Indiana for so long, and, now at last maybe this dream was to become a reality. n It seemed like my work had kept increasing more and more following my promotion as head doctor at Bellevue, and my latest discovery, a cure for the common cold, but I made up my mind to drop everything and go! The invitation was very formal and read that the 'big shin-dig' was to be held at Kathleen's country estate. Evidentally, Kathleen had either married into money or something for the invitation itself was gold-plated! I was very curious to find out the source of her wealth and to view her coun- try estate. After wiring Kathleen thatl would leave by private plane that very night and arrive the next morning, I sat down to reminisce through the '55 EAGLE before packing. As I glanced over the pages, I realized that 1 had not seen some of the gang for years and years. I had kept in touch with a few, though, in fact, I had just seen Shirley La Fame fplain Shirley Brandt, to youy last week after her opening as the lead in a gay, musical-comedy, Blondes Prefer Men, on Broadway. Shirley leads quite a glamorous and hectic life now, after a short episode as a hat-check girl in the Latin Quar- ter, Broadway hoofer , and then her discovery. Dorothy Fast is Shirley's private secretary and be- tween business appointments, dates the most eli- gible New York socialites. Since I was a New Yorker now, it was almost inevitable for me to-hear of Able Ed Blume, the famed private eye. I-le was living a Mickey Spillane existance now and his break-up of the underworld racket was the hottest news story of the year! Of course I had kept in contact by mail with others too - Janet fBusickj had now combined her nursing career with a happy married life, and Janice after revolutionizing the teaching profession, was planning a June wedding too. I was getting fewer letters from Miss Betty Andrews since she made nationwide headlines cul- minated by her nomination by the Republican con- vention for President of the United States! Her political prowess seemed to be almost as fiery as her hair for many polls had been picking her to win by a landslide. Just imagine - what if one of my old classmates became President! Betty even had her own hairdresser and mani- curist who Uaveled with her all over the countryg I had heard of some instances when 'this little bundle of dynamite had stopped many admirers, and hecklers, as well, by applying judo and using a few tricks of her own. I could readily believe this when I found out that this gal was none other than my real good friend, Betty Deam. Truthfully I always knew that the two Bettys would never be separated. It was a bright, clear day when the plane landed at Decatur's new ultra-modern airfield. I was really astounded when the owner of the air- port, who was Jim Baughman, and several other dignitaries, newsman and cameramen rushed out to greet me. Instantly, I realized though that they were here to welcome the plane that had followed mine. Through the clamor of the mob and the roar of the engines, I could see Betty Andrews step from the plane with Betty Deam Immediately behind her. We recognized each other at once, and rushed together like normal long-lost friends. After we, three, chatted for a short while we were interrupted by a short, friendly fellow who said he had a limousine outside the terminal to take us to Kathleen's estate. We were very im- pressed, and asked him if he was Kathleen's chauffeur. l-le laughed at this question and said that he lived on a neighboring farm and thought he would help out by meeting us at the airport. He then said, Don't you remember me? We looked at each other in amazement, and then said in unison, Why, it's Dale Busick! Dale told us that quite a few of the class had already arrived. He told us that Evelyn fOettingJ would be unable to attend, because she and her husband were in Chicago attending a dairyman's convention. They own the largest dairy farm in three counties and kept informed on all new ad- vances. James Schmiege had been delayed by a mon- soon when he was returning from the deep jungles of South Africa where he was on an expedition for the purpose of enlightening the natives on the im- portauce of Physical Fitness. I was delighted to hear that Don Christianer is now a Captain in the U. S. Navy, but was disappoint ed to hear that he was at sea somewhere in the Pacific and would not be able to attend. Sponsored by PIONEER RESTAURANT and DIERKES IMPLEMENT SALES.

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We, the Senior Class f1955j, of the City of Monmouth, township of Root, county of Adams, state of Indiana, nation of United States, and planet Earth, being of sound mind, memory and body do declare this to be our last will and testament, hereby declaring void any and all wills made by us heretofore: TO THE FACULTY: We will peace of mind. TO THE IUNIORS: We will our ability to not let the title, Seniors, go to our head. TO THE SOPHOMORES: We will two more years of toil. TO THE FRESHMAN: We will three years of contemplation of initiation. I, Betty Andrews, will all my pairs of jeans to Beverly Stevens fproviding she can get by wearing them at schoolj and my quietness to Weldon Schaefer. I, James Baughman, will my ability to ride a motor- cycle in all kinds of weather to Don Menter and to Roger Bieberich my quietness. I, Evelyn Beineke, will my glasses to anyone who can make use of them, and my ability to find my billfold when I lose it to Ruth Macke. I, Franklin Bittner, will my baby blue convertible to Marlene Johnson and my ability to stay out late on Sunday nights to Carolyn Drake. I, Elaine Blakey, will my dimples to Marlene Bulte- meyer and my ability to clerk in the bakery to anyone who needs the spare money. I, Deloris Bleeke, will my ability to get along with three Spartans to Lorene Bohnke and to Pat McCagg, I will my ability to wear sweaters almost every day of the week. I, Edward Blume, will my ability to get to school on time to Fred Miller and my '41 Chevie to Jerry Bauhman. I, Kathleen Boerger, will my smooth walk to Patty Hurst and my ability to do the polka to David Fuelling. I, Shirley Brandt, will my flirty ways to Ruth Bulmahn and my ability to twirl and march with ease to Kenny Peck fproviding she practices hard.J I, Dale Busick, will my shortness to Norb Witte and my driver's license to anyone who's lucky enough to keep it. I, Janet Busick, will my bashfulness to Fritz Macke and my ability to work as a car-hop at the Root Beer Stand to Shelva Miller fproviding she takes advantage of this chance to meet guys.J l, Janice Busick, will my ability to blush to David Brown and to Shirley Bleeke my ability to be a nervous wreck when I'm in front of a crowd. I, Don Christianer, will my ability to try to stay sober to Clint Fuelling and to Stew Schnepfl will my ability to smoke. I, Betty Deam, will my peppy personality to Barbara- Carr, and my ability to study in last period study hall to Lowell Beineke. I, Dorothy Fast, will my small waistline to Carolyn Hoffman and my ability to milk cows to Anna Schlemmer. I, George Fuelling, will my ability to sleep in Civics class to David Beery and my ability to run into the back of cars to Jerry Bleeke. I, Melvin Fuelling, will my ability to stay sober to Norman Davis and my ability to work in shop to Terry Shoaf. I, Wilmer Fuelling, will my red hair to Calvin Worth- man and my ability to tinker to Fritz Schlemmer. I, Paul Fuhrman, will my tallness to Butch Myers and my last name to Joyce Welter. I, Shirley Fuhrman, will my tallness to Kathleen Flem- ing, and my ability to find a way to Reitdorf's every Wednes- day and Saturday nights to Lorena Witte. I, Delores Gallmeyer, will my clear complexion to Betty Baker and my easy-going' personality to Sharon Schuller. I, Don Gallmeyer, will my duals to Stew Schnepf and my future to a girl thatl can't go wrong on. I, Don Gerke, will my heel plates to Byron Liberace Linker and my ability to put a Toni in my hair eight nights a week to Ronnie Bittner. I, Gail Gerke, will my ability to stay away from Willshire to Nicky Secaur and my ability to have Stag Parties to Dick Kueneke. I, Arno Girod, will my ability to drive a Chevrolet to Fred Miller and my ability to get along with the teachers to Max Elzey. I, Audrey Grandstaff, will my cheerleading ability to Nicky Secaur and to Rog Heller I will my ability to keep my actions on a date a secret. I, Jane Harvey, will my natural blonde hair to Betty Baker, and my twirling ability to Sharon Beltz. I, Juanita Hoffman, will my shortness to Marlene Bul- mahn and all my leisure time to a certain boy at D.C.H.S. I, Nola Isch, will my ability to be the first in my class to get a diamond to Carla Snyder, and all my love and affection to Freddy. I, Alice Kukelhan, will my artistic ability to Jerry Baugh man and my ability to go with Ohio boys to Marilyn Hutchin- son. I. Barbara Lewton, will my ability to yell for our basket- ball team when they're behind to Vivian Fuelling, and to John Myers, I will my ability to get along with Mrs. Owens. I, Evelyn Oetting, will my dancing ability, especially the jitterbug to Jeanette Ernest, and to Ronnie Bleeke my cute little giggle. I, Marva Scharfer, will to my sister, Karen, any of my grades she may need, and my artistic ability to Keith Brandt. I, James Schmiege, will my ability to stay away from girls to Karl Fuhrman and my Chevrolet to Harold Weidler to date Marilyn Reinking. I, Dorothy Selking, will my ability to wear my sister's clothes whenever I please to Janet Grandstaff, and my ability to go to Reitdorf's every Saturday night to Ruth Macke. I, Katy Singleton, will my long, natural-curly hair to Linda Fuhrman, and my future to a certain boy who drives a red convertible. I, Mildred Williams, will my ability to keep my hair curled to Carol Bieberich and to Sarah McDowell, my ability to go with certain boys from Hoagland. I, Laura Witte, will my ability to keep my shoes clean to Delores Rodenbeck and my quietness to Donna Owens. Sponsored by BEAVER'S OIL SERVICE and HOLTHOUSE DRUG COMPANY

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Dorothy fSelkingy would be unable to attend since she was on her honeymoon in Bermuda. ,Of course, I knew that she had been a private secre- tary in a swank office, but the fact that she had hooked her rich boss was news. By the time we were just getting started Qas far as the latest gossip goesj, we were at the estate. I stepped out first, and was greeted by a spacious, rambling view of a lovely home. Kathleen opened the door to us and escorted us into the plush foyer. In the sun-lit patio, things seemed to be going at a great pace. The supposedly dignified presi- dent of The First State Bank of Decatur, Don Gerke, was trying to prove his manlyness by doing push- ups to the amusement of everyone present. When he arose though, I could see that he looked quite different from what I remembered, with his little goatee, bifocals, and suave grey flannel suit. I couldn't mistake the mischievous gleam in his eye from the old Don thatI had known so long ago, though. Sitting very sedately in the corner were all the settled, married couples of our class: Katy and Ed Ritter, Don and Virginia Gallmeyer, Marlene and Frank Bittner, Jane and Cleo Landis, Juanita and Dean Titus, Paul Fuhrman fwho was star play- er for the Pistonsj and Joyce. Nola Isch was there too with her five little red-headed boys, who were cute, but ornerier than dirt! Fred would have liked to have come too, but since he was now the fear- less' Sheriff of the county, he was always chasing down law-breakers. I was so very glad to see therr all, thatl could have cried with joy! Arno Girod spoke to me, and informed me that he is now Agriculture teacher at Monmouth following Mr. Meier's retirement. We were glad to hear he is filling our sponsor's shoes very well. I walked into the ultra modern kitchen and bumped into a sun-tanned gal looking like a million dollars. Why it was Delores fGallmeyerj who had journeyed to Hawaii years ago and had stayed there to marry and make her permanent home there. She said she enjoyed Hawaii immensely. Delores had been talking to Elaine Blakey fnow Thiemej and Delores fBleekej before I rushed in. Elaine and Delores had both married local boys and were now busy helping Kathleen keep this hun- gry mob full of delicious food. Of course, I stuffed myself with pickles and olives before stepping back into the patio. I never could resist them. 1 turned to Betty Andrews and asked if there were any others who had not arrived yet. She in- formed me that Barbara Lewton would soon be here after her flight from Paris. Barbara was now a budding, young artist in Paris, and was engaged to a young prince. I could hardly believe this, but when Barbara arrived we all floored her with ques- tions, andI was no longer doubting. Gee, Barb looked very chic indeed. Gail Gerke arrived then with his very lovely wife. Would you believe that Gail is now a professor at Indiana University! It took him ten years to get through college himself, but now he is right up there at the top. Later, Mildred Williams and Laura Witte arrived, looking very happy but slightly bewildered. they own one of the largest restaurants in Fort Wayne and are doing a thriving business. They were a little skeptical about stopping business, but they said they just couldn't miss this chance to see the old gang. After everyone was becoming drowsy, Evelyn fBeinekej sat down at the piano to entertain us with some piano selections. She looked very happy des- pite the fact that the reunion cut short her honey- moon. She surprised everyone by eloping with a Fuller Brush man recently. THE THREE STEPS sang us their new song, titled, Desperately. We all re- called the wonderful job they did between acts of our Senior Play, and now, Marva Schaefer, Alice Kukelhan, and Shirley Fuhrman were just signed by a recording company and were going to play their first engagement at the Flamingo in Las Vegas the following week. The success had not gone to their head though for they still acted as zany and natural as ever. After having such a swell time and renewing all my old acquaintances, I was sorry to have to leave on Monday. All the gang acted the same way - just plain WONDERFUL. Kathleen bid me good-bye at the door, and said, Audrey, hurry back soon. I told her that I hadn't fully realized how much I had missed all the old Class of '55 untill saw all their friendly faces again. I told her that my job in New York was all I ever dreamed of, but that I would be back soon - very, very soon. Sponsored by: BURK ELEVATOR and DEAN'S BODY SHOP