Class ring returned to the owner’s widow 58 years after it was lost

[tnt-hunter]

A month ago I found a class ring at the old high school. It didn’t have a school name on it but it did have a letter on the stone that was the same as the name of the school. I contacted some members of the class of 1961 to see if this was indeed a ring from that school. One member said his class ring had the school name on it and his initials were inscribed on the inside. The ring I found did not have the name on it and the initials are on the outside. When I looked at the yearbook on line I noticed that 2 different jewelry stores sold class rings. It turns out that one sold Balfour rings and the other sold Jostens rings. Mine was a jostens ring. The first guy had a Balfour ring from store number one. I found another member of the class who got a ring from store number two and her ring had the initials on the outside like mine. So I now knew I had the right school.

The yearbook only had one man with the initials on my ring. I did a search for him and found his obituary. He died in 2018. The obituary gave me the name of his wife and a number of close friends. I searched for phone. numbers and gave everyone a try. His wife was in the phone book but the phone was disconnected. No luck on anyone else either, most of the numbers were not in service. If I got someone they didn’t know the widow’s location. I talked to other members of the class and they didn’t know either, but one of them put me in contact with a man who they said could find anybody. So after several weeks, yesterday I got a call from the widow and set up a meeting. It turns out after a lot of searching the widow lives a half mile from the go to guy and his niece is her landlord. It’s a small world after all.

When I got there this morning she was waiting at the door for me. She said she was so excited about the ring she didn’t sleep at all last night. When I handed her the ring she touched it to her cheek like she was giving it a hug. She kept thanking me and she said this was the best thing that had happened to her in a long time. She gave me a big hug and said she wanted my address so she could send me some money when her social security check came in. I told her she didn’t need to give me anything. I’m an Eagle Scout and a scout leader and this was my good turn for the day.

The widow did not know the story of the loss, but knew her husband lost it while he was still in school so it was in the ground at least 58 years. She couldn’t believe that I had found it at all. She was also amazed that I had taken the time to track her down. Things have not been going in her favor and she even had to borrow the landlady’s phone to call me. Knowing that I was even happier to be able to help her out.

So class ring found February 1 and returned March 1 for return number 17 out of 25. I’m still working on one more, but I think I am still beating my head against the wall on this one and it may be another one that is impossible to return. I have found 5 class rings since October and have returned 4 of them. The fifth one is not possible to return, no year, only one initial because of a break in the ring and the school name is not local and there are 7 schools with that name, so not a chance for that one. Thanks for looking and may your coil lead you to good things.

[A2coins]

Honorable Mention you brought a piece of him back to her for the moment. Great story your a great person. Well done Tommy

[MKW]

You are, indeed, a good man. The return of that ring would be way more valuable to me than the value of the ring. Great job. The world needs more stories like this.

[washingtonian]

Honorable Mention, let's go!! Very nice story. Thank you for sharing and your hard work to return lost items and help people out. You give our hobby a good name!

[WG2020]

tnt-hunter...great find and even better return, you can see how much the ring meant to her...you have my vote for Honorable Mention...you definitely represent what is best about our great hobby....Good luck with your hunts. Walt

[slider66]

What a great story. Kudos to you on a great return! Banner find and honorable mention.

[EQ8]

That's one happy lady there!
Good job!

[Greastart]

You are, indeed, a good man. The return of that ring would be way more valuable to me than the value of the ring. Great job. The world needs more stories like this.

Indeed we do need many more....Honorable people who deserve an Honorable Mention! My vote is cast!

There is something in the face, eyes of the woman that reflects hardship and pain. I hope this brief moment of happiness grows for her.

Grease

[MKW]

I don't know how any of this stuff works, but this is definitely an Honorable Mention.

[DirtDigginDan]

Well done! you stuck with it and found the owner, you make us all look good! Honorable Mention all the way!

[HuntH2002]

Honorable mention well done!

[Digger RJ]

Very Nice!!! Good Job!!! Congrats!!! I hope someone returns mine someday

[ToddsPoint]

I can picture my mom as that woman. Dad died in 2011...a lonely widow that misses her husband. What a great thing to receive...a memento of your lost spouse. Kudos to you for the return. Good luck on your other ring returns. Gary

[E-Trac-Ohio]

A great story and some great PR for our hobby - job well done !

[PetesPockets55]

Such a great story and your perseverance is inspiring.
She definitely looks like she is holding her husband close to her.
Honorable mention all day long.