Category Archives: Obituaries

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.

Gordon King ’43

We are saddened to report the passing of Gordon King ’43. Gordon passed away on February 5, 2019. An informal gathering will be held at McCoy Funeral Home, 150 Country Club Drive SW, Blacksburg, VA, on Sunday February 10th from 2-4 PM. A service also will be held in the spring at Union Cemetery in Leesburg, Virginia.