age 56 years, of Downers Grove, IL
burial on April 7, 2005
added by Anne Rupert :
Barbara Mead Blumenschein, 56
Teacher valued bond with students
April 06, 2005 |By Patricia Trebe, Special to the Tribune.
Barbara Mead Blumenschein, an English teacher at Herrick Middle School in Downers Grove, reached every student, from those in high honor classes to those who struggled, friends said. And she expected nothing the best from everyone.
"She connected with all types of students," said Arlis Ander, chairman of the English department at the school and a close friend.
The kids were drawn to her because of her honesty, Ander said.
"She respected kids and I think that is why they respected her so much," Ander said.
From students to family and friends, she got people to do their best, said her sister Bonlyn Wheeling. "And we always said she expected nothing less," her sister said.
Mrs. Blumenschein, 56, of Downers Grove, died of ovarian cancer Sunday, April 3, in her home.
For the last three years, she fought cancer but returned to the classroom and taught for four weeks this year.
"She never talked about it with the kids. Eventually they found out, but while she was fighting it she worked and she still wanted to reach those kids," Ander said.
Mrs. Blumenschein was born and raised in Boardman, Ohio, where her father died when she was 5. She went on to Ohio State University, graduated with honors and earned a bachelor of science degree in English with a minor in Spanish in 1970.
She taught high school English briefly in Youngstown before she married her husband, Robert, in 1971. The family moved to Cleveland, then to Westmont. During that time she taught at Eisenhower Junior High School in Darien. The family then moved to Houston andin 1981 settled in Downers Grove.
She initially returned to teaching to help pay for her children's college educations. But it became a vocation rather than a mere job, her husband said.
While she taught, she took part-time courses at Northern Illinois University and received a master's degree in education in 1986.
A meticulous and stylish woman, Mrs. Blumenschein also enjoyed spending an entire weekend watching sports.
"Her sense of humor has to be noted because it was such a part of her," said her daughter, Lauren.
Mrs. Blumenschein was in Who's Who Among American Teachers several times, her family said. Her 22 years of teaching were highlighted last year when she was named Downers Grove Teacher of the Year by the Junior Women's Club. A student from the school nominated her.
Other survivors include a son John; her mother, Bonnelyn Mead; and a sister Paula Finnie.
Visitation will be held from 3 to 8 p.m. Wednesday in Elliston Funeral Home, 1st and Grant Streets, Hinsdale. Services will be held at 10 a.m. Thursday in First United Methodist Church, 1032 Maple Ave., Downers Grove.
-------------------------
burial on April 7, 2005
added by Anne Rupert :
Barbara Mead Blumenschein, 56
Teacher valued bond with students
April 06, 2005 |By Patricia Trebe, Special to the Tribune.
Barbara Mead Blumenschein, an English teacher at Herrick Middle School in Downers Grove, reached every student, from those in high honor classes to those who struggled, friends said. And she expected nothing the best from everyone.
"She connected with all types of students," said Arlis Ander, chairman of the English department at the school and a close friend.
The kids were drawn to her because of her honesty, Ander said.
"She respected kids and I think that is why they respected her so much," Ander said.
From students to family and friends, she got people to do their best, said her sister Bonlyn Wheeling. "And we always said she expected nothing less," her sister said.
Mrs. Blumenschein, 56, of Downers Grove, died of ovarian cancer Sunday, April 3, in her home.
For the last three years, she fought cancer but returned to the classroom and taught for four weeks this year.
"She never talked about it with the kids. Eventually they found out, but while she was fighting it she worked and she still wanted to reach those kids," Ander said.
Mrs. Blumenschein was born and raised in Boardman, Ohio, where her father died when she was 5. She went on to Ohio State University, graduated with honors and earned a bachelor of science degree in English with a minor in Spanish in 1970.
She taught high school English briefly in Youngstown before she married her husband, Robert, in 1971. The family moved to Cleveland, then to Westmont. During that time she taught at Eisenhower Junior High School in Darien. The family then moved to Houston andin 1981 settled in Downers Grove.
She initially returned to teaching to help pay for her children's college educations. But it became a vocation rather than a mere job, her husband said.
While she taught, she took part-time courses at Northern Illinois University and received a master's degree in education in 1986.
A meticulous and stylish woman, Mrs. Blumenschein also enjoyed spending an entire weekend watching sports.
"Her sense of humor has to be noted because it was such a part of her," said her daughter, Lauren.
Mrs. Blumenschein was in Who's Who Among American Teachers several times, her family said. Her 22 years of teaching were highlighted last year when she was named Downers Grove Teacher of the Year by the Junior Women's Club. A student from the school nominated her.
Other survivors include a son John; her mother, Bonnelyn Mead; and a sister Paula Finnie.
Visitation will be held from 3 to 8 p.m. Wednesday in Elliston Funeral Home, 1st and Grant Streets, Hinsdale. Services will be held at 10 a.m. Thursday in First United Methodist Church, 1032 Maple Ave., Downers Grove.
-------------------------
age 56 years, of Downers Grove, IL
burial on April 7, 2005
added by Anne Rupert :
Barbara Mead Blumenschein, 56
Teacher valued bond with students
April 06, 2005 |By Patricia Trebe, Special to the Tribune.
Barbara Mead Blumenschein, an English teacher at Herrick Middle School in Downers Grove, reached every student, from those in high honor classes to those who struggled, friends said. And she expected nothing the best from everyone.
"She connected with all types of students," said Arlis Ander, chairman of the English department at the school and a close friend.
The kids were drawn to her because of her honesty, Ander said.
"She respected kids and I think that is why they respected her so much," Ander said.
From students to family and friends, she got people to do their best, said her sister Bonlyn Wheeling. "And we always said she expected nothing less," her sister said.
Mrs. Blumenschein, 56, of Downers Grove, died of ovarian cancer Sunday, April 3, in her home.
For the last three years, she fought cancer but returned to the classroom and taught for four weeks this year.
"She never talked about it with the kids. Eventually they found out, but while she was fighting it she worked and she still wanted to reach those kids," Ander said.
Mrs. Blumenschein was born and raised in Boardman, Ohio, where her father died when she was 5. She went on to Ohio State University, graduated with honors and earned a bachelor of science degree in English with a minor in Spanish in 1970.
She taught high school English briefly in Youngstown before she married her husband, Robert, in 1971. The family moved to Cleveland, then to Westmont. During that time she taught at Eisenhower Junior High School in Darien. The family then moved to Houston andin 1981 settled in Downers Grove.
She initially returned to teaching to help pay for her children's college educations. But it became a vocation rather than a mere job, her husband said.
While she taught, she took part-time courses at Northern Illinois University and received a master's degree in education in 1986.
A meticulous and stylish woman, Mrs. Blumenschein also enjoyed spending an entire weekend watching sports.
"Her sense of humor has to be noted because it was such a part of her," said her daughter, Lauren.
Mrs. Blumenschein was in Who's Who Among American Teachers several times, her family said. Her 22 years of teaching were highlighted last year when she was named Downers Grove Teacher of the Year by the Junior Women's Club. A student from the school nominated her.
Other survivors include a son John; her mother, Bonnelyn Mead; and a sister Paula Finnie.
Visitation will be held from 3 to 8 p.m. Wednesday in Elliston Funeral Home, 1st and Grant Streets, Hinsdale. Services will be held at 10 a.m. Thursday in First United Methodist Church, 1032 Maple Ave., Downers Grove.
-------------------------
burial on April 7, 2005
added by Anne Rupert :
Barbara Mead Blumenschein, 56
Teacher valued bond with students
April 06, 2005 |By Patricia Trebe, Special to the Tribune.
Barbara Mead Blumenschein, an English teacher at Herrick Middle School in Downers Grove, reached every student, from those in high honor classes to those who struggled, friends said. And she expected nothing the best from everyone.
"She connected with all types of students," said Arlis Ander, chairman of the English department at the school and a close friend.
The kids were drawn to her because of her honesty, Ander said.
"She respected kids and I think that is why they respected her so much," Ander said.
From students to family and friends, she got people to do their best, said her sister Bonlyn Wheeling. "And we always said she expected nothing less," her sister said.
Mrs. Blumenschein, 56, of Downers Grove, died of ovarian cancer Sunday, April 3, in her home.
For the last three years, she fought cancer but returned to the classroom and taught for four weeks this year.
"She never talked about it with the kids. Eventually they found out, but while she was fighting it she worked and she still wanted to reach those kids," Ander said.
Mrs. Blumenschein was born and raised in Boardman, Ohio, where her father died when she was 5. She went on to Ohio State University, graduated with honors and earned a bachelor of science degree in English with a minor in Spanish in 1970.
She taught high school English briefly in Youngstown before she married her husband, Robert, in 1971. The family moved to Cleveland, then to Westmont. During that time she taught at Eisenhower Junior High School in Darien. The family then moved to Houston andin 1981 settled in Downers Grove.
She initially returned to teaching to help pay for her children's college educations. But it became a vocation rather than a mere job, her husband said.
While she taught, she took part-time courses at Northern Illinois University and received a master's degree in education in 1986.
A meticulous and stylish woman, Mrs. Blumenschein also enjoyed spending an entire weekend watching sports.
"Her sense of humor has to be noted because it was such a part of her," said her daughter, Lauren.
Mrs. Blumenschein was in Who's Who Among American Teachers several times, her family said. Her 22 years of teaching were highlighted last year when she was named Downers Grove Teacher of the Year by the Junior Women's Club. A student from the school nominated her.
Other survivors include a son John; her mother, Bonnelyn Mead; and a sister Paula Finnie.
Visitation will be held from 3 to 8 p.m. Wednesday in Elliston Funeral Home, 1st and Grant Streets, Hinsdale. Services will be held at 10 a.m. Thursday in First United Methodist Church, 1032 Maple Ave., Downers Grove.
-------------------------
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