Ilion High School

Class of 1978

Alumni News

1978 Mirror Cover Ilion High School

 

Digitized Class Yearbook....

Mirror 1978 from the New York Heritage digital Ilion Free Public Library Yearbooks collection. Link opens in new browser tab. (added March 25, 2021)

 

Class History....

Now everything you wanted to know about the IHS Class of 1978 is at your fingertips....as published in the 1978 Mirror Class History. (February 19, 2002).

 

Class Roster....

Class Roster, Officers and Honor Students, as published in the "The Mirror 1978", are available on the 1978 Class Roster page. (added February 28, 2022).

 

Class Historical Newspaper Articles....

     Newspaper articles about the IHS Class of 1978 (added March 6, 2023)

 

Cathy Willoughby Strzelewicz....

Help Raise Funds for Cathy Willoughby Strzelewicz - "Cathy has been bravely fighting Cancer since 2007. She has been in remission but recently was told the cancer has returned. Cathy has been through countless treatments over the years, she has suffered a stroke and now her battle is beginning again. If you would like to donate funds to Cathy as a way to support her during the difficult road ahead please send checks to the following address made payable to The Cathy Strzelewicz Fund. TD Bank - 635 Lowell Street- Peabody, MA 01960. Submitted by email, Julie Overacker Pomodoro. (November 16, 2012)

 

Condolences

Paul M. Stone, IHS 1978 age 63, of Ilion, passed away peacefully at home on Monday, November 7, 2022, with his loving family by his side. He was born in Ilion on August 24, 1959, the son of the late Horace M. and Mildred (Sturgess) Stone. Paul was married to his best friend, Carolyn (Miller) on September 27, 2014. He recently retired from Herkimer College and he also did property management. Paul was a long-time member of the Ilion Elks Lodge #1444 and was also a member of the CNY Elks Riders. Many people remember Paul from his store, Hilltop, on Second Street in Ilion where he had a cafe/convenience store where customers would have coffee, scratch lottery tickets and visit with Paul, and whose kids would come for the candy, as Paul loved the kids, and also from Melfe's shoe store as well as the Mobil gas stations he managed. Paul was best known for his sense of humor, big heart and willingness to help anyone that needed him. There wasn't much he couldn't do and wore many hats. His motto was always "fix the problem" and he would always find a way. Paul organized the annual Brother's Ride (formerly Scotty's Ride) to benefit the Herkimer County Humane Society for many years, recently turning it over to the CNY Elks Riders. Paul enjoyed building things and was always involved in a project. He enjoyed spending time with family and friends and he loved spending time teaching his son all he had learned from his own dad over the years. When his daughters were younger, he enjoyed taking them camping, fishing, hiking and on adventures! Paul is survived by his beloved wife, Carolyn, of Ilion; his cherished children, his daughters, Janelle Stone and Danielle and her husband, Roger Morczek, and his son, Nathaniel Stone. He is also survived by his stepsons Terence Bowers and Kirk Bowers and his step-grandchild, Azure Bowers (who affectionately referred to him as "Mike"); his grandchildren Kiera, Brayden, Conner, Damian and Bentley. He was also survived by his "sissy" Eileen and her husband Chuck (Chuckles), his sister Kathleen Bryden, his brothers Bill and his wife, Debra, Brian and his wife, Mary and his brother-in-law Alan Tayler. He is also survived by his mother-in-law (Momma) Patricia Church, his father-in-law Chris Miller and his wife, Susan, brothers-in-law Mark Miller, Michael and his wife Lynne; sisters-in-law, Melinda Crane and Molly Reile and her husband Ron. Paul was predeceased by his parents, his brother Daniel Stone and sister Susan Tayler and his stepson, Chris Bowers. Paul's family would like to thank Carolyn's employer, Arc Herkimer, for their kindness and support during this very difficult time. They would also like to thank all his friends and family who lent him a hand with his projects when he could no longer work on them. All are much appreciated. A special thanks to the wonderful nurses and staff at Hospice for their kindness and attention. Donations in Paul's memory can be made to the Herkimer County Humane Society or 4PetsSake Food Pantry. Paul's family would like to invite his friends and family to a Celebration of Life at the Ilion Elks Lodge, 8 West Street, Ilion, NY, on November 18th at 4:00 p.m. His arrangements have been entrusted to the Whiter-Hendrix Funeral Home, 100 Otsego St. in Ilion. To leave condolences for Paul's family, please visit www.whiter-hendrix.com. Expressions of sympathy may be placed on Paul's online memorial page by going to www.whiter-hendrix.com (November 16, 2022)

 

Linda Kaye (Murray) Klink, IHS 1978, passed away after a courageous battle with cancer at the age of 50 on Sunday, December 20, 2020 peacefully, with her husband Richard and her best friend Joanne at her side. Linda was born in Ilion on August 17, 1970 the daughter of the late Robert Murray and former Margery Wohler. She was raised and educated all her life in Ilion. She continued her education to be an LPN and was employed by New York State in DDSO group homes for the past 17 years. She worked till her cancer physically took it from her. Linda never had children but her love of her animals were her children especially her dogs, cats, bird and favorite of all Wilbur (Pig) the pot belly pig. She loved being a homebody and hostess enjoying her green thumb in the garden where she grew numerous plants especially roses. There were many good times spent around a bonfire or a video game. She is survived by her husband of 23 years Richard, her mother Margery Murray of Ilion, her brothers James Murray and his wife Theresa, Ilion, David Murray and his wife Therese, Ilion, Roger Murray and his wife Julia, NC, her best friend Joanne Sickler, special cousin Walter Maine and several nieces, nephews and cousins. She is predeceased by her brother John Murray. In keeping with Linda's wishes there will be no formal services. Her friends and family will celebrate her life privately when our current health situation is safe to do so. Linda was a loving, caring, kind person with a big heart and will be missed by all those she touched. (December 31, 2020)

 

Mr. Timothy G. 'Tim' Hyer IHS 1978 a longtime resident of Ilion, passed away suddenly on December 22, 2015 at St. Elizabeth's Medical Center in Utica, NY. He was born February 9, 1959 in Norfolk, Virginia, a son to the late Robert and Mary Ellen (Guilfoyle) Hyer. He was a graduate of Ilion High School, Class of 1978. Tim was an accomplished wrestler in his high school years in 1977 and in 1978 and enjoyed football as well. For the 1976 Olympics, Tim was chosen for wrestling. He went on to attend Appalachian State College in Boone, North Carolina and played football there. He was currently employed with Visions Hotels, LLC, of Corning, NY as a General Superintendent. Tim was a member of the Ilion Elks Lodge, and loved sports, especially following the Georgia Bulldogs. He was talented with his woodworking skills. He is survived by his fiancée Tina Riley of Ilion, his children, Shawn Hyer and his wife Jessica of Tuscon, Arizona, and Christopher Hyer of Saratoga Springs, NY, his step-children, Justin Riley and his wife Ashley of Tuscon, Arizona and Kyle Riley stationed in the USS Navy, Japan, his grandchildren, Cael, Winry, and Grayson and his siblings, Christine Hyer, Janice Stansberry and her husband Rick, Steven Hyer and his wife Dawn, Elaine Salinger, Daniel Hyer, Gregory Hyer, Shawn Hyer and his wife Colleen, Erin Brown and her husband Chris, and Travis Hyer. Also surviving are Tina's family, her mother, Juanita Burger and her siblings William Burger, Eric Burger and his wife Peggy, Sharman Richards and her husband Bob, Lance Burger and his wife Leslie, Kurt Burger and his wife Erin, and Julia Murray and her husband Roger, and many nieces, nephews, and cousins and his faithful and loyal canine companion, Shadow. He also leaves many, many special friends. Tim was a great friend to all. He was predeceased by his parents, Robert and Mary Ellen, and a brother-in-law, Steven Salinger. Calling hours will be held on Tuesday December 29, 2015 from 4 until 7 PM with a funeral service to follow at 7PM at The Enea Family Funeral Home, 4309 Acme Road in Ilion, NY (Town of Frankfort), with Seminarian Frank Vivacqua officiating. The Ilion Elks are asked to perform their ritual at 6:00 PM on Tuesday at the funeral home. Services are under the direction of Funeral Directors Harry J. & Kevin E. Enea (315) 894-8000. To leave an online note of sympathy, please visit www.eneafamily.com on the Internet. (December 27, 2015)

 

Robert 'Bob' W. Drumm, Jr. IHS 1978, age 53, of Folts Rd., E. Herkimer, NY, passed away unexpectedly from natural causes on Thursday, January 29, 2015. He was born on December 19, 1961, in Ilion, the son of Robert W. and Lillian (Carney) Drumm. Bob graduated from Annunciation School and Ilion High School. He also played CYO basketball. Mr. Drumm was employed as a dredge captain at NYS Canal Corp. in Utica for over thirty years. Bob enjoyed his time at camp and cruising Kayuta Lake on his 1961 wooden boat and fly fishing. He was a member of the Ilion Elks Lodge #1444 and the N. Utica American Legion Post 229. Survivors include his beloved mate of many years, Kimberley J. Harris, with whom he resided in E. Herkimer; his sister, Laurie Ann Franklin, of Mohawk; his niece, Alison H. Franklin and her companion, Nicholas Stasilli, of Ilion; his nephew, Paul R. Franklin, of Mohawk; several cousins; and his darling cocker spaniel, Denver Raye. He was predeceased by his mother, Lillian, in 2007, and his father, Robert W. Drumm, four days ago, on January 27, 2015. Friends and relatives are invited to attend funeral services on Monday, February, 2, 2015, at 10:30 a.m. at the Church of the Annunciation, West St., Ilion, where a Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated by Father Paul Catena, Pastor. In keeping with Bob's wishes, there will be no public calling hours. Anyone wishing to share a memory of Bob, or add to his online memorial, may go to: www.applegateandday.com. Bob's service arrangements and supervision are entrusted to the Drumm family Funeral Director, Don Applegate, at Applegate-Day & Enea Family Funeral Home's newly reopened home at 102 West St., Ilion, NY. (February 22, 2015 modified March 20, 2016)

 

Thomas Francis Trevor IHS 1978, age 48, of 189 Applewood Drive, Ilion, passed away unexpectedly as the result of a motorcycle accident on Thursday, May 8, 2008. Thomas was born Feb. 14, 1960, in Ilion, N.Y., the son of the late William and Margaret Vayo Trevor, and received his education in the Ilion Central School. Mr. Trevor was employed by as maintenance supervisor with Ilion Housing Authority. Mr. Trevor was a member of the Church of the Annunciation in Ilion, the Ilion Elks Lodge 1444 and the Ilion Marine Corps League. Tom enjoyed riding his motorcycle and camping. He enjoyed the outdoors and loved being with family and friends. He will be greatly missed by all who knew him. Tom is survived by his wife, Cathy of Seneca Falls, N.Y.; his children, Jessica and her companion Chris Dye of South Utica, Sara of Seneca Falls, and Chrissy of Ilion; his brothers and sisters-in-law, Kevin of Herkimer, William and Rhonda of Ilion, Michael of Ilion, and Daniel and Linda Trevor of Ilion; his sisters and brothers-in-law, Patricia and Rich Reynolds of Newport, Bridgette and Kevin McKinley of Ilion, and Kelly and Frank Scheffield of Ilion; a granddaughter Emily Dye, also several nieces and nephews. A Memorial Mass of Christian Burial will tentatively be offered on Tuesday, May 13, 2008 at 10 a.m. from the Church of the Annunciation with Fr. Anthony Barratt officiating. Interment will be in the Armory Hill Cemetery, Ilion. Friends may call on Monday, May 12, 2008, from 4 to 7 p.m. at the Whiter-Hendrix Funeral Home, Inc., 100 Otsego St., Ilion. Friends are asked to consider memorials to the Ilion Elks Lodge 1444 in Tom’s memory. Envelopes will be available at the funeral home. (May 14, 2008)

 

Ron Fuhrer IHS 1978, age 49, of Ilion, passed away on Friday, December 11, 2009, in Boston. Ron was born on October 29, 1960, in Ilion, the son of Walter and Elsie (Houghtaling) Fuhrer. He was a graduate of Ilion High School. On May 20, 1978, Ron married the former Jan Marie Barnard in Ilion. Ron was employed with HCCC as the grounds keeper at Wehrum Stadium. He was a former member of the Ilion Little Theater Club. He and Jan also volunteered with Canine Working Companions, training and fostering dogs for the hearing and physically impaired. Ron was an avid musician who played the bass guitar with the Honeybush Brothers for several years. As a craftsman, he loved to keep himself busy building furniture and remodeling his home. One of his many works included the Adirondack camp he and Jan built themselves by hand. Ron is survived by his wife, Jan, of Ilion; a son, Brian, of Ilion; a daughter, Karen and her fiancé, Brent Richardson, of Rochester; his parents, Walter and Elsie Fuhrer, of Ilion; and three brothers, Clint and his wife, Kathleen, of Ilion, Michael and his fiancée, Karen Chase, of Mohawk, and Steven and his wife, Christine, of Ilion. Ron also leaves several beloved nieces and nephews. Funeral service for Ron will be private and at the convenience of his family. He will be interred in the Armory Hill Cemetery in Ilion. Calling hours for Ron will be held on Tuesday, December 15, 2009, from 4-7 p.m. at the Whiter-Hendrix Funeral Home, Inc., 100 Otsego St., in Ilion. Ron’s family has requested any floral offerings be live plants so that they may be shared with others following the services. Friends are also asked to consider becoming an organ donor as a tribute to Ron. On line condolences and memorial candles may be left by going to www.whiter-hendrix.com. (Dec 14, 2009)

 

Bombers Buzz....

Stan Hammond, email, St. Louis, MO, re-registered. (Aug 30, 2014)

Michael DeRocco, Sales, email, Reno, NV, re-registered. (Mar 10, 2013)

William Townend, Facilities Coordinator, from Leominster, MA, registered. (Feb 25, 2013)

Debbi Honsinger Barnes, Executive Assistant, email, Coral Springs, FL, registered. (July 3, 2010)

Donald Rende, Federal Government, email, Surprise, AZ, registered. (Sept 27, 2009)

Donald Eckler, mailman, email, from Ilion, NY, registered. (May 23, 2009)

Chris Brown, Engineering Project Manager, email, Charlotte, VT, re-registered. (May 5, 2009)

John Lytwynec, Liverpool, NY, re-registered. (May 5, 2009)

Lorrie Leavitt Benedict, medical assistant, email, Fort Lauderdale, FL, registered. (Oct 12, 2008)

Alison (Allie) Long, email, from Hebron, CT, sent news. (Sept 5, 2008)

"Haven't updated in a while, so thought I would...here goes! After 15 years together including an 8 year engagement (why rush these things!!), Mark Allen Baker and I married over Thanksgiving 2005! In doing so, I became the lucky stepmother of 3...Aaron, Elizabeth(recent Ball State U grad...she and I went to Europe for her graduation present this spring) and Rebecca. Instant family! Mark and I have lived in 4 states over the years (including 2 tours in Central NY), and we've been in the Hartford, CT area since last year. I work for Travelers Insurance as the head of Catastrophe Strategy & Analysis for their Select Accounts division. Mark is the author of many books on collecting and authenticating autographs after several yrs with GE. He also co-owned Bleachers, a sports bar/restaurant in Liverpool, NY back in the early 90s. Yes, I met and eventually married the owner of the bar where I hung out and played pool!! He sponsored Jeff Anthaume's softball team too! Sm! all world... Anyway, a family update for those who knew all of us Longs...my sister Debbie (class of '70) lives in New York Mills and works for a health care insurance company. Laurie (class of 72)is in the Syracuse area working as a Special Ed teacher (mother of 2 - Stephen is graduating soon as an Automotive Engineering major and Christina is a paralegal for the Onondaga county DA's office). Dick (class of 74) lives in Rochester, NH and recently married Deb Randazzo. He has 3 boys (Casey in Las Vegas, Josh married to Jessica and living in Dayton, OH, and Brent also in OH), and works in northern MA for a manufacturer of heating equipment. Cyndie (class of 77) just moved back to Syracuse after a year here in CT and continues to work in Work Comp claims for Hartford Insurance. My mom passed away in '02, but my father is still in Ilion...which I still love to visit! He's coming with Mark and I on vacation soon to the San Francisco area. Be glad to hear from friends...send a note when you can!!"

Sherry Martin Christiansen, College Recruiter, email, from Alto, TX, re-registered. (July 13, 2008

Michael Tillinghast, Professional Home Inspector, email, from Seguin, TX, re-registered. (July 13, 2008)

Julie Overacker Pomodoro, Manager of Office Suites at Jefferson Park email, Peabody, MA, re-registered. (June 6, 2008)

Karen Gressel Cox, email, Chesapeake, VA, re-registered. (June 6, 2008)

Lorie Gage Richards, Researcher, email, from Researcher, FL, registered. (Apr 18, 2008)

Tim Humphrey, Dev Dis Prog Spec, email, from Binghamton, NY, registered. (Apr 18, 2008)

Jeff Anthaume, Safety Consultant, email, from Liverpool, NY, registered. (Mar 6, 2008)

Laurie Morris Maurer, Veterinary Technician, email, from Salem, MO, registered. (Jan 26, 2008)

William Boudry, Electronics Technician, email, from Winterhaven, FL, re-registered. (Dec 14, 2007)

Mary Murtaugh Shaw, Sr. VP, Staffing, email, Baltimore, MD, re-registered. (Oct 30, 2007)

Tina Lane Dumaplin, Para Ed, email, from Wheatland, CA, re-registered. (Oct 26, 2007)

Lany Parker Wolfe, Office Manager, email, from Ilion, NY, re-registered. (Aug 10, 2007)

David "Spook" Lester, College Professor of Music, email or email2, from Helena, OH, registered. (June 27, 2007)

Tim Purcell, Construction Manager, email, re-registered. (June 26, 2007)

Scott Martin, Police Officer, email, from Chadwicks, NY., registered. (June 26, 2007)

Cathy Willoughby Strzelewicz, Office Manager, email, Addison, IL, re-registered. (Feb 15, 2007)

Anna Lane Negron, email, from Cooperstown, NY, registered. (Dec 14, 2006)

Chip Boucher, COL, US Army; Attorney, from Portsmouth, RI, email, re-registered. (Dec 1, 2006)

Jim Ayers, email from Tucson, AZ, re-registered. (Nov 5, 2006)

Kathy Bates McNamara Corporate Secretary, email from Niskayuna, NY, re-registered. (May 18, 2006)

Leslie Bunch Bluett, Registered Nurse, email email, from Ilion, NY, re-registered. (Feb 28, 2006)

Pam Solin Fogerty, M.I.S. Co-Ordinator, email, Ohio, NY, registered. (Jan 9, 2006)

Thomas Richards, Manager, email, Gainesville, FL, re-registered. (Jan 7, 2006)

Jim Ayers, email, from Tucson, AZ, re-registered. (Nov 14, 2005)

Richard Harter, Engineering Technician, email, from Suffolk, VA, re-registered. (Feb 20, 2005)

Tom Cunningham, Senior Copywriter, email, Rochester, NY, re-registered. (April 3, 2004)

Brett Dongell, dentist, New York, NY, registered. (Jan 24, 2004)

Patricia Paul Schumacher, Substitute Teacher, email , Ilion, NY, re-registered. (Jan 5, 2004)

Bob Edgett, Retired AF/Fuel Truck Driver, email, from Copper Center, AR, re-registered. (November 24, 2003)

Patty Sweeney Dahl, Banker, email, from Wellesley, NY, registered. (July 13, 2003)

Matthew Urtz, US Navy, email, from Santee, CA, re-registered. (May 29, 2003)

Craig Newman, Midtown Autoworld Used Car Sales and Service from Herkimer, NY, now has an email address email email address. (December 21, 2002)

Jean Conroy Johnson, Ilion, NY, is attending the mega reunion. (September 30, 2002)

Janie Nile Keller, will be attending the mega-reunion from Aptos, California. (September 22, 2002)

Cindy Dack DackFauler, Gansevoort, NY is attending the mega-reunion. (September 18, 2002)

George Beach, Student, email , from Ilion, NY, re-registered. (September 12, 2002)

Wayne Higdon, Accounting Advisor, email , from Albany, NY, re-registered. (August 13, 2002)

Barbara VanArsdale-Terzioski, email , sent news. (August 11, 2002)

"I will be attending this [mega-reunion]; just so you can put me on your list. I think a lot of people are waiting to see who else is going which is why no one is responding. Let me know what I have to do next but reserve me a spot." Barbara VanArsdale-Terzioski

Chris Day, Ilion, is attending the mega-reunion. (July 31, 2002)

Mary Kenefick, email, from Ilion, NY, signed the GuestBook. (July 29, 2002)

Joan Miller Crockett, Leasing/Documentation Specialist, email, Syracuse, NY, re-registered. (July 25, 2002)

Scott Martin, email, re-registered. (June 22, 2002)

Matthew Urtz, email, re-registered. (June 21, 2002)


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