It all depends on where your submission falls in the normal cycle of things. I generally do not take time to update this page until I've collected at least 10-12 new entries. This is roughly equalling out to be about 2-3 months on average from update-to-update.
(NOTE: Okay, okay.... so it was closer to a year this last time. SO SUE ME! Ha Ha! Seriously though... I'll try to do BETTER this year. )
So hang in there! Your information WILL show up on the site if I received it. Thanks for your patience. -Todd B. :-)
Class of 1965
Paula Jeanne (Bondy) Leon
email:
JeanneLeon@AOL.com
Currently living in Carleton, Michigan
Married to Bob Leon, we have three children.
I am the Purchasing Manager and Marketing Administrator (sounds like a
conflict of interest) for a manufacturing and processing company
headquartered Troy, Michigan. We not only produce sealants, adhesives and
coatings for the auto, aerospace, US military, rail roads and eyeglass
companies of the world and I get to administer the purchasing of the raw
chemicals. I also administer the selling and shipping these products all
over the globe. ND Industries, Inc. has locations across the United
States and abroad. ND itself is not huge, but we are the major
competitor of 3M and Loc Tite. If you own any automobile, see a train,
see an air plane overhead, use roller blades or wear glasses, etc., one
of our products is in there somewhere.
I can be contacted at: "JeanneLeon@AOL.com" or
"PJLeon@ndindustries.com". Note the phone number listed in the local
telephone book is only answered by my husband's fax machine for his home
office.
Life is pretty much taken up with four grandchildren, driving to work,
sitting on the deck and watching the birds and wild life, biking (I still
have trouble with the roller blades), anything that takes me outdoors
(especially the flower beds) and trying to see what I can get the
computer to do next.
I really love computers, I have worked on programming the network we use
at the compound blending division ever since I got there over seven years
ago. It is amazing how fast the company has grown in these past seven
years. When I first got there, after doing contract computer work for
various small companies for a couple years, we were just at the beginning
of a growth spurt that has taken us around the world and I got to go on
the ride. Amazing!
Tom Miller
email:
tomiswho@mindspring.com
Web page:
http://tomiswho.home.mindspring.com/tomspage.html
I was married in September 2004 to Elaine, whom I met in Monroe in 1972. We are living in Temple, Georgia, about 35 miles west of Atlanta and just 19 miles from the Alabama line. I'm in my 19th year of teaching high school mathematics and I'm also the school debate team coach.
My wife and I enjoy traveling (we went to Scotland, Ireland, and Holland on our honeymoon), boating, and target shooting. Elaine can hit what she aims at with her .357!! We are looking forward to retirement in another 3 years. We did make it thru Ida last summer (2005) for about 15 minutes and stopped to visit at Zorn's Service.
I wish our class would have had a 40 year reunion last year, but alas. email at tomiswho@mindspring.com
PREVIOUS BIO:
Profession(s): Math teacher - Charterboat Captain - Free Spirit
I currently reside in Carollton, Georgia and am
LOOKING FOR ADVENTURE! I'm without dependents and available for
adventure and/or employment anywhere in the world. I have M.Ed. in math
(certified in FL & GA) and USCG 6 pack Captain's license. I spent part of the summer of 96 on
a NOAA research vessel, the RV Chapman, in the western Gulf of Mexico
and the rest living in Portadown, Northern Ireland.
I like beaches, mountains, most music
(no rap), candles, humor, zoos, and "road trips". E-mail me now!
Goto class year index
Class of 1973
Karen C. (Kelemen) Billmaier
email:
bksf@tdi.net
Karen C. (Kelemen) Billmaier, graduated in 1973 and yes I still live in Ida! I
went to Davis Junior College of Business in Toledo, Ohio, for Accelerated
Secretary and graduated June of 1974. Worked at General Electric Company for
IS&E
Department at the Enrico Fermi Plant until laid off, only 6 months...WOW!
Started work at Monroe Electric Supply Co., in Monroe as a Secretary for six (6)
years..a little longer this time.
Got married October 23, 1976 to Frederick J. Billmaier, Jr. who graduated from
Mason High School in 1969. Frederick nickname Bud is a "A" Machinist at
Detroit Stoker Company in Monroe. March 16, 1980, our daughter Sarah A.
Billmaier, was born (Sarah graduated from Ida High School in 1998). Sarah is
going to Monroe County Community College for two (2) years then to Eastern
Michigan University for teaching and conducting music. After three (3) years
went back to work for American Red Cross as a Secretary until our son Frederick
J. Billmaier, III was born May 2, 1984. Fred is a Sophomore at Ida High School.
Started working with Manpower Temporary Services from 1988 to
1991 until I started to work for Forest City Residential Management, Inc., as a
part-time secretary, then an Assistant Property Manager, then Property Manager
and now a Senior Property Manager to three (3) Senior Citizen Apartment
complexes.
Instead of a career in Secretarial am now a Certified Manager of Housing and
Certified Occupancy Specialist.now that is total change of careers! Have
been involved in Girl Scouts, Boy Scouts, Softball, Baseball and oh yes Band
Concerts!
To regroup from all that love to go camping, reading murder mysteries,
computers and keeping up with Bud, Sarah and Fred's activities.
Tim Sepesy
email:
tbsinc@powersupply.net
I am an Ida Alumni, Class of 1973. Upon graduating, I attended Monroe
Community College for a couple of years before I enlisted in the Air
Force. While in the USAF I was trained as an EMT and eventually attained
my Paramedics license. I was stationed in Omaha, Nebraska for 3 1/2 years
before transferring to Lowery Air Force Base in Denver. I was married in
1976 to Trina Thompson, an army brat who was also enlisted in the USAF.
Trina and I had 3 children, Derek (22 y/o), Alex (19 y/o), and Sarah (17
y/o) now a senior at Evergreen High School. Trina and I divorced in 1988,
and I was granted custody of our 3 children. I was remarried in 1989 to
Becki Burns, a Bedford graduate, and we currently live in Wauseon, Ohio.
Upon Separation from the Air Force in 1980, I moved back to the area and
landed a job as a Pharmaceutical Sales Rep for Bristol-Myers Squibb.
Ironically on the day my divorce was final, I was recruited away from BMS
and took a position with Ciba-Geigy Pharmaceuticals. I spent over 6 years
with Ciba before being downsized in 1994. After being downsized, I was
hired by Mariner Healthcare and acted as their Regional Director of
Managed Care. Once again I was recruited away from Mariner and took a
position as Director of Provider Relations for a Toledo based Home Health
Care company.
In 1997 I was once again the victim of a downsizing, and
after a short one-year stint as a Practice Manager for a Medical Billing
company, I joined my father-in-law's Executive Recruiting business, Career
Alternatives. I recruited upper
level R&D, Quality, Regulatory, and Sales/Marketing Executives for
Pharmaceutical, Medical and Biotech companies across the US.
I currently own/operate Career Rx Executive Search, a recruiting firm specializing in the Pharmaceutical and Biotech industries.
My wife Becki and I reside in Wauseon, Ohio, and love to travel, particularly to the Caribbean Islands. I still play guitar quite a bit, and have tried to stay active in sports
such as basketball and softball.
Tim Sepesy
E-mail: Tim@tbsinc@powersupply.net
Goto class year index
Class of 1974
Dan Gerweck
email: dgerweck@macsteel.com
I graduated with the class of '74, and remember hearing (then-principal) Robert Shafer (not Robert-a) make the comment at our commencement exercise that he had never seen so much green! We were the first class not to have the traditional gold and blue caps and gowns, but instead our class colors of mint and forest green (I could be wrong on the names of those colors). We were also the first class to have two different styles of class rings. Ours was also the largest graduating class (160, I believe) at that time. If I'm not mistaken, enrollment continued to climb until cresting two years later when my wife, Linda Kroeger, graduated as Linda Gerweck. We were married April 24th, 1976, just a few short weeks before her graduation and we are nearing our 28th anniversary.
I joined the U.S. Air Force and went "active duty" in July of '76. After nearly 10 months of electronics/radar training in Denver, CO (and of course 6 weeks of Basic Military Training in San Antonio TX) I was assigned to Seymour Johnson AFB in Goldsboro, NC. At that time, one would not have been surprised to see "One-bullet-Barney" or sheriff Andy Taylor out on the streets of Goldsboro (or was it Mayberry?). It was there that our older daughter, Rachel, was born. After spending a couple of years in North Carolina, enduring the sweltering summer heat and humidity but rather enjoying the mild winters, I was re-assigned to Osan Air Base in South Korea. My "little girl" turned two here in the states while I was over there serving my 12-month remote assignment (remote meaning no families). My last 6 months in the Air Force were spent at Hurlburt AFB in Fort Walton Beach, FL, about half-way between Pensacola and Panama City in Florida's pan-handle. And I thought North Carolina's humidity was oppresive! Because of that and the palmetto bugs (two-inch long flying "cockroaches"), my only desire to return to Florida now is to someday visit the Keys.
I separated from the Air Force in January of 1981 and was hired by North Star Steel later that year as a laborer, operating over-head cranes. The job market for electronics technicians in this area was not very good at that time and the money was better in the steel mill. So I endured for a while and made the most of it despite the heat, dirt and rotating shifts. During that time, our son, Caleb, was born. We were renting the house I grew up in from my parents and were somewhat comfortable there even though the house was for sale. About a year and a half later, Linda became pregnant with our younger daughter, Megan. Meg was about 6 months old when we moved into an old "fixer-upper" in Monroe that we bought from my brother Paul. We had a 5-year plan to do some remodeling and move out. 17 years later we finally moved into our new home that Linda's brother Mike and I did most of the work on. Now at 48 (my birthday was yesterday, April 10th), I have little desire to take on a project of that magnitude again!
Shortly after Megan was born I was fortunate to have the opportunity to get into the maintenance department and work as an electronics technician at North Star. Fortunate because it was a learning/growing situation. The job has evolved into a process engineer, working a lot with computers and integrating the plant process lines with the controls (mostly HMI's, or Human Machine Interface computers with "Touch-screens"), data collection and networking, installing and debugging new equipment, making changes to enhance efficiency and/or productivity and also maintaining the schematics, drawings and documentation.
Rachel is now 26 with a three-(almost four)-year-old son and living in Little Rock, AR with her husband whom she met while she was in the Air Force. Her husband, Andy, is in the Air Force and stationed at the base there in Little Rock. They are expecting a little girl toward the end of May and I have to tell you that being a grand-parent is great! Being young enough to enjoy your grandchildren is a delayed benefit of starting your family early. I think it makes up for the struggles, trials and tribulations of being a young parent. We had the wonderful opportunity to have Rachel and Andrew (our grandson) stay with us for the year that Andy was stationed in Korea, also at Osan. Ironically (I think), Andrew turned two while his daddy was in Korea.
Caleb is also in the Air Force now serving in Omaha, NB at Offutt AFB. He attended training in Monterey, CA and also at the Texas "outpost" of Sheppard AFB in Wichita Falls (BFE). He flew home from California for Christmas in '02 intent on driving his (small) Honda Prelude back out there. I took some vacation time and made the 4-day trip with him. It was certainly a long drive but it afforded us some of the spectacular scenery our great nation has to offer. The most impressive to me was the drive up the coast of California from San Luis Obispo to Monterey on Highway 1 after passing through the desert-like terrain of Bakersfield. Seeing a whale spouting was definitely a highlight of the trip! Caleb will be 22 this July and seems to be enjoying his freedom and change of scenery (away from Monroe). He intends to get his degree during his enlistment and possibly becoming an officer.
Megan (our "baby") graduated from Monroe High last June ('03) and has attended classes at Monroe Community part-time along with working part-time. She's at that stage where she's not sure what she wants to do when she "grows up" (come to think of it, I'm not sure if I know what I want to do when I grow up). She is still at home with us and I think she is finally accepting the idea of living "in the country"; our new home is about three miles southeast of Carleton. It was definitely an emotional struggle for her to leave the home she had known her entire life. To make that transition easier for her, we applied for, and got her into, the school-of-choice program to keep her in Monroe for her senior year.
For most of the time our kids were growing up, Linda was a stay-at-home Mom, staying active with their school activities, being a "room-mom" and such. She has been working for almost five years now at Professional Village Pharmacies as a tech. (some of you may have seen her there). She is a very talented "crafter" and has made some beautiful swags from dried flowers, leaves and vines. She has also woven a variety of baskets and decorated some of them similar to the swags. Her latest "passion" has been cross-stitching and she has made some excellent adornments for our home as well as some gifts for family and friends.
I can hardly believe we are going to be having our 30th class reunion this summer! I have always enjoyed seeing everyone who shows up and trying to talk to everyone. I only wish more of our classmates would come (if not everyone: Fred Baker, I'm talking to you!). We're not getting old, we're aging like fine wine, getting better all the time! I think Andy Rooney was right when he said "Life is like a roll of toilet paper; the closer you get to the end, the faster it goes!" I count my blessings every day and can't believe how lucky I am to still be alive when I consider some of the stupid things I did in school. I try now to remind myself daily not to do anything stupid that might end my life, especially when I'm behind the wheel. Life is too precious and too short. It's a gift; that's why it's called "the present".
My address is: 9732 Fawnwood Dr. Carleton, MI 4811
Dan Stotz
email:
dstotz@orchard.washtenaw.cc.mi.us
I graduated from Ida in 1974. I married Sheila
Patterson of Westland in 1980 and have a daughter, Jillian (age 15) and
a son, Joshua (age 12). We live at 7890 Warner Road in Saline,
Michigan.
I am Director of Marketing for Washtenaw Community College in Ann Arbor.
I also teach marketing and entrepreneurship part-time for the College.
My hobbies include golf and photography. What I enjoy most is being a
Dad.
Carletta (Sue) Williams
email:
auctioneer@jayco.net
I have lived in Portland, IN long enough to know most of the local
gossip and what many consider to be the ancient history of our small
town. I have taught French and English at the county wide high school,
Jay County High School, long enough to be teaching children of my former
students. I moved here in the fall of 1978 following my graduation from
Huntington College.
I married the managing editor of our local newspaper on July 7,1990.
Tom Casey and I dated longer than we were married. (It took him forever
to pop the question.) Tom died of complications due to a chondrosarcoma
of the spine on May 18, 1997. Our four children Sean, Ann, and twins
Kelly and Patrick were 4, 3, and 11 months old at that time.
After 2 years of single parenthood, I married a wonderful Christian
man, Dale E. Williams, who has 3 children of his own: Stephanie
(Williams) Bateman, 23; Ben Williams , 15; and Abby Williams, 10. He is
the auctioneer and real estate agent and copy machine repairman and new
business owner of an import sales business entitled Natlsavings.
I can be contacted at: 310 E. Walnut St., Portland, IN 47371. No
one calls me Carletta anymore. I've always hated that name because I
only heard it at home when I was in trouble--"Carletta Sue!"
Goto class year index
Class of 1979
Nancy Boudrie
email: BoudrieNJB@aol.com
The Website is great :)
UPDATE AS OF 10/2004:
Hello fellow 1979 graduates!!! Since I put my bio in 3 years ago, things have changed considerably. The most important being I am a two-time Grandma!!! My son, David Weilnau and his wife Kim (Kowalski) welcomed Jenna Raie on 11-08-2002; and Jaclyn Louise on 03-11-2004. Its hard being a long distance Grandma; but I wouldn't change a thing.
I now live in Mesa, Arizona with my boyfriend of 6 years Harry "Allen" Shlagor. Also in Arizona are my parents, sister, Sue, (1978) and brother, Danny (Scooter, 1985) i work at Walgreens as a Photo Specialist and hope to go to school soon to become a pharmacy tech. I am still seeking info on a former classmate, Keith Kimberly; and on our 25th reunion this year. Any help you can give on either of these would be greatly appreciated.
ORIGINAL BIO:
My name is Nancy Boudrie (1979) I married Kevin
Weilnau July 31, 1981. From that marriage, I have three children:
David-16, Jeanette-14, and Joey-10.
Unfortunately, my marriage ended in divorce on
March 7, 2000. Kevin has since remarried a wonderful lady named Linda,
who I am proud to call my friend and "co-mom" to my kids. I have lived in
Texas and Arizona since graduation, returning to the Monroe area in September
of 1988. I currently live with my boyfriend, Harry Allen Shlagor Jr., here
in Monroe.
I work full-time at both Wal-mart and McDonalds on Telegraph Rd. I
just recently started my own Mail order business called "Nancy's
Knick-Knacks" I have been searching for a former classmate, Keith
Kimberly, since graduation, so any help will be greatly appreciated. A big hello
to all my former classmates. Please let me know how you're doing.
Russ Cardle
email: rcardle@sbcglobal.net
I received my BS in Industrial Engineering in 1988 from the University of Michigan (took a little longer than expected due to the husband and dad detour). I married Lia Cronenwett from Monroe in 1984, still going strong. Three kids, Russell 19, Christopher 17, and Shais 12. We live in Shelby Township, Michigan and I have worked in the auto industry since college. When I'm not working, hanging out with the wife or coaching/refereeing soccer, I am sleeping.
Scott DeBruin, D.D.S.
email:
rsddds3d@together.net
Telephone: (H) 802.933.2276 (W) 802.933.8919
Scott received his B.S. in 1984 from the University of Michigan.
Scott and Julie Obertacz (IHS-1980) were married May 9 1987.
Scott graduated from the
University of Detroit School of Dentistry in 1989. They now live in
Franklin Vermont, with their daughter Emily Lauren who was born
August 13, 1995.
A second daughter, McKenzie Irene, was born August 5th. 1998.
Scott and Julie work together in our dental practice in Enosburg Falls,VT.
John Reilly
email:
reilly6922@cs.com
Married; Lorrie Lynne Kecskes, June 10, 1983
Lorrie is employed by Toledo Beach Yacht Sales as a graphic
designer and is also a professional model.
Four Children; Lorryn, 15, J.J., 13, Lynnae, 8 and Jener Delane, 6.
Lorryn attends St. Mary Catholic Central High School, JJ, Lynnae
and Jener Delane all attend Ida Public Schools.
I've been a Journeyman Electrician since 1988. I received an
Associates Degree from Monroe County Community College and
spend my free-time coaching baseball, softball, basketball, and
football since 1981.
We just recently tackled a 1600 sq. ft. addition onto the house we
built in 1989 just 1/2 mile south of my parents place on Geiger Rd.
I can be contacted at:
6922 Geiger Rd. Temperance, MI 48182
734-269-3210
Goto class year index
Class of 1981
Todd Benner
email:
tbenner@netheadz.com
Web page:
http://www.netheadz.com
Telephone: 734.394.1356
I'm an 17 year resident of Canton
Michigan (about 10 miles east of Ann Arbor). I've been married
to Rachelle (Hawk - Bedford 1981) 18 years this past August 22, 2005. We have two
beautiful daughters, Kristen Leigh 13, and Katherine Ann 11 years. Both are attending the National Heritage Academy charter school here in Canton, and getting straight A's! I know... I know... the bumper stickers can't be far behind, right? That's what you were thinking! Admit it! Ha ha.
By day I work as a Applications Programmer for the University of Michigan
Hospitals Pharmacy Services, and by night satisfy my client's
Internet website needs as the President of NetHeadz Internet Services,
Inc.
Hobbies (when I find time, Ha!) include pop-up camping on our property by
Crystal Lake near Traverse City (see: http://www.netheadz.com/upnorth) ,
playing my guitars, snowmobiling up north, surfing the 'Net, reading, listening to good music, and updating this
#@!%& web site!
Matthew D. "Matt" Biddle
email:
mbiddle@ou.edu
Web page:
http://rossby.ou.edu/~mbiddle/modrisk.html
Telephone: 405.364.9436
Moderate Risk Storm Services
532 West Symmes Street
Norman, OK 73069
After graduation I attended The University of Toledo and worked my way
to a Bachelor's Degree (1986 - Geography) by working for the University
Police (Dispatch and Security). Upon graduation at UT, I moved to
Norman, Oklahoma to attend Graduate School. With the exception of one
year working at the Fernald Environmental Restoration Project just
outside of Cincinnati, I have lived in Oklahoma since 1986. It took me a
long while to get my Master's Degree from the University of Oklahoma
owing to numerous major orthopaedic surgeries, but I completed it in
1994. It to was in Geography and my specialty area is environmental and
natural hazards with an emphasis on severe weather and tornadoes. I have
worked professionally for the State of Oklahoma and the Federal
Government in Environmental Remediation and Emergency Response in the
Superfund Program and other water and hazardous waste programs. I was
fired from my federal job illegally for reporting the release of
gasoline into a creek and eventually won a high profile Whistleblower's
case against the US ARMY and they were forced to pay my back wages and
expunge my personnel file, and my former supervisors were prosecuted by
the Department of Justice. It was a LONG and TRYING experience that I
share to inspire others not to quite and to offer my assistance to any
others out there in similar situations. I remain very active in
environmental issues, but am fed up with trying to be a civil servant as
the State of Oklahoma system is overtly corrupt. My brother is building
a house in Ida and I have some general concerns about the Nitrate
pollution of ground water in Southern Michigan and my for the health of
pregnant and nursing mothers and infants. I will attempt to post FAQs
for you that live in the Midwest on this ASAP.
I now work mostly as a weather and climatology consultant, which is much
less controversial. I have been involved in numerous tornado intercept
projects including the Verification of the Origins of Rotation in
Tornadoes EXperiment (VORTEX) run by the National Severe Storms
Laboratory in Norman. I drove the first Doppler Radar on Wheels to North
Carolina for an intercept of Hurricane Fran in 1996. I will drive Probe
3 again this year, and if you are interested in severe weather or
tornadoes you may wish to visit the following sites:
http://mrd3.mmm.ucar.edu/~vortex/www/
and
http://aaron.ou.edu/dow/index.html
I am committed to sharing as much as possible on the science and
technology we are using, particularly for children, so if you have any
questions or desire links or video please feel free to contact me. I
also had the misfortune of working for that horrible movie about what we
do "TWISTER," which was so inaccurate as to be nauseating. I did get to
hang out with Cary Elwes and Bill Paxton and go to Helen Hunt's birthday
party. Unfortuantely the producers of the movie were NOT interested in
realism or anything BUT making money, which they did. There will be a
TWISTER II and I would not expect it to be any better. That's Hollywood!
This season will will be taking out military units and shooting
instrument-laden rockets into the tornadoes to get readings! This seems
stranger than fiction. I hope to update my personal homepage soon to
share these experiences with those interested. It is at:
http://rossby.ou.edu/~mbiddle/modrisk.html
I have had some 15 major surgeries since graduation and almost died from
a blood infection once, but as you can see I have remained quite busy
and while I have to use a crutch to ambulate, I am otherwise quite
healthy and move as fast as ever. Most of the surgeries have been
helpful to the orthopaedic problems I was born with and I do not
anticipate much more, if any, surgery.
I am single and quasi-attached, no kids and never married (way too
busy). Aside from storm chasing I am interested in fishing and general
outdoors activities, I am probably the biggest Red Wings fan West of the
Mississippi, and I really miss coaching little league baseball back in
Ida, which I did for some 5 years in Ida. It was one of the most fun and
rewarding activities of my life!
It is my opinion that the small town atmosphere in IDA is a preferred
environment in which to raise healthy and happy children. It is also my
opinion that the biggest threat to this way of life is not crime,
income, disease, or any of these fears, but the simple environmental
threats associated with overdevelopment, such as the varied threats to
family farming, the proliferation of strip malls, and the building of
subdivisions while older housing in pre-developed areas lays abandonded.
Ida may not be an exciting place, but what is best about it is what it
has the least of - traffic, crime, etc. Each year when I return I see
more and more development. If you care about this YOU need to take an
active role in your local government and pay attention to what the
School Board, Drain Commission, Road Commission, Zoning Board, etc are
up to and MAKE them work FOR you!
Hope you and yours are well!
Matt Biddle
Jeff Clegg
email:
jeffclegg@hotmail.com
UPDATE AS OF 12/2004:
After graduation, I attended the University of Toledo (BS in Electrical Engr.), Arizona State Univ. (MS Computer Science), Central Michigan Univ. (MS Administration), and the University of Michigan (MS Industrial & Systems Engr.). I've worked 8 years in the defense industry (Apache helicopter, M1A2 tank, Advanced Field Artillery Systems) and 11 years at Ford Motor Company (Global Product Marketing and Vehicle Program Management).
I've lived in California, Arizona, Michigan, Minnesota, Georgia, and finally Florida.
I've been married to Kim for 8 years and we have two great kids - Kyler 7 and Keagen 5. They are both in the second grade.
I have since left corporate life and my wife and I own/operate a Landscape Design & Lawn Maintenance business in Orlando Florida. We have between 70 and 90 employees, depending on the season. We are currently establishing branches in Melbourne and Tampa Florida.
ORIGINAL BIO:
Since graduation, I went on to the University of Toledo and received a
degree (BS) in Electrical Engineering. I went to work at McDonnell Douglas
Helicopter Company (California & Arizona) where I was a Weapons Design
Engineer. I helped design new weapon systems and improve the exisitng weapons
on the Apache Helicopter (WE KICKED ASS in Iraq & Panama). I also worked on
some more "Secretive" projects, referred to as "Black Hole" projects.
Next, I went to General Dynamics Land Systems to work on US Army Tanks
concentrating on Weapon Ballistics (the mathematics behind unguided weapons'
accuracy). The stories & videos from Iraq were unbelievable.
Then I went to Minnesota and worked as a consultant on Artillery Systems & an
Advanced Armor Gun System. Then I went to Ford Motor Company - where I am
currently work. On the way, I added a couple of Master's degrees.
At Ford, I do not get to blow up anything (I started after the Pinto thing).
For some reason, they frown on that sort of thing. At Ford, I have been doing
mostly finance and marketing.
I am married with two children (Kyler - 3 years old and Keagen - 2 years old).
They consume ALL of our free time. Kyler attends a school for gifted children and
I am sure Keagen will follow.
We currently reside in Northville, Michigan.
Caroline (Frank) Harris
email:
jtharris3@foxberry.net
Telephone: 734.269.2603
After
high school I attended the University of Michigan for a couple of semesters
but quit when I did not have the $$$ for the next semester. Subsequently
moved to Cleveland to live with my sister Merri (also an IHS grad 1970) and
get a job at Southwest General Hospital in Middleburg Hts, Ohio. While in
Ohio, my three children, Caitlen and Allison (twin girls now almost 13, and
son Kirk, now 11 yrs old) were born. In 1989 I returned to Ypsilanti,
Michigan and got a job at the University of Michigan Hospital Referring
Physicians Communication Service (M-LINE) and after a couple of stints back
and forth trying to leave that big ball of stress office, I worked as a
Unit Clerk in the Pediatric ICU, and then ended up back in the Office of
Planning and Marketing, Teleservices as a Primary Care Referral Service
Coordinator. I am currently on medical leave from my appointment at UMHS.
On Easter 1990, I became a Born-Again Christian and a member of Christian
Life Center Church in Ypsilanti. Fall 1990, I met my husband, liscensed and
ordained minister- evangelist James T. Harris III (a 1979 Monroe HS
graduate) and we were married in June 1991. In August 1993 we returned to
Ida and we live at 12150 W. Albain Rd, Petersburg, 49270 (which is on the
other end of my father's property on Jackman Rd and actually in Ida despite
the Petersburg mailing address). My children attend Ida Middle School, the
daughters are in 7th grade, and the son is in 5th, all are on the Honor
Roll.
I am active in Boy Scout Pack and Troop 538 in Ida as a Assistant Webelos
Den Leader, this spring I will "cross-over" with the boys and become their
Patrol Advisor in the Troop. I am also Advancement Chairperson for the
Pack committee and have been nominated for Secretary in the Troop
committee. All three of my children are active in the Ida Bands Program,
just as I was for 8 yrs, so we spend a lot of time at concerts (by the way,
Mr. Whitehead is still here!)
At the moment, my husband is between churches, and as of this date we have
not found a church home, but we are leaning toward Morocco United Brethren
Church in Ida or Cathedral of Praise in Toledo.
Even though I am not currently working, my hobbies are limited due to my
medical conditition, when I am feeling well, I enjoy gardening,
bird-watching, hiking, crafting, reading, taking the A&E, Biography, and
History Channel quizzes, researching the Frank family geneaology and
listening to Dr. Laura. My most fulfilling roles in my life are being my
husband's wife and my kid's mom.
Debbie Kolakowski
email: mamalard39@yahoo.com
UPDATE AS OF 10/2004
HI all. Lots of thing have changed, but I am still the same me. My current mailing address is 5710 CR 35 ADA, Ohio.....45810. Over 2 years ago now I met the most wonderful man to me and we are engaged to be married and that will happen soon. His name is JR Fry and he is from ADA ,and I am from IDA...sounds like a song. JR and I enjoy spending time with our families and friends and also our girls, 3 year old LABS, Sadie and Soffee. They are such fun.
We also like to go to garage sales and auctions, flea markets, and like to spend time at festivals and at the lake, fishing or just riding around in the boat. I move around alot with my job as a traveling RN. We spent last year in FLORIDA, and hope that all down there survive the terrible hurricanes! We want to make it to Hawaii and Arizona in 2005, then we will settle down somewhere and plant our roots. Life is grand when you have found that one person you can not only laugh with, but cry with, and wake up every single day of your life knowing they will never leave you....unless it is GOD who calls one away. Let's enjoy life while we can. Thanks, dad, for sending me my angel!
Anyone who wants to email can do so at mamalard39@yahoo.com. I am in IDA from time to time to visit my mom and family. Ida is still a great place and probably will always be thanks to all the wonderful "family oriented" people there.God's Blessing and Peace to all!
Regards,
Debbie Kolakowski
Hello to all!
ORIGINAL BIO:
I graduated from IHS in 1981 and
between babysitting jobs and MCCC for the next 2 years earned a 2 year
degree and planned on furthering my education in Social Work at EMU, but
that never happened because I had to see if I like nursing better...so I
worked 4 years as a nurse aid at Beach Nursing Home in Monroe, and let me
tell you, our country has this health care thing and priorities all mixed
up.
From there I went back to MCCC and entered the Nursing program and
graduated in 1989, with the help of the Eugene Beach scholarship and my
now husband who semi-supported me those 2 years. In 1985 I met my now
husband, Harley,and we have been together ever since. We got married in
Las Vegas Oct. 2 1992...a day I thought would never come!
After working
as a student nurse through nursing school at Mercy Memorial Hospital in
Monroe, I decided to stay there "for awhile." That ended up being 10 very
interesting but long years. I am sure everyone has there opinions of
nurses...but let me tell you they(we) deserve every dime
they(we)make....and more. But, I could also say that about alot of
occupations.
I would love to hear from anyone, but especially anyone in
our class who also went into nursing. I am currently employed by Sister's
Servants Immaculate Heart of Mary Health Care Center in Monroe as an RN,
taking care of the retired nuns. It is a much less stressful job than the
hospital, maybe because I get BLESSED all the time?! Even though I would
LOVE to stay there forever, I am currently looking into other jobs, and
may be even moving to FLORIDA, which I have contemplated doing ever since
1983. I guess you call that a dream!
My husband and I have not been
successful in the"baby department" so we have no children, although
somedays this is a good thing:)! I do have several nieces and nephews and
grandnieces and grandnephews(remember I have 9 siblings!!!) who I try to
spoil every chance I get!!! My parents had 10 children and have been
married 50 plus years, and even though that was great for them, I don't
think I can copy that.
My hobbies besides nursing and taking care of my
husband (HA!) are gardening, bicycling, swimming,
traveling, photography, shopping, baking, and lately starting out with
scrapbooking, plus many others too numerous to mention. One of my
longterm projects is to copy all my home videos for family members and
friends...I may be finishing that when I retire in 24 more years!! I just
got my new computer and am having fun with that , when I have time.
My
take on life thus far during school years and after is to make each day
count and be happy with what you have. Others may have more or less, but
it is really each person's own "comfort level" with themselves. We should
never judge another man by the outside because someone may judge you that
way also, and believe me, it's not going to happen on one of your good
days. All in all, we need to try to think more of others than ourselves
and the rest will follow. You'll be amazed how many good things will come
your way when you don't worry about the petty, contrite things in LIFE
that really don't matter. But just because you are content in life
doesn't necessarily mean you don't strive for better. There is always a
need for having goals in life....it should be our inspiration, the force
that keeps us looking to the future with HOPE.
My husband and I live in
Newport and both visit our families, his in Monroe, and mine in Ida,
frequently. Ida hasn't changed much....the school kids still "hang out"
uptown during lunch hour... just ask my mom what goes on in the alley
beside their house. I have no regrets about my life thus far,
except maybe that I wish I would've stayed in contact with more of my
classmates....to have shared so many years together and so many memorable
times, and then BAM...your off in the big world alone and lose track of
everyone.
I hope that more of my friends will get in touch with me and
UPDATE me on their LIVES, also. I do miss all the fun and laughs we
had...and hope to see everyone at the 20 reunion coming up.
I can be
reached by snailmail at:
8537 Chanel Ct. Newport, Mi ( for now 'til I move
to Florida:)!),
or email: mamalard39@yahoo.com
( NOTE: this is not
SCUMDEE !)
Take care, and let me know if anyone needs any prayers
put in the book for the sisters to pray on.....prayer is very powerful!
DEBSKI
Ron Poupard
email:
idagrizzly@yahoo.com
129 W. 6th St.
Port Clinton, OH 43452
Telephone: (419) 732-3912
Custodian for Ida school
Since graduating in '81, I haven't traveled far from town. After
bumming around for 2 years, I started working part-time for the school
in '83, in '94, I joined the custodian union and became a full-time
employee. In the late 80's, I was an assistant coach for the football
team...I would like to hear from you guys on those teams...On the home
front, it's been a rough couple of years, after helping to take care of
my grandfather, my mother took ill and after a family discussion, she
was put into a nursing facility. 2 months later, my dad was struck by a
vehicle while doing his job as a crossing guard for the school...both
mom and dad are doing well and I hope to build a house in the next 2
years...hope to see more bios on "our" web site..
I'm still single, but am now currently attached.
Recently moved to Port Clinton...making commute to work isn't as bad as I
thought...never thought this old boy would leave town..
Steve Wyse
email:
downhomedharma@tc3net.com
609 Stacy St.
Tecumseh, MI 49286
517-423-7696
After graduation I attended Michigan State University where I
recieved my degree in Electrical Technology. A couple years later I met
a 1976 Clinton High School german exchage student. To make a long story
short, it ended up being a shot-gun wedding with Uncle Sam holding the
shotgun called deportation. We remained married for 10 yrs. Soon after
the wedding, we moved to Atlanta Ga where I found work as an
electrician. My first daughter Sarah was born in 1986. She's now 14.
Sarah is a wonderful child, and a born leader. In 1989 my second
daughter was born in Atlanta. Angela is 11, and has a heart of gold. She
loves to help people.
After five years in Atlanta, I got my State of Michigan masters
electrician license, and we moved back to Tecumseh MI. I've been
divorced for about 6 years now, and I remain single. Right now, my life
focus is on being the best parent that I can be for my daughters. I love
being a dad - and at times a "mom". I currently work as an electrical
estimator/project manager for K & F Electric in Saline.
My philosophy on life? I don't have very many answers. I just do my
best to welcome the changes that take place as my life progresses. About
10 years ago I became very active in the Unity Churches which I still
attend. However, I've recently become a Buddhist as well. I practice
Korean Buddhism at the Zen Buddhist Temple in Ann Arbor. In short, I
feel that life has been very good to me, and I do consider myself to be
blessed.
Goto class year index
Class of 1982
Ann (Barrett) McCormick
email:
mccormick@alamedanet.net
What an interesting web site! I really enjoyed reading the bios posted to-date, and hope that more people add theirs soon! Here's what I've been up to…
I headed to Michigan State after graduating to join the Spartan Marching Band… and I also managed to finish my mechanical engineering degree. I then went to grad school in Madison, Wisconsin where I continued my engineering studies, specializing in sustainable energy and finishing my master's degree in 1987.
From there, I joined a San Francisco-based energy engineering consulting firm, and I have been with the same company ever since. My work involves helping commercial, industrial, and institutional clients improve the energy efficiency of their facilities to reduce operating costs and conserve natural resources. It's been extremely rewarding. We haven't solved California's energy crisis yet, but trying to has certainly helped our business.
I met my wonderful husband John shortly after moving to California while studying for my state licensing board exams…. I guess my good study skills really have served me well! We have been married since 1992. John is from Sacramento, and is also a consulting engineer. His firm works for public transit agencies, and he is a specialist in light-rail vehicle design and procurement.
We have two great kids, a six-year-old daughter named Kelly (born 1995) and a four-year-old son named Daniel (born 1997). The kids are happy and healthy and, like many kids, are probably over scheduled with activities. Yes, I drive a minivan. We live in Alameda, California, which is an island city across the bay from San Francisco. We are very content to call Northern California "home", but certainly miss friends and family from Michigan.
Scott Fox
email:
FOXSJ@gwsmtp.nu.com
I've been married for 14 Years. I met Anita in Florida When I was
working down there about 16 years ago. We have 2 kids Jessica 13
and Doug 12. I have travel
ed a little. Lived in Virginia, Louisianan then Florida when I met
Anita. We moved to Texas, Alabama and Now Connecticut. Did most
of the traveling before the
kids were in School. I worked for Stone & Webster Engineering for
14 years and now work for Northeast utilities here in Connecti cut.
I made a lot of great friends at IDA High School. I would love to
hear from ya. There were so many people with promising futures I'm
very curious on how things
turned out!
Vonda (Loop) Ternes
email: vternes@ternes.net
Thanks for updating and maintaining such an awesome website for Ida Alumni. I stumbled upon it the other day and it's neat to read what's been going on in Ida since graduation.
I am currently living in Centerville, OH with my high school sweetheart of 20 years now. Mike and I were married in Aug. of 1984. We lived in Toledo for about the first six months of our married life then returned to Monroe until 1994. Mike was working for Security Bank in Southgate at the time and they merged with a bank in Kalamazoo which required us to move to Portage, MI that year. I had been home since 1991 raising our first daughter, Jessica. Prior to my life before kids I worked at La-Z-Boy Chair Co. in Monroe. We remained in Portage for the next four years. In June of 1997 we welcomed another daughter, Cari, into our family. We soon learned Mike's job would be ending in October 1998 due to another bank acquisition by National City (headquartered in Cleveland). After interviewing with the mortgage co. for National City which is headquartered in Miamisburg, OH, we decided to leave our much beloved home of the Wolverines and reluctantly move to the Buckeye State. I guess you could say Centerville has become home to us since this is where we are raising our children. Although our hearts will always be true to the blue and gold.
My full time occupation right now is stay-at-home mom. Unfortunately I never am with the girl's schedules!
I look forward to hearing from some of you Ida Alumni and learning what you've been up to all these years!
V. Ternes
Email: vternes@ternes.net
John W. Milam Jr.
email:
mailto:idajm@hotmail.com
UPDATE AS OF 10/2004:
Great job on the web site, it's nice to be able to access things like this from all over the world. Where did all the years go?
I attended Ida HS from 1976 - 1982. After high school I dabbled in construction for some time and later entered the Air Force. Most of my tour of duty has been spent throughout the Pacific, 13 years, and the last 7 years I've been stationed throughout the lower 48 and deployed to numerous other countries, currently stationed in southern Georgia.
Been married for the past 19 years and have four children; we enjoy attending church and love spending time with our family and friends.
ORIGINAL BIO:
I attended Ida HS from 1976 - 1982. After high school I worked in construction and later
entered the Air Force. I'm currently station at Edwards AFB, CA. Most of my tour of duty
has been spent in the Pacific. I was assigned to the 3rd Aircraft Generation Squadron
located at Clark AB, Republic of the Philippines for a period of 5 years working on F-4
E/G model aircraft.
In 1989, I was transferred to Holloman AFB, New Mexico for two years in which I worked on
F-15 A/B model aircraft. In 1991, I received orders to Osan AB, Republic of Korea, I maintained
the F-16 C/D model aircraft during this brief one year tour. In 1993, I was transferred to the 44th.
Fighter Squadron located at Kadena AB, Okinawa, Japan. I spent 6 years in Okinawa and was
later transferred to California.
I am married with four children. We enjoy attending church, collection coins, snow skiing, and
most water sports. I am a born-again Christian, and would thoroughly enjoy sharing the words of
Jesus Christ with you if you write to me.
Scott Perkins
E-mail: scott.perkins@mci.com
I must say I've had a pretty good life since High School. I spent the
first few years just aimlessly finding jobs while having a good time
living and enjoying life with friends. Never knew (or cared) where
life would take me, but more interested in having fun day by day. As the
years past me by (about 8 of them, I think. Some of those years are a
blur :), I finally decided I should do more with myself and
concentrated on finding a career. I guess I'm somewhat of a slow learner.
As luck would have it, while working as an office manager for a
property
management company in Ann Arbor (McKinley Associates), I met the love
of my life (Veronica). We were friends for about a couple of years when I
finally asked for her hand in marriage (like I said, I'm a slow
learner). We got married and started our life together with a
honeymoon
in Hawaii. From there, life just seem to get better. We bought a
house
in Ypsilanti, MI where we still live. Bored with my job and also
looking for a higher income, I found a job with a Company called ANS
who
built and maintained a backbone used to support internet service
providers (I design circuits and project manage accounts). At that
time
the internet was just coming out, so I had no idea what I was getting
into. Lucky for us, our major customer was this upcoming company
called
AOL. Well from there life just kept getting better. Veronica and I
had
two beautiful daughters. Elena who is now 10 and Maria is 8. They are
great kids despite my awkward attempts at being a dad. Good thing for
me that Veronica is not only a wonderful person, but a great mom.
So that brings me to today. My life is nothing like the Kennedy's, but
I'm happy, healthier and have a wonderful family. Which now includes a
dog (Mercedes). The kids are doing great in school and have found a
niche for playing the piano, Veronica has started up her own business
and I continue to be an awkward dad. Although not everything has been
roses. The company I worked for (ANS), got bought by AOL, who then
sold
us to UUNET, who then got bought by MCI, which then got bought by
WorldCom. You know, the company that broke all records for
fraudulently reporting over 7 Billions dollars of income. Well I've seen my
department go from 400 people down to a little less than 100. Had our
office closed in Ann Arbor and they moved me out to Southfield. I've
seen a lot of good people go through some tough times because of those
butt heads who use to be in charge of WCOM, but lucky for me (I think),
they have kept me on board.
Hope to see some of you sometime in the future.
Oh, almost forgot to state my "take on life"..... Don't worry about
the small stuff, take what life offers you with a smile, enjoy as best you
can where you are at in life and laugh as much as possible. Pretty
corny, eh :)
-Scott Perkins
Helen (Olson) Williams
email:
helenw@leading.net
I moved from Ida to Valdosta, Georgia shortly after graduation. I was self employed as a
hairdresser and worked to put myself through college. Due to finances, it took some time
but I eventually graduated with my B.S. from Valdosta State University in 1991.
The day I graduated from college, I moved to Jacksonville, Florida to find employment.
I didn't know a soul and it was an exciting time. I met my husband, Jim (we married in
1992), many friends and employment with Merrill Lynch.
Jim and I have two wonderful sons, Zachary James, 3 and Nicholas Ryan, 1. Jim is a
detective with the Jacksonville Sheriff's Office. Zachary loves karate and Nicholas is,
unfortunately, hooked on Barney. We enjoy raising our boys, the Florida weather and
visiting the Carolina mountains. I enjoy working on the computer, surfing the net, home
decorating and relaxing in the backyard hammock with a good book .
I am a Senior Analyst with Merrill Lynch Credit Corporation. We have just received The
Malcolm Baldrige National Quality Award, the most prestigious award an American
company can be awarded. I was privileged and honored to travel to Washington D.C. in
December to accept the award from President Clinton.
My take on life so far is that you are limited only by your own self imposed boundaries.
Circumstances and other's perceptions are irrelevant. Believe in yourself and your worth
and you can accomplish anything. Determination is the key.
I would enjoy hearing from others. E-mail me at helenw@leading.net or
helen_williams@ML.com
Goto class year index
Class of 1983
Kriste (Boerboom) Poley
email:
Kmpole@aol.com
Hi, I'm Kriste (Boerboom) Poley from the class of 1983. I married Darryl
Poley from Monroe High School (class of 1984) in May 1987. We have one
daughter named Jenna born 4/00. I am working part time at Mercy Memorial
Hospital in Monroe, MI & I also work part time for my husbands company,
Poley Masonry Construction. I live at 3790 W. Dunbar Rd., Monroe, MI
48161. Please add my information to your list for Ida High School.
Thanks!
Jim Montri
email:
montrihphm@aol.com
Hi:
I am not a graduate of Ida. I am actually from the rival team .....Mason However I am happy to say that I married a wonderful guy from Ida High and now have two children who attend the elementary there. I just wanted to let you know that this is a really nice site, and I only wish that my old school had a site like this one.
If you wish you can enter on to your site my husbands information:
He is Jim Montri from the class of 1983
We have been in our relationship 16 years, and married 9
We have two children Matthew is 8 and Shayna is 5-1/2
We are in the process of buying and moving into his Parent homestead Farm on Ida Center.
The person my husband spoke the most about, as far as friends go was Eric Brownell, if you know where he is I am sure it would be a welcome surprise for Jim to hear from him. We can be reached at montrihphm@aol.com (stands for montri happy home, corney I know, that is what Jim said when I made it our email address)
Jim works in Monroe for a bulldozing company as a Diesel Mechanic and also farms his Dads & Uncles land for them. As I stated before we are in the process of buying the farm he grew up on so we will also be farming our OWN land, just one of our dreams finally becoming reality.
We are doing very well, we are very happy.
Thanks again for your wonderful site!!
Mrs. James Montri (Dawn Mohler)
Mandy (Warner) Livingston
email:
mml53@wat.midco.net
My name is Mandy (Warner) Livingston. My class graduated in 1983.
I live in South Dakota and have been married to the "Love of my Life" for 10 years now.
His name is Courtney Lee Livingston Jr., but everyone calls him Lee.
We have two beautiful girls. Elizabeth (Libbi, from my first marriage of 11 years) and
Cortney, (our youngest daughter from Lee's first marriage.)
Libbi just graduated high school herself in May of 2003, and is pursuing a career in
Pediatric Social Services. Cortney is a freshman and will be attending a local Christian
Parochial school here in our town. She has her sights set on law and politics for her
future.
As for me, well....I obtained a Nursing degree and worked in this field until two years
ago. Last year I recieved a degree in Nutrition, and am now the Nutritional Director for a
local School system. I do love this as I have all holidays and summers off. Funny how I
hated school way back when and here I am now at a job I love, and it's in school! Too
funny!
My favorite saying in life is, "Nothing changes, when nothing changes." It's simplistic,
yet profound. I have lived by this motto for the last 10 years and also have obtained a
strong faith and relationship with "Jesus Christ" Without him, I would not be who I am
today.
I have many fond memories of school and wish the best for all who pass through this
site.
Noriyo (Yamashita) Kaluza
email:
bkaluza@earthlink.net
Hi! My name is Noriyo (Yamashita) Kaluza. I was an
exchange student and
graduated from Ida High in '83. I now live in Denver,
Colorado with my
husband, Bill, and our son Zachary (4.) I have a little
home office and
work as a freelance translator.
I've lost all the contact
with my
friends from Ida High after moving from place to place, but
I would love
to hear from that crazy gang of Ida again! Drop me a line
if you
remember me!
2425 S. Steele St., Denver, Colorado 80210
Tel./Fax: (303) 757-5803
email: bkaluza@earthlink.net
Goto class year index
Class of 1987
Steve Ball
email:
steven.ball-02@scott.af.mil
Cell: (734)-915-0348
I've talked to several other graduates from the Class of '87 and I know many of you have visited this page... why not post your bio? I know most of you have A LOT to hide, but there's got to be something you can tell us!
I graduated in 1987 after attending Ida since third grade. After graduation I joined the Air Force working in public relations. My first assignment was Myrtle Beach Air Force Base in South Carolina (the sacrifices we make for our country). While there I was the editor of the base newspaper (Mrs. Renee would have been proud). I had a daughter named Tatiana on 16 April 1991 and we moved to Crete, Greece, in 1992.
I was in Greece for two years and then I served at Royal Air Force Lakenheath in England (just north of London) for three years. In 1997 I was reassigned to Andersen Air Force Base, Guam (again the sacrifices) where I was stationed with my youngest brother Mike (an Air Force firefighter) and his wife Lori (Murari) who were lived across the street from me there.
In September 1999 got a job working in Clinton Township, Michigan, (just north of Detroit) doing Public Relations and Marketing for Air Force Recruiting. In 2003 I took over the Air Force recruiting office in Monroe and loved the job. It was great getting back into the schools, especially Ida, and seeing some of those same teachers and secretaries. I started feeling a little old when I realized I was recruiting sons and daughters of people I went to school with.
I am currently stationed at Scott AFB, IL (just east of Saint Louis, MO) and am working in the Strategic Integration office of Public Relations. Sounds impressive but basically I schedule speaking engagement and media interviews for Air Force generals throughout the United States. I am here until I RETIRE in July 2007 so my family stayed in Michigan and I fly home to see them on the weekends when possible.
In August 2002 I married Rachel Scheich from Dundee. She is a nurse practitioner at the University of Michigan and she lives in Dundee with my daughters, Tatiana (15), Joslyn (1) and we have one on the way (due in March 07).
I've run into many fellow grads since I've been back but am looking forward to our 20-year reunion so I can see the rest of you.
Hope this sparks some other Class of '87 grads to get posted. Hope to hear from you soon.
PREVIOUS BIO:
I've talked to several other graduates from the Class of '87 and I know many of you have visited this page... why not post your bio? I know most of you have A LOT to hide, but there's got to be something you can tell us!
I graduated in 1987 after attending Ida since third grade. After graduation I joined the Air Force working in public relations. My first assignment was Myrtle Beach Air Force Base in South Carolina (the sacrifices we make for our country). While there I was the editor of the base newspaper (Mrs. Renee would have been proud). I had a daughter named Tatiana on 16 April 1991 and moved to Crete, Greece, in 1992.
I was in Greece for two years and then I served at Royal Air Force Lakenheath in England (just north of London) for three years. In 1997 I was reassigned to Andersen Air Force Base, Guam (again the sacrifices) where I was stationed with my youngest brother Mike (an Air Force firefighter) and his wife Lori (Murari) who were there with me in Guam.
Since September 1999 I have been working in Clinton Township, Michigan, (just north of Detroit) and am in charge of Public Relations and Marketing for Air Force Recruiting in Michigan. It's a great job but I do a lot of traveling. In an effort to stay close to "home" I live in Monroe and commute 65 miles each way to work. It's amazing what we'll do to get out of Ida after graduation and then do to try and get back there later.
In August 2002 I married Rachel Scheich from Dundee. She is currently a nurse and an instructor at the University of Michigan. We will be moving to Dundee this year (don't hold it against me).
I plan to staying in Michigan until I retire in 2007 and may even begin recruiting in the Monroe or Ann Arbor area in a few years.
I've run into many fellow grads since I've been back but am looking forward to our next reunion so I can see the rest of you. Maybe we should have something informal sooner?
Hope this sparks some other Class of '87 grads to get posted. Hope to hear from you soon.
Michael Burgess
email:
eckybalf@yahoo.com
After graduating in '87 I began working at the Monroe
Meijer. There I spent six years of my life watching
people shop, and shoplift. I was "Loss Prevention",
"secret shopper" or whatever you want to call it.
(Let's just say some of ya'll have some strange
shopping habits!) During this time I also messed
around with Lighting and Sound for some local bands.
I received a call from a good friend to come to
Georgia for his wedding. I did, but also moved there
with a job that "got me by" (This was the year before
the Olympics) After a month of interviews I landed a
position with a Lottery Vendor (Scientific Games
International) as a Technical Advisor and Trainer. A
short time later I met my wife, Kummi, and have been
content ever since.
I still very much enjoy music, and am a Usenet junkie.
I would have to say that personally, leaving Ida was
the best thing I could have done. It allowed me to
see and accomplish things I would not have dreamed of
doing.
You can E-Mail me at eckybalf@yahoo.com
Scott Gensler
email:
s_gensler@yahoo.com
Website: http://www.dean.usma.edu/math/people/gensler/default.htm
Telephone: (845) 446-2623
For those of you who may have been wondering, "yes . . . I am still alive."
I am disappointed that I couldn't make either of the 5 or 10-year class reunions, on both occasions the Army thought they had something more important for me to do. I do remember you all though! And I would love to hear from you again!
I am currently a Captain in the Army and somehow even got onto the list of those who will (someday) be promoted to Major. Right now, I am on a 3-year tour as an instructor at the United States Military Academy (USMA), West Point, NY. In the past several years since graduation, the Army has taken me to many very cool places, given me the opportunity to go to several very cool schools, where I've gotten to do a number of very cool things, and met some very cool people (and no, I haven't had to kill any of them . . . yet). If you are interested in the details you can check out my military/instructor bio on the USMA website at: http://www.dean.usma.edu/math/people/gensler/default.htm
Obviously, I have *really* enjoyed most of my assignments and the places where the Army has stationed me (although, I'm not sure they can compete with those to which the Air Force has taken SFC? MSG? CSM? Ball :)
My current assignment at West Point is one of these really great assignments. Not only do I have one of the best jobs I can imagine -- my job is to think about and teach math! But, I also work at West Point, a beautiful historic site and tourist attraction, and live just 45 minutes north of NYC and all of its attractions.
If any of you are ever in the area just give me a holler and I'll hook you up with the "insiders tour."
Thanks to Steve for challenging me to post my bio. Hope to hear from you soon!
Scott
Todd Peterson
email:
toddpeterson@bellsouth.net
I’ve been checking this website every 6 to 8 months for new additions from our class and they never seem to appear. So I’ve decided to update my bio on here to give everyone an idea of whats been going on in my life.
After graduation I went to Florida State University. I chose the 8 year plan for a 4 year degree and ended up with a Computer Science degree with a minor in mathematics. After that I jumped from job to job with the highlights of working out my house for a year and a half, then working for Lockheed Martin for 3 years, and now for a cool toy manufacturing company. I do systems, database, and web programming for over 10 years now. I have my own company called TLP Productions where I do various side jobs for companies and individuals.
About 5 ½ years ago I met my soulmate. We have been happily married for 3 years now. We own a house here in West Palm Beach and another in Orlando. We have 2 boxers named Gracie and Spike who are probably treated better than most peoples kids. I have no kids and have never wanted them. My wife has 2 from a previous marriage.
I am looking forward to coming back up to Michigan for the 20 year reunion. The last time I was up there would be over 15 years ago. Hopefully everyone will be able to attend it.
PREVIOUS BIO:
Currently live and own a house in Orlando, Florida.
Married to a very beautiful woman named Jennifer.
No kids, 1 dog and 1 cat.
Graduated from Florida State University with a degree in Computer Science.
Currently work out of my house for a branch of Lockheed Martin doing
database programming.
D. Scott Poley
email:
scottpoley@minorleaguebaseball.com
Phone: (727) 580-5569
BIO UPDATE 2006:
In February 2006 Scott and Jeanie welcomed their son Reid into the world.
PREVIOUS BIO:
In August I took a new position as Secretary and
General Counsel for Minor League Baseball in St.
Petersburg, FL. I assist minor league clubs all over
the country (and Canada and Mexico) with legal issues,
and I enforce the rules of baseball as they apply to
minor league clubs.
In October 2000, I married Jeanie Elmlinger (1988 graduate
of Marion H.S. in Detroit).
email:
scottpoley@minorleaguebaseball.com
Doug Pummell
email:
DPUMMELL@casdk12.net
Telephone: 989-939-7068
I reside in Grayling, Michigan with my wonderful wife of 10 years,
Doniel. We have three very energetic children: Tara 7, olly 4, and
Ryan 3. We recently moved into a new and bigger house on the Ausable
river and love it!!
I currently teach 7th grade science and reading at Grayling Middle
School and coach middle school basketball and high school football. I
received my master degree from CMU in administration and look to become
an asst. principal and/or a.d in the near future (I hope some of you
were sitting down for that one). Doniel is currently the principal at
Grayling Middle School so I can get a good preview of what is in store
for me.
Since moving "up north" in 1992 I have become an avid bowhunter and
can't believe I missed out on it for so many years!!!! Those of you
who bowhunt, know what I mean. Living up north is great for the hunting,
fishing, and golf. If you are ever in the area doing any of those
things feel free to give me a call.
Michael M. Sepesy
email:
Msepesy@aol.com
I currently live in Jonesville, Michigan
I am married to a wonderful lady from Toledo, OH. I have
2 wonderful step-daughters ages 19 and 22. I am
currently traveling the State of Michigan as a sales rep for a Heating
and
Air Conditioning Wholesale Company, as has been my focus of career
since I
graduated.
I have not been able to attend class reunions as I have just been to
busy with life.
Donn Wobser
email:
wobby87@yahoo.com
After graduation, I began college and graduated with a Bachelor of Education degree. In 1991, I met my future wife, Amy, and we celebrated our 10 year anniversary in March of 1992. My son, Andrew, was born in 1994 and shortly after his 1st birthday, we moved to Rhode Island to try on some new experiences. While the scenery was beautiful, multiple nieces and nephews arrived in our family and we felt the urge to come back to Toledo in 1999 with our own addition, our daughter Madison, born in 1997.
Since returning I have worked in Special Education and am close to finishing my Masters Degree in Special Education. I am currently working at Ohio's first charter school, Aurora Academy, where I hold the position of Special Education Coordinator.
I often make it back to Ida to visit my younger brother, Ron and his family a well as my parents. We try to make an appearance at the homecoming festival every Labor Day.
Goto class year index
Class of 1988
Jeff "Right Nut" Ball
email:
havinaball@netpci.com (Brother Steve's email account)
I currently am driving truck for a living, and am living in Erie MI.
Val Benner
email:
Kidd69er@aol.com
Well, after IHS I pursued a career in High Voltage linework. Fifteen years
has brought me to my present position as foreman/supervisor at
Romanoff/Encompass Electrical Technology.
I was recently married to a
wonderful woman named Kathy, and we have a 10year old son named Casey. I live
in Toledo for now, we are thinking of coming back to Michigan.
I like to
hunt, fish, and ride my 69 FLH. I also like spending time with family and
friends, and yes I still like my brewskis!!
My philosophy on life: Stand
tall speak firmly and have a loving heart! It's a great life as long as you
don't weaken!
Andrea Walling (Downes)
email:
Jawalling4@aol.com
Hi there everyone-
I am Andrea Walling (Downes). I am a graduate of the class of 1988.
After graduation I went on to attend The University of Toledo Community and Technical College where I received an Associated Degree in Nursing in March, 1993.
I married my husband Joe (of Temperance, MI) on April 6, 1991. After living in Toledo, OH and DuBois, PA we moved to Hilliard, OH (a suburb of Columbus) in August, 1995, where we have placed our roots and truly love it here.
On May 23, 1996, our first daughter Rylee Renee was born and is now 9 years old. On June 16, 2000 our second daughter Baylee Jo was born. They are both truly a blessing from God.
I have not had to work outside of the home since we have resided in Hilliard and we are currently homeschooling both of our girls. The school system we live in the 8th largest in the state and continues to grow. This frankly scares me to death, coming from such a small, closely connected school system. My oldest attended a private school until this year and I felt lead to try the homeschooling thing this year. So far, we have loved it.
Most of my time is taken up with my family, but we are also very involved with our church. We head back to Ida at least once a month to visit our families. My parents still reside in the home I was raised in. I don't keep in touch with anyone much except Micky Bayan (lives here in Columbus also) occassionally and of course my Cousins, Fred, Eric, Shelley and Shawn Baker. My brother Gordon still resides in the Ida area with his wife Janice (Taylor) and his daughters Amber and Jaimie attend Ida HS. My sister Carolyn lives in Toledo, has one daughter, Natasha (13 years) and is married to a Lucas County Deputy Sherrif.
God has been so good to me. I have such wonderful memories of Ida and the small town atmosphere. I often feel that my girls are missing out on that country life and that freedom to run like I had, but I know that this is where God wants me to be and that there are great things in store for them here.
Andrea Walling
JAWAlling4@aol.com
Amy Kinsey
Email: aquinn@mco.edu
I am married to Bill Quinn. We have two children, Ronnie (7) and
Elizabeth (7 mos.) and just found out that we are expecting TWO more, not
one. We live in Erie, Michigan. I work at the Medical College of Ohio
as a Clerical Specialist. I'll send an update after our babies are
born.
My take on life so far is this: If it is meant to be, it will be. It
took me a long time to learn that. Don't take things for granted, not
even the air you breathe. And make sure you always notice the little
things because those are the things that count.
Sandy (Robbins) Miller
email:
asracing@dundee.net
Well let see since it has been 3 years since I updated you for my bio I guess I should.
We still live in Britton on 7 acres. We have added 1 more monster truck to make a total of 3 trucks now. The newest is a former Grave Digger truck. You can see us at the Milan Fair. We was hoping to be at the Ida Homecoming but they want us to come for free and since we are trying to get the business going and sponsors it is hard to do shows for free with the gas prices.
My husband of 11 years is still employed at the Milan Area Schools and I for the last year, at the Britton Macon Area Schools and I sell Avon. Our son just turned 8 and is working for his black belt in karate. Which he started last June and is already 2 belts away from Black!
Our new website is http://www.AandSracing.com
Would love to hear from people and feel free to come bring your kids to check out the trucks!!!
We no longer have the Redrock monster truck you have posted on Hot Wheels. We now have the 2 below.
The black one is a 1977 Dodge with a 440 engine bored out 60 over,tunnel ram with dual holly carbs,msd ignition,runs strong,just rebuilt this last spring 727 trans,2 1/2 ton gm axles/transfer case Tires are 59" tall and 25" wide.
The Demolisher is a 1998 Dodge tube frame, fiberglass body, 66" Good year Flotation tires, 4 wheel drive, 4 wheel steering, 498 ci Alcohol injected Chrysler engine. around 1100 power, Kuster nitrogen charged coil over shocks, clark 20 ton planetary ends, F106 axles which came from under school busses, scs transfer case, RII kill switch, race seat with 5 point harness, It was made by Pablo Hufacker and was called MainStay then he got together with Dennis Anderson "Grave Digger" and was run as a Grave Digger for a short time.
Thanks
Sandy
ORIGINAL BIO:
Hello everyone! My name is Sandy Miller (Robbins) I went to Ida for all
my schooling and graduated in May of 88. After graduating I went to
MCCC for a short time while working at a group home in Ida. I have
worked in 4 different grouphomes. I worked at Monroe Bank and Trust for
a couple of years in Milan. I've also worked at Cresive Tool and Die in
Milan for a short time. But presently work at Milan Floral (a
flowershop in Milan) I also sell Avon and Tupperware. I am taking a at
home course in Medical Transcription and am only on Course 2 of 5 and
already have a job doing it. I graduated from Ross Business Institute
in 94 with a computer office specialist certificate. In my spare time
(if I can find any) I love to draw, paint, cross-stich, crochet,
woodwork, chat on the computer with friends, listen to music, watch
movies, dance, horseback ride, and go for walks outside. I love the
outdoors as long it will agree with my asthma and allergies.
I was
married April 16, 1994 and am still happily married to my husband
Aaron. We live in Britton, Michigan but are wanting to move to the
country so we will be able to work on and sell VW's which we own and are
always looking for!!! So if anyone out there has some or knows of any
please contact me! Even if it is just parts they want to get rid of. It
has been Aaron's hobby since he was 13. He also likes Dodges, Monster
Trucks and Tractor pulls. Aaron is a 1990 graduate of Milan High School
and is presently employed there. We both are drivers of A & S Racing in
which he dragraces a 1959 beetle in the pro class and I a 1971 Super
Beetle in the street class. He has raced since high school and I only
since July of 94. Some people may remember a article in the Dundee and
Milan paper on us just before we were married.
We have a son Alex
Michael who was born on May 15, 1997 and we have a little angel named
Kaylynn Marie who was born on and went to heaven December 7, 1995. She
was a little fighter who because of the doctor came into this world 4
months to early and even thou she tried her best she had to leave 6
hours later. She will alway be here in all who loved her and new her
heart's.
I know I wasn't too popular in school but if anyone would like to e-mail
me please feel free to do so!!!! I would love to hear from anyone!
UPDATE 2002:
We just moved to the country and now own 7 plus acres on Dec 22nd. We haven't drag raced in a while but we do now own 2 monster trucks. You can see them at www.connect.to/Rookie We hope to sometime have it set up to give rides at our new home. I no longer work at the flowershop in Milan. I don't sell the Tupperware anymore but do sell Watkins. We also have been doing lawn tractor pulls around this area. People may have seen us at the Ida Homecoming. My husband has the tractor with the VW motor on it.
I think that is all the updates for now except of course the new email address which is asracing@dundee.net.
Pamela L. Ostachnowicz
email:
bsalsbury@voyager.net
Now my name is Pamela l. Salsbury. I am married now for 9yrs and 2
beautiful children. A 4 year old girl and a 2 year old boy.
I went to MCCC for 2 yrs and ended up working in a restraurant since
then. I am now a homemaker for 4yrs but trying to get onto Cabela's in the
deli.
I still live in the Ida
School District yet. Can't seem to leave Ida. Would love to hear from
everybody from school. Please contact me if want to talk.
Tom Short
email:
Tom.Short@utoledo.edu
UPDATE AS OF 1/2005:
We had a baby girl named Noelle Marie just after Christmas 2004. Big brother Bryce is getting along fine with her, although he's a bit rough. Being a parent is challenging, but oh so rewarding. What a blessing.
We are still looking to move back to south/southwest Monroe County, preferably Ida School district, so let me know if you know of anyone looking to sell. We have to wait until we sell our house in Toledo though. It's a great deal if you know anyone who is interested.
UPDATE AS OF 10/2004:
Hello fellow Ida alumni! For those of you who don't remember, my parents' house was the hangout for Sherwood Park. They still live there, although they now usually hang out alone. Some of you younger Ida grads may remember my brother, Tim ('94).
I attended MCCC for a few years, trying to figure out what I wanted to do with my life, before going to The University of Toledo. I earned a Bachelor of Business Administration and ended up remaining there. I began working in the Registrar's office in 1996, where I have been ever since. I started as a project analyst, was promoted to an Assistant Registrar, acted as Interim Registrar for almost a year, and I am now the Associate Registrar. If you're ever on campus drop by and see me.
I haven't been a Michigan resident for several years now, although I only moved as far as Toledo. I have lived there since 1997, but I am ready to move back to Michigan. I married Mandy (Reed) from Temperance on February 24, 2001. She is a true blessing in my life, a gift from God, and my best friend. We have a son (Bryce) born in February 2003 and are expecting again in January 2005. We are quickly outgrowing our house here in Toledo and we would like our kids to go to a smaller school, preferably Ida.
I rarely hear from anyone from Ida, so drop me a line!
Tom
Tracy (Stubleski) Justice
email:
tjustice@umich.edu
UPDATED BIO:
Ron and I had another daughter in October, 2001. Her name is Hailey. We built a new home in Dundee in 2004. I am still working at the University of Michigan Health System but have been promoted since my last post to the alumni page. Would love to hear from others that I went to school with.
ORIGINAL BIO:
I attended college at the University of Toledo and Monroe County
Community College. No degree but I have a great job. I am an Office
Assistant at the University of Michigan Health System. I work in the
Public Relations Department.
My husband Ron and I own a home in Dundee, Michigan. Ron is a 1987
graduate of Dundee High School and is a volunteer firefighter for the
Dundee Volunteer Fire Deparment. We have one daughter, Allison Bailey
who was born on February 11, 1998. We also have a basset hound named
Roscoe.
I would love to hear from anyone that I went to school with. Send me an
email!
Goto class year index
Class of 1989
Patricia Ault
email: AULT98@peoplepc.com
Hello to anyone who may be reading this! I am Patty Ault (Willoughby) and I graduated in 1989. I currently reside in Petersburg with my wonderful husband (we married in 1998), our 10 year old son and the newest additions to our family...our pets, a black lab and a painted turtle! I am currently employed by Saint Joseph Mercy Hospital and am also an independent consultant for Tastefully Simple.
After high school I attended Eastern Michigan University for a few years studying Special Education and Social Work. My priorities changed when I became a mother in 1994. Since then my life has been centered around my family and I'm loving every BUSY minute of it! In addition to the school activities (baseball, football, soccer, basketball, etc.), our family enjoys camping, Nascar, Detroit Red Wings hockey and we are actively involved with the Petersburg Fire Department where my husband has been a volunteer firefighter for nearly 15 years.
I have a lot of memories from school, primarily those associated with band and drama, and I often wonder where life has taken many of my high school classmates. I would love to connect with some of you and have already been in contact with a few since my postings on the message board. I can be reached by email pattyault@hotmail.com. I look forward to hearing from you!
Anna Holtz
email:
amholtz@gateway.net
Hello! My name is Anna Holtz and I am a 1989 graduate of Ida High
School. I see that I am the first listing for my graduating class though
I hope that I am not the last.
After graduation, I attended MCCC (grade 13) and then completed my
bachelors degree in English, Writing and Literature, at the University of
Toledo in 1995. I was an Advertising Sales Rep for several years for a
local Toledo newspaper and then entered my current career, as the
Director of Membership and Marketing for Belmont Country Club in
Perrysburg, Ohio, a little over a year ago.
My family and friends refer
to my job as a "professional schmoozer", I think of my job kind of like
Julie, from the "Love Boat", the cruise director. For those of you who
know me, this title works well. Having grown up in Ida with not a
country club in sight, this transition was very interesting and mildly
amusing, but has grown to be a large asset for future positions, as
I work daily with President's of large companies and people of
influence.
Besides, one of the biggest kicks is walking onto the golf
course to take pictures of the members and thinking "I work here?!?".
The place is absolutely beautiful. The bottom line though is I always
remember where I came from, it keeps me grounded.
I am still a single woman with no children, but this bodes well for my
present career since it keeps me very busy and free to come and go as
needed. Though I am currently taking applications for a good man. (I
think my family would be really happy if I found someone.)
I live in West Toledo as with several other Ida alumni. They seem to be
everywhere. I walk into the grocery store and I run into someone. Out
to dinner, and there they are. It's kind of nice to see a familiar face
and catch up from time to time. This world is very tiny after all.
My parents still live in Ida and I make it up there quite often and enjoy
seeing Ida grow, and it never fails when I walk in the door of Carl's
Hide-A-Way, I can count on seeing at least a couple of people that I
know.
There are a few people that I always wonder what came of them. From the
class of 1990, Nikki Luzanski and Scott Kaminski??? Where are they now?
If anyone knows, please let me know. Note to Nikki - "Have you spent a
rainy day in the attic yet?"
Pam (Nyitray) Carlson
email:
pjcarlsonrn@yahoo.com
Telephone: 989-939-7068
Hi, and thank-you for getting this site up and running. My name is Pam Carlson, formerly last name of Nyitray when I graduated from Ida High in 1989. I married my husband, Marv Carlson, June 6, 1992. We will be celebrating our 10 year anniversary this June!
We have three healthy children; Megan Rae, who is eight, Derek Mitchell, 7 years, and Hannah Faith, 3 years. We built our dream home in Dundee, MI on Wells Rd in 1997. We never thought we would leave, but when Marv was offered a transfer with the Michigan State Police (he is a Trooper) to Gaylord, MI, we had to take it. Transfers are not offered that frequently, and him being originally a Yooper from the Escanaba area, we had to take the opportunity to be a little closer to his family. Gaylord is about half way between Ida and Escanaba. Our home sold fairly quickly, and we have just moved into our new home that we had built up here in Gaylord. This house is even more of a dream house than the one in Dundee. It has the "up-north" motif throughout, including a stone fireplace , knotty pine cathedral ceilings, etc.
I am a Registered Nurse and currently work at McReynolds Hall in Gaylord, MI. I work part-time due to our children being young and involved in dancing, Little League, church activities, and so on. I planned the IHS class of '89, 5 and 10 year reunions, because our class president did not show interest in doing so. I believe I was the class secretary when we graduated. Isn't that terrible, I can barely remember!!! Anyways, if anyone reads this bio, please note that I will not be planning the 15 year!! Sorry, but the distance thing makes it too difficult now. I suppose I should include some of my current interests.
Well, as you parents out there know, the children become your main focus. Secondly, I love cross-country skiing. There are plenty of trails up here, and lots of snow. There is something awesome about getting out in the backwoods when everything looks like it was painted white, and all one can see is a few deer prints or prints from a snowshoe hare. It beats the treadmill for exercise by far! I also love taking our Jeep Wrangler out in the Pigeon River Forest with the top and doors off on a warm summer night. It kind of reminds me of that high I used to get when we would go booze cruisin' down the back roads in Ida, Dundee, Petersburg... Yes, I DID it TOO!!! LOL! I am sure Shelly, Kim, Lori, Jason, Wendy, and Larisa all remember it very well too!
I like to fish and camp. We have a pop-up camper and enjoy camping in the U.P. We attend church at Peace Lutheran Church here in Gaylord. I want to say HI to everyone who might read this. My e-mail address is pjcarlsonrn@yahoo.com. My phone # is 989-939-7068. Address is 1939 Eagles Nest, Gaylord, MI 49735. I'd like to hear from anyone who remembers me!!!
Cheryl (Smith) Jeffers
email: cpjjefrs@aol.com
Hi my name is Cheryl Jeffers used to be Smith. I graduated in 1989. I have been married for 8 years now. My husband and I have three active boys ages 13, 11, and 8. I have been to college ever since I left high school, yuck! I started in Monroe County Community College after I made up my mind I finally became a Registered Respiratory Therapist. I worked at University of Michigan, Medical College of Ohio, and The Toledo Hospital. I went back to school to get a Registered Nurse Degree at Owens Community College, then I worked as an RN at the Medical Intensive Care Unit at Toledo Hospital. I currently am completing my BSN at Medical College of Ohio/University of Toledo. I just accepted a position as a supervisor over two intensive care units at the Toledo Hospital.
I am also very active in my boys extra curricular activities. Two years ago we moved back to Ida. I would love to hear from any class mates from 1989. Please write me at:
11572 Douglas Rd
Temperance, MI 48182
cell 734-693-5659
home 734-856-7071
email: cpjjefrs@aol.com
Goto class year index
Class of 1990
Chalegne M. (Bronkowski) O'Brien
email:
cmo@greensfelder.com
UPDATE AS OF 10/2004:
My husband and I now have 1 daughter born in 2003 (her
name is Chloe) and we are expecting another baby in 2005. All of the
other information is still current.
ORIGINAL BIO:
In 1993 I graduated from the University of Michigan with a B.A. in Japanese and a B.M.A. in Clarinet Performance. Following graduation, I traveled to Japan and lived in the city of Osaka for 6 months while I taught English. I then returned to the United States and graduated from Washington University School of Law (St. Louis, MO) in 1997 and obtained a M.A. in East Asian studies along with the law degree. My husband and I liked St. Louis so much, that we decided to stay. My husband is Tim O'Brien from Grandville, Michigan (near Grand Rapids). We dated for 4 years before getting married in August 1995. We do not have any children.
I am currently an attorney at a law firm in St. Louis that has approximately 120 attorneys. I am in the real estate department, where I specialize in commercial real estate and business transactions. My office is downtown, and when I look out my window I can see into Busch stadium (home of the St. Louis Cardinals). Although I have a background in Japanese and East Asian studies, I don't have much of an opportunity to use any of this knowledge, except for occasional activities with various organizations in St. Louis.
I would love to hear from people in Ida! My address is 955 Greeley Avenue, St. Louis, MO 63119. The best way to contact me, though, is through e-mail.
Chalegne M. O'Brien
(314) 516-2615
William E. Gabehart
email:
gabehart@nosc.mil
Hey everybody, thought I'd join the scores of people submitting their
post-grad tales.
After graduation, I attended the University of Toledo and graduated
with a Bachelor of Science in 1995. From there, I spent roughly 8
months working for a small corporation in Perrysburg before the -20
windchill finally drove me into the U.S. Navy, where I spent 4 years as
a spook in the Intelligence community. After visiting many, many
interesting places in the world, I'd had my fill of the service and
went to work for Lockheed Martin as a Field Consultant for the
Department of Defense.
I still travel all over the place, but San
Diego has been home for the past few years. I manage to find Ida a few
times each year to visit my family - some things have changed, but it's
mostly as I remember from my youth. When I go over to my dad's office
to chat, it's just a little unnerving to see the kids with "04" or "05"
on their jackets. Are we really getting to be that old?
Well, I had every intention of making it to the ten-year reunion, but
work sort of got in the way. Here's to seeing you in 2005. Cheers.
gabehart@nosc.mil
(parents address)3055 Prairie Street, Ida, MI 48140
Julie A. (Schmidt) Torrez
email:
DanJulTx2@aol.com
Well, it has been quite some time since I updated my bio... in fact three kids ago! Wow how time flies!!! Brianne was born in May 1999, Lacy was born in November 2000, and Nathaniel in June 2004. We have moved from Saginaw and now live in a little town called Reese. It's a small farm town- even smaller than Ida! (The first thing you see when you drive into town is the John Deere dealership!) My kids love "living in the country" now. I stopped teaching when we had our first and enjoy staying home with the kids! Although, I am glad school started again... Anyway, that is what's new!
ORIGINAL BIO:
After high school, I attended Eastern Michigan University where I
received my teaching degree in 1995. I am now living in the Saginaw
area and teaching at Bridgeport-Spaulding Middle School. This is my
third year teaching Emotionally Impaired students. Last Spring I met a
wonderful man named Daniel Torrez. We are getting married August 1,
1998. This winter I will begin working on my Master's degree at Saginaw
Valley State University.
(Note: Julie IS now married to Dan Torrez)
I would be interested in hearing from anyone that I went to school
with! It has been hard to keep in touch over the years, but email is
always welcome!
Al Weedman
email:
aweedman@yahoo.com
Hey all, here's my life story since high school!
After high school I attended the University of Michigan and graduated in
1995 with a Bachelors degree in Mechanical Engineering. After college
I spent three years in Chicago working for Motorola and then Andersen
Consulting. After realizing how damn cold it really is in the mid-west,
I moved to LA (actually Redondo Beach) to enjoy the earthquakes and sun.
I've been there for two years now, and am currently a Practice Manager
for a mid-sized consulting firm called Idea Integration. My family moved
to Florida in '93, so I really have been out of touch with Ida since then
but I drive through when I'm in Michigan and have the chance.
Anyway, lots of good stories to tell, but they're probably not
appropriate for this board. Just kidding! Sorry I missed the 10 year
reunion. Catch you all '05.
1302 Esplanade, Apt. 211N
Redondo Beach, CA 90277
aweedman@yahoo.com
Goto class year index
Class of 1992
Jill (Cinglie) Read
email: jillread@yahoo.com
Update as of 9/2006
Just a quick note: My husband and I opened our first Cold Stone Creamery this past July. It is doing very well. We are located in Bowling Green, Kentucky. If anyone from Ida passes on thru BG, Kentucky, stop in and say "Hello". Our ice cream is the best...but I am a little bias. My 2nd child was born this past Feb. She is a real joy. We just had her photos taken today....I got suckered into buying a bunch of them!
I was wondering if anyone has contact information for Shelley or Kerry Strack? I would love to talk with either of them.
PREVIOUS BIO:
Hello fellow Blue Streaks! I am sitting at home in
Lansing, Michigan right now watching my 1 1/2 year old
little boy "jump, jump, mama" off the couch cushions.
He probably should not be jumping on the furniture,
but I did the same thing as a child...and it's really
a lot of fun. I have been married for 6 years to a
great guy I met while in college. Paul Read was my
neighbor in Grand Rapids, Michigan where he and I
attended Grand Valley State University. I graduated
with a degree in Advertising & Public Relations. I
have worked in this field ever since, just with
different employers. Currently, I am employed by a
large land developer in South Lyon, Michgan (about 40
minutes from home) it is an awesome part-time job.
Paul and I are praying that God will bless us with a
business of our own someday.
I travel back to the Monroe area about once every 2
months to see family. None of my immediate family
lives in Ida anymore. My mother moved and my father
passed away. I recently spent a day at the zoo with
Abi Smith, one of my best friends in school. It's
strange when two people used to talk about cute boys,
track, parties, and what outfit to wear to the
dance...now our conversation revolves around our
little boys and our careers.
email me at: jillread@yahoo.com
Angela (Burgard) Tague
email:
Tague93@aol.com
I am back in the states. My family and I are now stationed at Pope AFB North Carolina. I am currently taking classes and hanging out at home. Shawn will be going to the desert in May and I want to be home for the boys.
The boys and I will probably try to visit Michigan as much as we can while he is away. My new address and phone number are 39 Montford Ct Cameron NC 28326 (910) 237-3303.
Angie
PREVIOUS BIO:
My name is Angela (Burgard) Tague. I graduated in 1992, and after graduation
I met
a guy from Monroe who was joining the Air Force. In February 1993 we were
married, and two days later he left for Turkey (the country). Three months later
I joined him there. In 1994 we had our first son, Trevor. In 1995 we moved to
Panama (Central America), and there we had our second son, Joshua. In 1998 we moved
to Delaware where we now are living with our two sons on base. I am a full
time mom while my husband works mobility flight. He recently returned from a 4 month
tour in Hungary. It is very nice being closer to family and friends
since it is now only 10 hour drive to Michigan.
February 2003 update:
Well we are no longer in Dover Delaware. We are back in Turkey. Where my oldest son Trevor was born. Not a lot has changed in 10 years. My husband and I have been married 10 years now. wow. Time flies. I am sorry I was not at the reunion. We were in the process of moving. Well our new address is PSC 94 BOX 1624
APO AE 09824
e mail is tague1@incirlik.net. and yes we are at the base they talk about on the new. we are safe and well. We are hoping we are not sent back to the states. This country is so wonderful and interesting. I want to enjoy as much of it as possible. Well if you want to email or write I will reply. take care.
Angie
Stefani Crouse
email:
scrouse@cvabe.org
404 Walton Rd. Apt. #3
Morrisville, VT 05661
(802) 888-1103
Life sure changes. I have been living in Vermont for several years now.
I am working as an adult educator for a Welfare-to-Work program
(basically I teach, counsel and befriend those in need). I have been
blessed with two beautiful daughters: Victorya Gonzales, born in 1993;
Kiara Gonzales, born in 1996. They are the center of my universe and the
light of my life.
I have never married (never really wanted to), but
have a great group of friends. I'm still singing and writing music for
those of you who remember that about me. I stopped pursuing my music
after having children, but am now beginning to form a band and perhaps
record a demo. I don't really think that far ahead.
I would love to hear from anyone, so take the time to say hi. We spent
too many years in school together to never find out what happened to
people.
Trisha (Iott) Wood
email:
kodykyle95@yahoo.com
I am stilling living in Ida. Can't seem to stray away. I have been married now for a little over 10 years to John Wood (also a Ida Graduate Class of 1983). We have 3 energetic boys, twins Kody & Kyle who will be 10 this year (born July 1995) and Konnor who is 4 (born Oct. 2000). I am currently a stay at home mom and love it. I do occasionally sub for the school and babysit 2 days a week.
Contact info:
8335 Ida West Rd.
Ida, MI 48140
734-269-2258
kodykyle95@yahoo.com
Fany Mimiague
email:
import02@sanremo.ca
Hello,
I was an exchange student (from France) in Ida and I graduated in '92.
Eventhough I only spent one year in Ida it was one of the best of my
life.
My name is Fany Mimiague and I now live in Montreal, Quebec.
I have been living there for 5 years now and I was married on September
13 1997 with Martin, a Quebecer.
We do not have kids yet and I am working as a Fashion Designer/
Merchandiser in Montreal and liking it a lot.
I would like to get in touch with people from my class so if anyone is
interested here is my webpage address:
www.iquebec.com/frenchfany
Thank you for doing this page on Ida alumni, this is a great idea !
Bye,
Fany
Jeremy Potter
email:
potternmu@hotmail.com
Since graduting from IHS in '92, I've been pretty busy. In the fall of
92, I started classes at MCCC in Monroe. I was the editor of the campus
newspaper before receiving my Associate's degree (I still don't know what
it was in) in 1994. In the fall of 94, I enrolled at Northern Michigan
University in Marquette and went into the teaching program. While living
in Marquette, I experienced severe winters. On one particular night when
the temperature was -45 and the windchill was -80, my eyelids forze
shut. That was an experience. I was also a representative in student
government. My biggest thrill in the UP, however, was working for the
local TV station broadcasting play-by-play for NMU's Division I hockey
team. Because of that job, I was able to travel all over the midwest and
see some really neat cities and also some very good hockey.
After I graduated fron NMU in the winter of 98, I secured a teaching
position in Ida. I am currently a 7th grade teacher at the middle
school, teaching 7th grade social studies and English, along with 8th
grade American history. Many of the teachers I had are still there,
including Mr. Hammons, Mr. Murdock, Mrs. Bower, along with many others.
Along with my teaching job, I am currently a coach in the Ida softball
program, and I also am a co-director for the Monroe County Fair
Baseball/Sotball Tournament.
I am currently single and have no children. I don't plan on getting
married or having kids for a while. I haven't had all my fun in life,
yet, so it'll be a while for me.
If you're interested
in seeing Ida's new school website at:
http://www.idaschools.org.
Tonya Weaver
email:
tweaver32@wowway.com
After graduating Ida in 1992, I went to Adrian College, played softball
(earning All-American honors my junior year) and graduated with my BA
in
Exercise Science in 1996. I work for American Home Fitness and
absolutely
LOVE my job. I manage 2 of our 12 locations and am immersed in fitness
daily. I have a passion for working out and staying fit which has
changed my
life completely.
I am currently training for my 2nd bodybuilding show, ran
my first 5K last year(completed in under 30 minutes!) and of course still
play softball, just slow pitch now! I am single with no kids and
recently
bought my first home in Clinton Township, which is near Sterling
Heights,
MI. My job took me up to this neck of the woods and I actually love
living
up here.
I have 5 nieces and nephews, between ages 8 and 2 who are so
precious and dear to me. I spend as much time as I can with them and
make
the hour drive home often to see them and the rest of my family. My
nieces and nephews now attend Ida as well so I find myself going back
to the
school I hadn't been to in over 10 years.
Feel free to contact me at TWeaver32@wowway.com.
Class of 1994
Lance Eipperle
Email: LEipperle@CBIZ.com
I graduated in 1994 and continued my education at Eastern Michigan where I graduated with
a degree in business. I currently live in Cleveland OH and Los Angeles CA. I am a proud
business owner of a consulting firm in Cleveland and a long distance company in LA. I am
finally getting married in 2004, and I told that most of class of 1994 is already married.
I am interested in anyone knows if we are having a reunion this year being that is our ten
year. Feel free to contact me if you have any info if not I would like to put something
together for everyone. I hope that life is treating the class of 1994 well.
- Lance Eipperle
Melissa (Missy) Maenle
email:
MISWAKKO@AOL.COM
I graduated in 1994. My name is Melissa (Missy) Maenle. I am
currently
working at Cabelas in Dundee. I still live in Ida.....gonna be
moving real
soon though. I would love to hear from some old classmates....drop
me a line!
Dan McCormick
email:
dmccormick04@yahoo.com
This is Dan McCormick and I graduated from Ida back in '94. I have lived in Toledo OH for about 3 years now and my wife and I just bought our first home back in Febraury of '05. I have one 7 year old daughter from a previous marriage and am remarried and we have one 14 month old son. My wife and I have been together for 41/2 years. I currently work at Diamond Electric in Dundee, MI and have been there for 61/2 years. I am trying to pursue a certification for a Microsoft Certified Desktop Support Technician and hope to get into the computer field.
I am interested in finding out how others are doing since graduation. So if any fellow graduates of the Class of '94 are reading this, e-mail me and let me know what's going on. I wish much success and happiness to my fellow classmates and look forward to hearing from you.
Kris McPherson
Email: kris_mcpherson@hotmail.com
I am a 1994 Grad of Ida High School.
If there is a word to describe what I've experienced after graduating
it's VARIETY. Immediately after graduating I had a short stint with the
Army Reserve working in Military Intelligence. Afterward, I attended the
University of Toledo and studied Purchasing and Supply Chain
Management.
I currently live in Toledo, Ohio, and work as a Materials Planning &
Logistics
Director for an automotive parts supplier to Chrysler and Ford. I am
also an accomplished Ballroom dancer (8 years!!!). I travel internationally
where I dance exhibitions and compete in my spare time. I've done
halftime
shows for the University of Michigan, as well as dance for MGM Grand
Las Vegas, and President Clinton!
I'm keeping busy and am looking forward to seeing everyone again at our
ten year reunion!!!
Wendy (Nyitray) Fondren
email:
wendyfondren@aol.com
I am a 1994 graduate of Ida High School. After graduation I was undecided as to what
career I wanted to pursue, so I completed all the basic courses towards an Associates
degree at Monroe County Community College. I also began working with/for my brother
(Chad) at his business, "MainStreet Financial Services", in Milan, MI. I guess this was
meant to be because here I am, 8 years later, and I am still working with Chad in Milan.
I really enjoy my job and am proud of the successful working relationship that my
brother and I have been able to maintain. However, this is by far not all that has gone
on in my life over the past 9 years.
On September 11, 1999 I married Geoff Fondren (my 7th grade sweetheart). On that
day, I also became a step-mother to Geoff's son Austin who is now 11 years old. Geoff
and I have lived in Temperance, MI (Bedford Township) since this time. On February
17, 2002 we had a baby girl - Alyvia Grace. I never knew how much one "little person"
could change my life, but I sure am glad I've been given the opportunity to find out! I
thank God every day for giving her to us.
I often think about my graduating class and hope that you are all enjoying life as much
as I am. Take time to smell the roses and don't be an "I'll Be Happy When...." person,
be happy NOW!
If you have a free moment, I'd love to hear from you: wendyfondren@aol.com
Nicole (Sniegowski) Rothschild
email:
n4packers@yahoo.com
Hello everyone! I'm not surprised to see the lack of '94 and '93 grads on
this site, but maybe that will change.
I'm Nicole Sniegowski, a '94 grad from IHS. After graduation I went to
Central Michigan University for one year and then transferred to the
University of Toledo. After attending the university and teaching a biology
course, I received my B.S. in Biology and Chemistry. I've started my Master's
degree in Secondary Education with a concentration in comprehensive sciences.
I can't wait to start teaching high school biology...maybe at Ida; that is
when Mr. Feldpausch retires.
To pay my way through school, I'm working at the restaurant, J. Alexander's as
a hostess. During breaks from school I work at Cousino's Navy Bistro as a
server. Please stop by and see me.
I hope to hear from y'all.
UPDATE 2002:
Hi everyone! The other day (5-26-02) I realized that we had graduated 8 years ago. My how time has flied by. I have spent my time well. I finished a Bachelor's of Science Degree in Biology and Chemistry from the University of Toledo. Now, I have one more class to finish my Master's of Secondary Education Degree. I'm currently teaching many science classes at Washtenaw Christian Academy. I married a wonderful man named, Matthew. We were married on July 21, 2001. He is such a blessing in my life. We don't have any children (unless you count our black lab, Reggie). We're planning to start our family in a couple years. We're living in New Boston, MI. We'll probably stay here for awhile. We love our home. God Bless!
As of July 21, 2001 I became Mrs. Matthew Rothschild. Married life is wonderful!
Sarah (Whitaker) Oley
email:
oley@chartermi.net
Hi! I'm Sarah (Whitaker) Oley, it looks as if I'm #3 for the 1994 grads.
I have been married for 5 years and have one son, Noah, who is 3. I
currently work for the Monroe County Intermediate School District while I
finish my degree in Elementary Education at Eastern Michigan University.
We currently live in Monroe, MI but are building in Lambertville and hope
to be settled by the new year. I hope to see many more bio's and hear
what's going on with all of you!
Alternate email: ntosmom@yahoo.com
Goto class year index
Class of 1997
Jennifer Burkey
burkeyjennifer@hotmail.com
After graduating in 1997 I went to Ferris State
University to pursue a degree in Nursing. I graduated with a Bachelors of Science
degree in Nursing in 2001. I am currently working at St. Joseph Mercy Hospital in Ann
Arbor on the General & Vascular Surgery unit. I recently (September 2003) bought a
house with my boyfriend of four years, Chad, in Westland, MI.
Otherwise there is not
much new in my life, besides working on our new home. Hopefully we will have a 10
year reunion since we did not have a five year. I am willing to help organize it, so let
me know if any of you would also like to work on it. It would be great to hear from my
fellow classmates!
My address:
34126 Tawas Trail, Westland, MI 48185
My phone number:
313-215-7260
My e-mail address:
burkeyjennifer@hotmail.com
Rhonda J. Clark
email:
fuzzypeach@rhondasmail.com
OR
luckydog713@voyager.net
Telephone: 517.439.0228
Address: 20 Warren Avenue Hillsdale, MI 49242
I graduated from Camden-Frontier in 1997, but I went
to school with the students of Ida from the ages of 5 - 17, I really
hope
that this gets printed because I'm looking for anyone who remembers
me to
contact me to catch up on old times.
I'm currently living with the
love
of my life, where we raise my two children, my son Christopher J.M.
Clark
is five, and my daughter Cora Daine McKibbin is two. I now live in
Hillsdale, MI about a hour and a half from Ida. I'm an at home mom,
which is great I've work in a factory for 4 1/2 years, so it's nice
to be
able to see and be with my children.
My son just started school, and
lets just say very emotional for me. I would really like to find old
friends, and make new ones for anyone who remembers me. Please e-mail
me or write to me via snail-mail.
Valerie (Gensler) Schaefer
email:
Butterfleigh04@yahoo.com
I am currently the
Operations Secretary at Frenchtown Square Mall in Monroe. I have been here for almost
4 years. This was not my dream job, but it pays the bills. I am now divorced and have 3
wonderful boys. Wesley 5, Zachary 2 and Malcom 1. I have done a lot of growing up in
the past almost 6 years. Having children really change your perspective on life. Wesley
has taught me patience, Zachary has taught me that something good always prevails
and Malcom has taught me to appreciate what I have- Life. Malcom was born very sickly
and just in the past 6-8 months (as he nears 2 years of age) became well. Miracles
never cease to happen.
I still live near Ida, however I don't get back much. Once in awhile I take my boys to the
Bluestreak. I can't let miss out on the good life. I am currently in Monroe. If any one
would like to get a hold of me my e-mail address is
Butterfleigh04@yahoo.com.
Jeremy Pickens
email:
jeremypickens@hotmail.com
The U.P. and Lake Superior got a hold of me after graduation and still haven't let go. Graduating with a couple degrees and no job from NMU in '01, I moved to the great north woods of Minnesota. Now I work for the Minnesota Historical Society at Split Rock Lighthouse. The job is great, just further north--though Mr. Dick (the IHS principal) stopped by this summer. Next fall I'll be back in school to study law. I hope one day to hack out somewhat of a career 'up north' afterward.
No wife, kids or minivans yet; and no answers to life riddles yet either. I'm just trying to enjoy myself everyday and do good work.
I hope everyone is doing well--five years has flown by hey? It would be nice to see some more updates from the class of '97.
Best regards,
Jeremy Pickens
Michelle (Sedlar) Kauppila
Email: princess_chel12@hotmail.com
I have been happily married for 1 1/2 years now to Zak Kauppila. I met him up north in all that snow. We both graduated from Northern Michigan University in the winter of 2000. Then moved to Chicago for almost two years, and are currently living in Jackson Michigan. No kids but a great dog named Gus. My actual e-mail address is princess_chel12@hotmail.com, feel free to drop me a line!!!
Brett Thomson
email:
bloodheart@core.com
Hello all alums of DA High School!! Hope every ones doing well in there
life away from Ida. I unfortunatly still live at home with my parents. I am
currently working at the family business Admaster Creations. I've worked
there for about a year and have found that I really like it. I'm looking
forward to our class renion coming up! (I cannot believe it's been almost 5
yrs already!!)
Well I guess that's all for know. Remember life at Ida might
have felt cramped but it was the best place in the world to grow up. If ya
want to get a hold of me call (734-269-6161) or email me at (bloodheart@core.com). Bye!!
Jason Williamson
email:
willdawg53@hotmail.com
Well don't know exactly what to say! I graduated with the class of 97! After
the completion of High School I joined the U.S. Army and have been Stationed
in Germany for the past two years. I am currently deployed to Kosovo as part
of Task Force Falcon in support of NATO Peace Keeping Efforts. My battalion
and I do not leave here until June 20th 2000. I am still single and have no
plans of getting married any time soon. No kids either!! The only thing that
I can say, Life is great and don't waste it. I guess thats it.
Current mailing address is
SPC Williamson, Jason P.
B CO 121st SIG BN
Unit 26528 Box 598
APO AE 09225
Goto class year index
