1960s Class News

Joy R. Stephens ’62, 80, of Monmouth, IL, passed at 9:10 pm, Tuesday, July 12, 2022 in Peoria, IL. Joy was born January 29, 1942 in Centralia, IL the daughter of Charles Arthur and G. Irene (Nogle) Fairchild. She was raised and educated in Sandoval, IL, graduating from Sandoval High School in 1958. She later attended Illinois Wesleyan University as a music major. After raising her family, Joy graduated from Monmouth College in 1988 with a Bachelor of Arts degree in Accounting. Joy later earned her Master of Business Administration in Accounting from Colorado State University in 2004. Joy married Jack Kenneth Stephens ’57 in Heyworth, IL on August 10, 1961 and he passed away on July 11, 2022. View the full obituary here.

Joseph Rabe ’65 died April 21, 2022, in South Pasadena, Florida. Joe majored in speech at Illinois Wesleyan. After graduation, he took a job with Sears, Roebuck & Co., where he held a variety of positions at stores in Illinois, Wisconsin and Iowa. Joe developed a love of automobiles early in life, a passion he shared with his father. Joe made that passion his profession when he became co-owner of a Dodge-Chrysler-Plymouth dealership in Sauk City, Wisconsin, in the late 1980s. In retirement, he traveled between East Moline, Illinois, and South Pasadena, where he continued to be an active member of car clubs. He had a particular passion for Packard, Studebaker, Avanti and Saab vehicles. Joe had a knack for storytelling and was happiest when he had the chance to regale friends with his tales into the wee hours of the morning. He is survived by two children, four grandchildren, and many extended family members. You can read more here.

A. Phillip Borkenhagen ’64 of Milton, Wisconsin, died April 6, 2022. He was 84. Phil earned a bachelor’s degree at Milton College before graduating with a master’s degree in mathematics from Illinois Wesleyan. He also earned postgraduate credits at Northern Illinois University and completed predoctoral work at Marquette University. Phil went on to a career as a math and chemistry teacher, a contract negotiator for teachers and support staff, and an executive director for Capital Area Uniserv North in Madison, Wisconsin. Phil also officiated high school and college basketball. He served on Milton College’s alumni association board of directors, including three years as its president. He was a supporter of the Boys & Girls Club of Janesville (Wis.), Special Olympics of Wisconsin, and St. Paul’s Lutheran Church and School in Janesville. He was an avid fan of the Chicago Cubs and Bears, and the University of Wisconsin. He was an active golfer and worked part-time in retirement at Glen Erin Golf Club in Rock County, Wisconsin. He also taught undergraduate classes at Concordia University Wisconsin in retirement. He is survived by four children, five grandchildren and 12 great-grandchildren. You can read more here.