Killbuck memories flow thick and sweet at 'End of Era' evening

A special evening in Killbuck produced loads of memories as Killbuck High School and Elementary School students past and present paid a visit to put to bed a lengthy chapter of the school’s existence.

As the final day of the school approached in anticipation of the entire district’s elementary moving to the new West Holmes K-5 building on the high school campus, there were plenty of memories and stories recalled and retold as former students connected with former teachers and the current staff.

Current Principal Brian Lash, who will take charge of the district’s kindergarten and first-graders when school is in session next fall, said this was an incredible time of sharing.

“This is generations of people coming together to celebrate and remember the great, rich history of Killbuck and of this school,” Lash said. “I’ve just been happy wandering around listening to all of these people talking about the past and the good times they had here.”

Lash said when he came to Killbuck four years ago, he was told what a caring community Killbuck is. He said he experienced that firsthand every day over the past several years.

He said living and working in Killbuck has been a blessing, and while the transition is exciting, it also is bittersweet. Though many cherished memories will remain here, the new school will bring new opportunities and benefits for students.

Carol Remington Gray taught at Killbuck for more than three decades, beginning in 1965 when there was a teacher shortage and she was asked to step in by Principal Paul O’Donnell.

At the time Remington was working at the Holmes County Extension Office, heavily involved in 4-H programs. She said O’Donnell came into her office and pleaded with her to take on the challenge of teaching.

“He said, ‘Carol, I have two weeks until school starts, and I still need a teacher. Will you come and teach at Killbuck?’ I said yes, and that led to a 33-year career,” Remington Gray said.

Shirley Norris taught alongside Remington Gray in third grade and fourth grade. She too was a three-decade-plus educator.

Norris said she still has fond memories of her time at Killbuck, sharing she has seen plenty of adults living in the area today come through her classes.

Remington said the community has always been incredibly supportive of the school.
They chatted in one of the classrooms with Sam Robison, who had both women as teachers, Norris in third grade, Remington Gray in fifth grade.

“They treated us pretty well,” Robison said. “Really, they were great."

Mandy Brown also had Remington as a fifth-grade teacher, although as Robison’s niece, she came along well after he did.

“It seems so long ago,” Brown said. “Mr. Caldwell was always someone who stuck out because he was pretty crazy and fun. I remember a map falling, and he picked it up and played it like a guitar.”

Brown now lives in Holmesville, where she also experienced that community closing its elementary in the Waynedale School District. She said it's always tough to see the doors closing on community buildings that have served such a vital role.

In another classroom mother and daughter Jean Baker and Rhea Marmet explored the school, with Marmet’s classmates gathering for a class photo.

“It’s so long ago I can’t remember it anymore,” Marmet said.

Baker graduated from Killbuck High School in 1962 and said the school has changed a great deal over the years.

Baker, who lives just two houses down from the school, said, “I’m going to miss the kids and all the chatter and laughter and everything else that goes with the school.”

Gerrilu Hughes has taught kindergarten for 26 years at Killbuck in her 31-year career. She said she will not make the move to the new school, choosing instead to retire with most of her memories of Killbuck intact.

She said nurturing and educating the kids always came first, but just as important was the community and the school felt like family.

“I hope we don’t lose that sense of community when all of these little community schools join as one,” Hughes said. “It was always neat to see the way this community functioned as a family and took care of one another. Everyone here cares so deeply about educating and caring for these young children.”

She said her life will change a great deal now, having enjoyed three decades of teaching, and living in Killbuck, the hole that is left will have to be filled with other things, a sentiment she shares with the entirety of Killbuck.