The Franklin High School Class of 1961 celebrated its 63rd class reunion June 29 at the Wood Grill in Harrisonburg, Virginia. The festivities began with a social hour for 19 of the 48 surviving classmates (of the 78 graduates) and 13 guests in attendance from West Virginia, Virginia, Maryland, Texas and Minnesota. Judy Costello, daughter of Evelyn Smith Varner, was mistress of ceremony for the program. She conducted a memorial service with a prayer and lighting a candle for the 30 deceased classmates. Five classmates had passed away since the reunion was held three years ago. The program was followed by a delicious buffet luncheon. It was decided that the class would meet again on June 27, 2026. Classmates attending the reunion were, from left, first row, Betty Lambert Mongold, Nancy Kimble Gonshor, Treva Mongold Moats, Geneva Mongold Simmons, Evelyn Smith Varner, Betty Lough Smith and Evelyn Ratliff Hevener; second row, Elwood Smith, Shirley Eckard Lohr, Phyllis Harper Eye, Ramona Warner Luckel, Sue Teter Kline and Willard Huffman; and third row, Lannie Simmons, Joe Dahmer, Bob Cline, Carroll Thompson, Lannie Mullenax, Jesse Carroll Propst and Charles Kline.
