West Aurora Class of 1960

03/16/2026

Received this note from one of our classmates:

Steve Camp is scheduled for surgery on Tuesday 3/17/26. Also Mike Ahasic’s wife passed away recently, and Tony Marsh is being treated for a health issue. Keep them in your thoughts and prayers. Thank you.

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11/27/2025

10/15/2025

I know Linda was not from our class of 60, but she was the loving wife of our own Jim Schindlbeck class of 1960 and friend of many and good friends of my wife and I for many years. (Tim Strobert)

Linda K. Hoeft (Schindlbeck)
January 13, 1943 — October 6, 2025
Linda Kay Schindlbeck of Lake Placid, Florida passed from life to eternal
life and into the arms of Jesus on Monday, October 6th, 2025. She was 82
years old. She was born in Aurora, Illinois to Lydia and Harland Hoeft. She
was diagnosed with Type 1 diabetes at 3 years old and lived to receive her
50 and 75 year awards from the Jocelyn Center for Diabetes. She grew up
in Aurora and was married to James Schindlbeck in 1964. Together they
lived in many places across the US including: Aurora, IL, South Bend
Indiana, West Linn, OR, Columbus, MS, Livonia, MI and Lake Placid, FL.
She was a member of First Presbyterian Church in Lake Placid Florida.
She enjoyed traveling, reading, playing games (especially with her
grandchildren) and watching Hallmark Channel Movies. She was a
devoted wife and she loved her family.
She is survived by her husband Jim; Son Mark of Oregon City, OR;
daughter Julie Bosket of Tualatin, OR; brother Darwin Hoeft of Melbourne,
FL; her grandchildren Sarah Martin, Matthew Schindlbeck, Samantha
Schindlbeck, Noah Bosket and Zoey Bosket and her great grand-daughter
Kallie. She was preceded in death by her parents Harland and Lydia Hoeft
both of Sebring, FL.
Remembrances may be made to the Jocelyn Center for Diabetes
Research in Boston, MA. Not only did they honor Linda with lifetime
awards, but they studied her to better understand the effects of
regimented and meticulous lifelong diabetes management.
To order memorial trees or send flowers to the family in memory of Linda Kay Schindlbeck, please visit our flower store.

10/02/2025

Graduated West Aurora High School 1960

Pamela Rissman Paszotta
Born: September 30, 1942 in DeKalb, IL
Died: July 22, 2023 in DeKalb, IL

Pamela S. Paszotta, 80, of DeKalb, died Saturday July 22, 2023 in her home.
She was born September 30, 1942, in DeKalb, the daughter of Earl and Marion (Weiherman) Rissman.
Pam earned her Bachelor's Degree from NIU. For many years, Pam owned and operated a daycare business out of her home, and the time she spent with children was a source of great joy to her. Over the years, Pam cared for many children, and considered the kids and their families as an extension of her own. Pam also was very active at Immanuel Lutheran Church, teaching Sunday school for many years as well as helping in the nursery. She was a member of the women's golf league and enjoyed traveling.
Pamela married Richard Paszotta November 7, 1964 in Wheaton, Illinois.
Survivors include her children, Laurie (Richard) Stepanski, Lynnly (Kevin) Taylor, Jay (Tracy) Paszotta, and Richard (Teri) Paszotta; eleven grandchildren, Richard and Zachary Stepanski; Jessica (Andrew) Faust, Andrew, Christopher, and Jordan Taylor; Rachael (Santi) Morales, Drew, and Hannah Paszotta; Victoria (Steve Sullivan) Martinez and Landri Paszotta; her brother John (Karen) Rissman; her sisters Linda (Jim) Martin, Sandy (Greg) Stafford, Dee (Tom) Schuman, and Dot (John) Mackay; and many nieces and nephews.
She was preceded in death by her husband in 2020; her sister Candy Stuemke; and her parents.
The Funeral Service will be held at 9am Saturday, July 29, 2023 at Immanuel Lutheran Church in DeKalb with Rev. Marty Marks officiating. Burial will follow at Fairview Park Cemetery in DeKalb.
Visitation will be from 4:00 until 8:00 PM Friday, July 28 at Immanuel Lutheran Church.
In lieu of flowers, memorials can be made to the Pamela Paszotta Memorial Fund, addressed to the Paszotta Family in care of Anderson Funeral Home, P.O. Box 605, 2011 South Fourth Street, DeKalb, IL 60115.
For information, visit www.AndersonFuneralHomeLtd.com or call 815-756-1022.

07/23/2025

Douglas Francis Mortl Obituary

The world has lost a gentle man. Douglas Francis Mortl was born in Milwaukee Wisconsin to William Francis Mortl and Angela Turk Mortl on August 14,1942. He grew up in a household with 3 younger siblings. He had many happy memories of those times, frequently retelling the mischievous adventures he had with his brother. Doug also fondly remembered the vacations on Booth Lake with his family and later the hunting trips with his Dad and uncles in Iron Mountain, Michigan. Doug had a wide array of hobbies, among them fishing, woodworking, stone carving, traveling, sharks tooth hunting, tool collecting, playing poker, and possibly his favorite, gardening.

Doug served in the US Navy from 1964-1968 aboard the aircraft carrier USS America. Upon returning stateside, Doug finished his college degree at University of Maryland, University College. Doug was employed by the federal government where he retired in 1999 as the Director of Office Management Operations for the Program Support Center of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. During his career Doug made many lasting friendships, and in retirement he could be found every Friday having beer and pizza with many of his former colleagues.

Doug married Sharon Wilkie from Havana Cuba in 1976. A marriage that lasted 49 years, in part because Sharon loved to cook and Doug loved to eat!

In 1979, Doug and Sharon welcomed their only child, Amanda Elizabeth. Amanda was the joy of his life from her first breath to his last. Family was the most important thing to Doug.

Doug died on July 19, 2025.

He is survived by his wife Sharon Wilkie-Mortl, daughter Amanda Mortl Walker (Scott Walker), his favorite grandson Lucas Walker, his 3 siblings; William Mortl (Linda), Mary Jean Fraser and Nancy Coughlin. A wealth of nieces, nephews and great nieces and great nephews.

A private memorial will be held at a later date.

In lieu of flowers you can honor Doug’s memory by having pizza with a friend.

01/19/2025

Laura Thompson Obituary
Obituary published on Legacy.com by The Healy Chapel Funeral & Cremation Services - Aurora Facility on Jan. 19, 2025.
Publish in a newspaper

A devoted and loving wife, mother and grandmother, Laura Ann Shepard SThompson, 82, of Aurora, Illinois was born on November 30, 1942 and passed peacefully on January 8, 2025.
Having accepted Christ at an early age, Laura grew up attending Mount Olive Church of God in Christ in Auora. Thanks to Mr. & Mrs. Coleman, every Sunday they would take Laura and Frances to church for morning service and back again for evening service. In 2023, Laura joined Progressive Baptist Church.
Recounted in many stories, Laura spoke fondly of her childhood days on Highland Avenue, in Aurora, with the hundreds of other children, who would become lifelong friends. After graduating from West Aurora High School in 1960, Laura attended business school in Chicago, and started her career with the Social Security Administration. After a visit to Los Angeles, California, Laura decided she had had enough of the cold Midwest and set her sights on sunny southern California. During her time on the West Coast, Laura met four of her best friends: Sarah, Goldie, Alma and Irma. Know as the Five Golden Girls, these women ruled the office and enjoyed life in La La Land.
Laura is survived by her three children, Janelle Okerenimkpe (Sam), Byron Thompson and Blair Altenbach (Dan Borosz); stepdaughter, Cheryl Denton (Derrick); nine grandchildren, Emmanuel Okerenimkpe, Austyn Thompson, Ky Thompson, Rayne Thompson, Brooklynn Altenbach, Kendall Altenbach, Carter Borosz, Robbie Denton and Lauren Denton; brothers, Larry Shepard (Jean), and Willie Shepard (Pearl); sister, Betty Goins (Walter); loving nephews, nieces, cousins and special friends, Margie Lewis, Sarah VanHook, Carolyn Ratliff and Archie Needam.
Laura was preceded in death by her father, Willie Shepard, Sr.; her mother, Sammie Shepard; her husband, James L. Thompson; her twin sister, Frances David; her brother, Lloyd Shepard; her stepson, Steven Thompson and daughter-in-law, Lisa Thompson.
Visitation was held on Saturday, January 18, 2025 from 10 a.m. until the Homegoing Celebration at 11 a.m. at Progressive Baptist Church in Chicago, IL. Interment will be held on Monday, January 20, 2025 at 11 a.m. at Lincoln Memorial Park, 675 Rt. 30, Aurora, IL 60503.

01/19/2025

Gone, but not forgotten.

01/14/2025

Classmates:

As we are finalizing the plans for our 65th reunion here's what we anticipate the weekend looking like.

On June 20th, 2025 we plan to have an informal cocktail party at the Aurora Country Club from 4:00 - 8:00 with hors d'oeuvres and a cash bar.

On Saturday, June 21st, 2025 we will hopefully be able to offer a tour of West High for those that may be interested. That evening we are planning a dinner from 5:00 - 9:00, again at the Aurora Country Club, with a cash bar.

We anticipate the cost for both weekend events be around $50.00 per person. Hopefully these times and dates fit into your summer schedule. Please respond to this email and let me know if you are able to attend and if so, how many people will be attending. We look forward to a lot of reminiscing about our wonderous days in high school.

Your very excited reunion committee.



Irv Ochsenschlager
519 W. Galena Blvd.
Aurora, IL 60506

[email protected]

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01/12/2025

Our classmate Laura Shepard.

View Laura Ann Thompson's obituary, contribute to their memorial, see their funeral service details, and more.

12/17/2024

To all WA Class of 1960 and friends and families🎅🫶

12/12/2024

📌 Well it's time to think about making your summer plans.

Our WA Class of 1960...65th reunion has been scheduled!!!!
It will be held on June 20th and June 21st, 2025. Plan early.
Hours on the 20th will be 5-9:00 pm. On the 21st festivities
will begin at 5:00pm.

Both events will be held at the Aurora Country Club, where our reunion was held before. Additional info will be forthcoming as our class
committee is still putting together final details, which I will post here when I get them.

Please pass this info along to any of our classmates who don't
follow on Facebook or are in touch with you by other means.

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