Ministry couple Mike and Connie Eighmy likened their journey to the old tale Pilgrim’s Progress, a 17th century tale by John Bunyan about a Christian who becomes convicted of the need to flee from the wrath to come and who must journey to the Celestial City to find eternal happiness. He must leave all of his friends and family behind in obedience to Christ’s command to leave behind his father and mother and follow Him in obedience to His will. Along the way, they encounter obstacles, counselors, and friends who guide them along the way while having to overcome various enemies. Finally, Christian nearly drowns as he tries to wade through the final obstacle, a moat surrounding the Celestial City. But he remembers his faith in Christ, allowing him to find firm ground and complete his journey to the Celestial City.
The ministry couple recounted their journey at the annual Worth County Alumni Reunion, at which 80 people and 34 guests attended. Mike said that after he graduated from Worth County in 1963, he went his own way for over a year before he enlisted in the Navy. But other people, including his commanding officer, recognized his talent for ministry even when he didn’t; he was told by Tom Stephens never to volunteer for anything in the Navy. But it didn’t matter; the commanding officer, who “knew how to talk sailor,” in Eighmy’s words, told him he hoped he was a Protestant and directed him to lead prayers for the Protestants, meet regularly with the chaplain, and supervise all the Jewish and Protestants when they went to religious services. That planted a seed in his heart and for Eighmy, prayer got to be important for him. He served for four years and was on a ship patrolling Tonkin Gulf at one point; their job was to retrieve downed pilots who were shot down by the North Vietnamese. Eighmy’s responsibilities were to keep the phone lines and the intercom working.
After he came back, Eighmy was in for a culture shock as he was confronted with one of many protests against the war and one protestor spit on him by a man who jumped out at him. But the seed had been planted in his heart; he read about Christianity extensively while on his spare time in the Navy ship’s library. After he was done with his service, Eighmy went to college and married Connie and they started going to church, where they had a close Sunday School group and met some people who lived out their faith and practiced what they preached.
The seed planted in his heart continued to grow and Eighmy’s pastor, Roy Hinds, recognized his talent for ministry and encouraged him to find ways of becoming more involved. Finally, Eighmy felt a calling from God to go into ministry and his wife, Connie, gave her unconditional support. Mike’s curiosity about Christianity led him to attend St. Paul’s School of Theology in Kansas City. Mike was influenced strongly by John Wesley, who taught that one would find holiness of heart and life if one submitted to God. Mike then became a minister for many years and Connie became a teacher. Now, the roles are reversed; Connie is now a minister in her own right after having taught for 29 years; she credited Mike and his strong background in theology for helping her to get started. She is now a pastor of the United Methodist Churches in Elmo and Clearmont. For Mike, his work is not done; he is now a hospice volunteer and ministers to those who are terminally ill.
He paid tribute to his mom and dad, who were always active in their church. He said that growing up in a small town such as Worth County made him accountable; for instance, he and a group of friends were throwing rocks at a cat when the elderly owner came out and offered to whip them and then call their parents after they ran away.
Connie Waldeier Eighmy, the sister of Lorace and Don and who has another sister in Elaine, noted that 1963 was the first graduating class to go through the new school building for all four years. There were 47 people who graduated from the Class of 1963, of which 10 are no longer here. She talked about how much things had changed from when she was growing up; for instance, she talked about a school from Medford, OR which had 21 valedictorians and another one which had 34. They have two children in Nick, who followed his dad’s footsteps and enlisted in the Navy and fought in Afghanistan, and Carly. They have four grandchildren. “We’ve been married for 49 years and it’s been a good ride,” said Connie. “Mike finally decided I was right most of the time.” She said that one should never stop learning and that people had to face the moment and that not everyone had a rich aunt who could bail them out. “Worth County taught us well and we’re proud to call it home,” she said. “She doesn’t tell you the whole story; she is always right,” said Mike.
The Class of 1963 was honored at the reunion as this was their 50th anniversary. David Seat gave the invocation while Richard Williams led the gathering in the Pledge of Allegiance. Kiley Reynolds and Kacey Smyser were the scholarship recipients this year. The alumni committee is selling a directory with every person who ever graduated from Worth County/Grant City since 1885, when the school was founded. Contact a Worth County Alumni Foundation member with corrections.
Mary Kay Hunt and Edith Miller were retained on the board. Bill Mozingo elected to retire from the board and the committee thanked him for his service. He was replaced by Helen Foster. The Worth County Community Band, directed by Carolyn Houts, performed two songs that were popular during 1963, “Climb Every Mountain” and “Blowing in the Wind.” They also performed the old fight song, which had been lost after the retirement of long-time band teacher Kenneth Thompson and which was recovered due to the efforts of Carolyn Hardy. It had been played and sang all the time at ballgames and student assemblies.
Billie Fern Wake stepped down as the registrar for the foundation. Wake along with Victor Fletchall were the oldest alumni present; they graduated in 1940.
The Fletchall family had the most members, with four people. The person farthest away was from California, with other alumni present from Florida, New Mexico, West Virginia, and Arizona.
Evelyn Groom reported that there were 13 present at the reunion of the Class of 1948 at the Fairgrounds. The event was organized by Groom, Doyle Parman, and William Bowlin. Ross Scott reported that the Class of 1945 had 15 show up for a reunion at the Senior Center. There were 63 graduates, of which 27 are still alive. Jerry Roach reported that 29 people, including guests, showed up at Allendale for the reunion of the Class of 1959. They had a fashion show and raised $110 for scholarships for the Alumni Foundation. The Allendale ladies helped serve. The Class of 1953 had their 60th Anniversary reunion in the Wabash Junction restaurant in Stanberry. 22 graduates along with spouses showed up. The Class of 1963 held a reunion in Allendale at which 22 graduates and 9 guests showed up. John Humphries organized the event through e-mail; he maintains a list where they exchange information about the class.
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