Andrea Grega Honors the Departed

Andrea Bohach Grega has researched and written a great deal about departed members of her family, her community and her culture, including our HHS '65 classmates.  We asked Andrea,  "How did you get into genealogy and memorializing?  Why is this important to you, and how do you go about it?"

Andrea:  History was always my favorite subject in high school, so naturally, I was drawn to the history of my family!  I also like to solve puzzles and do research.  I thought, what could be better than searching for my own history?  Little did I know that it would become an obsession!  A fascinating search that went far beyond family!

My father was first generation Slovak, whose parents emigrated in the early 1900s and settled in the Shenango Valley, hard-working, religious individuals who had ten children and dedicated themselves to making a better life.  My mother's roots are from the Deep South, New Orleans.  I have traced her mother's French side to the late 1700s and her father's German-Irish family to the mid-1600s.  A very colorful history there!  Fascinating stories that would rival the TV series "Who Do You Think You Are."  Only, I'm not a celebrity.

Ancestry.com has been my main source, but I also use many other tools available on the Internet.  Newspapers and obituaries are the best sources for doing family research.  An obituary gives so very many valuable historical facts.  The genealogical section of the public library is also one of my go to sources.

While looking for information about an ancestor in New Orleans I found a website called FindAGrave.com where a volunteer had posted a photo of the gravesite of my fourth great grandfather, from the oldest cemetery in the city, St. Louis #1.  The gratitude I felt for this volunteer was beyond what I could express.

As a way of giving back to the genealogical community, I also became a volunteer for that website and started by documenting the place where my father's family is buried in Hermitage, St. Michael Byzantine Catholic Cemetery.  I became so fascinated with the names and families there that I continued documenting seven more cemeteries in Hermitage.  A nice feature of FindAGrave is that families can be linked from one cemetery to another.  This is a true help for anyone searching for their family history.  I have also added obituaries to the memorials of many friends and family.  The histories of the city of Farrell, the Shenango Valley and its great steel, tube and electrical industries are in those cemeteries.  Today I have over 13,000 memorials on Findagrave.com.  With volunteers all over the world, the site has become such an important genealogical tool that Ancestry.com recently acquired it, adding to their database.

Making the memorial for our HHS Class of 1965 on FindAGrave was a natural thing to follow.  For me, it was a labor of love, celebrating our deceased classmates' lives.  Gayle Yeager has helped me with so many memorials, as he is our unofficial class historian and has collected many obituaries and records.  Other volunteers on the site have contributed photos of headstones of our classmates.  My other memorials, called "virtual cemeteries" may be found on my contributor's page.

Now some people may think what I do is morbid or sad!  I don't!  I think of it as adding one's history to one of the greatest inventions that mankind has known.  The Internet!  So many people have lived on this earth from the beginning of time and have gone before us, their existence never to be known.  My hope is that with a site like FindAGrave we can be recorded and remembered for a very long time!

Washington DC 1965

Left Side Names

Row 1 Left - Marie Halloran, Barbara Dresel, Iris Hennessy, Kathy Thompson, Ingrid Lobeck, Barbara Moore, Jackie Bougher, Darlene Collins, Margaret Miller, Hope Holsapfel, Sandra First, Barbara Sudzina, Linda Merolillo, Elaine Kuchmak, Michele Godfrey, Donna Deiger, Kerry Montgomery, Delinda Rankin, Nancy Malone, Andrea Bohach.

Row 2 Left - Caroline Tallarico?, Scherry Lettie, 3?, Theresa Dzurinda, Grace Watson, Evelyn Fleet, Nancy Kelley, Geri Bruno, Linda Jackson, 10?, Donna Bonner, Martha Yarian, Cathy Raley, Marilyn Hudspeth, Nancy Dixon, Jean Ann Goeltz, Sandy Connery, Nancy Dahringer, Mary Jo Bobish, Becky DeCapua.

Row 3 Left - Diane Lutz?, 2?, Gayle Chapman, Wilma Little, Janis Knight, 6?, Cheryl Gerber, Mary Jane O’Brien, Sandra Nehlen, Margie Grove, Beverly Klinge, Donna Shiderly, Barbara Kilgore, Margaret Malia, Linda Taylor, 16?, Judy Bulick, Kathy Nettinger, Janet Polonus.

Row 4 Left - Nancy Lee, Gail Paxton, Mary Sarver, Margaret Wishart, 5?, Lesslee Elder, Butch Myers, Walt Kennedy, Dick Wilcox, Ron McWhirter, Greg Curtis, Tom Logan, Bill Baborsky, William Anthony, Bill Barlett, Gary Padenich, Rich Weller, Bob Barlett, Gayle Yeager, John Lockovich, Keith Thompson, Paul Yourchson.

Row 5 Left - Dennis Peruzzi, Jim Fulford, Dick Shepherd, Joe McCullough, Rick Purdy, John Rokita, Vic Ellenberger, Tom Aaron, Vic O,Mahen, Harry Rae, Bill McCoy, Tom Kaleita, Jim Petropulos, Robert Muszik, Dave Lazorishak  Fred Shingledecker, Dennis Ratliff, Larry Kocholek.

Right Side Names

Row 1 Right - Andrea Bohach, Iris Hennessy, Ann Marie Sicilian, Sally Reeves, Esther Clarich, Holly Benbow, 7?, Sherry Cagno, Janis Bowie, Linda Mamone, Carol Callis, Wanda Dout, Carol Chmielewski, Gloria Cvelbar, Bonnie Likens, Linda Powell, Peggy Parisse, Jackie Yonchak, Terri Bailey.

Row 2 Right - Becky DeCapua, Karen Ivan, Mr Gauss, Ms McMillen, Ms DeCapua, Gloria Novak, Marilyn Thompson, Linda Byrne, Cynthia Sisic, Karen Detelich, Francine Fragle, Carol Spetar, Caroline Tallarico?, Cheri Gealy, Darlene Hoch, Susan Snyder.

Row 3 Right - Janet Polonus, 2?, 3?, Pam Spenzer, Gail Hobbs, Pat Mild, Margaret Greene, Mary Lou Brown, Patty Shanes,, Diane Amsdell, Sally Andree, Pat Rissinger, Linda Wilcox, Evvie Styduhar, Debbie Moore, Nancy Beck, Patti Phillips, Andrea Yonker, Jane Ellen Tymochko, Margaret McNutt. 

Row 4 Right - Keith Thompson, Paul Yourcisin, Roman Namisnyk, Jim Detelich, Tom Perman, Jerry Keryan, Bernie Wooddell, Bill Stainbrook, Brian Hasenflu, 10, Ken Darby, Jack Pumphrey, David Schwartz, Paul Fortuna, Peggy Brown, Ellen Muscarella, Sherry Bellas, Joan Spangler.

Row 5 Right - Larry Kocholek, Richard Finnimore, Bill Williams, Rich Rutherford, Pat Quinn, Tom Hodgson, Michael Dunder, Ron Klingle, Jerry Cadman, Jerry Kerlek, Gary Webster, Terry Fornadley, Ron Reiter, Tom Warrender, Richard Banjak, Rand Cairey, Dennis Weldon, Pat Mong, Frank Tarcha.

Please use the comments below to add or correct names.

If opened in a new tab or window, the photos may be made larger.

Many thanks to Rich Rutherford for scanning the photo,
and to Jim Detelich for typing names on the left side photo.

The UPSETS

 

Where Is Your Heart

Should we make everyone guess who sent this?

Hornets Forever

7/7/15 -- Email from Jerry Cadman

My high school ride with a Hickory Hornets plate on the front bumper.  It's a '59 Ford Fairlane 500 in the ever popular Geranium and Colonial White colors (Hey, I bought it used!).  Paid for it  with a job at the Twin Kiss Drive-In, corner of State Street and Maple Drive.  Worked there with Jim Downing's mom.

Mrs. Hunter's Fourth Grade Class

Row 1 (front) Larry Paladino, Brian Hasenflu, Butch Myers, Richard Myers, John Goodrum.

Row 2 Susan Haggard, Darlene Collins, Evvie Styduhar, April Atkinson, Nancy Beth Kelley, Patti Bugher, Donna Rickert, Donna Marini, Cheryl Horton.

Row 3 Dennis Weldon, Mary Sarver, Novella Davis, Mary Lou Brown, Jackie Harmer, Janet Hilliard, Pat Mild, Gayle Chapman, Beverly Kuhn, Nancy Beck, Bob McClimans.

Row 4 (back) Frank Tarcha, Rich Boyles, Chuck Stanford, Jerry Keryan, Richard Finnimore, Bruce Dale, Don Morrow, Tom Warrender, Ron McWhirter, Geoff Victor, Paul Bobby, Bill McCoy.

Many thanks to Janet, Butch, Bruce and Bob for the names.

Andre Heintz, WWII French Resistance, Great Uncle of Greg Curtis

6/23/14 -- Message from Jim Detelich

Dear Classmates,

    Our classmate Greg Curtis has left for France to visit with his Great Uncle Andre Heintz who was a member of the French Resistance.  Andre is approaching 100 years of age, and Greg says he still has his faculties about him and is sharp as a tack. 

    After he visits with his Great Uncle, Greg plans to go to Paris to relax and, knowing Greg, probably do some work.

    I had to pull teeth to let Greg send you this information but I felt it important for you to know about his Great Uncle.  I have an article attached to this email for your reading pleasure. You can also search Andre online for more articles if you wish.

    Thank you Greg and have a great trip!!!!

jim

attached file

Mrs. Wimmer's Fifth Grade Class

6/28/15 -- Toni Sheehan sent in a photo of Mrs. Wimmer's class.  She is remembered for reading stories and once dancing to a recording of "Damn Yankees."  Note the large class size, 43.

Back(1): Richard Weller, Gloria Cvelbar, Geraldine Bruno, David Dyer, Rand Cairy, Gene  Kasunick, Mark Ebert, Ann Adams, Bob Mort, Jim Banas, Joe McCullough, Linda Mamone, Ron McWhirter, Lynn Saternow.

Row 2: Miss Backstrom, Linda Jackson, Sandy Buchanan, Walter Kennedy, Richard Rutherford, Vic O'Mahen, Ken Darby, Steve Laskey, Bob Barlett, Gail Hobbs, Greg Curtis, Sue Snyder, Bill McCoy, Pat Mild, Mrs. Wimer.

Row 3: Toni Kennedy, Pat Mong, Skip Feigert, Margaret Miller, Mary Jo Bobish, Wanda Dout, Debbie Myers, Gail Paxton, Cynthia Hirsch, Nanci Wagner, Ben Norris.

Front(4): Bill Sparks, Jim Fryman, Rick Purdy, Guy Paul, Dick Wilcox

Vernon Mook 1930 - 2015

Vernon Milo Mook

Retired Hickory Teacher Was Active in Church and Organizations

Sharon Herald: Wednesday, May 6, 2015

Vernon Milo Mook went to be with his Lord and Savior on May 6, 2015, following a lengthy illness.  His family surrounded him, aided by hospice care and the attentive and kind staff of Sharon Regional Health System. He was 84.

Mr. Mook was born Aug. 17, 1930, in Jamestown, N.Y., to the Rev. Milo and Berdina Mook.  He graduated from Girard (Pa.) High School in 1948 and from what is now Slippery Rock University in 1952 with a bachelor’s degree in education. While at Slippery Rock, he participated in ROTC and joined the Marine Corps following graduation, serving until 1954.  Mr. Mook received his master’s degree in education from Westminster College.

He spent the majority of his teaching career, 33 years, at Hickory High School, Hermitage. Mr.  Mook primarily taught algebra during his tenure there. When asked what he taught, he would often reply, with a wry smile, “kids.”  During his years at Hickory, Mr. Mook was involved in coaching and assisting in the football and track and field programs. He and his wife were faithful followers and encouragers of student athletics well into their retirement.

Mr. Mook married the love of his life, Mary Alice Momyer, on Dec. 22, 1952, at Hope Memorial Lutheran Church in Smithton, Pa.  He was preceded in death by his brother, Reed Mook.  He is survived by Mary Alice and their three children, Karen (William) Sukolsky, Waynesburg, Pa.; Robin Mook, at home; and Wesley (Linda), Georgetown, S.C.; six grandchildren, Jennifer (Charles) Mims, Sarah Mook, Cara (Geoff) Rach, Samuel (Jane) Mook, Rachel (Robert) McMahon and Caitlyn (Denman) Rooke; and six great­grandchildren, Eliott and Alex Mims, Elle and Linnaea Bradbury-Mook, and Matthias and Eliza Rach. He also is survived by his sister, Marilyn (Walter) Connor; and sister­in­law, Laura Mook.

His family is grateful for his legacy of faith, love, generosity and kindness.  Mr. Mook had been an active member of New Virginia United Methodist Church in Hermitage. He and his wife also participated in numerous mission trips and projects through both the Methodist church and Youth with a Mission.  He also was involved with the Shenango Valley Conservancy, Arc of Mercer County, YMCA, Meals on Wheels, Civil War Round Table, and Sharpsville Men’s Prayer Breakfast.

Mr. Mook led a very full life and enjoyed traveling, camping, hiking, building fires on the beach at Lake Erie, gardening, backpacking, cross country skiing, bird watching, and baking his famous Swedish rye bread.  Above all else, Mr. Mook’s deep  faith in Jesus Christ as his Lord and Savior defined and touched every area of his life.

Mrs. Lindstrom's Third Grade Class

6/25/15 -- Photo from Jim Banas, along with names he, Ben Norris and Linda Thompson think they can identify . . .

Back row: Dick Wilcox, Ben Norris, Kathleen Martin, Cheryl Gerber, Linda Jackson, Ellen Muscarella, Beverly Rodenmeyer, Margaret Malia, Sherry Bellas, Susan Snyder, Linda Mamone, Nanci Wagner, Rand Cairey.

Middle: Pat Mong, Jim Sparks, Bill Sparks, Wanda Dout, Toni Kennedy, Cynthia Hirsch, Margaret Miller, Cheryl Witzigman, Mary Jo Bobish, Debby Myers, Ruth Ann Blough, Rich Weller, Dick Shepherd, Jim Fryman.

Front: Dave Dyer, Lynn Saternow, Steve Laskey, Rich Rutherford, Ken Darby, Terry Fornadley, Greg Curtis, David Barner, Bob Bartlett, Jim Banas, Larry Patterson, Mark Ebert.

Missing from the photo are Ann Adams and Gail Hobbs.

Tom Hodgson Is Found

7/2/15 -- Email from Tom Hodgson:

Good afternoon everyone,

This is Tom Hodgson and I just received your letter concerning the upcoming reunion.

My wife and I are now living in North Carolina permanently after retiring a year and 1/2 ago.

We were just in Hickory/Hermitage a few days ago.  We do not plan on returning there in time for the reunion.  Therefore, I will probably not be able to attend.  I will miss seeing everyone and talking about old times at HHS.  Please give my regrets along with my best wishes to our classmates.

In the past, there was a questionnaire that was sent out with names, addresses, phone numbers and employment information to be completed and returned.  I had sent in the information for the previous reunion and the funds to have one sent to me, but never received one.  Are they going to do this again for this big reunion.  I would hope so, as so many of us are now in different parts of the country and a lot have lost contact.

Please let me know.

Best wishes.

Tom Hodgson