Laurel Winkel (1968)

(Comments from the OAA Facebook group)

Philip P. Arnold – 6 Feb 2021

Does anyone remember Jeff Markey? This is from the 1975 HS yearbook. He committed suicide our senior year and a statue went up in his honor in front of the arts center at the old HS. I have gone back there in recent years but can’t find the statue. It’s all closed in now. Does anyone remember who wrote this poem in his memory?

Kathleen Anne

Jeff asked me to walk with him when we were graduating, but he was gone before, and far too soon. I have remembered him always.

Steve Wing

Kathleen Anne I think a girl named Smith was really close to Jeff and at our graduation she spoke about him not being around anymore. It was very sad.

Donna Crawford

He was in my brother Brian Jay's class. I remember him. Sorry but I don't know about the poem. The statue could have either been kept in the same place and been enclosed within the extension of the building or relocated.

Susan Gallo Sindel

Yeah I remember I remember Jeff he was so really nice to me and sorry the way it ended up

Tomla Kleinsmith

I sure do remember him 💔

Karen Shepherd

Did he live off of Dobie Rd just north of Jolly Rd?

Eric M Larson

Karen Shepherd yes.

Karen Shepherd

Eric M Larson I didn’t know him and I am sorry to hear of his untimely passing.

Eric M Larson

Karen Shepherd not sure who you are referring to. Jeff Markey lived on Dobie Rd maybe 3 or 4 houses north of Jolly. The Markey family may have sold the house by 1983. Jeff would have been in my class of 1975.

Karen Shepherd

Eric M Larson right. The memory I shared earlier would have been in about 1973 or 1974. I was around 9 at the time . It was a 2 story White House . I had no idea Jeff’s life ended so tragically.

Eric M Larson

It was a sad ending to a young life that could have held so many opportunities.

Sherry Hoffner Augenstein

I remember him

Jeffrey Gardiner

I remember him through his brother Chris. So sad.

Barb Wood Harris

I remember Jeff and have thought about him over the years. So very sad, wish it could have been different for him💔

Susan Gallo Sindel

It was a very sad day when I heard he committed suicide he was always nice to me but quiet

Philip P. Arnold

I think about him often. He was a good guy. It nice to know that others think about him too.

David Stacks

Pretty sure that the poem was written by Mr. Bruce Ray. They were pretty close.

Jeff could be a really nice guy. Knew him from Kindergarten through 12th grade. He needed help but that was a pretty hard to get help at that time.

I think about him a lot.

That was a truly sad day.

Mr. Ray made the statue too if I remember correctly.

I think of the last line and use it often

..."The Stroh's are runny good this weekend!"

Philip P. Arnold

David Stacks that makes sense. I remember that he was close to Bruce Ray.

Penny France

David Stacks that's the way I remember it also.

Mark Jennings

I remember talking to him a day or a week or so before. We were not close friends but just knew each other. I was stunned to say the least.

Tomla Kleinsmith

Sherry Hoffner Augenstein went to a couple crazy parties at his house. I always felt sad for them.

Sherry Hoffner Augenstein

But I liked him. So sad

Steve Wing

I remember all the Markey’s

Susan Gallo Sindel

He was always so nice to me I remember him very very well

Steve Wing

Susan Gallo Sindel sad but true.

Mike Peacock

I remember and was sad.

Sherry Hoffner Augenstein

I remember him well

Marcia Rainey Savara

For some reason I think about him every so often

Barb Wood Harris

Marcia Rainey Savara I do too😢

Brian Brink

Yes, I remember him!

We lived in Hiawatha Park.

Many of us swam in their pool.

I delivered the State Journal to their house.

I drive by the house several times a week, and often think about Jeff.

Jon Lloyd

He lived behind us. Sad.