Robert Lawry ’64 of Peoria, Illinois, died March 2, 2022. He was 79. Bob was called to ministry after a mission during his high school years which afforded him a month to work with Louisiana’s Houma population. He studied religion at Illinois Wesleyan and, during his freshman year, he worked part-time at Ebenezer Methodist Church near Funks Grove, Illinois. He became a student pastor there the following year, and maintained a connection with the church throughout his life. Bob went on to Garrett Theological Seminary and was ordained as an elder in the United Methodist Church the same year he earned his degree from Garrett. He served churches in many Illinois communities: Woodland, Crescent City, Herscher, Buckingham, Cambridge, East Moline, Quincy, Effingham, Peoria and Washington. Bob appreciated the privilege of being a pastor, and he possessed gifts for preaching, teaching and administration. Anyone who spent any appreciable time with Bob learned of his lifelong friendship with Pro Football Hall of Famer Lou Groza, who gave Bob his first kicking lesson in a room at Chicago’s Palmer House hotel, and who provided the guidance Bob needed to become the placekicker for the IWU football team. Bob appreciated his many friendships and enjoyed spending many happy hours traveling the country visiting his children and grandchildren. He is survived by his wife, three children, two stepsons, six granddaughters and two siblings. 

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. 

Evelyn Wantland died Feb. 4, 2022, in Urbana, Illinois. She was 104. Evelyn served as a professor of mathematics at Illinois Wesleyan from 1964-76 and maintained emeritus status. Evelyn attended Hollins College, the University of Chicago, and the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign, and earned a doctorate in mathematics. In addition to Illinois Wesleyan, she taught at Ferrum Junior College, Kansas State University and the University of Mississippi. Evelyn enjoyed reading, crossword puzzles, playing bridge and Scrabble, and taking long walks in Meadowbrook Park in Urbana. She was a member of Urbana’s First United Methodist Church. She is survived by her daughter, two grandchildren, and several nieces and nephews. 

Dr. Jim Cook ’64 of Portland, Oregon, died Dec. 4, 2021. He was 79. Jim pursued his dream of becoming a physician from an early age. After attending Illinois Wesleyan, he graduated from Chicago College of Osteopathic Medicine and interned in Tulsa, Oklahoma. He served in the U.S. Army as a battalion surgeon during the Vietnam War, earning a medical badge, for rescuing troops while under fire, and commendation medals. Upon his return, Jim was stationed at the Presidio of Monterey (Calif.), where he completed his residency in dermatology at Letterman Army Medical Center. He continued to serve in the Army Reserves, with a four-month interruption of his practice for stateside service during Operation Desert Storm. Jim maintained a private practice in Portland from 1981 until his retirement in 2014. During his practice, he became a fellow of the American Academy of Dermatology and a diplomate of the American Board of Dermatology. He was a clinical assistant professor of dermatology at Oregon Health & Science University, and had privileges at several hospitals. Jim belonged to the Oregon Airedale Terrier Society of Willamette Valley and the Airedale Club of America; his Airedales (Eloise, Ruby, Diva, Raven and Della) played an important role in his life. In retirement, Jim pursued companion dog training and competition. Jim was also a member of the Multnomah Athletic Club. He was an excellent chef and many friends were the recipients of his famous pear bread and biscotti. He is survived by many friends. 

Barbara (Hamilton) Braner ’60 of Beardstown, Illinois, died Jan. 20, 2022. She was 80. Barb studied music education at Illinois Wesleyan and went on to a teaching career in schools in Chandlerville and Concord, Illinois, and at White Sands New Mexico Military School, before a 25-year tenure in the Beardstown school district. Among her proudest teaching moments were helping students qualify for state competitions and earn accolades for chorus performances. Barb served as president of the Illinois District for Music Educators and served on the Illinois Elementary School Board Association. Barb was a charter member and held many roles in Beardstown Emblem Club #474. She was a member of First United Methodist Church in Beardstown, where she played the organ and served as choir director. She liked golfing and reading, and was a fan of University of Illinois athletics and St. Louis Cardinals. She enjoyed time spent with family, connecting with former students, and making new friends. She is survived by a brother, two nieces, a nephew, and many extended family members. 

Robert E. Evans ’62 of Holden, a beloved husband, father, grandfather, friend, and mentor to so many, passed on Thursday, January 20, 2022. Bob was a graduate of Needham High School, class of 1958. While attending high school in Needham, Bob met the love of his life and devoted wife, Kathy. He attended Illinois Wesleyan University where he received a bachelor’s degree in insurance. Bob had a lifelong career, spanning nearly 60 years, as an accomplished investment advisor, a licensed insurance agent, and a financial planner. Starting at John Hancock Insurance Company, he then worked as a General Agent with Berkshire Life Insurance Company for 32 years. In 1989 he founded FMG Financial Services in partnership with Michael Hanely. Bob has always been dedicated to his career and worked to improve the industry through his membership and active involvement with various organizations, including serving as President of the Massachusetts Association of Life Underwriters. Read the full obituary here.

Diana (Knoespel) Elder ’62 died Jan. 4, 2022, in Urbana, Illinois. She was 81. Diana earned a bachelor’s degree at Illinois Wesleyan, a certification in Christian education in the United Methodist Church, and a Master of Divinity at Garrett Theological Seminary. Diana was a lifelong learner and spent much of her adult life as a teacher in Central Illinois. She later served as director of education and programs at First United Methodist Church in Urbana. She was a Sunday school teacher and Bible study leader at many of the parishes where she and her late husband served. Diana became a licensed pastor in 1990 and was ordained as an elder in the United Methodist Church in 1996. She served as pastor at United Methodist Church in Cullom, Illinois, and Lovington, Illinois, before retiring in 2002. Diana enjoyed singing, swimming, golf, travel, continuing her education, and spending time with friends and family. She is survived by three sons, six grandchildren, three great-grandchildren and one brother.