Class Bulletin Board

Bonnie (Tappan) Weldon let us know that Dave’s mom Betty passed away recently. Dave gave us permission to share his mother’s obituary a tribute to her life

Betty Lorraine Freeman Fomon, 90, of Iowa City, Iowa, died peacefully in her sleep March 29 while visiting family in Overland Park, Kan.

Born Nov. 24, 1925, in Donaldson, she was a daughter of Harry and Bessie Long Freeman.

She graduated from the Pottsville Hospital School of Nursing, passing the State Board exam for registered nurses in 1946. She began her nursing career as a surgical nurse at Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia.

On July 19, 1948, she married Samuel J. Fomon, M.D. Betty and her family moved to Iowa City in 1954.

She was a nurse at the University Hospitals and Clinics in Pediatrics Newborn Nursery and later in the Obstetric Department caring for both mother and baby.

Betty retired at the age of 74, but continued having summer parties with the friends she had made over those many years.

She enjoyed socializing with family and friends, cooking and having parties at her home. She always looked forward to music club, Bible study and attending book clubs in both Iowa and at her winter home in Texas. She enjoyed spending time with her grandchildren and great-grandchildren and was kept busy attending their many activities.

Betty had a remarkable ability through conversation to find a common bond with everyone she met.

Betty’s 90th birthday was celebrated last summer at a surprise party held at the University Club, her favorite place to dine. She was surrounded by family and friends in celebration of her life, telling stories of her youth in Pennsylvania and of life in Iowa City.

In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her husband, Samuel, and brother, Clair M. Freeman.

Survivors include five children, Betsy (Dick) Seiberling, Lakewood Village, Texas, Kathy Anderson, Overland Park, Kan., David (Kari) Fomon, Coralville, Christopher (Kay) Fomon, Iowa City, and Mary Fomon (Bobby Joe Hollingsworth), Little Elm, Texas; 10 grandchildren, Jennifer (Matt) Roberts, Michael (Victoria) Anderson, Rachel (Brad) Huggard, Sam (Jennifer) Seiberling, Josh and Kristin Fomon, Eric (Alyssa) Fomon, Heather Fomon and her fiance, Spencer Coulter, Siiri (Michael) Hill and Dayna (Mike) Walden; 11 great-grandchildren, Ryan and Leighton Roberts, Chloe and Alden Hill, Ashlyn and Jayce Walden, Sloan and Shane Anderson, Mason and Asher Fomon and Charles Seiberling; sister-in-laws, Geraldine Freeman, Pine Grove, Lenore Marie Fomon, Bronx, N.Y., and Terry Fomon, Miami, Fla.; nephew, Clair Freeman, Bethlehem.

A Mass of Christian Burial was celebrated at St. Thomas More Catholic Church, Coralville, with the Rev. Stephen Page as the celebrant. In lieu of flowers, memorial may be directed to St. Thomas More Parish or the American Heart Association.

Hi Dave.

Here is a picture of a car wash (the first unit off the production line) that I designed and installed in Mesa Arizona this past week. I am now off to York Pennsylvania this week to install the second unit. As soon as I get home Thursday Susan and I are off to Texas for a little Rendezvous with our grandson, Miles. We found out last week that Miles will have a baby brother in August – and the kids will be moving to Harleysville, Pennsylvania sometime soon. Krista’s husband got a great promotion.

Sorry I didn’t get this out earlier to you. I’ve been a bit busy.

Thanks,

Mark Ferguson

Bonnie (Tappan) Weldon let us know that Betsy (Elliott) Stough’s mom Barbara passed away recently. Betsy gave us permission to share her mother’s obituary a tribute to her life.

Barbara Lee Elliott, loving wife, mother, grandmother and great-grandmother, died peacefully surrounded by her family on Tuesday, Jan. 5, 2016, in Iowa City.

She was born July 1, 1923, in Monticello, Ill., to the late Jonah and Mabel Conard.

Barbara grew up in the middle of a large and active farm family in central Illinois during the Depression. Her parents sacrificed so that every one of their children went to college. Barbara attended Purdue University, where she was a member of Kappa Alpha Theta sorority and was elected Freshman Queen and met the love of her life, “Bump” Elliott. She graduated in 1946 with a degree in home economics. Barbara and Bump were married April 30, 1949, and they enjoyed 66 wonderful years together.

Above everything, Barbara kept a loving home for her husband and family. The consummate “coach’s wife,” she endured the defeats and celebrated the victories and always had a big pot of chili waiting after every game. She was proud, intensely private, loyal and very tough.

She was active in the Iowa City community, serving St. Andrew’s Presbyterian Church in many capacities, was co-chair (with Bump) of the Iowa City Library Renovation Fundraising Committee, a longtime reader in the Rockin’ Reader volunteer program, a member of the Hillcrest Family Services board of trustees, among many other callings. A friend once said, “Barbara’s volunteer time is spent helping others less fortunate.”

Barbara is survived by her husband, Bump; her sister, Carol Hake; brother, William Conard (Marilyn); sister-in-law, Maerene Conard; sons, William (Janice) and Robert (Karen Jo); daughter, Elizabeth Stough (John); grandchildren, Jeffrey (Sarah), John (Stephanie), Grant, Jessica (Kyle), Madeline, Michael (Kady) and Sam; and her magnificent great-grandchildren, Levi, Mara, Daphne, Robin, Ruth, Lillian, Dexter and Corinne.

The family would like to thank the wonderful nurses, staff and friends at Oaknoll Retirement Community.

Judy (Becker) Bryant shared her family’s holiday letter and a montage of family photos from the past year with us.

Bill Ackerman and Don Rinehart let us know that Walt Osborne’s dad Bill had passed away. Walt gave us permission to share his father’s obituary as a tribute to his life.

James William (Bill) Osborne, age 87, passed away on Saturday December 5, 2015 at the Lantern Park Care Center in Coralville.

Visitation was Friday December 11 from 4 Ð 7 PM, with a memorial service Saturday December 12 at 11 AM, both to be held at the Coralville United Methodist Church.

Bill was born on January 17, 1928 in Pana, Illinois, the son of Ruby (Ireland) and Fred Osborne. His quest for knowledge in the sciences began in Edinburg, Illinois, leading to a Ph.D. from the University of Illinois in 1955, and continued through his appointments in the University of Iowa College of Medicine. Bill retired from the U of I in 2002 having served as Professor and Director of the Radiation Research Laboratory and Radiation Biology Program.

He is survived by his wife, Marilyn; son, Walter (Nancy), son, David (Cindy); and five grandchildren, Jessica (Kevin), Sean (Lianne), Lindsay, James David (JD), and Berke.

Through his research work and teaching at the U of I, his dedication to the Coralville United Methodist Church, and the Radiation Research Society, Bill had a great impact on many lives. He enjoyed all sports – especially basketball Ð and Hawkeye athletics.

Memorials may be directed to the Coralville United Methodist Church or the J.W. Osborne Endowment Fund through the Radiation Research Society. Arrangements are with Gay & Ciha Funeral Service.