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.

Dr. Ceasar Douglas Jr. ’75 passed away June 30th, 2021 after complications from heart disease. He passed away with loved ones by his side. He leaves to mourn; his wife of 28 years Gigi Douglas. Five children Ceasar Douglas III (Caitlin), Shanoa Douglas Praay (Matthew), Nigel Douglas, Anna Sepulveda (Carlos) and Chad Snider (Jeremy). Sister Yolonda Douglas, brother Oliver Evans, fifteen grandchildren. Also, a host of nieces, nephews, family, friends, and colleagues who will truly miss him.

At this time the Family would like to open an invitation to “Celebrate” the truly remarkable life of Dr. Ceasar Douglas Jr. in a memorial service. We know he has touched so many and it will be nice to share stories/pictures with those who loved him.

Service: 10:30am on August 21st, 2021

Good Shepherd Catholic Church

4665 Thomasville Rd, Tallahassee, FL 32309.

Ceasar Douglas ’75 died June 30, 2021. He was 67. Caesar majored in biology at Illinois Wesleyan, where he stood out in the classroom and on the football field. After his time at IWU, he spent time with the National Football League’s San Francisco 49ers and Chicago Bears, and played a season in the Canadian Football League. Upon leaving football, he worked in the private sector. He eventually decided to continue his education and earned a master’s degree at Grand Valley State University and a doctorate at the University of Mississippi. Caesar returned to Grand Valley State and taught for four years. He later joined the faculty at Florida State University, where he was a dedicated professor and chair of the business department who encouraged and mentored countless students. Caesar served on Illinois Wesleyan’s Board of Trustees for many years. He was also active as a member of IWU’s  Minority Alumni Network. He is survived by his wife, five children, 15 grandchildren, two siblings, and many nieces, nephews, extended family members and friends. More information can be found here. 

Marilyn Wankel ’72, of Blandinsville, Illinois passed away on Friday, March 19, 2021. Marilyn is survived by her husband Tim Schroll; two children, Joshua Taylor (Ashly) and Megan Taylor Krueger (Tim). Four grandsons, Sam Taylor and Max, Will and Camden Krueger. Stepdaughter Becky Flowers (Molly), one brother Mark Wankel (Anita), her three nephews and their families. After receiving her Bachelor’s Degree from IWU and Master’s Degree from Olivet Nazarene University, she taught in the Schuyler County School District for over 30 years. You can view her full obituary here.

Ann Musselman ’79 of Bloomington, Illinois, died July 9, 2021. She was 64. Ann studied music education at Illinois Wesleyan, where she was active in choir and Sigma Alpha Iota. She later shared her voice with her church choir, the chorus of the Houston Opera, and as a music teacher in the Deer Park (Texas) school district. She is survived by a brother, and many nieces and nephews. You can view her obituary here.