Embedded Files
Cassopolis High School
50 Year Reunion
Update
Class of 69
Bruce Adams
Bruce still lives in Union, among the lakes, where he has lived for the last 30 years. He’s been happily married to his wife Karolyn for 25 years. He has 2 children, 6 grandchildren, and 2 great grandchildren. He is still employed by Bimbo Bakeries in Elkhart with no plans to retire until he turns 70. He helps longarm quilt with Karolyn when she needs help. We attend Northside Baptist Church, where we are both actively involved.
Kathy – Amato – Bulter
We are so sorry to miss the 50th anniversary of our graduation. 50 years went by so fast! Curt & I celebrated our 50th wedding anniversary was on June 21. Our son Brian, threw us a small party at his home in Portage (with a lot of help from his sister) and our daughter, husband and granddaughter are taking us on an Alaskan cruise in July. We are blessed with two wonderful children & one beautiful granddaughter. Jennie (our daughter) and her husband (Dan) and their daughter ( Giana) live in South Bend. Giana will be going in 7th grade in the fall. We try to stay active, we have a large garden & I do a fair amount of canning. We like to ride our bicycles too. Curt goes on long rides – he and Jennie have done the Apple Cider century in Three Oaks several times, riding 75-100 miles in a day. I stick to much shorter rides. As Jehovah’s Witnesses we keep busy in the ministry together. Our faith keeps us close to teach other & our family. Hope the reunion turns out spectacular!
Brian, Jennie, Kathy, Curt
John Barrs
I am John – a truck driver, working man, simple man.
I fly low – stay under the radar. Out of sight, out of mind. It’s too easy.
Hobbies – watch people – ‘cause they are all nuts.
People I respect – Paul Harvey and Dale Earnhardt Jr.
See, life’s just too easy.
Bonnie –Beaver- Minson
I was fortunate to be able to retire from the VA Dept. of Social Services on May 1, 2018. I now get to spend time with my two grandchildren – Jack – age 6 and Ava – age 5. My husband Bill and I are active in our church and enjoy going out with friends.
Sandy – Bickel – Pollock
Last position of Career: Math and Science Supervisor for Flemington Rarital School District in Flemington, NJ. Now retired and living on Hilton Head Island, SC. Traveling and spending time with our 5 grandchildren. Planning trips in US and Canada with our new 5th wheel. Camping and exploring golf courses along the way.
Carl Brewster
Married 46 years, have 2 kids and 5 grandkids, graduated College in 1971. Been retired for 6 years.
S. Howard Brown
S. Howard Brown – 10-21-1951 Attended Vandalia Elementary and Cassopolis Jr. High School. Completed freshman year at Cassopolis H.S. – Was in basketball team. Moved to Columbus, Georgia in Oct. 1966. Attended Carver H.S. and graduated in 1969. Attended Knoxville College in Tenn. – transferred to Alabama St. Univ., graduated in 1976. Who’s who in American Colleges and Universities 1976. Omega PSI PHI Fraternity Inc. 32nd Mason & Shriner – Chicago, IL. Married to Yolanda Mosley – Brown for 20 Years.
Cathy –Carter- Deters
I retired from teaching in 2008 after 34 years. Since then, I’ve volunteered at our local food pantry and senior center; taken friends and acquaintances to and from doctor’s appointments; and joined a local woman’s club that has several fund raisers a year to help our community.
Terry Charles and Dorinda – Smith – Charles
We will be married 51 years at the time of the reunion. Terry retired in 2008 from being a mechanic. Dorinda retired in 2017 after 26 years at LADD Inc., as Director. We have 12 grandchildren, no greats yet. Paige (Charles) and Gavin Frances, Eric and Desserree Charles Jr., Mack Charles, Wyatt Charles, Ashley Charles, Michaela (Charles) and Derek Ziegers from Wisconsin, Chloe Charles, Meg Charles, Max Charles.
We travel, go camping and spend time with our family. Involved in 4-H and thankful for God’s blessings every day.
Judy Claussen
WOW-50 years!!! No Way. For 30of those years I spent in Northern Virginia(outside of Washington, D.C.) I worked in the U.S. Geological Survey and retired in Oct. 2000. I enjoyed my time there and made some very good friends. In late 2000, I returned to Michigan where I stayed with my sister for 1 ½ years. Then I bought a house just south of Cassopolis with 5 acres. God has been good to me here. I worked at the Cass Co. Medical Care Facility for 10 years in the Activity Dept., and I really enjoyed it. In 2007, my dream of owning a horse came true and it has been a joy(and work too.) I also have 4 cats that share my life. I’m still very involved in my church (St. Ann’s), and it’s been very rewarding. I can’t wait to see everyone at the reunion. God Bless you all.
Mary Cox Nelson
Will be happy to see everyone! I am thankful – each and every day!
Our freedom is priceless!!!
Michele – Fox – Rosser
Sorry I’m unable to attend. Made a community commitment before learning of reunion dates. Alaska has been my home for the last 46 years. The last 38 years in Fairbanks where two of my four grandchildren live. Spend lots of time being grandma! Volunteer for MOW and Hospice. Truly love living in the most beautiful of places. Hope all attending have the best of times.
Ron Goodger
I got married in 1971 and had a son in 1974, lived in Fort Collins Colorado for a year in 1976/77 and had a daughter in 1978. After high school I worked for 15 years in both commercial and home construction. When the recession of 1979/1980 hit, construction disappeared. I went to college and got a degree in electrical engineering in 1987. While I was in college I had another son in 1984 and another daughter in 1985.
After college I went to Erie, Pennsylvania worked for General Electric Drive Systems for 5 years, came back to Michigan and worked for GE Nuclear Energy for another 5. I worked for a vehicle instrumentation manufacturer in Elkhart, IN for 3 1/2 years, International Truck in Fort Wayne for 5 years, and several smaller Michiana companies until I retired in 2014. While working for these companies, I traveled to 42 states, Canada, Mexico, Switzerland and Japan. I spent more time in Japan in 1995 than I did the US.
I was divorced from my children's mother in 1997, remarried in 1998, divorced again in 2000. In 2001 I finally found a loyal, Christian woman and married her six weeks later. We have been together ever since.
I lost my oldest son to SSRI anti-depressants in 2007. He was on Cymbalta, which has a worse history of inducing suicides than Prozac.
My other three children have blessed me with 10 grandchildren.
Over the two year period from the spring of 2000 to the spring of 2002 (with a divorce and remarriage in between), I built a new house with my own hands at Brownsville road and Christiana Creek just south of Vandalia, MI.
SueAnn – Ham – Ameigh
After 26 years as Court Recorder for 4th District Court, my husband, Jim and I retired to Florida. We’ve been married 30 Years. I have one son, John Winchester, and Jim has one daughter, Donna Crosen. Together we have 9 grandchildren and 2 beautiful great grandchildren. Unfortunately for us they all live in Michigan and Indiana so we don’t see them nearly enough. I get to Michigan once a year close to Christmas. Perhaps I will be able to get together with some of you then. My hope is you have all had a fulfilled life. I pray your joys have been great and your sorrows minimal and never too great to overcome. I wish good health to you all because as we age we realize the importance of that. As I too have lost parents, I know some of you have lost parents, a spouse, or a child. I send you my heartfelt sympathy. Above all I send you God’s blessing and my love.
Dick Hunsberger
Have 2 kids, Jill & Dean and 3 grandkids. Divorced. In a relationship with Jen Cooper.
Been traveling – been to all ports in the Caribbean. West, deep and East Caribbean.
Diane –Jackson- Russell
50 Years--------seems like 50 Plus! My life was interesting and uneventful. Retired but substitute teaching (scary they will let anyone teach LOL) and now repurpose/reimagine furniture for fun and creativeness but no $$$. I love being around people then go home to solitude! Live in Dowagiac, dreaming of a move to Petoskey, MI within three years.
Pamela – Jones – Barge
Still working with my husband in his photography & video company. I enjoy my work because we do most of our work at home in our photo studio. I’m still designing albums from weddings, reunions, birthday parties and corporate events. My real passion is still horses. About 8 years ago I connected with a Dude Ranch for children. They have 4 ponies & horses. I’m a ranch hand on the ranch and help take care of the daily chores from grooming to training and yes cleaning stalls. I’m also a Buffalo Soldier which I enjoy because they too have horses and we are in parades thru out Chicago – Memorial Day, 4th of July, Bud Billiken and different rodeos. Yes, I’m retired which gives me even more time to spend at the ranch where I work my second job. My husband and I also enjoy bike riding along Lake Michigan. We still ride to the downtown area which is about 5 miles round trip. In addition to all this Don has started a music entertainment company, he sings as well. So life is exciting from photographing celebrities, big entertainers and etc.
Roy Jones
Matriculated to University of Michigan. Graduated 1973 and studied Public Policy at U of M 1973 – 1975.
Executive Director – Detroit Transit Alternatives.
Program Director – Robinson Group Home.
Home Administrator – Blith??me Home Inc. 1976 – 1999.
Program Administrator – Gratiot McDougall United 1999- 2005.
Executive Assistant Michigan House of Representatives – Districts 2 & 3, 2006 – 2016.
Retired.
Co-founded All Natural Supplements – 2018.
Corliss – Kelly – Shevelson
After retiring from middle school teaching, I worked with beginning teachers to help them avoid my early mistakes.
My husband of 43 years is still my best buddy. We travel every chance we get. Our son and his wife blessed us with our precious Max, 14 moths. We have temporarily moved to Seattle to provide Max care. Someday we will probably go back to our home in Carmel, CA, but he’s so darn cute! (Wanna see a picture?)
When I am not admiring my grandson, I make quilts for a children’s hospital. I make cards and teddy bears to support a nutrition program for a school in Haiti. In 2015 I joined a group of eight other retired educators making dolls to sell to build a school in Africa. The lovely school we built was the first school in the town of Zanso, Mali. I am crafting with a purpose and loving it!
Sandra – Koenigshof – Jensen
I am retired now. I have had an interesting life. Including raising two sons, Ethan and Caleb. After HS I trained to be an X-ray Technician. My husband and I refinished houses and had huge gardens. We both love to garden and do landscaping. As for me I have refinished a lot of furniture and knick-knacks. My favorite was restoring antique trunks. I started when I was sixteen and may have quit, but one never knows. I found the 1st trunk in the attic at the big house on Cass-Pokagon road. It is still in my home. It is with great pleasure to see my old friends, and with sadness for our losses. Hopefully we will meet again many times. See you in the funny papers.
Doug LaPorte
Born, raised, worked Cass County. Involved in farming and trucking. Married and divorced, Cass County. Have 4 kids, 3 girls and 1 boy, also have 6 grandchildren, 4 girls and 2 boys. Hope to continue what I am doing for some time yet. No wants or needs to retire. Wouldn’t know what to do with my time. So here’s to today, tomorrow and next year. Hope to see everyone again, enjoy!
Joye Lewis
My chosen profession was being a dental assistant. I worked for the US army and other dentists in my career. I was blessed to be married to a wonderful man, Mike Daron, former Green Beret. He passed away 7 years ago. I have two adult children, Justin and Jenna, and six grandchildren. Enjoying my life in Dowagiac. I work part time for the Cass County COA.
Sarah – Miller – Nally
Have lived in U.P. for past 45 years. Am married to Bill Nally since 1992. Retired for last 10 years. Worked at paper mill for 19 years prior to that. We have one daughter, two sons, and five grandchildren. My hobbies are golfing, reading, walking, and spending time with my kids and grandkids.
Annis – Mills – Rink
I have 2 sons, 2 daughters, 5 gransons and 3 granddaughters. I live in Niles and work full time in Elkhart. Accepted Jesus Christ as my savior July 4, 1976 and been extremely blessed ever since!
Tom Morse
Sorry everyone, I won't be able to attend the reunion. I am the sole caregiver for my wife who has multiple sclorosis and is now in a quadripeldgic state. She needs care 24/7. Now a little about me. I left Cassopolis in 1978 to follow my Union carrier as an electrician. I spent 12 years in southern Louisiana before going to Central Coast of California. After serving 20 yrs. with the IBEW, I worked for Boeing at Vandenberg Air Force Base as an engineer in the areospace field. And its true that you don't have to be a rocket scientist to build and launch Rockets.. I'm living proof. I have been here 29 or 30 yrs. I think, getting old and can't remember dates anymore. I have been retired now for 8 yrs., and love it . I have 2 sons, both now are in Mi., My oldest son Matt lives at Barron Lake in Niles, and my youngest son Cody 26 yrs old lives in Berrien Springs. Tell everyone I said Hi and I wish them many more reunions to come.
Barb – Nieboer – Sherwood
Moved to Cassopolis when I was in the 4th grade and attended Franks Squire Elementary for 2 years. Attended Jr. High and High School at Cassopolis Jr./Sr. High. After graduation I attended G.R. Bible School now (Corner Stone University) 1 year and Southwestern Michigan for 2 years receiving an Assoc. degree. Worked as a computer operator for Dept. of Social Service for 81/2 years until I had children, became a stay at home mom. Worked as teacher of Nursery School at Sister Lakes Community Church. Was assistant Manager of Chicken Coop in Watervliet and then worked at Gordon food service and retired from Lakeland Health, Feb. 28, 2018, after have stem cell replacement for cancer. Was paralyzed from waist down and unable to walk, but am now in remission and am walking and driving now.
Jeanne – Norley – Reed
Soon after graduation from Cassopolis High School I began my college career. I attended Western Michigan University from which I graduated with honors in 1973 with majors in both Religion and Anthropology. Immediately following I began graduate school (also at WMU) where I had a teaching assistantship in Anthropology. I received my Master’s degree in Anthropology in 1979. I continued a close relationship with Western as a guest lecturer in several departments and eventually returned as an adjunct instructor in 1986 in the Anthropology Department. In 1993 I took a full time position at Glen Oaks Community College where I taught a variety of classes in the Social Sciences and Humanities until my retirement in 2015. Upon retirement I was awarded Professor Emeritus status. Occasionally I still guest lecture and teach part time for the college whenever my schedule allows me the opportunity.
Shortly after receiving my Bachelor’s degree from Western in 1973, I married Gerald Reed. This July we will celebrate our 46th anniversary! We have lived in Kalamazoo, MI for all but one of those years. We raised three wonderful children: Alison, Jason and Lucinda. They have provided us with six beautiful grandchildren, four of whom live within 2.4 miles of us with the other 2 on the east side of the state. This closeness gives us the opportunity to be an integral part of their lives. We feel really fortunate and spend a lot of time involved in family activities.
Besides spending time with the “grands”, Jerry and I enjoy traveling. We began our travels with a trip to Europe in 1974 and have just kept going. As head of the International Studies Program at Glen Oaks for 15 years I coordinated trips abroad for students, community members and friends. I have continued that tradition into retirement and am still arranging travel abroad for adults. Our love of people and places has sent us to almost every state in the Union and to almost 60 countries and territories on six continents and we have many more trips in the planning stages. To say traveling is a passion with us is putting it mildly. Other hobbies and interests I enjoy are reading, music, art, playing bridge, gardening and hiking.
Darrell Pointer
BS AU 1973
Many interesting experiences! 4 sons, 2 daughters. Married to Deb 14 years. Very involved in the ministry of Jesus Christ! Our music goes out to nursing homes, prisons, hospitals, churches and anyone in need. We are blessed! God has had His hand on me through all of my illness. I will press on. Looking forward to fellowship of classmates! 50 years. Wow!
Kathy Shanafelt – Watkinson
I sold my jewelry store in Fort Collins, Co. in 2008, and have been retired since then. Gene and I have 2 rental houses (Ft. Collins is home to Colo. State University), so those keep us busy some of the time. We bought a small camper 3 yrs ago, and love camping around here. Gene owns a number of old cars, and we do some trips, mostly with the 1930 Model A. We also fly fish, and love hiking. I am a pretty avid gardener. We work out at the gym and love walking in the neighborhood. I have been studying piano with a great teacher for about 10 years and enjoy keeping up my interest in music. I started to learn to paint watercolor about 12or 13 years ago, and like the learning process that involves. Gene and I usually travel to Anna Maria, Florida, where my family relocated when we left Cass. Plus, we go to Europe or take road trips when we can. Life is Good!
Jim & Karen – Bruens – Smith
WOW 50 years how to sum up starting out as a teenager fresh out of High School to being married almost 50 years. Times flies by. We have two children – Tracy Born, with a grandson, Tim Born, also one son James Smith Jr., with one daughter, Ellyssa Smith. We own a Lawn Care Service for almost 30 years. Tracy does trimming, flowers etc., for our company and James is half owner of the Lawn Care. We love having our children and grandchildren close. We have lived at the same address also 50 years. It seems like only yesterday we started this journey looking back who would dream that it’s been 50 years.
Graceen – Wiersma – Hunsberger
40 years full-time Family Practice Nursing. Now PRN Correctional Nursing.
Linda – Wigton – Carey
Retired from the Martial Arts Protection Gear Co. after 27 years. Dealing with heart, hips, lower back and shoulder health issues. If you follow me on facebook, you know my Great Grandson, is the center of my life. Reggae music and my trim friend and her daughter are 2nd in my life. My orchid and flowers come in third.
Glenn Williams
Divorced after 47 years??? Have lived entire life on Donnell Lake. Have 3 children, Rachelle (class of 91), Chad (class of 96) and Krista (class of 98), 4 blood grandchildren, Aaron (20), Jenna (12), Nolan (8) and Reese (6).
Taught and coached at Cassopolis 41 years. Retired from teaching in 2006 when given 6 months to a year to live with incurable cancer. Went into remission 2012. Have had health issues but am still vertical after 27 surgeries (7 heart and 4 joint replacements) and am handicapped from those.
Enjoyed living and working here my entire life. Love golf but can’t play very often. I still read a newspaper and technology flew by me at the speed of light, 186,000 miles per second.
Roberta – Williams – Rycraw
My life has been very exciting with many turns and twists as probably most of us. My high school sweetheart Leo and I were married May 2, 1970. We have 2 children, a son Leo (11), a daughter Stacie and a grandson James.
My husband was military when we got married. I later joined him in New Jersey with our son and upon his honorable discharge we moved to Chicago for a few years. Our second child Stacie was born and we didn’t want to raise our family in the city so we moved back to Cassopolis. I attended cosmetology college and began a career in my love for hair design.
We’ve had many job and business opportunities on our journey however one stood out to be our lot in life. We joined a Cincinnati based start up company in a joint venture to provide a computerized breathalyzer fo vehicles mandated through the state and local court systems. The technology requires a breath sample to be given below a preset level before the vehicle will start. Our fist office was in Columbus, Ohio, then the Cleveland and Cincinnati areas. For 26 years we have helped change thousands of lives troubled with alcohol and cars.
We are soon to retire this year and focus on humanitarian goals. Florida seems to be on our radar for relocation after retirement.
Richard Wooden
It has been a wonderful life since Cass High School. I have had the opportunity with good health, a loving wife and family, great friends and business clients. Carlie and I have been married 47 years, enjoying each other’s personality and love of our 6 grandchildren and two daughters. We love to visit and experience our National Parks and have a fondness for mountains and Alaska. In 2018 my brother, Dennis and I retired from our farming operations and became only land owners. This has given more time for having fun, being semi-retired, while still operating my consulting firm, success with CRM Consulting, Inc. My youngest daughter, Julie Cooper, is also involved with this business, as she eventually takes it over. Looking forward to what the next 30 years will bring as our life’s experience continue to expand.
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