Mount Ayr Record-News
Mount Ayr, Ringgold County, Iowa
Thursday, May 31, 2007

May 28 - The Kellerton alumni banquet was well attended on Saturday evening, May 26. So nice to see everyone and have a visit, especially those they have not seen for some time. The catered meal was very nice. A short program was given after the meal by Sandra CAMPBELL, Vickie JACKSON and Linda FOLAND.

Herman CHANDLER was the eldest graduate present, 92 years young. He was honored as the student who had graduated the longest time, in 1932, which is 75 years ago. And one more bit of news, he and his wife drove to Kellerton together from their home in Ohio.

The graduate who came the longest distance was Richard RAINEY. He and his wife drove up from Florida, 1,450 miles, he stated. Richard is the son of the late Carl and Doris RAINEY who lived south of Kellerton on a farm for many years.

The tables were set with gifts from local businesses and names were drawn for prizes from local and towns nearby. This was appreciated very much for the banquet. White petunias were on the tables and Rose MERRILL won a bouquet of them. This is always a fine evening each year and everyone wishes to express their appreciation for all the work many people helped with before hand to bring the banquet all together and make the evening a big success.

Grand Valley and Kellerton alumni committee members were Sandy CAMPBELL, president; Linda FOLAND, vice-president; Mitzi TRAN, secretary; and, Kris NAIL, treasurer. These fine folks helped make the banquet a nice one.

The class of 1957 was the honored 50-year class. Those in attendance at the banquet were Diane (McDOWELL) COLEMAN and husband, James HUNT and wife, Dennis PADGITT and wife, Gerald PAYTON and wife, Sharon (BIERLEIN) PAYTON, both in the same class, Richard RAINEY and wife, Sydney SICKELS and wife and Merna (GIBSON) HARMON and husband.

The class of 1982 was honored for 25 years and it had one nice brave student attend, Naomi (PADGITT) DOLECHECK. Helen PADGITT came with her daughter, Naomi.

Transcription by Sharon R. Becker, August of 2012