AT LAST, a fun Kirkwood History story to share -

 

 

Since I did not do any Women's History posts on my FBook page this March, I offer this as a wonderful bit of Kirkwood Women's History!  Recently while trying as always to get my office organized I was putting away my copy of Images of America - Kirkwood , one of a great series of books about all sorts of cities, areas, companies, etc.  There I found this photo of a magazine cover and if you read the caption many of you will know why it caught my eye:  "Kirkwood was the home of the Village Press, a literary magazine founded in 1935 by Ann Rice Ludlow and Dorothy D. H. Suits...." ending with "The Village Press is taking its place in the line of march as a new kind of little magazine for women." Of course I had to assume the DDH Suits must be an ancestress of our own Darcie Suits!  I sent her the page and here is her wonderful response:

"That is my beloved grandmother, Dorothy Dandridge Halyburton Suits.  She had 6 sons, all born in Kirkwood, and 3 grandsons before she got me....I never knew she was involved in anything in the community.  She was a librarian by training and forever curious about the world.  I never saw her without a big glorious smile on her face."

Darcie's parents and my mom were active in Kirkwood Theatre Guild back in the day, and I'm sure they would all love it that in our generation we are keeping alive these tentacles of friendships that linger as we age.  AND I had to thank Darcie profusely for providing me with something FUN, as I've said lately, my blog has become a veritable obituary roster rather than sharing of fun things in our lives.

Take good care everyone, and enjoy YOUR family stories!!!  Remember what my family member John Quincy Adams said, at the time of the Amisted trial, "We are who we were."  So true!

One of our Viet Nam Veterans left us and is now at rest at Jefferson Barracks

 Thank you to Leslie Bright Wainwright for the news that our classmate Orville EuGENE Muir died on December 4, 2023.  One can go to this link (https://www.evansfh.com/obituaries/Orville-Eugene-Muir?obId=30060925)  to see a wonderful tribute to him.  There are photos and loving messages from friends and family.  Two comments that touched me were "My life would not be the same if I had not met and loved this man. A man who gave more then he got, who loved unconditionally and always had a shoulder when needed. My heart breaks. Forever in my heart and soul." and another "He was one of a kind with a wicked sense of humor and always good for a hug and a compliment."  We were friends on Facebook, but I don't get out there often, and when I just looked there is no obvious notice of his death.  But he was FB friends with Steve Huber, Russ Jaeger, John DeRuiter and Tom Justison, so perhaps some of them realized he had passed away.  There are many posts and photos on his FB page if someone wants to reminisce about him.  Here is Tom Justison's comment to me, with his permission:  " We grew up together at Pitman elementary. He was a great guy. Lots of fun memories over those school years"  

I did not know Gene at KHS, but it appears he was another of our classmates who make our KHS65 members look like the outstanding people we know so many were.  My guess, he is resting in peace and finding much love.Good grief, I just went to the 1965 Pioneer link on my blog ~ open it, scroll down to the right alpha letter and click on the name group where MUIR falls, Gene looks in his military photo just like he did in high school!!!

Another Classmate Leaves Us Too Soon - Jerry Hoffman

Thanks to a person who received our recent reunion mailing, we have learned of the death of classmate Jerry Hoffman.  Here is his obituary which tells the story of an extremely talented man, I'm sorry he wasn't part of our class reunion "group" over the years, our loss it appears:

Gerald Hoffmann Obituary

Gerald (Jerry) W. Hoffmann, age 75, of New Haven, MO passed away from complications of advanced melanoma on June 28, 2023. Jerry was the son of the late James M. Hoffmann and Grace D. (Scott), born November 27, 1947 in Hale Center, TX.  He grew up in Kirkwood, MO, graduated from Kirkwood High School in 1965 and met his first wife, Karen Robbins, of St Louis, MO whom he married in 1969. Jerry showed an early interest in art and design which led him to the University of Kansas School of the Arts where he graduated in 1970. 

Jerry's career path included jobs that formed the basis for his future accomplishments. He became a skilled designer in a variety of materials, most especially in iron and wood. After working as a graphic artist, he became a farrier where he learned the art of forming metal for shoeing. Combining these skills, Jerry launched into his largest body of work in the early '80s as a craftsman and educator of award-winning ornamental and architectural blacksmithing. From August 1990 to April 2010, he created and published the Blacksmiths Journal, a monthly publication of instructional and design material for blacksmiths (blacksmithsjournal.com) which continues to be available in collections, books and projects. 

In 2007 Jerry began his passionate pursuit as an accomplished, self-taught and sought-after master craftsman of high quality ukuleles under the name Boat Paddle Ukulele Company, later changing the name to Hoffmann Lutherie to include the building of other stringed instruments. Many of his fine instruments were sold from Hawaii Music Supply in Haleiwa, HI. Jerry's work was featured in all forms of media. These included a special feature in The Ukulele Review (theukulelereview.com/2017/05/15/Hoffmann-ukulele/) and as part of the "Arts America" segment about New Haven, MO airing on PBS Channel 9 St. Louis, in 2014.  His business was sold in 2019.

In 1995, Jerry married Janelle Gilbert from Indiana, settling in Washington, MO. In 2000, he designed and built his first house and then a second in New Haven, MO, where he and Janelle resided together until his passing.

Jerry modeled an unparalleled commitment and passion to his work and personal interests. Many were in awe of his creativity and ingenuity in all things "built by Jerry."  During his lifetime he designed unique tools and designs in the art of blacksmithing and developed innovative features for his ukuleles. Although he lost most of his hearing in later years, he found ways to communicate and show love in often whimsical and endearing ways. He will be missed beyond measure, but his life's work and legacy will live on.

Jerry is survived by his wife, Janelle Gilbert Hoffmann of New Haven, MO; his two children Dustin Hoffmann of Columbia, MO and Molly Hill (Victor Hill) of Fenton, MO; his brother James M. Hoffmann Jr. (Liesbeth Berger) of Kirkwood, MO; and his sister Jean Still (Steve Still) of Marceline, MO.

Interment will be private.  Remembrances can be left on the tribute wall, and memorial contributions to plant a tree in Jerry's name may be made through the posting at https://www.miller.wolfefuneralhomes.net/listingswebsite.