Class Notes

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If you have questions or need assistance, please call Director of Alumni Engagement, Dani Crown Jadwin at 740-826-8473 or email dcrown@muskingum.edu.

All class notes will be edited for length, style and content. Obituary notices submitted by family members must not be longer than 250 words. Longer obituaries will be edited to that length.

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If you are submitting a note on behalf of a Muskingum graduate, please tell us your relationship to that alumnus.

To view by order of Class Year, please click on a decade button below

Update: Deaths
Richard H. Gingher
Class Year:
1953

February 28, 2018, Toledo, Ohio.

Update: Deaths
Janis Ashdown Brewer
Class Year:
1952

March 12, 2018, Huron, Ohio.
She is survived by her husband, Clair H. Brewer ’52.

Update: Deaths
Ada M. Hutchison
Class Year:
1945

January 31, 2018, West Finley, Pennsylvania.
She was preceded in death by her parents, Harry Hutchison 1916 and Susannah McKeown Hutchison 1919, her aunt, Rosella McKeown Hutchison 1921, and her sister, Rosella Hutchison Nolin ’46.

Update: Deaths
Amy Loutzenhiser Doddo
Class Year:
1960

December 20, 2016, Hempfield, Pennsylvania.

Update: Deaths
Marleen Apple Bain
Class Year:
1966

February 5, 2018, Missoula, Montana.
She was preceded in death by her in-laws, J. Herbert Bain 1928, Muriel Marie Thompson Bain 1928 and John H. Bain ’62. Marleen is survived by her husband, Philip T. Bain ’65, and her sister-in-law, Rebecca Paisley Hoover ’63.

Update: Deaths
Barbara Boyd Rankin
Class Year:
1955

February 15, 2018, Hopewell Junction, New York.
She was preceded in death by her husband, John A. Rankin II ’53.

Update: Deaths
Marjory Jones Fredlund
Class Year:
1949

February 18, 2018, Herkimer, New York.
She was preceded in death by her brother, Robert Jones ’47.

Update: Updates
Jeffrey Reed
Class Year:
1970

After serving as Dean of the School of Business at Marian University Wisconsin since 2008, and Professor of Management since 2006, Jeffrey Reed resigned his administrative position at Marian and began a sabbatical in June 2017. During the 2017-18 Rotary year, he serves as Governor of Rotary International District 6270, serving 54 Rotary Clubs in Wisconsin.  A member of the Rotary Club of Fond du Lac Morning, in March 2017 he traveled to Peru to visit soy cow and soy bakery Rotary Project Sites. In January 2018, he traveled to South India on a Rotary Friendship Exchange tour. Previously, he traveled as a site visitor to observe the Rotary micro-loan project in Irkutsk, Siberia, Russia.

Jeff has also served in leadership roles with the International Assembly for Collegiate Business Education, Wisconsin State Council of the Society for Human Resource Management, Midwest Leadership School, Central Midwest District of the UUA, Midwest Unitarian Universalist Conference and on boards of several organizations.

His wife Sylvia (PhD, St. Louis University) retired from her position in Institutional Research at Marian University and serves on three non-profit boards in Fond du Lac. Their son Daniel (ND, NCNM) is in practice as a Naturopath in Salt Lake City, UT.

In his free time, Jeff enjoys travel (there are still a few places on his bucket list), playing the piano at the Open Circle fellowship, and their prairie garden.

Update: Births
Christina Eichenauer Clay
Class Year:
2007

Brandon Clay and Christina Eichenauer Clay welcomed their second son, Logan Anthony, on January 26, 2018. Logan was 8 pounds, 2 ounces, and 22 inches long. He joins big brother, Evan.

Update: Updates
David Briggs
Class Year:
1979

David Briggs, director of High Point Theatre, was elected during January’s Association of Performing Arts Professionals meeting in New York to serve a three-year term on the board of North American Performing Arts Agents and Managers and Agents (NAPAMA). NAPAMA is an organization serving the Performing Arts industry professionals in developing ethical guidelines, professional development, best industry practices and works to bridge the gap between artists, management and performing arts presenters.

David started in the performing arts management industry in 1983 and is honored to be part of an outstanding group of industry leaders. His role on the board is to bolster the relationship between the presenters and artists and their representatives. The current board contains 15 industry professionals, with three of the board members representing municipal, non-profit and university presenting. The other twelve board members make up agency representatives/owners, artists and agents.

Laurel Canan, Board President, commented: “We are delighted to have someone with David’s knowledge of the presenting side and his connections to the arts management field. It’s safe to say that everyone on the board was honored that he agreed to be nominated and know that his input will help take the organization to even greater prominence in the field.”

Update: Deaths
Charles W. Ransom
Class Year:
1960

February 8, 2018, Mount Vernon, Ohio.
He was preceded in death by his brother, Robert D. Ransom ’58. Charles is survived by his wife, Daryl Sobehart Ransom ’62, and his children, Jonathan Ransom ’91 and Susan Ransom McDonald ’86.

Update: Deaths
Jackie D. Middleton
Class Year:
2016

February 10, 2018, Columbus, Ohio.

Update: Faculty/Staff update
Tom German

Professors German and Gene Alesandrini catch up with Kaylee Lukacena ’14 at the National Communication Association conference in Dallas, Texas.

Update: Deaths
Carol Shipley Sowers
Class Year:
2006

November 13, 2017, Zanesville, Ohio.

Update: Births
Adam Gulling
Class Year:
2003

Eric Will was born on June 30, 2017 in Buchholz, Germany to Sandra and Adam Gulling.

Update: Updates
Seth Cosens
Class Year:
1984

Seth Cosens is in his 31st year of teaching Business Education at Susquehanna Valley High School (Conklin, NY). And his 30th year as Boy’s Head track and field coach. His son, Tanner, was a four-year letter-winner on the Binghamton University Men's Lacrosse team. As a senior, he was a team captain. Tanner is currently completing his degree work in anthropology and is a member of the BU Men's Lacrosse coaching staff.

Update: Updates
Benjamin E. Davis
Class Year:
1988

Benjamin E. Davis was named President of the IPC Employee Relief Fund, Inc., a not for profit organization. This non-profit organization was established in February 2000 to assist local employees in the publishing industry manage personal financial crisis.  10/17

Benjamin E. Davis has been named the General Manager and Senior Director of Newspaper Operations for the Anderson Independent Mail (part of the USA Today Network) located in Anderson, South Carolina. The Independent Mail is a daily newspaper serving Anderson County, South Carolina and parts of northwestern Georgia.

Update: Deaths
Lisa Ray Ebeling
Class Year:
1983

October 25, 2017, Barnesville, Ohio.

Update: Deaths
Colin J. Campbell
Class Year:
1986

December 13, 2017, Stillwater, New Jersey.

Update: Updates
Chris Briggs
Class Year:
1991

Dr. Chris Briggs is the new superintendent of Pickerington Local Schools in Pickerington, Ohio. Dr. Briggs served as the superintendent of Northridge Local Schools for the last four and a half years before taking over Ohio's 15th largest school district in July, 2017.

Update: Updates
Jennifer Peeke
Class Year:
1998

Jennifer Peeke was promoted to Supervisor at a Children Services Agency (Licking County) in October of 2016.

Update: Marriages
Allison Avolio
Class Year:
2006

Allison Avolio married Seth Binder on November 5, 2016 in Pittsburgh, PA surrounded by family and friends. Shannon Poole '06 and former MU Student Life employee Gina Tamburro were members of the wedding party. Other Muskies present included Professor of History Dr. Laura Hilton, former Student Life employee Kerry Guerard, and current Dean of Students Susan Waryck.

Update: Deaths
Barbara Clasen Irvine
Class Year:
1960

February 19, 2017, Allentown, Pennsylvania.

Update: Deaths
Richard (Dick) M. Brown
Class Year:
1962

January 1, 2018, Blounts Creek, North Carolina.
He was preceded in death by his parents, James D. Brown ’31 and Virginia Liggitt Brown ’31.

Update: Deaths
James A. Cousins
Class Year:
1962

January 1, 2018, Guys Mills, Pennsylvania.  
He was born May 13, 1940, in Sussex, N.J., a son of the Rev. James G. and Thelma I. Johnston Cousins.

Jim was a veteran of the Vietnam era, serving in the U.S. Army from 1964 to 1966. He was a graduate of the University of Chicago with a bachelor's degree in social work. He retired from the Erie V.A. as a social worker and he led group discussions with veteran's groups of all eras. He was a member of several professional social work organizations.

Jim was of the Methodist faith. He loved hunting, shooting sports and history, and he was a very kind and generous man.

Update: Deaths
Keith Bixler
Class Year:
1963

December 26, 2017, Adrian, Michigan.

Update: Deaths
Nancy L. Petersen
Class Year:
1965

October 19, 2017, Onancock, Virginia.

Update: Deaths
Eileen Hebron Norris
Class Year:
1965

October 24, 2017, Warsaw, Ohio.
She was preceded in death by her husband, Francis S. Norris ’51.

Update: Deaths
Steven S. Frew
Class Year:
1965

October 28, 2017, Greensburg, Pennsylvania.

Update: Deaths
Sherryl Sypherd Rydinsky
Class Year:
1966

December 29, 2017, Mechanicville, New York.
She is survived by her husband, Allen W. Rydinsky ’65.

Update: Deaths
Brent W. Yager
Class Year:
1979

October 3, 2017, Marion, Ohio.

Update: Deaths
Edward J. Beadle
Class Year:
1970

November 22, 2016, Canton, Ohio.

Update: Deaths
Danny E. Shade
Class Year:
1969

July 17, 2017, Mansfield, Ohio.
Danny E. Shade, 71 of Mansfield passed away on Monday, July 17, 2017 at Riverside Hospital in Columbus. Danny was born April 25, 1946 in Shelby to the late Willis Eugene and Norma (Harriff) Shade. He was first married to Linda Kay (Donnenwirth) Shade on Sept. 23, 1967 and she preceded him in death on Jan. 10, 2000. On Jan. 2, 2003 he married Vicky (Conn) Shade who survives.

Update: Deaths
M. Willard Lampe
Class Year:
1968

January 17, 2018, Sharon, Connecticut.
He is survived by his wife, JoEllen Middleton Lampe '69.

Update: Deaths
Richard (Dick) Shelly
Class Year:
1966

November 8, 2016, Ocean Pines, Maryland.

Update: Deaths
Campbell Witherspoon
Class Year:
1953

November 12, 2017, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania.

Update: Deaths
Lawrence Edward Swaton
Class Year:
1952

October 15, 2017, New Smyrna Beach, Florida.
Lawrence, 90, was born June 3, 1927 in Belmont County, Ohio, to Frank E. Swaton and Mable F. (Persons) Swaton.
Larry grew up in Belmont County and attended school in an eight room schoolhouse and high school at Holloway High in Holloway, Ohio.

He served his country as a member of the U.S. Marine Corps during World War II and the Korean War. He also received an MBA from Rollins College.

He is survived by his wife, Nancy Frame ’62. The two met at an alumni fundraising dinner in Lake Mary, Florida in 2000. The following day, they played golf with Larry’s good friend, Chuck Walker. On October 15, 2000, Lawrence and Nancy were married in Brown Chapel. Chuck and his wife, Jane, stood up for the couple.

Update: Deaths
Carol J. Collins
Class Year:
1958

November 14, 2017, Westlake, Ohio.

Update: Deaths
Margaret Monroe Mink
Class Year:
1952

November 16, 2017, Maumee, Ohio.

Update: Deaths
E. Marie Brown Grob
Class Year:
1951

October 16, 2017, Hampton, Virginia.
She was preceded in death by her husband, Daniel F. Grob '51.

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