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Marion Foster (Dimond)

Brother of our classmate George VanVoorhis.

Jerome F. Van Voorhis
St. Anne - Jerome F Van Voorhis, 86, passed away Sunday evening, August 17, 2025 at his home in Saint Anne, IL. He was born October 22,1938 in Hindsboro, IL the son of Dean F. Van Voorhis and Kathryn D. (Honn) Van Voorhis.
Jerry married Catherine (Kay) T. Flori on January 19, 1963 at Saint Mary's church in Alton, IL. Jerry served four years in the navy during which he received his education in electronics and was operations manager for AT&T for thirty five years before retiring in 1996.
Jerry enjoyed golfing, playing cards with friends, and especially loved spending time with his family and grandkids. He was a long time member of the Kankakee Elks Country Club and his favorite hobby was tending to his beautiful lawn.
Surviving Jerry are his wife, Kay of 62 years of St. Anne, IL, two sons, Michael (Sandra) Van Voorhis of Faith, NC and Paul (Heather) Van Voorhis of McKinney, TX, as well as two daughters, Laura (Ed) Lambert of Bourbonnais, IL, and Sara (Mike) Poe of Springhill, TN. Jerry is also survived by nine grandchildren, Andrea (Andrew) Moffet, Jordan Van Voorhis, Cole and Rees Van Voorhis, Taylor (Maggie Moffat) DeVos, Hannah Lambert, Ryan, Zachary, and Aaron Poe, and two great grandchildren, Oliver Moffet and Emersyn Lambert. He is also survived by one brother, George (Mary) Van Voorhis of Godfrey, IL, and four sisters, Deana Kay Wolff of Alton, IL, Becky (Bill) Heiens of Effingham, IL, Lynn (Jeff) Stinson of Myrtle Beach, SC, and Nancy (Mark) Warner of Godfrey, IL, as well as numerous nieces, nephews, and cousins. Jerry is preceded in death by his parents, Dean and Kathryn Van Voorhis and his late brother-in-law, Ronald Wolff.
Visitation will be held on Friday, August 22, 2025 from 4 to 6 p.m. at Clancy-Gernon-Hertz Funeral Home, Kankakee, IL. The funeral Mass will be celebrated on Saturday, August 23, 2025 at 10 a.m. at Saint John Paul II Catholic Church, Kankakee, IL. Burial will be at the Van Voorhis cemetery in Hindsboro, IL following the Mass service.
Memorials may be made to Uplifted Care of Bourbonnais or Saint John Paul II Catholic Church, Kankakee, IL.
Please sign his guestbook at www.clancygernon.com.

Linda Hicks (Montayne)

Happy  Belated Birthday to Linda Chamberlain.  I'm sorry for the delay.

Linda Hicks (Montayne)

I try to keep up with the birthdays but the last 2 days I had problems.  I apologize to anyone who had a birthday and I missed you.

Linda Hicks (Montayne)

Happy Birthday to Yvonne Gleason and Ruby Jones.

Marion Foster (Dimond)

Hurry hurry hurry!

Deadline fast approaching to register for our 60th reunion on Sept. 19.

Click  on REGISTRATION INFO on menu at left. of home page.

See REUNION 60: WHO's COMING? as we update the list.

Linda Hicks (Montayne)

Happy Birthday to John Hessel.

Linda Hicks (Montayne)

Happy Birthday to Sharon Wilson (Witty).

Marion Foster (Dimond)

Obit for our classmate Becky Guenther Brown.

Rebecca Brown Obituary

Rebecca L. Brown
Edwardsville - Rebecca L. Brown, age 77, of Edwardsville, IL, passed away on August 5, 2025, at Anderson Hospital in Maryville, IL. Rebecca was born on September 25, 1947, in Denver, CO, the daughter of the late Paul and Henrietta (Singer) Guenther. Rebecca married Marshall "Mick" Brown on May 30, 1970, in Edwardsville, IL. Besides her husband of 55 years, Rebecca is survived by her two children, Lisa Sheckler and husband David, of Portland, OR, and J. Andrew Brown and partner Kathy, of Independence, MO; four grandchildren, Mathew Brown, of Indianapolis, IN, Jacob Brown and wife Erin, of North Vernon, IN, Tyler Brown and fiancée Alexus, of Indianapolis, IN, and Sasha Rosenthal, of Seattle, WA; and a brother, Felix Guenther, of Edwardsville, IL. Besides her parents, Rebecca was preceded in death by a brother, Henry Guenther.
Becky received her BS in Education and MS in Special Education from SIUE. Later she earned Masters of Library Science at the University of Illinois CU. She taught at the William M BeDell Achievement Center and the Special School District of St. Louis County.
Leaving education she worked for several years in retail sales. Then she became the children's librarian at Tri-Township Library. While there she earned the MLS. Returning to education Becky served as the librarian at Raymond Lincolnwood Jr & Sr High School. She then moved to the Alton CUSD as a librarian. She retired in 2013.
Her civic involvement included working with the League of Women voters. She served several terms on the Edwardsville Plan Commission.
A Celebration of Life will be held on Thursday, September 25, 2025, from 4 to 7 p.m. at Weber & Rodney Funeral Home. The family suggests memorials to Planned Parenthood or The Friends of the Edwardsville Library. Condolences may be shared at weberfuneralhome.com.

Marion Foster (Dimond)

UPDATE: still on the street, but moved around the corner to parking lot where Tony's used to be.

But you can go inside Mac's to eat if you choose to.

HOLD - THE - PRESSES!

60’s & 70’s Party is NOT going to be in the street!!! It’s going to be in their BRAND NEW venue on Piasa (where Tony’s used to be)!!!

How Exciting Is This!!!?

September 20th

4:00 bar opens

6:00 band starts

See you all in September!

Marion Foster (Dimond)

We're rooting for YOU to come to our 60th reunion Sept. 19. Registration info on menu at top left--Sept. 1 deadline extended into next week.

Marion Foster (Dimond)

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=osMLvpVGpTo 

TO: GURUJAN DOURSON

Hey Gurujan, I knew you when you were Phil Dourson at Horace Mann grade school. I've heard you are kinda famous out in Calif. as a guru of runners, organizing triathalons, etc. So when I googled your name, I found this UTube video of you talking about losing your leg. And I'll bet you are still running....

Linda Hicks (Montayne)

Happy Birthday to Barbara Drake.

Marion Foster (Dimond)

Still pondering whether to come to 60th Reunion on Sept. 19? 

Say YES and get your $ in.

Sept. 1 deadline to register has been extended into this week.!

Marion Foster (Dimond)

Post a message and/or picture to the class here on MESSAGE FORUM if you can't come to the reuinion. 

George Riney: Cheers to Class of 65. 60th reunion enjoy

Kathi Poppe Glasshagel: Sorry I cannot join you. Long expensive trip from south Orange County California. Not sure I would recognize anyone.

Linda Hicks (Montayne)

Happy Birthday to Olivia Pollard.

Linda Hicks (Montayne)

Happy Birthday to Leona Delores Webb.

Marion Foster (Dimond)

We're up to 85 people! See Who's Coming list on upper left menu.

Still room for a few more registrations next week! Contact: 

*Dick Alford dalford_wmmccarty@sbcglobal.net       phone/text: (618) 781-2482

Marion Foster (Dimond)

McKinley grade school pics from Susan Seifrit   

Susan Seifrit, Vickie Adams, Sandy Seehausen

6th grade class 1959 McKinley school & signatures on back

Principal Miss Phillips

Brownies--a little blurry, maybe Susan can take another pic of this pic?

Linda Hicks (Montayne)

Happy Birthday to Barbara Maple.

Linda Hicks (Montayne)

Happy Birthday to Marilyn Justice.

Linda Hicks (Montayne)

Happy Birthday to Maridell Fox and Mike Oettle.

Marion Foster (Dimond)

ALTON STRONG is a comment Moine McGibany has been posting lately as I've been sharing pics on Facebook about our town and classmates before our 60th reunion. I'm not a poet like Moine, but I've been jotting down random thoughts about what a part of Alton we are, and what a part of us Alton is. Feel free to add your thoughts to my notes, and maybe we'll get lucky and get another poem from Moine. My notes:

AHS Class of ’65--Alton Strong

*Homer Adams Parkway (daughter Vicky in our class).

*Gordon Moore Park (daughter Kaela a year ahead of us).

*Killion Park named after Cheryl’s dad.

*Walmart in Godfrey was David Joehl’s farm.

*James Wigger Field old stadium renamed for our track coach who won State in 63 & 64.

*Cliff Davenport Theater at middle school named after our drama teacher.

*Owens-Ill. Glass Co (Glass Works) founded by Gladys Levis’ family.

*Norman Brothers (husband of Barb Maple) blew up bluffs and donated rock to build river road in 1940s, along with Levis family. Piasa Bird painted at Norman’s Landing for many years.

Melting pot of races, social status, religions, and ethnicity—rich, poor, black, white, Catholic, Protestant, Jewish, Greek, British war brides…

Parents part of Greatest Generation who grew up during the Depression, and came of age fighting in World War II.

Parents grew up with Robert Wadlow (1918-1940), tallest man who ever lived.

Parents worked at booming factories like the Glass Works, Boxboard, Laclede Steel & ….

Parents business owners: Rain & Rain grocers, Drake tires, Block’s (Susie ’66 & Diane ’64?), Alton Telegraph (Mary Cousley ’64), Logan’s Dairy (Paula ’66 married David Joehl)

Parents doctors & dentists: Ward, Katz, Bottom, Bassford….

Parents lawyers: Bernard, Wiseman….

Parents teachers & principals: Casper, Rallo, Naugle McClain….

Our class baby boomers in prosperous shadow of WWII. But as we graduated, the military draft and Vietnam War took its toll. More than 1/3 of us served in the military. 7 died in Vietnam, and many others were scarred by Agent Orange and PTSD.

Marion Dimond

Moine wrote this poem a few years ago about growing up in Alton:Thoughts on Growing Up In Alton

by Moine McGibany

Sometimes she ain't pretty

sitting there on the bluffs of the muddy Mississippi

She was an All-America pretty

always home, always our city

We were Redbirds and Explorers

and scared by ghostly stories

We knew Lewis and Clark and winters quite stark

There was the Underground Railroad and Elijah P.

and the Piasa Bird that we couldn't wait to see

We knew Lincoln and Douglas and the Illini

as we grew up under the Piasa sky

We grew up with the Tallest man ever

and the world's greatest trumpeter

We came from Pie-town and Milton and Godfrey

and swam in an endless Blue Pool for free

We were surrounded by Civil War history

with a Confederate prison and cemetery

We rocked that ARC

and hunted crawdads in that Rock park

So many have left

So many have stayed

So many gone

So many brave

It's where we started

and where we were made

We met our first loves and found our forever loves

We loved nature, had culture and were misfits

It's been 50 years, but it's not over yet

Our lives will continue to change

but our memories of old friends

and Old Alton will always remain

--Moine

Marion Foster (Dimond)

We lost another classmate--Cindy March Skoro

Cynthia Kaye Skoro, beloved mother, grandmother, and friend, entered into eternal rest on July 15, 2025, just shy of her 78th birthday. Born in Alton, Illinois to Wimp and Harriett March on July 25, 1947, Cindy lived a life full of grace, joy, and unwavering devotion to her family.

As a child, Cindy was an accomplished dancer and ballroom performer. In 1970, Cindy met and married the love of her life, John Skoro. Together, they built a beautiful life in Phoenix, Arizona, where their home became a hub of warmth, celebration, and laughter.

She was the ultimate homeroom mom, team mom, and stage mom—always present, always cheering, and always making magic happen behind the scenes. As her children grew, Cindy found her calling as a preschool teacher, nurturing countless young lives with patience and love.

Cindy had a flair for decorating and a deep love for holidays, turning every occasion into a cherished memory. Her Phoenix home was the setting for countless parties, where friends and family gathered to celebrate life. She was an avid sports fan, with a special place in her heart for the Phoenix Suns (never missing a TV game if possible).

Though an only child, Cindy cultivated a sisterhood of close girlfriends who became family. She treasured her time with them, especially their high tea gatherings, which were filled with laughter and memories.

Cindy is preceded in death by her husband John, and her parents, Wimp and Harriett March. She is survived by her three children and their spouses: Todd Skoro (Cindy), Tara Skoro Hendrix (Darren), and Trevor Skoro (Karey); and by her nine beloved grandchildren: Dylan, Parker, Mikayla, Hunter, Taylor, Mylee, Alex, Brady, and Chase.

A Celebration of Life will be held at Cross of Christ Lutheran Church in Anthem, Arizona on August 16th at 10:00 AM, where family and friends will gather to honor Cindy’s legacy.

Submited by Alice Herisco (Cosco): Cindy suffered from dementia. I visited her in a care home about 2 years ago. She did not know me. A blessing of her passing as it was not the life she wanted. Cindy's husband, John, and Phil were friends as we lived in Phoenix at the time their childre were young. .

Cindy is at far right in this 1959 pic taken at Fortnightly (or Halpin Studio) dance. 
Back--Tom Reid, me with horns, Carolyn Breyfogle, Penny Jacoby, Janis Wiseman, Jane Mundell, Cindy.

Front--Bill Baume, Susie Henesey

Linda Hicks (Montayne)

Happy Birthday to Maurice (Mo) Pittman.

Linda Hicks (Montayne)

Happy Birthday to George Riney.