Dorothy (Fridlund) Harrison ‘57 of St. Louis died June 30, 2020. She was 84. “Doady”, as she was affectionately known, studied music education at Illinois Wesleyan and later earned a master’s degree from Wisconsin State College-Whitewater. Doady taught elementary music in Beloit (Wis.) Public Schools for 33 years and was an oboist in the Beloit-Janesville Symphony Orchestra for over 25 years. After retiring from teaching, she and her late husband moved to St. Louis, where she remained active in church, music, and civic and philanthropic organizations. She loved spending time with family, attending her grandchildren’s activities and sporting events, and traveling. She is survived by four children, nine grandchildren, and five great-grandchildren. 

Rev. Dale Kooi ‘56 of Kewanee, Illinois, died Aug. 3, 2020. He was 86. Dale studied philosophy at Illinois Wesleyan before earning a master’s of divinity from Union  Theological Seminary in New York City. After ordination as an elder in the Methodist Church, Dale served over 40 years in ministry in Central Illinois. Both before ordination and after his retirement, he ministered part-time in churches of several denominations. He took a sabbatical leave in 1974-75 in order to study at King’s College in London, where he was interim pastor at Chelsea United Reformed Church. Dale was a longtime blood donor and volunteer. His carpentry skills were employed when he helped build houses with Habitat for Humanity. He is survived by his wife, Carol (Palmer) Kooi ‘72, two children, three grandchildren, a great-grandson, and sister. 

William Anderson ‘54 of Morton, Illinois, died on June 11, 2020. He was 89. After graduating from Illinois Wesleyan, he went to work for Commercial National Bank in Peoria, Illinois, and often worked multiple jobs early in his professional career as he and his late wife raised four sons. He finished his career at Morton Community Bank. Bill was the director of the board of St. Francis Community Clinic for over 20 years – and active with the clinic for 32 years overall – where he helped serve sick, poor, and underprivileged populations in greater Peoria. Bill enjoyed his work and community service, but nothing brought him greater joy than seeing his children and family thrive and be happy. He is survived by four sons, 11 grandchildren, and 13 great-grandchildren.

Jane (Petit) Archer ‘52 died Sept. 17, 2020, in Normal, Illinois. She was 90. Jane was active in Sigma Kappa and earned a bachelor’s degree at Illinois Wesleyan. Jane and her late husband Gene “Bud” Archer ’52 lived most of their life in Normal. Jane spent her years as a homemaker and enjoyed gardening, painting, sewing, and raising her children. She was a member of First United Methodist Church of Normal and a former P.E.O. Chapter JV. She was preceded in death by her husband. She is survived by two daughters, six grandchildren, eight great-grandchildren and a sister, Frances (Pettit) Harris ‘54.

Nadine (Callahan) Simpson ‘49 died June 15, 2020. She was 91. Nadine received a bachelor’s degree at Illinois Wesleyan and a master’s degree at Syracuse University. She spent the majority of her career in journalism in roles at the United Methodist Information Center in Chicago, United Methodist publications, and later, the Oberlin (Kansas) Herald. Nadine and her husband dutifully served as missionaries in Liberia and Mozambique, where they touched countless lives. She spent her life in service to the United Methodist Church, her community, and her family. She is survived by her husband, four children, five grandchildren, and two great-grandchildren.

Margaret (Finley) Higgins ‘47 died July 8, 2020. She was 94. Margaret studied business and was active in Kappa Kappa Gamma at Illinois Wesleyan where she met and later married Allen Higgins ‘44. Margaret and Allen raised their family in Berwyn, Illinois. They later retired to Markensan, Michigan, where they had been long-time  summer residents of the White Lake area. Margaret was a member and past president of the P.E.O. Chapter AV (in Berwyn) and Chapter EL (in Whitehall, Mich.). She was a member of the White Lake United Methodist Church. Margaret was preceded in death by her husband. She is survived by four children, 13 grandchildren, five great-grandchildren, and many nieces and nephews

John Simhauser ‘45 died July 28, 2020, in Pompano Beach, Florida. He was 96.

John served in the U.S. Army during World War II as an infantry rifleman in Germany and France. He studied business and met his first wife, the late Louise Tonigan ‘49, at Illinois Wesleyan. He later earned an MBA at The wharton School of the University of the University of Pennsylvania and a law degree from John Marshall Law School. John began his legal practice in Springfield, Illinois, in 1961 to become a partner in the firm Berry, Leighty, and Simhauser, where he practiced until his retirement. John served on the boards of the Macomb YMCA and public library, and was civically engaged throughout his life. John married his second wife in 1976 in Bushnell, Illinois. In 2000, they retired to Florida. Together, they enjoyed dancing, golfing, and social outings. John was preceded in death by his second wife. He is survived by 3 children, seven grandchildren, and a nephew.

Phyllis (Bender) De Hart ’50 died Jan. 8, 2021. She was 91. Phyllis majored in sociology and earned a bachelor’s degree from Illinois Wesleyan, where she was active in Alpha Gamma Delta. After graduation, she worked at Marshall Field’s flagship store on Michigan Avenue in Chicago. In that role, she interviewed a man for a job in the store’s department; he later became her husband. The couple moved to Champaign, Illinois, so her husband could attend law school, while Phyllis worked for an insurance company. They later moved to Aurora, Illinois, where he established a law practice and Phyllis became involved in Child Welfare Society, Inc., and the American Association of University Women. She was involved in many charitable organizations, including as a volunteer at Copley Hospital, where she served as the jewelry buyer in the gift shop. Phyllis assisted her husband in his legal practice, served as a substitute teacher and was active in bridge clubs. She later served as a jewelry associate at Lord & Taylor and Von Maur stores. Phyllis was a beloved wife, mother, grandmother, great-grandmother, sister and aunt who loved and embraced life, and brought joy to all those around her. She is survived by her husband, daughter, eight grandchildren, seven great-grandchildren, two sisters, and many nieces, nephews and extended family members.

Elinor (Scott) Root ’43 passed away peacefully after a long illness, in Costa Mesa, California. She was 97.

Rook lived in Elmhurst for almost 50 years, where she spent her professional career as a home economics teacher at York Community High School. She is preceded in death by her husband William M. Rook, and is survived by her two children, Karen Rook and Dennis Rook, and many close friends.

You can read the full obituary here.

Colleen (Costigan) Welch ’46 of Manhattan Beach, California, died Feb. 16, 2020. She was 95.

Colleen served during World War II, teaching anti-aircraft gunnery while stationed in Rhode Island. She earned a bachelor’s degree in business administration at Illinois Wesleyan and later a teaching degree from Loyola Marymount University. She worked at The Pantagraph before moving to California in 1954. There, she taught at both American Martyrs School and Bishop Montgomery High School. Her many hobbies included golf, calligraphy, painting and bridge. She will be remembered for her wit, kindness and friendship to the many who were fortunate to know her. She is survived by three children, eight grandchildren, three great-grandchildren and a brother.

You can read the full obituary here.