Rev. James William “Bill” Jones ’51 of North Fort Myers, Florida, died July 20, 2020. He was 90. Bill dedicated his life to Christ at a summer church camp in 1945 and became the youngest preacher in the Central Illinois Conference of the United Methodist Church. He was a recognized leader as president of both his high school class and Illinois Wesleyan’s student union. He later graduated from Garrett-Evangelical Theological Seminary while serving as a student pastor. Bill was an inspiring preacher who served on many UMC boards and agencies, and was a delegate to the Jurisdictional Conference and the World Methodist Council on Evangelism. He served congregations big and small, and touched countless lives through his ministry. He loved traveling and frequently led mission trips. He is survived by his wife Anne (Snyder) Jones ’53, three daughters, four grandchildren and five great-grandchildren.

Donald Hildebrand ’50 died April 14, 2020, in Nashville, Tennessee. He was 91. Don majored in history at Illinois Wesleyan before pursuing a law degree at Vanderbilt University. He entered the U.S. Army after his second year of law school but returned to Vanderbilt after an honorable discharge and earned his law degree in 1955. He was employed by State Farm for several years before founding the law firm Lester, Hildebrand, Nolan Porter and Mondelli. Don was a man of many interests and talents. He was active in American Legion, Shriners, Masons and the Eisenhower Foundation “People to People.” He hosted legal talk shows. He was a lifelong lover of music who performed in a lawyers’ orchestra and another group known as “The Established.” He ran for the Tennessee Supreme Court, and was a colonel in the Tennessee State Guard and the State Guard judge advocate, then the adjutant general, and finally the State Guard inspector general. He was also a published author who wrote The Community House about growing up in Emden, Illinois. Don was a longtime member of Belmont United Methodist Church in Nashville, where he served in the choir, as a Sunday school teacher, class president, and member of the administrative board. He also attended services at Belle Meade Methodist Church in Nashville. Of his time at Illinois Wesleyan, Don said, “When I reflect on the values and education that directed me in my career, I credit Wesleyan for providing me a strong and lasting foundation in both of these areas, along with many other wonderful experiences. Proudly, I credit Wesleyan for preparing me for a very successful career.” Don was preceded in death by his first wife. He is survived by his second wife, stepdaughter, two brothers, including Robert “Bob” Hildebrand ’52, and three nephews.

John Edwards passed away on Aprl 17, 2020 in New Holland, PA. He was married 58 years to Margaret Edwards, and earned a Ph. D. at the University of Illinois in Chicago. He was a member of Phi Kappa, Sigma XI, American Chemical Society, American Society of Biological Chemistry, and was listed in Marquis’ Who’s Who in American and Who’s Who in Science and Engineering. He is survived by his wife, children, and grandchildren. Read the full obituary here.

John Edwards ’59 died April 17, 2020, in New Holland, Pennsylvania. He was 83. John earned a Ph.D. at the University of Illinois at Chicago and conducted two years of postdoctoral research at Tufts University. He taught biochemistry at Villanova University for 38 years and served as department chair for 10 years. John was a member of Phi Kappa, Sigma Xi, American Chemical Society, American Society of Biological Chemistry, and was listed in Marquis’ Who’s Who in America and Who’s Who in Science and Engineering. He enjoyed camping, hiking, orienteering and distance running. He ran two marathons and many trail runs and half-marathons. He also served as an assistant Boy Scout leader. His hobbies included making wine, silver jewelry, Danish pastries, gardening and bird-carving. John moved to Garden Spot Village in retirement, where he engaged in hobbies and various groups and volunteer efforts. He is survived by his wife Peg (Smith) Edwards ’61, three children and five grandsons.

John H. Nisbet ’50 passed from this life on Tuesday, January 29, 2013.  He served the United States Army during WW II. He was a newspaper editor and writer for the Washington (D.C.) Star, the Bellows Falls (VT) Times, and the New Britain (CT) Herald. In 1959-60, he built Tamarack Lodge, a resort hotel at Mt. Snow, VT, which he owned and managed for 25 years before retiring.

Flavin (Stine) Marilyn ’50 passed away on April 24, 2020 in Minneapolis. She was an educator, musician and artist. She was a member of Prairie Community Church, and went on several missionary trips in her life. Read the full obituary here.