The 63rd annual Jewell Alumni Banquet was held Saturday at the Jewell Community Center. Nearly 90 alumni and guests were on hand to partake of the meal prepared and served by the Trinity Methodist Women of Grace.
Mary Eilert DeBey, president, Class of 1972, presided over the business meeting where the following officers were elected for 2024: Elaine Vetter Peters, president, Class of 1974; Debby McMillan Scott, vice-president, Class of 1973; and Pat Oplinger Zentz, secretary treasurer, Class of 1959.
Debby McMillan Scott responded for the 50-year class remembering when the Randall students first joined Jewell school system. In turn, 17 of the 33 members of the Class of 1973 were in attendance. Those attending were LeRoy Bourbon, Richard Burks, Steven Butts, Scott Fenner, Rex Flinn, Yvonne Goff Walls, Nyla Hockett Slate, Sheila Hoel McReynolds, Joyce Kleppinger Ball, Karen Lienberger Hillman, Debby McMillan Scott, James McMillan, Dan Peters, Joe Peters, Jane Slate Gordanier, Elaine Thompson Spellman, and Kathryn Knarr Goff. Other members of the class but not in attendance are Bruce Barrett, Tony Folsom, Rita Goldsberry Rose, Charles Gordanier, David Hastings, Charla Holdren Monty, Joycelyn Kemmerer Goff, Tony St. John and Annette Varney Laracuente.
Eight members of the class are deceased and were remembered with a special floral arrangement on the table. Those members are Tom Bartsch, Dan Baxa, Susan Dalrymple Goreham, David Douglas, Barbara Schmidt, Linda Taylor Hummell, Vicki Vetter Fenner and Henry Weber.
Recognized as the oldest member present was Marjorie Divel Hartsel from the Class of 1941 who has just celebrated her 100th birthday. Joel Knarr, Class of 2003, was the youngest member present.
Norman Greene and Bob Willmeth attended from the 75-year class. Members of the 60-year classes in attendance were Judy Shumacher Erhlich, Neita Blacker Colin, Jim Abram and Roy Hoffer.
The Oplinger family was recognized as having the most members present: Patricia Oplinger Zentz, Jim Oplinger, 1964, and Becky Oplinger Loomis, 1969, and Billi Loomis Arasmith, 1993, working in the kitchen. Gary Gordanaier, 1971, and Jane Slate Gordanaier, 1973 from League City, Texas, were recognized as traveling the greatest distance to attend the festivities.
More than 50 people signed the register at the afternoon reception hosted by the officers.
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