Check out the current news on our classmates. You can submit any information you might have to me at debbo571@bellsouth.net

Wheatland Union High School

Some of us were Wheatland born and bred. Some of us were "service brats". We came together for a period of time during an era of unrest in our country and we made lifelong friendships.
Some of us have kept in touch. Some of us have not. Some of us have stayed in or near Wheatland. Some of us have moved as far away as India and beyond. Periodically we come together at our old "stomping grounds" to rekindle those friendships and maybe, just maybe, make a few new ones.
Some of us are healthy. Some of us are not. Some of us have not lived to see this day.......and we miss them.
We came together in June, 1971 to rejoice in the "end" of an era in our lives and to start a new one. Every few years we come back together again to rejoice in the "sum of US".

Deborah Jennings Wilson
2006

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Finally A Little Good News
(10/15/09)
Courtesy of Steve Bopp (Class of 66)

The Wheatland High School Athletic Department is proud to announce as its Charter Members to the Wheatland Union High School Athletic Hall of Fame will be inducted on October 23, 2009. They are the following individuals: Pete Torres, Class of 1949, Ray Fukui, Class of 1952, both whom were also long time coaches at WHS, Richard 'Dick' Barton, Class of 1942, and long time coaches, Roy Crabtree, Marlene Robinson, and Mary Ann Harrison. Also to be honored posthumously are John J. Sohorokoff, Class of 1939, and John Akins Sr., Class of 1944.
The honorees will be inducted in a pre-game ceremony on October 23rd before the homecoming football game.
For more information see http://www.wheatlandhigh.org

Telephone conversation with Marivic Jaks
(10/10/09)

I called Marivic this evening to personally extend our condolences and see how she was holding up. She is still in shock and can't believe that Otto is gone.
He was in England last week and came back to the states on Friday, Oct. 3rd and landed in New Jersey. He called her from there and told her he was very tired and headed on to San Francisco. He got into SF around 10:30 Saturday night and called her from his rental there and told her he was tired and was going to stay there and be home on Monday, Oct. 5th. They had a wonderful converstion by phone on Sunday after church about marriage vows and he told her he loved her "until death do us part".
She tried calling him several times Sunday evening and left messages, but could not reach him. She tried again at 4 a.m. Monday morning and still could not get him. She took the kids to school at 8:15 and when she returned home there was a policeman waiting to give her the news.
She still does not know what happened, but it sounds like maybe he had a heart attack from the symptoms she described to me. They were married 23 years on September 23, 2009. He had told her from England that since he was there on their anniversary, he would make it up to her when he got home. He had sent her a card before he left for England which she received after he had left in which he told her he loved her and to always "look forward, don't look back". That is what she is going to do she said.
Their children are Laura, age 16 and Eric, age 13. She has family staying with her until Monday. We had a very long conversation and I let her know how shocked and saddened we were to hear of his passing. I gave her the class website address and she has my address and phone number. She called me back with the funeral home website, so I have provided a link to Otto's page there.
www.ramseyfuneralhomes.com/farewells/443.Otto_Joseph_Jaks.Ramsey.pdf

More Sad News
(10/10/09)

Received news today of the passing of Cynthia Chastain. Her sister, Lydia, graduated with the class of 1970. Here is her obituary:

Cynthia Chastain Bradford

Published: Tuesday, September 29, 2009 at 8:03 a.m.
Last Modified: Tuesday, September 29, 2009 at 8:03 a.m.

SPARTANBURG, SC-- Cynthia Kay Chastain Bradford, 55, of 355 Twin Oaks Drive, devoted wife of Koger McIntosh Bradford, beloved mother, sister, grandmother, and aunt, died Monday, September 28, 2009, at Spartanburg Regional Medical Center. Born November 9, 1953, in Arrington, Cambridgeshire, London, England, and a native of Spartanburg, SC, she was the daughter of June Combahee Chastain of Inman and the late Willis Martie Chastain. She was the maternal granddaughter of the late Beatrice Bell and Hugh H. Wilson and the paternal granddaughter of the late Abner Martie and Minnie Iverster Chastain. She was a 1972 graduate of Boiling Springs High School and a graduate of USC-Upstate with a degree as a Registered Nurse. She worked at Spartanburg Regional Medical Center for 27 years as a Labor and Delivery nurse. Her love was her family, gardening, dancing, and singing; and she crowned them all with a great sense of humor. A proud accomplishment was her pioneering study and contribution to the success of the original lithotripsy procedure, now commonly used. She was a much loved patient advocate and a member of the First Presbyterian Church.

Surviving, in addition to her mother and husband, are two daughters, Rachael Ward Hilton and her husband Phillip of Rock Hill, and Beatrice Grace Kennedy Bradford of the home; two sons, Jarrod Wilson Thompson of Boiling Springs, and Sgt. Michail Allen Ward of Surfside Beach; two sisters, Lydia Chastain Patterson of Boiling Springs, and Susan Chastain Hoy and her husband Michael of Chesnee; a grandson, Brayden Michail Ward of Surfside Beach; a granddaughter, Kensington Grace Hilton of Rock Hill; a number of aunts and uncles; and a large number of nieces and nephews. She was predeceased by a brother, Martie Clifton Chastain.

Visitation will be 6:00 PM to 8:00 PM Tuesday, September 29, 2009, at Floyd's Greenlawn Chapel. Funeral services will be held at 2:30 PM Wednesday, September 30, 2009, at the First Presbyterian Church conducted by the Rev. Dr. David A. Renwick and the Rev. Susan E. Moorefield. Burial will be in Greenlawn Memorial Gardens.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the Purnell Fund at the First Presbyterian Church, 393 East Main Street, Spartanburg, SC 29302; or to Mobile Meals Service, P. O. Box 461, Spartanburg, SC 29304.

The family is at the home.

An online guest register is available at www.floydmortuary.com.

Floyd's Greenlawn Chapel

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Otto and family

Sad News
(10/08/09)

Otto Joseph Jaks

Otto Joseph Jaks passed away October 5, 2009 in Alameda County, CA. A viewing will be held Friday, October 9, 2009 from 3:00 PM to 7:00 PM at Ramsey Funeral Home 1175 Robinson St., Oroville. A Rosary will be held on Saturday, October 10, 2009 at 10:30 AM with a Mass to follow at 11:00 AM at St. Thomas the Apostle Catholic Church at 1330 Bird St., Oroville, CA. Arrangements have been entrusted to Ramsey Funeral Home 530-534-3877.

I was very saddened to hear of Otto's passing. Thank you Annelie Poldervaart for letting me know. I ordered a funeral spray to be sent in the name of the class in blue and white. I hope that it turns out okay. I hate that I couldn't have done the same for the many others we have lost but I don't usually find out until months afterwards. I am especially glad that I was able to do this in our name since Otto made the last reunion and got to reconnect with old friends.
I have to say again, friends, that each year brings us more loss and it saddens me greatly. This has not been a good year for me personally and I hate to think of losing even one more of you. Stay in touch with each other and seriously think about joining us for the 40th reunion. Love and sympathy go out to Otto's wife and children. They are fairly young as he got started on his family late in life.

Special Note: I just noticed as I was posting the October birthdays that Otto would have had one on Monday, the 12th.

Link to sign Obituary Guest Book: www.legacy.com/gb2/default.aspx

Classmate remarks:

"My heart always feels the heaviness of news like this, but particularly so with dear Otto as he and I share the same birthday, October 12th. How immortal we all felt in ‘71. I reached for my yearbook to glance again at the faces of our youth looking out to the future we have become and saw that Debbie is between Otto and Jerry. How appropriate that these two boys/men who have already left us be connected to such an angel in the pages of our past.

Thank you, Debbie, for sending the flowers on behalf of all of us and for keeping us knitted together all these years.

Blessings to you and yours,

Colleen"

"Hi Deb

I'm very sad about Otto. As we lose friends each one seems to affect me more.
Maybe because it's getting closer to our turn.

Billy Rohm (Class of 70)"

"Hi, Debbie,

It must be hard sometimes, as the "gatekeeper" of the class of '71, to be the one to spread the word when one of our classmates passes. Thanks for sending the flowers on behalf of all of us.

......... He was such a kind soul, always a smile on his face, and always had unique perspectives to share. I feel so sad for his wife and that he left young children behind.

Otto was one of six siblings, 5 boys and a girl: Lowell, Peter, Otto, Jennifer, Jacob, and Reuben. We all took piano lessons from the same country piano teacher who lived out by 4 Corners when we were kids.

I appreciate that you let us know.

Brian"

As posted on www.facebook.com by Gerry Gothrow Paris:

"Very sad and shocked to hear about the death of a high school classmate. Prayers to the family of Otto Joseph Jaks ~ WHS '71"

As posted on www.facebook.com by Veronica "Cookie" Mattos Vance:

".....I guess this is a sign of the times, but it's never easy to lose a friend."

Card sent from the Class of 71:

Don't think of him as gone away~ his journey's just begun,
life holds so many facets~ this earth is only one.

Just think of him as resting from the sorrows and the tears
in a place of warmth and comfort where there are no days and years.

Think how he must be wishing that we could know today
how nothing but our sadness can really pass away.

And think of him as living in the hearts of those he touched...
for nothing loved is ever lost~ and he was loved so much.

E. Brenneman

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Received the following email from Chris Bogdanoff Bare (Class of 66)
(7/02/09)

"We received a note from John's sister, Judi, that he (John Palmer) passed away on June 28, 2009 in Phoenix, Oregon. Judi posted a note on the WUHS66 web page.

I haven't heard from Steve in several weeks so I am sending this to everyone via our website."

Chris (Bogdanoff) Bare

Our condolences go out to John Palmer's family and friends. I am assuming that he was of the Class of 66. Like our class, they are losing classmates more frequently as the years go by. Please keep them in your thoughts and prayers.

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Sad Sad News

I received an email from Judith Smith on April 14, 2009 telling that Dave Conrad passed away on March 5, 2009. I have been unable to obtain any other information. Please keep his family in your thoughts and prayers.

Every year we seem to be losing one of our own. I hope we all take a moment to remember them and the contribution they made in our lives, whether large or small. Each one of us made up the whole of the Class of 1971 and as we dwindle down, we lose a bit of ourselves too, not just a fellow classmate.

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The following message is from Kathy (Daughenbaugh) Hoppin:

Believe it or not, after 39 years of teaching at Wheatland High

School, MARY ANN HARRISON is actually going to retire at the end of this school year (June 4^th).

In honor of this occasion, and with much appreciation for her dedication and talent, I am hosting a “CARD SHOWER” for Mary Ann. I am asking all relatives, friends, students, athletes, teachers, coaches, and community members to send a “CONGRATULATIONS” card for Mary Ann. Please include a personal note, photo, old story, etc. All the cards will be presented to her in a, hopefully, HUGE basket.

I am also making a scrapbook (school binder size) for her with “bits & pieces” of her WHS career. You are welcome to also send a page (or ½ or ¼) if you wish----don’t forget to date it.

I M P O R T A N T ! ! ! -----In order to make this a SURPRISE, please send your cards to:

                                       Mary Ann Harrison
                                     c/o Kathy Hoppin
                                       2781 Banion Rd
                                       Yuba City, CA 95993

(khoppin@hotmail.com)

If you are close to WHS and prefer, you may take it to the front office and leave it with Robin Embry. If I should open your mailing envelope, write “open” on the back side.

Please DO NOT PROCRASTINATE OR FORGET!!!!! ---and please pass a copy of this letter on to any appropriate person that comes to your mind.

Mary Ann is an amazing teacher, coach, mentor, colleague, and friend. She will appreciate hearing from you. Thank you in advance for helping to honor her!!

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Art / November 2008

Sad Sad News

Art Bitterman has passed away. This email is from his sister, followed by comments from fellow classmates. Note: you can go to www.mem.com and search for Art by last name & first name on the left, click on "movie" and watch a slide show of pictures his family turned into the funeral home. It was very nice....about 15 minutes.

"Debbie
I had Googled my brother Art, class of 71 and found your blog. I have some sad news for you. Art passed away on Feb 7, 2009. He had a stroke July 2, 2007 while at his shop. He was in a VA hospital in Dublin GA until November, 2008 when we moved him to Houston, TX to be nearer to family and to try to get him some better rehab help. Unfortunately, he had another stroke on Jan 31 and a final one on Feb 6. His funeral was in Kingwood TX on Feb 11, 2009.

Patricia Bitterman Brown "

"Lori Ranta and I used to tease Art Bitterman unmercifully in High School. He took it like a gentleman.. Both of them are gone now, way too soon!" Susan Muck Jeys

10/10/09
Link found on Art: www.roversnorth.com/forums/archive/index.php

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Carolyn on Sadie Hawkins Day, 1970

More Sad News

Carolyn Nichols has pased away also. This email is from Debbie Hazelton Rausch followed by comments from fellow classmates.

"Hi Deb, My sister said there isn't any obituary for Carolyn. Carolyn's married name was Philips. She was a widow and lived in a very small town in Oregon. Her husband died last year of cancer. She went to the doctor for a cough and died 4 days later. She died in a hospital in Eugene, Oregon of cervical cancer. It was so sad she had been estranged from her family for many years. She had a daughter 26 years old and was very dependent on her mom. Carolyn's sister Connie was with her when she died. Hope this gives you the info you need. I wish I knew more. My sister did call Carolyn's sister Connie to get the information. "
Deb Rausch

"Carolyn Nichols and I grew up together. She and Adella Slade were contemporaries. I went to Kindergarten with them both. Both have now died of Cancer. Too many too soon. Very sad day!" Susan Muck Jeys

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Condolences
(02/07/09)

I recently received the following email from Carol Osborne Blinder concerning an alumni from the class of 1970. I am reprinting it here along with comments from OUR fellow classmates. Our condolences go out to the family and friends of Deborah Ann Boom.

"Deborah Ann Boom, born February 12, 1952, passed away peacefully January 6, 2009 in Sequim, Washington from a cancerous brain tumor.
Deborah was the daughter of Donald and Jean Boom. She attended and graduated from the Wheatland schools, and also graduated from the California State University, Chico. She was very active in sports and horseback riding and was a Physical Ed. teacher.
In addition to her parents, she leaves behind two brothers, Robert and Bruce and one sister, Michele Boom Chico, plus her companion of 34 years, Val Tiffee. She will be sorely missed by her family." Carol Osborne Blinder

"That is sad. I remember Debby as being very athletic and it doesn't surprise me she turned into a PE teacher. She was also a very good flute in the band." Dale Perkins

"Oh how very sad. I liked her a lot. And her brothers will be so sad." Susan Muck Jeys

"I remember Debbie. She was nice, quiet. When I was a freshman she held my legs during the kangaroo court wheelbarrow race, we kicked ass!!" Billy Rohm, Class of '70

"I don't think I had seen Debbie Boom since her graduation, but she was a native Wheatlander like myself . . . my dad knew her dad when they were in high school, and I knew her all those growing up years. She even sat right in front of me for 3 years in the WHS Band where she played flute and piccolo. She was always very nice to me (and everyone in general!) and had a quiet sense of humor that allowed her to find the bright side in everything. She was really involved in sports at WHS, too, a good athlete. No surprise she was a PE teacher.
Thanks for sharing the news. She was only 56! Bummer...." Brian Goforth

"Debbie Ann Boom was in the Senior class of W.U.H.S. IN 1970 and was one of the few female Seniors who tolerated my continous stupidity. She was a VERY decent young woman." Francisco Velez

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In case you can't figure out who they are, Pat Summit Jones and Kathy Daughenbaugh Hoppin:

Retired After 39 Years

But Still Going And Going And Going

Sunday, September 28, 2008 4:11 PM PDT

Mrs. Pat Jones and Mrs. Kathy Hoppin both started teaching at Wheatland High School in the 1969-70 school year. Jones’s first assignment was sophomore English and History. Hoppin’s was PE. The 07-08 year was their last as full time teachers, but not their last at WHS.

Jones decided to use her history degree as a teacher after participating in a introductory program at UC Davis. Now that she has retired, she teaches one period a day of her favorite class—Skills for Living. She likes it because it’s practical for students reviewing budgeting, banking, and relationships.

Jones said over the years she has watched the pendulum swing from a strong focus on academics to a focus on the arts and now to a huge emphasis on testing due to No Child Left Behind.

She’s also seen the demographics at WHS change from the large enrollment of close to a thousand in the early 70’s to a drop of 430 after the B-52’s left Beale AFB to the now large group from Plumas Lake mixed with the military students, locals, and interdistrict students.
One of her favorite memories was when the staff formed “Ain’t My House Construction Company”, a group of teachers who would help other teachers with construction and home repair projects. Jones remembers them helping her with her roof and helping others move. She said it really helped work feel like a community.

Hoppin did some growing up in Wheatland from third to ninth grade when her father, J.R. Daugenbaugh, served as Superintendent for the Distict. After graduating from Chico State, she started teaching PE only and then made a transition to PE and Biology, and ended her career teaching just Biology. She plans to be a regular substitute to keep in touch with the students and friends on the staff.

Hoppin started the girls tennis program at WHS. She thought about leaving WHS to try someplace new, but realized every year at Wheatland was new and different from the size, to the schedule, to the students.

She really enjoys running into former students and seeing their progress. She doesn’t mind hearing, “Oh, my mom had you as a teacher.” But she doesn’t think she can handle hearing “Oh my grandma had you.” She says some of her first students are now 57 years old, so it could happen to her as a sub.

Both teachers plan to spend retirement bumping into each other. They are both taking a body toning fitness class, and together they are also taking a computer class. And they are trying to keep that feeling of community and friendship alive and well by getting together with other teachers to do some traveling.

Posted from "The Wheatland Citizen"

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Lady of Leisure!!
(9/26/08)
Linda Greenwade retired in July of this year. She and Joe just got back from Paris as a celebratory trip. Congratulations Linda!

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New Graduate Among Us!
(08/25/08)
Cheryl Cornelius-Ochs has graduated with a bachelor’s in business management, cum laude, in May 2007, (you are never too old and it is never too late) and is now the recruiting coordinator in the Career Services office at the University of Tulsa. Way to go girl! Congratulations!!!

_______________________________________________________

"Ocean Jewel"

Just In
(02/03/08)
John Baudier is semi-retiring and he and his wife will be participating in "Sail Australia" in June 2009. We wish him and Theresa the best in their new venture with the "Ocean Jewel".

____________________________________________

Trevor Haymore

Special Delivery! Special Delivery!!
(10/07)
Larry and Crystal are now part of the "Grandparents Club"! Their first grandchild was born on 10-26-07. His name is Trevor Haymore, no other info yet. Congratulations to you both! See picture of mother and babe in the "Our Pride & Joy" photo album.

___________________________________________

It's A Boy!
(8/18/07)
Robin (Whipple) and Bruce Burrow are the proud parents of Conrad, born May 28, 2007, 7 lbs 7 oz, 22 inches. Congrats to you both!

Stork brings a new baby. Free babies clip art from www.GaliGifts.com collection

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News Flash! News Flash!
(7/14/07)
Had an email from Marlene "Miss R" Robinson recently. She is having a total knee replacement on August 1st, so everyone keep her in your prayers and thoughts. She is then moving to McKinleyville on the coast. Well-wishers can contact her at marlenerobinson@charter.net

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News Flash!! News Flash!!
(4/28/07)
Just had an email from Dale Perkins. Dan Imig lost his daughter a couple of weeks ago to complications from gall bladder surgery. Please keep Dan in your thoughts and prayers.

____________________________________________

News Flash! News Flash!
(1/31/07)
Gene Reyes (Class of 70) retired the end of 2006. At last correspondence, he and Cathy are enjoying their "life of leisure".

Surgery Update: Thank you all for your cards and emails during my recent surgery. I am recovering quite well with a couple of minor complications, but I can deal with them. Thank you for your concern. D. Wilson

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News Flash! News Flash!
(9/3/06)
Francisco Velez is retiring from the California Department of Transportation. Ya'll wish him well!

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News Flash! News Flash!
(6-23-06)
Joan Danzero Siefert is recovering from cancer surgery. She says they got it all and she does NOT have to have any chemo or radiation treatment. She will have to go for check ups every 3 months for the next five years. Joanie, our thoughts and prayers are with you always.

___________________________________________

News Flash! News Flash!
(03/06)
Luke W. Kirkpatrick, born March 20, 2006, Atlanta, GA
Proud Grandmother - Sally Nicholls Lambert

Cynthia Chastain Bradford

Otto Joseph Jaks

In case you can't figure out who they are, Pat Summit Jones and Kathy Daughenbaugh Hoppin:Retired After 39 Years

But Still Going And Going And Going

Sunday, September 28, 2008 4:11 PM PDT

In case you can't figure out who they are, Pat Summit Jones and Kathy Daughenbaugh Hoppin:

Retired After 39 Years