Letters Thanks for Writing!
Letters……Thanks For Writing!
Received from August 2012 – June 2013
Herb Polk, ’45 – “More than half of our classmates are keeping in touch with each other. I’m still teaching farming to 25 students this semester at Ouachita Hills Academy in Arkansas. I tell my students about the good ‘ole times at IA.” Herb ‘s address is: 1467 John Ashley Rd., Amity, AR 71921.
William C. Greer, AA ’49 – “I am retired, OEM. One of my favorite memories about IA is the wonderful fruit toast at breakfast!” My address is: 292 Tom Swafford Rd., Pikeville, TN 37367.
Ruth (McCullough) Ludwig, AA ’52 – “Receiving the newsletter in the mail brought back a few memories. I was able to attend my freshmen year and half of my sophomore year. It was indeed a different era. I remember telling mother it was worth it all to be there. We were spoon fed spiritually. I compared it to public school, of course, and it changed the course of my life I’m sure. I finally graduated in ’52 from Andrews Academy, as it was then known as E.M.C.A. Even though I didn’t graduate from IA, my oldest son and daughter did and several of my siblings. I feel I owe the school a debt of gratitude.”
Clarence W. Heinlein, ’57 – “I was the director of Radiology at the SDA Florida Hospital in Orlando for 28 years. I spent a total of 42 years in Radiology, retiring in 1998 from Florida Hospital. I married Ana Guptill in 1990. Since then, I have worked part time as a handyman, and also as a maintenance man at the SDA Children’s Academy in Orlando. Indiana Academy was a good influence on my life. I gave my life to the Lord, was born again, and was baptized during the years I spent at IA. My other favorite memories were making some good friends while there.”
Gretta Kay Wolff, ’61 – “I am retired. One memory, which isn’t my favorite of IA, was when the class of 61 was denied a class trip because of the actions of the class of 1960 while on their trip.”
Wilfredo “Willie” R. Martir, ’63 – “I am retired. Several memories come to mind when I think of IA, such as, fixing my breakfast at the cafeteria while on night watch, Dean Nail, and students Rick Clark and George Steiger.”
Peggy A. (Driscol) Lee, ’76 – “I am still residing in Maryland with my dear husband whom I met at Andrews. I am an RN and currently working as a school nurse. We have two sons. One is married and working as a music teacher in the public school system. Our second son is working as a welder. My favorite memories of IA are: that I came as a scared freshman and knew no one. I roomed with an upper classman for the first week of school and that was a very long week. Then I moved in with a fellow freshman and that was much better. Second semester I moved in with my friend, Carol. We even painted the room a dark purple, and we were the noisiest freshmen on second floor. (Of course, we were the only freshmen on second floor.) I have many fond memories of IA. Friday evening we would get our breakfast rolls for the morning and many of us had a hard time waiting until the am to eat them, which left us very hungry for lunch on Sabbath! Those were fun days. I do not often make it to alumni weekend as it involves taking too many days off, but I will remember you on that day.”
In Memory:
Naomi “Skippy” Coon Sigler, ’31 – Born September 21, 1911, in Melrose, MA. Naomi went peacefully to her rest on February 25, 2013 in Glendale, AZ. Naomi was born to Alice Rae and Arthur Coon. Her father was a minister and evangelist and the family relocated many times ending up in Cicero where Naomi and her sister Ruth attended and graduated from Indiana Academy. During her years at IA she honed her skills in dramatic readings, and became skilled at the cello, performing with her mother and sister. In 1935 Naomi married Noble Raymond Sigler. As a Sabbath School Superintendent she became a bulwark of the SDA Church providing thoughtful theme-based programs from 1938–1998. She was also instrumental in reviving the Indiana Academy Alumni Association in the early 50s and served as president for many years. In 1990 she and Noble decided to move to the sunny, warm state of Arizona. Noble lived until 1995, and now mother has joined him in resting, awaiting Jesus’s call. Naomi is survived by her sons Ron (Pat Redman) Sigler and Carl (Marcia Berg) Sigler; four grandchildren; and three great grandchildren.
Helen (Padgett) Ford, ’39 – Passed to her rest in September, 2012. She is survived by her children.
Merle G. Harris, MD, ’39 – Passed away August 19, 2012 in Yucaipa, CA. He is survived by two sons, Calvin and Allen; a stepdaughter, Jan Hack; two grandchildren and a sister, Catherine June (Harris) Whitis ’38.
Doris P. (DeMink) Toews ’39 – Doris passed away on June 21, 2012.
Mildred Wood, ’39 – Passed away in Sonora, CA. She is survived by her daughter, Rebeca Wood and two sons.
Donna Belle (Allen) Luke, ’41 – Born July 4, 1923 - Passed away peacefully in Jesus on August 7, 2012 at St. Joseph’s Hospital in Bellingham, WA. Donna Belle, affectionately called “Grandma Donna” by friends and family, was born to Charles E. Allen and Orpha Mae (Burkett) Allen in Terre Haute, IN. Later the family moved to Whitestown, IN, which became their permanent home. Donna Belle attended Christian schools almost all of her education years. She graduated from Indiana Academy,and then Emmanuel Missionary College and Walla Walla College in the late 40s. She married Bill Luke on June 11, 1950. Donna Belle was preceded in death by her husband in 2008; her son, Stephen, in 2007; her grandson, Luke, in 2006. Also preceding Donna Belle are her parents, Charles & Orpha Mae, and brothers, Garold and Johnny, and “little Dorothy” (3 years old). Surviving is her sister, Bonnie Wolfe of Cicero, IN, as well as numerous nieces and nephews from there also. Those of us that knew and loved her best are thankful that she is no longer suffering, and we look forward to that Great Day when Jesus will return and awake the sleeping saints from their graves.
Peggy J. (Foster) Yarger, ’44 – Peggy was born on December 19, 1926, and passed away February 2, 2013, in Tyler, Texas. She was born to Joe and Louis Foster and attended Bedford schools. She graduated from Indiana Academy in 1944 and then moved to Muncie, IN. She is survived by her children, Mark Mitchell, Joe Mitchell, Chris Mitchell, and Kathy Ward; her step-children, Sheila Helm, Donald Yarger Jr., and Jeffrey Yarger. Also surviving are several grandchildren and great-grandchildren. She was preceded in death by her husband, Don Yarger in 2003, son, Michael Mitchell; her brother, Bill Foster, her parents, and step-mother, Edna Foster. Her daughter Kathy can be reached at: 6643 Hartnet Fields, Converse, TX 78109.
Lester Lloyd Wein, AA ’49 – Born June 23, 1931 in Chicago Heights, IL – died on January 20, 2013, in St. Joseph, MI. Les spent his growing up years in Chicago Heights, IL and Cedar Lake, IN. He attended Indiana Academy and then Broadview Academy before going to Andrews University. In 1951 he served his country in Korea in a MASH unit in the dental medical corps. He worked for Superior Beverage for 25 years and later as a literature evangelist. He also worked in real estate and life insurance. Les volunteered his services at two churches (Northwest SDA near Gary, IN, and Fairplain SDA in Benton Harbor). He has served as elder, deacon, school board chair, church board member, Sabbath School teacher and superintendent, and choir director. He was a member of the “Good News Singers,” singing for Indiana Camp Meeting, along with singing solos and duets with friends and family. He is survived by his wife of 46 years, Mary (Wise) Wein; children, Sheryl (Fabir) Pham, Debra Kelly, Keith (Kim) Wein, Kevin (Suzanne) Wein, and Wendy Baker; 7 grandchildren; 1 great-grandchild.
Dorothy Ann (Gee) Heinlein, ’57 – Dorothy (fondly known as “Dot”) was born in Hopkinsville, KY, on November 14, 1938. She passed away peacefully on June 20, 2012 after a long and courageous battle with Pulmonary Fibrosis. She married Clarence Heinlein on June 1, 1958 in South Bend, IN and they had four children. Her greatest joy was being a mother to her four children and working in the garden. After her children were older she returned to school and received her nursing degree in 1974. She is survived by her four children, her son-in-law, daughter-in-law, and grandchildren. She is also survived by her siblings and their families, as well as the family of her late brother. Dorothy was laid to rest beside her mother in Lincoln, IN.
Ronald Dail Wolff, ’60 – Born in Anderson, IN, May 21, 1942, and passed away August 13, 2011. “My husband, Ron, came to his 50th reunion and enjoyed it sooo much. He visited with some of the characters in his class; he and they recalled “moments” they shared together. I’m so glad he had a great time. We lacked two months of having our 48th wedding anniversary. I miss him so. We were blessed to have two children and 12 grandchildren. Our oldest granddaughter (Genevieve) graduated from Moody Bible College in Chicago this spring.” –Gretta Kay (Bolejack) Wolff ’61.
Carolyn J. (Imhoff) Duty, ’63 – Passed away on April 10, 2013 at her home. She was born in Columbus on June 19, 1945. She earned a Bachelor of Science degree from Ohio State University. Her first love was her family and friends and her second love was cooking for them. Her loving and caring nature will be missed by all who knew and loved her. She is survived by a son, John (Tabitha) Duty, a daughter, Joanna Duty; a sister, grandchildren, and several nieces and nephews.
Marilyn Joyce (Beaumont) Trenchard, ’63 – Passed away at home on February 8, 2013. She was born in Winamac, IN and had been a resident of Riverside, CA for 19 years. Marilyn is survived by her husband, Warren (class of 1962); sons, Mark (Lauree), David (Rosalie), and Kevin (Marcia); grandchildren, Cadence, Kendra, Miles, Braden, and Liam. Marilyn attended Indiana Academy for four years and was the Vice President of the Class of 1963. She was a loving wife, mother, and grandmother. She was a talented musician, creative artist, avid reader, faithful friend, and compassionate nurse. Despite her recent years suffering the deteriorating effects of ALS, she was always an inspiration to her family and friends who regularly visited her. She now rests in anticipation of the great resurrection day.
Carole (Prather) Shepard, ’71 – Carole passed away on December 29, 2012. She was born to Vernon and Virginia Prather on November 4, 1952, in Niles, Michigan.She grew up in Indianapolis with her three sisters. After graduating from Indiana Academy in 1971, Carole studied art at Andrews University. She met and married Robert Shepard while attending Glendale Seventh-day Adventist ChurchMichigan.y for me,lwature.ers1111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111. They welcomed their son, Christopher, in 1981. Carole worked as a secretary at Thomson Consumer Electronics and the Indianapolis Museum of Art. She enjoyed learning and took college courses throughout her life. Carole moved to Cicero several years ago. She attended the Cicero Seventh-day Adventist Church because of the welcoming congregation and pastor.
Carole is best known for her thoughtfulness and creativity. She loved spending time with her son, daughter-in-law and two grandchildren. She always had time for family and friends. She volunteered at various organizations during her life. Carole loved reading literature. She wrote many children’s stories and poems in her free time. She also painted, sewed, quilted, beaded and knitted. Carole loved music and playing the piano. She also enjoyed spending time in nature. She is survived by her son, Christopher, daughter-in-law and two grandchildren. She is also survived by three sisters, Nancy, Dorian and Kim.
Maryann Snelling Witte, ’81 –
Larry K. Teeter, Former IA Business Manager – Larry was born in Mishawaka, IN, on January 19, 1942, and passed away on February 15, 2013. Larry was a wonderful husband, father, and grandpa. He loved to spend time visiting and doing things with his family and friends. They meant so much to him. Larry had other interests too, such as gardening, landscaping, sports, coaching the IA girls’ basketball team, making salsa from his vegetable garden, and being active in his church. He lived with leukemia and painful nerve end damage from Shingles for many years, yet he did his best to rise above the pain and keep on going. Larry is survived by his wife, Tootie, and four children: Laura (Dan) Fuller, Jane (Dan) Lemon, Jeff (Joy) Teeter, Penny (Joel) Fuller, and Dan (Ashley) Teeter. Larry is also survived by 9 grandchildren and 6 great-grandchildren.