It is sad to announce that Janice Kay Brinkmann, 76, of Centralia, Ill., formerly of Carlyle, Ill., passed away at her home Friday, Aug. 28, 2015. Janice was born Aug. 26, 1939, in Indiana, a daughter of Jessie (Swift) Burnett and Rayburn Wells. She married Robert H. Brinkmann (Class of 1955) July 5, 1959, in Evansville, Ind., and he preceded her in death Oct. 22, 2001. Janice was a homemaker, and she enjoyed crocheting and quilting. 

Mrs. Brinkmann is survived by her five children, Mike Brinkmann of Victoria, Texas; Jeff Brinkmann and wife, Kathy, of London, Ohio; Kristina Brinkmann List of Centralia; Jeni Brinkmann Jenne and husband, Jason, of Collierville, Tenn.; and Lori Brinkmann Worledge and husband, Will, of Memphis, Tenn.; her grandchildren, Ashley, Stephen, Austin, Kendalyn, Lexi, Sage and Samuel; a great-grandson, Blaine; and two sisters, Joyce Heimbuecher and husband, Jim, of Tombstone, Az., and Lorna Williams of Pulaski, Tenn. She was preceded in death by her parents; her husband; and a brother, Dalton Wells.

There will be a funeral service at 11 a.m. Saturday, Sept. 5, at Zieren Funeral Home in Carlyle. Interment will follow at Carlyle Township Cemetery.Visitation is 9 to 11 a.m. Saturday at Zieren Funeral Home. Expressions of sympathy in memory of Mrs. Brinkmann are suggested to the Matthew 25 Food Pantry, or to the Clinton County Humane Society and will be received at Zieren Funeral Home. Online condolences may be sent to the family by visiting:

www.zierenfuneralhome.com.

WASHINGTON – Gallaudet University athletics is proud to participate in the fifth annual NCAA Division III Week (April 4-10) in an effort to celebrate the impact athletics and Bison student-athletes have on our campus and surrounding community. GU is joining 450 Division III institutions and 43 conferences in this week’s celebration.

To help focus on the many student-athletes that represent Gallaudet athletics we will spotlight two different student-athlete each day this week. You will learn more about them as they express their feelings on what it is like to be a Division III student-athlete here at Gallaudet. Interviews were conducted by the Gallaudet Sports Information Office.

Freshman Jamal Garner (Jacksonville, Ill.) is in his first year with the men’s basketball and men’s track and field teams and is hoping to graduate in 2019 with a degree in accounting and a minor in athletic coaching.

It is sad to announce that Betty Wash, 83 (Attended 1939 and left 1943) of Champaign, Illinois at rest Tuesday, February 23, 2016 following a long illness. Born on June 14, 1932 in Chicago, Illinois. Daughter of the late Harold and Edna DeBow. Beloved wife of the late Ezell Wash, sister to Marilyn DePaola, and the late LaVerne, brothers, Fred, Clyde, and Melvin DeBow. Loving aunt, great aunt, and great great aunt, to many nieces and nephews. She was an active part of the Illini Chapter of the Illinois Deaf Association, and loved to play bingo. Cherished friend to many.

Private cremation burial in Bethania, Cemetery in Justice, Illinois.

It is sad to announce that a 76-year old Rochelle woman died from blunt force trauma to her head and chest after being struck by a train last Friday evening in the Hub City.

It is sad to announce that Anna Conner, age 97, Class of 1940, of Munster, IN, passed away Saturday, March 12, 2016. She is survived by her children, Donald F. (Kelly) Conner and Elizabeth (Rogelio) Villalobos; grandchildren, Donald II (Dawn), Daniel (Michelle), Carrie (Tyrone), Marisa (Stuart) Wilson, Vanessa, Elizabeth and Roger III; and many great and great great grandchildren. She was preceded in death by her husband, Donald Farris Conner, Sr.

Funeral services will be held at 10:00 a.m. on Wednesday, March 16, 2016 DIRECTLY at South Side Christian Church 1000 Broadmoor Ave. Munster, IN, with Pastor Martin Dych and Rev. Dayton Williams, officiating. Interment will follow at Concordia Cemetery Forest Park, IL. Visitation will be on Tuesday, March 15, 2016 at Kish Funeral Home 10000 Calumet Ave. Munster, IN, from 3:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m., and again at the church on Wednesday, from 9:30 a.m. until the 10:00 a.m. service.

Anna was a strong, vibrant woman and active member and officer of multiple Deaf organizations. A friend too many, she enjoyed sports, including baseball and bowling. Anna loved her White Sox. She was a doting mother, grandmother, whose greatest legacy was her passion for life. Anna was a unique and successful Deaf woman, she remains an inspiration to many.

Dr. Beth Purvis, Secretary of Education, and John Miller, Director of IDHHC, in a
collaborative effort have met to discuss a proactive approach to recruit and hire a
highly qualified superintendent for the Illinois School for the Deaf (ISD). Secretary
Purvis has requested IDHHC to take the lead in the search. A “listening tour” will
be conducted in order to collect a united vision of ISD. This will include reaching
out to the following groups at ISD: Administrators, Teachers, Advisory Board Members,
& Parents of ISD students. In an effort to ensure a comprehensive vision is
developed for the ISD Superintendent search, IDHHC has established a steering
committee comprised of the following members who have graciously agreed to assist:

* SHERI COOK, Gallaudet University Regional Center Representative of John A. Logan
College, Deaf Educator;
* JOAN FORNEY, former ISD Superintendent;
* KARLA GIESE, Deaf Educator of AG Bell Montessori School, IDHHC Commissioner; &
* AMY RICHARDS, Illinois State Board of Education Deaf Services Specialist.

Over the course of the summer, IDHHC will be meeting with the steering committee to
implement a plan for the “listening tour” in the fall once ISD is back in session. The Commission
will also work closely with Kris Smith, Director of Department of Human Services,
Division of Rehabilitation Services, and Serena Preston, ISD Interim Superintendent, to
ensure a clear understanding as well as expectations of both the search and the listening
tour.

In an effort to widen the search nationwide, IDHHC will reach out to various national organizations
for assistance in disseminating the information of the superintendent position. This
also includes the National Association of the Deaf Conference (NAD) and the National
Deaf Education Conference (NDEC) to be held July 5-9th in Phoenix, Arizona.

The Commission is honored to provide assistance to James T. Dimas, Secretary of
the Department of Human Services and Kris Smith, Director of the Division of Rehabilitation
Services in the superintendent search process.

The Commission will continue to communicate it’s progress with all interested stakeholders
on this important journey.

[Source from http://www.illinois.gov/idhhc/community/Documents/Newsletters/June%202016.pdf]

It was Dorothy Kramer’s 90th Birthday Party in Quincy on June 26th 2016.

ISD Alumni were:

Back row: Cissy Brown 1970-71, Nick Campbell 2005, Dick Craig 1963, Robert Higdon Isd 1962, Dale Gillam 1971. Second row: Elaine Lantz Cady 1958, Janice Onderbeke & Joe Henning 1965, Rosa Correa 1979, Terri Ashbaugh 1985. Sitting: Ruby Mackey Marie ISD 1950, Dorothy Fengel Kramer 1945, Rose Mackey Deushane ISD 1945. Absent: Rose Zanger Cherry 1971.

ISDAA Board meeting is cancelled on August 27 due to lack of quorum.

Next meeting is on Sunday, September 11. TBA: Location

See you all there,
ISDAA President Susan Dramin-Weiss

On one of Bob Dramin ‘88’s summer trips to St. Louis, he decided to drop in to visit Mike Moore at Dolan Memory Care Homes. The visit was bittersweet but was a good one with reviving some old memories of Mike’s years as basketball coach and athletic director at ISD. 

 He was able to recall vaguely all the wonderful years of bringing CSSD  championships to ISD when ISD fielded excellent teams during those years between 1964 and 1999 as an ISD employee. 

For Immediate Release: Contact: 

January 11, 2017 Meredith Krantz
Meredith.Krantz@Illinois.gov

Department of Human Services Announces Illinois School for the Deaf Superintendent 

Julee Nist brings vast experience as educator and leader to the school 

JACKSONVILLE, IL – The Illinois Department of Human Services (IDHS) announced today the selection of Julee Nist to serve as the next Superintendent for the Illinois School for the Deaf (ISD). Nist brings a wide range of experience, from interpreter and teacher to principal, which will be beneficial to the continued success of ISD students. Nist will assume her role as Superintendent in February 2017.

“Julee Nist is a well-versed educator whose strong commitment to delivering quality education will be a tremendous asset to the entire Illinois School for the Deaf community,” Illinois Secretary of Education Dr. Beth Purvis said. “I look forward to Julee Nist leading the school as Illinois strives to provide the highest level of education and support for the students that attend ISD and their families.”

“We are pleased to welcome Julee Nist as the next Superintendent of the Illinois School for the Deaf,” said IDHS Secretary James Dimas. “Julee Nist is a success-driven leader whose vast experience makes her uniquely qualified to lead ISD. Her desire to motivate students to embrace a pursuit of continuous learning, as well as her ability to build collaboration with all levels of professionals and the community will help lead ISD into a new era of educational excellence.”

Nist most recently held the role of school principal at the Pennsylvania School for the Deaf. In this role, she oversaw all programs and staff. Prior to serving as the school principal, she oversaw multiple services including athletics, after school programs, interpreters, high school education and the extended school year program. Her efforts helped students excel and earn higher test scores over previous years.

Nist has also taught as an adjunct professor for the Interpreter Training Program at the Community College of Philadelphia. She began her career as an interpreter and later became a teacher of American Sign Language, English, and early childhood.

Nist earned her Masters of Education in Administration, Superintendent Certification, bachelor’s degree in Communication with the Deaf and a minor in Speech Communication from Sam Houston State University. Nist earned her associate’s degree in Communication with the Deaf at Houston Community College. Nist also holds multiple certifications including Alternative Certification in Deaf Education and Education Specialist in Administrative Leadership for Teaching.

 Watch YouTube video [https://youtu.be/RfQbb4gS_CI]

Hello, this is DeDe Summers as I am secretary of ISDAA. We fundraise American Sign Language (ASL) 200th Celebration T-Shirt. The price for the t-shirt is (small, medium and large: $10) (x-large, 2x-large and 3x-large: $15). The celebration of ASL is 200 years, founded by ASD (American School for the Deaf) which is on April 15, 2017. If you are in interested to buy t-shirt, contact Becky Prill, her text number is 217-320-8569 or email Cady at museum1989@gmail.com or vp at museum, 217-408-0229. I hope you will buy, thank you.

Here is the invoice to order t-shirt.

Watch video [https://youtu.be/fBF6HlEbpkA]

Illinois School for the Deaf Alumni Association (ISDAA) make an announcement that they will host the banquet with two special guests, Dr. MJ Bienvenu, ASL and Deaf Studies Professor at Gallaudet University in Washington, D.C. and Colin Analco, ASLVersion Translator at Deaf Missions in Council Bluffs, IA. Bob Dramin, ISD Alumnus will be our Master of Ceremonies for this event. 

The name of banquet is Reichert’s Banquet Bar & Grill, 1852 South Main Street, Jacksonville, IL on Friday, April 14, 2017. It will be $30 per person and the reservation deadline is on April 7, 2017. (Absolutely no later than this date, please!)

Anyone is welcome to attend.

If you need more information, contact ISDAA President, Susan Dramin-Weiss.

Download PDF to print the flyer, (200 Years ASL banquet flyer)

Watch video [https://youtu.be/Vytx8WXCcY0]

ISDAA is selling ASL 200th celebration t-shirt. It comes in different sizes. For more information about t-shirt, email museum1989@gmail.com or vp at museum, 217-408-0229.

SAVOY – Terrance “Terry” Neville, 68, of Savoy passed away at 6:40 a.m. Thursday (Feb. 23, 2017) at Presence Covenant Medical Center after a short illness.

He was born on March 20, 1948, in Bethesda, Md., to Francis and Vera Harrington Neville. He married Peggy Block in Urbana on Sept. 21, 1973, and she survives.

He was preceded in death by his parents and stepfather, William Murphy.

He graduated from the Illinois School of the Deaf in Jacksonville in 1967. He enjoyed remote-control cars, fishing, word search puzzles and bowling.

He was retired from The News-Gazette after 40 years working in distribution.

Visitation for Terry will be held from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. Tuesday, Feb. 28, at Morgan Memorial Home, 1304 Regency Drive West, Savoy. Graveside services will be at 11 a.m. Wednesday at Grandview Memorial Gardens.

Memorials may be directed to Pennsylvania Avenue Baptist Church, Urbana.

WSAD Warriors Head Coach Dino Lomanto, ’91 and Assistant Coach Steve Haynie, ’85 led their team to win their first 2017 Central Athletics Association of the Deaf (CAAD) women champions in Ann Arbor, Michigan last March 3-4, 2017. Dino got ‘Coach of the Tournament’ award. Their team will attend two national tournaments, USA Deaf Basketball (USADB) on April 20-22 in Washington D.C. and National Deaf Basketball Organization (NDBO) on May 4-6 in Dayton, Ohio. Congratulations, Dino and Steve.

Wallace T. Jeffers
August 04, 1933 – March 11, 2017
ATTENDED ISD – 10/01/1984 TO 02/28/1995

Visitation

Monday, Mar 20, 2017
10:30 AM-11:30 AM

Funeral Service

Monday, Mar 20, 2017
11:30 AM

Wallace T. Jeffers, 83, of Jacksonville, IL died Saturday, March 11, 2017, at Prairie Village Healthcare Center in Jacksonville.

He was born August 4, 1933 in East St. Louis, IL.  He married Catherine Mitchell on March 17, 1957 and she preceded him in death on April 22, 1998.  He later married Ophelia Olive Jackson on September 30, 2000 and she survives.

He is also survived by eight step children, William Leon Mitchell Sr. of Jacksonville, James Daugherty (wife, Connie) of Bolingbrook, Sylvia Jackson of Chicago, Rodney Jackson (wife, Lynn) of University Park, Vicki LeMay of Los Angeles, CA, Susan Carter (husband, Michael) of Plano, TX, Leslie Norton of Springfield, and Billie Jean Jackson (husband, Chris Cathcart) of Los Angeles, CA and numerous grandchildren, great grandchildren and great great grandchildren.

Wallace was a retired master sergeant with the US Air Force having served his country for 20 ½ years during both the Korean and Vietnam wars.  He formerly worked as a heavy equipment operator for Freesen, Inc. and later owned and operated Jeffers Moving and Storage for over 10 years.  He was then employed 10 years at the Illinois School for the Deaf prior to his retirement.

A dedicated community servant, Wallace served 12 years on the Jacksonville City Council as an alderman from the 3rd and 4th wards.  He was instrumental in the creation and design of the State of Illinois Retired Military license plate, now available to retired veterans to recognize their service.  He also served as a mentor for a young man at Lincoln’s Challenge in Rantoul.

He was a devoted member of Mt. Emory Baptist Church in Jacksonville where he served as a trustee and deacon.  In addition, he formerly served on the Salvation Army Board of Directors and as a volunteer with Big Brother-Big Sister.  He was a life member of Jacksonville Amvets Post #100 and the Springfield American Legion Post.

Funeral services will be held 11:30 am, Monday, March 20, 2017, at Mt. Emory Baptist Church in Jacksonville with burial and military rites at Camp Butler National Cemetery in Springfield.  The family will meet friends at the church from 10:30 am Monday until the time of services.  In lieu of flowers, memorial gifts are suggested to Mt. Emory Baptist Church.  The Buchanan & Cody Funeral Home in Jacksonville is in charge of the arrangements.  Condolences may be sent online at www.buchanancody.com.

ISDAA is pleased to welcome Angela Botz as our Public Relations.

Angela (Gargac) Botz, ’85 is a leader, mentor, civil rights advocate and civil liberties. She is committed to her community, both state and national and the people around her. Botz has years of experience in leadership skills/development, value-based decision making, and mentoring. She is a Community Outreach Coordinator, Civil Rights Advocate and also coordinate Deaf Services at IMPACT Center for Independent Living in Alton, IL. She is involved in numerous of committees and boards including the Land of Lincoln Advisory Board of Alton and the Illinois Telecommunications Access Corporation – District 5 Representative. She plans to continue to build a professional and positive image and brand for the deaf and hard of hearing community by assisting the community though self-advocate awareness, political empowerment, cultural preservation and disability awareness for equality so our community will continue to be the driving force to empower younger generation in our society.

She is exciting to be the Public Relations (PR) for ISDAA and to keep people informed.
Botz is known for her bubbly personality, optimistic attitude, and her undeniable passion for fighting for civil and disability rights. Her interests include painting, traveling, graphic design and spending time with her family and friends.

James D. “Jim” Bonds, 84, of Jacksonville passed away Sunday evening, May 7, 2017, at Scott County Nursing Center in Winchester.

He was born September 13, 1932, in Scott County, the son of James D. and Oma Brewer Bonds. He married Betty McDannald on June 13, 1953, in Chapin, and she preceded him in death on June 1, 1986.

He is survived by one son, James (Janice) Bonds of Winchester; one daughter, Susan Smith of St. Louis; five grandchildren, Ally Smith, Andy Smith, Jamie Roe, Jennilee Bonds and Jessie Bonds; and three great-grandchildren, Isabella Llewellyn, Taj Roe and Calum Roe. He was preceded in death by one sister, Mildred Ann Bonds, in infancy.

Mr. Bonds served in the United States Army during the Korean Conflict. He graduated from Illinois College and was a teacher and coach for many years at the Illinois School for the Deaf, where he coached football, basketball and track. He was inducted into the Illinois Coaches Hall of Fame and the Illinois College Athletic Hall of Fame and was awarded the National Football Coach of the Year in the 1960s. He was a crop adjuster for Hartford Insurance Company for many years. He was an active member of Ducks Unlimited and enjoyed hunting, fishing and playing cards.

A funeral service will be at 10 a.m. Saturday, May 13, 2017, at Williamson Funeral Home in Jacksonville with burial at Chapin Cemetery. The family will meet friends from 5 to 7 p.m. Friday at the funeral home. Memorials are suggested to Ducks Unlimited or the Illinois School for the Deaf Football Program. Condolences may be left online at www.airsman-hires.com.