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 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
Artist Oliver Lee Jackson ’58 was awarded an honorary doctor of humane letters degree from the University of Iowa for his creative and scholarly works. Read the full Gazette article here.
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 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.
Rhea Fae (Truxell) Kerkera ’54 passed away on February 22, 2021. She was born on February 2, 1932 in Edinburg, Illinois. Rhea was a member of Sheridan First United Methodist Church, and did volunteer work for almost fifty years. She is survived by her son, daughter, and many friends.
Jack K. Stephens ’57 of Monmouth, IL. passed away Monday, July 11, 2022. Jack was born May 30, 1931 in Joplin, MO, the son of Lyman Kenneth and Lola Margaret (Perry) Stephens. He was raised and educated in Normal, IL, graduating from Normal High School in 1949. He graduated with a Bachelor of Music Education from Illinois Wesleyan University in 1957 and later his Master of Music degree in 1961. Jack married Joy Ruth Fairchild ’62 in Heyworth, IL on August 10, 1961. Ruth passed away on July 12, 2022. View the full obituary here.
Joseph Roderick Myshrall graduated from IWU in 1952 and was a member of the baseball team. His son, John Myshrall, has recently written a book about his WWII service and other aspects of his life, including his time at IWU. The book is entitled Thunderbird Has Done It Again: Ernie Pyle & General Dwight D. Eisenhower’s Favorite WWII Story – Part 2 and can be found on Amazon Books.
Robert “Bob” Levine, M.D. ’48 passed away on June 21, 2022. Bob was born in Chicago, IL on July 20, 1929. He attended Hyde Park High School in Chicago and graduated from Illinois Wesleyan University in 1948 with a Bachelor of Science. After graduating from medical school in 1953, Bob served as a flight surgeon in the United States Air Force. In 1963, Bob and his wife moved to Grand Rapids, Michigan where Bob became a partner in a private surgical practice. After retiring from surgery, Bob maintained his interest in improving and supporting the health care system. View the full obituary here.
Stanley Barnes ’58 of Zionsville, Indiana, died May 2, 2022. He was 85. Stan played basketball and was active in Sigma Chi at Illinois Wesleyan. He began his professional career at National Distillers and Chemical Company in Tuscola, Illinois. He later accepted a job with the company in New York City that allowed him to travel the world. After 16 years in New York, he made a career change and purchased TransCity Terminal Warehouse and Transfer Trucking, Inc.; he served as owner and president of the company for 10 years before retiring in 1993. Stan loved to play golf and was a member at clubs in Indianapolis and Scottsdale, Arizona. He enjoyed sports, reading and spending time with family. He is survived by his wife, four children, eight grandchildren and four great-grandchildren.