Jeff Secord

Roger Shoup

Five out of seven can't be wrong.  Facial hair is better than no hair at all!

Jim Tosh

Was sad to hear about Alan Bettisch. Went to Emerson Grade School with him. Fun kid to be around and really smart !

Milan Jackson

Mary Selk turns 95 on April 29, 2016. On April 30, she wants to have singers from A Cappella to come to Westminster Village and sing for the residents. John Waddell, a great singer from Bloomington, will be singing with us. If you don't know who John is, Google him. He is awesome. Rehearsal will be at 1:30pm and performance will be at 3pm. If you can make it, please let me know. We love that lady and this is a good chance to let her know what she meant to us.

Milan Jackson

1104 George Dr.

Normal, IL 61761

milan52@yahoo.com

309-452-7987

Milan Jackson

An old friend Doug Stearns is in town from Texas if anyone wants to see him. Let me know. 309-830-4531

Milan Jackson

I need help from BHS classmates. On or near the corner of W. Washington and Morris Ave was a restaurant that had pictures of former boxers on their walls. We can't figure out if it was John and Gene's or the Hickory Pit. Does anyone know?

Jim Tosh

Milan, John and Genes was on the south side of Washington near Morris but I don,t think it was on the corner. I believe the Hickory Pit came later and was on the corner  - if that helps ?

Milan Jackson

I know exactly where each restaurant was at the time. This is a search for a museum patron who ate in a restaurant near W. Washington and Morris Ave which had pictures of former boxers on the walls. But he can't remember where it was. The pictures of boxers are the only good clue. 

Marvin Barnes

I deliver the Pantagraph at Genes in the late 50s. I remember Carolyn Wey working there but I haven't seen her  in 25 yrs. Maybe she good help.  

Milan Jackson

Singers from the Class of 1965, 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. 

Milan Jackson

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. 

Milan Jackson

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. 

Milan Jackson

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. 

Milan Jackson

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. 

Milan Jackson

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.

Milan Jackson

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

Milan Jackson

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.

William H (Bill) Bliss

To all my Living Classmates:

I hate to be accused of being morbid but we have 3 cemetary lots available since my parents passed in 2016 and 2017 at Park Hill Cemetery. These are priced below what Park Hill is selling them for. I hope none of you

will need these soon but we have to plan ahead in this world. Call me or my sister Kim Maffia at the number

mentioned below to get the specific locations. Beautiful place to spend eternity! People are dying to get in here!

Bill Bliss 

Milan Jackson

 

 

 

 

 

 

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Franklin J. Smith, 71, of Bloomington, passed away at 1:30 p.m. Wednesday (Nov. 28, 2018) at Heritage Health, Normal.

Visitation will be from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. Monday at Carmody-Flynn Funeral Home, Bloomington, with a memorial service following at 1 p.m. with Rev. Krista Price officiating. Military rites by the Bloomington-Normal American Legion Honor Guard will conclude the service. Interment will be at a later date in Camp Butler National Cemetery, Springfield.

Memorials may be directed to the Community Cancer Center, 407 E. Vernon Ave., Normal, IL 61761, or Wounded Warrior Project, P.O. Box 758517, Topeka, KS 66675-8517.

 

Frank was born May 6, 1947, in Bloomington, the son of Harold and Hazel Lane Smith. He married Peggy Jaeger on April 20, 1973, in Normal. She survives.

Also surviving are two daughters, Lora (Tom) Schoen, Round Lake, and Alesha (Tim) Russell, Atlanta, Ga.; two sons, Lance (Melanie) Smith, Bloomington, and Nicholas (Rachel) Smith, Navarre, Fla.; seven grandchildren, Gunner, Tyler, Dillon, Hailey, Colton, Jayce and Payton; a brother, Harold Smith, Prairieville, La.; two sisters, Sue (Dave) Nalley, Alva, Fla., and Judy (Al) Gibson, Bloomington.

He was preceded in death by his parents.

Frank was a U.S. Navy Vietnam veteran and served as a medic for the Marine Corps. He worked for The Eureka Co. for 33 years. After retirement he enjoyed working at El Paso Golf Club for more than 15 years.

Frank had a passion for golf and had six recorded holes-in-one. For 30 years, he and Peggy vacationed with friends on golf trips. They also enjoyed their winters in Florida and spending time on the beach.

 

Frank truly loved his family and extended family. He will be dearly missed by all those who knew and loved him.

The family would like to thank the staffs at the Community Cancer Center, Heritage Health of Normal, and OSF St. Joseph Medical Center for their care and compassion.

To express condolences, please visit www.carmodyflynn.com.

Jim Tosh

Sorry to hear about the passing of Frank "Dusty" Smith. Played golf with him in high school - he got better - I didn't. Good guy. RIP

Milan Jackson

Milan Jackson

Mary Selk, who just turned 98, is planning a concert for former A Cappella or anyone else who wishes to join us on  Saturday October 5, 2019. Time is still being scheduled. There will be rehearsals on Thursday October 3rd and Friday October 4th in the evenings. Again exact times are still being arranged. Of course John "Jack" Waddell will be singing with us. So please leave your schedule open for this occasion. Please let me know if you are planning to join us.

Milan Jackson

milan52@yahoo.com

Milan Jackson

This is now written in stone so it's time to plan:

October 5, 2019, Mary Selk needs former chorus members for a concert we will give at Westminster Village. We will practice on Thursday and Friday, 10-3 and 10-4 at 7pm. We will give the performance on Saturday 10-5-2019 at 3pm with a practice shortly before. Let me know if you plan to attend. We need singers. You don't have to have been in A Cappella. Mary is 98 and she is planning to do this one more time in 2021 :)