Alumni News and Information A Classmate Remembered Bennie D. Williamson, 76, of Champaign, passed away on Friday, October 9, 2009 at Barnes Jewish Hospital in St. Louis. He was born September 26, 1933 to Vernon and Muriel Williamson. Services will be held on Wednesday, October 14, with visitation from 9:00 to 11:00 a.m. at the First Christian Church at 3601 South Staley Road, Champaign. The funeral will follow at 11:00 a.m. The Rev. Tim Barber will officiate. Entombment will follow at the Mount Hope Mausoleum, 611 East Pennsylvania Avenue, Champaign. He is survived by two sons, one daughter, six grandchildren and two sisters, Barbara Stone of Ontario, Canada, and Marjorie Pratt of Champaign. He is also survived by a very, very special companion, Lyla Lou (Brown) Crays of Champaign. He was preceded in death by his wife, Mary Wolf. (Source: The News-Gazette October 12, 2009.) Ben lived with his parents during the 1950s at 407 South Chestnut Street. His father was a cabinet maker. At CJHS, Ben was in homeroom 9-5 during 9th grade. He played end on the football squad that completed six wins and a one-loss season. At CHS, Ben was on the football team for his kicking ability. According to Ben, the coaches referred to him as "The Golden Toe," which might have been one of his tall tales that he sometimes told. He liked to run in track, and competed in the 440-yard dash and anchored the mile relay team in the state track meet at Memorial Stadium. (Source: The Champaign Chronicle May 22, 1953.) The caption under his senior picture in the yearbook says..."Oh, it's excellent to have a giant's height." (Source: Maroon 1953.) After CHS days, Ben was drafted into the U.S. Army and served until 1955. After military service, he attended DeVry Institute, graduating in 1960. Then, he worked at W. Lewis & Co. before getting married to Mary Wolf in Fisher on September 2, 1960. In 1960, he started working at the University of Illinois until his retirement in 1998. Submitted by Phil Matteson A CLASSMATE REMEMBERED: Mildred J. (Rich) Sehrer, 74, of Rantoul, passed away on Saturday (September 12, 2009) at Heartland Health Care, Paxton. Mrs. Sehrer was born August 24, 1935 in Honolulu, a daughter of William and Rosetta (Bennett) Rich. She married Bernard Sehrer on March 9, 1958 in Champaign. He preceded her in death on November 16, 1992. Survivors include two sons, Ronald Dean Sehrer of Rantoul and Bobby Sehrer (Randee McNeel) of Liberty, MO. She was preceded in death by her parents, grandparents and a sister. She was a secretary for the University of Illinois in the 1950s. She was a member of TOPS and University Place Christian Church, where she was a member of various circles. She was also a member of the National Campers and Hikers Association. (Source: The News-Gazette, September 15, 2009) During the early 1950s, Mildred lived with her parents at 903 West Springfield Avenue. (Source: Champaign and Urbana City Directory 1950) Mildred was asked what her future plans would be after high school graduation. She replied, "...work at the University this summer and continue next winter." (Source: The Champaign Chronicle, Friday, May 22, 1953) During her school days at CHS, Mildred participated in the dramatic club, Wig 'n' Paint, along with National Thespians, Stunt Show, G.A.A. and Maroonafins, the advanced swimming club for girls with only 24 members. Her senior class picture caption reads..."A million dollar smile for all." (Source: Maroon 1953) Submitted by Phil Matteson A TEACHER REMEMBERED Lucille S. Dobson, 88, of Champaign passed away at 12:15 p.m. on Monday, June 1, 2009, at the Illinois Knights Templar Home, Paxton. Funeral services will be held at 1 p.m. on Thursday, June 4, 2009, at Morgan Memorial Home, 1304 Regency Drive West, Savoy, with Pastor Chuck Carlson officiating. Burial will be in the Cerro Gordo Township Cemetery, Cerro Gordo. There will be no visitation. Mrs. Dobson was born on Aug. 7, 1920, in Staunton. She was the daughter of Frederick and Lena Weber Sturm. She married John Dobson in Carlinville in June of 1949. He preceded her in death on Oct. 19, 2007. Surviving are one daughter, Elizabeth Jane Dobson of Decatur; and one son, James Richard Dobson of Buffalo Grove. She was preceded in death by her parents, her husband and a daughter who died in infancy. Mrs. Dobson attended Zion Lutheran Elementary School and graduated from Staunton High School as salutatorian in 1938. She was a 1942 graduate of Illinois State University, Normal, and a member of Kappa Mu Epsilon, the mathematics honorary fraternity. Entering the U of I, she earned a master's degree in education. Elected to Xi Chapter of Delta Kappa Gamma where she was a 50-year member. Mrs. Dobson was employed as a mathematics teacher in the Champaign school district in 1942. She continued with Champaign Junior High School and Franklin Junior High School until her retirement in 1958. Memorials may be made to the First Presbyterian Church of Champaign, 302 West Church St., Champaign, IL 61820. CHS ALUMNI NEWS The current Issue 17 of the CHS Alumni Newsletter contains a "Whatever happened to" article, and the person featured is Dorothy Munger. For the article, she was interviewed by phone on 11-6-2008. She will soon be 91 and her health is good, although walking and going to the store is getting harder. There is longevity in her family, and she is looking forward to the possibility of making it to 100. Ms. Munger graduated from CHS in 1935 and started as a student teacher at CHS in 1939, serving 38 years as a teacher, business department chair, and the Dean of girls. She still wants to find out who was spreading limburger cheese on the radiator in her classroom. She still keeps up with CHS and was disappointed when the basketball team lost in the first round of last year's state tournament. She still remembers when CHS won the tournament in 1947. Ms. Munger retired in 1977 and has traveled to every continent but Australia. She is still smarter and sharper than most of us. Also, this issue of the CHS Alumni Newsletter contains an interesting article..."Do you know Max." The article is informative about how Max Maroon originated in the 1953 school year by Susan Black and her friend, Mary Ann Stahl. Max got his name from Don Scott, Sports Editor of the Champaign Chronicle, who wrote and talked about made-up stuff regarding this imaginary character before Max arrived at his first basketball game in 1952. Max was a part of the Peparoons, Pepettes, or the cheerleading squad for 33 years through 1986. Submitted by Phil Matteson A CLASSMATE REMEMBERED Classmate Amie Ford of Carmichael, California, passed away December 18, 2008. Born Amie Chipman in Champaign on 12-1-1933, she moved to California with her husband after CHS graduation, becoming a registered nurse in Sacramento. She was a business mogul, owning Ford's Residential Care, Facility, Ford's Trucking Company, and Ford's Real Estate. She was a very spiritual person who was known for her unselfish commitment to others, and her continued involvement in feeding the homeless. Amie is survived by her husband of 57 years, James K. Ford, Sr.; one son, James K., Jr.; three daughters, Paula E., Jacqueline Y., and Stephanie; 16 grandchildren and six great grandchildren. Visitation was 12-27-2008 at Mt. Vernon Memorial Park in Fair Oaks, CA, and funeral services were 12-29-2008 at Williams Memorial COGIC in Sacramento, CA. (Source: The Sacramento Bee 12-26-2008) Amie was a member of the Library Staff during her junior year at CHS. (Source: The 1953 Maroon, page 42) When asked what her plans would be after CHS graduation, she stated... "Work this summer and later go to California to school." (Source: The Champaign Chronicle 5-22-1953) Amie was camera shy in the 1953 Maroon; however, the caption under her picture would have read..."A happy person lives long." Submitted by Donna (Keene) Meeks and Phil Matteson A CLASSMATE REMEMBERED: Classmate Thomas "Tom" Garrett of Fort Collins, Colorado, passed away January 5, 2009. He was born in White Salmon, Washington and moved to Champaign in 1948 with his parents, at which time he started 8th grade at CJHS. After CHS, Tom worked downtown at Sears in the automotive department, and later became a plumber. He married, and in 1960 he and his family moved to Colorado. He worked as a plumber/pipefitter for several companies in both Illinois and Colorado during his working career. Tom is survived by a daughter, Gay Lynn of Fort Collins, CO; three sisters, Frances of Savoy; Catherine of St. Augustine, FL; and Margery of Philo, IL; one brother, John of Mahomet, IL; and three grandchildren. He was preceded in death by his parents and one son, Curtis. A memorial service will be held at a later date in Fort Collins, CO. (Source: The News-Gazette 1-10-2009). When asked what his plans would be after high school graduation, Tom said he was going to join the Navy. (Source: The Champaign Chronicle 5-22-1953) As written in the Senior Class Will..."Tom Garrett leaves his younger brothers and sisters to Hulah B. Smith. (Source: 1953 Maroon, page 147) The caption under his senior class picture in the 1953 Maroon reads..."A good friend with a happy way." Submitted by Phil Matteson A CLASSMATE REMEMBERED Classmate Charles J. "Chuck" Oliger passed away Friday, January 2, 2009, after a lengthy battle with cancer. He is survived by his wife Shirley of 53 years, three children and six sisters. He was preceded in death by his parents, three sisters and two brothers. After graduating from CHS, Chuck and his wife moved to Mahomet. He was a cement finisher for 30 years until his health forced him to retire. He enjoyed time in his woodworking shop making flag cases, going on fishing trips with his brothers, and family reunions at the family cabin. Chuck loved living in Mahomet, where he served on the planning and zoning commission, village council, and concluded with 12 years as Mayor. In recognition of his dedicated service and leadership, the Village of Mahomet recently named Main Street after him in honorary designation. (Source: The News-Gazette, 1-4-09) At CHS, Chuck was on the wrestling and track teams during all three years, which made him a member of "C" Club in both his junior and senior years. Wrestling was the most successful sport of the 1952-53 year for CHS. Chuck wrestled at 127 lbs. 12 times in his senior year, winning ten and losing two. He took first place in the Big 12 Tournament at Mattoon. (Source: The Champaign Chronicle 2-20-53) Then, in the Sectional at Urbana, Chuck took first place again in his weight division. (Source: The Champaign Chronicle 2-27-53) He was one of eight grapplers who represented CHS in the state tournament at Huff Gym on the U. of I. campus. Chuck scored a point for CHS by pinning his first-round opponent; however, he was defeated in his second-round match on a questionable referee's decision. (Source: The Champaign Chronicle 3-6-53) Chuck was a pole vaulter on the track team. He cleared 11'3" to take honors in the Urbana dual meet; he went on to win at 11'0" in the Urbana relays; and, he reached his best at 11'6" in the District to qualify for State at U. of I. Memorial Stadium. (Source: The Champaign Chronicle 5-15-53) Chuck was recognized as runner-up outstanding athlete for 1953 and the trophy remains in the archives at CHS today inscribed with Chuck Oliger's name. The caption under Chuck's senior picture in the CHS 1953 Maroon reads...."I stand on the brink of a great career. Will somebody please push me off." Condolences may be offered at www.owensfuneralhomes.com Submitted by Phil Matteson News and Information Archives Back to Home Page