Veronica Camargo

Roger Morton

Dear Terry, I’m so sad to hear about Jerry’s passing. May the peace of the Lord be with you in these difficult times. 

Terry Bernowich (Schmitz)

Thank you all for your prayers. Jerry passed away peacefully. He never struggled for one breath. I was always afraid he would die like some Parkinson's patients do, some choke to death or have a real hard time, struggling until the end. We had a lot of family and friends around the clock telling Jerry how much he meant to them, especially the close friends of my sons. He was like a father to all of them when they were growing up.

I would like to give a shout out to Heartland Hospice from Wichita. They were absolutely wonderful!They had someone here 24/7 and we had 4 different chaplains that took turns staying with Jerry and the family in addition to nurses and aides. God Bless them all!

Three of my sons and Tristan's fiancee are living with us so they are all a big help. I think my mother sent Tonya Garcia to us because she knew we needed a great cook in this house! I think Jerry thought he died and went to heaven because Tonya loves to cook and bake. The best thing she did was buy him non dairy ice cream. He always told me not to be afraid to fill the bowl up!

Thank you all and God Bless all of our wonderful classmates!

Monica Schmidt (Thompson)

Terry,  I am so sorry to hear that you lost your husband. I know that you have many fond memories of times together and I'm glad you had such a strong support system there to help you through this difficult time.  I'm thinking of you and your family. 

Barbara Gabel (Gabel)

Terry: So sad to hear about Jerry. I so enjoyed his company at the various reunions n when you two came out to the bookstore for my signing. Thank the Lord for His granting peace to such a sweet n gentle man. You have given so much to his care and others. Rest n take care of yourself during this quiet time. May God’s peace n love surround you n keep you. My tears flow with yours.

Terry Bernowich (Schmitz)

Thank you everyone for your thoughts and prayers. Kim Saylor called me today and we had a very nice conversation. I know most of you didn't know Jerry had passed away.  I should have posted something immediately but I thought since it was in the papers and on facebook I didn't think about posting it on our class web site. You all are very wonderful and I look forward to attending our class breakfasts at the Breadbasket. I haven't attended one for awhile because of Jerry. Hope to see some of you soon! I had a wonderful time at the one during our class reunion!

Martin Libhart

Terry, we were all very sorry to learn of your husband Jerry's passing, and regret that we did not see the obituary and inform our classmates of this sooner. Our thoughts and prayers are with you, and we are glad you are surrounded by your family. 

Below is the obituary as it appeared in The Kansan on September 20th. 

_______________

On Tuesday (Sept. 18, 2018) evening, Jerome Schmitz passed away peacefully in his home in Newton, surrounded by his close family and friends. He was diagnosed with Parkinson's back in 1999. He was 76 years old. He was born May 11, 1942, on the family farm in Baileyville. His parents were Silverius "Sap" Schmitz and Viola Bergman Schmitz. He attended St. Mary's Grade School from September 1948 to May 1956 and St. Mary's High School from September 1956 to May 1960 in St. Benedict. He enlisted in the Air Force out of Kansas City, Missouri, on Aug. 31, 1960, through May 1, 1964, and remained in the reserves until Aug. 30, 1966. He completed basic training at Lackland Air Force Base, Texas. He completed special equipment training at Chanute Air Force Base, Illinois. After serving in the Air Force, he graduated from Wichita Technical Institute. He retired from Honeywell after 31 years as an Avionics Electronics Technician. He enjoyed tuning organs. He was an artist who favored the grid method. He loved to sing, especially at church. He sang for friends' and families' weddings. He married Terry Margaret Bernowich on Nov. 25, 1972, in Newton. He was preceded in death by parents, Silverius and Viola Schmitz; and his son, Jerrod Schmitz. Survivors include his wife, Terry Bernowich Schmitz; sons: Jason (Melody) Schmitz, Darren Schmitz, Chad Schmitz and Tristan Schmitz, all from Newton; siblings: Kathleen (Richard) Hylton of Topeka, Diane (Alan) Schultz of Berryton, Esther (Jack) Shattuck of White Oak, Texas, Marilyn Egan of Topeka, Cecelia (Elton) Olberding of Seneca and Michael (Linda) Schmitz of Baileyville; and three step-grandchildren, along with many nieces and nephews. The Recitation of the Holy Rosary will be at 7 p.m. Friday (Sept. 21, 2018), with the Mass of Christian Burial at 10 a.m. Saturday (Sept. 22, 2018), both at St. Mary's Catholic Church in Newton. Interment will be in St. Mary's Cemetery. The casket will be open between 1 and 5 p.m. Friday at Broadway Colonial Funeral Home. A memorial has been established with the Parkinson Foundation. Contributions may be sent to Broadway Colonial Funeral Home, 120 E. Broadway, Newton, KS 67114. Condolences may be left at www.broadwaycolonialfh.com. Arrangements are by Broadway Colonial Funeral Home, Newton. Published in The Kansan on Sept. 20, 2018

Terry Bernowich (Schmitz)

Thank you Martin. I truly understand how it is so easy to miss reading about friends passing away. In no way am I upset over people not knowing about Jerry. I know I have the most wonderful and caring classmates any one could ask for. I look forward to seeing all of you at the next reunion or birthday party for when we turn 70!

Thank you everyone and God Bless all of you!

Nathan Stucky

Terry, I just checked in and saw the notices about Jerry's passing. I'm so sorry for your loss. My condolences to you and your family.

Terry Bernowich (Schmitz)

Thank you Nathan. I really appreciate the thoughts and prayers. God Bless you!

Leroy Buller

The monthly breakfast is this Saturday at 9 am at the Breadbasket in Newton.  Good food, good fun, good friends.  Hope to see you there.

Dutch Treat!

Lee 

Peter Preheim (Preheim)

Lee,

Received your request for donations from Class of '68 for the Class Fund.  My $25 check is on the way.

Fellow classmatess: send Lee YOUR $25 checks!

Pete

Leroy Buller

I have sent an email to the class thanking all of you for the donations for the web site.  The cost of the web site is covered.

Thank you so much for the donations.

Lee

Bill Boyd

Merry Christmas...

Approaching my third "Last Christmas" I feel compelled to thank you all again for prayers, thoughts, and more.  I hope (beyond hope) I will see you all again in THIS life. Well, some of you, anyway.  We finally sold our house in NC so a huge part of our budget has bee set free. 

We're living in Lake Alfred Florida.  Enjoyed a show and a meal with Roger & Donna Topham a couple weeks ago, and I'm looking forward to more of that.  I need to get together with Mike Roberts, sometime, too. Our daughter, Mary, lives in the Tampa area, so she visits like every two or three weeks.  She'll be with us for the third anniversary of my "Last Christmas", and my next extra birthday.  We're going to Disney World both of those days.  (annual pass holders,,,woohoo!)

I wanna know what everybody's doing this Christmas...Nothing is boring to me.  Lay it all out, folks!!

Connie Hale (Rhodes)

Merry Christmas from the westside of Newton.  

Bill reminded me of how silent I’ve been, even though I read everything posted on our class web page, I rarely respond and for that, please accept my apologies. This will be our third Christmas without our son Wes. I'm still fighting that terrible ever ending (when least expected) void that tries to steal my hearts joy. But like Santa that keeps going down those chimneys, life keeps moving forward too, and ready or not another year is on its way.

Even with all the ever-changing technology and gadgets, still nobody knows what the future may bring,. No longer can we can’t afford to take all those little daily blessings for granted that we are graced with. Each day has its own adventures, sorrows, and joy’s that fill our thoughts with expectations and wonder of things to come.

With that said, JD and I send all of you tender thoughts and prayers for the coming New Year. May 2019 overflow your hearts with inner-peace, wisdom, endurance, and joy. May your home be filled with cattle, sheep, a donkey, and maybe a camel or two to help us keep Christmas in perspective of how truly blessed and loved we really are. 

Christmas Blessings.

Connie

Bill Boyd

I have been silent more than anybody. This is my promise:  I will post at least once every week.  Let’s occupy this site with as much good news as bad. 

Terry Bernowich (Schmitz)

Thank you Bill for making that promise. I love reading updates on how you are doing. Maybe we should all make the same promise. After all, there are so many changes going on in all our lives. It is nice to know how everyone is doing. This is what makes our class so special, We care so much about one another and it shows. My prayer is for all of you to have a very Merry Christmas and Happy New Year! Hopefully 2019 will be a better year for all of us. In 2018 we have lost too many of our classmates and their spouses and relatives. Unfortunately the older we get the more this will happen. We need to stick together and keep everyone in our prayers. God Bless all of you!

Nancy Cravens (Hillman)

Thank you for the wonderful words.  God bless you all and Merry Christmas.

Nancy

June Nicodemus (Peters)

I would like to share something with the class.  My 15yr old grandson goes to Newton High and is in Choraliers.  This past Sunday was their winter concert and at one point during the concert the music director asked the alumni to come up and sing the hallelujah chorus with them.  I got to stand next to my grandson and sing the same song I sang when I was in Choraliers back in 1968.  It was a very special moment for me.

Merry Christmas to all and a Happy New Year!

Terry Bernowich (Schmitz)

Oh how wonderful June! Thank you for sharing this awesome story! I love reading things like this from our classmates.

Barbara Gabel (Gabel)

Merry Christmas to all too!! I’m in CA till Christmas visiting with my daughter n granddaughter. Juli (granddaughter) turned 18 yesterday n as a good Grammie I was compelled to make it one to remember. The two biggest things were spending the day with her mom n getting her ears pierced. Juli is the biggest joy in my life at the moment n she’s such a good kid. Being a grandma is such a joy n a privilege that I couldn’t imagine life worth living without them! My prayer is that everyone can find joy in the simple things - like a smile given or the heartfelt warmth of a hug!

Blessings to all!

Veronica Camargo

Carolyn Becker (Wellborn)

Merry Christmas and a Happy & Healthy New Year 

Rich Martinez (Martinez)

Bill Boyd

June - that is so cool - I am always thrilled to spend time with my daughter. 

HEY! Are we going to have a 70th birthday party?  That's about a year out, or so.  That would be a perfect excuse for me to be there.  Not that I need an excuse.  But If we are, can we plan it for either Spring or Fall?  August is just too hot.  I would be glad to help out any way I can.  I'm going to make a Railer (art) Quilt to be raffled for part of the class expenses.  I'll need some opinions on that, too.  I don't want anybody to knock themselves out working on it, but let's talk about it.

Let me know what you think.