Category Archives: News

Janice Ann Moreland ’59

Janice Ann Moreland ’59, age 87, passed away peacefully, at her home in Springfield, IL, on September 10, 2024. She was born on June 8, 1937, in Aurora, IL, the daughter of the late, William Carroll Mummert and the late Sara Alice (Squires) Mummert. Jan married Ronald James Moreland in Dekalb, IL in 1959. He preceded her in death on July 23, 2015. She was also preceded in death by her sister, Cindy Mummert, in 1978.

She is survived by her children: Kurt (Kim) Moreland of Cary, IL, Kari (Gary) Pranger of Springfield, IL, and Kraig (Jennifer) Moreland of Lake Bluff, IL; her grandchildren, Kaylin Moreland, Blake, Carter (Maggie), and Austin Pranger, and Noah, Margo, Karch, and Wells Moreland; brother, William (Suzanne) Mummert of West Chicago, IL; her sister, Peggy (late, Dale) Terry of Dekalb, IL; her sister- in- law, Anita “Neetz” (late, Daniel) Yovich of Grand Rapids, MI, and numerous nieces and nephews.

Jan lived in Dekalb, IL (1959-1961), Lake Bluff, IL (1961-1996), Dekalb, IL (1996-2009), and Springfield, IL (2009-2024). She graduated from Dekalb High School (1955), attended Illinois Wesleyan University, and was a proud 60-year member of Kappa Delta Sorority.

Jan dedicated 30 years to childcare, working at The Village Children’s Center in Lake Bluff, IL, and The Growing Place, in Dekalb, IL. Her life was marked by activism and volunteer work. Jan was always willing to donate blood when needed and served as a leader for the Lake Bluff Volunteer Bureau, a Cub Scout Den Mother, a Brownie Leader, and a member of several Women’s Circles. She also served as a board member at Lake Bluff Grace United Methodist Church. In Springfield, Jan was a proud 10-year volunteer at the UIS Performing Arts Center Auditorium, where she loved ushering and working with fellow volunteers and UIS staff.

Jan had a deep love for dance and the performance arts, and enjoyed everything from classic Hollywood dance to live performances. She cherished her time watching performances at UIS and attending her grandchildren’s performing arts, school, and sporting events. Jan loved the beach, the sun, planting flowers, jazzercise, tennis, volleyball, cross country skiing, and travel. She adored her pets, especially her dogs Hans, Chips, and PJ.

Cremation was accorded by Lincoln Land Cremation Society.

Jan will be laid to rest alongside her husband, at Camp Butler National Cemetery, Springfield, IL. Family graveside services will be held at a later date.

To view here obituary click here.

Wilberta (Naden) Pickett ’50

The national Children’s Health Insurance Program was a response to the Pittsburgh unemployed steel workers protesting their lack of health insurance for their children at local churches where steel executives worshiped and what this author observed as she sang in the choir at the Fox Chapel Presbyterian Church. The positive resolution begun at that church became the model for the Pennsylvania CHIP program, which led to the national CHIP program. This inspired Scott Galloway, the son of the church’s senior pastor, now a professional film maker, to make a Documentary, “CHILDREN IN CRISIS: The Story of CHIP,” featuring Wilberta (Naden) Pickett ’50.

You can read more about this here and here.

Oliver Lee Jackson 58

Paintings by famed artist Oliver Lee Jackson ’58 are on display in the Stanley Museum of Art at University of Iowa, where he attended graduate school after earning his BFA in art at Illinois Wesleyan. You can read more here. Congratulations Oliver!

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!

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

Joseph Roderick Myshrall ’52

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.

Oliver Lee Jackson ’58

Artwork by Oliver Lee Jackson ’58 is currently presented in a solo exhibition at the St. Louis Art Museum. The free exhibition will run through Feb. 20, 2022. It features work spanning five decades of Oliver’s career. A 120-page catalog, featuring work from this exhibition and a 2019 exhibition at the National Gallery of Art in Washington, D.C., is forthcoming. Click here to read more about Jackson’s artwork.