JAMES J.T. MEADOR

July 4, 1932 - Jan. 5, 2013

He was 80.

James was one of our favorite drum circle participants!  He caught our attention at one of our very first drum circles... he was obviously having a rough day and was speaking loudly and sharply to one of the nurses.  She then situated him in the drum circle, and within a short time he was jammin' on Judi's tambourine. 

At the end of the drum circle, he was smiling as he told the other participants, "Let's give a round of applause and thank them for coming to visit."

It was heartwarming, encouraging, and inspirational for us!   

James continued to be a regular drum circle participant over the years.  It was a treat to bang with him, and we will truly miss him.

Wahlbangers Drum Circle Organization sends our condolences to his son & family; and to Jennifer Dabney at Woods Health Services who loved him as family.

RENE OEHLER

Jan. 31, 1908 - Oct. 9, 2012

He was 104 !!!

Rene was one of our favorite residents at 104 years old!  He would come to the drum circles, enthusiastically beat the drums for about 15 minutes, state, "I just wanted someone to hear to me", and then leave content.  According to the staff, our drum circle was the only activity he attended.

 It was a treat to play in the drum circles with Rene, and we will miss him.  Wahlbangers Drum Circle Organization sends our condolences to Jennifer Dabney and the other staff members at Woods Health Services who loved him as family.

 THELMA RUTH (BEAN) WHIPP

  Dec. 24, 1910 --- Nov. 12, 2011

 She was 100 !!! 

Thelma was a delightful frequent participant in our weekly drum circles at Woods Health Services at Hillcrest in La Verne.  She passed away just shy of her 101st Birthday. 

 We will always remember her fearlessness at her first drum circle, and we will miss her.

   Wahlbangers Drum Circle Organization sends our condolences to her daughter Dorothy and the family.

MARY PORTER 

1931 - July 18, 2012 

She was 81. 

Mary was a regular and lively participant in our drum circles at Woods Health Services at Hillcrest in La Verne.  Although she spoke little, she expressed herself through her smile and her drumming. 

Mary's daughter Beth & son-in-law Mel Boynton attended the drum circle which resulted in a newspaper article about Wahlbangers Drum Circle Organization:

It was a joy to play in the drum circles with Mary, and we will miss her.  Wahlbangers Drum Circle Organization sends our condolences to Beth & Mel and their family.

 CAROL BRUNS

Oct. 23, 1915 - Dec. 23, 2011

She was 96.

Over the years, Carol became our favorite resident at Woods Health Services @ Hillcrest in La Verne. She was enthusiastic and talented, and she became famous amongst her peers for making up her own beat at the drum circles. We still call it the “Carol Beat”.

Carol loved to tell us about her 13 trips to Switzerland. We loved spending time with her during and after the drum circles, and we will miss her terribly.

Wahlbangers Drum Circle Organization sends our condolences to her family.

VERNA JEAN BOYD

Judi's mom ~ Verna Boyd ~ passed away in June 2010.

She remains our inspiration,

and the drum circle at that nursing home was dubbed the

"Verna Boyd Memorial Drum Circle"!

 HENRY LAUER

Chris & Judi's nephew ~ Henry Lauer ~

November 18, 1989 -- January 13, 2012

He remains our inspiration.