Author Archives: classnews

Jerry Philpott ’59

Jerry Philpott ’59 passed away on June 19, 2023. Jerry was born March 8, 1937, in Springfield, IL, to Les and Jean Philpott. He is survived by his wife, Kathy, who he married November 11, 1983 in Bloomington, IL. He is also survived by three daughters: Elizabeth Wilmeth (Lee), Marcia Philpott, Amy LaMarra Sawyer (Will); and three grandchildren: Grace Wilmeth, Emma Wilmeth and Woods Sawyer. He was very proud of his children and grandchildren and all their accomplishments. He was preceded in death by his parents and brother, Dick Philpott.

Jerry graduated from Illinois Wesleyan in 1959, where he was a proud member of Phi Gamma Delta Fraternity. Over the years, he kept his fraternity brothers in touch with each other and encouraged the younger brothers to do the same. He was an active alum, receiving IWU’s Loyalty Award in 2010, and a citation for Distinguished and Exceptional Service from Phi Gamma Delta National in 2010. You can read more about Jerry here.

Arthur Leach ‘42

Arthur Leach ‘42 was featured in the Illinois Farmer Today where he shared about his time in World War II. Arthur began his time serving as a Navy Pilot just two days after he graduated from Illinois Wesleyan. Leach remained in the service for 14 years, leaving as a senior lieutenant in 1956. He was due to become a lieutenant commander but chose to return to civilian life in Illinois. During his time in the war, Leach earned two Air Medals and a Distinguished Flying Cross. Today, at 103 years old, he shares his story at the Livingston County War Museum in Pontiac, IL. You can read more about Arthur’s story here. Congratulations Arthur!

Judy (Snook) Brust ’58

Judy (Snook) Brust ’58 passed away on April 13, 2023 after battling Alzheimer’s disease.

Judy was born on May 10, 1936, in Joliet, Illinois to Ralph and Ethel Snook. Judy grew up in Plainfield Township, and was involved in Girl Scouts, 4H, and the Plainfield Congregational Church.

Judy graduated from Illinois Wesleyan University’s School of Nursing in 1958. She graduated with a BSN and went on to perform many different roles such as a clinical nurse, hospital nurse, surgical nurse, and a neonatal nurse, that being her very favorite. Judy met her future husband Norman Dale Brust in choir practice at Plainfield Congregational Church. They were married on June 12, 1959. Norman was principal at Plainfield Grade School. He later earned a PHD at the University of Illinois. While raising a family of five, Norman’s work took them to live in many places in the country and even to Taiwan. They last settled in the St. Louis, MO area when Norman died in 2003 after 44 years of marriage.

Judy was an excellent baker and seamstress. She enjoyed gardening, was a member of the Missouri Botanical Gardens, volunteered for the symphony, sang in the choir, and played the hand bells. Judy was able to travel to many different countries for choir and handbell performances.

She was a loving and caring mother. She was generous and loved getting presents for everyone. She brought humor and love wherever she went. Read more about Judy here.

John O’Bannon ’55

John Allyn O’Bannon ’55 passed on to be with God and his ancestors on January 18, 2023 after several years of surviving many health challenges. John was born October 4, 1933 in rural Edgar County, Paris, Illinois, the son of Lloyd Allyn O’Bannon and Ruth Elizabeth Perisho O’Bannon. John graduated from Paris High School, class of 1951. He then attended and graduated from Illinois Wesleyan University in Bloomington, Illinois with a bachelors degree in Music Education in 1955. John was a member of Phi Mu Alpha Sinfonia Fraternity. Upon graduation, John auditioned for and was accepted to the Marine Corps Band with plans of working with their studio production corps. He then enlisted in the United States Marine Corps, headed for the band and pursing a career in electronics. John was honorably discharged. You can read the full obituary here.

Robert Riseling ‘59

Robert Riseling ‘59 performed SAPPHIRE SONG on March 28, 2023. This work was written for him by Donald Steven, for the opening of ALAN TOROK Drawings, 2016-2022: “By Their Light We Shall Know Them.” At this event, he was the subject of two of the drawings. The event was held at the Toronto Arts and Letters Club.

Additionally, in November 2022, two of his paintings were sold at the London, Ontario Westland Gallery’s Square Foot Show and two others were sold from his Facebook page. Congratulations Robert!

Jim ’41 and Mary ’43 Winn

Jim ’41 and Mary ’43 Winn, who met while studying music at Illinois Wesleyan, are being honored through a scholarship in their name for Clinton Community College students who are active in sharing their musical talents with the community. Read the Clinton Herald article here.

Kathleen (Ross) Gardner ’59

Kathleen (Ross) Gardner ‘59 and William H. Gardner celebrated their 65th wedding anniversary on December 22nd, 2022. They married in Christ Church in Riverdale, New York and have lived in Tucson, Arizona for 36 years. She notes that IWU will always be special to her, and that she remains a member of Alpha Gamma Delta Alpha

Mary Kate (Katie) Reeder Brandon Fraley ’58

Mary Kate “Katie” Reeder Brandon Fraley ’58 passed away on November 1, 2022 in Taylorville, Illinois. Born in Dewitt, Illinois in 1936, Katie was a dynamic elementary school teacher who influenced countless students over four decades in the classroom. She received her bachelor’s degree in education from Illinois Wesleyan University and was a member of Sigma Kappa. As part of her lasting legacy, her grandson Samuel also graduated from Illinois Wesleyan University in 2020 with a bachelor’s degree in history and secondary education. You can read Katie’s full obituary here.

Dick Hewitt ’46

Dick Hewitt ’46 died after a long life and short illness in April, 2020. Late in his sophomore year, he enlisted in the Army – IWU granted all the new GIs a “complete” for their classes for this semester – and eventually shipped out to Europe, where he fought in major battles of WWII, D-Day, Operation Market Garden and the Battle of the Bulge. He finished his education at Northwestern and Columbia, where he earned his first of two Master’s degrees. He spent his career in education, as a college counselor, a high school teacher and subsequently a high school administrator, principally in Northbrook, IL. In retirement, he and his wife Joyce traveled extensively and took advantage of the musical bounty of Chicago. He played piano and sang until he was in his late 80s, and never forgot his happy time at Wesleyan and the delight of being a part of the music department. His survivors include three children and five grandchildren, and he leaves a legacy of many laughter-filled times spent in his company.