Wayne Dohrmann ’66

Wayne Dohrmann ’66 of Manson, Iowa, died August 25, 2020. He was 83. Wayne earned a bachelor’s degree at Wartburg College and a master’s degree at Illinois Wesleyan. He taught and was a long-time junior sponsor at Manson Community Schools. He became an agent with Farm Bureau Insurance of Iowa and advanced to agency manager at five Farm Bureau offices. He later owned and operated his own insurance and realty office. Wayne served in the Iowa National Guard, on the Mason Community School Board, and the church council at St Paul Lutheran in Manson. He was a member of St Paul for almost 60 years. Wayne was an avid musician who enjoyed singing and playing guitar. He is survived by his wife, two sons, three grandchildren and a brother.

Michael Daubs ’66

Michael Daubs ’66 of Sun Prairie, Wisconsin died July 29, 2020. He was 77. Michael earned a bachelor’s degree at Illinois Wesleyan and a master’s degree at Illinois State University. He started his career as an analyst and commercial mortgage officer for Country Companies in Bloomington, Illinois. He later joined Lutheran Mutual Life in Waverly, Iowa, where he became senior vice president of investments. He was one of the founders of Members Capital Advisors where he served as president. He was later named chief investment officer and senior vice president of investments for CUNA Mutual Group. When he wasn’t playing tennis or golf, Michael could be found in nature hunting, fishing or birdwatching. He was an avid fan of the St Louis Cardinals, Chicago Bears and Chicago Bulls. He is survived by his wife, three children, four siblings and 15 grandchildren.

Marion (Parbs) Atten ’66

Marion (Parb’s) Atten ’66 of DeWitt, Illinois, died July 19, 2020. She was 76. Marion worked as a substitute teacher after her time at Illinois Wesleyan. She enjoyed art as well as traveling throughout the United States, often in search of antiques. She especially enjoyed time with her family and doting on her children and grandchildren. She is survived by two children and five grandchildren.

Jeannette (Cramer) Hills ’62

Jeannette (Cramer) Hills ’62 of Jacksonville, Illinois, died August 28, 2020. She was 79. Jeannette studied at Cottey College before transferring to Illinois Wesleyan, where she met future husband Steven Hills ’61. Jeannette taught in South Jacksonville, Illinois, before starting her family. After her children were raised, she attended and graduated from Passavant Hospital’s licensed and practical nurse program. Jeannette was a member of Centenary United Methodist Church and participated in the handbell choir at Central Christian Women’s Club Bible Study. She also volunteered at Barton W. Stone Christian Home. She enjoyed travelling and spending time with friends and family. She was preceded in death by her husband. She is survived by two children.

Josephine (Chiza) Gurira ’67 Receives Outstanding Woman of Color Award

Josephine (Chiza) Gurira ’67 earned the University of Wisconsin-Platteville’s Outstanding Woman of Color Award in March 2020. Josephine is the reference services librarian at UW-Platteville’s Karrmann Library. The award recognizes female faculty, staff, and students of color at UW-Platteville, as well as women of color in the Platteville community. Congratulations, Josephine.

 

Joan (Richardson) McGraw ’61

Joan Robinson McGraw Class of 1961

We are sorry to share the sad news that Joan (Richardson) McGraw ’61 passed away in New Bern, NC December 2020, after a 12-year battle with Alzheimer’s disease. Those classmates who may remember Joan’s twinkling eyes, ready smile and friendly personality will be happy to know that she retained those wonderful traits throughout her lifetime.

Joan and husband Thomas McGraw ’61 raised two fine sons, John and Doug, and after they became independent, Joan decided she would like to have a career of her own, and began what became a 17 year stint with the Retired Officers Association (now known as the Military Officers Association of America (MOAA)). She loved the professional and patriotic environment at TROA and was very proud of her work in the Payroll Department. Retiring in 1998, and ever the “beach person,” Joan chose Little River, SC as the couples final getaway place. However, two years later, they moved to New Bern, NC (still near the ocean), a town with a rich cultural heritage and just right for retirees. Joan thrived with the many social and volunteer organizations she joined in this friendly town.

Joan is survived by her husband Tom in New Bern, sons John and Doug, and grandson “JT,” all in Stafford County, VA. She was predeceased by her granddaughter, Bailey.

Ralph Sackett ’60

Ralph Sackett ’60 was the guest of honor at a surprise celebration organized by his former players on August 8, 2020, in Bloomington, Illinois.

Ralph coached at Illinois High Schools in Bloomington, Octavia, Reddick and Granite City, Washington (Mo.) University, and for Bloomington’s American Legion Post 56. Ralph left coaching at age 34 to embark on a successful career in banking and finance. But his impact left on student-athletes during his coaching tenure was evident at the surprise celebration, which was chronicled by Randy Kindred in The Pantagraph.

You can read the article here.