Donald L. Zimmerman ’51 passed away on March 22, 2016 at the age of 86. He was a member of Phi Mu Alpha at Illinois Wesleyan and earned his Master’s degree in music education from the University of Illinois.

Norma Jean Leben Andersen ’59, age 77, formerly of Bloomington, passed away Oct. 8, 2015, at home after a long illness. She is survived by her sister, Helen Duncan of Roodhouse, IL. She was preceded in death by her husband, Daniel Andersen; her parents, August E. Leben and Grace Dolly Batton; four brothers; and four sisters. Norma graduated from Bloomington High School and received her bachelor’s and master’s degrees from Illinois Wesleyan University and Illinois State University in the field of music. She taught junior high music and was a master music arranger and judge for the Sweet Adelines for more than 30 years. She was an avid fan of the Chicago Bears and Cubs. She loved her schnauzers and owned seven of them in her lifetime.

A link to the obituary can be found here.

Marilyn (Lumb) Gildersleeve ’57, 80, passed away peacefully on February 29, 2016 at home in Framingham MA. Raised in Grand Rapids, Michigan, she studied speech and theatre from the age of 6 and she majored in drama and speech for a Bachelor of Fine Arts at Illinois Wesleyan University in 1957, where she was a member of Kappa Delta sorority.  She had major leadership roles and a membership in many honorary groups on campus.  She got her Master’s Degree in radio and television at Indiana University.
Over the years Marilyn performed one-woman shows, taught speech privately and performed in numerous plays. Her working career has been in many different fields: radio, television, newspaper reporting, school administrative work and other varied business operations. Some years ago, she retired from Fay School where she worked in Development and the Dean of Students. For many years she worked as an ESL volunteer instructor. As a hobby, Marilyn clowned for fairs, schools, parades, and other events.

Thomas L. Leathers, D.M.D. ’54 died Jan. 26, 2016, at age 86, at his home in Union, Ky. While attending IWU, he was a member of Theta Chi fraternity.

Dr. Leathers received his degree in dentistry at University of Louisville Dental School in 1957 and practiced in Erlanger, Ky., for 44 years. During his retirement, he enjoyed traveling, boating and fishing. He is survived by his wife of 60 years, Marilyn (Marx) ’57, two sons, two grandchildren and 1 great-grandchild.

William “B.J.” Jackson, 86, of Rockford passed away Sunday, December 27, 2015, after a long illness.  A celebration of life memorial service will be held in late February.

He was a member of the Tau Kappa Epsilon (TKE) Fraternity, a small business owner and artisan.  BJ spent 26 years serving in the Army and Army Reserves retiring as Major.  He joined the Rockford Jaycees in 1954, serving as President in 1958.  BJ was a well-known actor in the community and performed in numerous musicals and plays at the Starlight Theatre, New American Theatre and other various community venues.  You can read his full obituary here.

We remember the following alumni and celebrate their lives.

Robert Billings ’57 – 1/21/2015, Sally (Pech) Chandler ’57 – 11/16/1999, Nelson Chasteen ’59 – 12/15/ 2015, James Dickinson ’50 – 6/8/2015, Laurel (Bower) Diggle ’52 – 10/20/2015, The Reverend Richard Ewing ’57 – 5/9/2015, Jack Garrett ’50 – 12/11/2015, Barbara (Bruce) Glenn ’53 – 9/16/2015, Shirlee (Haegele) Griffith ’51 – 10/21/2014, David Richardson ’57 – 7/27/2011, Janice (Moon) Scott ’58 – 7/3/2013, C. Jean (Rader) Wasem ’56 – 12/12/2015, Ann (Bodine) Willcutt ’58 – 5/6/2014.

Jane F. (Fager) Kidd ’53 passed away on Wednesday, December 30, 2015.  She was from Easton, IL and graduated with a BME from IWU in 1953.  She was a member of SK and DO.  She was married to William Kidd in 1954 and he died in 1997.  She is survived by her three Children: Sherrie Wentzel, Tara Stow and William Kidd, six grandchildren and three sisters.

A link to her obituary can be found here.

We are sorry to announce that John Okspisz ’59 passed away on September 15, 2015. A link to his obituary can be found here.

It is with great sadness that we share of the news that James Getty, one of the country’s most renowned Abraham Lincoln presenters, passed away September 26th, 2015 in Gettysburg. He received his Bachelors of Education Degree (Music) and his Master of Music Degree from Illinois Wesleyan University. Jim met his wife Joanne at IWU, and they married on Jan. 19, 1952 in Grandview, Ill. For the past four decades, Getty’s full-time vocation was the study and portrayal of Abraham Lincoln. Over the years, Jim touched countless thousands of lives with his vast knowledge of all-things Lincoln. Getty would often present his programs over 500 times each year to visitors to Gettysburg, and to students in schools. Jim later developed a leadership presentation specifically for corporate executives and government leaders, where audiences were able to capture the lessons of history and apply them in today’s business environments.
You can read the full obituary here.