Gary Wester of Normal, Illinois, died March 15, 2022. He was 74. Gary taught computer science as a member of Illinois Wesleyan’s faculty from 1985-87. He also taught at Waycross (Ga.) College. He earned a master’s degree and doctorate from Western Michigan University. After his teaching career, Gary went on a long and distinguished career with State Farm, from which he retired in 2010 to pursue passions for watercolor and pastel painting. He is survived by his wife, three children, granddaughter, brother, and several nieces and nephews. You can read more here.

Brian Balestri ’86 is the creator of “Who Said True?!” an online party game played on phones where players secretly answer fun true/false questions about themselves. Players are awarded points for accurately guessing how many other players answered “true.” The game produces fun conversations and stories and is perfect for nights out with friends, family get-togethers, and even Zoom team meetings. Brian left his position as chief technology officer at GrandPad in order to focus full-time on “Who Said True?!”

Check out Who Said True?!’s website at: www.WhoSaidTrue.com

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. 

Robert Donalson died Dec. 22, 2021. He was 87. Bob was a professor in Illinois Wesleyan’s School of Music for 30 years; he retired in 1994 with emeritus status. Bob felt the call to become an educator while serving in the U.S. Army in a mobile army surgical hospital during the Korean War. He obtained a master’s degree at San Jose State University and a doctorate at the University of Colorado Boulder. He began his teaching career at Pepperdine University before landing at IWU. Bob loved beauty in all its forms — nature, art and poetry among them — but music was his emotional home. He was active in religious life and often shared his gift of music in the church. Bob was always learning and educated himself on subjects ranging from theology and philosophy, to computer science and financial investing, to home repair and carpentry. He enjoyed traveling, sports, his cats and, most of all, his family. He is survived by his wife, five children, eight grandchildren and four great-grandchildren.

Bob’s Celebration of Life will be held on February 12 at 1 p.m. CST and will be live-streamed at christlutheranchurchffg.org.