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.

We are sad to report that Ed Matushek ’75 passed away on May 28, 2021 at age 67. He was a beloved husband of 40 years to Alisa nee Bombassi and a devoted father to Eddie and Matt Matushek.

Carolyn (McCaughey) Hodge ’78 of Naples, Florida, died April 19, 2021. She was 64.

She was a member of Kappa Delta at Illinois Wesleyan. Carolyn was a dedicated teacher for 40 years, impacting the lives of thousands of children and mentoring new generations of educators. She finished her teaching career at Pelican Marsh Elementary in Naples, where she had many friends. Carolyn loved to travel to places all over the country, including Wrigley Field, and as far away as the Greek islands. At home, she enjoyed trips to the library, quiet afternoons reading, and time in her pool or on the water, where she often made her famous margaritas for boat trips or watching sunsets on the beach. But she was happiest when surrounded by family and friends, and relished her role as a mother. She is survived by her husband, two daughters, including Marissa Holloway ’07, sister and mother, Clarene (Makinson) McCaughey ’50.

You can read the full obituary here.

Glenn Neumann ’72 passed away on September 29, 2020 in Louisville, Colorado.

Carl Mowery ’77 died May 30, 2020 in Chicago. He was 64. After graduating from Illinois Wesleyan University and John Marshall Law School, Carl went on to specialize in compensation, benefits, and human resources. He served most recently as a managing director and leader of the Chicago Human Capital Services practice in Grant Thornton LLP. Carl was an active alumnus of IWU, serving on the University’s Chicago Leadership Council. He is survived by two children, a friend and former spouse, and a brother.

Sue Ellen (Brown) Haliski ’75 of Culpeper, Virginia, died Feb. 8, 2021. She was 68. Sue earned a bachelor’s degree in nursing at Illinois Wesleyan and moved to Portland, Oregon, where she worked for 25 years as a registered nurse in labor and delivery, lactation consulting, and orthopedics, at Good Samaritan Hospital, Legacy Health Group and Visiting Nurses. She lived in Charlotte, North Carolina, from 2004-09 before moving to Culpeper to be closer to family. Sue was a loving wife, mother and grandmother. She is survived by her husband, daughter, granddaughter and two sisters.