The Reunion was held on June 11th & 12th, 1977 - Mary Helen Allen

Nostalgic Reunion Fun for 54

BY SUE GENTRY - Independence Examiner

One of the “fun reunions” for the William Chrisman High School graduating classes was the one the class of 1927 staged in Independence last weekend.

The only serious part of the gathering was the “In Memoriam” for the 47 deceased member of the class of 139 conducted by Mrs. Luke (Maxine Thorpe) Choplin, who read a tribute poem written by Margaret Chapman Esler, a class member. She asked classmates to remember Marcella Zutz Peeples, another classmate who is hospitalized and who had tried so hard to be well enough to join in the festivities.

Of the 92 class member still living, 54 made it to the reunion. Nineteen from out-of-town represented 11 states.

George Berkemeier, chairman of the planning committee made up of old grads who live in the metropolitan area, said every one of the class members had been accounted for. Ellvert Himes, Logan, Utah, couldn’t make the reunion, but attended a committee planning meeting.

The gathering began in the morning with a nostalgic visit to the “old high school” (now William Chrisman Junior High) at Maple and Union. Otis Sutton couldn’t believe that “big auditorium” had gotten so small.

In the afternoon class members were guests at a gala reception hosted by William J. Randall and Mrs. Randall at their home, 201 S. Pleasant. Randall is the class member who became a congressman.

Highlight of the reunion was the evening banquet at Stadium Inn with Berkemeier presiding. J. S. (Addie) Becker gave the invocation and Luke Choplin the welcome.

The big surprise was a compilation of resumes class members had been asked to send, whether or not they would attend the reunion. These resumes and names and addresses of the 21 classmates who didn’t reply are included in the “Who’s Who—What’s what” 1927-1977, William Chrisman High School.

These prized documents were put together by Mrs. Reginald (Alegra Luff) Smith, a committee member, and distributed by Orville Hulmes, committee treasurer, who “called the roll”. Out-of-towners who couldn’t attend will receive the resumes by mail.

Rilla Leeka Larson was president of the Honor Society. Other members present were Ruth Alley, Harriett Cash, Lawrence Chiles, Kathryn Haberlein, William Randall and Lucile Twyman. Classmates were sorry that Verlia Short Russell, Bronxville, N.Y., the class scholarship winner, and Wallace Palmer, the champion orator, were not present.

Topping the evening’s entertainment was a skit by the middy-bloused “Bloomer Girls” (Maxine Choplin and Margaret Esler) who led the old grads in familiar “rah, rah’s”. Hub Lynch, a football hero, distributed “C” letters, to all athletes, including the “M” Club girls.

Mrs. Norma (Bertha) Gunsolley Smith led in the singing of “Our Old High School” and “I’m Forever Blowing Bubbles”, which was a favorite of their principal, J. N. Hanthorn.

A very special guest at the banquet was Mrs. William Erickson, now of Kansas City, who was a member of the board of education when the class was in school. Mrs. Erickson, who is 94, was escorted by her son, Richard A. Erickson, a Kansas City attorney. Her son, William, who died in World War II was a member of the class.

All of the graduates, now senior citizens, modestly listed their career history in the resumes. There have been educators, inventors, a congressman, --Randall, government workers, postal clerks, realtors, chemists, secretaries, engineers, nurses, “jack of all trades”, musicians, artists--the list goes on.

One of the classmates, Mildred Louise McKinney Larson of Phoenix, Ariz., said she had been Secretary to Senator Ernest Farland (Arizona), Senate majority leader in the Truman administration.

Many of the girls, however, were satisfied to be housewives and mothers. Ardith Roedel Gibson won applause when she said all of her nine children were Chrisman graduates.

Right now the old grads’ interests are grandchildren and even great-grandchildren. One of the members, Mrs. Elbert (Louella Long) Luff, captured the prize for the most grandchildren, 29.

The graduates are now playing bridge, golfing, camping, hiking, traveling and rocking chairing.

Other prizes included hand-painted plates by Margaret Esler. They went to 25 “lucky” persons by drawing numbers.

Closing event of the “fun gathering” was a picnic Sunday afternoon at the J. A. Becker home, 3323 S. Crysler. A special guest was former teacher, Miss Mary Alice Gibbons of Kansas city, now retired.

Bill Randall’s suggestion that the class wait no longer than five years for another reunion was unanimously approved.

Among those from out-of-town, five were from “out west” and received honors for traveling the farthest. Dean A. Redfield from Escondido, Calif.; Mrs. Paul (Dorothy Allen) Smith, Santa Monica, Calif.; Mrs. Marshall L. (Harriet Cash) Brewster, Van Nuys, Calif.; Mrs. John H. (Marie Rothmeyer) Draper, Portland, Ore., and Forest Simpson, Moab, Utah.

Others were Mrs. Elliott D. (Joy Alumbaugh) Smith, Orange Park Fla.; Lawrence Chiles, Hot Springs, Ark., Mrs. George C. (Harriette Kinser) Pierce, Williamstown, Mass., Mrs. George C. (Harriette Dunn) Webb, Oklahoma City, Okla.

Three came from Arizona, Mrs. Kent (Eugenia Adams) Woods, Winslow; Mrs. Richard (Carlene A. Baldry) Pearson, Tucson, and Mildred Louise McKinney Larson, Phoenix.

From Iowa were Delmar Goode of Lamoni, and Mrs. K. D. (Katheryn Haberlein) Nicholson from Des Moines. From Indiana was Mrs. Roy (Ferne Simpson) Goode, Jeffersonville.

The Jackson brothers, Lane P. of Webster Groves and John D. from Kirkswood, are still Missourians as is Oral Craton of Marshall.

Other Independence members present were Mrs. Evert (Wilma  Criley) Elliott, W. Arthur Fann, Miss Violet McFarlane, Miss Dorothy Bryant, Mrs. Ronald G. (Anna Belle Long Scott) Sherman; Mrs. Alfred L. (Verla Alexander) Waters, Mrs. Clarence O. (Vera Cox) Riddle; William N. Thomas, Georgia McBride Johnson, Gene Allen, Mrs. Morris (Elizabeth Reick) Buthe, Zumwalt, Carl F. Ward Osburn, and Mrs. Lawrence H. (Rilla Leeka) Larson, Mrs. William H. (Ruby Neff) Ferguson. Mrs. George (Dorothy Barrett) McKay.

Miss Gladys Halliburton, Mrs. John (Lucille Twyman) Eastham, Mrs. F. W. (Fern M. Hicks) Hays, Mrs. Buford (Ruth Alley) Parsons, live in Kansas City, and Mrs. Glenn C. (Helen Jones) Thompson and Mrs. John Walker (Evelyn Modie) Wheat live at Greenwood, and Mrs. Clint L. (Louise Robinson) Miller at Lee’s Summit.

Updated 1/27/06