Class of 1943

1943 Class Directory

Mary Jeannette (Nolte) Menke
Delphos OH

Mary Jeannette Menke, 84, died at 4:21 a.m. Sept. 25, 2010, at the Cleveland Clinic.

She was born Sept. 30, 1925, in Bucyrus to Carl F. and Mary Gladen Lange Nolte, who preceded her in death. On July 17, 1945, she married Joseph M. Menke, who died April 10, 1973.

Mrs. Menke was retired as a secretary from St. John Elementary School and St. John Rectory. She was a member of St. John the Evangelist Catholic Church, Delphos, were she served on various teams and committees including RCIA, Mission Team, Renew, School Council, Liturgy, Welcoming Team, Baptism Team, Ministry to Shut-ins, nursing homes, Usher/Greeter, Diocesan Vocation Team, Eucharistic Minister, serving as secretary for many years.

She was chairwoman for Children’s Fall Festival for 27 years. She was statistician and editor of Newsletter of St. John Alumni 1961-2002. She was a member of the Catholic Daughters of the Americas (CDA) since 1943, holding many local offices including court regent for two terms. Her state offices held include state treasurer 1978-1982 and 1992-1994; state secretary 1988-1990 and 1990-1992; district deputy for Court Delphos 707, Court Ottawa 1343 and Court Defiance 648; and state regent for Ohio Courts 1996-1998 and 1998-2000. She was Tri-County Woman of the Year 1999, the first female inducted in St. John’s Alumni Hall of Fame in 2004, and currently a member of Associate of Sisters of Notre Dame, Toledo, Church Women United, St. Rita’s Hospital Auxiliary and St. John’s Hospital Visiting Team.

Survivors include three sons, the Rev. James (Sheryl) Menke, of Elida, Joseph (Susan) Menke, of Fletcher, N.C., and Timothy (Julie) Menke, of Perrysburg; three daughters, Kathleen (Russ) Suever, of Fort Wayne. Ind., and Barbara (Mike) Mesker and Janet (Jeff) Blackburn, both of Delphos; 17 grandchildren and 15 great-grandchildren, Jimmy (Kristie) Menke and Lauren, Madelyn, Mason, of Garden Mound, Texas, Heather (Ned) Stechschulte and Christian, Gracyn, Zoe Jeannette, Zane and Elizabeth, of Columbus Grove, Nikki (Steve) Hooser and Audrey, of Fort Wayne. Ind., Benjamin Menke and "Bo,” Gavin and Liberty, of Elida, Zachary (Stacy) Menke and Josiah and Malachi, of Delphos, Holly (Shane) Green, of Lima, Matthew and Andrew Suever, of Fort. Wayne, Michael and Megan Mesker, of Delphos, Tyler, Derek and Sarah Blackburn, of Delphos, Jesse Blackbum and Jayven, of Delphos, Katie and Jessica Menke, of Perrysburg, and Rachael Menke, of Fletcher, N.C.; three brothers-in-Iaw, Ralph (Ruth) Menke, Robert Menke and Edward (JoAnn) Menke, of Fort Jennings; two sisters-in-law, Mary Louise Menke, of Fort Jennings, and Louise (Burke) Nolte, of Lima; and many nieces and nephews.

She was preceded in death by two grandchildren, David J. Menke and Amanda Kay Suever; two sisters, Ruth (Kill) Haunhorst and Edna Jane Nolte; two brothers, Donald T. Nolte and an infant brother, Albert Joseph Nolte; two sisters-in-law, Elizabeth Menke Siebeneck and Alice Menke Bendele; and three brothers-in-law, Raymond, Paul and Leonard Menke.

Mass of Christian Burial will begin at 10:30 a.m. Wednesday at St John the Evangelist Catholic Church, Delphos. Father Thomas Gorman and Father Chris Vasko will officiate. Burial will be in St. John’s Cemetery.

Friends may call from 6 to 8 p.m. Monday and 2 to 4 and 6 to 8 p.m. Tuesday at Harter & Schier Funeral Home, Delphos, where a Catholic Daughters of the Americas service will begin at 7 p.m. Tuesday and a parish wake service will begin at 7:30 p.m. Tuesday.

Memorial contributions may be made to the St. John Endowment Fund, Sisters of Notre Dame, Toledo, and the St. John Alumni Association.

Short biography from Mary Jeannette:
I am a member of the famous Class of "Our Town" fame. The first dramatic play produced by Father Ed Herr. It was in the old auditorium with the praetorium stage.
I am the 2nd statistician of the Alumni Association, taking over in 1961 and retiring in 1992. I helped edit the newsletter running it off at night in the old High School Mimeo room. My children helped collate it. I am a widow since my husband died in 1973, I am the Mother of 6, all Graduates of St. John's High School, Jim, class of 1964--Kathy Class of 1966--Joe, Class of 1974--Barb, Class of 1980--Janet, class of 1982, an Timothy, Class of 1986. I also have 17 Grandchildren and at last count 11 Great Grandchildren. I was secretary of St. John Elementry school since 1943, Also NPAS Clerk, retiring in 1992. My heart has always been with the Alumni Association.

Betty (Buschor) Grewe-Smith
Blairsville GA
[email protected]

Along with Mary Jeanette Menke, I was also in "Our Town" Class Play. After graduation, I worked as Steno to Buyer in Purchasing Dept., Westinghouse in Lima for 3 years during WWII.
May 11, 1946, I married, loved and cherished Francis (Pinky) Grewe, Class of 1940, who was famous in his day for being the "Best dribbler who ever played basketball up to that time", per Mr. Jauman,, and I believe it is documented in the Delphos Museum, or was at one time. Mr. Jauman famous too for never missing a game.
We moved to Dayton, raised our family and then on to Florida in 1985 after Francis retired. There I managed a thrift store called "Daystar" for eight years for the
Diocese of St. Petersburg. We helped the needy with clothing, utilities, transportation, etc.
After Francis passed away in 1992, I moved to the mountains of Northeast Georgia, and reside here enjoying the scenery and change of seasons. Hobbies include bowling, reading, gardening, playing Scrabble, and keeping in touch with my family and friends via e-mail.

Mary Jeannette (Nolte) Menke Class of 1943

Mary Jeannette Menke, 84, died at 4:21 a.m. Sept. 25, 2010, at the Cleveland Clinic.
She was born Sept. 30, 1925, in Bucyrus to Carl F. and Mary Gladen Lange Nolte, who preceded her in death. On July 17, 1945, she married Joseph M. Menke, who died April 10, 1973.

Mrs. Menke was retired as a secretary from St. John Elementary School and St. John Rectory. She was a member of St. John the Evangelist Catholic Church, Delphos, were she served on various teams and committees including RCIA, Mission Team, Renew, School Council, Liturgy, Welcoming Team, Baptism Team, Ministry to Shut-ins, nursing homes, Usher/Greeter, Diocesan Vocation Team, Eucharistic Minister, serving as secretary for many years.

She was chairwoman for Children’s Fall Festival for 27 years. She was statistician and editor of Newsletter of St. John Alumni 1961-2002. She was a member of the Catholic Daughters of the Americas (CDA) since 1943, holding many local offices including court regent for two terms. Her state offices held include state treasurer 1978-1982 and 1992-1994; state secretary 1988-1990 and 1990-1992; district deputy for Court Delphos 707, Court Ottawa 1343 and Court Defiance 648; and state regent for Ohio Courts 1996-1998 and 1998-2000. She was Tri-County Woman of the Year 1999, the first female inducted in St. John’s Alumni Hall of Fame in 2004, and currently a member of Associate of Sisters of Notre Dame, Toledo, Church Women United, St. Rita’s Hospital Auxiliary and St. John’s Hospital Visiting Team.

Survivors include three sons, the Rev. James (Sheryl) Menke, of Elida, Joseph (Susan) Menke, of Fletcher, N.C., and Timothy (Julie) Menke, of Perrysburg; three daughters, Kathleen (Russ) Suever, of Fort Wayne. Ind., and Barbara (Mike) Mesker and Janet (Jeff) Blackburn, both of Delphos; 17 grandchildren and 15 great-grandchildren, Jimmy (Kristie) Menke and Lauren, Madelyn, Mason, of Garden Mound, Texas, Heather (Ned) Stechschulte and Christian, Gracyn, Zoe Jeannette, Zane and Elizabeth, of Columbus Grove, Nikki (Steve) Hooser and Audrey, of Fort Wayne. Ind., Benjamin Menke and "Bo,” Gavin and Liberty, of Elida, Zachary (Stacy) Menke and Josiah and Malachi, of Delphos, Holly (Shane) Green, of Lima, Matthew and Andrew Suever, of Fort. Wayne, Michael and Megan Mesker, of Delphos, Tyler, Derek and Sarah Blackburn, of Delphos, Jesse Blackbum and Jayven, of Delphos, Katie and Jessica Menke, of Perrysburg, and Rachael Menke, of Fletcher, N.C.; three brothers-in-Iaw, Ralph (Ruth) Menke, Robert Menke and Edward (JoAnn) Menke, of Fort Jennings; two sisters-in-law, Mary Louise Menke, of Fort Jennings, and Louise (Burke) Nolte, of Lima; and many nieces and nephews.

She was preceded in death by two grandchildren, David J. Menke and Amanda Kay Suever; two sisters, Ruth (Kill) Haunhorst and Edna Jane Nolte; two brothers, Donald T. Nolte and an infant brother, Albert Joseph Nolte; two sisters-in-law, Elizabeth Menke Siebeneck and Alice Menke Bendele; and three brothers-in-law, Raymond, Paul and Leonard Menke.

Mass of Christian Burial will begin at 10:30 a.m. Wednesday at St John the Evangelist Catholic Church, Delphos. Father Thomas Gorman and Father Chris Vasko will officiate. Burial will be in St. John’s Cemetery.

Friends may call from 6 to 8 p.m. Monday and 2 to 4 and 6 to 8 p.m. Tuesday at Harter & Schier Funeral Home, Delphos, where a Catholic Daughters of the Americas service will begin at 7 p.m. Tuesday and a parish wake service will begin at 7:30 p.m. Tuesday.

Memorial contributions may be made to the St. John Endowment Fund, Sisters of Notre Dame, Toledo, and the St. John Alumni Association.