We are saddened to inform you that James “Jim” Stirling ’58 passed away on May 12, 2018.During his years on campus, Jim was a member of Theta Chi fraternity, a pre-theology student and president of his senior class. He served two local Methodist churches as a student pastor during these years. Following graduation, he married his college sweetheart, Patricia Stirling (1958), and immediately started his seminary education at Garrett Theological Seminary. After completing seminary, Jim was ordained by the Methodist Church and was appointed as pastor to a “new-church-start” congregation in New Berlin, Wisconsin. He was always out-going and enjoyed the challenge of building this church to be a faithful and thriving community. In the early seventies he entered the business world and developed skills in sales and management, building on his ministerial experience. Jim enjoyed keeping in touch with Wesleyan friends throughout his life and often wondered about those with whom he had lost contact. Jim lived with the effects of a severe stroke which he sustained when he was forty-seven. His positive attitude and determination helped him overcome many of the odds that could have stalled his life. He adored his family and helped raise five children to be industrious, kind and compassionate people. Despite the trials of life, Jim was one to search for the joy in each moment. Jim lived for eighty-two years and he lived his life fully.

Read his full obituary here: https://www.metcalfandjonkhoff.com/notices/James-Stirling

We are saddened to inform you that Arthur Russell Williams, former IWU Theatre Arts Faculty Member, passed away on July 3rd, 2018 at age 83.  You can read his obituary here.

We are saddened to inform you that Dr. Robert Edmund Smith passed away on June 28th, 2018.

After graduating from Illinois Wesleyan, Bob attended Washington University Dental School. Bob practiced dentistry in Arcola, starting in 1963. He was a mainstay on Main Street until his retirement in 2006. He was a lifetime member of the Arcola First Christian, where he held many leadership positions through the years as well as playing the organ. Bob was a charter member of the Arcola Foundation Board, where he served for 33 years. He was chairman for the last 28 years of his tenure. Bob was proud of the work done by the foundation and the scholarships awarded to many Arcola graduates. To honor his many years of community involvement, Bob, along with Natalie, was a grand marshal for the 2006 Broom Corn Festival.

Bob cared deeply about everyone; family, friends, and new acquaintances. This was exemplified recently at Barnes Jewish Hospital, when many of the nurses would make a visit to Bob the first stop of their morning routines. Bob took the time to ask questions and remembered everyone’s stories.

View his full obituary here.

We are sorry to inform you of the passing of Elizabeth “Penny” Bailey March 5, 2018. A Freeport resident for the past year,  previously Penny was a 60-year resident of Rolling Meadows, IL, where she was an active community participant. She worked for Camp Fire Girls and the American Red Cross and was active with Incarnation United Methodist Church in Arlington Heights as well as a social justice advocate. Penny was known for her compassion, high energy, optimistic outlook, and diverse talents.

View Penny’s full obituary here.

We are deeply saddened to inform you that William J. Wartmann ’57, passed away Sunday, June 17th, 2018. Services will be at 11 a.m. Friday, June 22nd at the Edgerton Performing Arts Center of Edgerton High School in Wisconsin. Visitation will be from 9 a.m. until the time of services Friday at the center.

Mr. Wartmann is honored in this article, remembering his philanthropic generosity and passion.

William was also featured in a 2011 IWU Magazine article of which you may read here.

We are saddened to inform you that Marjorie (Zehr) Sneed Smith-Otto ’45 passed away on December 24, 2017.

Shortly after graduating, Marjorie moved to Yuma, Arizona accepting a position at Yuma County Hospital, as a medical supervisor. Marjorie retired from Yuma School District One as Coordinator of Health Services and Registered Nurses after working with children for 26 years. Her passions were her family and all children. She loved to travel and visit new places, meet people of different cultures and nationalities.

She enjoyed travel in the USA and internationally visiting the continents of Australia, Africa, Europe and much of the Caribbean. Marjorie was an active long time member of Morningside Baptist Church. Additionally, she was also an active member of the Chapter 7 Nurses Association in Rio, Colorado.

Marjorie will be remembered by family and friends as a caring, compassionate lady, who loved her Lord, her family, children, and helping others.

View her full obituary here.

We are saddened to inform you of the passing of Phyllis Jean (Smith) Short ’47 on June 7th, 2018. During her time as a music major at IWU, she was a member of Delta Omicron, Phi Kappa Phi, PEO, Ladies Study Club, and UMW at Wesley United Methodist Church. She taught many young students how to play the piano, and later in life worked at the McLean County Law and Justice Center.

Phyllis will be greatly missed by many.

Read her full obituary here.

We are sorry to the passing of Barbara (Hakes) Smith ’50 on May 26th, 2018.

During her time at IWU, Barbara was an active member of the Alpha Gamma Delta sorority. She was an active member of the Plainfield United Methodist Church, participating in the Widows group, Lunch Bunch, and Bible Study groups, as well as in knitting prayer shawls and writing cards to sick and elderly church members. Barbara taught Spanish at Plainfield (Central) High School for 25 years until retirement in 1990. She also was active in the Plainfield Retired Teachers, Plainfield Park District, and Red Rover Social groups. Barbara was an active member of the Daughters of American Revolution (DAR), participating in many charity events. She enjoyed life and made sure that those around her did the same.

Read her full obituary here.

We are saddened to inform you that Helen (Hilpert) Waltz ’49 passed away on January 15, 2018 at her longtime residence in Tempe, AZ.

At Wesleyan, Helen met and later married James E. Waltz, Jr. They lived in Jacksonville, IL for a year and then Joliet, IL where she had her two boys before moving to Tempe, AZ permanently in 1965.

Over the years she spent a year teaching grades 1-5 in the same classroom in Jacksonville, worked as a chemist for Spreckles Sugar Co., a bookkeeper for Sullbrook Water Treatment Service, started and ran a wreath-making business called the Pod Patch and was an avid Shaklee Distributor.

Her interests included playing the piano, sewing, knitting, travel, church and spending time with friends and family.

Read her full obituary here.