FSHS Class of 1943 Gathers for 75th Class Reunion

In front, from left, are John Norris, Robert Hart, Isabel Witsman Cantrell and Mary Cantwell (wife of deceased classmate Jack Cantwell). In back, from left, are Frank Beardsley and his friend Elsie Ann Lewis, Jim Clemans and his wife Batty Clemans, Max Spear and his wife Ruth Spear. The Spears will be celebrating their 75th wedding anniversary January 13, 2019. Photo by Patricia Cantwell.

Six classmates gathered Tuesday (August 28, 2018) at Hoops Bar and Grill in Frankfort for their 75th class reunion. The class of 1943 graduated 143 students from Frankfort Senior High School. Class officers were: Charles Stine, President; Sally Lowden, Secretary; Barbara Sibbitt, Vice-President; and Martha Thatcher, treasurer.

Frank Beardsley organized the luncheon and arranged for the classmates to be greeted with shrimp cocktail to enjoy while they ordered their lunch. Beardsley took a few minutes to talk about Frankfort and its special features (such as Frito-Lay, ConAgra and the Campus Castle) and how he’s proud to be a Frankfort resident and graduate of FSHS.

Beardsley also put together a gift bag for each of the six surviving members who attended. Contents of the gift bag includes the last known class newsletter written in 2008 for the 65th class reunion; an Excel list of all classmates with their dates of passing through 2012 and those he believes are still with us; a gift from Ellis Jewelers of a silver charm depicting the Frankfort Hot Dog; a book written by Beardsley on Everett N. Case, who is a Hall of Fame basketball coach and took Frankfort to four state championship titles (he also built and was the first owner of the Iconic Campus Castle); and lots of candy that was all tied up with a bow.

The six surviving classmates of the Class of 1943 are in front, from left, John Norris, Robert Hart and Isabel Witsman Cantrell. In back, from left, are Frank Beardsley, Jim Clemans and Max Spear. Photo by Patricia Cantwell.

Beardsley has been a cornerstone of the Class of 1943 and all classmates expressed much gratitude for his care and efforts for the Class of 1943.

Besides Beardsley, other graduates who attended were Jim Clemans from Monument, Colo., Max Spear from Lebanon, John Norris of Frankfort, Robert Hart of Indianapolis and Isabel Witsman Cantwell of Frankfort.

Beardsley went on to be a doctor, Norris owned Norris Office Products, Hart became an antique business owner/appraiser, Spear retired from Chrysler after a long career there, Clemans was a manufacturer/seller of bricks in Colorado, Kansas and Oklahoma and that company supplied bricks for Suncrest Elementary School in Frankfort and Cantwell along with her husband Dennis Cantwell (deceased classmate) operated the Rifle Range from 1947 to 1965.

Other guests at the event were Karen Cantwell Keough, daughter of Isabel Witsman Cantrell; Elsie Ann Lewis, friend of Beardsley; Pat Hart Cantwell, daughter of Robert Hart; Mary Cantwell, wife of Jack Cantwell (deceased classmate who was a teacher); and Ruth Spear, wife of Max Spear.

The classmates ended their gathering with a champagne toast served in flutes personalized with the Class of 1943 on them. A great time was shared by all and plans to meet next year are in the wind.