Bill Dunbar ’78 of Bloomington, Illinois, died Dec. 11, 2020. He was 64.

Bill studied insurance at Illinois Wesleyan, where he was an active member of the tennis team and Sigma Chi. More importantly, he met his future wife Julie (Parsons) Dunbar ’80 at IWU. Shortly after graduation, Bill began a 35-year career with State Farm Insurance. He started at the company’s home office in Bloomington but quickly transferred to Arlington, Texas, where he and Julie lived for 18 years. They returned to Bloomington in 2000 when Bill accepted a new job in education and training, and Bill thoroughly enjoyed his time in the classroom. After retiring in 2015, Bill volunteered at Midwest Food Bank, led outreach efforts at Calvary United Methodist Church, built Habitat for Humanity homes, and served on a variety of committees in support of his neighborhood homeowners association. Bill loved traveling and being outside. He ran four marathons and enjoyed bass fishing, golfing, walking, hiking and biking. He loved his family and being a dad, and will be remembered for his gentle spirit, generous heart, twinkling blue eyes, remarkably full head of silver hair, and outstanding sense of humor. He is survived by his wife, two daughters and a sister.

You can read the full obituary here.

Carol (Claus) Barnes Schmedake ’78 died Nov. 8, 2020, in Normal, Illinois. She was 64.

Carol earned a bachelor’s degree in accounting at Illinois Wesleyan, where she was active in professional organizations Phi Gamma Nu, Green Medallion and Alpha Lambda Delta. She worked as a certified public accountant. Carol loved traveling, especially to national parks and Hard Rock Cafe locations in the cities she visited. She is survived by her husband, son Eric Barnes ’07, sister Janet Claus ’81, and two aunts.

You can read the full obituary here.

Jeffrey Jones’75, respected leader in the ink industry passed away in Chicago on September 18, 2020. Jeff worked at Sun Chemical 34 years and received four patents which included improvements for manufacturing processes as well as run ability on press. He retired in 2015. Jeff and his wife Maribeth founded a scholarship fund at Illinois Wesleyan University for students from southern Illinois. Jeff spent a lifetime with a quest for knowledge and adventure and loved to travel. He had a great sense of humor and a dry wit. Most importantly, he will be remembered by family, friends and colleagues for his kindness and generosity. You may read his full obituary here.

Dan Zora ’71 of Cypress, Texas, died July 15, 2020. He was 71. Dan was a member of Sigma Chi and earned a bachelor’s degree in mathematics at Illinois Wesleyan. He also met at IWU his future wife Barbara (Barth) Zora ’71; the two were married in 1974. The day after graduation, Dan went to work for State Farm Insurance Company in Bloomington, Illinois. He and his family later moved to Austin, Texas, where Dan continued a 35-year career with the insurance company. In retirement, he started a realty company. Dan loved playing golf, and was an avid fan of the St. Louis Cardinals, Chicago Bears and Chicago Bulls. He was very active in his children’s lives, especially as a youth sports coach, and enjoyed attending his granddaughter’s sporting events. Dan also served as a scorekeeper for volleyball teams coached by his daughter. He is survived by his wife, two children, granddaughter, three siblings, including William Zora ’68, and many nieces, nephews and extended family members.

Kathleen Miller ’76 passed away on October 21, 2019. She was born November 22, 1954. She is survived by her brothers. Read the full obituary here.

Linda (Fisher) Shearin ’71 passed away on October 10, 2019. She was born on June 25 ,1949. She graduated from Bement High School in 1967, and belonged to many music and teaching professional organizations. She is survived by her daughter, sisters, stepsiblings, and many nieces, nephews and cousins. Read the full obituary here.

Julie Swango ’74 of Normal, Illinois, died Dec. 14, 2019. She was 67. Julie studied elementary education at Illinois Wesleyan and later earned a master’s degree in education from Illinois State University. She served as a thrid-grade teacher in McLean County (Ill.) Unit 5 schools for 35 years. She was a talented seamstress, baker and gardener. She loved to travel, especially to her family cabin in Wisconsin, where she emjoyed time with her loved ones. Julie was a member of St. Patrick’s Catholic Church of Merna and Sigma Kappa, both of which blessed her with lifelong friends. She is survived by her husband Gary Swango ’73, three children, four grandchildren and two sisters.

Earl Kirk ’71 of Aurora, Illinois, and Evansville, Indiana, died Nov. 27, 2019. He was 70. Earl studied French at Illinois Wesleyan University and went on to earn graduate and ABD degrees at Indiana University. He was employed as an instructor at Southwestern College (1978-79), an instructor and administrator at Baker University (1978-2003), and as the director of study abroad an Harlaxton College coordinator at the University of Evansville (2003-15). Earl was a world traveler, fluent in several languages, and had a love of people, history and cultures. He was an inspirational educator, administrator and mentor who encouraged students to achieve their goals in education, studying and traveling abroad. He is survived by three siblings, a special aunt and uncle, and several nieces, nephews and other family members, colleagues and friends.