Looking back at Lapel High School Class of 1960

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By Ray Tincher | For The Times-Post

During May 1960, news of a murder investigation was buzzing in Lapel. “An elderly bachelor farmer who resided west of Lapel, near Perkinsville was murdered Thursday morning, apparently in his home, then placed in an unidentified car and hauled six miles, where his body was dumped into White River, near the Hamilton Bridge,” according to the Lapel Review.
The body was later identified as Jessie McClintick, 76 years old. Rumors were that McClintick had carried and hidden huge sums of money on his property, and robbery appeared to be the motive. The investigation led to the apprehension of a close relative for the brutal slaying.
On the other hand, there was good news going on in Lapel. Larry Mills was being honored as a Seaman Apprentice and assigned to a submarine school. He later received the “Silver Dolphin Award.” The Lapel Volunteer Fire Department Auxiliary held a May meeting, hosted by Martha Anderson and Maxine Chaney. Bingo was played, and the Door Prize was won by Arlene Pettigrew.
Robert Meyers was presented a plaque as “Boy of The Year.” Walter Moore escaped a serious injury when struck by a car. And since we now had 50 states in our Ketcham, Stephen C. Kilburn, Joe F. Lamb, Larry Joe Lawson, Judith Ann Laycock, Ronald Lee Marsh, Miriam Sue McDonald, Gail Marie McNeil, Rachel Louise Meredith, Barbara Ann Michael, Judith Elaine Morin, Robert M. Myers, William J. Oleksy, Jeff L. Peterson, Ernest Richard Presser, Marvin E. Reed, Beverly Kay Ricker, Wilma Erleen Rich, Alvin Paul Richardson, Billie Lou Schmitt, Michael M. Schmitt, Margaret Elaine Scott, Mary Elizabeth Scott, Darlene Kay Seal, Jerry Lynn Snyder, Elizabeth Jayne Stage, Douglas E. Stalker, Etta Sue Stevenson, Shelbie C. Stout, Harold Wayne Taylor, Robert Carrol Teeters, Ute Vaillant, Sharon K. Whelchel, Richard Lee Whetsel, Carolyn Ruth Willits, Betty Janiece Wiseman, Margo Sue Wolfgang and Wilma Lois Wyant.
The LHS faculty for the 1960 class were as follows: Miles Cramer, industrial arts and social studies; Sandra Herod, home economics; Benny Decker, government and history; Gurney Mattingly, math and art; Gladys Nickels, math, art and science; Homer O. Peterson, English and French; Paul Ducker,  chemistry and English; Evelyn Mousa, music and English; John Hurley, commerce and physical education; Gerald Quinn, band and music; Marian Noggle, Latin, English and library; Donald Somers, math and physics; Fred St. John, driver’s education and vocational agriculture; Lucille Rockey, social studies; John Walton, math and assistant principal; Elizabeth Shaul, business education; Judy Renbarger, English, health and girls’ physical education; Ralph Renbarger, biology, health and coach; Peggy Paulsel, secretary; Gerald Roudebush, principal.
LHS teacher Charles Beaver was among 56 teachers selected to attend a Summer Institute for Indiana Mathematics Teachers, conducted by Purdue University.
The LHS National Honor Society chapter was organized in 1959, with Mrs. Marian Noggle as sponsor. Officers for this class were Ernest Presser, president; Betty Wiseman, secretary; and Shelbie Stout, treasurer. The 1960 LHS yearbook listed 17 honorary members.
Coach Renbarger’s first year coaching the LHS varsity basketball team resulted in a 6–14 season for 1959-60. I am sure he tried harder than the results, knowing Renbarger!
People who don’t get recognized often but have great responsibility toward the students of this class: The bus drivers who got them to school every school day were Wayne Jarrett, Earl Everitt, Wayne McClintick, Robert Watson, Nolan Lloyd, Leon Jarrett, Garland Ricker and Schuyler Hudson. How about the cooks, such as head cook Josephine St. John, Betty Degner, Inez Shuck, Lily McClintick, Betty Smith, Velma Rich and Ruth Van Duyn.
And don’t forget the custodians who cleaned up after everyone: Howard and Ruth Scott.

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