Category Archives: Obituaries

Jean Holdridge Reeves ’42

Jean Holdridge Reeves, 99, died June 5, 2019.  Jean was born January 27, 1920 in Marion, Ohio. She graduated from Illinois Wesleyan University as a Kappa Kappa Gamma sister with a degree in home economics and from the University of Connecticut with master’s degree in child development.  In 1944, feeling a sense of duty as the youngest of four sisters, she enlisted in the American Red Cross to serve during WWII and was stationed in New Guinea and the Philippines. Her tour of duty in the Red Cross is digitally documented in the UNC-G Women Veterans Historical Project. 

You can view her obituary here.

Ruth E. (Martin) Parks ’42

Ruth Eleanor Martin Parks, 100, of Macomb, formerly of Blandinsville passed away at 7:55 a.m. Saturday, May 25, 2019 at Wesley Village Healthcare Center in Macomb. Ruth was born in Wahpeton, North Dakota on December 29, 1918, but lived most of her life on the family farm near Blandinsville, Illinois. She began her teaching career at age 19 at Starr Commonwealth, a private school for boys in Albion, Michigan, and then returned to Illinois Wesleyan University to complete her degree in 1942. She later received her Masters degree from Western Illinois University.

You can view her obituary here.

James “Jim” Hershbarger ’48

James “Jim” Hershbarger ’48 of Champaign, Illinois, died April 15, 2019. He was 93. Jim won letters as a member of Illinois Wesleyan’s football, basketball and baseball teams. He was named to multiple all-conference teams and was elected to the Order of Titans. Jim spent 32 years in the auto industry. He also served as an insurance agent for American Family Insurance before retiring in 1995. He was a member of Champaign’s St. Peter’s United Church of Christ, where he was on the consistory and church treasurer for two years. He was also a member of the Elks, Moose and Phi Gamma Delta, where he served as a member of the Interfraternity Counsel. He is survived by his wife, daughter, three grandchildren and a brother.

You can view his obituary here.

Marilyn Ames ’50

Marilyn Ames, 91, of Gibson City, formerly of Sibley, died peacefully on Friday, April 26, 2019 at OSF Hospital in Urbana.  She graduated from Illinois Wesleyan University in 1950 and earned a Master’s Degree from Illinois State University in 1974. Mrs. Ames taught history at Melvin-Sibley Junior-Senior High School for 30 years. 

You can view her obituary here.