August 02, 2025
Local News | MidWeek News
Local News

DHS Class of 1960 celebrates 50 years

Row 1 (from left): Nita (Schroeder) Challgren, Gerry Mullins, Ben Farmer, Tom Cadie, Bob Carr, Rachel (Schauer) Birchard, Bob Brown (teacher), Bob Brayfield (teacher), Jim Jensen, Carl Bocklund, Ken Smith, Richard Burtch, John Gunther Row 2: Phyllis (Peterson) Kenseth, Van Krueger, Dave Brooke, Jim Miller, Bill Guerin, John Moore, Bob Heimerdinger (teacher), John Goodwin (teacher), Dick Jackson, Harry Rauworth, JoAnn (Snow) Morris, Judy (Scott) Benson, Jean (Clarke) Clegg Row 3: Carole (Gibney) Peacock, John Lawler, Harry Huhta, Bob McAllister, Marlene (McCabe) Luciani, Pat Hickey, Stef Herr, Joe Bjorn, Bill Allen, Laura (Freeman) Durham, Kay (Mosher) Ollmann, Sharon (Holder) Scott, Mary Jo (Clark) Kaster, Sue (Harris) Anderson, Helen (Hartmann) Carlton Row 4: Adrienne (Jacobson) Henigan, Laura (Joseph} English, Curtis White, Dick Anderson, Jeanne (Perusse) Burtzos, Phyllis (Johnson) Franzene, Don Davis, David Miner, Linda (Pauling) Jackson, Will Widerberg, Donna (Coan) Widerberg, Ginger (Sisco) Allen, Dave Royalty, Bob Eike, Jim Ellis, Frank Jouris Row 5 (standing on left): Mike Henigan, JoAnn (Japuntich) Cutrara, Rose (Kunos) Hentemann, Robin Bosworth, Jane (Montavon) Leivik, Phyllis Andersen, Wanda (Bemis) Bierman Row 5 (seated on right): Ray Cantrell, Bob Easterbrooks, Gene Pottenger, Kay (Miller) Berke, Larry Berke, Pat (Koslowski) de la Cruz, Starlene (Cason) Boyes Row 6 (standing on right): Allyn Davenport, Martha (Madison) Davenport, Bob Swineheart, Kathy (Severson) Farris, Lance Farris, Bill Hudson, Leo Seguel, Ed Black (Photo provided)

On the weekend of June 25-27, the DeKalb High School Class of 1960 felt young again as it held its very special 50th-year class reunion.

A casual gathering was hosted at the DeKalb Elks Club on Friday night, at which time members of other DHS classes came to see and greet old friends, and on Saturday evening, 122 class members and guests assembled in the Sky Room at Holmes Student Center on the NIU campus, where they enjoyed cocktails and hors d'oeuvres. Special guests for the evening were former teachers Bob Brayfield, Bob Brown, John Goodwin, Bob Heimerdinger and their spouses and guests.

Prior to dinner, class members assembled in the Carl Sandburg Auditorium for a class photo. Immediately following, everyone entered the Regency Room, where they were greeted by an amazing display. All four walls were lined with bulletin boards covered with memorabilia, from the five grade schools that were in existence when class members were young, as well as pictures and printed material from junior high and high school. 

There were original Chronicle advertisements from 1959-60, photos and articles from all nine previous reunions, a large U.S. map showing home locations of attending classmates, and a memorial section honoring deceased classmates including a "tribute" table with 36 roses. 

Dozens of 45 rpm records hung from the large chandelier, and the tabletop placemats had been created using 33 1/3 rpm records, each adorned with a "Barbie Crow." A vintage jukebox with '50s and '60s music was featured, and everyone enjoyed the nostalgic atmosphere, remembering the "good old days!"

A delicious buffet dinner was enjoyed, along with special cakes adorned with old high school themes.

On Sunday morning, classmates and guests gathered on the footbridge over the Kishwaukee River in Hopkins Park for a service of remembrance.  A memorial poem was read and a prayer was given. As each name of the 36 deceased members in the Class of 1960 was announced, a rose was dropped into the river, accompanied by the sound of a memorial bell. A tribute to those "Gone, but not forgotten."