2008 Reunion Minutes

Spencer-Benham 112th Consecutive Reunion

On June 22, 2008, the 112th Reunion of the descendants of Naaman & Diantha Benham Spencer gathered at the Thomson American Legion Hall in Thomson, IL. This reunion was to be held at The Causeway in Thomson, but it had to be closed due to the flooding of the Mississippi River.
There were 78 members and 2 guests in attendance.
Receiving the gift as the “Most Cherished” member present was again, as last year, Harold “Teen” Spencer, born July 7, 1927, 80 years of age (he had received the baby spoon in 1927 himself). Teen, the son of Floyd & Myrtle Spencer Spencer, is the 4th generation descendant of Naaman & Diantha.
This year we were privileged to give the baby spoon to two babies. Teen presented the first baby spoon to Katie Briar McCoy, born June 20, 2007, daughter of John & Patricia (Trish) Connell McCoy, John the son of Robert & Norma Spencer McCoy, Norma the daughter of Floyd & Myrtle Spencer, Myrtle the daughter of Adelbert & Bertha Johnson Spencer.
Teen, in turn, presented the second spoon to Autumn Rose Schleuning, born June 20, 2007 (she had also received the baby spoon last year). Autumn is the daughter of Roger & Brandi Smith Schleuning, Roger the son of the later Roger & Bonnie Spencer Schleuning Ayala, Bonnie the daughter of Charles & Lenna Rice Spencer, Charles the brother of Myrtle.
The gift to the member traveling the farthest went to Staff Sgt. Blaine LaShelle, traveling from Ft. Richardson, Alaska. He was home on leave before being shipped to Fort Polk in Louisiana to begin his new tour there. He mentioned that he had tours of duty in Afghanistan, Kuwait, Iraq, Alaska, and now in Louisiana. He has received many medals and decorations. Blaine is the son of Frank & Joyce Spencer LaShelle, Thomson, IL.
The election of officers: Co-Presidents: Dan Witt, Mt. Prospect, IL and his mother, Judy Witt, Dixon, IL. Vice President, Alexandra Desparois, age 12, granddaughter of Steve Schack, from Circle Pines, MN, the youngest member ever elected for an office; Treasurer, Lois Jean Spencer Jacobs, Rock Falls, IL; Secretary-Historian, Vada Spencer Waites, Galena, IL, Assistant Historian, Cheryl Scykes, Rock Falls, IL.
Steve Schack, the family genealogist, brought his laptop computer and a camera. His granddaughter took pictures of each family member holding a card with their name. Steve entered them in his computer, and then showed each picture while we were eating. He is entering them on his Root’s Web of Ancestor Families and Their Descendants.
It was voted to hold our next reunion again at the Causeway in Thomson, the Sunday after Father’s Day, 6-28-2009.

Respectfully Submitted, Vada Waites, Secretary