Class of 1946

Carl and Betty Brown


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Carlton "Carl" and Betty "Bets" (Studebaker) Brown

 


Carlton Ralph (Carl) Brown and Betty Marlene (Bets) Studebaker were married by the Rev. Carl Q. Lee in Zion on Feb. 2, 1951.  Residents of Rockford, IL, since 1955, their children are Scott ('54), Melanie ('57) and William ('69).  There are eight grandchildren . 

Carl and Bets graduated from Zion-Benton High in 1946 and '49 respectively.  Betty began high school in Columbus, GA, where her family (William and Mae McEwen Studebaker) lived for three years.  Betty studied at Lake College of Commerce, Waukegan, and was a secretary for Zion schools.  She also was employed in the Zion Candy Factory, where her father was foreman.  In Rockford, she was employed as a grocery checker and clerk in a farm supply store.  She was a Girl and Boy Scout leader and church school teacher and superintendent for Third Presbyterian Church.   She also served as deacon and elder and was the first parish coordinator for the church, retiring in 1998.

Carl and his sister, Donna (ZBT '48), were raised by their grandparents, Dale and Mary Virginia Neal, at 3010 Elisha Ave.  During his ZBT years, Carl worked as desk clerk and Western Union operator in the Zion Home.  He enlisted in the Army in June '46, and served two years in the Post Signal Office at Camp Lee, VA.  He completed two years of study at Lake Forest College before transferring to the University of Illinois, where, in 1952, he received a degree in journalism and a reserve commission in the Army Signal Corps.  Activated immediately, his final Army assignment was with a signal aviation construction unit in Korea, 1953-54.  His first newspaper job was with the Southern Illinoisan, Carbondale.  In 1955, he joined the Rockford newspapers (Morning Star,Register-Republic, then Register Star), retiring in 1992.  He has been church school teacher, deacon and elder at Third Church.  He tutored in the Rockford literacy program for many years.

Today, Carl and Bets are very much aware of their blessings, and thank God for them.  They revel in their grandchildren, and travel as much as possible.


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Bill Brown, "Fergus Weasel" with Ken and Anne on February 3, 2000 in Lake Geneva, Wisconsin at the National Snow Sculpturing Contest.   Taken in front of the Weasel's entry.  The three man team is building "Myth of Pandora."  They are sponsored by Community Shoppers Inc of Lake Geneva.
The Snow Weasels putting on the final touch just before the judging. snows3.jpg (17288 bytes)

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Three of the 14 sculptures.  Left to right.  Owl attacking a couple of Rabbits.  Potato Masher. Millennium Moon.
For all the aviators among us.  "Man learning to fly." snows2.jpg (33801 bytes)

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Probably the most difficult to carve.  "Cockatoo in a bird cage."
View of the crowd near "judging time."  Missed taking a picture of my favorite after the Weasels, a Mermaid with a turtle. snows5.jpg (46255 bytes)

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This page revised 5 May 2000