The Brownstown Central High School Class of 1968 met for its 50-year class reunion July 20 at Pewter Hall in Brownstown.
Following a social hour, the Rev. Kay Miller Pratt gave the invocation before 65 classmates and their guests.
Joe Tormoehlen, master of ceremonies, introduced attending teachers Larry Hinkle and wife Sonja, John Stuckwisch and wife Joyce, Herbert Perry and Dr. Donal Neal.
Following a buffet dinner, the Pledge of Allegiance was recited, and classmates and guests who were veterans were recognized while “God Bless the USA” played.
There was a video presentation of the class from kindergarten through graduation. The video also included senior pictures and current pictures of classmates and pictures from all previous reunions.
Favorite songs from the 1960s played throughout the video. The ’68 Singers led the group in the school song and a song about getting older to the tune of “My Favorite Things.”
Prizes of table centerpieces, which were red carnations and baby’s breath in a milk painted jar with a black ribbon and ’68 pick, were presented to 15 of the attendees.
A raffle was held for one of two benches from the old bleachers of the gymnasium. The other bench was then auctioned to the highest bidder. These special benches were designed and built by classmate Michael Lovins. Proceeds from the raffle and auction will be given to the Jim Blevins and Lou Sommers memorial scholarship funds.
Lucky raffle tickets were drawn for a floral arrangement in a basket, a box of Marion-Kay Spices, which was donated by Marion-Kay, and cantaloupes and watermelons donated by Stuckwish Farm Market of Vallonia.
The program ended with everyone singing “Happy Trails to You” with Roy Rogers and Dale Evans.
Following the program, classmates enjoyed memorabilia tables, a photo-op booth with a Class of ’68-50th Reunion frame and several signs with other sayings and reminiscing.
There was a special memorial area with pictures of deceased classmates, white flowers and candles on a black wrought iron trifold. A candle lantern surrounded by red carnations and a sign that read “This candle burns in loving memory of those who are forever present in our hearts” was in front of the memorial screen.
Each classmate received a spiral-bound booklet and video.
Classmates and their spouses attending the reunion from Jackson County were Margy Able Hayes, Gary (Kay) Anthony, Vickie Ault Fleetwood, Sheri Autry (Steve) Fletcher, Larry and Beverly Blair Babbs, Becky Burnside (Dan) Robertson, Donnie (Kaye) Durham, Gary Ellerman, Brenda Farmer (Tony) Beckett, Diana Frazier (Sam) Spray, Loyd Gastineau, Anita Gorbett (Butch) Banister, Sharon Grider (Doug) Nuss, Tom (Linda) Hallow, Carlene Hehman (Marvin) Hash, Paul (Barbie) Hoevener, Rita Hoevener (Wayne) Wischmeier and Alana Holman (Tony) Knotts.
Also, Gary (Beth) Kellermeier, Mary Kloppenburg Londot, Sandy Lowery (Dennis) Sunderman, Michael and Connie Killey Lovins, David (Sue) McKain, Claude (Martha) Morgan, Chester (Shari) Nolan, Chris and Nyra McKinney Peters, Ted Pfeiffer, John Ray III, Carolyn Rieckers (Glenn) Benter, Ronnie (Pat) Robertson, Terry (Susie) Shirley, Betty Sierp (Harlann) Peters, Larry (Becky) Stahl, Dixie Stepp (Jimmie) Klosterman, Lonn (Cheryl) Stuckwish, Joe (Robin) Tormoehlen, Elly Trueblood (Gary) Wischmeier, Dave (Barb) VanAntwerp, Gary (Kathy) Wehmiller and Dennis (Melanie) Wischmeier.
Attending from surrounding counties were Carol Eggeman (Andy) Denny, Marvin (Carol) Hounshel, Terrence (Pam) Johnson, Betty Phegley (Roger) Fox and Janet Whitson (Larry) Burchell.
Also from elsewhere in Indiana were Erich and Kathy Watson Blevins of Sullivan, Rose Eastin (Randy) Eckley of Brownsburg, Barb Fosbrink Wortman and Renee Hunsucker Purkis of Indianapolis, Jerry (Angela) McKain of Tell City, Jim (Debbie) Morgan of Terre Haute and Brenda Schneider (Jim) DeMotte of Jasper.
Attending from out of state were John (Linda) Baker of Columbia, South Carolina; Janice Baughman (Ray) Hallett of Schaumburg, Illinois; Steve (Pam) Engle of Delran, New Jersey; Brenda Harbaugh Pulaski of Staten Island, New York; Jeanie Locke (John) Sinn of Bowling Green, Ohio; Kay Miller (Merlin) Pratt of Ypsilanti, Michigan; Barb Otte (Bruce) Shelley of Barrington, Illinois; Gale (Anne) Sommers of Falls Church, Virginia; and Steve Sterling of New Smyrna Beach, Florida.