Larry D. Phifer, 74, of Mt. Vernon, Illinois passed away on Sunday, August 16, 2015 at Good Samaritan Regional Health Center in Mt. Vernon, Illinois. Larry attended Lincoln Way High School in New Lenox, Illinois and graduated from Gibson City High School. He received his Bachelor of Music Education in 1962, and his Master of Music in 1967, both from Illinois Wesleyan University in Bloomington, Illinois; his Post-Graduate study was at Indiana University in Bloomington, Indiana, Post-Graduate ABD study was at University of Illinois, Urbana, Illinois. During his teaching career he taught students from Kindergarten through Sophomore in College. From 1996-2008 he was Elementary School Teacher and Technology Coordinator, and taught Band, Chorus and Fine Arts at Summerville Grade School, Dodds Grade School and Opdyke-Belle Rive school districts. From 1973-78, he was Chairman of the Arts and Communications Department at Rend Lake College. He was Guest Conductor for the Illinois Music Educators Association All-State District Chorus at SIU-Carbondale and SIU Edwardsville. He successfully wrote for grants totaling over $324,000 for Summerville School. He was a member of the Illinois Music Educators Association, the National Honor Society, Blue Key National Honor and Service Fraternity, Phi Mu Alpha Sinfonia Professional Music Fraternity, Kappa Delta Pi National Honor Fraternity in Education and was recipient of Certificates of Commendation from President Gerald Ford and the Music Educators National Conference for the Rend Lake College Collegiate Choir performance in front of the White House on Memorial Day 1976 for the Bi-Centennial Celebration.

Click here to read the full obituary.

Phil Danielson ’60 passed away on May 18, 2015.

Mary Lou Cameron Schlichting ’65 passed away on May 15, 2014 in Canton, GA of Pulmonary Fibrosis.  For more information, please read here

Linda Stoltz ’65 passed away Thursday, May 7th, 2015.

You can view her obituary here.

Floyd R. Robison, 71, of Metamora, died at 8:15 a.m. Monday, Feb. 23, 2015, at Washington Christian Village. You may view his obituary here.

Classmate Carol Mavity passed away September 23 In Eden Prairie, Minnesota She was born in Peoria, Illinois and was an elementary school teacher in Denver,Colorado. Her obituary was published in the Estes Park Trail-Gazette on Oct. 18, 2014.

Glenn Mower, Jr., a resident of Pleasant Gap since 2013, died January 12, 2015, at The Oaks. The son of A. Glenn Mower and Alma Irene Weber, Glenn was born on June 22, 1918, in Mechanicsburg. Glenn joined the faculty of the Illinois Wesleyan University in Political Science in 1957 where he taught for five years. The author of numerous articles on international affairs in professional journals in six countries and anthologies, Glenn also authored six books in this field. As a writer his area of specialization was the protection of human rights through international organizations.

Read more here: http://www.legacy.com/obituaries/centredaily/obituary.aspx?n=a-glenn-mower&pid=173846154&#storylink=cpy

Kathryn “Camille” Elson, 74, of Chenoa, passed away at 3:01am, Friday, May 16, 2014 at her residence.

Camille was born March 18, 1940 in Rochelle the daughter of Paul and Louise Cleverstone Dutcher. They preceded her in death.  She married Harlan Elson on November 11, 1961 in Rochelle. He survives.  Also surviving are her daughter, Terri Caldwell of LeRoy and her son Doug (Patty) Elson of Gurnee; grandchildren, Alex Caldwell and Jessica and Jenny Elson; two sisters, Mary Bellows and Susan Morris both of Rochelle; and many nieces and nephews.Camille was a graduate of Illinois Weslyan University and Brokaw School of Nursing. She was a registered nurse for 53 years and worked many years as the office nurse for Dr. Oyer.

She was a member of the Presbyterian Church of Chenoa where she was a deacon.   Camille was also a member of Chenoa Women’s Club, Arts and Travel Club, and a board member of CASA. She was also involved with the Cubs Scouts as a den mother. Camille blessed many with her love of knitting over the years. She also was known and had a great love for her Collie dogs.

We are saddened to share that “Tough as nails” artist and teacher Sharon Jo Callner ’65 died on November 11, 2014.  You can read her obituary here.

We are saddened to share that the Reverend Martha A Coursey passed away December 3, 2014.  A memorial service will be planned for 2015.  Martha served as the pastor of Aldersgate United Methodist Church in Rockford, Illinois.