We are saddened to inform you that Helen Mae LaCroix (Johnson) ’53 passed away February 10th, at the age of 88. She was born on January 22, 1932 in Chicago. At Illinois Wesleyan University she met Chuck LaCroix, and during their marriage the two had five children. She was a wonderful mother who valued the time she had with her loved ones. Her art has been exhibited in several art galleries, and she taught workshops at Gorton Community Center. She is survived by four children and four grandchildren.

Read the full obituary here.

Helen LaCroix monoprint as displayed by The Robert T. Wright Community Gallery of Art.

We regret to inform you of the passing of Robert Conrad Price ’50, who passed away peacefully in his home surrounded by loved ones on January 25, 2020. Here is his full obituary.

Charles Gaines ’53 ’54 died Nov. 11, 2018. He was 86. Charles studied music at Illinois Wesleyan, where he was active in many music-related organizations and professional societies, and earned both bachelor’s and master’s degrees at IWU. He taught elementary school music and managed church music programs in Illinois and, later, New York, while he pursued a doctorate from Union Theological Society. Charles began his academic career at Presbyterian College in Clinton, South Carolina, in 1965. He remained chair of the school’s department of fine arts until shortly before his retirement in 1998. He also served as director of music for the First Presbyterian Church of Clinton and the First Presbyterian Church of Greenwood, South Carolina, and founded and directed the Laurens County (S.C.) Chorale. Former South Carolina Governor Mark Sanford conferred The Order of the Silver Crescent, the South Carolina Legislature recognized his leadership in a proclamation, and the mayor of Greenwood later proclaimed June 15, 2012 as Charles T. Gaines Day. Charles is survived by his wife Jean (Reichert) Gaines ’53, three children, including Deborah (Gaines) Abbott ’76 and Betsy (Gaines) Bone ’82, and eight grandchildren.

We regret to inform you of the passing of Dale D. Garrett ‘50, who passed away on December 29, 2019. Read Dale’s full obituary here.

We are saddened to inform you that Dorothy Faughn (Stokes) ’47 passed away on January 5, 2020. Dorothy was the proud mother of 4 children and a legendary band director in Malden, Missouri. She is missed by former students, church friends and her children. She had wonderful memories of her time at IWU. A Celebration of Life is planned for 3:00 p.m. on Saturday, January 19, 2019 at Schweitzer United Methodist Church. A reception will be held in the Memorial Hall following the service.

Read Dorothy’s full obituary here.

Maxine “Mickey” Drexler ’46 ’57 of Bloomington, Illinois, died Sept. 25, 2019. She was 94. Mickey earned bachelor’s and master’s degrees in voice performance at Illinois Wesleyan, and received the outstanding music award at commencement in 1946. Mickey taught voice at IWU for 35 years. She additionally served as president of IWU’s Alumni Association and League of Women. She was a lifelong member of First Christian Church, where she sang in the choir, occasionally as a soloist, and for many years directed choirs. She also served as a deacon and taught Sunday and vacation Bible school. She was also active in Sigma Alpha Iota, P.E.O. International, Amateur Musical Club Board and Habitat for Humanity. She was a member of a bridge club for more than 60 years and loved golf, sewing, decorating, crafts, gardening and dinner parties. She corresponded regularly with many of her former students and colleagues. She also loved to travel with family and students. She is survived by two children.

Read the full obituary here.