Celebrate! Celebrate! That’s just what they did. The Delphos St. John’s Class of 1943 did it in grand style. They attended the 4:30 p.m. Saturday Mass in the parish church where they all used to attend daily Mass. That’s the way the school day began in those days.
Following the Mass, the 13 classmates and three spouses went to Bob Schmit’s home on the Fort Jennings Road for a sit-down dinner, complete with all the good china. Bob’s son and daughter-in-law, Nick and Linda, served as host and hostess. They did have the meal catered in, along with some of the special carry-in favorites.
Sixty-five years out of high school is really something to celebrate, especially when nearly half of the class members can still be counted amongst the living. That’s what we talk about these days. We talk about more than that but we give thanks for the good health and well-being of so many.
Remember when 50 - 60 - 70 was “old”? The women wore the old black coats and hats and the black tie shoes with Cuban heels. Those days are gone forever.
These people lead happy, active lives and love “going out to eat.” They are among the many volunteers at the Thrift Store, church, hospital, St. Vincent de Paul Society, etc. They send messages via e-mail to each other and keep their computers hot.
Father Herr was principal most of their high school days in the old St. Mary’s Building. Basketball was the only sport and just for boys. Cheerleaders did NOT do cart wheels or “twirl” too much, if at all. Father Herr made sure the cheerleaders skirts touched the floor, when kneeling. They had a high school band but no uniforms. That was right after The Depression and money was not available for such things.
There was no cafeteria so the two kids walked home for lunch and the country kids carried their lunch. They went to daily Mass. That was in the old days of the Catholic Church when you had to fast from midnight before receiving Holy Communion, so after church they could cross the street to O’Niel’s Market to get a cupcake for breakfast.
The class of 1943 was really proud of their senior class play, Thornton Wilder’s “Our Town,” because it was so different and dramatic. They had to pay $25 royalty fees for the privilege of presenting the play. One unusual aspect of the play was the absence of scenery or props on the stage. The play received great reviews.
They had a class of 54, with 25 still living.
The living members are: Rita Bonifas Kilbarger, Bette Buschor Smith, Eileen Ebbeskotte Joseph, Madonna Ebbeskotte Brock, Helen Falter Rahrig, Eugene Fuerst, Catherine Hemker (Sister Mary Joselee), Helen Hickey Pothast, Betty Huysman Helmkamp, Margaret Kaverman Pohlman, Paul Pohlman, Thelma Kindley Miller, Hazel Kirchner Baldauf, Lois Landwehr Keck, Betty Maloney Schmelzer, Mary Jeanette  Nolte Menke, Thomas O’Donnel, Marcella Ott Moorman, Robert Schmit, Ethel Pohlman Schwinnen, Norma Remlinger Askounis, Robert Swick, Elmer Wellman, Ruth Williams Wolverton and Maxine Wilson Link.
Deceased members: Lois Weger, Catherine Pothast Luersman, Willis Kemper, Alfred Odenweller, William Becker, Armella Pohlman Kahle, Bernadine Niemeyer Freed, Ann Clark, Lewis Dunn, Ralph Fischer, William Ulm, Mary Catherine Feltz Wollam, Charlotte Lucius Obringer, Donald Ditto, Coletta Gremling Wannemacher, Rudy Bendele, Margaret Weger Grothouse, Joan Sendelbach Ulm, Mary M. Finlay Wannemacher, Patricia Weber Schmit, Dorothy Mueller Feathers, Mary Jane Kimball Fair, William Cross, Ralph Wrocklage, Angelee Freund Smith, Yvonne Shirack Meyer, George Bohnlein, Katherine Sauber Brickner and James “Merlin” Will.
Justin Weger attended St. John’s but left for the Crosier Seminary following his Junior year to become a Catholic Priest, but he returned for many class reunions.
The second World War was going on at that time, so many of the boys had to leave for service soon after graduation so the girls made up a poem and put it to song as follows:

You at Christmas entertained us
With your drum and flute and horn
Man, o man, I have not laughed so
Since the day that I was born

Oh yes, boys we well remember
How our very souls were stirred
When the strains of soundless music
From your instruments we heard.

Now we think that it is our turn
To come here and sing for you,
But we women can’t be quiet —
And how well you know that too.

Well you know our country needs you
Cause you’re fine and clean and strong
She will put you in her army
To protect us, against all wrong.

But you see, we might not be here
When you’re leaving Delphos town
So we take today to tell you
That we ask a blessing down.

After Graduation’s over
We’ll be everywhere and yon
And can’t say Good-bye to Billy,
Or to Andy, George, or Don.

When Skid Wrocklage leaves the city
And when Rudy follows Jim,
We might be so far from Delphos,
We can’t even wave to him.

Ralph and Swick, and Bounce and Odie
Shepherd, Louie, Cocky, Speck,
Schmittie, Willie, and old Crossy —
You’ll go out and fight like heck!

So we want you all to know boys,
We will miss you when you go.
Took us ‘leven and a half years
To find out we like you so.

‘Twasn’t only years of school life
But a war thrown in besides,
That it took to make us ‘preciate
That you are such blamed swell guys.’

Through the months that lie ahead boys
We will often hear the strain
Of the music that you played us
And oh! We’ll wish you back again.

So we’re glad that it was silent
For in our hearts we’ll hear it still
It will linger when you’ve left us,
And our memories will thrill.