Tag: Departed 2026

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Ronald “Ron” Alan Kalis ~ F-Faculty

Ron Kalis ~ F-Faculty
Arrived ~ 1/27/1950
Departed 5/12/2026

Allison Kalis Nason, lovingly wrote.

The celebration of my Dad’s (Ronald Kalis) life has begun. He passed way peacefully in his sleep yesterday. He was a great Father, uncle, husband, friend, coach, bandmate and let’s not forget hat collector aka Vice Principal. As many know, he suffered a brain aneurysm in 2000 which also caused a massive stroke, but my Dad persevered for another 26 years. My Mom being an instrumental part of his well being as she did anything and everything to ensure he had the best care. I welcome any fun memories as I know he touched the lives of many and would want us all to just be laughing and making the most of each moment.
I thought they were nuts…but he def taught my brother how to moon cars as we drove by…
He taught me how to do a 3 point turn in a manual truck on a cliff…. Cuz you know you have one chance to get that right. He was our driver to the beach in a minivan that had broken AC 90% of trips…but he pretended it was normal 🤣 Every time there was a slip ‘n slide, he threw his back out… (I get it now) I quickly leaned my Dad enjoyed the company of his loyal friends and loved us beyond words.

ISB ALUM lovingly wrote:

It is with sadness that I report the passing of one of ISB’s most incredible school administrators, Mr. Ron Kalis. A much beloved High School Vice Principal, Ron was loved and admired by his students and his colleagues during his tenure at ISB. If you are in Bangkok, please see the attached schedule of events as we celebrate the life of this great man.

Students and faculty alike
respect Kalis for his common sense
approach to the day to day operations of
the high school. Along with discipline
duties and coordinating student / teacher
activity schedules, he also finds time to
be active as sponsor of the student council
cabinet which represents the active student
body and he coaches the hockey team. He
also is known for his musical talents and
sponsors a band club. A familiy man, he
is able to balance the demand of his
profession with those fatherly duties.

“He brings sunshine into the
gloom of administration” quoted Randy
Reppel.

“He’s more than an educator,
he’s a mentor, he’s willing to give the
time to students who need a friend to talk
to.” said Dan Williams.

Kalis is an example of active
administrator consistently in motion,
getting the job done on behalf of students
and faculty alike. -David Heinecke

Please send pictures (old and new), anecdotes, articles, stories, and tributes to isbeings at gmail dot com or visit us on Facebook at ISBeings

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Jean Marguerite Nelson Werner ~ Class of 1966

Jean Nelson ~ Class of 1966

Arrived ~ 1/6/1949

Departed ~ 5/5/2026

Lovingly reported by, Lois Mowery Dawkins Sutton

Jean Nelson Werner Obituary

Jean Werner passed away on May 5, 2026, at the age of 77, after a battle with cancer.

She was born on January 6, 1949, in Bilwaskarma, Nicaragua, to the late Graham and Margaret Nelson. She is also preceded in death by her husband, Lou Werner. She is survived by her brother, Bob Nelson, and his family (sister-in-law Joan and nieces Jenny and Katie), as well as her cherished friend, Nahda Resen, who held the place of a sister in her heart. Voulishia Roberson was also a devoted caregiver and friend of Jean in the last years of her life. Jean had many, many loving friends around the world.

Jean became a born-again Christian in the early 1970s when she was a Peace Corps volunteer in Thailand. She enrolled at Columbia Bible College in South Carolina, where she met Lou Werner, who she married in 1985. They lived in Atlanta and were active members in several churches and faith communities there. After Lou’s passing from leukemia in 1993, Jean went on to serve as a missionary in Russia for several years. Jean also taught classes in English as a second language, where she made many friends in the international community in Auburn and Opelika.

She co-founded the Friends of Internationals group, which provides support and connection for international students. In her last years, she hosted a weekly Bible study group open to anyone. Jean was generous and always looking for ways to help people, especially single women in the faith who might be going through a rough patch.

A memorial service will be held at Trinity Church in Opelika at 800 2nd Avenue at 11am on Saturday, May 9th. Visitation will be at 10am in the Fellowship Hall. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to Pioneers, a Christian Missionary Organization (pioneers.org).

She was greatly loved and will be greatly missed.

Please send pictures (old and new), anecdotes, articles, stories, and tributes to isbeings at gmail dot com or visit us on Facebook at ISBeings

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Sarah Lynn Barringer ~ Class of 1968

Lynn Barringer ~ 1968

Arrived ~ 10/12/1950

Departed ~4/29/2026

Lovingly reported by Peppy Doggett

Please send pictures (old and new), anecdotes, articles, stories, and tributes to isbeings at gmail dot com or visit us on Facebook at ISBeings

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Hugh Van Es ~ Class of 1990

Hugh Van Es ~ Class of 1990

Arrived ~ 5/17/1990

Departed ~3/2026

Lovingly reported by, Shanna Brandt.

Please send pictures (old and new), anecdotes, articles, stories, and tributes to isbeings at gmail dot com or visit us on Facebook at ISBeings

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Wendy Thompson Shearer ~ F-Faculty

Wendy Thompson Shearer ~ F-Faculty 1990-2006

Arrived ~

Departed ~ 4/15/2026

Namrata Gupta lovingly wrote:

Just found out the saddest news that my ISB -International School Bangkok’s (Isb Alum ISB International School Bangkok) 1st grade elementary school teacher Mrs. Wendy Thompson Shearer passed away from cancer…found out she was battling with cancer for 4 years. Now she is in peace.

She was very lovely and caring. Remember seeing her at my ISB high-school graduation Sending blessings and love to Mrs. Shearer’s entire family!! She will always be in my heart and memories.

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Donald “Don” D. Johnson ~ Class of 1978

Don Johnson ~ Class of 1978

Arrived ~ 12/31/1959
Departed ~ 3/14/2026

Donald “Don” D. Johnson Obituary

Donald “Don” D. Johnson of Altoona, Iowa went to be with his Lord and Savior March 14, 2026, at the age of 66.

Don was born on December 31, 1959, the son of Paul and Loretta (Husmann) Johnson in Des Moines, Iowa. He graduated high school in 1978 at Canadian Academy in Kobe, Japan. Throughout his childhood he lived in Venezuela, Uruguay, Thailand, and Japan. He went on to receive his bachelor’s degree at Central College in Pella, Iowa. Don worked as a purchasing agent in the industrial industry until he retired. In May 1992, Don married Elizabeth Desender. He believed in creating a home for his family and sacrificed his career for the people he loved. He was a loving devoted husband, father, and papa.

In his free time, Don enjoyed gardening, golfing, caring for saltwater fish, collecting stamps, creating photo albums for his children and grandchildren, and relaxing while swinging on his back deck. Don loved being retired. He would say “everyday felt like a Saturday.” Above all else, Don loved spending time with his family, cherishing every moment shared with his wife, children and grandchildren, who brought him immense pride and joy throughout his life.

Left to cherish his memory include his wife, Elizabeth Johnson, mother, Loretta Johnson, sisters, Barb Johnson & Kate Johnson, children, Ashley Dejong, Bradley (Jenna) Johnson, Corey (Corey Beth) Johnson, and four grandchildren, with one on the way.

He is preceded in death by his father, Paul Johnson.

An open visitation will be held on Friday, March 27, 2026, from 2:00 to 3:00 p.m. at Hamilton’s Funeral Home, 605 Lyon Street Des Moines, Iowa 50309. Funeral services will follow at the funeral home, with burial at Elmwood Cemetery in Minburn, Iowa.

Memorial contributions may be directed to the family.


Lovingly reported by Barbara Johnson.


I am in Costa Rica. My sister-in-law, niece, and great niece are in Thailand. This morning we received a call that my brother, Don Johnson passed away. Please pray for us as we grieve and work throughout shock. He has three children, four grandchildren with a new granddaughter on the way, as well as survived by our mom Loretta Johnson He lived a wonderful and full life and I know he’s with our dad.

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Mrs. Carolyn “Kaki” Jennings ~ F-Faculty

Mrs. Carolyn Jennings ~ F-Faculty – 1969-1973

Lovingly submitted by Rhicke Jennings

Carolyn ‘Kaki’ Jennings passed away last week in Honolulu, Hawaii at the age of 80. She was a high school counsellor from 1969 – 1973 at ISB. She is survived by her daughter Kristen Jennings Graff. There will be a Life Celebration event at the Honolulu Academy of Arts on 18 February.

Her bright personality and enthusiasm in helping others will be sorely missed. My three years in Bangkok was solely due to Kaki’s support and encouragement as her brother-in-law which created my life path.

https://www.facebook.com/groups/154619259622/permalink/10164741888179623/

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