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.

I am saddened to report that Dennis Mattix, age 81 of Joliet, passed away May 2, 2019 at home with his family by his side. Born November 15, 1937 in St. Elmo, Illinois, Dennis was the son of George and Gladys (Yakel) Mattix. He graduated from St. Elmo High School in 1955, Illinois Wesleyan University in 1959 and later obtained a master’s degree in education. He devoted the next thirty-five years to teaching physical education, driver’s education and coaching basketball. He retired from Plainfield School District 202 in 1993. He was an active member of Hope United Methodist Church and his fraternity Phi Gamma Delta. Dennis was a golfer, sports enthusiast and lifelong St. Louis Cardinals fan. Most of all, he was a husband, father and grandfather who cherished all of his days with his family. Survivors include his wife of 61 years, Wanda; five children: Lori Mattix, Penny Mattix, Monty (Diana) Mattix, Lane Mattix and Blake ’91 (Julie) Mattix; nine grandchildren, a special niece, Karen and numerous other nieces and nephews.

Read the full obituary here. 

I am saddened to announce the passing of James “J.C.” Moore ’48 on November 9th, 2017 with his family at his side. J.C. was born on January 22, 1925. He was a standout athlete in high school, and continued playing football and basketball at Illinois Wesleyan University. He married Joyce in 1949, and the two had three daughters while they taught and coached in central Illinois. After obtaining his Masters in Education from Eastern Illinois University, he and his family moved to Mattoon, where he became the head guidance counselor at the high school. J.C. was extremely proud of his children and grandchildren and they gave him tremendous amounts of joy throughout his life. He is survived by Joyce, his daughters, his grandchildren and his great-grandchildren.

Read the full obituary here.

Unfortunately, Joyce Ann Hammer ’59 passed away on August 8th, 2018.

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.

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.

Unfortunately, Mary Plummer ’47 passed away on Sunday, March 10, 2019 as resident of Olney, Illinois. She was born on December 11, 1924. Read the full obituary here.