Whitmer High School Alumni
Toledo, Ohio (OH)
Recent Members
| Bethany St. Andrew Bethany St. Andrew | 1976 |
| Carolyn Manrow | 1989 |
| James Free4u2nite | 1990 |
| Jim Hefner | 1974 |
| Merisa Merisa Ann Marsh | 2018 |
| Nathan Flis Flis | 2023 |
| Paul Gutmann | 1974 |
| Vicky Downey | 1979 |
Military Alumni
Honoring Our Heroes
This area is dedicated to our alumni that have served or are serving in our armed forces!
Lost Class Rings
Have you lost your Whitmer High School class ring? Have you found someone's class ring? Visit our Panthers lost class ring page to search for your class ring or post information about a found ring.
Honored Military Alumni
Ben Rutherford
Class of 1964
Army, 2 Years
January 1966 to January 1968
Basic training at Fort Jackson, SC, January to April 1, 1966; further training at Fort Dix, NJ, April 1966 to June 1966; permanent duty station in Giessen, Germany, June 1966 to January 1968.
Attained rank of Specialist 4th class.
Class of 1964
Army, 2 Years
January 1966 to January 1968
Basic training at Fort Jackson, SC, January to April 1, 1966; further training at Fort Dix, NJ, April 1966 to June 1966; permanent duty station in Giessen, Germany, June 1966 to January 1968.
Attained rank of Specialist 4th class.
Bob Lee
Class of 1967
Marine Corps, 4 Years
Proudly served 4 years in USMC. I served 13 months in Viet Nam. Served the rest of my time at Camp LeJeune,NC
Class of 1967
Marine Corps, 4 Years
Proudly served 4 years in USMC. I served 13 months in Viet Nam. Served the rest of my time at Camp LeJeune,NC
brad cowell
Class of 2000
Army, 8 Years
served 8 years with 2 tours in iraq as a combat engineer
Class of 2000
Army, 8 Years
served 8 years with 2 tours in iraq as a combat engineer
Chad Whiting
Class of 1990
Marine Corps, 8 Years
1992-1996 Operation Restore Hope (Somalia) 2004-2008 OIF (2005-2006, 2007)
Class of 1990
Marine Corps, 8 Years
1992-1996 Operation Restore Hope (Somalia) 2004-2008 OIF (2005-2006, 2007)
Christopher J. Peraino
Class of 1969
Air Force, 20+ Years
Entered the Air Force in July 1969. Graduated Jet Engine Mechanic school and worked on the flight line for 13 years before becoming an officer and managing the flight-line of 500 personnel as a Aircraft Maintenance Officer
Class of 1969
Air Force, 20+ Years
Entered the Air Force in July 1969. Graduated Jet Engine Mechanic school and worked on the flight line for 13 years before becoming an officer and managing the flight-line of 500 personnel as a Aircraft Maintenance Officer
Craig S. Hanna
Class of 1978
Marine Corps, 4 Years
Served 4 years active Duty
Primary MOS 0311Infantry Alpha Co. 1/3
Secondary MOS 5700 NBC. Alpha Co. 1/3
Stationed Kaneohe Marine Corps Air Station
3 Westpac Deployment Cruises
Also Served 1990 to 1993 with the US Navy Reserve Amphibious CB Detachment
Class of 1978
Marine Corps, 4 Years
Served 4 years active Duty
Primary MOS 0311Infantry Alpha Co. 1/3
Secondary MOS 5700 NBC. Alpha Co. 1/3
Stationed Kaneohe Marine Corps Air Station
3 Westpac Deployment Cruises
Also Served 1990 to 1993 with the US Navy Reserve Amphibious CB Detachment
Dave Williams
Class of 1960
Air Force, 8 Years
Worked in Munitions. was in SE Asia parts of 66,67,68,69, Utapao twice,Takhli once. Did 12 years New Jersey Air Nat Guard
Class of 1960
Air Force, 8 Years
Worked in Munitions. was in SE Asia parts of 66,67,68,69, Utapao twice,Takhli once. Did 12 years New Jersey Air Nat Guard
David Fincher
Class of 1969
Navy, 2 Years
Was in from 1971 to 1973. Served in VF-84, a fighter squardron of F-4's. Was aboard the U.S.S. Roosevelt CVA-42. It's been since decomissioned and sold for scrap. Glad I served. It turned me around for sure.
Class of 1969
Navy, 2 Years
Was in from 1971 to 1973. Served in VF-84, a fighter squardron of F-4's. Was aboard the U.S.S. Roosevelt CVA-42. It's been since decomissioned and sold for scrap. Glad I served. It turned me around for sure.
David Fincher
Class of 1969
Navy, 2 Years
Had aviation hydraulics school in Millington Tn. after boot camp. Went to Oceana Va. for plane captain school then was assigned to VF-84 squadron aboard the U.S.S. Franklin D. Roosevelt, CVA-42. Did an extended Med. cruise in 1972 and was honorably discharged in 1973. Wish I had stayed in now.
Class of 1969
Navy, 2 Years
Had aviation hydraulics school in Millington Tn. after boot camp. Went to Oceana Va. for plane captain school then was assigned to VF-84 squadron aboard the U.S.S. Franklin D. Roosevelt, CVA-42. Did an extended Med. cruise in 1972 and was honorably discharged in 1973. Wish I had stayed in now.
David Hart
Class of 1961
Air Force, 4 Years
Worked in off-line crypto, coding and decoding messages
Class of 1961
Air Force, 4 Years
Worked in off-line crypto, coding and decoding messages
David Urbanski
Class of 1969
Air Force, 20+ Years
Enlisted in the USAF in 1971 and became a weather observer with initial assignment at Lockbourne AFB (later renamed Rickenbacker AFB) near Columbus, OH. Completed college degree in Meteorology at Univ. of Utah and earned commission as a 2Lt Weather Officer in 1974. Served 15 assignments, from coast-to-coast in U.S. and twice overseas (Azores Islands, Portugal, & Germany). Attained rank of Colonel in 1998 and retired after 32+ years of active duty service in 2003.
Class of 1969
Air Force, 20+ Years
Enlisted in the USAF in 1971 and became a weather observer with initial assignment at Lockbourne AFB (later renamed Rickenbacker AFB) near Columbus, OH. Completed college degree in Meteorology at Univ. of Utah and earned commission as a 2Lt Weather Officer in 1974. Served 15 assignments, from coast-to-coast in U.S. and twice overseas (Azores Islands, Portugal, & Germany). Attained rank of Colonel in 1998 and retired after 32+ years of active duty service in 2003.
Dawne Early (Floyd)
Class of 1978
Navy, 7 Years
Military service 1984-1991 Served aboard USS Norton Sound in Port Hueneme California, VP Squadron out of Moffett Field California, Diego Garcia, Guantanamo Bay Cuba and Gulfport Mississippi...Cooked for Chiefs mess aboard ship and was Barracks petty officer shore duty and Jack of the dust in the Galley, in Gulfport Ms.
Class of 1978
Navy, 7 Years
Military service 1984-1991 Served aboard USS Norton Sound in Port Hueneme California, VP Squadron out of Moffett Field California, Diego Garcia, Guantanamo Bay Cuba and Gulfport Mississippi...Cooked for Chiefs mess aboard ship and was Barracks petty officer shore duty and Jack of the dust in the Galley, in Gulfport Ms.
Donald Letson
Class of 1961
Army, 20+ Years
Dropped out of school in 1960 to join army. Awarded GED & Whitmer diploma in 1964.
Class of 1961
Army, 20+ Years
Dropped out of school in 1960 to join army. Awarded GED & Whitmer diploma in 1964.
Douglas Crawford
Class of 1975
Navy, 18 Years
4 ships, 2 shore stations. retired 1995
Class of 1975
Navy, 18 Years
4 ships, 2 shore stations. retired 1995
Edward "Russ" McComesky
Class of 1990
Navy, 20+ Years
P-3 Inflight Ordnanceman, VP-64 Willow Grove,Pa(1992-2001) , P-3 Flight Engineer, VP-62 Jax, Fl (2001-2012) 5,000 flight hours USN retired!!
Class of 1990
Navy, 20+ Years
P-3 Inflight Ordnanceman, VP-64 Willow Grove,Pa(1992-2001) , P-3 Flight Engineer, VP-62 Jax, Fl (2001-2012) 5,000 flight hours USN retired!!
Gary Kurth
Class of 1965
Navy, 3 Years
U.S. Navy Seabees NSA Danang RVN 1968-1969, NAF Sigonella, Sicily 1969-1970
Class of 1965
Navy, 3 Years
U.S. Navy Seabees NSA Danang RVN 1968-1969, NAF Sigonella, Sicily 1969-1970
James P. Hamel
Class of 1978
Navy, 4 Years
Anti-Submarine Warfare on board the USS Nimitz in the Mediterranean Sea 1984-1985 working with HS Helicopter Squadrons out of Jacksonville, Fla. "A" school Memphis, Tn, "C" schools Norfolk and Virginia Beach, Va.
Class of 1978
Navy, 4 Years
Anti-Submarine Warfare on board the USS Nimitz in the Mediterranean Sea 1984-1985 working with HS Helicopter Squadrons out of Jacksonville, Fla. "A" school Memphis, Tn, "C" schools Norfolk and Virginia Beach, Va.
James Thomas Gilson
Class of 1987
Navy, 20+ Years
UNITED STATE NAVAL ACADEMY - ANNAPOLIS - 1995 graduate with degree in Aerospace Engineering.
NAVAL FLIGHT SCHOOL - Naval aviator and flight instructor.
UNIFORMED SERVICES UNIVERSITY - 2009 graduate with medical degree.
IRAQ VETERAN - Purple Heart, Bronze Star and Bronze Star With Valor medal recipient.
Class of 1987
Navy, 20+ Years
UNITED STATE NAVAL ACADEMY - ANNAPOLIS - 1995 graduate with degree in Aerospace Engineering.
NAVAL FLIGHT SCHOOL - Naval aviator and flight instructor.
UNIFORMED SERVICES UNIVERSITY - 2009 graduate with medical degree.
IRAQ VETERAN - Purple Heart, Bronze Star and Bronze Star With Valor medal recipient.
Jeff Thompson
Class of 1965
Army, 3 Years
Air Defense Command (Nike Hercules)
Field Artillery (FDC)
Class of 1965
Army, 3 Years
Air Defense Command (Nike Hercules)
Field Artillery (FDC)
Jeff Van Dorp
Class of 1971
Air Force, 20+ Years
Entered USAF basic training 1975; served active duty for 4 years and went into the reserves for 24 years. Retired 2003 and currently working in a civilian position for the USAF for a few more months til I retire from there. I was an jet aircraft mechanic/crew chief. I worked on all kinds of fighter jets (most of them are now retired) and now I am on Air Force Tanker jets @ Tinker AFB, OK which is a depot repair installation. I am also a member of the American Legion,helping Veterans . To all members here at this sight, thank you for your service folks !
Class of 1971
Air Force, 20+ Years
Entered USAF basic training 1975; served active duty for 4 years and went into the reserves for 24 years. Retired 2003 and currently working in a civilian position for the USAF for a few more months til I retire from there. I was an jet aircraft mechanic/crew chief. I worked on all kinds of fighter jets (most of them are now retired) and now I am on Air Force Tanker jets @ Tinker AFB, OK which is a depot repair installation. I am also a member of the American Legion,helping Veterans . To all members here at this sight, thank you for your service folks !
joe heinze
Class of 1967
Marine Corps, 3 Years
forward air controller 3/3/3 all along dmz con tein base and dong ha mike company air support/resupply/medivac.duties for a combat company of grunts/infantry.. did two tours viet nam
Class of 1967
Marine Corps, 3 Years
forward air controller 3/3/3 all along dmz con tein base and dong ha mike company air support/resupply/medivac.duties for a combat company of grunts/infantry.. did two tours viet nam
John Romijn
Class of 1977
Air Force, 20+ Years
After graduation I joined the Air Force completing BT at Lackland AFB, San Antonio, Texas and then Tech school at Lowery AFB Denver CO graduating as an Avionic Sensor Systems Technician. First duty station was Bergstrom AFB, Austin, TX working on RF-4C aircraft. I then PCS'd to Kadena AB, Okinawa, Japan and then PCS'd to Osan AB, South Korea and there I meet and married my wife Young Mi. We then PCS'd back to Bergstrom AFB and we had our first child, Michael in 1981. We again PCS'd back to Kadena AB, working on RF-4C and F-15 aircraft. In 1983 we had our second child, Christina. We then PCS'd to Beale AFB, CA where I worked on SR-71, U2 and TR-1 aircraft, We then PCS' back to Kadena AB where I helped close down the SR-71 program on Okinawa. We then PCS'd to Clark AB, Philippines (was told we were the last family to PCS to Clark since they were in the talks about closing and giving back Clark to the Philippine people which they eventually did do, BUT before it was completed and exactly 1 year that we were there, Mount Pinatubo blow up making use refugees. Having lost everything except our lives and the clothes on our backs we eventually received orders to Nellis AFB, Las Vegas, NV working on F-15, F-16 and A-10 aircraft (sensor systems included, LANTIRN, Pave Penny and AVTR). I was 57 WG Maintenance Professional Of The Year (57 CRS) two years in a row 1993, 1994. I deployed to Saudi Arabia in support of Operation Dessert Storm. I was then selected to help stand up from the ground up a new Squadron, 11RS, and a new type of aircraft, RQ-1 Predator, at Indian Springs Air Force Auxiliary Field, Indian Springs, NV. about a 45 minute drive from Las Vegas. Completed Predator training at Fort Huachuca, AZ. Deployed to Tazar AB, Hungary in support of the Bosnia conflict. Returned home to Las Vegas and retired after proudly serving 20 years. Loved every minute, miss it, wish I could have served longer.
Class of 1977
Air Force, 20+ Years
After graduation I joined the Air Force completing BT at Lackland AFB, San Antonio, Texas and then Tech school at Lowery AFB Denver CO graduating as an Avionic Sensor Systems Technician. First duty station was Bergstrom AFB, Austin, TX working on RF-4C aircraft. I then PCS'd to Kadena AB, Okinawa, Japan and then PCS'd to Osan AB, South Korea and there I meet and married my wife Young Mi. We then PCS'd back to Bergstrom AFB and we had our first child, Michael in 1981. We again PCS'd back to Kadena AB, working on RF-4C and F-15 aircraft. In 1983 we had our second child, Christina. We then PCS'd to Beale AFB, CA where I worked on SR-71, U2 and TR-1 aircraft, We then PCS' back to Kadena AB where I helped close down the SR-71 program on Okinawa. We then PCS'd to Clark AB, Philippines (was told we were the last family to PCS to Clark since they were in the talks about closing and giving back Clark to the Philippine people which they eventually did do, BUT before it was completed and exactly 1 year that we were there, Mount Pinatubo blow up making use refugees. Having lost everything except our lives and the clothes on our backs we eventually received orders to Nellis AFB, Las Vegas, NV working on F-15, F-16 and A-10 aircraft (sensor systems included, LANTIRN, Pave Penny and AVTR). I was 57 WG Maintenance Professional Of The Year (57 CRS) two years in a row 1993, 1994. I deployed to Saudi Arabia in support of Operation Dessert Storm. I was then selected to help stand up from the ground up a new Squadron, 11RS, and a new type of aircraft, RQ-1 Predator, at Indian Springs Air Force Auxiliary Field, Indian Springs, NV. about a 45 minute drive from Las Vegas. Completed Predator training at Fort Huachuca, AZ. Deployed to Tazar AB, Hungary in support of the Bosnia conflict. Returned home to Las Vegas and retired after proudly serving 20 years. Loved every minute, miss it, wish I could have served longer.
Jon Randall Mills
Class of 1968
Marine Corps, 6 Years
Rifleman, served and wounded in Vietnam, Also served in Air Force after college and retired as a major in 1994.
Class of 1968
Marine Corps, 6 Years
Rifleman, served and wounded in Vietnam, Also served in Air Force after college and retired as a major in 1994.
Joseph Marckel
Class of 2000
Marine Corps, 9 Years
Has served in the Marine Corps since 2001. Currently with the Marine Corps Rifle Team.
Class of 2000
Marine Corps, 9 Years
Has served in the Marine Corps since 2001. Currently with the Marine Corps Rifle Team.
larry van karsen
Class of 1961
Air Force, 20+ Years
structural repair tech. 1966-1970 usaf,1970 -1979 o.a.n.g 180th. f.w, 1979-1982,g.a.n.g 116 th. f.w 1982-2001 o.a.n.g 180th.f.w retired with 34 years military service
Class of 1961
Air Force, 20+ Years
structural repair tech. 1966-1970 usaf,1970 -1979 o.a.n.g 180th. f.w, 1979-1982,g.a.n.g 116 th. f.w 1982-2001 o.a.n.g 180th.f.w retired with 34 years military service
Larry van karsen
Class of 1961
Air Force, 35 Years
1966-2001 usaf ang ga. Ohio ang.
Class of 1961
Air Force, 35 Years
1966-2001 usaf ang ga. Ohio ang.
Michael Harris
Class of 1976
Air Force, 26 Years
Aviation, F-15 & F-15 maintenance, C-141 & C-130 Flight Engineer. Based Okinawa AFB Japan, Langley AFB Virginia, Charleston AFB, South Carolina, McEntire ANGB, Eastover, South Carolina.
Class of 1976
Air Force, 26 Years
Aviation, F-15 & F-15 maintenance, C-141 & C-130 Flight Engineer. Based Okinawa AFB Japan, Langley AFB Virginia, Charleston AFB, South Carolina, McEntire ANGB, Eastover, South Carolina.
Mickie S. Reinhart-Newman
Class of 1994
Air Force, 19 Years
Currently serving at Tyndall AFB Florida.
Class of 1994
Air Force, 19 Years
Currently serving at Tyndall AFB Florida.
Mike Wray
Class of 1964
National Guard, 6 Years
member of the 612th Engineering Co. based
at the Secor Rd. Armory from 1970 to 1976.
Class of 1964
National Guard, 6 Years
member of the 612th Engineering Co. based
at the Secor Rd. Armory from 1970 to 1976.
Mike Wray
Class of 1964
National Guard, 6 Years
Member of the 612th Engineering Battalion, "A" Company,
secor Road, Toledo, Ohio
Class of 1964
National Guard, 6 Years
Member of the 612th Engineering Battalion, "A" Company,
secor Road, Toledo, Ohio
Milan P. Voska III
Class of 2002
Army Reserves, 4 Years
Assigned to the 342nd Military Police Company DET 1
Class of 2002
Army Reserves, 4 Years
Assigned to the 342nd Military Police Company DET 1
Alumni Stories
Read and submit stories about our classmates from Whitmer High School, post achievements and news about our alumni, and post photos of our fellow Panthers.
School News
Michael W. Wray has a new email to pass along.
mike.wray2020@gmail.com
The Wernert Corners Breakfast Group me this morning and had a great time. This grou...
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Our Whitmer High School military alumni are some of the most outstanding people we know and this page recognizes them and everything they have done! Not everyone gets to come home for the holidays and we want our Whitmer High School Military to know that they are loved and appreciated. All of us in Toledo are proud of our military alumni and want to thank them for risking their lives to protect our country!