Michael D. Kumbalek ’77 passed away April 29th, 2024. He was born Oct 14,1955 in Madison, Wisconsin. He was preceded in death by his parents and older brother, Robert.

He leaves behind his wife, Christa; 3 sisters, Cheryl Kumbalek-Nordmark Illinois Wesleyan ’76, Caryl Kumbalek-McCone, & Susan Kumbalek-Brabeck. He also leaves behind a son, Matt Kumbalek & 7 nieces and nephews.

Mike was a member of the Acacia House & had fond memories of working with Dr. Hess in the chemistry lab. Mike had his master’s degree in chemical engineering and worked in the rubber industry. His current job was with Bolder Industries. Their products manufactured with Mike’s compounds can be found on Mars, the moon, submersibles, nuclear reactors, Formula race cars, and other racing venues.

Mike was always laughing and joking with everyone. He always took the time to stop and thank Veterans for their service. He will be greatly missed. His star shines brightly upon us all.

Kevin Potts ’73, 72, passed away surrounded by family on Monday, May 20, 2024.

Kevin was born on June 4, 1951, in Decatur, IL, a son to Bob and Louise Potts. He married Ruth Ann Miller on October 18, 1986.

Kevin received his Bachelor’s degree in Business from Illinois Wesleyan University in 1973. He was an avid Illinois Wesleyan basketball fan where he was commonly known as “The Green Man” and a devout member of Vale Church and follower of Christ. Among spending time with family, Kevin loved to travel and made it to all 50 states and had the privilege of visiting the holy land. He also enjoyed theater, reading, and sharing Harry Potter adventures with his daughter and granddaughter.

Survivors include his wife, Ruth Ann Potts of Towanda, IL; his daughter, Stephanie (Matt) Greenlee of New Braunfels, TX; his brother, Dan Potts of Kettering, OH; his sister-in-law, Linda Potts of Tulsa, OK; his brother, Tim Potts of Bloomington, IL; and his sister, Karen (Russ) Conger of Boise, ID. He is also survived by his granddaughter, Piper Greenlee, and many nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his parents; his brother, Terry Potts; and sister-in-law, Karen E. Potts. Click here to read Kevin’s full obituary.

Richard A. Overby ’74, 71, passed away Friday, June 9, 2023 at Central DuPage Hospital in Winfield, Illinois. Richard was born to Walter and Leta (Fleenor) Overby on April 1, 1952 in Sandwich, IL. In 1970, he graduated from Shabbona High School and from Illinois Wesleyan in 1974. On March 24, 1984, he married Marilyn Meier at the First Presbyterian Church in Rochelle. Richard enjoyed gardening, traveling, reading and spending time with his grandchildren.

Richard is survived by his wife of 39 years, Marilyn; two daughters: Liz (Chad Sarver) Overby and Katie (Steven) Peterson; four grandchildren: Lexi Sarver, Logan, Allie and Carly Peterson; and siblings: Phyllis Jones, Anita Rogers and Brian (Shinobu) Overby.

You can read more about Richard here.

James “Jim” Mark Kenyon ’74 , aged 71, peacefully entered the presence of his Lord and Savior Monday, January 8, 2024, at his residence in Wayland, Michigan. Jim’s deepest love was his family, cherishing every moment spent together. He exhibited a servant’s heart, taking humble pride in helping others. To Jim, there were no strangers—everyone he encountered became a friend.

You can read the full obituary here

Jim sitting next to a seat at Horenberger Baseball Field that his family gifted to him a few years ago

John McGowan ’74 of Tamworth, New Hampshire, died April 4, 2022. He was 70. John studied elementary education at Illinois Wesleyan and taught third grade at schools in Wisconsin and Pennsylvania before embarking on a career in the travel industry. John worked as a guide at Independence Hall, the Alamo, the LBJ Ranch, and for a touring company. In 1986, he fulfilled a lifelong dream by becoming a flight attendant for TWA, and later, American Airlines and Chautauqua Airlines. He maintained homes in St. Louis and San Antonio for many years. He moved in 2012 to Tamworth, where he resided with his beloved Shih Tzu. John was most proud of his recovery from alcohol addition, and he remained involved with Alcoholics Anonymous until the end of his life. He was a devoted member of St. Andrew-in-the-Valley Episcopal Church. He is survived by two sisters, and many nieces, nephews and extended family members. You can read more here.

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. 

Larry Lee Ballard ’72 passed away Feb. 11, 2022 at Providence Ascension Hospital in Novi, Michigan. He was a 1968 graduate of North Greene High School and a 1972 graduate of Illinois Wesleyan University, where he was a member of Sigma Pi National Fraternity. He was also the first student assistant to work for IWU’s Sports Information Director, Ed Alsene. While at Wesleyan, he met his future wife, Judith Kasper, of Chicago, IL in 1970. They were married in Bloomington, Illinois on March 24, 1973 by two of his Sigma Pi fraternity brothers. Read the full obituary here.

Warren “Twig” Smith ’72 of Carmel, Indiana, died Jan. 30, 2022. He was 71. Twig majored in business administration and was active in Sigma Chi at Illinois Wesleyan. He began his financial career at GTE, from which he later retired and began a second career as a loan officer, most recently at First Financial Bank. He was a member of Cornerstone Lutheran Church and also served on many committees and boards in the Noblesville, Indiana, area. Twig’s passions included golf, reading and playing cards, but most of all he loved spending time with his family and friends. He is survived by his wife, two children, three grandsons and sister. 

Scott McMurray ’76 of Waukesha, Wisconsin, died Aug. 20, 2021. He was 67. After earning a bachelor’s degree in religion at Illinois Wesleyan, he went on to earn a master’s degree in divinity at Asbury Theological Seminary and a doctorate in ministry at McCormick Theological Seminary. Scott served as a United Methodist clergyman for 40 years, serving various congregations throughout Illinois and Wisconsin. He was an avid bicyclist and world traveler. He will be remembered for his devotion to his congregations and faithfulness to God. He is survived by two children, two grandchildren, his father and brother. You can read the whole obituary here.