Teachers
Below are the teachers that we know are deceased (and some we've confirmed are still alive). If you know of other teachers that have passed away, please contact us with the information so we can include them. If you've visited with a former teacher around town, please contact me through the website so I can include their name in the 'confirmed alive' list....
Mead High School Teachers that have Passed Away
Albert Toutant (1936-2023)
Mr. Toutant passed on September 26, 2023 with his family by his side. He was a favorite teacher in the Mead District for 30 consecutive years, retiring in 1998. Mr Toutant was listed as a guest on our class website and commented that his interests after retirement were history, PBS, NPR, skiing, biking, travel and time with family! Read his obituary, as published in the Spokesman Review on October 8, 2023 here: https://www.legacy.com/us/obituaries/spokesman/name/albert-toutant-obituary?id=53291207
Sharon Millay (1941-2022)
Mrs. Millay was a Mead Senior High teacher for 26 years, starting in 1967. She was a psychology, sociology and anthropology teacher. She passed on July 30, 2022 in Spokane. Mrs. Millay lived a full, exciting life as indicated in the full obituary, as published in the Spokesman-Review on August 14, 2022. Click below to read in full:
Cliff Goss (1931-2022)
Mead High Math, Algebra and Geometry Teacher
On a Sunday morning, the day of rest, our family patriarch passed to his final rest in heaven. Dad was born in Houston, Texas in August of 1931 and died February 2022, surrounded by his family.
It is difficult to capture the numerous ways Dad touched countless lives through his interests and talents during his 90 years on this earth. He grew up in Dallas, Texas, and made his way to Washington via a football scholarship to Whitworth College. There he met Mom. With a degree in education, he launched his teaching career at the Mead School District, dedicating 30 years He was a beloved teacher, so much so many of his students wished he taught something other than math!
Dad was an athlete, playing, coaching, and refereeing many sports. A skilled woodworker and carpenter, Dad donated his work to auctions or to help friends. He placed loving energy in his home and yard where he hosted the annual Clifford Water Show starring his grandkids.
Dad is survived by his wife, Dorothy of 67 years, children Merri (Jack), Melodi (Mark), and Marty (Bitsy), eight grandchildren, and nine great-grandchildren. Most importantly Dad was a family man, a great husband, father, grandpa, and great grandfather, truly a role model and mentor. His legacy will live on in all our hearts.
It is difficult to capture the numerous ways Dad touched countless lives through his interests and talents during his 90 years on this earth. He grew up in Dallas, Texas, and made his way to Washington via a football scholarship to Whitworth College. There he met Mom. With a degree in education, he launched his teaching career at the Mead School District, dedicating 30 years He was a beloved teacher, so much so many of his students wished he taught something other than math!
Dad was an athlete, playing, coaching, and refereeing many sports. A skilled woodworker and carpenter, Dad donated his work to auctions or to help friends. He placed loving energy in his home and yard where he hosted the annual Clifford Water Show starring his grandkids.
Dad is survived by his wife, Dorothy of 67 years, children Merri (Jack), Melodi (Mark), and Marty (Bitsy), eight grandchildren, and nine great-grandchildren. Most importantly Dad was a family man, a great husband, father, grandpa, and great grandfather, truly a role model and mentor. His legacy will live on in all our hearts.
Published by Spokesman-Review on Feb. 13, 2022.
Anita Janssen (1936-December 18, 2021)
Mead High English Teacher 1967-1992
Anita was born on July 22, l936 to Lloyd and Ester Scheel at the old St. Luke's Hospital in Spokane. She was a life-long resident of Spokane and loved the city and region for its natural beauty. After graduating from Lewis and Clark High School in 1955, she attended EWU and received a Bachelor of Arts in Education in 1958. She started her first teaching job at Mead Junior High School in 1958, where she met her future husband, Orval Janssen, who was also a first-year teacher. They were married on April 8, 1958. In the summer of 1958, they enjoyed a delayed honeymoon, driving across the northern US, storing their car in New York, then flying to and traveling throughout Europe. In subsequent summers Anita and Orval returned to EWU to each earn master's degrees in Education. In 1967 Anita took an opportunity to teach English at Mead Senior High School. There she taught all levels of English but most enjoyed teaching Honor's English. The last few years of her career she spent as a college guidance counselor and senior advisor. She loved working with young people and felt that teaching was a very meaningful and rewarding career. She retired in 1992 after 32 years in the Mead School District. In retirement, she was able to participate in many activities she loved because she had always been active and in good health. She was an enthusiastic skier and set a goal for herself to ski the number of days each season matching her age, until either she got too old, or the winters got too short! She and Orval skied over 30 different resorts throughout the western U.S. and Canada. She also enjoyed walking and riding her bicycle on the many trails in the Inland Northwest. She had a lifetime love of reading and belonged to two book clubs. She enjoyed the friendships of the women in both book clubs and their intellectual discussions. During retirement, she and Orval traveled to the East Coast from New England to Florida. Anita visited a total of 47 states in her lifetime. She loved her time spent with friends and family, particularly valuing time spent with her grandchildren and taking them on "adventures". She is survived by her husband Orval, her oldest son Brad and his daughter Jessica, and her youngest son Brian along with his wife Traci and their three children Sydney, Hayden, and Halle.
Louis Anderson (1922-5/27/18) deceased at age 96
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Louis G. Anderson, beloved husband, father, grandfather, great-gran-dfather and friend has gone to his eternal rest on May 27, 2018 in Spokane, WA. Louis was born in Portland, OR on February 28, 1922. He is survived by his daughter, Beverly Anderson Dart; son, Dale A. Anderson (Kathryn), grandchildren, George L. Dart (Lisa), Alison Dart Banholzer, and Michael Anderson; four great-granddaughters, Rachael Dart, Haeley Dart, Katherine Banholzer and Caroline Banholzer; brother, A. Reinold Anderson (Mary); and nephew, John W. Anderson (Anne); and numerous great-nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his wife, Barbara F. Anderson, his parents, Earnest W. Anderson and Dora L. Anderson, and grandson, Col. David D. Banholzer.
Louis grew up on the family farm in Longview, WA where he graduated from R.A. Long High School in 1940. He joined the Army Air Corps and flew 35 missions over Germany as First Pilot of a G-model B-17, flying out of RAF Chelveston in England. Following WWII, he married the love of his life, Barbara F. Gilby on July 7, 1946 and they relocated to Pullman, WA where Louis graduated from Washington State University with a Bachelor of Science Degree in Agriculture Business and Master's Degree in Education. They moved to Spokane, WA where they celebrated 71 years of marriage. Louis and Barbara often spoke of "growing old together" and their love becoming "truer, deeper and richer."
Louis completed 21 years in the Air Force Reserve, retiring as a Lt. Col., while pursuing 30 years as a Vocational Agriculture, Auto Shop teacher and FFA Advisor for Mead High School. He also served on the Washington State Lands Commission, helping in the management of state forest lands.
Louis fulfilled a dream when, in 1967, he and Barbara purchased their farm on Greenbluff and was always happiest when he was serving their customers at Anderson Acres. He treasured the many, dear friends he made selling apples, cherries and other fruit.
Louis was a Master Gardener and enjoyed working in his garden and orchards. He was a member of the Greenbluff Grange, a 50-year member of Kiwanis Clubs International, and a member since the early 1960s of St. Luke Lutheran Church. He will be remembered as a quiet man who was strong, generous, loving, and smart. He passed on those traits to his children and family.
The family would like to thank the owners and staff at Fairwood Assisted Living and Horizon Hospice for the compassionate and wonderful care Dad received in the past few years of his life.
Visitation will be held on Friday, June 8th from 11am to 4pm at Heritage Funeral Home. A celebration of life graveside service will be held on Tuesday, June 19th at 12:30pm at Fairmount Memorial Park 5200 W. Wellesley Ave., Spokane, WA. In lieu of flowers, the family would like you to consider a donation in memory of Louis G. Anderson to St. Luke Lutheran Church, 9706 N. Division, PO Box 28948, Spokane, WA 99228-8948. As printed in the Spokesman Review June 3, 2018
2010 Spokesman-Review Story about Mr. Anderson: If you missed it, here is a link to a great story about Mr. Louis Anderson published on June 24th 2010 about his 64 year marriage and his current home in Mead! Check it out: http://www.spokesman.com/stories/2010/jun/24/broken-watch-lasting-marriage/
Carol Lewis (1930-10/18/17) deceased at age 87
Mrs. Lewis passed on October 18, 2017. She retired from the Mead School District after serving more than 20 years as a business education teacher. She was also a Mead graduate...class of 1947! Carol Lewis is survived by a large extended family including her children and spouses: Suzanne (Mead 1970 classmate), Jerry (Mead '74) Peggy and Larry (Mead '78). Carol lived in the same house she raised her family in kitty corner to the old football field in Mead. Service arrangements are pending. Click here for the full obituary as published in the Spokesman Review.
John Savage (1935-11/21/15) deceased at age 80
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From the Spokesman-Review Obituary...John Savage began his teaching career at Mead Senior High in 1964 and remained on the faculty until 1970 teaching Wood Shop. Following his Mead career, Mr. Savage worked at SFCC and also with Fairchild AFB. He enjoyed a long retirement at his cabin at Diamond Lake.
For full obituary, click link below:
Ray Sheahan, deceased at 89 August 17, 2015
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From the Spokesman Review -- Decorated World War II honored Marine. He was a coach, teacher, Principal, Superintendent of Schools and finally retired to be a rancher and raise cattle. Father of classmate Mike Sheahan.
For full obituary, click link below:
http://www.spokesman.com/stories/2015/aug/20/obituary-sheahan-ray/
Duane Hartman, deceased at 60 September 2001
SPOKANE - Memorial service for coach Duane Peter Hartman, 60, will be at 4 p.m. today at the track at Spokane Community College. Heritage Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements. Mr. Hartman, who was born in Bowdle, S.D., died Sunday. He was a 35-year resident of Spokane. He grew up in Tacoma, and in 1959 graduated from Bellarmine Prep School. He earned a degree in education from Eastern Washington State College in 1966 and a master's degree in education. Spokesman-Review, September 20, 2001
Mike Kostecka, deceased
Eugene Fink, deceased 1999.
Below is a photo from 1959 that appeared in the Spokesman on 1/31/11.
Landy James, deceased
James coached Mead football for 13 years (1956-1968), winning nine Northeast A League championships with an overall record of 76-34-3. In all, he was 181-89-3 in 30 years of high school coaching. He was inducted into the Washington State High School Football Coaches Hall of Fame in 1995.
He left Mead to return to La Conner High School, his alma mater, in 1969, and he coached football for another 16 seasons. He coached La Conner basketball for two seasons (1983-84 and 1984-85), taking the Braves to the Class B state tournament both seasons.
James graduated from La Conner in 1948. He went to Washington State on a basketball scholarship but concentrated on football and baseball. He lettered in football from 1949 through 1951. In baseball, his career earned run average of 2.13 ranks sixth all-time at the school. His senior year he was first-team All-Northern Division.
James, a member of the Swinomish Indian Tribe, was a former National Indian Educator of the Year.
“We put on some very successful Indian education conferences here and they were a success in large part because of Landy’s intimate knowledge of the culture,” said Vince Sellen, a history teacher at La Conner and a close friend of James.
James suffered from diabetes and had both legs amputated just below the knee in 1992. A memorial service is being held this morning at La Conner High School gym, which 10 years ago was named the Landy James Activity Center.
Ernie Stueve, died 2006, age 75
Mabel Walmark, died 5/13/1996, age 88
Helen Nordby, deceased 2000 (see article from February 2000, below)
The caption reads: Helen Nordby was hired in 1947 to set up a library program at Mead High School. Durning her 25 years there she also taught English, Latin, and German. Nordby says she "loved every minute of it!"
Don McInturff, died May 16, 2009, age 86 (see obituary below)
McINTURFF, Donald Ralph. Born June 25, 1922 and entered into rest on May 16, 2009. Ralph is survived by his wife of 63 years, Mae and their two sons; Ace of Sequim, WA and Kim of Santa Barbara,CA; four grandchildren; Sean and Brian of Colorado and Ian and Margo of Santa Barbara; and four great-grandchildren of Colorado. He was raised in the area of Hill Road and Whitworth Drive as his father had the first service station in that area. Don attended Whitworth Grade School and then graduated from North Central High School and then Whitworth College. Mr. McInturff taught in Almira and Pomeroy and then was with the Mead School District for 30 plus years, starting with taking care of financial matters and later returning to the classroom in the field of business. Special thanks to the wonderful care by Cornerstone Court Senior Care Center and Cynthia Rogers and staff and Horizon Hospice. Graveside Service will be held at Pleasant Prairie Cemetery on Tuesday, May 19th, at 11 am. Memorial contributions may be made to Cornerstone Court, 12322 N. Ruby, Spokane, 99218 or Horizon Hospice, 123 W. Cascade Way, Spokane 99208. Published on 5/20/2009--Spokesman Review
Francis Mae McInturff, died July 7, 201907, age 90
Wife of Mead teacher Don McInturff. "Mrs. Mac" was the Mead Junior High Physical Education Teacher, grades 7,8, and 9. Passed away in Spokane.
Paul Schaffner dies at 76 on November 20, 2012
SCHAFFNER, Paul E. (Age 76) Of Ford, Washington passed away November 20, 2012 in Spokane. A funeral service will be held at 11:00 a.m. on Monday, November 26, at the Springdale Community Church. Burial will follow at the Pleasant View Cemetery in Ford. A reception will be held at the Ford Senior Center after the burial. LAUER FUNERAL HOME, DEER PARK, WA. in charge of arrangements.
Published in Spokesman-Review from November 25 to November 26, 2012
Thomas Charles JAEGER (06/02/1931 - 04/16/2014)
Counselor
JAEGER, Thomas Charles June 2, 1931 - April 16, 2014 Tom Jaeger, lifelong resident of Spokane, WA entered into eternal rest of natural causes at home in Spokane, April 16, 2014. Tom was raised in north Spokane and attended Saint Francis of Assisi Grade School and Saint Francis High School in Santa Barbara, CA. Tom was a 1st Lieutenant in the US Army from 1956 to 1958 serving in Europe on the border of West Germany and Czechoslovakia. After his military service, he returned to Spokane and worked at Sacred Heart Hospital where he met his future wife, Maureen. Tom pursued his Bachelors in Education from Gonzaga University and Whitworth College. As an educator, Tom spent 10 years in the Mead school district during which time he earned his Masters Degree in Education and Guidance Counseling from Eastern Washington University. After his time at Mead, he worked for the Washington State Community College system as a career guidance counselor at Spokane Community College, until his retirement in 1994. Devoted to his community, he served on the boards of Lilac City Figure Skating Club and Amicus Credit Union. He was passionate about education and sent all three of his daughters to Gonzaga Prep. Tom's family was his life. Married to his beloved wife for 54 years, Tom and Maureen raised their three daughters in Spokane. In later years he doted on his six grandchildren and spent innumerable hours cheering them on at sporting and school events. Travel was a passion throughout his life and he enjoyed trips throughout the US, Australia, Canada and Europe. Tom is survived by his wife of 54 years, Maureen; three daughters: Geralyn Bird, of Spokane, Laura Faulkner of Bellevue, WA, and Melanie Eckhardt of Edmonds, WA; five granddaughters: Kaylah Keenan, Meghan Keenan, Morgan Faulkner, Cheyanne Faulkner, Nicole Faulkner; one grandson, Matthew Keenan; and numerous nieces, nephews and great nieces and great nephews. Tom will be remembered for his dry sense of humor and deadpan delivery, only given away by the twinkle in his eye. Think of him and smile. Tom was preceded in death by his parents: Carl and Marion Jaeger; and two sisters: Marion Driscoll and Dianne Nelson. Visitation Tuesday, April 22nd 2-6 pm, Hennessey-Smith Funeral Home followed by Holy Rosary at 7:00 pm. Funeral Mass of Christian Burial, followed by a reception, Wednesday, April 23rd at 11:00 am at St. Thomas More Church, 515 W. St. Thomas More Way, Spokane, WA. Private interment at a later date. Tom was a man of great faith and valued education. In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations to the Gonzaga Preparatory High School, Fair Share Program. Please visit Tom's online memorial at www.hennesseyfuneralhomes.com, and leave a message of condolence.
Published in Spokesman-Review on Apr. 20, 2014
Reese Bennett (3/10/1910 - 1/15/1995) Algebra, Calculus
Martha Brookhart (9/3/1914 - 8/29/2002) English, Journalism
Don Spence (1925-2016) Junior High Math and Science Teacher/Coach
Don passed away in February 2016. In 1957 Don was part of the original faculty at Mead Junior High School teaching Math, Science and coaching several sports. 1970 Classmates remember Don from Jr High and also remember Don's wife Alpha who was an English Teacher and our high school girls counselor and Don's son Scott (Mead class of 1971). Full obituary below:
http://www.legacy.com/obituaries/spokesman/obituary.aspx?n=donald-b-spence&pid=177697238
Alpha Mae Spence (1926-2017) English Teacher and Girl's Counselor
Mrs. Spence passed away on September 17, 2017 in Spokane. She is survived by her children Scott (Mead Class of 1971) and Shannon Spence. Husband Don (see above) passed in 2016.
Click here for Mrs. Spence obituary.
Gorden Brunette passed June 5, 2021.
Read his obituary on the In Memory tab as a guest member.
Gorden Brunette and Mrs. Brunette (8/2000)
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Alive and Well....We've heard from these teachers or classmates have seen them around town. If you see one of our teachers, snap a picture with them and send it to me!
Randy Michaelis sent the following picture of Mrs Bullis who taught French and science classes at Mead. Mrs Bullis lives in Sweden and gave permission to share her email address in the event any classmates wanted to correspond with her.
Anne-Marie Bullis, on the left, below, ampoohkay@gmail.com
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Brian Hess (English/Drama) by Marti Boyle Daniels (Jan 2020)
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Joel Wells and Cash Stone (Dec 2019)
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Bill Smithpeters with Judy Rock (Sept 2019)
*Mary Hyatt -- read her profile as a guest member on the website (with daughter Heidi 8/2000)
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Mary Hyatt and Scott Eymer (2017)
Cash Stone
Washington Interscholastic Activities Association Hall of Fame
Way to go Coach Stone!!!
Cash Stone to be Inducted into Mead's Hall of Fame: (Photo 1993)
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Former wrestling coach helped set standard in GSL
SPOKESMAN – REVIEW PHOTO ARCHIVES Former Mead wrestling coach Cash Stone is pictured during a dual in 1993. Stone is set to be inducted into Mead’s hall of fame.
BY MADISON MCCORD FOR THE SPOKESMAN-REVIEW (1/13/2024)
As Mead wrestling chases its third state championship in as many years, the team will take time to look back and honor the man who started the Panthers Program.
Longtime Mead wrestling coach Cash Stone will be added to the school’s hall of fame during an induction ceremony on Thursday – Stone’s 89th birthday – when the Panthers host Ridgeline in a Greater Spokane League dual at 7 p.m.
Stone coached the Panthers from 1959 until his retirement in 1997. He is also a member of the National Wrestling Hall of Fame, Washington State Coaches Association Hall of Fame and the Inland Empire Coaches Hall of Fame.
“Cash and Ken Pelo at Rogers are the godfathers of wrestling in Spokane and they did all the hard work to get the sport to the level it is at now,” Mead Athletic Director John Barrington said. “Whoever is in charge of the program at Mead has an expectation to go above and beyond both on the mats and off them because of what coach Stone started.”
During his time in charge of the program, the Panthers won 10 individual state titles, two state team titles and 13 GSL titles.
“Coach still comes into the wrestling room a few times a year, dressed in this old Mead singlet, does some wall sits and helps (current coach Phil) McLean out with practice,” Barrington said. “I don’t know that all 90 of the kids in that room know who he is, but the top dogs do because he’s so ingrained into this team’s identity and their parents know who he is and what he means.”
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Joel Wells with Cash Stone 2019
Also confirmed still with us (as of Jan 2020)
Bernice Kite - Art
George Weishaar - Vice-Principal
Roger Gray (Portland) World History, World Problems
Classmates: If you have contact information for any of our Mead High teachers please forward it to me. Let's invite all to join our website! And if you see one...snap a photo with you!