Harlan Dalluge ’58

Harlan Dalluge ’58 recently shared memories of his time at Illinois Wesleyan in a letter. “I was so sad to get your most recent Class Newsletter that noted the death of Jim Wasem, Karl Tauber, and Bob Cushman,” he writes. “All three were teammates of mine over those four years when we won various titles and many baseball games. Jim Wasem and Bob Cushman were dependable infielders. Karl Tauber was an outstanding catcher….all were exceptionally talented, capable, and personable.”

Harlan also shared “a couple of old (very old)” newspaper clippings:

Jack K. Stephens ’57

Jack K. Stephens ’57 of Monmouth, IL. passed away Monday, July 11, 2022. Jack was born May 30, 1931 in Joplin, MO, the son of Lyman Kenneth and Lola Margaret (Perry) Stephens. He was raised and educated in Normal, IL, graduating from Normal High School in 1949. He graduated with a Bachelor of Music Education from Illinois Wesleyan University in 1957 and later his Master of Music degree in 1961. Jack married Joy Ruth Fairchild ’62 in Heyworth, IL on August 10, 1961. Ruth passed away on July 12, 2022. View the full obituary here.

Joseph Roderick Myshrall ’52

Joseph Roderick Myshrall graduated from IWU in 1952 and was a member of the baseball team. His son, John Myshrall, has recently written a book about his WWII service and other aspects of his life, including his time at IWU. The book is entitled Thunderbird Has Done It Again: Ernie Pyle & General Dwight D. Eisenhower’s Favorite WWII Story – Part 2 and can be found on Amazon Books.

Robert “Bob” Levine ’48

Robert “Bob” Levine, M.D. ’48 passed away on June 21, 2022. Bob was born in Chicago, IL on July 20, 1929. He attended Hyde Park High School in Chicago and graduated from Illinois Wesleyan University in 1948 with a Bachelor of Science. After graduating from medical school in 1953, Bob served as a flight surgeon in the United States Air Force. In 1963, Bob and his wife moved to Grand Rapids, Michigan where Bob became a partner in a private surgical practice. After retiring from surgery, Bob maintained his interest in improving and supporting the health care system. View the full obituary here.

Stanley Barnes ’58

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.

Norman Erickson ’50

Norman Erickson ’50 died May 17, 2022. He was 95. Norm served in the U.S. Navy during World War II before attending Illinois Wesleyan, where he was active in Tau Kappa Epsilon. He later earned a master’s degree at Roosevelt University. Norm taught physical education and coached basketball for 36 years at Deer Path Junior High School in Lake Forest, Illinois; his legacy there is honored by way of the annual Norm Erickson Invitational Tournament. Norm also remained connected to athletics as an Illinois High School Association basketball and football official. Norm served for 19 years as a Libertyville (Ill.) Township trustee, and as waterfront director, camp director and owner of Camp Mishawaka in Grand Rapids, Minnesota. Norm loved the Green Bay Packers and Chicago Cubs. He loved his friends and family even more. He is survived by three sons, four grandchildren and four great-grandchildren. You can read his full obituary here.

Patricia (Hartman) Yoder ’53

Patricia (Hartman) Yoder ’53 of Bloomington, Illinois, died May 13, 2022. She was 91. Pat majored in elementary education and was active in Kappa Kappa Gamma Sorority at Illinois Wesleyan. She met her late husband, John Yoder ’49, the older brother of her roommate, during her time as an IWU student. Illinois Wesleyan played an important role in the Yoders’ lives; they were dedicated fans of the Titans their entire lives and returned to campus regularly. Pat taught at Jefferson School in Bloomington before she and John started their family. She was a fun, creative mom who loved to cook and entertain, especially when hosting family gatherings. Pat was a member of the Bloomington-Normal Symphony Orchestra Guild, where she held a variety of leadership positions. She and John also loved spending time at their second home in Cambria, California, where she also enjoyed hosting family and friends. She is survived by five children, including John Yoder ’78, 12 grandchildren and seven great-grandchildren. You can read her full obituary here.

Harold Bennett ’52

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.

Frank New ’53

Frank New ’53 of Tempe, Arizona, died Mar 24, 2022. He was 91. Frank earned a bachelor’s degree at Illinois Wesleyan University and a master’s degree from Garrett Theological School in Evanston, Illinois. While at IWU, he met and married Mary Lou (Doland) New ’53. Frank spent 44 years as a Methodist minister in Central Illinois. He and Mary Lou retired to Sun Lakes, Arizona, where he spent two years on staff at Sun Lakes United Methodist Church. In 2005, they moved to and became active residents of Life Care Retirement Community at Friendship Village of Tempe. After a cancer diagnosis, they moved to an assisted living facility, where they lived for two years. Through his life and work, Frank touched many lives. He is survived by his wife, three children, including Sherry New ’79, four grandchildren and one great-grandchild.

Mario Mancinelli

Mario Mancinelli of Bloomington, Illinois, died March 15, 2022. He was 99. Mario served as a faculty member in Illinois Wesleyan’s School of Music for 35 years. He was hired in 1948 to teach strings and chamber music, and conduct the student orchestra. He retired in 1983 with emeritus status. Mario attended Ohio State University, where he earned bachelor’s and master’s degrees. He was also a faculty member at Brevard Music Center for 25 years. He was a member of the American String Teachers Association, American Federation of Musicians, Phi Mu Alpha Sinfonia, and an honorary member of Phi Kappa Phi. Mario was an accomplished violinist and played regularly in Central Illinois orchestras. He enjoyed crossword puzzles, playing and listening to classical music, playing cards, and watching the Indianapolis 500, World Series and the Olympics. He was a longtime member of the Unitarian Universalist Church of Bloomington-Normal. He is survived by two children and a granddaughter.