With sorrow we inform you that Robert W. Cummins, Jr. ’56 passed away Thursday, July 26, 2018 after a short but fierce battle with lung cancer.

After his time at Illinois Wesleyan, he received his masters of science in education from Illinois State University.  He taught vocal music in the Bloomington Public School system for thirty-seven years until his retirement.

His hobbies included building model trains, boats and steam engines. He also fancied himself as an actor enjoying his time on stage with the Community Players Theater and Conklin Theater.

Read his full obituary here.

We are sorry to inform you that Sandra “Sandy” (Barr) Noren ’59 passed away on May 11th, 2018.

Sandy worked as a reference librarian at the 1st National Bank of Chicago. She stopped working to raise her children. Sandy had been a member of the Missouri Valley Presbyterian Church for over 30 years where she was also an Elder. She later became a member and Elder of First Christian Church in Vinton and participated in the Wednesday morning Bible study for many years. Sandy was a member of the Thursday Card Club for 15 years and was also a member of the Mentor Literature Club and Hooks and Needles. She was a lover of dogs, horses, crocheting, reading, bird watching, and flower gardening.

Read her full obituary here.

We are saddened to inform you that M. Maxine “Mickey” Opperman ’49 passed away on Sunday, May 20, 2018. After her time at Illinois Wesleyan, Mickey worked for the University Illinois Extension as a Grundy County Youth Advisor. She also worked at State Bank of Piper City.

Read her full obituary here.

We are deeply saddened to inform you of the passing of Robert E. Smith, D.D.S. ’59 on June 28th, 2018.

You can find his obituary here.

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.