Attended nursing school in Dayton 1 year, dropped out, decided nursing was not my cup of tea.  Was hired by Helen Swaim (John's mom) at General Telephone to work as cashier and later as account rep. Married Wayne France in 1966 after he graduated from Officer's Candidate School as a 2nd Lt. in the Army. Left for Fort Lewis, Washington, was there until August when he shipped out for Viet Nam. Came home, stayed with parents and worked until his return. (Spent Christmas 1967 in Hawaii with him). Upon his return, we moved to Ft. Knox, KY where my son, Michael was born, 1969.  Left Ft. Knox for Ft. McClellan, Alabama for a year then to Florence, South Carolina.  We lived there for 4 1/2 years. My daughter, Heather, was born there, 1973. Got out of Army (reduction of forces after Viet Nam War ended), moved to Ohio in 1974.  My youngest son, Chad, born in Ohio in 1975.  Moved to Orient, Ohio when Wayne became manager of office for Banker's Life & Casualty Co. then moved to Lancaster in 1978.  House was blown away in 1982 by a tornado (we were in Athens that day). Moved 5 times that year so we could keep kids in same school.  In 1985, Wayne & I divorced.  I started working full-time, met my present husband, Mike, and was married in 1986.  Between us we have 6 kids and 6 grandchildren, all precious.  Only one lives out of state, at Myrtle Beach. (Convenient since we vacation there a lot). 

 

I have become involved in the secretarial profession. I am a member of International Association of Administrative Assistants (IAAP) formerly know as Professional Secretaries International since 1990. In 1991 I sat for a 6-part, 2-day test to become a Certified Professional Secretary (CPS). I passed this and received my CPS designation.  I have to recertify every 5 years.  I'm a Notary Public, belong to Faith Memorial Church in Lancaster, and I have been involved in two different investment clubs over the past 10 years.  I work at The Wagnalls Memorial in Lithopolis, Ohio. It's a private foundation operating a library and community center for area residents.  I have been here to 8 1/2 years.  My husband, Mike, is Manager of Technical Operations for Insight Communications in Columbus, Ohio.  He has worked in the cable TV industry since 1974.

 

Mike & I are avid Civil War Reenactors. We travel to reenactments on weekends from March until November. (Not every weekend but sometimes 2-3 a month). We have gone as far as Tennessee and South Carolina for reenactments and large events. Last year I attended the Artillery School and trained on the 6 positions of the cannon and I am now certified to work all positions of the cannon at battles.  I do this when they are in need of another soldier for a battle, otherwise, I reenact as Lady Rose. (Wish I had paid more attention to my American history in school, who would've thought?????).

 

My parents and sister, Cathy Coffman Brooks, still live in Athens.

2002

Moved from Lancaster, Ohio in 2003, living in the Dayton area. Have contacted Brenda Powell Gressner and we have met and caught up with each other.  I work for Ulliman Schutte Construction, they build water treatment facilities with jobs in DC, Maryland, Virginia and North Carolina as well as Ohio.  Have 11 grandchildren with our combined 6 kids.  Our hobby is Civil War re-enacting, camping, spending time with family.

2/22/2005

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