Emeritus Associate Professor of Economics Robert (Bob) Leekley passed away on Tuesday, Jan.1. Prof. Leekley started teaching at Illinois Wesleyan in 1974, and from his first year to his 44th, his commitment to IWU and our students remained unchanged. His positive impact on generations of students and colleagues will not be forgotten. Read an obituary. A service will be held in the IWU Evelyn Chapel from 11-12 on Wednesday, January 9th.
We are deeply saddened to announce the passing of Samuel Mitchell ’12 on October 3rd, 2017.
During Sam’s time at IWU, he earned 4 varsity letters in swimming. He was an academic all-conference swimmer and was student body vice-president for one term. He spent a summer abroad at the University of Edinburgh in Scotland.
Sam was an accomplished triathlete, winning or placing in his age group in numerous triathlons, including the Transamerica Chicago triathlon, and he was a rock climbing enthusiast. Sam had the courage to put himself in uncomfortable situations for personal growth. While working as a camp counselor at Deer Valley YMCA summer camp, he loved the camaraderie and closeness of the staff and campers. Sam valued healthy food and locally grown produce; he spent 6 months traveling from Illinois to Washington state working with Worldwide Opportunities on Organic Farms (WWOOF).
He looked for ways to help and connect with his community. He fought for social justice by calling and writing his local and state political officials. You may view his full obituary here.
Sam will be dearly missed by all those whose lives he has touched.
Kelsie Lorraine Gleason, age 24, a resident of West Lebanon, NH, formerly of Naperville, IL, passed away unexpectedly on Saturday, November 22, 2014. She was born May 21, 1990 in Hinsdale, IL.
Beloved daughter of Robert W. “Bob” and Mary Kay (nee Jordan) Gleason of Naperville, loving twin sister of Courtney H. Gleason of Sycamore, IL, adored fiancé of Nathan Butters of West Lebanon, NH, loving owner of two Border Collies, Saoirse and Arya, cherished granddaughter of the late Norman and Hazel Gleason and the late Thomas and Lorraine Jordan, dear niece of Judy (Bruce) Leighton, Thomas (Suzanne) Gleason and Frances (Richard Mulvaney) Todd; Thomas (Becky) Jordan, James (Cathy) Jordan, Robert (Christine) Jordan and Theresa Jordan, fond cousin, friend and sorority sister of many.
Kelsie grew up in Naperville, attended Meadow Glens Elementary School and Madison Junior High School and was a 2008 graduate of Naperville Central High School where she was a member of the National Honor Society and the NCHS Marching Band (playing the clarinet). She went on to receive a bachelor degree in Biology and Hispanic Studies from Illinois Wesleyan University in Bloomington and she was currently a second year medical student at the Geisel School of Medicine at Dartmouth College in Hanover, NH. Kelsie took advantage of the opportunity to study abroad and was a member of the Kappa Delta Sorority and the Multicultural Club at Illinois Wesleyan. She also volunteered at the local Humane Society and was currently serving her country in the U.S. Air Force Reserves. Kelsie enjoyed marathons and extreme running events, loved horses and excelled at the Hunter Jumper Trials and was active in Doctors Without Borders.
Visitation Friday, November 28, 3:00-8:00 PM at Friedrich-Jones Funeral Home & Cremation Services, 44 S. Mill St., Naperville.
A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated Saturday, November 29, 9:30 AM at SS. Peter & Paul Catholic Church, 36 N. Ellsworth Street, Naperville.
Interment: Wheaton Cemetery, Wheaton, IL.
For more information, please call (630)355-0213.
In lieu of flowers, memorials to:
High Horses Therapeutic Riding Program, www.HighHorses.org. High Horses is a 501(c) (3) non-profit organization. All gifts are tax deductible.
or
Wounded Warriors, woundedwarriorproject.org
or
Doctors Without Borders, doctorswithoutborders.org
It is with great sadness that we report on the passing of a member of the class of 2012. Kelsie Gleason of Naperville, Ill. passed away suddenly on Saturday, Nov. 22 in Hanover, N.H.
Kelsie was in her second year at Dartmouth’s Geisel School of Medicine, and was also a second lieutenant in the U.S. Air Force. At IWU, she double-majored in biology and Hispanic studies and was a member of Kappa Delta Sorority.
From Kappa Delta’s Facebook page:
“Our hearts are heavy in Omicron chapter. Today we have learned of the passing of our alumna sister, Kelsie Gleason ’12, a medical student at Dartmouth. Our thoughts are with her family and fiancé. Please join us in thought and prayer as we remember our sister.”
We ask that you keep Kelsie’s KD sisters, friends, family and fiance, Nathan Butters ’10, in your thoughts. If you would like to share memories of Kelsie’s life, please email our newsletter editors.