Alan Wisnieski visited the Alumni Home Days tent and brought with him this piece of history. This is the Independence High School Class of 1927 Commencement Program.
About the Class of 1927:
- Marie Abens Hamburg (Deceased) was a secretary for the Metropolitan Insurance Company. She married a classmate of hers, Alan Hamburg. She is now retired.
- Lois Cash Cromwell worked at the Atlantic & Pacific Store in Independence. She had to quit to take care of her ailing mother. She now lives in Elyria, Ohio.
- Teresa Drellishak Wickman worked at C.E.I., then at Allied Oil during Worid War II. She also worked at Landmark Ohio Co. in Strongsville with her husband. She retired in 1979 and lives in North Royalton.
- Alan Hamburg graduated from Miami University and taught school in Mantua, Ohio. He retired in 1974 and is now living in Hiram, Ohio
- Mildred Haslem (deceased) worked in a grocery store in Cleveland and was married but no more information is available.
- Joe Hasman worked for Wm. Tricker, Inc,, Federal Foundry and was last employed at SPO, Inc., makers of foundry equipment. He is now retired and living in Cleveland.
- Gilbert Lambacher worked for Wm. Tricker, Inc. and then Brinks.
- He returned to Wm. Tricker,
- Inc. and became an executive of the company. He served in the Pacific theater during World War II. Gil was Councilman in Independence from 1956 to 1971 and also served as Vice-Mayor.
- He is now retired and spends the winter months in Nokomis, Florida and summers in Port Clinton, Ohio.
- Merle Merkle joined his father and brother in operating their general store at the corner of Route 21 and Sunset Road.
- He continued in the store after his father and brother passed away.
- He is now retired and living in Independence.
- Martha Montjoy was the youngest graduate of the class and the first to graduate in three years with an A average. Her married name is O’Keefe. She now lives in Arizona with her younger sister.
- Eleanor Rocher Cook worked at Deaconess Hospital as a nurse’s aid. She lives in Florida during the winter months and in Brooklyn Heights during the summer.
- Ralph Spirek worked at Weatherhead and then became a carpenter. He left the carpenter trade to become custodian at the Middle School in Independence. (deceased)
- Mayor Winfred Pete Wisnieski joined his father and brother in the operation of the Independence Ford Garage. After his father and brother retired, he then became owner and manager of the Ford Garage and sold the dealership in 1972. He was elected Mayor of the City of Independence in 1956 – 1965, 1972 – 1977, 1980 – 1985 and retired after 22 years on December 31, 1985.
