Jo Ann Knight James, BHS '65 (1946-2026)

Jo Ann "Jody" Knight James

December 5, 1946 - August 10, 2026

Email from Johneen Pofahl Eckardt (Orono, Maine)

With sadness I want to share the loss of our classmate Jo Ann (Knight) James, class of 1965. She died on August 10, 2026 in Auburn, CA.

We met in first grade at Thomas Jefferson Elementary School when she was 4 & I was 5. We nurtured our friendship for 75 years.  We attended the 50th Reunion of BHS class of 65. She was a wonderful friend to me & many others along the way. I will miss her profoundly particularly our annual birthday calls as our birthdays were only 3 days apart. 

I always called her Jody, her nickname growing up. I will remember her kindnesses & unconditional support of me, her friend. Actually I never remember her having an unkind word about anyone. That is a powerful legacy in today's world. Bless her. 

Jo Ann had lymphoma. Her husband was Ed James, BHS 63 who passed away in February of this year and she is survived by their two sons Erik and Dean, their wives and grandchildren.

Diane Davis Kelly, BHS '61 (1943-2026)

Diane Davis Kelly

December 22, 1943 - August 14, 2026

Lynne Spitza Michels posted on Facebook today...

Sadly, Diane Davis Kelly, graduate of BHS 1961, passed away August 14, 2026.

Bob Gebo, BHS '79 (1961-2026)

Robert Douglas Gebo

Sept 30 1961 - August 4, 2026

Dan Davis shared that Bob Gebo lost his fight with cancer on August 4, 2026.

No further details at this time.

Suzi Mann LaBonge, BHS '64 (1946-2026)

Suzanne "Suzi" Charlotte Mann LaBonge

October 20, 1946 – August 6, 2026

Suzanne Mann LaBonge was in BHS Class of '64. She passed on August 6, 2026, at the age of 79. She was born on October 20, 1946, and was a resident of Little River, South Carolina.

Suzi’s daughter Melissa posted the photos and wrote...

If you knew my mom, most likely she showed you kindness, made you smile and probably tried to give you a natural remedy. Suzanne C. LaBonge was a wonderful woman - a wife, mother (to SO many!) sister, healer, friend and woman of faith. She was funny and incredibly loving. She adored her family and friends and she helped so many people and changed people’s lives through her open heart and generous spirit. Our family would like to share that mom passed, peacefully and surrounded by love. She is amongst the angels and surely she will continue to be an angel to all who knew her. People always said to me “your mom is the sweetest! And is so kind” and I would say to them, “can you imagine if she was YOUR MOM!” She was the best mom. She is missed deeply but we know she is without pain and for that we are incredibly grateful.

Al Van Wagenen, BHS '64 (1945-2026)

Alvin Edward Van Wagenen

July 12, 1945 - August 5, 2026

Sadly, we got word this morning that Al Van Wagenen BHS '64 passed away last night (August 5, 2026). His full name was Alvin Edward Van Wagenen.

At this time, we do not know of any details or of any Memorial Service arrangements.

He was widowed I believe, and had two grown children (I think a boy and a girl). He lived in Burbank, just right around the corner from us.

Such a great guy with a wonderful sense of humor.

Pam and Jon Kirkwood '64

UPDATE
The Service for Al Van Wagenen will be held at Valhalla Cemetery on Friday, August 21, at 11AM. A reception will follow at the Burbank VFW located at 1006 Magnolia Blvd. If you will be attending the reception at the VFW, please email CeCe at mcgomezmata@aol.com to let her know how many will attend, as she needs an accurate count for the caterer. If people are coming to Al Van Wagenen's Funeral Reception, CeCe needs to know by August 18 (her number again is 818 669-1362)