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.

We are saddened to report the death of John Marc Albright ’77, who passed away on August 13, 2019 at his home in Ladera Ranch, California. He graduated from Illinois Wesleyan University in 1977 with a bachelor’s in Mathematics. Marc was an astute athlete, and rode across the country from the Pacific Ocean to the Atlantic Ocean on a bicycle when he was young. He is survived by his wife, Wendy Jo, his daughter, Ronni, and his sisters.

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Unfortunately, Jeffery king ’72 passed away on August 9th, 2019 in Naperville, Illinois at the age of 74. He was born in Chicago in 1944. In high school, he participated in football and basketball. He received his Bachelor of Arts in Economics from Illinois Wesleyan University in 1972. He was married to Patricia King, and the two fathered eight children. He received a Purple Heart in Vietnam, and later retired from Caterpillar Tractor and Unocal. Jeffery is survived by his wife, Sarah Brass-King, four daughters, two stepchildren, four brothers, one sister, and a number of grandchildren, nephews, nieces, and great grandchildren.

Read the full obituary here.