Delmar Smith ’61

Delmar Smith ’61 of Morton, Illinois, died Nov. 25, 2020. He was 86.

Delmar earned a bachelor’s degree at Illinois Wesleyan before earning master’s and doctoral degrees in divinity and ministry, respectively. He served 39-and-a-half years as an ordained clergyman in the United Methodist Church, including the final 19 years at Canton (Ill.) Wesley United Methodist Church. He is survived by two children, six grandchildren, 12 great-grandchildren, a sister and a nephew.

You can read the full obituary here.

Gilbert “Gil” Dorsey ’62

Gilbert “Gil” Dorsey ’62 is the recipient of the 2020 IWU Loyalty Award.

Dorsey graduated from Illinois Wesleyan with a major in Insurance. Immediately following graduation he joined Procter and Gamble as a Field Advertising Representative and later a Case Food Salesman. He is retired from The Eureka Company in Bloomington, a division of A.B. Electrolux of Sweden.

Over his 34 year career at Eureka, Dorsey served as President, Vice President of Sales and Marketing, Vice President of Product Planning, Product Manager, and various sales office related positions. He traveled multiple times to Stockholm, Sweden and extensively on business and pleasure throughout the World and USA. He also served six years in the Army Reserves and Illinois Air Force National Guard.

Dorsey has been very active as an alumnus and has a long history of service to the University. He has served on the Illinois Wesleyan Board of Trustees since 1992 and currently holds an Emeritus position. He served as Chairman of the search committee responsible for hiring President Richard “Dick” Wilson. As a Trustee, he headed the Campus Life Committee, served on the Executive Committee as Vice President, and a Trustee of the Rupert Trust benefiting IWU Nursing. Dorsey is an avid Titan fan and supports IWU Athletics and enjoys all Illinois Wesleyan activities.

He participates in the Bloomington-Normal community where he is an active member of Calvary United Methodist Church, currently leading a men’s study group. Since 1986, he has been a member of the Bloomington Kiwanis Club, serving as President and as a member of other committees. In the past, he served on the BroMenn Hospital and Foundation Boards, Red Cross Evening of Stars Committee, Past President, and later Interim Director of the McLean County Chamber of Commerce.

Submit a note of congratulations to Gil Dorsey here .

Gil Dorsey

Gayle Bruch Rein ’62

After retiring from teaching composition and literature for 30 years at Geneseo High School and Black Hawk College, Gayle began a new career researching, writing, and giving Power Point programs about local history. In 2004 she wrote a chapter in the history book Grand Excursions on the Upper Mississippi River about 19th century logging in Wisconsin and the rafting of logs to Upper Mississippi River sawmills. In 2020 she published Artist Edwin Willard Deming, A Biography (1860–1942); From Childhood a Passion to Paint Native American Traditions. Growing up on a Geneseo, IL prairie farm, he became acquainted with Winnebago children, whose families in the winter came down from Wisconsin to hunt and fish near the Deming farm. This experience influenced him to dedicate his life to capturing in his art Native American Indian traditions. In addition to the Sioux, Crow, and Blackfeet, his friends included artist Fredrick Remington and President Theodore Roosevelt.

Richard Jenkins ’69

Richard Jenkins ’69 will appear in three feature films slated for release in 2020. Richard stars in the crime comedy-drama Kajillionaire and comedy The Last Shift, both of which premiered at the Sundance Film Festival in January 2020. Richard will also star in The Humans, a comedy currently in post-production. He was filming Nightmare Alley this spring when production was suspended due to the COVID-19 pandemic. In the photo below, he pictured to the right in his role in The Last Shift.

Hal Graff ‘69

Hal Graff ‘69 is featured in the Summer/Fall issue of the IWU magazine for the publication of his 61st novel, The Credit Card Murders: A Davis Finn Mystery, Volume 35. The Credit Card Murders and other novels in the series are available on Amazon.
Congratulations, Hal! 

William Richard “Dick” Setchell ’68

William Richard “Dick” Setchell ’68 of Mendota, Illinois, died December 28, 2019. He was 73. Dick studied political science and theology at Illinois Wesleyan, and was a member of Theta Chi. Dick was a farmer and owner of several businesses. He was an avid historian and antique collector, with particular interests in antique firearms and Native American artifacts. He was also invested in passing on family history and traditions. He enjoyed his grandchildren, fishing and debating spiritual or political matters. Dick was a member of Rotary International and was active in church council, church youth groups and confirmation classes. Dick is survived by his wife, two daughters, two stepdaughters, six grandchildren, two siblings, and many nieces and nephews.