WESTFALL GENEALOGYMy Childhood Memories-Page 9
Chapter 15-My Classmates & Other Fieldon, Otter Creek Township, and Jersey County, IL Families
I would like now to tell you about some of the neighboring families in the area of our farm in the Fieldon, Otter Creek, Rosedale, and other Jersey County communities, that I remember from my childhood years growing up in the 1940's and 1950's. Also I will include some of the families my parents told me about who lived in the area during their childhood years of the early 1900's.
My Westfall grandparents settled in the Jersey County area in 1893. My Haushalter and Kraushaar great-grandparents settled somewhat earlier, in perhaps the 1860's or 1870's. The 1870 Jersey County Census shows Haushalters living on a farm in the Fieldon area.
First I will begin with what I remember of the names of the students who attended school with me during the years from about 1949 when I started school to 1961 when I graduated from high school, and include some information about their families and my teachers. My first 7 years I attended a one room school named the Pleasant Cove Grade School which was south of Fieldon on the road that went from Fieldon to Rosedale just past the rock quarry and a mile or so across Otter Creek. The school was about 2 and half miles from our farm house.
My father had attended the same school when he was a boy in the early 1900's. It was named The Pleasant Cove School and was in Rosedale Township, Jersey County, IL. All 8 grades were taught together in just one room. Sometimes there were only 3 or 4 children for each class. My first grade teacher was Tacie Schaaf (1896-1950), the daughter of George and Rose (Bray) White. She had also taught my mother years earlier when she was a little girl at another country school a few miles away named The Franklin School. Her husband was Charles Louis (Lou) Schaaf (1889-1952) and they owned a farm in Fieldon Hollow near the rock quarry.
During the summer vacation at the end of my first grade my teacher Tacie Schaaf died in Aug. 1950 of a heart attack. My new teacher for the second grade was Mrs. Laurine Davenport (1909-1986), the daughter of William C. and Anna Mabelle Clairmont) Tice. Mrs. Davenport's husband Laverne Davenport had a farm nearby the school. Two of Mrs. Davenport's children, Mary and Gary, were about my age and in the same grade as me. Mrs. Davenport was to be my teacher until the end of my seventh grade when I went to a new larger grade school in Fieldon for my eighth grade in 1956. The grade school in Fieldon I attended had just been newly constructed that year 1956, and the one room Pleasant Cove School house was closed as were all the other one roomed school houses closed in the Jersey County, IL district at about that time I think.
My Pleasant Cove Grade School teacher Mrs. Davenport's obituary.
Laurine L. Davenport, 77, of Fieldon, died at 5:15 a.m. today, Dec. 20, 1986, at Jersey Community Hospital. Born in Goodlan, Ind., the daughter of the late William C. and Anna Mabelle (Clairmont) Tice, she was a school teacher in the Unit 100 School District for 18 years, retiring in 1958. She married LaVern Davenport on Feb. 1, 1929 in Jerseyville. He preceded her in death on Jan. 5, 1981. Surviving are five sons, Leslie Lavern and Gary Leon, both of Jerseyville, Donald Ray of Beckemeyer, Herbert Lee of Macon, Ga., and James David of Fieldon; one daughter Marilyn Kay Pruitt of Fieldon; 12 grandchildren; 11 great-grandchilden; and one brother, Clarence Tice of Anderson, Ind. Visitation will be from 4 to 9 p.m. Sunday at Jacoby Brothers Funeral Home in Jerseyville. Funeral services will be at p.m. Monday at Gospel Assembly Church in Jerseyville. Burial will be in Fieldon Cemetery and memorials may be given to the Fieldon First Baptist Church of which she was a member.
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Some of the students who attended Pleasant Cove Grade School with me were Gary, Marilyn, and James Davenport who were the children of Laurine (My Teacher) and Laverne Davenport who owned a farm at the top a big hill just south of the school. I didn't attend school with their other children Donald and Leslie Davenport who were older than me. Their father Laverne Davenport was born July 16, 1900 in Otterville, a son of Walter & Mary (Dabbs) Davenport. He died 01-05-1981 in Jersey County, IL. His wife Laurine L. (Tice) Davenport was born 8-23-1909 in Goodlan, Ind., the daughter of the late William C. and Anna Mabelle (Clairmont) Tice. She died died Dec. 20, 1986, at Jersey Community Hospital. They are both buried at Fieldon Cemetery.
Other students who attended the Pleasant Cove Grade School with me were Joan Schaaf and Edna Schaaf the children of William and Cora (Legate) Schaaf who owned a farm right next to the school. Their father William C. Schaaf was born 5-16-1911, and died 7-13-1993 in Jersey County, IL. He was the son of Leslie and Ruth (Levi) Schaaf. His wife Cora (Legate) Schaaf was a daughter of Harry and Alma (Suddeth) Legate. She is deceased. She was born 11-21-1918. They are both buried in the Fieldon cemetery.
Also attending the Pleasant Cove Grade School with me were Charlie Schaaf, Robert Schaaf, Donald Schaaf, and Kenneth Schaaf the children of Julius (Dude) Schaaf and his wife Alice who lived on a farm between the school and Otter Creek. Their father Julius "Dude" Schaaf was born in 1816 in Jersey County, IL. He died in 1968 in Jersey County, IL. His burial was at Fieldon Cemetery. He was the son of Henry Isom and Adah (Young) Schaaf.
Other students who attended Pleasant Cove Grade School with me were Betty Stemmler and Donald Stemmler the children of Ted and Gladys (Plummer) Stemmler who owned a farm south of the Pleasant Cove Grade School on the road toward Rosedale at the foot of Stemmler Hill. Their father Theodore (Ted) Stemmler was born in 1904 in Jersey County, IL, and died in 1970 in Jersey County, IL. He was the son August and Anna (Groppel) Stemmler. His wife Gladys Naomi (Plummer) Stemmler was born 1-15-1909 In Hardin, IL. She was the daughter of Joshua "Wad" and Hettie (Blackorby) Plummer. She died 4-24-1999 at Jerseyville Manor Nursing Home in Jerseyville, IL. They are both buried at Fieldon Cemetery.
The John Camerer family also lived near the Stemmler farm down a road that went south at the foot of Stemmler Hill, and also lived for awhile on a place they rented from my Uncle Jasper Westfall near my parent's farm south of Fieldon. John Camerer and his wife Vera (Davis) Camerer's son William "Bill" Camerer attended Pleasant Cove Grade School with me. John and Vera (Davis) Camerer's other children Carroll Dean Camerer, Paul Camerer, Loraine Camerer, and Bona Camerer attended Fieldon Grade School and rode the bus with me at the time. John Camerer worked at the rock quarry in Fieldon Hollow where my father sometimes worked. John H. Camerer was born Nov. 26, 1915 in Eldred, IL, and died May 16, 1991 in St. Anthony's Hospital in Alton. He was a son of John B. and Rosetta (Graham) Camerer. His wife Vera M. (Davis) Camerer was born Jan. 29, 1919 in Pearl, IL, and died Tuesday, Aug. 16, 1994 in Jersey Community Hospital in Jerseyville. She was the daughter of Edward and Emma (Silkwood) Davis. They are both buried in Green Pond Cemetery at Pearl, IL.
(Note: Carroll Dean Camerer, Phillip Camerer, Paul Camerer, and Bona Camerer are deceased.)---------------
Carroll Dean Camerer's obituary - Carroll Dean Camerer, 64, died unexpected Sunday morning, April 8, 2001 in Calhoun County. He was born in Pearl on March 10, 1937, the son of the late John and Vera (Davis) Camerer. As a young boy Camerer grew up and attended school in Pearl, before his family moved to the Fieldon area. As soon as he could, he entered the U. S. Navy where he served for five years. After his return to civilian life he held several occupations the Fieldon Rock Quarry and the Grafton Boat Works, before becoming a welder at Federal Steel in East Alton, retiring in 1994. He married the former Shirley Ann Breitweiser on Nov. 27, 1981 in Rosedale, and she survives. Also surviving are a step son and his wife, Randy and Terry Barnes of Jerseyville; four step grandchildren, April Barnes of Benton, Nathan R. Barnes, stationed with the U.S. Marines in Twenty Nine Palms, Calif., Billy and Randy Barnes Jr., both of Jerseyville; one step great-grandson, Aaron William Barnes; one sister, Loraine Suttles of Wichita, Kan.; and two brothers, Paul Camerer of Jerseyville and Bill Camerer of Michael. Preceding him in death were a dear friend and companion, Isabelle Ontis, a brother, Phillip Camerer, and a sister, Bona Lambert. Visitation will be from 4 to 8 p.m. Wednesday at Crawford Funeral Home in Jerseyville, where funeral services will be conducted at 11 a.m. Thursday. He will be laid to rest with full military graveside rites conducted by the Jerseyville American Legion Post 492 and VFW Post 4528 at the Green Pond Cemetery in Pearl. Memorial may be given to the American Diabetes Association.
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Paul E. Camerer's obituary - Paul E. Camerer, 71, died at 7:13 a.m. Friday, Jan. 28, 2011, at his residence. He was born Nov. 30, 1939, in Pearl, and was the son of the late John and Vera (Davis) Camerer. Paul was raised in Pearl, and when he was in the eighth grade, his family moved to the Fieldon area, where he began his schooling. A U.S. Navy veteran, he began working at the Clark Service Station in Jerseyville, and retired in 1982 as manager. He had a love for antique gas engines, and was a member of the Tri County Antique Club. He married the former Phyllis Lambert on March 16, 1962, in Carrollton, and she survives.
Also surviving are a son and daughter-in-law, Mike and Barbara Camerer of Greenville; a daughter and son-in-law, Janye and Mike Bone of Jerseyville; four grandsons, Keith Bray and his fiancee, Johana Vasek of Oklahoma, Scott, Dustin and David Bone of Jerseyville; three stepgrandchildren, Rebecca Herrin of Cottage Hills, Will Mundy of Greenville and Pam Mundy of Alton; a brother, William Camerer of Costa Rica; a sister, Loraine Garner of Mulvane, Kan.; a sister-in-law, Shirley Camerer of Jerseyvile; and a brother-in-law and sister-in-law, George and Linda Lambert of Kane; along with numerous nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his parents, two brothers, Philip Dale Camerer and Carroll Dean Camerer; and a sister, Bona Lambert. Visitation will be from 4 to 8 p.m. Monday, Jan. 31, at the Crawford Funeral Home in Jerseyville, where funeral services will be conducted at 9 a.m. Tuesday, Feb. 1. Burial will be in the Grimes-Neeley Cemetery in Jerseyville, with Jerseyville American Legion Post 492 conducting military graveside rites. Memorials may be given to the Blessing Hospice or to the Jersey County Health Department.
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Note: I received the following email from one of my former classmates William "Bill" Camerer [email protected], son of John and Vera (Davis) Camerer, who attended Pleasant Cove, Fieldon, and Jerseyville High School with me in the 1950's, and shared some of his memories of his schooldays and later life.------------("Hi Walter -- This is Bill Camerer -- Will try to catch up on a few of my memories. I went to the 1st & 2nd� grades at Pearl. Dad rented a place from a Jasper (Jap) Westfall & started working at the rock quarry. I went to Pleasant Cove school, but Dean, Loraine, Paul & Bona went to Fieldon. I wanted to go with my sister & brother but they wouldn"t let me. I went to Pleasant Cove til the 6th grade. We had moved to the August Feraud Farm, next to Truman Groppel farm, at the bottom of Stemmler hill. That was just past the Velma Groppel farm. I would ride the bus to school, but would walk home. I remember going to field day at�the first public school in Illinois., where we would compete with other children. I dont remember the name of that little town. You & Dale Stiles were the only one big enough to hit the softball over the back fence. Mrs Davenport was a fine teacher. I always wanted to ring the bell after recess, but that was a privilage given to a few. Dad quit the farm & started working at Principia College in Elsah. I went to the 7th grade there. We moved again next to the Bill Gettings farm on Fieldon hill where I went to school at Fieldon for the 8th grade. Then we moved to Velma Groppels apple orchard, just going down the Fieldon hollow towards the rock quarry. There I started High School in Jerseyville. I quit in my jr year as I was not doing very well on my grades. We then moved to Naples Illinois where I signed up for the draft & joined the Navy at the same time. I went to bootcamp in Chicago & got stationed on the Uss Enterprise cva (n) 65 our first nuclear powered aircraft carrier. She was not quite finished being built in Newport News Naval Shipyard so I had temporary duty at Norfolk & Oceana Naval Airstation. I am among the first crew when she went into comission. I was in crew 11 on the hangardeck, seatrials just out side of Boston Mass., then Guantanamo Bay, then back to Norfolk. During my 4 years aboard we went to the Med. twice, Italy, France, Spain, Scicily, Greek islands, Turkey. On Operation Sea Orbit, with the Bainbridge & Other Nuke powered surface ships we went around the world, Sydney Australia, Karachi Pakastan & Rio de Janireo. There is a lot of water out there Walter. Right after I got out of the Navy I got married & worked at Carlinville Illinois at Valley Steel, then I worked a gas station right across the Alton bridge Hudson Oil Gas�Station. Quit there for a better job at Alcan Shotshells & Reloading. Had 2 daughters, Dawn & Melissa. Then started working at the Owins Illinois Glassworks as a floorboy. Got a divorce & Joined the Navy again. Stationed at Guantanamo Bay Cuba on Leeward Point as a member of the crash crew. 1 year enough said on that. Then went to a Squadron. VA 85�ATTACKRON85 A6 aircraft. Was training to be a plane captain. Got married to a woman that had 3 kids & she & I had one more daughter Rachel. I worked for my brother Paul at the Clark Gas�Station in Jerseyville for awhile. Then I worked at Sunderland Chevrolet & Burlington Northern Rail Road.")------
The Hosie Holder family also attended Pleasant Cove Grade School with me. They lived near the Stemmler farm down a road that went south at the foot of Stemmler Hill. I don't remember the names of all the Holder children. I remember Claude Holder, and Howard Holder, but there were other Holder children who's names I can't remember.
Archie Cain and his wife Lorine DeClue Cain and their family also lived in a house on a hill near the school. The Cain children that attended Pleasant Cove Grade School with me were Glenn Cain, Wilbur Cain, Dorothy Cain, Rose Cain, Geraldine Cain, and Bob Cain. They also had an older son Charles Cain and older daughter Erma Jean Cain, and a younger daughter Barbara Cain who I didn't attend school with. Archie Cain worked at the rock quarry and the family also attended the Nutwood church that we attended. Archie Albert Cain was born July 1, 1916 in Potosi, Mo. He was the son of John William and Julie Elizabeth (Jackson) Cain. He died 11-14-82 at his residence, R. 1, Fieldon, Nov. 14, 1982. His wife Lorene (DeClue) Cain was born 4-22-1920, and died 8-4-1991. She was the daughter of Joseph Clarence and Mary Frances (Boyer) DeClue. They are both buried at Fieldon Cemetery.
On the hill south of the Pleasant Cove Grade School on the road that went to the Davenport farm also lived the Pearl and Effie (Wandrei) Roady family. There was Frances Roady, Howard Roady, and Edwin Roady who attended Pleasant Cove Grade School with me for a few years before they moved. Their father Pearl Roady was born in Jersey County, IL, the son of Solomon T. and Rosetta (Franz) Roady. His wife Effie M. (Wandrei) Roady was born July 17, 1915, to Phillip and Minda (Likes) Wandrei. She died Oct. 19, 2004, at Jerseyville Manor Nursing Home in Jerseyville. She is buried at Fieldon Cemetery.
(Note: Howard Roady and his sister Frances Roady are deceased. Both attended Jersey Community High School with me, and Frances Roady graduated from Jersey Community High School with me in 1961.)------------------
Howard L. "Charlie" Roady's obituary - Howard L. "Charlie" Roady, 66, died at 3:32 a.m. Monday, Jan. 26, 2004, at his home after a long battle with lung cancer. He was born Dec. 13, 1937, in Fieldon to Effie (Wandrei) Springman of Jerseyville and Pearl Roady. He married the former Pam Wingo on April 18, 1968, in Jerseyville. She survives. A 1956 graduate of Jersey Community High School, he soon entered the U.S. Navy, where he served his country during the Korean War and was stationed on the USS Columbus. A very active and dedicated member of the Jerseyville community, he was a 25-year member of the Moose Lodge 695 andthe Elks Lodge 954, was instrumental in the formation of the Jerseyville D.A.R.E. program and was a longtime member of the Jerseyville Chamber of Commerce, serving as president in 1989. He was a general contractor most of his life, owning and operating Roady Construction for more than 30 years. Later, he also included the First Check Home Improvement Service, as well as a real estate agent through Homes of America Realty. In addition to his wife, he is survived by his mother, who lives in Jerseyville; six sons and daughters-in-law, Mike of Boring, Ore., Waney and Lorrie Roady of Kane, Kyle Roady of Jerseyville, Rodney Roady of Farmington Hills, Mich., Ricky and Jenny of Brightwood, Ore., and Mitchell Roady at home; 10 grandchildren; two brothers and sisters-in-law, Phil and Deanne Roady of Taylorville, Ill.,and Edwin and Susan Roady of Taft, Calif; and a sister and brother-in-law, Hilda and Gerald Hoffstetter of Schnectady, N.Y. He was preceded in death by his father; a daughter, Dawn Louise Roady, on Feb. 27, 1983; a sister, Rosalie Frances Mueller; maternal grandparents, Phillip and Minda Wandrei; and paternal grandparents, Solomon and Rosetta Roady. Visitation was from 4 to 8 p.m., with a rosary recited at 7:30 p.m., Thursday at the Crawford Funeral Home in Jerseyville. A Mass of Christian Burial will take place at 10 a.m. Friday at the Holy Ghost Catholic Church in Jerseyville. Father D. Patrick Gibbons officiated. Burial was at Oak Grove Cemetery in Jerseyville, with military graveside rites conducted by the Jerseyville American Legion Post 492. Memorials may be given to St. Francis/Holy Ghost Catholic Schools or to the Jerseyville D.A.R.E. program.-------------------
Rosalee "Frances" (Roady) Mueller's obituary - Rosalee "Frances" (Roady) Mueller, 60, former Jerseyville resident, died Wednesday, Nov. 26, 2003, at her home. She was born May 7, 1943, in Jerseyville to Effie (Roady) Springman and Pearl Roady. She was an office manager for Hall State Realty in St. Louis for 16 years. She is survived by her mother, who lives in Jerseyville; her husband, William J. Mueller of O'Fallon, Mo.; two daughters, Michele McCallister of Overland and Laura Lyons of St. Louis; a son and daughter-in-law, Robert E. and Carol Lyon Jr. of O'Fallon, Mo.; eight grandchildren; three brothers, Howard Roady and his wife, Pam, of Jerseyville, Phillip Roady and his wife, Deanne, of Taylorville, Ill., and Edwin Roady and his wife, Susan, of Taft, Calif.; and a sister, Hilda Hoffstetter,and her husband, Gerald, of Schnectady, N.Y. Services were Dec. 2 at Baue Funeral Home in O'Fallon, followed by burial at Jefferson Barracks National Cemetery in St. Louis. Memorials may be made to Blind Institution, care of Delta Gamma, 530 McRee, St. Louis, MO 63110, or to Baue Funeral Home, 311 Wood St., O'Fallon, MO 63366.
Later the McDonald family lived where the Roady family had lived, and I attended Pleasant Cove Grade School with Robert McDonald and Ernie McDonald.
The Mannie Stiles family lived at the top of Stemmler Hill on the Rosedale road above the Stemmler farm. I went to Pleasant Cove Grade School with their children Leroy Stiles, Dale Stiles, George Stiles, and a Stiles girl who's name I don't remember. Their father Mannie A. Stiles was born in 1906 and died in 1974 in Jersey County IL. He is buried at Rosedale Cemetery.
Also little farther down the road toward Rosedale lived the Reynolds family. I attended Pleasant Cove Grade School with Francis Reynolds who was my age and also his sisters Norma Reynolds, Helen Reynolds, Fern Marie Reynolds, Irene Reynolds, and Cora Mae Reynolds. There were also 2 Reynolds older brothers who's names I don't remember. They were older than me and I didn't attend school with them. Raymond Miller and his sister Peggy, who's father was Robert (Bob) C. Miller, also attended Pleasant Cove School with me. Robert (Bob) C. Miller married Norma Reynolds 10-17-1951, and later married her sister Fern Marie Reynolds 3-21-1956, and they lived with the Reynolds family. Later the Reynolds family moved from where they had lived on the Rosedale road to just down the road from our farm on some land they leased from my Uncle Jasper Westfall. The Langley family moved into the house on the road to Rosedale where the Reynolds family had lived, and I went to school with their children, Merle Langley and Helen Langley. Helen Langley later married Francis Reynolds. Mrs. Reynolds was the former Bertha Fletcher. Bertha (Fletcher) Reynolds was born in 1907 and died in 1964 in Jersey County, IL. She was buried at Rosedale Cemetery. Her brother Elmer Fletcher married Lola Miller who was the daughter of Bob Miller's brother. Bob Miller's brother and family attended the same church in Nutwood, IL that my parents and I attended.
Later in 1956 and 1957 I attended the eighth grade at the new school that was built in Fieldon. The one roomed school at Pleasant Cove was closed down at that time. Some of the children that I remember who attended school with me at the Fieldon Grade School and also later at Jerseyville High School were Ed Hetzel the son of Andrew Hetzel (Floyd Hetzel, a brother to his father, married my cousin Lillie Westfall). His father Andrew A. Hetzel was born in Jersey County, IL, the son of George and Katherine (Lenz) Hetzel. He died 7-22-1985 in Jersey County, IL. He is buried in Oak Grove Cemetery in Jerseyville, IL.
Other children who attended the Fieldon Grade School with me were William E. Heraty. He also attended High School with me, and graduated from Jersey Community High School with me in 1961.
(Note: William E. Heraty is deceased.)
William E. Heraty was born 5-8-1943, and died 7-9-1970. He is buried at Grimes-Neely Cemetery. His parents were William and Bertha (Fraley) Heraty. His father William Heraty was born in 1912 and died in 1969. His mother Bertha (Fraley) Heraty was born 8-3-1918, the daughter of Earl and Effie (McDow) Fraley. She died 10-13-2004. Both of William Heraty's parents are buried at Grimes-Neely Cemetery. He was a US Army Veteran.
Other children who attended the Fieldon Grade School with me were Gary Hoffstetter. His parents were Wilbert and Esther Hoffstetter. His father Wilbert Hoffstetter operated the rock quarry in Fieldon Hollow at that time where my father had worked, and they lived in a house near the quarry that had previously been owned by my 1st grade teacher Tacie Schaaf and her husband Lou Schaaf. His father Wilbert G. Hoffstetter died 2-21-1956. His mother Esther S. Hoffstetter (I don't know her maiden name) died 6-16-1990. Both of his parents are buried in Oak Grove Cemetery in Jerseyville, IL.
Other children who attended the Fieldon Grade School with me were Ellen Marie Scoggins.
(Note: Ellen Marie Scoggins is deceased. She was born 10-14-1942, and died 3-7-1975. She married Donald Stemmler son of Theodore and Gladys (Plummer) Stemmler. She is buried at Fieldon Cemetery, Richwood Township, Jersey County, IL.)
Other children who attended the Fieldon Grade School with me were Gary Scott and Ronald Lee Scott (deceased) the sons of Robert L. Scott and Mildred Reedy. Their father Robert L. Scott was born 8-10-1925 in Jersey County, IL, and died 5-14-1981. He is is buried in White Cemetery. Their father Robert L. Scott's parents were Pearl R. Scott born 6-16-1903, died 6-3-1980, and Anna Mae (Henson) Scott born 6-15-1902, died 2-2-1985. Pearl and Anna Mae (Henson) Scott are both buried at White Cemetery, Otter Creek Townhip, Jersey County, IL.
(Note: Ronald Lee Scott is deceased--Ronald Lee Scott was born 10-30-1944, the son of Robert L. Scott, and died 12-22-1984 at age 40. He was buried at White Cemetery. He was a US Army veteran.)
Other children who attended the Fieldon Grade School with me were Ronald Skinner son of William Leonard and Ruby (Isringhausen) Skinner. His father William Leonard Skinner was born 5-26-1916 and died 3-9-1992. He farmed in the Fieldon area. His mother Ruby (Isringhausen) Skinner was born 11-13-1918. She is deceased. Both his parents are buried at Fieldon Cemetery.
Other children who attended the Fieldon Grade School with me were Edward Depper (his parents Edward and Doris Depper owned a farm near us. His father Edward R. Depper was the son of Edward and Lucy (Reed) Depper.
Other children who attended the Fieldon Grade School with me were Anthony Joe Kanallakan. His parents were Fred and Stella (Isringhausen) Kanallakan. His father Fred A. Kanallakan was a son of the late Fred and Hannah (Munsterman) Kanallakan and was born in Jersey county on 2 March 1900, and died 28 October 1965. He was a farmer of Rosedale township. His interment was in St. Mary's cemetery.
Other children who attended the Fieldon Grade School with me were Fred Gilman and Robert Gilman (their father was William Gilman who farmed in the Fieldon area)--their parents were William David Gilman and Naomi E. (Groppel) Gilman. Their father Willam David Gilman died 12-15-1990 age 73 at Jersey Comunity Hospital in Jerseyville, IL. He was born in Elvins, MO, the son of George S. and Mary Louise (Usher) Gilman. He is buried at Fieldon Cemetery, Richwood Township, Jersey County, IL. Their mother Charles and Hettie (Isringhausen) Groppel's daughter Naomi E. (Groppel) Gilman was born 6-12-1918 in Fieldon, Richwood Township, Jersey County, IL. She died 4-24-2006 at her home in Jersey County, IL. She is buried at Fieldon Cemetery.
Other children who attended the Fieldon Grade School with me were Anita Fraley (her father Wilbert Fraley had a farm in the Fieldon area and was a brother to Stewart Fraley who had a farm near our farm). Her parents were Wilbert and Neva (Stone) Fraley. Her father Wilbert Theodore Fraley, 86, died at 9:35 a.m. Monday, Dec. 11, 2006, at his home with his family by his side. Born July 10, 1920, in Jersey County, he was the son of Earl R. and Effie A. (McDow) Fraley. On Aug. 9, 1941, he married the former Neva Stone, who died July 27, 1993. His burial was in Grimes-Neely Cemetery.
Other children who attended the Fieldon Grade School with me were Glen Cain, Dorothy Cain, Rose Cain, Wilbur Cain, Gary Davenport, and Marilyn Davenport.
Other children who attended the Fieldon Grade School with me were Connie Sue Morrison. She also attended High School with me, and graduated from Jersey Community High School with me in 1961.
(Note: Connie Sue Morrison is deceased.)---------------
Connie Sue (Morrison) Parsell's obituary - Connie Sue (Morrison) Parsell, 58, died at 11:45 p.m. Thursday, Jan. 10, 2002, at Christian Hospital Northeast in St. Louis County. Born Sept. 23, 1943, in Alton, she was a daughter of the late Lawrence F. and Marjorie (Harmon) Morrison. She was reared on the family farm near Fieldon and graduated from Jersey Community High School in 1961 and attended Southern Illinois University. She married Gene Parsell Nov. 20, 1965, at the Fieldon United Church of Christ, and they enjoyed 36 years together. A homemaker, she enjoyed being at home with her family and grandchildren, and, in her spare time, she enjoyed sewing, cooking and playing cards. In addition to her husband, surviving are two daughters and a son-in-law, Clara and Dr. Nizar Assi of Town and Country, Mo., and Julie Parsell of St. Louis; four grandchildren, Tara, Talia, Sami and Grace Assi; a brother and sister-in-law, Gary and Joyce Morrison of Fieldon; six sisters and brothers-in-law, Janet and Richard Gilworth of Jerseyville, Barbara and Sam Scott of Kirkwood, Mo., Carol and Tom Vogel of Creve Coeur, Mo., Beverly Phillips, Karen and Pat Heitzig, all of Alton, and Patricia and Bob Wietzel of Ardmore, Tenn.; and a sister-in-law, Beverly Morrison of Taylorville. She was preceded in death by a brother, George Morrison. Visitation will be from 5 to 9 p.m. today at Crawford Funeral Home in Jerseyville. Funeral services will be conducted at 2 p.m. Sunday at the Fieldon United Church of Christ. Burial will be in Gunterman Cemetery, near Fieldon. Memorials may be given to the Connie Morrison Parsell Scholarship Fund, which will assist young health career students.------------Connie Sue (Morrison) Parsell's father Lawrence Morrison farmed in the Fieldon area. Her parents were Lawrence and Majorie (Harmon) Morrison. Her father Lawrence F. Morrison was the son of George and Tillie (Andris) Morrison. He was born 9-6-1909 in Fieldon, Richwood Township, Jersey County, IL. He died in June 1986. He is buried at Gunterman Cemetery, Richwood Township, Jersey County, IL.
Other children who attended the Fieldon Grade School with me were Naomi Ayres (her parents were Ralph and Hazel (Russell) Ayers, and she was the grandaughter of Justus Russell who's wife Olivia was pastor at the Nutwood Church we attended). Her parents were Ralph and Hazel Mae (Russell) Ayres. Her father Ralph V. Ayres was the son of Clarence Herbert and Grace (Wrigley) Ayres. He was born in Jersey County, IL. He died 4-20-1982 in Jersey County, IL. He is buried in Oak Grove Cemetery in Jerseyville, IL. He married Hazel Mae (Russell) Ayres 12-10-1938 in St. Charles, MO. His wife - Hazel Mae (Russell) Ayres, 81, died at 9:15 a.m. Tuesday, July 22, 2003, at Jersey Community Hospital inJerseyville. She was born Sept. 3, 1921, in Jersey County, one of three children born to Andrew Justice and Alice (Kirchner) Russell. Her burial was in Oak Grove Cemetery.
Other children who attended the Fieldon Grade School with me were Vernis Schaaf the son of Bert Schaaf and Alma Ellen (Flatt) Schaaf. His father Bert Schaaf was the son of Leslie James Schaaf and Ruth (Levi) Schaaf. His mother Alma Ellen (Flatt) Schaaf was the daughter of Raymond and Eva Ellen (Reynolds) Flatt. His father farmed in Fieldon, IL area.
Other children who attended the Fieldon Grade School with me were Charlie Schaaf, Donald Schaaf, Kenneth Schaaf, Marie Pruitt, William Dugger, Donna Krueger, Sharon Deverger (deceased), and Naomi Wilkinson.
Other children who attended the Fieldon Grade School with me were Ferne Devening. Her parents were Paul and Elsie (Blackorby) Devening. Her father Paul Devening died 11-19-1979. He was born May 4, 1919 in Jersey County, a son of Lee & Katie (Hamilton) Devening. Her mother Elsie Winona (Blackorby) Devening died 11-23-1989 at Greenwood Manor Nursing Home in Jerseyville. Born in Calhoun County, she was the daughter of the late Willis Braid & Mary E. (Ibuchanan) Blackorby. They are both buried at Fieldon Cemetery.
Other children who attended the Fieldon Grade School with me were Francis Reynolds, Raymond Miller, Peggy Miller, and Nancy Mundy--her parents were Charles Wesley Mundy and Julia (Pitchford) Mundy. Her father was born in Jersey County March 7 1916, and died 04-30-1979. His Burial was in Oak Grove cemetery.
Other children who attended the Fieldon Grade School with me were Robert (Bobby) Lewis Plummer.
(Note: Robert Lewis Plummer is deceased.)---------------
Robert Lewis Plummer was born 5-21-1942, and died 7-18-1972. He is buried at Rosedale Cemetery. He was the son of Cecil (Mike) Plummer and Alma June (Crull) Plummer. His father Cecil (Mike) Plummer was born 4-2-1912, the son of Joshua Plummer. He died 7-20-1997. Robert Lewis Plummer's mother Alma June (Crull) Plummer was born 6-19-1923 in Jersey County, IL, the daughter of Ezra and Leola (Meyers) Crull. She died 6-19-1984 in Alton, IL. Both of Robert Lewis Plummer's parents are buried at Rosedale Cemetery.
Other children who attended the Fieldon Grade School with me were Maurice Williams (his father Maurice Williams had a farm in Fieldon Hollow and was trucker who often hauled our livestock to market), and Bill Kraushaar who was the son of my mother's cousin Bill Kraushaar Sr. and Sylvia (Carter) Kraushaar. His father William (Bill) Kraushaar was born in 1902 in Jersey County, IL, the son of Frank and Ida (Houseman) Kraushaar. He died in 1962 in Jersey County, IL. His mother Sylvia (Carter) Kraushaar was born 9-3-1910. She died 10-17-1984. They are both buried in the Fieldon Cemetery.
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Some of the teachers I remember at that time in 1956 and 1957 when I attended the Fieldon Grade School were Mrs. Krueger, Mrs. John (Helen) Scott, Mrs. Herschel (Lida) Medford, and Alfred Fessler who was the principal and also taught the Eighth Grade at the Fieldon Grade School at that time.
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My Fieldon Grade School Teacher Mrs. Scott's obituary.
Helen G. Scott Helen G. Scott, 86, died at 6:15 a.m. Friday, Nov. 30, 2001, at Jerseyville Nursing and Rehabilitation Center. She was born Feb. 5, 1915, in Jersey County, the daughter of Herman and Katie Mae (Minesinger) Gerson, both deceased. She married John Scott on April 5, 1933, in Jerseyville. He died Nov. 10, 1997. She taught in Fieldon in Unit 100 Community School District for more than 28 years, until retiring in 1980. She was a member of United Church of Christ of Fieldon. She also was a member of Retired Teachers Association, Jersey County Historical Society, Jersey County Home Extension and the Church Quilting Guild and a former member of Business and Professional Women. Surviving are a son and daughter-in-law, Gerald and Terri Scott of Fieldon; six grandchildren; one stepgrandson; 19 great-grandchildren; and nine great-great grandchildren. In addition to her husband, she was preceded in death by one son, Robert Eugene Scott, and one sister, Bessie Imogene Gerson. Visitation will be from 4 to 8 p.m. today at Gubser Funeral Home in Jerseyville and from 9:30 to 10:30 a.m. on Tuesday at United Church of Christ in Fieldon, where services will be held at 10:30 a.m. Tuesday. Burial will be at Fieldon Cemetery. Memorials may be made to United Church of Christ.
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My Fieldon eighth Grade School teacher and principal Mr. Fessler's obituary.
Alfred R. Fessler, 78, died at 4:50 p.m. Friday, May 24, 2002, at Eunice Smith Nursing Home in Alton. He was born Feb. 22, 1924, in Elsah to George W. and Mary (Northcutt) Fessler. He married the former Kathryn Marie Leuking Feb. 22, 1947, in Bunker Hill. She survives. A World War II Air Force veteran, he served from 1942 to 1945 in the North African and European theaters, attaining the rank of sergeant. In 1949 he earned his bachelor of science degree from Millikin University in Decatur and in 1955 earned his master of science degree from Western Illinois University in Macomb. He taught in Kenney, Ill., and in Jersey County public schools for 36 years, retiring in 1985. He was a member of Delhi Baptist Church, where he served for many years as a Bible teacher and deacon. Surviving, in addition to his wife, are two daughters, Mary Holgate of Tampa, Fla., and Katherine L. Fessler of Mesquite, Texas; a son, Mark L. Fessler of Naperville, Ill.; seven grandchildren, James and Rebecca Fessler and Lee, Joshua, Brian, Megan and Steven Holgate; two brothers, J. Kenneth and Jack Fessler, both of Godfrey; and a stepgreat-grandchild, Daniel Holgate. Besides his parents, preceding him in death were a son, George R. Fessler; a grandson, Christopher Carter; a sister, Anna Mae Wendle; and three brothers, Clarence, Herbert and William LaVerne Fessler. Visitation will be from 4 to 8 p.m. today at Gubser Funeral Home in Jerseyville. Services will be at 10 a.m. Wednesday at Delhi Baptist Church, and Rev. Ron Phillips will officiate. Burial will be at Jefferson Barracks National Cemetery in St. Louis, with full military honors by the U.S. Air Force. Memorials may be made to Delhi Baptist Church.
This little poem was inscribed beneath my senior year picture in my 1961 Jerseyville High School yearbook:
Our Walter seeks Utopia,
A wilderness we'er told,
Where he could hunt and fish at will,
And live by panning gold.The following names are from my 1961 yearbook of my Senior classmates and some under classmates who attended Jersey Community High School in Jerseyville, IL with me.-----------
They were Herbert Gene Abbott, Michael Agles (deceased), Barbara Ann Addy, Patsy Ann Alexander, Gary Bruce Allen, Joe Dean Allen, Phyllis Dawn Atchison (deceased), George Thomas Andes, Jerry Bates, Naomi Kay Ayres, Joyce Ann Bean (deceased), Richard Carl Beiermann, Marilyn Joan Bertman, Dorothy Lorraine Blackorby, Jack Dale Bland, Leva Pearleen Blasa, Michael Brainerd, Mary Frances Brakeville, Robert William Brinker, Mary Marcella Briggs, Juanita Louise Brown, Cyrus Jay Bunting, Robert Eugene Busker, Mary Bell Butkovich (deceased), James Cadle III, Glennwood Archie Cain, James Ralph Chandler, James Harry Charow, Nancy Jane Cope, Beverly June Colman, Judy Ann Crow, Jackie Lee Crowder, Sharon Kay Cory, Delby Oscar Darr, Gary Leon Davenport, Marilyn Davenport, Dale Richard Dawdy, Sharon Kaye Deverger (deceased), Ferne Audrey Devening, Margaret Elaine Dierking (deceased), Edward Reed Depper, William Forrest Duncan Jr., Robert Laverne Dunham, Alvis Franklin Dunham, Judy East, Raymond Earl Eakes (deceased), Carol Elizabeth Egelhoff, Heidie Craig Egelhoff, Judith Marian Erwin, Byron Clayborne English, Sandra Marie Fallin, Judith Elaine Flowers, Anita Marie Fraley, Marlene Ainsley Frost, Neil Jan Franklin, Edwin Joseph Garrison, Judy Kay Gabbett, Carol Sue Gettings, David LaMarr Gammaitoni, Donna Kay Georgevits, Robert Eugene Gilman, Gail Richard Gisy (deceased), Phyllis Jean Goeman, Karen Kay Gorman, Roberta Lee Gray, Pauline Fay Greeling, Judith Fay Gross, Robert Jules G'Sell, Barbara Jean Guenther, Barbara Ann Hagan, JoAnn Hagan, Robert Halter (deceased), Barbara Hanneken, Roger Harp (deceased), James Lee Hayden, Gary Hayes, William Earl Heraty (deceased), Edward Andrew Hetzel, Geraldine Kaye Heitzman (deceased), Sharon Kay Herring, Wanda Marie Hinson (deceased), Judith Ann Hoffman, Ruth Ann Huett, Judith Diane Hyslop Holmes, Frank Huff, Lois Marie Isringhausen, Janie Lou Jennings, Anthony Joe Kanallakan, Donna Kay Krueger.
Other Senior classmates were Jack Kallal, Patricia Earleen Kuhl, Harold Joseph Koenig, Virginia Irene Lahr, Ruth Ann Kappler, Kenneth Clayton Lane, John Daniel Little (deceased), Phyllis Jean Loellke, Roger Wayne Long, Carolyn Sue Looper (deceased), Nicole Loestetter, Kathaleen Looper, Carol Lurton (deceased), Judith Ellen Luke, Sherman Frank Lyles (deceased), Charles Quincy McClary, Francis Wayne McDaniels, June Marie McIntire (deceased), Steven Blair McKay, Mary Katherine Katherine McKinney, Tom Molloy, Patricia Marie Maness (deceased), Iva Joan Margeson, John Baptiste Mathis Jr. (deceased), Connie Sue Morrison (deceased), Frances Eileen Perdun, Barbara Lee Pointer, Judy Kay Powell, David Lee Pratt, Marie Joanne Pruitt, Phillip Wayne Quinn, Richard Eugene Quinn, Shirley Ellen Rankin, Richard Joseph Raftis (his grandmother Martha (Hewitt) Raftis was a sister to my uncle William A. Hewitt who was the husband of my Aunt Freda (Kraushaar) Hewitt), Virgil Harold Griffin (my cousin, deceased), Rosalee Frances Roady (deceased), Frederic Kenneth Robinson, Marilyn Louise Rue (deceased), Robert Erwin Ross (deceased), Kenneth Ray Rulo (deceased), Richard Sanders, Vernis Lee Schaaf, Thomas William Schleper, Karen Marcella Schmidt, Rita Cecilia Schuckenbrock, Deron Louise Schulte (deceased), Viola Yvonne Schwab, Marjorie Carolyn Scoggins (deceased), Keith Edward Sherman, Helen Darlene Skinner, Ronald Lee Skinner, Bobby Joe Smith, Barbara Ann Stocks, Janet Gail Stone, Melva Joyce Swearingin (deceased), Betty June Storey, Jean Thomas (deceased), Donna Sue Warford, Janet Fay Warren, Michael Dennis Warren, Jerome Robert Weigel, Judith Ann Weigel (deceased), Carl Jerome Wittman, Mylas Woolsey (deceased), Wanda Jean Wright, Sandra Kaye Woolsey, Cleo Lott, Kenneth Young, Larry Joe Wahle, Eugene Clarence Lemen, Terry Lee Mauzy, Raymond Lewis Miles, Carole Lee Mayhall, Marion Edward Phipps, Wilson Kay Schultz, Marybelle Shaw (deceased), William Stahl, Nancy Dawn Witt, Vicki Lu Werner, Walter Wallace (deceased), Ella Mae Woodson, James Douglas Fessler (deceased), Paula Carol Montgomery (deceased), Allen Daniel Moore, Dennis Lee Murray, Janet Sue Nichels (deceased), Katheleen Annette O'Donnell, Reba Lee Norman, Helen Isabel Myers, James Keith Mundy (deceased), Joseph Francis Munsterman, Marsha Ann Miller, Roger Earl Mourning, Arthur Newell Maupin, Walter Charles Westfall (myself), Harry Stockton Goheen Jr, Larry Eugene Northcutt (deceased), Robert Allen Walkington (deceased), Marlin Eugene Woodring, Samuel Franklin Woodring, Harvey Jacob Weller, David Vinton Gardner, Doris Jean Cope Phillips, Gerald William Seehausen, and Hubert Arthur "Artie" Kieffer (1942-1958) who died during the Christmas holidays of 1958.
Also granted diplomas on tests of General Education Development (GED) in 1961 were-Cletus Burton Chappell, James Leslie Devening, Donald E. Dugan, Paul A. Holmes, Richard N. Kelley, Billy Gene Stucker, Robert Gene Vanausdoll, Robert Edward Wiist (deceased), and William Joseph Wiist. The 1961 Jersey Community High School Graduation Commencement Ceremonies were held in the high school gymnasium monday evening, May 29, 1961 at 8:00 p.m. in Jerseyville, IL.
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(Younger Junior, Sophomore, and Freshmen high school classmates that I knew, and also some older high school classmates that I knew)
Albert Gustafson, Gary Short, Mary Ayres, Gary Hoffstetter, Robert Fulkerson, Jerry Lawler, Joe Roth, Paul McAdams, Donald Russell (deceased), Jerry Spurgeon, Lola Miller, Dorothy Cain, Geraldine Cain, Maurice Williams, George Morrison (deceased), Karen Morrison, Patricia Moore, Bob Pruitt, Joseph Pruitt, Fred Pruitt, Fred Gilman, Bill Counts, Joe Ziegler, Ronald Scott (deceased), Paul Garrison, Guy Devening, Edward Heitzig (deceased), Robert Devening (deceased), and Louis Blackorby who later married my second cousin Pamela Wahl, who was the daughter of my cousin Helen (Hewitt) Wahl, who was the daughter of my mother's sister Freda (Kraushaar) Hewitt).
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I also had a number of my relatives who attended Jersey Community High School with me (cousins and second cousins)-JoAnn Westfall (deceased), the daughter of my Uncle Floyd Westfall, she was older by 2 years and graduated before me; Virgil Griffin (deceased) my cousin who graduated with me was the son of my father's sister. my Aunt Anna Westfall Griffin; and Virginia Griffin the daughter of my cousin Harold Griffin was older by 2 years and graduated before me; Wanda Godar the daughter of my cousin Viola (Griffin) Godar was older by 1 year and graduated before me; and also my cousins Clifford Kraushaar (a few years older, and graduated before me) and Victor Kraushaar (a sophomore and 2 years younger than me). They were the sons of my Uncle Raymond Kraushaar, my mother's brother; and Richard Kraushaar (deceased), who was 3 years older than me and graduated from Jersey Community High School in 1958, the son of my mother's cousin Otto Kraushaar; also Bill Kraushaar, a sophomore at the time of my graduation, the son of my mother's cousin Bill Kraushaar Sr; also Sherman Kraushaar, a freshman at the time of my graduation, the son of Sherman Kraushaar Sr, and grandson of Clarence Kraushaar my mother's cousin; also Patricia Shults (deceased), who graduated in 1960, the daughter of my mother's cousin William Shults; and also Katheleen O'Donnell who graduated with me was a cousin to Alfred Godar who married my cousin Viola (Griffin) Godar, and Katheleen's younger sister Cynthia O'Donnell also attended high school with me.
Go To My Childhood Memories-Page 9a
