March 5, 2009

Several members of the UTHS Class of 1954 met for lunch on March 1, 2009 in Phoenix, AZ.   Among those present was Arline (Schneck) Stevenson whom all of us had not seen for a couple of years.   As reported previously, Arline is having serious health problems.  She advised that the latest visit to her doctors indicated that the cancer has shown up on both lungs and they have told her that no treatment is presently available for her.  Arline indicated that she feels good and has the utmost confidence in her doctors.   She looks good and seems to have a good attitude.  She needs all the prayers of the classmates and hopefully she will be blessed with a miracle.

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Theodore and Patsy (Murdock) Swanson 50th Anniversary - (Posted in Dispatch 02/26/09)

Theodore and Patsy Swanson, 391 33rd Ave. Ct., East Moline, IL 61244, will celebrate their 50th wedding anniversary Saturday, Feb. 28. Patsy Murdock, East Moline, and Theodore Swanson, Moline, were married Feb. 28, 1959, in Moline by the Rev. Charles Willey. The couple celebrated their anniversary with a cruise of the eastern Caribbean, a gift from their children. A family dinner is planned for a later date. They are the parents of Suzanne (David) Apple, East Moline; Christopher (Sara) Swanson, Riverdale, Iowa; and Douglas Swanson, Rock Island. They have five grandchildren, Travis Swanson and Justin Swanson, both of Rock Island, the Rev. Eric (Cori) Swanson, Peoria, Ill., and Taylor Apple and Kaitlin Apple, East Moline. Both Ted and Patsy retired from the Rock Island Arsenal and have lived in East Moline all their married life. ==========================================

February 23, 2009

Phyllis (Castens) Johnson (Posted in Dispatch 2/23/09)

Phyllis Marie Johnson, 72, of Johnston City, Ill., formerly of Silvis, died Sunday, Feb. 22, 2009, at Herrin Hospital, Herrin, Ill.

Services will be 11 a.m. Wednesday, Feb. 25, at Zion Lutheran Church, East Moline. The Rev. Gary Wright will officiate. Interment will be at Zion Lutheran Church Cemetery, East Moline. Visitation will be from 9 to 11 a.m. at the church. Arrangements were entrusted to Meredith-Waddell Funeral Home, Herrin, and Schroder Mortuary, Silvis.

She was born March 9, 1936, in Campbell Hill, Ill., to Albert and Louise Ehlers Castens. Phyllis was united in marriage with Lenard R. Johnson on Aug. 28, 1954, in Rock Island. He preceded her in death Nov. 2, 1995.

Mrs. Johnson was a homemaker. She transferred her membership from Zion Lutheran Church, East Moline, to Good Shepherd Lutheran Church, Marion, Ill.

Surviving are one son, Jeffrey Jay Johnson, Johnston City; three grandchildren, Jeremy Jay (Sara Beth) Johnson, Marion, Jordan Johnson and Zachary (Lindsay) Johnson, Rock Island; three great-grandchildren, Jaycob Jeffrey Wade Johnson, Marion, Jayci Lynn Marie Johnson, Marion, Noah Johnson, Rock Island; two sisters and brother-in-law, Evelyn Bennett, Milan, Debbie and Tim Clark, Beardstown, Ill.; two brothers and sisters-in-law, Ron and Mary Ann Castens, Broken Arrow, Okla., James and Juanita Castens, Silvis; sister-in-law, Beverly Jones, Rockford, Ill.; and several nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by her husband; son, James Jay Johnson; grandson, Jason Jay Johnson; parents; Yvonne Castens; three brothers, Albert, Alvin and Pete Castens; and one sister, Carol Kay Clark.

Online condolences may be made at www.schrodermortuary.com.

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February 16, 2009

Recently while checking an e-mailbox that I don't frequently use, I found an message from Arline (Schneck) Stevenson regarding her recent medical checkup.  I apologize for not getting this posted sooner.  Below, I quote the message.  I have asked that she keep us posted and when I hear from her, news about her will be posted on the website.

"Dearest Family and Friends,

Finally Feb. 3rd arrived for my appointment at Mayo Clinic to find out the answers to the Jan. 9th PET scan. I had been told that cancer masses showed in both my lungs and more so in the right lung. Dr. Hayden ( the head of ENT) is the pilot of my ship. He went over the report thoroughly with Steve and I. The cancer areas have doubled in size since April. This does not mean they will continue growing at this rate. There is NO chemo that kills this type of rare cancer. Radiation is not possible in this area. I have an appointment Feb. 16th with the thoracic surgeon, who performed my lung resection last March, to see if any surgery would help at this time. Since it is definitely growing in both lungs Steve and I have to have a very convincing cause to go through all of that again. Upon asking Dr. Hayden if there is anywhere else in the country that would have any more experience or skills in this type of cancer he assured us the top cancer centers across the country ( including Mayo) have all joined together in sharing any knowledge that is available. His suggestion is I should be where I had the best relationship with my doctors and to be near my support system----that is all of you! We feel very confident we are at the right place and have the best doctors we could find. We then asked Dr. Hayden what the progression of this disease would be. He very nicely told us " he does not have a crystal ball" but then he sketched out things that possibly might happen.

We have all our trust and faith in our Lord Christ Jesus! The scripture that I prayed all last year was Deuteronomy 31: 8 "Do not be afraid or discouraged, for the Lord is the one who goes before you. He will be with you; He will neither fail you nor forsake you." This year the scripture which I am following is 2 Corinthians 1:4 "He comforts us in all our troubles so that we can comfort others. When others are troubled, we will be able to give them the same comfort God has given us."

We cannot thank you all enough for the multitude of prayers. You have all been wonderful prayer warriors and we ask to please keep us and our family in your prayers. We will try to keep you updated when there is something to report. Please do not hesitate to call at any time. We are living everyday as usual but hopefully with a lot more focusing on God! Go With God,

All our love, Arline and Steve"

It is now time to double the multitude of prayers for Arline!  May she find comfort in the fact that she has such a large group offering prayers in her behalf.

Address:  Bradley Estates, 2941 E. Farmdale St., Mesa, AZ  85206-2540

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February 7, 2009

 JoAnne Knight (Wife of Robert "Bob" Knight) - Posted in Dispatch 2/5/09

Funeral services for JoAnne M. Knight, 71, 202 37th Ave., East Moline, IL 61244 are 11 a.m. Monday at Christ United Methodist Church, East Moline.

Entombment is at Greenview Memorial Gardens Mausoleum, East Moline. Visitation is 2-5 p.m. Sunday at Van Hoe Funeral Home, East Moline. Memorials may be made to Christ United Methodist Church, where she was a member.

JoAnne died Wednesday, Feb. 4, 2009, at Heartland Health Care Center, Moline.

JoAnne was born Oct. 28, 1937, in Sterling, Ill., the daughter of Bert and Lulu Archer Woodyatt. She graduated from Black Hawk College with a registered nursing degree. JoAnne married Robert Knight on June 17, 1956, in Rock Falls.

She had worked as an industrial nurse at Sivyer Steel. She was a member of TOPS, collected angels and entertained guests at her home.

Survivors include her husband of 52 years, Robert; her children and spouses, Kathy and Don Wolfe, Rock Island, Randy and Kim Knight, Tempe, Ariz., and Jay Knight, East Moline; a sister, Dorothy Penhollow, Dixon, Ill.; and a brother, Dean Woodyatt, Seal Beach, Calif.

Online condolences may be left for the family at www.vanhoe.com.

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January 5, 2009

E-mail message received from Ardy McIntosh regarding his stepson:

"Joan lost here 47-year-old son on December 14th, very unexpectedly. He had not been feeling real well since April, but wouldn't go to a doctor because he thought he would get over it. Then on Friday, the 12th of December he walked into the hospital with his wife and they put him in ICU immediately. His wife called and we were on the next plane to Portland, Oregon. We got there very late that night. He knew we were there. Then on Sunday night at 9:30 he died of kidney failure. This was a big shock, of course. We came back home on the 20th. It makes for a sad Christmas. You may remember that I lost my son, Jon (42 years old), to a brain aneurysm in December of 2002. Losing a child is a very difficult thing."

Thoughts and prayers are with Ardy and Joan.

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Robert "Bob" Rasso (from Dispatch)

Funeral services for Robert "Bob" Rasso, 72, of East Moline, will be 10 a.m. Monday at Christ the King Catholic Church, Moline.

Burial will be at St. Mary's Cemetery, East Moline. Visitation will be 2-6 p.m. Sunday at Van Hoe Funeral Home, East Moline, where a rosary will be recited at 1:30 p.m. Memorials may be made to the family.

Mr. Rasso died Thursday, Jan. 1, 2009, at Genesis Medical Center, Illini Campus, Silvis, after a courageous battle with diabetes. He was surrounded by his family at his time of death.

Bob was born Sept. 13, 1936, in Moline, the son of Jack and Esther Almanza Rasso. He married Jessie Garcia on Feb. 8, 1958, in Davenport. He had been a production scheduler at the former J.I. Case, Rock Island, where he retired in 1986. Bob was an avid Chicago Bears and Cubs fan. He enjoyed reading. He was a loving husband, father and grandfather. He especially enjoyed his grandchildren.

Survivors include his wife of almost 51 years, Jessie Rasso, East Moline; daughters and sons-in-law, Ann Sandoval, East Moline, Marty Sandoval, East Moline, Julie and Gordon Dickerson, Silvis, Tracey and Ron Lofgren, Davenport; sons and daughter-in-law, Robert C. Rasso (Pat Lord), East Moline, Floyd "Mick" and Lisa Rasso, Davenport, Mike Rasso, East Moline, Jack Rasso, East Moline, Chris Rasso (Stephanie Smith), East Moline; 18 grandchildren; two great-grandchildren; "special daughter," Laurie Trudel-Beam, St. Petersburg, Fla.; sisters and brothers-in-law, Beatrice and Richard Kelley, East Moline, Celia "Sally" and Robert Sieve, Willard, Mo., Rosemary and Tom Trudel, Sun City, Fla., Virginia and Ralph Mapes, Atkinson, Pat O'Conor and husband, Jim Loehrl, Moline, Elly and Bill Rossi, Red Lands, Calif., Linda Fonger, East Moline; brothers and sisters-in-law, John and Beverly Rasso, Riverside, Calif., Franklin Rasso, East Moline, Richard "Rick" Rasso, Bettendorf, Gary Rasso, East Moline. He was preceded in death by his parents; daughter-in-law, Becky Rasso; grandson, Justin Nelson.

Online condolences may be left for the family at www.vanhoe.com

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October 8, 2008

Toward the latter part of September, Ardy McIntosh was in town to direct an alumni band at the 55th Anniversary of North Scott High School where is taught for eight years.   While he was in town, approximately 20 classmates and spouse gathered for lunch.  There were three other UTers from out-of-town (Diana (Stone) Bull, Paul & Carol (Franklin) Batty joined the group.  Many present had not seen the three out-of-towners since we graduated.  We spent 2-1/2 hours chit-chatting.  A fun time for all!

At the luncheon, Gerry Harmon presented a get well card for all to sign which was to be sent to Dick Rittenhouse who recently was a recipient of a pacemaker.   If my memory serves me right, Gerry said that Dick had suffered a heart attack when he was 59.   Let's hope that the pacemaker will stablize Dick's health.  Our prayers are with you, Dick!

On October 6th, the reunion committee met again to work on further on plans for our 55th class reunion.   We are presently working on tracking down addresses for classmates and tossing out further ideas for our reunion which is set for September 18 and 19, 2009.  Stay tuned for more information as it comes available.  

Janice (Knight) Adams was present at reunion committee meeting.  It is rare when we see her these days.  She is still suffering with cancer and has been under chemotherapy for quite some time.   She looked good, but she says that she has good days and bad days.   Our thoughts and prayers are also with you, Jan! 

Virginia (Geisenhagen) Wanglin, another member of the reunion committe is also among those having health problems.   She was diagnosed with breast cancer and currently is under treatment.  Presently there is no further information available on her.  Best wishes to her on a full recovery!

The following information may be of interest to the "Silvisites" who attended Geo. O. Barr school.   Richard Rangel who was a classmate of ours in grade school (never finished high school) passed away on October 4, 2008.   His funeral services were held Oct. 7th with burial at the National Cemetry, Arsenal Island.  He served in the US Army and had served as an alderman in Silvis.  He worked for the Rock Island Lines Railroad and retired from Case/IH with 40 years of service.  He also owned and operatedElegante Catering Service.  

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 August 28, 2008

Daniel "Pat" Dobbins (from Dispatch 8/20/08)

Daniel W. "Pat" Dobbins, 72, of East Moline, died Monday, Aug. 18, 2008, at Trinity Pathway Hospice, Bettendorf.

Funeral services were held on Aug. 21, at Heritage Wesleyan Church, Rock Island.  Entombment was at Greenview Memorial Gardens and Mausoleum, East Moline.

Pat was born April 2, 1936, in Ava, Mo., to Daniel and Inez Rowe Dobbins. He married Irene Wininger on Jan. 1, 1991, in East Moline. Pat was an Army veteran.

Pat was owner and founder of Roadside Auto, Inc. and Dobbins Rental, Inc., for 43 years. He worked at John Deere prior to his ownership. He was national president for NIADA and was an active member at Heritage Wesleyan Church, Rock Island. He loved to travel, camp and enjoyed family gatherings and birthday parties.

He is survived by his wife, Irene; children, Frankie J. (Susan) Dobbins, Richard Dobbins, John (Marie) Dobbins, Brent (Iris) Boehnke, Lisa (Steven) Pienta, Dana Dobbins, Rachel (Shane) Munson; daughter-in-law, Julie Blood; grandchildren, Jimmy, Sean, Bradie, Jennifer, Ryan, Ethan, Krystin, Alex, Kirstie, Nick, Tyler, Natalie, Alys, Dylan and Dale; one great-grandchild, Logan; father, Daniel Dobbins; siblings, Annalee Pratt, Jerry Dobbins, Ralph Dobbins, Mary Ziegler; and many nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his mother, Inez; and son, David.

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Larry and Kay (Slover) Nelson observed their 50^th anniversary on an Alaskan cruise with their family in July.  Larry and Kay were married September 19, 1958 at Christ Episcopal Church in Moline, IL.

Larry worked 28 years as an accountant for Stone and Webster Engineering Corp. While working for Stone & Webster they lived in seven different cities across the USA and spent four years in Kuwait.

Their children include William (Kitty) Nelson, Milan, IL and Dee Anna (Tom) Walker), Brookline, NH. Also three grandchildren: Nicole, Lindsey and Christopher and two great-granddaughter: Aubrey and Gabriel.

During the summer months, they reside at 16 James St. #102, Medford, NH 03055 and their winter months are spent at Roadhaven RV Resort (Box 183), 1000 S. Idaho, Apache Junction, AZ 85219.3

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Since returning from their Alaskan cruise, Kay and Larry’s great-granddaughter has been diagnosed with leukemia and is currently being treated at St Judes in Memphis, TN. Then to add to the problems of the family, Kay has been diagnosed with rheumatoid arthritis and will be required to take oral chemotherapy for the rest of her life. Evidently, it is a low dosage, but she could lose her hair and have some other side affect from the chemo medication. Kay also stated that though their son, Bill, has made much progress after having a vein malformation rupture in 2006: however, he still has a ways to go before a complete recovery. She said that the trip took its toll on his energy and strength.

Believe this family will greatly appreciate all our prayers!

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May 6, 2008

On April 13, 2008, the following information came from Sally Leibovitz regarding Arline (Schneck) Stevenson's lung surgery which is quoted below.

"Things are going better. Guess I'm in a hurry to feel tip top! On the 23rd we will find out through another scan if they got all the cancer from my lung. If not we go back in. If O.K. hopefully we can leave for a while this summer."

Then on May 3, 2008, more information came from Sally regarding the Arline's follow-up appointment.

"We went through a long month as the surgeon was quite sure after the labs came back that she had missed a lump. Well last week after a CT scan they found NO CANCER presently in either lung!!!   The doctor was in shock. We knew that all the prayers were answered!!!!  We are on cloud nine and making all kinds of plans!" Our life had been on hold and now with the good news we are movin' fast and furious!!!! Fun ,fun , fun.

Way to go, Arline!!!!!  May you continue to enjoy good health!!!!

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Larry J Armstrong (from Sullivan-Phillips Funeral Home Ltd.)

Larry J. Armstrong, 71 of Moline, IL, died Monday, Marh 31, 2008.  Visitation was held Thursday, April 3, 2008 and services on Friday, April 4, 2008.  Burial at Roselawn Memorial Estates, Moline, IL.  Larry was born November 15, 1936 in Cape Girardeau, MO.  He was a building contractor and a car salesman.  Larry enjoyed local and NASCAR racing.  He was a local racing legend himself and loved by many.   He was an Army veteran.  He is survied by his childen Mylinda Powell, Guy Armstrong, Sandi Wittenauer, Jody Cole, a sister. along with 9 grandchildren and 1 great grandchild.   He is preceded in death by his parents, Ezra and Martha Armstrong and a grandson, Kamren.

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March 30, 2008

C. Robert Young (from Dispatch 3-30-08)

C. Robert "Bob" Young, 71, of East Moline, died Thursday, March 27, 2008, at Trinity Medical Center, West Campus, Rock Island.

Cremation rites were accorded. Memorial services was held Wednesday, April 2, at St. John's Lutheran Church, East Moline. Inurnment will be in Greenview Memorial Gardens, East Moline. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to a college fund for his four grandchildren.

Bob was born Dec. 26, 1936, in East St. Louis, Ill., the son of Carl and Martha Collom Young. He married Sandra Hartwig July 19, 1969, in Rock Island.

Bob was employed at Deere & Co. for 43 years, retiring as supervisor of office services, with fond memories of JDTV. He was a United Township High School class of 1954 graduate and served on the reunion committee. Bob was a member of St. John's Lutheran Church, East Moline. He was a flight simulator enthusiast and model railroader. His true passion was spending time with his family, whether gathered around the brunch table, celebrating his 70th birthday at Disney World or exploring Hawaii with his wife. He will be missed.

Survivors include his wife, Sandy; daughters, Kris Young (Craig Lennon), Moline; and Stephanie Anderson, Geneseo; son, Kevin (Kelly) Young, Coal Valley; grandchildren, Kelsey Anderson, Ben Lennon, Nick Lennon and Kassi Anderson. He was preceded in death by his parents.

March 12, 2008

Information recently received advised that Bob Young has been diagnosed with brain cancer, tumor in sternum, lesion(s) on liver and possibly on kidney. The cancer has passed the blood brain barrier and it is very serious. Six months ago an MRI showed NOTHING!   

He has seen his oncologist, has gone to Iowa City to check in with a doctor who is doing a lung study of people who have cancer but have not smoked. He is to start radiation right away on the brain, if they don't get that one checked, it won't matter about the others. 

He was asymptomatic with no indications he had anything wrong, just some tiredness from a flu bug he had this winter.

Let's hold Bob up in prayer and pray for a miracle of healing.

Address:   1156 45th Ave., East Moline, IL 61265

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February 20, 2008

First a mixture of old and new news.  In September, Larry and Kay (Slover) Nelson arrived in Arizona for the winter.   On December 27th, Kay became ill while they were driving to a tennis match.  She ended up in the emergency room and on December 28th, doctors inserted a pacemaker in Kay.   She seems to have recovered nicely and is feeling good now.  Praise God for that.   As for Larry, his knees were giving him problems.  He saw a orthopaedic surgeon and had knee replacement on Feb. 4th.   He is doing quite well and walking without any aid.   He is now scheduled for a second knee replacement on March 17th.   He will appreciate your thoughts and prayers. 

Address: 1000 S. Idaho Road, Box183, Apache  Junction, AZ 85219

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Recently an e-mail was received from Arline (Shneck) Stevenson.  Included below are excerpts from that message:

     "My cancer has metastasized in my right lung (treated for        adenoid cystic cancer in 2005-06). This about blew us off our easy chair. It showed up in my routine PET scan. It is the same rare cancer that was in my salivary glands. After many tests and visiting different doctors at Mayo the tumor team decided the nodules should be removed even tho the cancer will return but this should give us more time. We had a cruise planned for the end of February so we are planning the surgery on the 11 of March. Steve and I are both feeling very comfortable with this. Our faith in God has gotten us through this . We have put all our trust and faith in Him! Praise the Lord!"

Urgent prayers need here!

Address:  Rradley Estates, 3941 E. Farmdale St., Mesa, AZ 85206-2540

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Larry McCarthy

 Larry E. McCarthy, 71, 8019 239th St. Port Byron, IL 61275, died Monday, Jan. 28, 2008, at home.

Services were held February 1, 2008 at Peace Lutheran Church, Port Byron. Burial was at Frieden's Cemetery, Port Byron.  Memorials may be made to Peace Lutheran Church, Port Byron Volunteer Fire Department or East Moline Police Benevolent Association.

Larry Edmond McCarthy was born Feb. 17, 1936, in Elizabethtown, Ill., the son of Herbert and Ersa Holbrook McCarthy. He married Stormy Gober April 23, 1961, in Port Byron.

He served in the U.S. Marine Corps from 1955 to 1959. He was a police officer for the city of East Moline, retiring in 1975. He also had been employed by DeCap Trucking and the Illinois Department of Corrections.

Larry was a member of Peace Lutheran Church, Coe Lamb American Legion, Port Byron, East Moline Amvets and the Illinois Police Association. He was a very generous and caring man with his family and many friends. He enjoyed sharing his woodworking projects with everyone. He enjoyed scroll-saw woodworking, fishing, NASCAR and crossword puzzles.

Survivors include his wife of 46 years, Stormy; a sister-in-law, Ila Gober, Hillsdale.  He was preceded in death by his parents and a brother-in-law, Lex Gober.

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         My surgeon just informed me that my case is now being used in the class room.