UPDATESthru Nov 2023
Come on back to our 55th Class of '68 Reunion! Classes of '67 & '66 are celebrating too.
Come on back to our 55th Class of '68 Reunion! Classes of '67 & '66 are celebrating too.
_________________________________________________________________________

Visit this page often, to see what's new as we count down to the Reunion! cuz we're having our 55th Reunion Oct 20, 2023! The classes of '67 and '66 are celebrating with us too. 

Nov 12, 2023: Posted photos from the Oct 20, 2023 Reunion Dinner in the PHOTO ALBUMS section.

______________________________________________________________________

Jul 23, 2023: Posted obituary for Brent Johnson.
______________________________________________________________________

Apr 25, 2023: Posted obituary for Dallas Hammersmith.
                       Added cover photo for our 55th reunion to be held Oct 20, 2023 
              ______________________________________________________________________

Jan 13, 2023: Posted obituary for Brenda Bowen Fruth.
______________________________________________________________________

Oct 26, 2022: Posted obituaries for Barbara Knauss Loose, who died in November 2021 (sorry for the late posting), and for Mark Alexander.
______________________________________________________________________

Oct 23, 2022: Added photo of Richard Small with some of his family from his 73rd birthday in August. Sorry it's posted so late!
______________________________________________________________________

Oct 23, 2022: Posted obituary for Roberta Allen Hardin on the In Memoriam page.
_________________________________________________________________________

Feb 11, 2022: Posted obituary for Phil Kelley on the In Memoriam page.
______________________________________________________________________

Nov 23, 2021: Posted obituary for Deborah Retterer Chapman on the In Memoriam page.
________________________________________________________________________

 
Oct 20, 2021: on the FAQ page, added the date of our 55th Reunion, which is 2 years from now Fri Oct 20, 2023 at Stone Ridge Golf Club in BG. _________________________________________________________________________
Aug 24, 2021:  Save the date cuz it's Party Time on Fri Oct 20, 2023! Woohoo! 
Plan for a multi-year reunion with the classes of 1966, 1967, and 1968 at the Stone Ridge Golf Club (where we had our 50th reunion in 2018) on the (early) evening of Fri Oct 20, 2023.
Why a group reunion?
Why not? It'll be fun to see each other again, and to hang out with friends from other years too.
1968: it's our 55th reunion in 2023

1966: many will be celebrating their 75th birthdays in 2023
1967: always ready to par-tay

MANY more details to follow, in the coming year(s)

______________________________________________________________________
Apr 28, 2021: Posted obituary for Randy Schmeltz on the In Memoriam page.
________________________________________________________________________

Feb 4, 2021: Posted obituary for Linda Louys Misak on the In Memoriam page.

________________________________________________________________________

Jan 15, 2021: Posted obituary for Tom Cass on the In Memoriam page.
________________________________________________________________________
Dec 7, 2020:  Posted obituary for Dennis Cheney on the In Memoriam page.
________________________________________________________________________________________
Jan 29, 2020:  Posted obituary for Douglas Peatee on the In Memoriam page.
Added 3 new photos to
 "Recent Photos of Old (=Former) Classmates" Album on the Photo Albums page.
Updated the FAQ page to reflect renewal of our reunion website until Feb 6, 2025.
________________________________________________________________________________________
Jan 18, 2020:  Added one new photo to "Recent Photos of Old (=Former) Classmates" Album on the Photo Albums page.
________________________________________________________________________________________
Sep 16, 2019: Posted obituary for Judy Adler Weaver on the In Memoriam page.
________________________________________________________________________________________
Aug 31, 2019:  Posted obituary for Bob Yeager on the In Memoriam page.
________________________________________________________________________________________
Aug 20, 2019:  Updated the Missing Links Reunion attendees from Class of '68 in Ron's message below.

Aug 19, 2019: Added the message below from Ron June.
And created a new Photo Album (Missing Links Reunion BG Aug 18, 2019).
Check out the photos of us oldsters singing and dancing!


From Ron June
Sunday, August 18, 2019
 
The Missing Links Reunion Party on was a great success, as judged by the smiles, laughter, and spirited conversation of all who attended. A large crowd gathered in anticipation at 6:30 pm in the upper level of the Uptown-Downtown Bar on North Main Street in Bowling Green, Ohio. The ongoing construction on Main Street and the lack of parking could not stop the enthusiastic gathering of classmates from the ‘60s and ‘70s from dancing and singing the evening away as the band played favorite songs from the ‘60s.
 
Ken Reeves ('68) was the lead singer; joining Ken as original band members were Brad Mansfield ('67) on organ and John Ziegler ('67) on bass guitar. Also performing was Doug Pope ('67), who sang and played guitar. Original drummer Dan Householder ('67) was not able to attend so John Ziegler's brother, Jim, sat in to keep the beat.
 
The band began playing at 7:30 pm and continued past 11:00 pm. Favorites such as "Gloria", “Time Won't Let Me”, “Summer in the City”, “Shakin’ All Over”, “Hang On Sloopy”, as well as Beatles songs filled the air as classmates dusted off their dancing shoes and "swayed" to the music. Notice I did not say "danced" to the music!  By the looks on the faces of those trying to demonstrate their prowess on the dance floor, it was probably a big night for those using inhalers.
 
Here are some of the people spotted from the Class of ’68: Don Allan, Linda Joseph Bates, Mark Fletcher, Luana Hess, Kay Francisco Hoane, Steve Hoane, Ron June, Anne Lawrence Kern, Cathy Roemer Lentz, Darlene Eckel Minnick, Cathy Cromley Nelson, Randy Schmeltz, Jane Nelson Swigart, and of course Ken Reeves.
 
I (Ron June) apologize for anyone I missed; please contact me so I can put you on the list of attendees.
If anyone has pictures or video from the party, please forward them to me by text at 517-392-5584 or by email RLJune@comcast.net
 
The night before the BG event, the Missing Links played a benefit in Fostoria, Ohio. This was a nice chance to warm up and play before a crowd. If you go to our class reunion website, you will see a brochure that tells about The Missing Links. Here is a brief history:
The band formed under the name "Misfits" in 1964 and performed until 1968. In 1967 they competed in a Nationwide JC Battle of the Bands. Across the nation, 11,000 bands competed to become the best band in the nation. The Links won first place in the regional and state competition and were jetted to the national competition in Massachusetts with all expenses paid. The band performed in three days of competition and placed fourth in the nation!
________________________________________________________________________________________
Nov 29, 2018:  Added more IDs to photos from the reunion dinner (in 50th reunion Weekend album). C'mon, go check it out; you know you want to look at the photos again! 
________________________________________________________________________________________
Nov 5, 2018: New/updated Classmate Bios. Sort by "Last Update" to see latest additions.
ew Classmate Comments too; these are automatically posted with newest one first. 
Oct 18, 2018: added 4 more photos to "50th Reunion Weekend" album in Photo Albums page. Submitted by Brent Johnson. Two other folks have promised photos too! 
Please send your photos to Pat via email pbiesiot@gmail.com or text to 601-466-8102.

________________________________________________________________________________________
Oct 17, 2018:  1. the CLASS VIDEO is posted at the top of the "Class Video and Others" page!!! Kudos to Tom Claflin for creating it!!!
Also added a photo to "Recent Photos of Old (=Former) Classmates" album on Photo Albums page.
FINALLY have the IDs done for the Reunion Dinner Group Photos, at the end of the "50th Reunion Weekend" album on Photo Albums page.
__________________________________________________________________________ 
Oct 15, 2018: Added photos submitted by Linda (Louys) Misak to 50th Reunion Weekend album.
Rearranged website pages for better relevancy after the reunion.
Renamed/repurposed "Guest Book" page as "Classmate Comments" page.

_________________________________________________________________________
Oct 14, 2018: Posted photos submitted by Becky (Ricketts) Laabs, Ron June, and Malissa Burnette to 50th Reunion Weekend photo album.
Still working on video and group photos.

_________________________________________________________________________
Oct 13, 2018: 
1. Three new / revised Classmate Bios.

2. Posted photos submitted by Ann (Austin) Jones, Ruth (Leindecker) Defuge, Judy (Wright) Fisher to the 50th Reunion Weekend Album on Photo Albums page.

3. Edited the "Special Thanks To" page to better recognize Becky (Roof) Meyer for creating the LARGE,  DARK PRINT nametags. (Without which we wouldn't have know many of our classmates!)
_________________________________________________________________________
Oct 12, 2018:  
1. All the pictures submitted so far have been posted to the 50th Reunion Weekend Album on the Photo Albums page; submissions were by Pat Biesiot, Barb (Baker) Fidel, Ron June, Linda (Louys) Misak, Jennifer (Werner) Bateson.

There have GOT to be a lot more pictures out there. Still waiting for those of you who promised to send photos to do so! (Even if they are out of focus.)
pbiesiot@gmail.com

The marvelous class video by Tom Claflin will be posted as soon as practicable on Class Video & Others page. Figuring out how/where to host the huge file.

The classmate group photo(s) will be posted as soon as we figure out who all those old people are and can list their names!


2. Added another FAQ:
Question: How long will our 50th reunion website be available?

Answer: The website will be up until Feb 8, 2020, and we could keep it up longer if there is still interest.

_________________________________________________________________________
Idea and photo submitted by Tom Claflin 1-10-2018
Idea and photo submitted by Tom Claflin 1-10-2018
Oct 8, 2018: A good time was had by all at the various reunion events!
If you took photos, please send them to Pat Biesiot (pbiesiot@gmail.com). She will start uploading photos on Friday Oct 12. 
__________________________________________________________________________
Oct 5, 2018:  
1. Pat Biesiot is in Ohio now and does not have access to her home computer. She will not be able to upload Senior Class photos as the "Then" photo on the Classmate Bios page until Oct 10, 2018 or later.
But, please post a Classmate Bio anyway. We'll sorta remember what you looked like "then"!
(A couple folks have done so in past couple days.)

2. Also, please feel free to just show up at the football game or Brathaus tonight (Friday). Also the High School tour 2:00 pm Sat. And at the noon picnic on Sunday.
No need to let us know if you decide at the last minute--that was just so we had an idea of how many to expectl
_________________________________________________________________________
Update Oct 1-2, 2018: 
1. Online payment option is now closed.
Contact Ron June if you stil want to come to the reunion dinner on Sat. Probably too late for dinner, but not too late for after-dinner events.

Sat golf registration closed too.

Other events are free (painting class Sat morning, picnic Sun noon) or pay-as-you-go (BGHS Homecoming game & Brathaus get-together, both Fri night).
 

2. New Classmate Bios are posted  and a couple others edited.
_________________________________________________________________________
Sep 28, 2018: 
1.
Homecoming Football Game: classmates attending the game will go down to the field between first and second quarters to be recognized. What a nice gesture on the part of BGHS!

2. Online Payment Option for Reunion Dinner: the final FINAL deadline to pay for the reunion dinner is ~9:00 pm Eastern Time. After that, the online payment option will be turned off.
But, never too late to attend the other reunion events: Homecoming Football game and/or Brathaus on Fri, tour of BGHS on Sat, BYO food & drink picnic on Sun.
______________________________________________________________________
Sep 26, 2018: More about noon picnic in Needle Hall Bldg in City Park (520 Conneaut Ave) on Sun Oct 7.
To keep things simple, each classmate is responsible for their own food and drink. Maybe a sandwich or something from home, or Subway, or Jimmy Johns, or even Pagliai’s or Pisenello’s, if you’re having a nostalgic pizza craving.
It’s fine if anyone wants to bring a dish to share, but that’s not expected. On that note, Hal Brown plans to bring a couple of cases of bottled water and his recycling bin.

Click here for a map of City Park.  Needle Hall Building is ~3/4 around the one-way loop road. 

______________________________________________________________________
 
Update Sep 20, 2018:  Added new FAQ: "What should we wear to the reunion dinner?"
Answer: Go very casual and comforable! No need to buy a new outfit, or wear heels, or wear a tie.

_________________________________________________________________________
Update Sep 21, 2018:  Message from Dave Lippert, who cannot attend the reunion:
Ron,  have some sad news. My ear surgery was moved to October 2nd and I will not be allowed to do much for the next 7-10 days after. Then I may need stents placed in an artery my cardiologist said from my heart cath was a slender or narrow artery. First I will have to have an upper GI to make sure my chest pains are not coming from there. Then an ultrasound to check for an aneurism across my stomach like the one that ended my father's life. I just want to add that it is so grand to be getting old.
I hope you all have a great time and hope to hear from those I will miss and see lots of pictures. Maybe I will make the 55 or 60th in healthier ways. May God bless my mighty and great Bobcats. Dave Rev. David Lippert 

______________________________________________________________________
 
Sep 19, 2018: 
1. Added new photo in "Junior Prom 1967" album.

2. Here is a message from John Dunipace about golf game on Sat morning.
Hey Guys:

We are now 20 golfers strong, with Coach Stu Stearns, Bob Spitler and Phil Clinard now in the committed column. 

For our two-man scramble, please find your tee time and your team below:

Tee

 

Team

       

9:00

 

Hoane-Stearns

 

Moyer-Ryland

       

9:09

 

Roper-Vogtsberger

 

Spitler-Lentz

       

9:18

 

Faulk-Thayer

 

Johnson-Sharp

       

9:27

 

Otley-Shank

 

Canterbury-Lause

       

9:36

 

Green-Clinard

 

Austin-Dunipace

  • The complaint department is closed – so if an early tee time, pairing or if anything else bothers you, read ‘em and weep. 
  • If any of you need contact data to call/text/email your teammate, please let me know and I will get it to you ASAP. 
  • If you have any questions about scoring, event format, times, location or other any particulars, please let me know and I will get it to you ASAP.
  • Any interest in on-course contests with a cash prize pot funded by your own contributions?  Closest to the pin, or long drive, whatever?  Get me your suggestions and soon so that if there is major interest I can try to set up the game.
Let’s just get ready to have some fun!
DUNIPACE
__________________________________________________________

 
Sep 17, 2018: Pat Biesiot edited all posted "Classmate Bios" to NOT permit private email messages to be sent to classmates through the reunion website. And she edited the Classmate Bios Profile settings to NOT permit private email messages for anyone posting a Bio in future.
This was done to prevent "phishing" email messages that could be sent by outside persons through our reunion website.

If you want to contact a classmate via email, please reach out to Pat (pbiesiot@gmail.com) or Ron June (RLJune@comcast.net) for help.
Aug 21-23 & 26, 2018: Added more photos to "BGHS Yearbook Photos" including ones from 1967 (Junior Year).
Aug 15-16, 2018: Added new Photo Album "Westwood Yearbook Photos 1965-66".
Aug 8, 2018:  Added 7 new photos to "BGHS Yearbook Photos" album, from Senior Year.
Aug 5-6, 2018: added 15 new photos to "BGHS Yearbook Photos" album.

July 29, 2018: 
added 3 new photos to "BGHS Yearbook Photos" album.
July 27, 2018: added 5 new photos to "BGHS Yearbook Photos" album in Photo Albums.

_________________________________________________________________________
July 24, 2018: 
a. tickets for the Homecoming footbal game Friday Oct 5, 2018 are $7 per person.
There will be a section of bleachers roped off for us near the wheelchair accessible ramp.
Please let Ron know if you plan to attend: RLJune@comcast.net
(Sorry if you wanted one, but homecoming mums aren't a thing anymore.)

b. Mr. Devers, current HS principal, will lead the tour of the high school at 2:00 pm Sat Oct 6. Meet at 1:45 pm in the parking lot; tour will last 45-60 min.
Please let Judy know if you plan to attend: jfisher50@gmail.com
______________________________________________________________________
July 21, 2018: on Who's Coming page, added a table of people attending reunion events OTHER than the dinner on Sat Oct 6.
_________________________________________________________________________
July 19, 2018: added a new Photo Album "Yearbook Photos".
_________________________________________________________________________
July 13, 2018: check out 3 songs on Class Video & Others page. Presenting "The Missing Links", courtesy of Ken Reeves and Doug Pope! Grooovy!
Also added 2 new photos to album Recent Photos of Old (=Former) Classmates"
__________________________________________________________________________
July 5-6, 2018: Added a new Photo Album "1950s & 1960s: Trips Down Memory Lane".
_________________________________________________________________________
June 27-28, 2018: FAQ page added to the website.
Several YouTube music videos added to Class Video & Others page (scroll to bottom of page).
New Photo Album added: 1967-68: A Look Back at Special Memories
2 new photos added to Newspaper Clippings album on Photo Album page
_________________________________________________________________________
June 23, 2018:
a. The finalized reunion dinner menu is posted: see Details of Events page.
Tell Ron if you have special dietary needs, and he will pass the information along to Stone Ridge so you will be accomodated.
Stone Ridge can provide a vegetarian meal for those who request it ahead of time.

b. The group bike ride around town scheduled for 9:00 am Sat Oct 6 is cancelled for lack of interest.

c. So sorry to report that 3 of our classmates, who had planned to attend the reunion, have passed away since December 2017. Details on In Memoriam page.

______________________________________________________________________
 
May 1, 2018: payment for the reunion dinner is being accepted now. See How to Buy Tickets page.
_________________________________________________________________________
April 5, 2018: Painting Class 9:00 am Sat Oct 6 is FREE! Thanks to generosity of Becky (Ricketts) Laabs. See revised "Details of Events" page for details about reserving a spot
_________________________________________________________________________
March 13, 2018:  Cost is $22 per person (check mailed to Ron) or $25 per person (credit card paid online).  Payment accepted starting May 1, 2018. 
Details at 
How to Buy Tickets page. Deadline for payment is Sep 14, 2018. 

Here's the Schedule of Events for Oct 6, 2018
  • 5:45 - 6:15 pm:  Check-in at Stone Ridge Golf Club; meet & greet!
  • 6:15 - 7:00 pm:  Dinner
  • 7:00 - 8:00 pm:  Pass a microphone around and let classmates tell a bit about themselves (or not, no pressure!). 30 second per person time limit, so no need to prepare a speech!
  • 8:00 -  8:30 pm:   Move around; visit; dance to the 60s songs played by the DJ
  • 8:30 -  9:15 pm:   Class video presented by Tom Claflin
  • 9:15 - 11:00 pm:  Visit, dance, enjoy!

Here's the finalized Buffet Dinner Menu for Oct 6, 2018.
Email Ron to tell him if you have dietary restrictions (RLJune@comcast.net); you will be accommodated.


Cheese and Crackers upon arrival; Cash Bar

Chef-carved Marinated Flank Steak
Chicken Cordon Bleu with Mornay Sauce
Oven-roasted Redskin Potatoes
Corn O'Brien (corn, red peppers, green peppers, onion)
House Salad, with Raspberry Vinagrette or Ranch Dressing
Rolls and Butter
Lemonade, Coffee, Hot Tea, Cold Tea, Water
Brownies and Variety of Cookies
Popcorn
_________________________________________________________________________

March 7, 2018:  check out the "teaser class video trailer" on the Class Video page!
Submitted by Tom Claflin.
_________________________________________________________________________

February 23, 2018:  BGSU Homecoming is Oct 13, 2018, NOT on our reunion weekend. Falcons are on the road for an away game so that's even better! That will really help with hotels and restaurants for us.
Ron is looking into group rates for BG hotels; they will be posted online when available: check under "Travel & Hotel Info" tab.
Group rates are already posted for Perrysburg hotels.
_________________________________________________________________________

January 6, 2018: letter about golf event and "this day in 1968" items, submitted by John Dunipace

Dear ‘68ers:

How about some Reunion Golf, Saturday, October 6, 2018?

Tees:  We reserved tee times at Stone Ridge Golf Club, in Bowling Green, beginning at 9:00 a.m. that day. 

The Course:  Stone Ridge is one of Ohio’s great golf courses, and if you have not played it, you are missing something special.  Learn more about Stone Ridge at: http://www.stoneridgegolfclub.org/

Who Do?  Classmates, spouses, partners and significant others are invited and welcome to play and renew friendships.

Anticipated Greens Fees:  Approximate greens fee are $60 per player – payable on the date. 

Early Adopters:  We have already got commitments from Jeff Green (and Jeff’s spouse, Susan Green), Jim Sharp, Jim Shank, Tom Otley, Stan Olson, Steve Hoane, Ron Moyer, Brent Johnson, and Jerry Ryland.

In?  If you want to play, please let me know as soon as you can do – it would really help in the planning to know our count.

Gimme Dat Numma:  When you reply, please also send along your cell number so I can call you if required… or send you text messages with developments.

Get Back:  Interested?  Have questions?  Please get back to me!

On This Day in ‘68:  See below for what we did 50 years ago today [just for fun]. 

C I M.

DUNIPACE
dunipace123@roadrunner.com

Toledo Blade, January 7, 1968:
Top Forty – U. S. Number 1 Single Week of January 6, 1968:
Image result for beatles hello goodbye

 
Box Office Number 1 Film:  The Graduate