We are saddened to announce the death of two alumni:
Rolland Prest ’51 passed away Oct. 23, 2017
William Cutter ’57 passed away April 5, 2013
Rolland Prest ’51 and William Cutter ’57
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Rev. Art Runyon ’51
At 91, the Rev. Art Runyon ’51 is still playing golf – well, religiously. You can read more about it here.
Orvid Halane ’42
We are saddened to announce, Orvid Halane ‘42, Master’s ’48, of Ballwin MO, died 07/24/2018, just a few months shy of age 98. A native of Stanford IL, he met his future wife (Athlyne/Athie Henley, ’45, Master’s ’46, dec’d 2003) at IWU, where both were music majors. The two married in August 1946 at Athie’s home in Webster Groves MO (St. Louis area) after Orvid returned from serving overseas (9/42 – 11/45) in the U.S. Army Signal Corps. Orvid initially taught one year each in Ridgefarm IL and Smithville MO. The couple then returned to settle permanently in Athie’s hometown, where Orvid taught vocal music for over 30 years in the Maplewood-Richmond Heights School District before retiring in 1984. Outside of the classroom, Orvid also actively participated in music programs at both Grace and Manchester United Methodist churches, where he sang, rang handbells, and accompanied in various capacities. Following a move in 2009 to the Meramec Bluffs retirement community, he was able to continue playing the piano on a regular basis for Sunday morning worship services there, and he also presented several holiday programs with his daughter (a violinist) until a 2015 stroke ended his performing days. He is survived by a daughter, a son, and five nieces.
Jack Vadervort Stubblefield ’46
Anne Guckenberger Delo ’48
We are saddened to announce that Anne Guckenberger Delo, class of 1948 has passed away. Anne loved her years as a student at IWU. You can view here obituary here: http://www.buckscountycouriertimes.com/obituaries/20180923/anne-g-delo
John ’57 and Pat Jordan ’59
The 2018 Loyalty Award will be presented to John and Pat Jordan (’57 and ’59) at Homecoming on October 5th at the Alumni Awards Ceremony at 6 p.m. in the Memorial Center’s, Young Main Lounge. John and Pat have served as emcees for the Golden Titans homecoming dinner in 2017 and have been loyal supporters to the University through their donations and service.
To read the full article, click here.
Congratulations John and Pat!
Wilberta (Naden) Pickett ’50
Wilberta (Naden) Pickett ’50 has penned a story on the Illinois Wesleyan alumni and professors who impacted her life. Wilberta pays homage to her first piano teacher, Luetta “Peggy” (Zahn) Cummins Moore ’32, who cultivated a love and appreciation for music during Wilberta’s childhood growing up in St. Anne, Illinois.
“I owe Peggy Cummins a deep debt of gratitude, and Illinois Wesleyan’s Music School an equally deep debt, for educating her and for educating me,” wrote Wilberta, who was also thankful for lessons delivered later in her childhood by Mary (Badger) Coulter ’37. At Illinois Wesleyan, Wilberta credits professors Kenneth Cuthbert, Lillian (Mecherle) McCord ’27, Lloyd Pfautsch ’78 and Gretchen Van Roy for providing inspiration. Later, at Union Theological Seminary, she found friendly faces in professor Robert Baker ’38 and his wife Mary (Depler) Baker ’38.
Wilberta has served churches as an organist and choir director in Richmond, Indiana, suburban Cleveland and suburban Pittsburgh. Wilberta and her husband John live in a retirement community in the Pittsburgh area, where Wilberta has chaired the music events committee and has played the piano at many events, and the couple still sings together in their church choir. “Music has enriched the lives of everyone in our family, including our five children, 13 grandchildren and 10-and-a-half great-grandchildren, thanks to the early and continuing education I received from Wesleyanites.”
William A. Benjamin ’51
With sorrow we inform you that Mr. William A. Benjamin passed away April 27th, 2018.
Bill spent his childhood in Bloomington and following high school enlisted in the Navy. He was honorably discharged and returned home to attend Illinois Wesleyan University. Bill married Joan Ruth Ericzon in 1951 and they became the proud parents of Deborah Ann and William Blake.
A link to William’s full obituary can be found here.
Joseph Tolson ’56, Donald Batz, ’56 and John Andrae ’58
No stones were left unturned when these 3 members of Alpha Iota Chapter of Sigma Chi met (with wives) for long weekend in Indiana. Lower step: Joseph Tolson, 111, A.I. ’56, Donald Batz, A.I. ’56, and John Andrae, ’58!
The “Brothers” talked about the hours spent at each Homecoming. First: Competitive Singing; then, building a beautiful float; followed by cleaning the fraternity house at 1102 N. Main in Bloomington, IL. We were so PROUD to have received the “KEG”, for BEST FLOAT and BEST HOUSE!!
We were so pleased, and thank the Editors of The Sigma Chi Magazine, Spring 2018 Issue, of Closing Circle, for the “Anniversary Picture” of Sigs we all knew!!
On Sunday, we attended church, shared a meal, and left each other with our “THANKS TO GOD’ for being able to share good times and good memories.
Robert Sengpiel ’58
We are saddened to announce that Robert Sengpiel ’58 passed away on November 2nd, 2017. You can view his obituary here.