Author Archives: classnews

Martha Swank McCloud Pusey ’49

Unfortunately, Martha Swank McCloud Pusey ’49 passed away on September 1, 2019.  She graduated from Tiffin Columbian High School and Illinois Wesleyan University, where she was a member of Kappa Kappa Gamma sorority. Throughout her left, Martha was a home economics teacher in the Anthony Wayne School District. She was a volunteer with Meals on Wheels, American Red Cross, James Episcopal Thursday Thrift Shop, and the Pardee Educational Center.  Martha was also a member of P.E.O. Sisterhood, and the Waterville United Methodist Church. She loved to travel, and several times hiked to the Mt. Pisgah summit. She is survived by three children and several grandchildren.

Read the full obituary here.

Bernadine Corinne LaForge Douglass ’43

We are sorry to inform you that Bernadine Corinne LaForge Douglass ’43 passed away on September 12, 2019, remembered as peaceful person. She was born on March 4th, 1921 in Mesa, Arizona. At Illinois Wesleyan, where she earned her BM in music, she met Thomas Douglass and would later marry him. Throughout her life, she taught music at Southwestern University in Texas, sang in church, sang for marriages, sang for funerals, and was blessed to be a loving mother to three children. She is survived by her two sons and three grandchildren.

Read the full obituary here.

Carlton Bird ’52

Carlton reports that he’s “still kickin'” at 92, and that he’s been watching football and baseball, participating in horse racing, spending time with family. He is a World War II Veteran, having fought in the war in the Pacific.

Virgil Cole ’52

I am saddened to inform you of the passing of Virgil Cole ’52, who passed on May 17, 2019, in Mountain Home Arkansas at the age of 92. He was born on January 27, 1927. Virgil married Betty Schabacker in 1958, adnd was an employee for Country Mutual Insurance Co. He was an Army Air Corp veteran and served bravely in World War II. He is survived by his wife, Betty, nieces, newphews, cousins, and his two cats.

Read the full obituary here.

Homecoming 2019: Your Story Starts Here!

Illinois Wesleyan University Homecoming
October 4-6, 2019

We are looking forward to another great Homecoming this fall! Your story started here, and Illinois Wesleyan University helped guide your path to where you are today.
This is cause for celebration! Come back to campus on October 4-6 to celebrate, reminisce, and revisit your story.

Frank New ’53

Frank New ’53 teaches at 10 week Bible Study Class and a 10 week Nutrition class on alternating years. Many individuals in the Nutrition Class lose significant weight each year it’s taught, not on a diet but by eliminating foods that harm our bodies, and eating healthy foods that make our bodies thrive.