Frank Derby named 2008 Winner of DHS Reunion Scholarship reported by Bill Beshara

Subject: 2008 DHS Reunion Scholarship information

Dear committee and dhsclassmates,

There were two other applicants, but Frank Derby was our first choice. We checked with his past employer, the school counselor, and the head of the honor society, all of whom spoke very highly of him. Ron Pray, school counselor, extends his thanks for our thoughtfulness in providing this scholarship. If any of you would like to review the application process in the future let me know and I will give your name to Ron Pray. Otherwise I will inform him that his committee is in charge of the selection process.

There are two more yearly scholarships left from the proceeds of the 2008 Reunion activities. We hope to have a report on the School BackPack program that also was given funds.

As always
Bill

A humorous memory of John Korneman the King of Bus Drivers

Picture from Judge Will Severns (Rapid City, SD) of John Korneman shortly before he died October 1973. This picture was taken during an extensive interview with John to capture many of his memories of historic Deadwood of 1890s until his death. I have not found a way to get the audio segments on this blog. ~~DD

Reported by Jim Hennen DHS56:

"The only time I ever saw Johnny drive the old Deadwood school bus in this fashion was each time I came out of the school 5 minutes late and tried to flag him down as he pulled out and headed towards Central City on his first run of the evening. I ended up walking the mile home after being winded from wildly flaying my arms in the fruitless chase to get his attention. Believe me, that was the proverbial country mile." ~~Jim


This 23 second video clip will run on high speed connections only. Select video play arrow.

Jim Hennen's report on Mrs. Morthland's 100th Birthday

Subject: Hazel Morthland's 100th B'day

Here are three (3) pictures taken at Mrs. Morthland's 100th birthday party today (March 20th). She was the object of attention, as it should be, and was surrounded by many folks wishing her the best. It was hard to get to her for pictures with so many crowding around. We did manage to get these few pictures and would like to share them with you.

Most are self explanatory but the last one shows Sandy visiting with Tommy Martin (Barry Martin's younger brother), Muriel (Roth) ??? and one of Mrs. Morthland's nieces from California.

Mrs. Morthland told Sandy and I that she was now 100 years old and this was her graduation day. When the guests began singing "Happy Birthday Hazel" she opened up and sang right along.

It was great.

Jim & Sandy (Snapp) Hennen

Comment: Thanks, Dick. You do a great job in putting this blog together. Glad we could contribute to this salute to a wonderful teacher and a truly remarkable lady. I told her nephew from Spokane that it was good so see them again and we were looking forward to the celebration next year!

Jim

~~Hazel is recovering from a recent stroke so may look different from previous years. DD

Bob Heller reports Betty Melton's Passing

Thanks to Bob Heller, Yvonne Hendrickson and Janet Thoresen for posting information:

"SORRY TO LET YOU KNOW BUT JENE MELTON'S WIFE BETTY, PASSED THRU THE VALE YESTERDAY IN IDAHO FALLS IDAHO. CLICK ON THE FUNERAL HOME AND GO TO OBITUARIES, AND THEN TO "BETTY MAE KESTERMAN MELTON" . SHE HAD SOME TROUBLE DURING HEART SURGERY TO REPLACE A VALVE. SOME OF YOU MAY HAVE KNOWN HER PRETTY WELL OR HIM JENE WAS MUSICIAN AROUND HERE FOR YEARS AND FATHER WAS PORTER MELTON, DIRECTED DEADWOOD BAND FOR YEARS. HELLER"

IDAHO FALLS, ID -- Betty Mae Kesterman Melton, 76, of Idaho Falls, passed away March 19, 2008, at Eastern Idaho Regional Medical Center.

She was born September 19, 1931, in Sundance, Wyoming, to Alfred Henry Kesterman and Georgina "Ena" Jeffery Kesterman. She grew up in Terry Gulch and Lead, South Dakota, where she attended Deadwood Elementary, Keystone Elementary, Keystone High School, and graduated from Lead High School.

She married Jene H. Melton June 3, 1952, in Sturgis, South Dakota. They made their home in Spearfish, South Dakota, where she was a homemaker and raised their five children. She also worked as a Medical Executive Secretary and Bookkeeper. She and Jene moved to Idaho Falls six months ago.

She was a member of St. John's Episcopal Church in Deadwood, South Dakota. She enjoyed quilting, sewing, needlework, reading, and traveling. She is also survived by her dog, Max.

Survivors include:
Husband: Jene H. Melton, Idaho Falls, ID
Daughter: Kara (Leo) Diede, Thornton, CO
Son: Porter Marc (Joyce) Melton, Woodbridge, VA
Daughter: Deborah (John Thomas) Weiers, Rigby, ID
Son: Jeffery Melton, Sturgis, SD
Son: Patrick Michael (Carolyn) Melton, Pass Christian, MS
Brother: George (Joy) Kesterman, Phoenix, AZ
Brother: Robert (Rita) Kesterman, CA
Sister: Joan Merritt, Spearfish, SD
10 Grandchildren & 8 Great Grandchildren. She was preceded in death by her parents, a brother, Bill Kesterman, and a grandson, Nathan.

Memorial Services will be held at a later date. In lieu of flowers the family suggests memorial donations to St. John’s Episcopal Church, 405 Williams Street, Deadwood, SD 57732.

No enemies . . .

Toward the end of Sunday service, the Minister asked,"How many of you have forgiven your enemies?" 80% held up their hands.

The Minister then repeated his question. All responded this time, except one small elderly lady.

"Mrs. Neely?"

"Are you not willing to forgive your enemies?''

"I don't have any", she replied, smiling sweetly.

"Mrs. Neely, that is very unusual. "How old are you?''

"Ninety-eight" she replied.

"Oh, Mrs. Neely, would you please come down in front and tell us all how a person can live ninety-eight years and not have anenemy in the world?"

'The little sweetheart of a lady tottered down the aisle, faced the congregation, and said: "I outlived the bitches".

Can you identify this picture and location?

This picture scan is thought to be in the Northern Black Hills maybe the Tinton area. Let me know if you have any ideas. DD

Support Fund for Bob Beshara

Bob is Bill Beshara's (DHS55) and Sandy Gravelle Beshara's (DHS57) son.

Bob is diagnosed with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), often referred to as "Lou Gehrig's disease," it is a progressive neurodegenerative disease that affects nerve cells in the brain and the spinal cord. Motor neurons reach from the brain to the spinal cord and from the spinal cord to the muscles throughout the body. The progressive degeneration of the motor neurons in ALS eventually lead to their death. When the motor neurons die, the ability of the brain to initiate and control muscle movement is lost. With voluntary muscle action progressively affected, patients in the later stages of the disease may become totally paralyzed.The Beshara family is raising money to build a ground floor addition on Bob's home to accommodate his handicap care and to provide a handicap van so he can get around.

If you would like to contribute or contact the Beshara's see Bob's web site http://bobbeshara.com/ . The web site has some neat pictures and more will be added.While attending the 2007 All DHS Reunion I met Bob for the first time. Bob has a marvelous sense of humor and we were all laughing. I took the following pictures in Bill's office in Rapid City and a few days later Bob was diagnosed with ALS.