Sandra Jeakins (Singletary Sizemore)

James (Jim) Rookus

SORRY I MISSED A COUPLE OF BIRTHDAYS !!!

HAPPY BELATED BIRTHDAY TO :

JANET HITZNER FRIES          ... Feb 11

                  And

MELVIN MILLS .... Feb 12

Hope you both had a wonderful day !

Janet (Jan) Hitzner (Fries)

Thamk you so much for the great way you remember all of our birthdays.  I will add to the one being the first turning 80 Iif I remember birthdays right, I am one of the last ones to turn 79.  The years sure are passing us all by so very fast.     As a doctor who I worked for always told me go and do what you can while you can.  We have

tried to do this and I hope everyone else will too.

Happy Valentines Day

James (Jim) Rookus

So Jan ... you must have been our classes most intelligent as a grade schooler and skipped a grade to end up the youngest !😊👍🏼

Marvin Theobald

Happy Valentines Day to all of you BHS Class of 1964 friends. First, thanks to Boo for letting us know about Jack H. And to Jack, hopefully you are pain free and at inner peace. You have been very much missed at our reunions the past several years. I’m sure you, as should we all, are making the most you can of every single day. Best wishes.

Been a long drought since my last posting. Judy and I spent just shy of three weeks visiting friends and family in January as we made stops in Dallas, San Antonio, Houston area, Daphne, AL, Ponte Vedra, FL and Vero Beach, FL, and finally arriving at our February and March “home” in Key Colony Beach in the Florida Keys. We covered 3,200+ miles getting here.

There has been so much site activity that I may write a short book here to cover all that I would like to comment on. In addition to enjoying seeing the recent posts from several that we have not heard from in a while, I love the humorous cartoons that have been showing up. A special thanks to Jim Rookus for his encouragement in attempting to keep this site active and for honoring everyone on their birthday. I for one am very grateful for your contribution to keeping us connected.

It has been great to see Boo posting after such frustrating series of health events. Glad you are finally able to enjoy water and your favorite foods. We tend to take things so much for granted until we are deprived of them. Julie – Thanks for sharing your adventure list. I can’t begin to imagine the memories you have accumulated from all you have experienced in your travels. Please keep posting so we can all get a flavor of the many amazing places and people you have experienced.

Regarding the Woolworths Soda Fountain Café – I can’t help but wonder if Nancy might remember my Aunt Treva that was a waitress there around the time we were in HS. Mel and I were briefly curb hops at Steak-N-Shake in 1962. Good grief – that was 64 years ago. We followed that up with running the rides at the Miller Park Fun Fair. There was a huge reel to reel tape recorder that played non-stop organ music in the center of the merry-go-round. I’m surprised I don’t have nightmares from the agony of that. It was so cool to play a role in that part of Bloomington history. What great memories.

It was interesting to see Sue and Jan post their beliefs about being the oldest and youngest in the class. Not sure if that qualifies for some sort of special recognition but it certainly clarifies the range of ages in our 80th year celebration. Sue was born 12/29/45 and Jan 2/9/47. They both missed 1946. Guess that makes them special. Kind of the opposite being twins with the same birthday like some of our other special classmates. (That was supposed to be funny!)

To be continued in the next chapter of this book!

Marvin Theobald

Chapter 2 of today’s catchup posting “book”

Just a few loose ends. Judy and I had a very special invitation from some of our condo-friends to attend a Violin/Piano concert last Monday featuring Stella Chen. She was amazing, not only to listen to, but to watch her body movement, and face and eye expressions as she played. What a treat for us since we both enjoy classical music so much.

 Judy has a life long, very close friend who was has had some serious health setbacks in the past few days, so she flew home from Florida Thursday to get some time with her friend. She will be back in about a week. As a saying I picked up on in Texas went – In my defense  I was left unsupervised. I have already played three rounds of par three, nine hole golf in the past week. Today’s outing was in a sunny 76° paradise. I’m not that good at golf, but it is great to be able to enjoy the outdoors in mid-February. Not sure what else I can do while unsupervised. Boo - Pray for me!

To end this chapter, in an attempt to prove Jim R’s recent post and observation that in contrast I am interesting while Mel is entertaining, I offer the attached article I came across awhile back regarding a little history on the Miller Park Zoo. I hope you find it as interesting as I did (or is it “as did I?”).

BTW  - I often find Mel interesting but I think Jim is right! Mel is more entertaining.

Hope to see all of you at our class events this year.

Marvin Theobald

One more thing just for our city dwelling classmates in the winter cold:

Marvin Theobald

Regarding our August 21 Class 80^th Birthday Celebration

The website Home Page has been updated with the 2026 schedule details. The notices sent by USPS mail had an incorrect email address for contacting Sharon Green Leipold. If you emailed your RSVP, please resubmit your RSVP via email or call or text Sharon. The correct email address for Sharon is: leipold.1946@gmail.com

Marvin Theobald

It is with sad regret that I have just learned of the passing of our classmate Richard Gray. He passed at his Minier, IL home Jan 29. No public arrangements are planned. Dick has been a frequent participant in our class activities and will be missed. He always looked forward to visiting with everyone at these events.

Janet (Jan) Hitzner (Fries)

Wish I could say that all is true.  However, I moved here from Chicago, actually a half year behind Bloomington because of the school district.  But, I was good at reading and I had to read one more text book and was passed on.  I truly am not sure that that was the right decision.  As when we got older and my classmates were going to parties etc my mother would not allow me to attend alot of things because I was younger.  Ironically, my husband is also one of the youngest in his class of 1964 because he moved here from Decautr in 8th grade and was passed on.  He also felt the problems with social actities as I did.   We have made up being social with our friends.  It did make me glad that our son was born after the cut off, so I didn't have to make this decision.

Jan

David Long

David Brock

Dave--next step after talking to yourself is to have an argument with yourself and lose--that's a bad day. 

James (Jim) Rookus

HAPPY BIRTHDAY

TERRI ( BOO ) 

BAXTER WHIRRETT

HOPE YOU HAVE A

MARVLOUSE AND

BLESSED DAY !!!

Marvin Theobald

Jack Habich's wife Dee has contacted Dave and Sandy Holt to inform them that Jack passed away Friday at about 6:00 pm. Jack had many very meaningful friends in our class that will undoubtedly be severely saddened by his passing. He provided many memorable moments to many of us not only in our BHS years, but over the many years of engagement mostly centered around our class events over the subsequent years. His presence will be greatly missed. An obituary and arrangements are not yet avaiable but I will post them once known. RIP Jack.

Terri Baxter (Whirrett)

Hello Everyone:

Below is the info on Jack Habich's Service:  (from Nancy Robinson)

March 14.  ( I don't have time yet)
Knoll Crest Funeral Home

1500 S. Meyers Rd, Lombard, IL

Donations to St. Jude

Boo

Terri Baxter (Whirrett)

Jack's visitation is 1:00, service at 3:00.

Marvin Theobald

Below is Jack's obituary with arrangement details.

Obituary web link:  https://www.knollcrest.net/obituaries/Jack-Habich?obId=47333185

Jack Habich, 79, of Villa Park formerly of Bloomington, IL. Beloved husband of Deitra Habich nee Marks; loving father of Jason Habich; dear son of the late Jacob and Katarina Habich; fond brother of the late Peter (Sue) Habich; uncle of Nicole (Mike) Martin and Kate Habich.

Memorial gathering, Saturday, March 14th, 2026 from 1:00 PM until the time of memorial service at 3:00 PM at Knollcrest Funeral Home, 1500 S. Meyers Rd. (3 blks. So. of Roosevelt Rd.) Lombard. Interment private. Memorials to St. Jude Children's Hospital are appreciated.

James (Jim) Rookus

HAPPY BIRTHDAY

Mary Giermann Brucker

HOPE YOU HAVE A

GREAT AND

BLESSED DAY !!!

James (Jim) Rookus

Sandra Jeakins (Singletary Sizemore)

I saw my first Robin today in my neighbor's back yard..  I was carrying groceries in and it stayed there the whole time I was out.

Welcome Spring!

David Brock

Spring--St. Louis is a little south of Bloomington, but we have a few Robins stay the winter. Most move on --and they tend to live in Cedar tree groves.  The trees are tight and offer berries to eat.  I have seen a few more Robins lately,  but they are not harvesting worms from the yard.  I did walk the yard a week or so ago and saw 2 or 3 Daffodils poking their noses up through the mulch.  Yesterday, as I surveyed storm damage, etc. I noticed there were over 30 Daffoils up.  I grant some of the early ones are dwarf Daffodils and don't get more than 3 or 4 inches tall, but they do make nice yellow blossoms.  A hope for the next season! 

James (Jim) Rookus

HAPPY BIRTHDAY

PAUL HANSEN

HOPE YOU HAVE A

GREAT AND

BLESSED DAY !!!

Marvin Theobald

Greetings from the sunny Florida Keys. Spring must surely have arrived because I have not seen a single robin here lately, or any other time for that matter. Must be about time to start back north! Jim – I suggest you make a doctor appointment and further discuss your exercise plan in greater detail. Not suggesting you may have misunderstood but it is amazing how easy it is to misconstrue good advice.

FYI – Dianne Gardner has had years of back problems and several surgeries. She will be undergoing a relatively extensive surgery this Friday morning and is excited at the prospect of finally getting relief from her constant pain. She does not have access to internet so be aware she will not likely see any online comments or well wishes that might be made.

Below is my contribution to the humorous side of life. Seems like good advice or not! Enjoy this and every day!

Jack Keefe

It's time change weekend once again. When you go to bed tomorrow night, set your clocks ahead one hour (Remember, spring forward!). But don't forget to get up on time Sunday morning.

You may also want to change your furnace filters, your smoke and CO alarm batteries, and any computer passwords. 

And one more thing: Mark your calendars NOW -- Friday, August 21 -- for the Class of '64 birthday party. It's great company with free food and drink! RSVP to Sharon Green Leipold, so we know how much food to order. Can't wait for this!

Rodney (Rod) Hayes

Sorry to hear about Richard Gray.  I didn't know him real well, but he always seemed like a nice guy when I talked to him.  I was really sad about the passing of Jack Habich.  Jack and I ran around a lot in HS.  Him, Steve Norton, and Jack Holt had a lot of fun times.  Him and I had some great conversations at our reunions.  I'm not on Facebook, but Cheryl, my wife is, and he would stay in touch with me.  I'll miss him for sure.  Good to hear that Boo is doing well now.  I like this idea if an 80's weekend.  We normally come back every Labor Day for Cheryl's family get together, and I always go see my aunt, who is my mother's twin sister. However, my aunt just passed this past week.  She was 103.  What a hoot she was.  Anyway, we're giving some serious thought to coming in August.  Would be great to see people.  Hope ya'll up there are looking forward to seeing spring and summer.  Meanwhile, I'm going to mow my lawn next week, start the spring planting, and get the pool ready for summer.