His wife lost his class ring before their wedding. 60 years later, sewer workers found it and tracked him down
Oscar James Meredith's wife offered to get him a replacement, but he told her not to because it wouldn't carry the same meaning
Some things can never be replaced. When Anna, Oscar James Meredith's girlfriend at the time, lost his Burrell-Slater High School class ring, he never thought he would see it again. Meredith got the ring from his now-closed high school right before he graduated in 1965. He gave Anna the ring to show her he was serious about their relationship. But right before they got married, she lost it. Six decades later, it turned up in the most unlikely place. 48 News reported the story on September 25, 2026, which has received 308 views so far.
'Class of 1965'
In February 2026, Chance Coates, who worked at the Sheffield Wastewater Plant, was cleaning the vacuum truck when he noticed something shiny. He picked it up and realized it was a ring. He handed it to Junior Riner, the operator of the plant, who cleaned the ring. "I was able to get that it was the class of 1965. I cleaned the inside and saw there were initials there: OJM," Riner told The Washington Post. The ring was set with a deep ruby-colored stone and the school crest engraved on the shoulder.
Symbol of love
Then the search for "OJM" began. Riner posted on the Burrell-Slater High School Facebook page and messaged a few former students, but had no luck. When Riner's son-in-law joined the search, he managed to find a photo of the class of 1965. Riner's SIL's dad, who was a member of the City Council, managed to track down April Meredith Moore, Meredith's daughter. She called her father and asked if he had ever lost a class ring.
79-year-old Meredith was shocked when he heard they found his ring. "It’s just amazing. It brings back a whole lot of memories during that time." But the most memorable of all was giving the ring to his now-late wife Anna. He said, "Back then, you would give your steady girl the ring for her to wear. That was the thing to do." Right before they got married in 1973, she lost the ring. She offered to get him a replacement, but he told her not to because it wouldn't carry the same meaning. After 50 years of marriage, Meredith and Anna had three daughters, five grandkids, and two great-grandchildren. She passed away in 2023.
Still fits
On September 22, Riner and Meredith arranged a meeting so he could return the ring. "It was like seeing a kid on Christmas morning. He was just so excited," Riner said. Meredith slid it onto his finger, and surprisingly, it still fit. Meredith was eternally grateful to Riner, who tracked him down just to return the ring. Now, the ring holds an even deeper meaning for the 79-year-old man. It's a reminder of his high school, his wife, and Riner. "It shows there’s still some good people around," Meredith concluded.
Emotions over price tag
People treasure pieces of jewelry that hold a deep sentimental meaning for them. A ShaneCo. survey found that 86% of respondents would rather have a piece with "emotional significance" over something that is expensive but holds no sentimental meaning. Meredith felt the same way. Anna had offered to get him another ring, but he told her not to because it would not have the same meaning as the first one did.
Meredith also told The Washington Post that he still kept in contact with his former classmates. They meet once a month for coffee or lunch, and have been doing that for a long time. As for Riner, his desire to reconnect the class ring to its owner was deeply personal. His grandfather's 1922 class ring was stolen from his parents' house. He knew how much meaning it held. He said, "If I had lost my class ring. I would like it if somebody found it to try to reach out and find me." Luckily, Riner's mission was a success. Meredith said he planned to keep the ring in a clear display box so it won't get lost again.
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