Attendance List for Sheridan Alumni Reunion

The following people attended the Sheridan Alumni Reunion for 2026, as provided by Secretary/Treasurer Janet Gladstone. There were 30 grads and 11 guests.

Attending were Sharon Rawlings, Shirley Winemiller, Steve Proctor, Sharon Miller, John Farrell, Joyce Piveral, Laverne Walker, Linda Walker, Sharon Fletchall, Ivalee Johnson, Joyce Stephens, Darlene Runyan, James Ridge, Duane Wilson, Huey Rowen, Steve Allee, Phyllis Wiley, Margaret Goepferich, Janet Larsen, Charlotte Knight, Bob Young, Geneveive Walker, Joan Randle, Ida Smyser, Mike Scott, Linda Scott, Janet Gladstone, Kathy Ruiz, Sherry Evans, and Larry Dowis.

Larry Dowis was the oldest Sheridan High School grad present, from the Class of 1951. The next oldest was Ida Smyser of the Class of 1953. She says she stays sharp by playing many different card games and solving as many different puzzles she can get hold of.

 

Shirley Winemiller Named Sheridan Alumni President

Shirley Winemiller was named the Sheridan Alumni Association President at the annual reunion Sunday.

The organization had $2,108 in the bank when all income and expenses were calculated according to Treasurer Janet Gladstone.

The association received letters and donations from Franklin and Debra Dowis, Mary Piveral, and Elenora French.

Members who passed included Mary Caldwell, Jack Hawk, Sherry Churchill Dowis, Roland “Jiggs” Farrell, Connie Wonderly, Norman Runyan, Bill Scott, Judy Fletchall, Gary James, Vern Randle, Jim Keever, and Judy Fletchall. Ms. Gladstone reported that the list was the longest since she had been there.

Outgoing President Mike Scott announced he was stepping down. Laverne Walker wanted to keep the same officers as last time, but Mr. Scott said that he was stepping down for good this time. He said he was talked into doing it the last time, but that it wasn’t going to happen again.

“I enjoyed serving, but it’s been 50 years now since the school closed and just four or five attended who were from the 1970’s,” Mr. Scott said. “I don’t want to see this die, but I won’t be the President.”

Shirley Winemiller agreed to do it if nobody else wanted it, and the association named her as President. Steve Proctor will continue as Vice-President. Janet Gladstone will continue as Secretary/Treasurer.

There is currently $35,000 left for the Sheridan CBC to pay for the building. If interested in donating to the project, contact any Sheridan CBC member.

LaRue Burns said she wanted the mural from the former bank building, which was painted by the late Clive Rickabaugh, preserved and moved to the community building.

The banner from the curtain from the Sheridan High School stage was gone and the class pictured had been taken down and moved to the west tables. The Alumni Association requested that the pictures be put back up where they were.

 

 

Judy Fletchall 1934-2025

Judy May Fletchall was born September 1, 1934 near Bethany, Missouri to Guy and Ida (Wilson) Peugh.  She passed away September 13, 2025 at the Gower Convalescent Center in Gower, Missouri at the age of 91.

Judy graduated from Sheridan High School in 1952. She then attended Missouri Methodist Nursing School for two years.  She worked as a Para Professional in Special Education at Worth County R-III for several years until her retirement. Judy was a member of the Grant City Baptist Church.  She enjoyed spending time with her family, especially at holidays, making sure there were plenty of homemade pies and beef & noodles.  She cherished her friendships from both the Grant City area and Edgerton where she lived for the last 20 years of her life. 

On January 28, 1954 Judy married Verdon Fletchall in St. Joseph, Missouri.  He preceded her in death in 2006. Also preceding her in death were her parents, siblings, and grandson, Derek Fletchall.

Surviving are sons: David Fletchall and wife Ann, Jeffrey Fletchall and wife Kathy, and daughter Paula Wolf and husband Doug.  Surviving grandchildren are Heather McClure, Courtney Johnson (husband Brian Johnson), Dallas Fletchall (wife Kelsay Fletchall), Luke Wolf, and Kate Wolf.  Great-grandchildren are Jewell & Ian McClure, Eli Johnson, Audrey, Macy, and Bryce Fletchall, and Calvin & Thomas Fletchall.

Graveside services and burial will be 2:00 p.m. Sunday, September 21, 2025 in the Fletchall Cemetery near Grant City, Missouri. Arrangements are under direction of Prugh-Dunfee Funeral Home.

Memorials may be made to Fletchall Cemetery in Grant City, Missouri. They may be sent to: Fletchall Cemetery, C/O Judy Hayes, 23217 128^th Trail, Grant City, Missouri.

Sheridan Alumni Reunion Attendance

1951 — Arvetta Terry, Larry Dowis.

1953 — Ida Smyser.

1954 — Jack Fisher, Paul Beezley.

1957 — Sally Beezley.

1958 — Elihu Rowen and Kay, Patty Fisher.

1959 — Jim Ridge and Joyce.

1960 — Joyce Stephens, Ivalee Johnson.

1961 — Sharon Fletchall, Larry Hibbs, Shirley Winemiller.

1963 — Linda Walker.

1964 — Laverne Walker.

1965 — Rosalie (West) Combs and Charlie, Duane Wilson, Bob Young, Linda Joliff.

1966 — Larry Musick, John Farrell and Lynn.

1968 — Sharon Miller, Sharon Rawlings.

1970 — Steve Wake.

1971 — Joan Osmon and Larry, Ed Allee, Janet (Scott) Gladstone.

1972 — Steve Proctor.

1973 — Mike and Linda Scott, Stephen Allee.

1974 — Rick Morrow and Grace, Chandra Hopkins and Sterling.

 

Arvetta Terry Recognized as Oldest Grad at Sheridan Alumni Reunion

Arvetta Terry of the Class of 1951 was recognized as the oldest grad at the Sheridan High School Alumni Reunion for the second year in a row. Larry Dowis also graduated in 1951, but Terry is one month older.

The classes of 1955, 1965, and 1975 were recognized. There were yearbooks present for people to look at as well as two copies of the monthly paper that the school put out to fill in the void left by the demise of the Sheridan Advance/Northwest Missourian in 1940.

There were 17 members of the Sheridan High School Class of 1965 listed in the yearbook, down from 24 in first grade. They were Bob Young, Linda Dunn, Elegena Snow, Barbara Nigh, Chuck Lasley, Duane Hammers, Allen Davis, David Parman, Linda Findley, Brenda Wilson, Eldon Thomas, Michael Bainum, Roberta Hawbeck, Larry Proctor, Duane Wilson, Dennis Rohlmeier, and Rosalie West.

Students were able to leave wills in the Yearbook. David Parman willed his red Ford to Jay Sanders in hopes he would take out as many girls as he did. Duane Hammers willed his ability to hot rod around town to Gary Hawk and his ability to play center to Eugene Keats. Bob Young willed the ability to have wrecks to Richard Blackford in hopes he could do as good of a job as he had.

There were also prophecies speculating on what kind of futures the grads of 1965 might have. The Yearbook prophesied that David Parman would become the President of Short Line Railroad after working his way up the ladder, that Eldon Thomas would become a big rancher in Idaho and have all his friends give him the nickname of “Little Butch,” and that Rosalie West would become a home economics teacher in Hawaii where she would teach kids how to open cans, make coffee, and burn water.

The undefeated junior high basketball teams were celebrated in the yearbook. The girls consisted of Linda Rauch, Karen Lantz, Barbara Hammers, Betty Lasley, Verna Wilson, Jackie Sanders, Ina Johnson, Elaine Welch, Sharon Nelson, Vickie Snow, Sharon Constant, and Sherrie Rowe. They beat Clearmont 36-10 and 35-16, Pickering 34-15 and 29-15, Parnell 41-28 and 41-24, and beat Pickering 34-27 and South Nodaway 47-18 in the Parnell Tournament.

The boys consisted of Steve Hammers, Gary Hawk, Mike Martain, Richard Fletchall, Bob Wake, Terry Wyer, Steve Wake, Jesse Ridenouer, Larry Anderson, Bobie Henry, Alan Welch, and Dale Winemiller. They had a tougher go at it but beat Clearmont 14-10 and 25-9, Pickering 25-18 and 24-22, Parnell 27-19 and 23-19, Grant City 22-21, and Elmo 29-26. They won five of their eight games by one or two possessions.

The biggest factor in their success was their numbers. Both teams had 12 players out, which is much higher than typical numbers for junior high teams today, even with sixth graders now allowed to participate.

Elvin Long was the Superintendent and Wayne Winstead was the Principal. Teachers were Ann Waldeier, Veldena Long, Londell Severson, Dwight Kissler, Shirley Hanna, Gary McQueen, Opal Shelmann, Edith Parman, Marie Allee, and Margaret Findley. Cooks were Vetra Constant and Bertha Hibbs. Bus drivers were Bill Carden, Gene Brown, Cleo Seckman, and Viron Nelson. Custodian was Ben Hawk and secretary was Helen Anderson.

There were 43 different businesses, mostly from Sheridan and Grant City, that advertised in the yearbook.

Returning to Sunday’s gathering, there were 47 who attended. The most recent grads present were Chandra Hopkins and Rick Morrow. The farthest away was John Farrell, who came from 250 miles away. Rick Morrow was the closest; he lives one and a half blocks away.

Officers reelected for next year were Mike Scott (President), Steve Proctor (Vice-President), and Janet Gladstone (Secretary and Treasurer).

Recent deaths of Sheridan alumni included Eloyce Cossins, Don Hawk, Lavelle Hibbs, Marsha Jess, Jerry Wiley, Mary Poland, Frank Shupe, and Clyde Sims.

 

Sheridan Alumni Makes $1,000 Donation to CBC Building Fund

The Sheridan Alumni Association voted at their annual Alumni Reunion Sunday to donate $1,000 to the Sheridan CBC Building Fund. This donation is above and beyond what they pay the CBC to host the annual event and cater the meal. The money will pay down the principal of the loan that the CBC is seeking to pay off. The Sheridan CBC is seeking donations to pay down the loan for the building. Sharon Rawlings made the motion to donate the money. 

At the motion of Chandra Hopkins, Mike Scott was reelected Alumni Association President and Janet Gladstone as secretary and treasurer. 

Attendance was much higher this year. There were 57 people who attended this year, compared to 34 last year. This includes alumni and their guests. Arvetta Terry and Larry Dowis were the oldest alumni present, from the Class of 1951. “If it hadn’t been for her, I wouldn’t have graduated at all,” said Dowis. Someone from the Class of 1943 wrote a letter. 

The closest to home was Rick Morrow, who lives just a block from where the reunion was held. There were people from as far away as Georgia and Arizona. Patrick and Grace Osmon came from Atlanta. They were guests of Larry and Joan Osmon. Joan is a member of the Class of 1971. Donna Dukes of the Class of 1954 came from Arizona.

The most popular name for women present was Linda. The most popular name for men was Steve and Larry. 

There were 15 alumni present from the 1950’s, 23 from the 1960’s, and 16 from the 1970’s. 

Sheridan Alumni Attendance List for 2022

The following people attended the Sheridan Alumni Reunion on May 29th, 2022:

1947 – Eldon Hart.

1951 – Arvetta (Hart) Terry, Larry Dowis.

1954 – Paul “Sonny” Beezley, Jack Fisher.

1955 – Darlene (Thomas) Runyan, Elnora (Goff) French.

1957 – Sally (Risser) Beezley.

1958 – Patty (Thummel) Fisher.

1959 – James Ridge.

1960 – Joyce (Ezell) Stephens, Jack Thummel, Ivalee (Risser) Johnson.

1961 – Sharon (Vanskyock) Fletchall, Larry Hibbs.

1962 – Gary James, Richard Wilson, Ruth Ann (Sanders) Thummel.

1965 – Adrian Duane Wilson.

1966 – Sarah (Cossins) Winsor.

1967 – Eddie Troutwine.

1968 – Sharon (Scott) Rawlings.

1970 – Steve Wake, Sherry (Rowe) Evans.

1971 – Joan (Randle) Osmon, Janet (Scott) Gladstone.

1972 – Steve Proctor, Connie (Randle) Wonderly, John Ridenour, Linda (Dowis) Marsh, Kathy Rowe.

1973 – Mike Scott, Linda (Smyser) Scott, Mike Rowe.

Guests – Wanda Wilson, Carolyn Ridenour, Robert Wonderly, Joyce Ridge, Larry Marsh, Larry Osmon.

Joan Padget Oldest Alumni as Sheridan High School Reunites

Joan (Dowis) Padget was the oldest Sheridan High School alum present Sunday as the Sheridan Alumni Reunion took place that afternoon. The classes of 1950 and 1951, the classes of 1960 and 1961, and the classes of 1970 and 1971 were recognized. Two different sets of classes were recognized, since the reunion was not held last  year.

New officers were named for the upcoming year. They were Mike Scott (President), Connie Wonderly (Vice-President), and Ivalee Johnson (Secretary-Treasurer). Janet Gladstone nominated Mike Scott for the position after Mike had nominated her back in 2019. Gladstone, as the President, emceed the event. One suggestion made was that of putting up a Bearcat logo above the class displays on the east side of the Community Building.

The Alumni Association donated part of their proceeds to the Sheridan CBC to assist with the costs of paying off the Community Building. The Sheridan CBC served the meal.

Among the stories that were told:

–More than one reference was made to the times Superintendent Ernest Stalling clipped his hand on somebody’s shoulder when they were in trouble.

–Jana Larson talked about the times Gary would visit school uninvited. She described her job after school as taking care of Gary.

–Carolyn Anderson spent much of her life as a hairdresser. Later, when all her kids grew up, she went into nursing school and became a nurse. Her favorite memory was when Floyd Nelson made a key play down the stretch as Sheridan won Regionals in 1960. She served as the basketball manager for that team and always enjoyed following them.

–Larry Hibbs, who raised cows and pigs and later took up trucking, visiting all 48 states at one time or another.

–Shirley Winemiller showed off a bracelet that she got in 8th grade that she still has and wears. She recounted the time she and some of the other girls had a cussing contest in the bathroom, only for Mrs. Sigman to come out of one of the stalls.

–Chuck Zook served in the military and later ran a nursing home in Idaho for 20 years.

–Sherri Evans found a garter snake while coming back from PE; when the rest of the girls saw it, they all screamed. She got in trouble.

–Dale Winemiller was only going to stay in Rolla for a few years, but then became the Road Superintendent for the DOT there and recently retired.

–Ed Allee retired from Sur-Gro after 50 years. His favorite memory was the 1970 team being the only Sheridan team in school history to win the Sheridan Tournament.

–Sally Beezley recounted the story of Edith Parman taking the kids outside during the Worth Tornado of 1947, visible from Sheridan, and teaching the kids the finer points of weather science.

–Paul Beezley recounted a strong softball team they had in the early 1950’s with Larry Dowis in left field and Frank Hooker on third base. His class, the Class of 1954, was the first class that went through high school with the additional building on the north end.

–Jim Ridge recounted a donkey basketball game at the Sheridan gym. Custodian Red Combs could never stay on the donkey and spent more time on the floor than he did on his animal.

–Eddie Troutwine recalled the time when Darryl Snow, who was not much bigger than he was, picking him up and shaking him.

–Larry Anderson recounted how Mrs. Parman would always have them play softball during recess time between third and fifth grades. She would pitch in those games and always change the rules from time to time.

–Mike and Linda Scott recounted Mrs. Runyon sharing her love of Little House on the Prairie and the other books in that series. Mike also recalled the time he was spanked by Mr. Keever.

–Sharon (Scott) Rawlings recalled the time a mouse jumped out of her coat. We had a garter snake jump out of our coat one time at school; it was very agitated and snapping at anyone in reach.

Among deaths that were reported included Gary Constant, Charlene Hinshaw, Helen Johnson, Billie Freeman, Pauline Wells, Allan Welch, Tracey Constant, Bill Parman, Bill McAlister, Larry Procter, Louise Ross, Glenn Dukes, Wilbur Rowe, Sharon Nelson, Willa Wilson, and Harold Dukes.

The oldest alum present was Joan Padget from the Class of 1945. The youngest present was Theresa Winemiller from the Class of 1976, the last class.

Sheridan Class of 1971 to Mark 50th Anniversary

The Sheridan High School Class of 1971 will mark its 50th anniversary on Saturday, May 29th. The classes of 1970 and 1972 will attend. Former teachers Londell Severson, Dean Pettit, Connie Eighmy, and Betty Brummett will attend. They will initially meet in the Sheridan Park at 10:30 am.

Attendees will tour the Sheridan School and the rest of the town with Ed Allee’s party bus. They will eat lunch at Snakebite Tavern at noon. At 4 pm, they will meet at the Kiwanis Shelter at Mozingo Lake where they will have a meal. They will be there until midnight. 

For more information, contact Rob Dowis at (660) 254-4292. 

The Sheridan Alumni Reunion will be held the next day, Sunday, May 30th at the Sheridan Community Building starting at noon.

1945 Sheridan High School Problems: Girls in Jeans/Overalls, Boys Behavior, Trashing the Library, Speaking Too Long

Sheridan High School back in 1945 had a ton of problems – girls wearing jeans or overalls, boys’ behavior, trashing the library, and kids loving the sound of their own voices – at least if one peruses the pages of the Kats Meow, the Sheridan High School student paper.

The February 28th Kats Meow, the Sheridan student paper, had a whole discussion about the dress girls were wearing. Some girls were wearing dresses still, while other girls were taking to dressing in jeans or overalls. During the World War II years, the material to make clothes was in short supply, meaning more and more women were taking to wearing pants or overalls as the price of clothing skyrocketed. Many people were dirt poor. “We grew up poor, but that was OK,” said Lola (Hibbs) Haley, who was at the Sheridan Alumni Reunion. But the dress battles led to one situation where one boy, interviewed by the Kats Meow, who said that his sister kept borrowing his clothes until they wore out.

Before political opinion polling became popular, the Kats Meow was already conducting its own polling. Their surveys showed that the boys liked it better when girls wore dresses. Some girls wore slacks to show support for the troops; World War II was still going on. Others did so out of rebellion – they felt like they didn’t have to seek boys approval for what they wore. Others found that pants or overalls were comfortable.

The same issue of the Kats Meow surveyed girls about the behavior of boys. Overwhelmingly, the girls rated the boys behavior as either “average” or “below average.” Naturally, the student paper did a writeup with dating etiquette tips for boys picking girls up on a date.

The January 26th issue of the Kats Meow talked about how the library was constantly being trashed. The library itself was a good one for a tiny high school like Sheridan’s – a good variety of books and magazines. The problem was that kids would constantly put books out of order, tear up magazines, interrupt someone who was ahead of them in line (especially if they were procrastinating and frantically trying to get homework done at the last minute), and not returning property, which necessitated searches of the school grounds. Study halls were another problem area that year, especially kids who allegedly loved the sound of their own voice; they would ask for permission to speak about something, and then take the entire period to speak, never considering the fact that there might be others who might have something to say.

The biggest strength that Sheridan Alumni President Janet Gladstone took from the school was its pride. Many student pep clubs back then would cheer when their teams were winning, but Sheridan’s was loud and boisterous win or lose. The year of 1945 was a perfect example; despite a long year for both the boys and girls teams, the student section would be loud and noisy regardless. One night, the school put on a fundraiser against Polio for its game against Guilford; admission was 15 cents for students and 25 cents for adults. There were two basketball games, one volleyball game, and a band concert; Guilford won handily.

The Bearcats came heartbreakingly close against Barnard, then known as the Bombers – they lost 9-6. That game was scoreless in the final quarter. The girls lost 17-14 after being down 10-4 at the half. Other games were lopsided – Sheridan was always one of the smallest schools that competed. They lost to Skidmore 29-8, to Martinsville 42-12, and to Parnell 35-18. Parnell was also known as the Bombers.

Before Wayne Winstead came along in 1960 and led the Bearcats to a district title, Sheridan had a coaching carousel. But for Larry Dowis, it was a blessing in disguise, as he was able to learn something from each of them and teach his son Rob, along with other kids, the fundamentals of sports, as he recounted at the Alumni Reunion this year.

For all the problems and gripes in the Kats Meow, there were a lot of students whose academic achievements were recognized in the pages of the paper. On the Honor Roll listed in the paper for Sheridan were Donna Caldwell, Jack Ray, Elbert Grimit, Joyce Dowis, Lloyd Grimit, Deloris Lynch, Norna Howes, Kathleen Wells, Charles Pratt, Wanda Maudlin, Elnora Hennegin, and Anna McAlister. People making the Honor Roll had to have no grade below an S-.

Honorable Mention students as listed in the January 28th, 1945 Kats Meow were Dean Auten, Carl Swart, Earl Graham, Orren Lester, Carl Parsons, Eleanor Stoner, Russell Findley, Bud Allee, and Madonna Runyon.

Top students were Deloris Lynch, Anna McAlister, and Charles Pratt.

The war was still going on, but the school and community were preparing for victory day. The Christian Church was having a revival, and the speaker gave a talk to the school, telling the students that Christianity was not for sissies. Recent grads, Private Jimmy Aldrich and Patty Straight came back to give talks to a student assembly. Aldrich talked about life in the military, while Straight talked about life as a freshman in college.

Sophomores were studying “Rising of the Moon” by Lady Augusta Gregory. It was a book about the Irish struggles of the early 1900’s against British rule. She believed in a unified Ireland and used mythology, folklore, and other cultural devices to bring people together. The characters openly wrestled with their duty towards the British state and their desire for a national Ireland. The junior class was engaging in typing contests against each other. Jack Ray won the speed tying contest, with Ruth Stevenson coming second and Bill McGuiness coming third. Doris Stone came in first in the accuracy portion, with only seven errors. McGinness was second and Stevenson was third.

The 2016 elections brought Fake News to the forefront of the political conversation, but in 1945, we are sure there was some fake news floating around the halls of Sheridan High School. The Snooper was an anonymous gossip columnist who dished out the scoop on all the high school students in Sheridan. One such entry in the January 28th, 1945 issue read, “Eldon Hart thinks it’s too bad when Wanda Maudlin doesn’t get on the bus of a morning. And see, wasn’t that bad when we went to the Grant City Tournament Thursday night? You’d better watch Lloyd Grimit, Eldon!” Hart, who didn’t remember the episode at the Alumni Reunion, said, “We always looked forward to the paper coming out.”

Even as the country was on the verge of triumph over the Germans and Japanese, the clouds were hanging over Sheridan High School. Numbers at the elementary levels were so low that the elementary grades went together. Honor rolls were kept for the elementary grades as well as the high school grades. On the 3rd & 4th grade honor rolls were Frances Allee, Sonny Beezley, Martha Deardorff, Kathleen Goff, Jackie Houk, Jackie Fisher, Beulah Allee, Lavona Black, Norma Boyd, and Nadine Houk. On the 5th and 6th grade honor rolls were Eugene Houk, Larry Boyd, Johnny Leedom, Cherrie Churchill, Gary Cook, Marilyn Rinehart, Frankie Hooker, and Barbara Caldwell. In the Primary Grade, consisting of 1st and 2nd graders, Gary Graham, Dickie Stalling, Ruth Minor, Norman Runyon, Mary Etta Boyd, Robert Finch, and Billy Showalter all made the honor roll.

First and second graders were dancing to songs from “Little Black Sambo,” a children’s book that was popular at the time, and was a real hit at the school. It was a story about a young boy in India whose parents give him some fancy clothes – a red coat, blue trousers, a green umbrella, and purple and crimson shoes. He goes for a walk in the jungle and meets tigers who wish to eat him. But the boy is up to the challenge; he gives each of them a piece of his clothing. The tigers get into a fight over who is the grandest and melt into a pool of clarified butter. The boy reclaims his clothes and takes the butter home to his mother, and the butter is enough to make 169 pancakes. It tied in perfectly with a column Ernest Stalling, the Superintendent at Sheridan in 1945, wrote about confidence. “Through confidence has been built the world of business and finance. Upon confidence rests the welfare of government, the fate of armies, and the destiny of mankind. Confidence is the foundation of civilization, for without it, man’s world would fall about his head,” he wrote in the January 28th, 1945 Kats Meow.

There were several elementary schools that fed into the main school that were still open. The Kats Meow would feature one each month. The January 28th issue featured Luteston; on the honor rolls were Vonita Porter, Glenn Dukes, Gayland Howes, Franklin Dowis, Garvin Porter, and Byron Stoner. Each of these schools was a community gathering center, and there would be community dinners and other activities each month. But these schools were swallowed up in a few years, and much was lost. We asked the late Myrtle Risser about life in rural schools, and she said that the biggest thing was “the love we had for each other.” Teachers were able to work with students as individuals, and the kids would help each other to succeed in assignments.

In 1966, Sheridan High Graduated 15 Seniors

At the Sheridan Alumni Reunion Sunday, many yearbooks were on display. One of the yearbooks was the 1966 yearbook.

Graduating from Sheridan High School that year were Roberta Anderson, Richard Bird, Richard Blackford, Reggie Carden, Tammy Constant, Sarah Cossins, Johnnie Farrell, Sandra Henry, Bonnie Lasley, Larry Musick, Dean Nelson, Eddie Nigh, Jay Sanders, Diane Troutwine, and Joyce Wake.
Administrators were Elvin Long (Superintendent), Wayne Winstead (Principal), and Helen Anderson was the Secretary. Long also taught Physics, while Winstead also taught PE and World History.
School board members were Vernon Wilson (President), Francis Goff (Vice-President), Kay Rowen (Treasurer), Robert Henry, Bud Allee, Virgil Ray, and Earl Finch. Afterwards, Bud was the postmaster and then long-time mayor of Sheridan. Robert Henry was a long-time mail carrier. Earl was a well-dressed man who never went anywhere without his three-piece suit, complete with hat.

Teachers were Kathlyn Brown (English, Commerce), Londell Severson (Driver’s Ed, Industrial Arts, Elementary PE), Norma Maudlin (Biology, Math), Ann Waldeier (Home Economics, Science), Sharon Weir (English, Social Studies), Opal Shelman (Art, Math), Veldeva Long (Music), Margaret Findley (5th, 6th), Edith Parman (3rd, 4th), Velda Carden (1st, 2nd), and Nina Runyan (Kindergarten). Nina had a passion for learning that she had right up to the end of her days. One of her favorite subjects was Laura Ingalls Wilder and her “Little House on the Prairie” series. She passed the love of reading down to her own children as well as her Kindergarten students.

Cooks were Vetra Constant and Mary Pullen. The custodian was Philip Wake. Bus drivers were Bill Carden, Cleo Seckman, Glen Farrell, and Viron Nelson. Viron Nelson ran the Blacksmith shop where Shepherdsfold Meat Processing was southeast of Sheridan; he was also a mechanic who loved tinkering with anything that could be fixed. He was a big towering figure that you did not want to mess with.

There were 16 Sheridan businesses that sponsored the 1966 Yearbook. They were Hoot Holland and Sons, Parman’s Hardware, Carden’s Auto Supply, J.S. Feed Store (“A Feed for Every Need”), Ruth’s Beauty Shop, Caldwell Service Station (Phillips 66), Don Fletchall Plumbing, Taylor’s Cafe (Glen “Limpy” Taylor), Family Fair Variety Store, Walker’s Auto and Tractor Repair, Farmer’s Bank (Linda Nigh, Reece Streeter, and Lois Hodge), 4 Valleys (Farm and Ranch, Plant Food), Sheridan Inn (“Where the Service is Good and the Food is Best”), Parman Bros. Thrif-Tee Market, MFA, and Jackson Insurance (Reece Streeter, agent). Out of those 16 businesses, only two, MFA and Parman’s Hardware survive today.

Classes of 1948, 1958, and 1968 Honored as Sheridan Alumni Reunite

The classes of 1948, 1958, and 1968 were honored Sunday as the Sheridan High School Alumni Association had their annual reunion. All officers were reelected.

Honored as the oldest graduate was Denzil McCollum, who graduated from the Class of 1948. He lives in Bellevue (NE) at an assisted living facility. When asked what the secret to living long was, he said that he had seven children and that his two daughters, who drive him around everywhere, are the ones who keep him going. “I wouldn’t be here without them,” he said.

McCollum worked in the feed store in Sheridan sending out eggs from farmers all over the country and ran the movie reel in town for four years. Then, he served 21 years in the military and 20 years in the Postal Service. His favorite teachers in school were Flossie Winemiller in first grade and Basil Churchill in eighth grade. At one point, he lived in Greenland for eight months, where he operated a film reel there. He said that contrary to popular belief, Greenland was not always cold. “It’s when the wind blows in from the ocean when it got really cold,” he said. “That’s when you’d better put all the clothes on that you can.”

Members shared some of their favorite stories and memories from their time in Sheridan. Janet (Scott) Gladstone, Class of 1971, recounted that when she was in high school, she was one of the office aides. Her duty was to take absentees and take lunch count. One time, she went to the shop to take attendance and one of the kids grabbed her arm. Everyone else grabbed hands with each other and completed an electrical circuit, shocking Janet. Needless to say, that did not happen again.

Pamela (Wake) Hunt recounted going home to a friend’s house for the first time ever after starting school and getting in tears. But she and Sharon Scott wound up becoming best friends for life.

Jack Fisher, Class of 1954, recounted taking home what he thought would be his first-ever pup on the school bus. But then he had to take it back. Sharon (Wake) Miller recalled how her 1st grade teacher got sick and had to go home. The 2nd grade teacher came and gave them math problems that were so hard, Sharon went home sick as well.

Eddie Troutwine recalled forming a threesome with Eddie Ray and Ed Nigel and walking down the hall when they were not supposed to. Mr. Keever, the superintendent at the time, grabbed the kid on one end by the shoulder, the kid on the other end by the shoulder, pulled on them, and bonked all their heads together. Larry Hibbs roasted Bill McAlister at the banquet. He said that his favorite part of school was doing band and being able to march around the streets of Sheridan. One time, Bill McAlister got so carried away playing his instrument that the band teacher yelled, “BILL!!”

Some memories focused around the Worth Tornado of 1947. Garvin Porter, Class of 1950, recalled that the afternoon had started off sunny, and the Vo-Ag teacher went to the top of the big hill west of the schoolhouse as they were planning a project that day. But then the teacher saw a huge cloud in the west and hurried his kids back into the school as he changed his mind.

Lavelle Hibbs recalled how Denzil McCollum nicknamed him, “Charlie Brown.” “And now, my daughters call me that,” he said. He said that he was thankful to have gone to a small school.

Shirley Winemiller, Class of 1961, recounted taking a trip to Alaska back in 2006 and struck up a conversation with the couple behind them. It turned out it was Jim Keever and his wife; Keever graduated from the Class of 1960. Eldon Hart recounted, “I went to Wyoming and met this girl in 1949,” referring to Loretta. He served in Korea and bought the farm that he currently lives at in 1959.

Sally (Risser) Beezley, Class of 1957, recounted another experience with the Worth Tornado of 1947. She recounted that instead of taking the kids to the shelter, Edith Parman took her students outside and taught an impromptu science lesson on how tornadoes are formed. “That one stuck with me,” she said. “I was a good boy in Mrs. Parman’s class,” added her husband, Sonny Beezley. He recalled that one time, Mrs. Parman grabbed the kid behind him and paddled him. “It did me good,” he said.

Joyce (Dowis) Chambers, Class of 1947, recalled how Sheridan was a bustling town when she grew up. She said there were no TV’s in those days, and kids went grocery shopping on Saturday evenings and went to the theater. She recalled that she was the fastest girl in her class when she grew up in the elementary school system that existed before Sheridan consolidated its schools in 1951. The rural schools that were part of the Sheridan district regularly held competitions against each other, and she ran a race representing Luteston School one time against the boys. Naturally, she got well ahead of them; however, she proceeded to fall flat on her face as everyone passed her. She recalled going to Maryville and competing in typing competition and winning because she had typed the whole piece while everyone else was still typing.

Larry Dowis, Class of 1951, thanked Denzil McCollum for sharpening his basketball skills. He recounted that they played on very physical teams and frequently fouled out, meaning Dowis got to play a lot. He recalled a time when Mrs. Wilson used some strong language in class. One of his classmates had an answer for that. He asked her what kind of toothpaste she used; she answered it. “Oh,” said the classmate. “I thought you used gunpowder.”

Bob Young, Class of 1965, recalled a time that Mrs. Parman had to leave the classroom and Duane Hammers was put in charge of the 3rd and 4th graders. Duane decided to show who was in charge, grabbed the ruler, and banged it down on Parman’s desk as hard as possible, breaking her glasses.
Linda Scott, Class of 1973, recalled that in 3rd grade, the teacher would call each kid out by name during a reading lesson and they would read. Mrs. Parman called out, “Judy,” but there was no Judy in the class. Then, she called out sharply, “JUDY!!” All of a sudden, it dawned on her that she had nicknamed her that.

42 Attend Sheridan Alumni Reunion

42 people attended the Sheridan Alumni Reunion Sunday afternoon. The event was moved to the Sheridan Christian Church due to the deterioration of the Schoolhouse building. Minister Jeff Blaine led the gathering in prayer and noted that Sheridan High School grad Clyde Rickabaugh did many of the paintings and sculptures which are part of the church.
Warren Lester was the oldest grad present, from the class of 1942. There were two people from the Class of 1944, Jim Aldrich, a retired professor living in Kingsville, TX and Margaret Aldrich, who has retired from teaching after teaching 6th grade for 33 years.
Among other people recognized were Marilyn Findley (1950), Russell Findley (1947), and Jim Ridge, along with wife Alice, who farms by Isadora. “I never got away from Worth County,” he said.
Glenn Dukes and wife Donna were present; they were from the class of 1953 and they came all the way from Apache Junction, AZ.
Sonny Beasley, Class of 1954, was present; he is a regular at these reunions. Darlene Runyon (1955) was present as was Ruth Ann Minor, who because a speech pathologist. Gary Larison (1955) was the farthest away, from Brandenton, FL, south of Tampa.
Among others recognized were Sally Risser Beasley, Allyn & Carol Young, and Ivalee Risser Johnson, who farms northwest of Sheridan. Arvin Cossins (1961) and wife Eloise (1961) were there; Arvin is retired from the Missouri Highway Patrol as well as the Cass County Sheriff’s Department. “I’ve been following Arvin around all this time,” said Eloise.
Sharon Fletchall (1961) was recognized as well as Larry Hibbs, who described himself as a “paid tourist.” Shirley Winemiller (1961) is the president of the Alumni Association and is currently living in Bedford. Barbara (Cossins) Carlock (1963) was recognized; she is now living in Albany.
Among the more recent Sheridan High School grads were Duane Hammer (1965), David Parman (1965), Sarah Cossins (1966), Henry Dell Rowen (1966), Jay Sanders (1966), and Doug Allee, the youngster of the gathering, having graduated in 1975.
Marking the 65th anniversary of their graduation was the Class of 1947, which received special recognition at the event. Among those present was Joyce Dowis Chambers of Maryville. “There were not very many girls ‘cause the boys ran us all off,” she quipped. Chambers ran the theater for a while and recalled that none of the kids had cars back in those days except for Charles Dukes; she recalled riding one day on the fender of his 1939 Chevy. Lavelle Hibbs, Eldon Hart, and Alvin Batt, who drove from Arlington, TX, were also there.
Among the 42 present, 16 had served in the military, including Eldon Hart, who later worked in the aircraft industry before buying his present farm west of Sheridan in 1961.
The main goals of the Alumni Association are to get the photos out of the old school building and to make copies for people who want them. Mayor Leland Wake reported that the city was trying to get a clear title to some land before construction of the new community building started.
There was a tie vote on whether to cater or whether to have everyone bring their own dishes like previously; Winemiller broke the tie by saying that they would cater for one year and that if it didn’t work out, they would go back.
Winemiller was reelected as President of the Alumni Association; Jay Sanders was Vice President, and Ivalee Johnson was secretary and treasurer.

Sheridan Seeking Donations for New Community Building

The City of Sheridan and the Sheridan CBC are seeking donations for a new community building to replace the old schoolhouse. It will be built south of where the schoolhouse is now and will replace the schoolhouse and the current city hall building. The schoolhouse has had problems with leaky roofs that the CBC says they are unable to fix and the city hall building is having problems with the back end and has had to prop up the floors in recent years. Mayor Leland Wake, talking to the Sheridan Alumni Reunion, said that they were going to try and do it all through private donations and that they were going to see how much they could raise in the next two months. It will serve both the CBC and the City of Sheridan. Wake said they were shooting for a building by next year.

The Sheridan Alumni Association voted to move the class pictures that are currently in the school to the City Hall until a new building was built; Wake said that it was OK with the city if they were put there. The association also voted to donate up to $500 for the new building and move next year's celebration to the Sheridan Christian Church. Incoming president Shirley Wall Winemiller said she had talked to the church and that they said it was OK.

Outgoing President John Young thanked David Parman for getting the school ready for the last 10 years as well as Jay Sanders, Karla Parman, and other volunteer workers. He also thanked Chandra Hopkins for her work as treasurer; there have only been four treasurers in the history of the association including Essie Bainum and Ruth (Young) Beezley.

Larry Dowis, Frank Dowis, and Arvetta Terry were recognized from the Class of 1951. Shirley Wall Winemiller from the Class of 1961 named all the class of 1961. Recognized were Winemiller, Sharon Van Skyock, Carl Farrell (deceased), Carolyn Anderson, Connie Hawbeck, Larry Hibbs (who said he was a paid tourist), Janet Girrard, Marianne Girrard, Charles Auten (deceased), Harlan Harrell, Eloyce (Finch) Cossins, Elbert Risser, Burl Huff, Arva West, Frank Shupe (still a barber in Tarkio after all these years), and Jerry Wiley. Two people who went to class with them but did not graduate with them were Gary Dennis and Ken Hensley (deceased).

The oldest graduate present was Pauline Cooper Wells of the Class of 1941, followed by Warren Lester of the Class of 1942. Oakley Risser of California was the farthest away. Elected as officers for next year were Shirley Wall Winemiller (President), Jay Sanders (Vice President) and Chandra Hopkins (Treasurer).

Sheridan High School Classes of 1966-1976 Reunite

After a few years of talking and planning, a reunion celebrating the last 10 graduating classes of Sheridan High School finally became a reality. The reunion was held at the community hall in Sheridan the evening of June 27th.
Those in attendance included the following:
1976-Ricky Welch - Parnell MO
Ed Morrow - Pickering MO
1975-Doug Allee - Sheridan MO
Don Lantz - Harlan IA
Renee Morrow Smyser - Maryville MO
1974-Rick Morrow - Sheridan MO
Steve Smyser - Grant City MO
Roger Ridge - St Joseph MO
Chandra Allee Hopkins - Sheridan MO
1973-Mike & Linda Smyser Scott - Grant City MO
Stephen Allee - Overland Park KS
1972-Kathy Rowe Ruiz - Sheridan MO
Connie Randle Wonderly - Sheridan MO
1971-Joan Randle Osmon - Albany MO
Linda Dowis Marsh
Janet Scott Gladstone -- Moberly MO
1970-Sherry Rowe Evans - Sheridan MO
Stephen Wake - Shenandoah IA
Bob Fletchall - Kansas City MO
Bob Henry - Bedford IA
Alan Welch - Parnell MO
1969-Larry Anderson - Maryville MO
Jessie Ridenour - Maryville MO
Debbie Davis Pettit - Mt Ayr IA
1968-Sharon Scott Rawlings - Columbia MO
1967-Eddie Troutwine - Plattsburg MO
1966-Larry Musick - Hopkins MO
Jay Sanders - Parnell MO
A special invitation was issued to David Parman, class of 1965 - Sheridan MO
Guests included Ruby Allee, Larry Marsh, Paul Dowis, Pat Musick, Bonnie Sanders, Marcha Anderson, Dean Pettit, Grace Morrow, David Evans, Larry Osmon, Peggy Lantz and Kathy Troutwine.
Plans were made for another reunion next year during Defiance Days again. All classes from the 60's and 70's are invited.

Sheridan High School Alumni Attendance List:

The following people attended the Sheridan High School annual Alumni Reunion this year:
1938-Phillip Wake, Maryville MO
1939-James Ivan Nally, Maryville MO
Clorine Mitchell Bainum, Sheridan MO
1941-Pauline Cooper Wells, Rea MO
1942-Warren Lester, Riverton WY
1943-Maryon Asher, Sheridan MO
1944-William Jim Aldrich, Kingsville TX
Margaret Aldrich Dowis, Blue Springs MO
1947-LaVelle Hibbs, New London IA
Guy L Allee, Sheridan, MO
Joyce Dowis Chambers, Maryville MO
Eldon Hart, Sheridan MO
1949-Lola Hibbs Haley, Lee's Summit MO
1950-Garvin Porter, Savannah MO
Beverly Allee Mayes, Maryville MO
1951-Dean Stone, Lone Jack MO
Larry Dowis, Sheridan MO
Arvetta Hart Terry, St Joseph MO
1952-John Bainum, Sheridan MO
Dale Rowe, Sheridan MO
1953-Glen Dukes, Gold Canyon AZ
Doy Allee, Sheridan MO
Henry Dell Rowen Sr, Parnell MO
1954-Jack Fisher, Parnell MO
Donna Wall Dukes, Gold Canyon AZ
1958-Elihu Rowen, Sheridan MO
Leo L Parman, St Joseph MO
Martha Allee Rush, Sheridan MO
Patty Thummel Fisher, Parnell MO
John E Young, Kansas City MO
Stella McConahay Lantz, Maryville MO
Ron Rauch, Grant City MO
1963-Charles Force, Oskaloosa KS
Linda Nigh Walker, Sheridan MO
Barbara Cossins Carlock, Albany MO
1964-Dora Randle Hall, Darien GA
Laverne Walker, Sheridan MO
1965-David Parman, Sheridan MO
Chuck Lasley, Dearborn MO
1966-Larry Musick, Hopkins MO
Sara Cossins Winsor, Chillicothe MO
Jay Sanders, Parnell MO
1972-Linda Dowis Marsh, Albany MO
Connie Randle Wonderly, Maryville MO
1974-Chandra Allee Hopkins, Sheridan MO
1975-Doug Allee, Sheridan MO
GUESTS:
Gary & Pam Townsend, Rea MO
Robert Hall, Darien GA
James McManus, Kansas City MO
Catherine & Cindy Dowis, Kirksville MO
Kate Loomis, Blue Springs MO
Adam Loomis, Springfield MO
Berdeta Hibbs, New London IA
Joann Parman, St Joseph MO
Patricia Musick, Hopkins MO
Dave & Vonita Hanna, Savannah MO
Barb Aldrich, Kingsville TX
Etta May Fowler, Grain Valley MO
Leda Lester, Riverton WY
Carma Rauch, Grant City MO
Bonnie Sanders, Parnell MO
Cassandra Rhoades, Liberty MO
Caleb Hopkins, Kansas City MO
Karla Parman, Ramonia Parman, Sterling Hopkins, Kay Rowen, Barb Rowe, Ralph Davidson, Glenda Wyer and Loretta Hart of Sheridan MO
Officers for 2008 were President-Dale Rowe V President-LaVelle Hibbs
Sec/Treas-Chandra Hopkins Registrar-John Bainum
New election results were President-LaVelle Hibbs V President-Jay Sanders
Sec/Treas-Chandra Hopkins Registrar-John Bainum
Honored Classes were 1943, 1948 and 1958
Recognition of oldest graduate went to Phillip Wake, class of 1938
Most distance traveled went to Glen & Donna Dukes, Gold Canyon AZ
Alumni deaths reported:
Elsie Davidson Carr-1924
Georgie Glass Bowman-1935
Dwight Brogan-1940
Leta Brogan Lasley-1941
Betty Runyon Jersak-1945
Myron Waldier, Oren Larison, Doris Constant Chandler-1951
Diana Constant Troutwine-1974