Kathy Rankin ’52 passed away on March 6th 2024 and is survived by her husband Don, and their 2 children, 4 grandchildren, and 2 great grandchildren. You can read the full obituary here.

John Allyn O’Bannon ’55 passed on to be with God and his ancestors on January 18, 2023 after several years of surviving many health challenges. John was born October 4, 1933 in rural Edgar County, Paris, Illinois, the son of Lloyd Allyn O’Bannon and Ruth Elizabeth Perisho O’Bannon. John graduated from Paris High School, class of 1951. He then attended and graduated from Illinois Wesleyan University in Bloomington, Illinois with a bachelors degree in Music Education in 1955. John was a member of Phi Mu Alpha Sinfonia Fraternity. Upon graduation, John auditioned for and was accepted to the Marine Corps Band with plans of working with their studio production corps. He then enlisted in the United States Marine Corps, headed for the band and pursing a career in electronics. John was honorably discharged. You can read the full obituary here.

Artist Oliver Lee Jackson ’58 was awarded an honorary doctor of humane letters degree from the University of Iowa for his creative and scholarly works. Read the full Gazette article here.

Dick Hewitt ’46 died after a long life and short illness in April, 2020. Late in his sophomore year, he enlisted in the Army – IWU granted all the new GIs a “complete” for their classes for this semester – and eventually shipped out to Europe, where he fought in major battles of WWII, D-Day, Operation Market Garden and the Battle of the Bulge. He finished his education at Northwestern and Columbia, where he earned his first of two Master’s degrees. He spent his career in education, as a college counselor, a high school teacher and subsequently a high school administrator, principally in Northbrook, IL. In retirement, he and his wife Joyce traveled extensively and took advantage of the musical bounty of Chicago. He played piano and sang until he was in his late 80s, and never forgot his happy time at Wesleyan and the delight of being a part of the music department. His survivors include three children and five grandchildren, and he leaves a legacy of many laughter-filled times spent in his company.

Stanley Barnes ’58 of Zionsville, Indiana, died May 2, 2022. He was 85. Stan played basketball and was active in Sigma Chi at Illinois Wesleyan. He began his professional career at National Distillers and Chemical Company in Tuscola, Illinois. He later accepted a job with the company in New York City that allowed him to travel the world. After 16 years in New York, he made a career change and purchased TransCity Terminal Warehouse and Transfer Trucking, Inc.; he served as owner and president of the company for 10 years before retiring in 1993. Stan loved to play golf and was a member at clubs in Indianapolis and Scottsdale, Arizona. He enjoyed sports, reading and spending time with family. He is survived by his wife, four children, eight grandchildren and four great-grandchildren.

Harold Bennett ’52 of Lake Summerset, Illinois, died May 9, 2022. He was 91. Harold majored in physical education and served as a teacher and coach for 43 years. He taught and coached multiple sports at schools in the Illinois communities of Earlville, Morris, Cary-Grove, Carmi, Newark, Bradley-Bourbonnais and Durand. He compiled more than 500 coaching wins as a basketball coach and was named to the Illinois Basketball Coaches Association Hall of Fame in 1987. In 2006, he was inducted into the Newark Sports Hall of Fame, as he was credited for starting a strong basketball tradition at the school. He was survived by his wife, three children, four grandchildren, two great-grandchildren, a sister and many extended family members. You can read more here.

Marlene (Sebby) Thruston ’58, of Spartanburg, South Carolina, died June 13, 2021. She was 84. Marlene majored in nursing at Illinois Wesleyan and was employed at Copley Memorial Hospital in Aurora, Illinois, and Morristown General Hospital in Morristown, Tennessee. She also worked for several private physicians. Marlene and her husband, whom she met in line at Arnaud’s restaurant in New Orleans in 1963, lived in Tennessee, South Carolina and Puerto Rico at various times. She was a member of First Presbyterian Church, where she volunteered in various capacities and served as a teacher for Mother’s Day Out. She also volunteered at her daughters’ schools and extracurricular activities. Later, she volunteered with Mobile Meals Ministry, and as a direct patient care volunteer for Spartanburg Regional Hospice. She enjoyed playing bridge, baking, sewing, reading, traveling and cheering on the Clemson Tigers football team. Above all, she was a devoted wife, mother and grandmother who treasured time spent with family. She is survived by her husband, two daughters, five grandchildren and a brother. 

Read the full obituary here.

Carol (Vanderbeek) Schmidt ’58 remembers IWU Homecoming, dances, parties and the art department building.  If she were to return to campus she would like to visit the art department and the Kappa Delta House.  She feels the quality of art instruction was the major influence in her life, as she taught art clsses in her home studio for 50 years.  She has traveled to many countries including Mexico and Jamaica and has enjoyed seeing the museums in Europe. She spends winters in Fountain Hills, AZ and summers in Illinois and Wisconsin.