The follow Letter to the Editor was published today, Thursday, August 31, 2006, in The Lima News.

Traditions start to come to end
Larry L. Oatman, Lima
Sometimes, significant events end without notice.
Recently, two former car dealerships, which stood side-by-side on West Market Street and sold Fords and Chevrolet for four decades, were torn down to make way for a new drug store. Each October thousands used to make a trip to their show rooms when the new car models were unveiled. Sadly, the raising of these two buildings failed to make the news media. Perhaps sometime in the distant future, the event will be featured on the Reminiscent page.
Last Friday night, Bath High School played its traditional football against Allen-East at Lafayette. That event too passed without notice by most, other than indicating this would be the Mustangs last year on that field. Another field will be ready next year at their new high school located between Lafayette and Harrod.
Judging by all the cars parked on nearly every street and many yards for the ball game last Friday night, it may have set a record for the most people ever to be in Lafayette at one time. Missed by most, including the media, was the fact that it marked the last time the Bath Wildcats football team and marking band would appear on that field. When Bath High School was created in the fall of 1956, the Wildcats used the Lafayette-Jackson field for all of its home games until their present facility was completed the following year.
Before 1956, Bath and Jackson townships were united at Lafayette-Jackson High School. For all those years, about half of the Wolves football team and band members were from Bath Township. While this year marks the last of 41 years Allen-East played on that field, it's also it ends 50 years on that field for Bath. Thanks for a great five decades as an era ends and the circle has been completed.

<1957 CLASS LINK>
It is with deep sadness the following is reported.
Elizabeth "Betsy" H. (Burkholder) Miller (BHS'57), 67, died July 15,
2006, at her son's residence in Lima. She was born April 20, 1939, in Lima to Clarence and Margaret Bressler Burkholder, who preceded her in death. She had been married to Robert W. Miller, who survives.
Mrs. Miller retired in 1993 as a licensed practical nurse from Roselawn Manor Nursing Home, Spencerville, and Colonial Nursing Home, Rockford. She had also worked at the Shawnee Country Club for 20 years, before becoming a nurse. She loved to read, watch old movies, play bingo and cook.
Survivors also include three sons, Darren (Koral) Miller of Decatur,Ind., Darrel (Sandy) Miller of Celina and R. Tony Miller of Willshire; abrother, Dan (Sandy) Burkholder of Tallahassee, Fla.; five grandchildren, Josh Miller, Dakota Miller, John Mille! r, Scott Gray Jr. and Angel Miller; and two great-grandchildren, Chandler Gray and Audree Gray.
She was preceded in death by four brothers, Richard, David, Tom and infant Jack Burkholder.

Carl Offenbacher (BHS'57) is in hospices. Cards can be sent to Plus Heath Care, 3125 Ada Rd. Lima, OH, 4580.

<1971 CLASS LINK>
It is with deep sadness the following is reported.
Vernon L. Theis, (BHS'71), 53, died Aug. 23, 2006, at St. Rita's Medical Center.
He was born Oct. 14, 1952, in Lima to George A. and Florence L. Burkholder Theis, who preceded him in death. On March 31, 1989, he married Cheryl K. Briem, who survives.
Mr. Theis retired in 2003 as a machinist from Hamilton Sundstrand. He was a 1971 graduate of Bath High School. He was an Army reserve veteran.
Survivors also include three sons, Corey Theis, Andrew Theis and Kevin Briem, all of Elida; four daughters, Stephanie Theis and Shawna Theis, both of Cridersville, Melanie Briley of Lima and Melissa (Karl) Nolte of Elida; three brothers, Leonard A. (Edie) Theis of Elida, Roger E. Theis of Jacksonville, Fla., and Garry L. (Rose) Theis of Lima; and five grandchildren.
He was preceded in death by a brother, Charles A. Theis; and a
sister-in-law, Lydia C. Theis.
Memorial services will begin at 11 a.m. Saturday at Zion Lutheran Church. Pastor Kent Wilson will officiate. Burial of the cremains will be at a later date in Woodlawn Cemetery.
Condolences may be expressed at www.chiles-lamanfh.com.
Arrangements are by Chiles & Sons-Laman Funeral Homes, Shawnee Chapel.

<BATH HIGH SCHOOL ALUMNI LINK> is a free Internet newsletter for and
about Bath alumni emailed periodically.
Until next time, so long from your <BATH LINK>, where the schools are
superior, the students are exceptional, the teachers are wise beyond theiryears, and all the alumni are above average.

For archived issues http://www.noacsc.org/allen/ba/Alumni.html
Editor: Larry L. Oatman, 555 S. Glenwood Ave., Lima, OH 45805-3101
(c) 2004, <BATH LINK>, Possibilities Unlimited, Inc.

Regards, Larry L. Oatman, Editor
< BATH HIGH SCHOOL ALUMNI LINK>
555 S. Glenwood Ave., Lima, OH 45805-3101, (419) 225-6755
(Please include the year of your class in any reply. Thank you.)