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Fifty years have slipped by too quickly, some good and others not so good.
I got a secretarial job at the Oberlin Conservatory of Music and Oberlin College Registrar's office from 1952-1966, thanks to Miss Juanita Schramm's recommendation. I met my first husband, Leon (Lonnie) D. Wohlever, Sr., while he was working on the Conservatory as a roofer. We were married for 35 good years, had a son, Leon Jr. and a daughter, Linda, both who continue to live in Oberlin. In January, 1992, my beloved Lonnie died of a massive heart attack.
In 1999 cupid shot his arrow at our family and Chuck (Charles) Wm. Jackson and I were married in September in a beautiful church wedding. Leon and Tonya were married in October, and Linda and David were also married in September. We each had beautiful weddings and are all very happy. Leon has a stepson, Todd, and now a darling son, Aidan. Linda has a beautiful daughter, Elizabeth, and is looking forward to the birth of another child in June.
Chuck Jackson, class of 1953, has four daughters, Debora, Sandi and his twins, Laurie and Nancy. His wife, Barbara Wilgor, class of 1956, died of cancer. When you combine our families, my seven, his twenty-five (which consists of sixteen grandchildren, two great grandchildren) and the two of us, it adds up to thirty-four. A much bigger family than the "Brady Bunch". A super big family when we all get together at holidays or any time. It is a little hectic but it is a fun-loving group. At Christmas this year Chuck's daughter and family gave us a new beautiful Christmas tree and a new tradition was started by each of us writing our name on an ornament to hang on it. As our family continues to grow so will the new ornaments be added.
God has blessed me with two super husbands, a great family, and now an extended family. Life can't get much better!
Chuck retired from Columbia Gas Co. after thirty-five years of employment, however he continues his hobby of interior house painting and drywall. Each job is a challenge for him, retirement is not in his life at this time. He built his home in Pittsfield, in a beautiful country setting. At this time we have his "Country Home" and I am still in Oberlin, our "Town House". One day we will get together in one home when time and energy permits. In the meantime, we are thankful we both have Oberlin phone numbers and not long distance.
Hobbies: My first husband and I enjoyed garage sales, hunting for treasures and made many nice friends. Chuck and I enjoy our children, grandchildren, great-grandchildren and friends, plus some traveling when time permits to enjoy special time together.
I enjoyed baby-sitting for neighbor's children, and now we do it for our grandkids when needed. I have been a caretaker for several senior citizens, which has been very rewarding. I continue to take care of neighbor's homes when they go away on vacation.
We remain in Oberlin and Pittsfield and we do see some of the classmates that have also remained in and around our location. A small group of our 1952 class and spouses got together in 1997 for a mini 45th reunion, and we were guests of Gene Presti at his restaurant, a good time was had by all.
We are thankful for each day and count our blessings since we have lost so many classmates, mates and family members.
Nathan Nash is sadly missed since we remained very close friends. I helped take care of his mom when he lived in Reno, Nevada and was unable to attend to her everyday needs in her later years. After Nathan's mom moved to a nursing home, Leon bought her home and continues to reside there with his family.
Hope to see you all at the 1952 reunion.
Lois and Chuck Jackson