The MDR Class of 1959 held its 60th class reunion at Crank's in Minonk Saturday night, July 6th. Thirty six were in attendance including 18 class members and special guest Jack Murphy and wife. Mr. Murphy was the high school basketball coach and history teacher in 1959 and currently resides in Bloomington.
The reunion was organized by Bill Bane and Judy Bennington with help from Sharon Schramm Weichman, Jean Paris Cook and Dave Uphoff. Bill Bane was the MC and did much of the planning. He and Judy are to be commended for staging an outstanding class reunion.
The social hour began at 4 pm and at 5 pm Mr. Bane passed out mementos to those in attendance. Many of the mementos were donated by Minonk businessmen. The mementos included caps, pens, thermometers, T-shirts including an MDR Mohawk T-shirt given to Mr. Murphy.
Class mates attended from Arizona, Utah, Florida, Virginia and Texas. It was decided to have the next reunion in 3 years and volunteers are being solicited to help plan the next reunion.
Below are photos of the reunion.
Jean Paris Cook and husband Don.
Ronald Durre and Dennis O'Brien who came from Texas.
Judy Gangister Bennington and Barry Bennington.
Sharon Schramm Weichman, Mary Steinhilber and David Lindsay.
Linda Seifert Zulz and Charlotte Bannon Rupe.
David and Eleanor Wilcox from Virginia and Kay McKay.
Richard and Shirley Decker
Ronald Smith and daughter from Florida.
Paul and Carolyn Hesselberth
Tom Ford from Arizona and Bill Bane
Ken Drummet from Park City, Utah and Emily Bane.
Dave Uphoff and Judy Olson
Jim and Elaine Jury Cinnamon
Edith Timmerman Arndt and David Wilcox
Coach Jack Murphy and Dave Uphoff. Dave was on the 1959 basketball team that Mr. Murphy coached to a 20-7 record.
Jack Murphy talking with David Wilcox.
Sharon Schramm Weichman and Bill Bane with the patriotic background displayed for the event.