Class of 1968

Greg Whitaker - Rockford, Illinois

Greg then...

Greetings WHS Allums! Congratulations on 40 years of post-grad experiences and accomplishments. Reading through a number of your profiles has been a pleasant and rewarding joy. Who'd-a-thunk-it? Mill-workers, welders, teachers, attorneys, state representatives - you've done well. Husbands, wives, parents, grandparents - you've found your roles blessed by rich relationships. Those were grand years and you were what made them grand. We have all made meaningful contributions to what we have individually become today. Thanks!

You may not remember me, but I was the geek, usually sitting in the back of the room. That's where the 'W's usually ended up in the seating arrangements. Tall and gangly, I was generally last to be chosen on a basketball or softball team. I did enjoy choir, but my pubescent voice moved awkwardly between the tenor and baritone ranges. Ah, but you might recall my portrayal of 'Fenster Falcon', Freddie's cousin twice removed - in one of our pep-aud's during homecoming celebrations. I enjoyed public speaking classes which in their own way contributed to the meager speaking skills I have today as a minister in a small Illinois church.

Among my closest friends at WHS were Susan Shoemacher, John Hinckley, Jim Thede, and others. My dear friend - and earliest dates was Sally Lichtenstein. I was saddened many years ago to learn of her passing. She was a good friend and sweet girl. My grandparents lived across the street from Ruth Speth - now also gone. How I was smitten with her!

Speth

Lichtenstein

Thede

Hinckley

Shoemacher

After graduating from WHS, I did my schooling at Hannibal LaGrange College in Hannibal, Missouri and at Oklahoma Baptist University in Shawnee, Oklahoma. While taking a year off from school to work at Occidental Chemical Co. in Buffalo, Ray and Gloria McCain came as the new pastoral family to my home-town church. They had a lovely daughter- Cheryl, who was in her last year of nurse's training in Omaha, Nebraska. We were introduced and began dating. She later took a job with a local hospital in Rock Island and in 1974 we were married. I took her back to Oklahoma with me where I helped plant a church in north Oklahoma City. In 1976 we had our first daughter, Jennifer and in 1977 we moved to Reedsburg, Wisconsin where I planted another church. Cheryl discovered a love for working in labor/delivery in the local hospital - a passion that has remained with her to this day. Our second daughter Lesli, was born in 1981 and in 1984 we moved to Madison, WI where I assumed the pastorate of a small congregation.

Our third daughter Erin, was born in 1985. The church in Madison provided the basis of my work for 17 years during which we began new work with Hispanics, Laotians, Hmong, a Trucker's Chapel, and two new churches in nearby cities. Our two older daughters graduated from high school before Cheryl, Erin, and I moved to Rockford, IL in 2000 where I assumed the pastorate of my latest church. Jennifer married and still resides in the Madison area where she is a financial services office manager. Lesli completed her Masters degree in Educational Psychology and now is married and serves as a middle school psychologist in the Phoenix, AZ area. Erin graduated from college May of 2007 and is now teaching 6th grade English Communication Arts in the St. Louis area.

Cheryl and I are as blessed as two people could be. Married now for 34 years, we are enjoying twin grandsons born to Jen and Mark in 2006 and Lesli is expecting her first in July of 2008. My voice at long-last matured, and I enjoy singing in our church's Praise Team. I dabble at gardening, try to maintain my vigor by exercising at the local fitness club, lavish my attention on my red '95 Mustang convertible, and when we get the chance, Cheryl and enjoy traveling. We've been to Hawaii, Peru, Mexico as well as about 2/3 of the contiguous United States. I'd love to hear from you and know how you're doing. And if you're in the Rockford area, by all means let's get together over coffee - your treat of course!! - Greg Whitaker

- April 11, 2008