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. 

Doris Stickel ’64 of Wakarusa, Indiana, died Oct. 17, 2021. She was 80. Doris studied music and was active in Delta Omicron at Illinois Wesleyan. She later earned a master’s degree. Doris was a lifelong teacher and performer of music. Following her teaching career, she worked for ADEC, Inc., in Elkhart, Indiana. She and her late husband were lifelong members of the Unitarian Universalist Fellowship of Elkhart. Doris was an avid gardener, birder and lover of nature. She was also a voracious reader and worked part-time at a used bookstore in Elkhart. Doris and her late husband loved to travel, especially to national parks by way of their beloved camper. She is survived by two sisters, two stepchildren and many extended family members. Full obituary can be read here.

Franklin Lenberg ’65 of Moline, Illinois, died April 5, 2021. He was 84. Frank studied art at Illinois Wesleyan. He served in the U.S. Navy and went on to work for the National Licorice Company before later retiring from J.C. Penney Company. He was a member of Gospel Temple in Moline and Open Bible Church in East Moline. He enjoyed flea markets, reminiscing and sharing stories. He is survived by his wife, son, and many extended family members and friends. You can read the full obituary here.

John William “Bill” Locke ’60 of Chicago died Sept. 7, 2021. He was 83. Bill majored in sociology at Illinois Wesleyan and went on to earn a master’s degree in library science from the University of Chicago. He served as director of the Harold Washington College Library for 35 years, earning the college’s Distinguished Professor Award. Bill was also a volunteer leader for many groups, including the Chicago Chapter of the international nonprofit Society of Architectural Historians, the Caxton Club, Chicago Art Deco Society and Cliff Dwellers Club. Bill loved Chicago’s Newberry Library; he worked there briefly as a young man and returned in retirement as a volunteer. He is survived by his wife Judith (Rehnquist) Locke ’59, three sons and a grandson. You can read the full obituary here.

Rev. William Brown ’62 of Richmond, Virginia, died Nov. 29, 2020. He was 80. After graduating from Illinois Wesleyan, Bill earned a degree in sacred music from Union Theological Seminary in New York. He was a permanent deacon in the United Methodist Church. He served as minister of music at Trinity United Methodist Church in Henrico County, Virginia, for over 20 years. He also served congregations at Grace United Methodist Church in Kokomo, Indiana, and Ginter Park Baptist Church in Richmond. He was a former dean of the Richmond chapter of the American Guild of Organists and a former treasurer of the American Guild of English Handbell Ringers. He was a devoted husband, father and grandfather. He is survived by two sons, six grandchildren, a brother, Donald Brown ’65, and many nieces and nephews. You can read more of his obituary here.

Richard Mund ’65 of Golden, Colorado, died June 24, 2021. He was 79. Dick majored in biology and was active in Student Senate at Illinois Wesleyan. He later earned master’s and doctoral degrees from the University of Denver. He held roles as director of admissions, director of financial aid, and vice president of student affairs at Marshall University. He later moved on to Mobil Corporation, where he held multiple roles, including executive director of Mobil Foundation. He was elected chairman of the Conference Board of the Contribution Council, representing many of the country’s top companies. Dick and his wife Joan (Dennis) Mund ’65 retired to Golden in 2000, where they made many friends, as they did in all of the places they had lived previously. Dick was known for his dedication to education and philanthropy, his skills as a craftsman, and for being a proud husband, father and grandfather. He is survived by his wife, three children, five grandchildren and a brother.

Ralph Sackett ’60 died Aug. 18, 2021. He was 83. Ralph was a talented athlete who was drafted by the Baltimore Orioles out of high school, but instead chose to attend Illinois Wesleyan thanks to encouragement from a benefactor, the late Dale McMackin ’36. He helped Ralph obtain a full scholarship, meal-work exchange and housing, allowing Ralph to become the first member of his family to attend and graduate from college. Ralph met his future wife Alicia (Westwood) Sackett ’60 during his time at IWU. After graduation, he coached the Bloomington Bobcats baseball team while earning a master’s degree in mathematics at Illinois State University. He later coached at four Illinois high schools and Washington University in St. Louis, but started a new career in 1975 with Bloomington Federal Savings & Loan. Ever versatile, he later added real estate development to his resume. Ralph enjoyed golfing, fishing and cheering on the St. Louis Cardinals. He and Alicia loved spending time in Naples, Florida, and at their cabin in Lake Napowan, Wisconsin. He is survived by his wife, four children, 11 grandchildren and two great-grandchildren.

Thomas Hageman ’64 passed away peacefully on June 30th 2021 at JourneyCare in Barrington, Illinois. A graduate of Danville High School, Tom went on to complete his Bachelor’s Degree in Music Education at Illinois Wesleyan University. He began his teaching career in Wheeling-Buffalo Grove, School District 21 where he started a grade school orchestra program. He earned his Master’s Degree from the University of Illinois while he continued to teach. You can view his full obituary here.

Robert Moore ’64 died June 29, 2021, in Modesto, California. He was 79. Bob became the first member of his family to earn a four-year college degree when he graduated from Illinois Wesleyan. He later served in the U.S. Army during the Vietnam War, serving in an artillery division. He returned to his hometown of Streator, Illinois, and soon married his wife. Bob embarked on a career as a claims administrator with the Social Security Administration, and the Moores soon began a family in Helena, Montana, where they lived the majority of their adult lives. Bob loved bowling, golf, chess and card games with family and friends. He loved spending time with his wife, children and grandchildren, rarely missing important events in their lives. He is survived by three children, five grandchildren, two great-grandchildren, a sister, and many nieces, nephews, grandnieces and grandnephews. You can view his obituary here.