George Bull ’63, 88 of Rockford, IL, passed away on July 3, 2024. He was born on December 16, 1935 to Della (Bogdonas) and Burton Bull. He married Darlene (Freese) on March 28, 1959, they shared two children and 63 years of marriage. George was a dedicated husband, father, and grandfather. He was a faithful service member of the United States Army.

George graduated from West High School in Rockford. He made many lifelong friends there. He played football in high school and then again in college at Illinois Wesleyan. George had his pilot’s license and enjoyed flying out of Cottonwood Airport. He and Darlene loved to travel. George ultimately received his masters degree in education and taught for many years at East High School in Rockford.

He was a long time member at Second Congregational UCC/First Presbyterian Church. George was also a past member of the University Club, and enjoyed boating, skiing, biking, playing golf and bridge club. His kind heart and friendly attitude will be deeply missed. You can read George’s full obituary here.

Richard Berman ’66 recently passed away Thursday, June 13, 2024, with his family by his side. Born in Chicago on May 14, 1944, he is the son of David and Josephine (DiGiacomo) Berman. He married Alice Sherfy in 1969. He graduated from Illinois  Wesleyan University in 1966. A 1974 graduate of Valparaiso University with a JD, he practiced workers’ compensation law at Williams McCarthy for 40 years. He was a past member of the Winnebago County, the Illinois, and the American Bar Associations. He lectured as a guest speaker and as a faculty member of the Illinois Institute for Continuing Legal Education, The Illinois State Bar Association Law Ed series, and the National Business Institute. He was a past president of Janet Wattles Mental Health Center and served on their Foundation Board, was an active member of Westminster Presbyterian Church, and was proud to be a volunteer driver for the American Cancer Society Road to Recovery. Read Richard’s full obituary here.

Dennis “Denny” Steele ’67 passed away in Bloomington, IL on October 18, 2023 at the age of 78. He is survived by his wife, sister, two children, and two grandchildren.

Read the full obituary here.

William Ray Van Plew ’66 passed away on December 6 at the age of 78. While at Illinois Wesleyan, William earned his bachelor’s degree in art (printmaking specialty) and was a member of TKE. One of William’s original prints was chosen and featured in a gallery show in Washington, D.C., while was he still in college.

You can read his full obituary here.

Dave Petrick ’67 passed away on December 2, 2022 after a long and fierce battle with lung cancer. Throughout his life, Dave shared his time, talent, and treasure with Illinois Wesleyan University, most recently with the planning and development of The Petrick IDEA Center. As a lifelong entrepreneur himself, Dave was passionate about sharing the spirit of innovation and entrepreneurship with future Titans. Once built, The Petrick IDEA Center will serve as the epicenter of IWU innovation, as well as a lasting legacy to Dave’s creativity and generosity. He will be greatly missed by the campus community and by all who knew him. 

Jim Joyce ’63 passed away on October 4th, 2022 at his home in Lincoln, Nebraska. After service in the U.S. Army, Jim worked in Des Moines, Iowa and Lincoln as a journalist and later as a legislative and gubernatorial assistant. At IWU, he majored in English and was active in the early setting up of Acacia Fraternity.

Joseph “Joe” Anderson ’67 passed away on October 23, 2022 in Bloomington, IL. He was born on September 6, 1944, and is survived by his wife, siblings, nieces and nephews. Read the full obituary here.

Nancy Meeker ’64 passed away on October 20, 2022 in home hospice. She is survived by her husband Dave ’64, sons Steve and John, four grandchildren and one great grandchild. While attending Wesleyan Nancy was a member of Kappa Gamma and kept active with many Kappa alum activities and friends throughout her life. Read the full obituary here.

Joyce (Lego) Finkler ’60 passed away on July 21, 2022. Joyce was the first in her family to graduate from college, Illinois Wesleyan, with a major in Spanish and a minor in French. She completed her program in three and a half years. College is where Joyce met Robert, her future husband. They attended countless fraternity and sorority events together, garnering her the Fiji Rose title.

You can read Joyce’s full obituary here.

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.