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06/21/17 10:23 PM #244    

 

Milan Jackson (Class Of '63)

Happy Birthday to a wonderful sister, Judy Jackson Peavler. 


07/04/17 07:53 PM #245    

 

Jeffrey Carnahan

HAPPY FOURTH OF JULY

PEACE ON THE UNITED STATES

 

2017


08/01/17 07:05 PM #246    

 

Milan Jackson (Class Of '63)

Singers from the Class of 1961, Mary Selk is planning a concert for September 30, 2017 at Westminster Village. We rehearse on Thursday and Friday before the concert at 7PM. Then again at 1:30 on concert Saturday before our performance. This may be the last concert Mary plans. I believe Mary is 96 years old now. And that is not why it may be her last. She tried to schedule it with a BHS Class 50th Reunion and the Class of 1967 was her last year in the classroom. If you can make it, please let me know so Mary can plan accordingly


08/07/17 12:35 PM #247    

 

Milan Jackson (Class Of '63)

Now for some news that may be bad for some and possibly good for others. Mary Selk just called me and someone at Westminster Village messed up and had already scheduled something else for September 30. So our concert will be the previous Saturday, September 23 at 3pm. Rehearsals will be Friday the 22nd at 7:30pm and Saturday at 1:30 prior to the performance. I hope all singers can make that change. Again, sorry for the confusion. 


08/26/17 05:36 PM #248    

 

Milan Jackson (Class Of '63)

Mary Selk called and the staff at Westminster Village messed up again. The rehearsal scheduled for 7pm Friday evening , Sept. 22, will be at 1:30 that afternoon. IF you can’t make that, we still have a rehearsal on Saturday at 1:30pm and perform at 3pm. If you picked up music from our performance two years ago, please bring it with you. If you haven’t told me you are coming, please do soon. We need to know how many to plan for. If you haven’t told us you are coming but are available at the last minute, come anyway. 


09/29/17 01:01 PM #249    

 

Milan Jackson (Class Of '63)

5/11/1961


10/19/17 02:22 PM #250    

 

Milan Jackson (Class Of '63)

I saw Jim Bowers at Heritage Manor on Walnut and Clinton Sts yesterday. The coach isn't looking good. I had chemo next to him a couple of times early this year and could easily recognize him. Yesterday when I saw him, I wasn't sure I was talking to the same man.  If you were close to him and live near  Bloomington/Normal, you may want to see him very soon. God bless the Bowers family. 


10/19/17 04:22 PM #251    

 

Milan Jackson (Class Of '63)

I have had people write to me to get info on Coach Bowers, this is all I have:

 

If anyone want to send a note or a card to Coach Bowers, this is all I have for info:

address is Heritage Manor 700 E. Walnut St, Bloomington, IL 61701
Home is 1106 Elmwood Rd, Bloomington, IL 61701

 

I doubt that Jim Bowers will ever be home again but his wife Jo Ann is still there. 


11/29/17 10:12 PM #252    

 

Milan Jackson (Class Of '63)

I want to wish Coach Jim Bowers a Happy Birthday. Today Jim turns 89. He is in Hospice care at Heritage Manor on Walnut Street in Bloomington. Jim isn't doing well. Bless you, Mr. Bowers. 


12/06/17 08:50 AM #253    

 

Milan Jackson (Class Of '63)

I read in this morning's Pantagraph, Jim Bowers name was in the funeral pending list. God bless his family and the coach. 


12/07/17 10:22 PM #254    

 

Milan Jackson (Class Of '63)

November 29, 1928 - December 5, 2017

James Bowers

James R. Bowers, 89, of Bloomington, passed away 2:42 a.m. Tuesday (Dec. 5, 2017) at Heritage Health, Bloomington.

His funeral will be 10 a.m. Saturday at Holy Trinity Catholic Church, Bloomington, with Rev. Geoff Horton officiating. Burial will be in Holy Cross Cemetery, Normal. Visitation will be 3 to 7 p.m. Friday at Carmody-Flynn Funeral Home, Bloomington.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to Bloomington High School Athletics or the Muscular Dystrophy Association.

He was born Nov. 29, 1928, in Pittsburgh, Pa., the son of James J. and Katherine Baker Bowers. He married Jo Ann C. Ruffing on Aug. 9, 1958.

Surviving are his wife, Jo Ann Bowers, Bloomington; three sons, Jim Bowers Jr., Orland Park; Jeff (Stephanie) Bowers, Whitefish Bay, Wis.; and Kurt (Stephanie) Bowers, Bloomington; and 12 grandchildren, Jessica, Justin, Cheyenne, Cameron, Eli, Caleb, Chloe, Kallan, Brynn, Kyleigh, Ava and Isabel Bowers. Also surviving are a sister, Joan F. Bowers Baacke, Pittsburgh, and a daughter-in-law, Tamara Shupp.

He was preceded in death by a son, Paul Bowers, and a brother, Robert J. Bowers.

Jim was a graduate of Penn Hills High School in Pittsburgh and attended Penn State University for one year prior to serving in the U.S. Navy from 1948 to 52. He earned bachelor of science and master of science degrees, both from Illinois State University.

A longtime educator, Jim taught physical education at Bloomington Junior High and High schools for 37 years, beginning in 1955. During those years, he also coached golf, football and wrestling at the high school level. What Jim enjoyed most in his career as an educator and a coach was being “down in the trenches” with the kids, dedicated to instilling discipline, responsibility and respect in his students and student-athletes. He was inducted in the District 87 Hall of Fame in 2016.

Jim found success and recognition in many of his coaching opportunities, including being inducted into several wrestling and coaching halls of fame, as well as receiving several wrestling coaching awards. In addition, Jim was inducted into the ISU Athletics Hall of Fame in 1983 and the Penn Hills High School Athletics Hall of Fame in 2006.

In retirement, Jim and JoAnn enjoyed golfing and travelling in the U.S. and abroad. Jim especially enjoyed his vacations spent in Perdido Key, Fla., with family and friends. He also continued to take pleasure attending local sporting events, most importantly those where his grandchildren were participants.

Jim was a longtime member of Holy Trinity Catholic Church and Crestwicke Country Club.

The family would like to thank the staff at Heritage Health in Bloomington and OSF Hospice for their loving care and compassion in Jim’s last days.

To view this obituary, please visit www.carmodyflynn.com.


12/30/17 12:55 PM #255    

 

Milan Jackson (Class Of '63)

For those who knew Lynn Raney, he died yesterday in Springfield. God bless his family. Lynn was in the Class of 1960. 


01/01/18 01:20 PM #256    

 

Jeffrey Carnahan

HAPPY NEW YEAR

CLASS MATES

HOPE THAT YOU HAVE MANY MORE!!

 


01/01/18 01:54 PM #257    

 

Sheila Hepworth

greatpic Jeff!  hope all is well with you and family

 


05/17/18 10:47 PM #258    

 

Jeffrey Carnahan

I guess that there will be

no breakfast at Shannon's on Saturday.

Jeff

 


05/28/18 09:45 AM #259    

 

Jeffrey Carnahan

Be sure to take a moment today and be thankful for the freedoms we all enjoy. We must honor those who've given their life so we can remain free. At any time, anyone who's ever taken the oath to any of the United States Armed Forces understands they may be called upon to go in harm's way, and no matter the conflict or reason for war, they dont hesitate to get the job done. This is why its important to thank those who serve, past and present, but more importantly, to cherish the sacrifice of those who didnt come home. We've got a lot to be thankful for, and even though we've gone through plenty of dark days, we are free... we are America. God bless the USA!


07/02/18 09:38 AM #260    

 

Jeffrey Carnahan

Fourth of July Becomes a Federal Holiday

The tradition of patriotic celebration became even more widespread after the War of 1812, in which the United States again faced Great Britain. In 1870, the U.S. Congress made July 4th a federal holiday; in 1941, the provision was expanded to grant a paid holiday to all federal employees.

Over the years, the political importance of the holiday would decline, but Independence Day remained an important national holiday and a symbol of patriotism.

Falling in mid-summer, the Fourth of July has since the late 19th century become a major focus of leisure activities and a common occasion for family get-togethers, often involving fireworks and outdoor barbecues. The most common symbol of the holiday is the American flag, and a common musical accompaniment is “The Star-Spangled Banner,” the national anthem of the United States.


09/07/18 06:20 PM #261    

 

Milan Jackson (Class Of '63)

Tonight on PBS is a special on artist Elizabeth Murray, BHS grad and former student of Elizabeth Stein.


10/04/18 02:27 PM #262    

 

Donna Marquardt (Dearth)

This picture is of property on Breckenridge St.off of Emerson St. in Bloomington, IL.  Below is information (quoted from classmate George O'Neil on 10/03/2018) regarding these beautiful trees.

"I purchased the home in the early 80's.  When the surrounding property was subdivided by Armstrong Realty following purchase from the school board, they sold me an additional strip of land to the east, which would border a new street.  Following this transaction, I purchased Norway Spruce seedlings from Muser Nurseries and fall-planted them myself at six foot intervals down the property line.  Almost all of them survived to produce a beautiful green wall.  My wife and I were in Bloomington recently and were happy to see that those beautiful trees were still there."

Thank you George for these lovely trees.  Jack Secord submitted that, "George should probably get class Forrester Award!." 

 


10/04/18 08:23 PM #263    

 

Sheila Hepworth

Beautiful trees!  What a nice thing to do.    Kudos to you George!    Sheila Hepworth

 


11/10/18 09:41 AM #264    

 

Donna Marquardt (Dearth)

Thanks to all of our classmates who have served in the military.  We honor them and recognize the gift of liberty their sacrifice has secured for us. 


11/10/18 05:51 PM #265    

Tom Chambers

Donna, thanks for the nice posting. I know we have lot from our class who has served, etc...

and I know they all appraeciate it as well.


11/11/18 12:00 PM #266    

 

Patsy Whitecotton (Barggren)

We celebrate this day because World War 1 ended on the 11th hour, of the 11th day , in the 11th month, now known as Veteran's Day.  Thanks to all my classmates who served.  I know the sacrifices you have paid because I have seen it first hand in my family members who served.  No one who has experienced War ever leaves it behind.  Bless you!

 

 

 


12/04/18 10:16 AM #267    

 

Donna Marquardt (Dearth)

Classmate Al Carnine, who for 38 years was director of the Missouri Southern State University Choral Society (a mixed 50-voice community choir), which he founded in 1980, stepped down from his position July 29, 2018. 

Taken From Illinois Wesleyan University 2018-2019 University Magazine:

Al Carnine who founded the Missouri Southern State University Choral Society in 1980 stepped down as the chorus' director following the group's annual patriotic concert on July 29, 2018, at St. Paul's United Methodist Church in Joplin, MO.  "They're really a great group", Al told the Joplin Globe.  "They've been into it all these years, and they've enjoyed it.  And so have I."

Information From Missouri Southern State University Website:

The Choral Society had its first rehearsal in the Spring of 1980.  The idea for the ensemble came from its permanant former director Dr. Al Carnine.  He realized that there were no vocal ensembles available in the area for adults desiring to sing in a secularly-oriented non-professional mixed choir.  Presently the number of singers averages fifty with the national average for community choruses in the thirties.  The choir performs three different repertoires each year covering the Christmas season, late spring, and summer.   A wide variety of literature is covered including both sacred and secular selections ranging from classical to Broadway.


01/01/19 01:39 PM #268    

 

Jeffrey Carnahan

 

HAPPY NEW YEAR

CLASS MATES

HOPE THAT YOU HAVE MANY MORE


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