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Fall 2004 • Volume 10, Issue 4
1930s
Herschel “Stubby” Stuber ’31, May 22, Bloomington. He had been employed by Standard Oil Co. of Indiana and by Portable Elevator Manufacturing. He was executive director of Immanuel Bible Foundation for 23 years. He was a 50-year member of the Scottish Rite, Masonic Lodge 43, and the Kiwanis Club. He had served as president of the BroMenn Advisory Council. He was an active member of Second Presbyterian Church. Survivors include his wife Aileen, two children, two stepchildren, and many grandchildren and great-grandchildren.
 Rena Harren Parr-Gilpin ’34, June 10, Hot Springs Village, Arkansas. She was a desk clerk at the Alpha Park Library in Bartonville during the 1970s. Earlier, she was a teacher at Whittier School in Peoria and a substitute teacher and tutor at several Peoria County schools. She is survived by a son, five grandchildren, and eight great-grandchildren.
C. Wayne Cornish ’38, April 30, Dunlap. He retired as the Dunlap postmaster in 1978. He was a World War II Army Air Forces veteran. He played on the Bradley University baseball team. Survivors include three children and seven grandchildren.
Charles “Bud” Merkle ’38, June 19, Peoria. He owned John Merkle & Sons Monuments for 58 years. As a World War II Army veteran, Bud received a Bronze Star. He was an active member of St. Mark’s Catholic Church and the Knights of Columbus. Survivors include his wife Anna, six children, and four grandsons.
Catherine “Kay” Gale Otto ’38, March 26, Salem, Oregon. While living near San Diego, she was president of the Star of India auxiliary. She was an ordained Christian minister in the Church of the Trinity. Survivors include her husband Stuart and her daughter.
Lois Welch Parker ’39, April 13, Morristown, Indiana. She was a secretary at Southeastern Career Center in Versailles from 1967 to 1983. She is survived by six children and 11 grandchildren.
1940s
Madeline Callahan Grawey ’41, May 30, Peoria. Madeline also attended the University of Illinois. She and her husband owned Peoria Auto Parts until 1975 and then Peoria Air Compressor Co. until 1986. She was a member of the Pi Beta Phi Alumnae Club. Survivors include seven children, 18 grandchildren, and six great-grandchildren.
Mary Burdick Scripps ’41, March 5, Whitefish Bay, Wisconsin. She was an accomplished concert pianist and taught piano lessons. Survivors include four children and 11 grandchildren.
Robert Getz ’42, June 2, Morton. A masonry contractor, he was vice president of Sam J. Getz Inc., retiring in 1983. He served on the Morton City Planning Commission and Zoning Board for many years. He served on the board of directors of Heights Finance Corporation from 1961 until his death. Survivors include his wife Lillian, four daughters, nine grandchildren, and seven great-grandchildren.
 Jean Joos ’42, March 8, Peoria. She was dean of girls and chair of the mathematics department at Lincoln High School for 26 years. Prior to that, she taught at high schools in Mason City and Wyoming. She held a master’s degree from the University of Colorado. Jean was a division president of the Illinois Education Association for two years and a member of numerous education associations. She was a volunteer tutor and also taught Sunday school at Madison Avenue United Methodist Church.
Emily Krueger Martens ’42, March 14, Naperville. She is survived by her husband John H. Martens ’42, three children, and seven grandchildren.
Ina Ulbrich Kromphardt ’43, March 16, Peoria. Survivors include two children and seven grandchildren.
Mary Forneris Oepke ’46 MA ’58, June 17, Carlinville. Mary was director of the Illinois School of Psychiatric Nursing from 1946 until 1972. She was a life member of Pi Lambda Theta. Her son and two grandchildren survive.
Robert H. Jones ’48, June 9, Peoria. He held a juris doctor degree from the University of Michigan and owned his own law firm in Peoria for 50 years. A Navy veteran, he was a pilot during World War II. Survivors include Rosel Leverton, a son, and grandson.
Horace Marvel ’48, July 4, Peoria. He was a teacher in the Quincy public schools for 20 years until retiring in 1989. Earlier, he worked at S&H Green Stamps in Quincy. He held a master’s degree in education from the University of Missouri. Horace was a World War II Navy veteran. He is survived by his wife Jonquil, two children, and two grandchildren.
William C. Beck ’49, March 5, Morton. He worked for Caterpillar Inc. in the Peoria area and in York, Pennsylvania. He retired in 1985 as a data processing manager. He served in the Navy during World War II. Survivors include two children and two grandchildren.
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1950s
Maurice “Maury” Beck ’50, May 9, Umpqua, Oregon. He held a juris doctor degree from DePaul University and was a corporate patent attorney. In 1990, he retired as workers’ compensation presiding judge in San Diego, California. Maury served in the Army Air Forces during World War II and received a Purple Heart. He also served in the Air National Guard, retiring as a colonel. Survivors include his wife Sandy and seven daughters.
Gene Clark ’50, June 4, Clearlake, California. He worked in heating and air conditioning sales for 54 years. Gene was a World War II Army veteran and was a member of the Sons of the American Revolution. Survivors include his wife Helen, two sons, and a granddaughter.
Rita McLinden Grawey ’50, May 25, Peoria. She was a homemaker and had taught home economics at the Academy of Our Lady. Rita was a member of the Pi Beta Phi Alumnae Club and the Fine Arts Society. Survivors include her husband Charles, three children, and nine grandchildren.
 Melvin Hotz ’50, March 13, Bartonville. He was co-owner of Peoria Kitchen Tops from 1952 to 1970. He taught industrial arts at Pekin Community High School and a building trades apprentice class for Carpenter’s Union Local 183. He was a Navy veteran and a former Boy Scout commissioner. Survivors include three
children, five grandchildren, and a great-granddaughter.
John Landreth ’50, May 31, Myerstown, Pennsylvania. After 25 years with Mail Pouch Tobacco Company, he retired as district manager in 1978. John was a World War II Army veteran. Earlier, he served in the Civilian Conservation Corps.
Leslie Osterman ’50, May 20, Morton. He worked in the editorial art department of the Journal Star for almost 30 years. He taught woodcarving at the Miller Senior Citizens Center for 18 years. He served as president of several divisions of the Peoria Academy of Science. He was a charter member of Kennel Lake Sportsmen’s Club. He was a life member of Chapter 1 Disabled American Veterans. A World War II Army veteran, he received the Purple Heart, Bronze Star, and other medals. Survivors include his wife Helen, two children, six grandchildren, and six great-grandchildren.
Mary Haverton White ’50, May 14, Franklin, Kentucky. She taught English in the Simpson County school system and at Western Kentucky University. She had been executive secretary of the Franklin-Simpson Chamber of Commerce. She had served as president of the Goodnight Library Board and was an elder at Franklin Presbyterian Church. Survivors include her husband Charles E. White ’50, two children, and
three grandchildren.
John H. Howard ’51, August 8, 2003, Yorktown, New York. He was a salesman for Bethlehem Steel Corp. for 31 years. He worked part-time for Lakeland’s Transportation and was an avid golfer. John was a World War II Navy veteran. His wife Maureen, three children, and five grandchildren survive.
Joseph Pruss ’51, April 14, 2003, Flower Mound, Texas. He was a sales engineer for Federal Mogul. He was a World War II Army veteran. Survivors include his wife Nancy Hawks Pruss ’50, three children, and six grandchildren.
Charles “Bud” Squire ’51, April 2, Hot Springs Village, Arkansas. He was awarded a Victory Medal while serving in the Navy during World War II. Survivors include his wife Carolyn, three children, and three grandsons.
 Thomas Therkildsen ’51, January 7, Hot Springs Village, Arkansas. He is survived by five children, 13 grandchildren, and one great-grandchild.
Patricia Garnes Fuller ’52, March 8, Mackinaw. She taught at Sparland High School during the 1950s. She was active with Proctor Cardiac Rehabilitation for more than ten years. Pat is survived by her husband William Sr., three children, and five grandchildren.
Dorothy Eirk Fulton ’52, March 22, Peoria. She was a homemaker. She is survived by her son.
William R. Hall ’52, January 21, Washington. He was a real estate broker and recently worked as an inspector of export shipments. Bill was a private pilot and a founding member of the Bradley University Flying Club. He served on the Peoria Zoning Board of Appeals for 10 years. He was a World War II Coast Guard veteran. Survivors include his wife Virginia, four children, eight grandchildren, and six great-grandchildren.
Clyde Saums ’52, March 11, Columbus, Indiana. He worked in worldwide quality control for Cummins Engine Co.
from 1969 to 1982. He was an Air Force veteran. Survivors include his wife Imogene, three children, four grandchildren, and a great-granddaughter.
James Seeck ’53, May 26, Haines City, Florida. He had been a professor of business at Harper College in Palatine after earning an MBA from DeVry University’s Keller Graduate School of Management in 1982. Earlier, he ran a grocery store with his father in Oak Park for many years. He served in the Air Force as an air traffic controller in Korea. Survivors include his wife Barbara Hinkle Seeck ’53, four daughters, and seven grandchildren.
Leonard “Wally” Walraven ’53, May 11, Chesapeake, Virginia. He retired from the Navy submarine force as a lieutenant commander after 22 years. He is survived by his wife Cecile, three children, and two grandsons.
Richard Polka ’54, March 15, Denver, Colorado. He was a sales representative in Los Angeles for many years. Survivors include his wife Gloria, two children, and three grandchildren.
Michael Trad Jr. ’54, May 6, Marseilles. He was superintendent of Marseilles Unit School District #155, retiring in 1988. Earlier he worked as a principal, teacher, and basketball coach. He held a master’s degree from Illinois State University. He was secretary of the Marseilles board of education for many years and also served on the library board. He co-founded the Coalition for Fair Funding and was a charter member of Educational Leaders of Illinois. He was a veteran and a member of the National Guard. Survivors include his wife Nancy, three children, two grandchildren, and
one stepgrandson.
William Halsey ’55, February 21, Newtown Square, Pennsylvania. He was an initial investor in Kiwi International Airlines, as well as a captain and graphic artist for the airline. From 1966 to 1990 he was a pilot for Eastern Airlines. Earlier in New Jersey, he was a commercial artist for Richards Advertising and a high school art teacher. He was an Air Force veteran and had flown support for the Thunderbirds. As a captain with the Air Force Reserves, he received the Expeditionary Forces Medal. In 1986 he was named Man of the Year by the Optimist Club in Watchung, New Jersey. He served on the boards of several arts and historic organizations in New Jersey. Survivors include three children and two grandchildren.
Homer Harvey EDD ’56, April 4, Northbrook. He retired as Northbrook’s superintendent of schools in 1988. Earlier, he was the superintendent in Skokie. He had also been principal of Crestwood School. He was a founder of an area special education district. He was an adjunct faculty member at Northeastern Illinois University. Homer had been president of the Northbrook Library Board and the Northbrook Rotary Club. He served in the Army during World War II. Survivors include his wife Kathleen, two children, and a grandson.
Robert “Bob” Savio ’56 MBA ’57, March 7, Kildeer. As a student, he was president of Delta Upsilon and Interfraternity Council. Bob worked in the law division of First National Bank of Chicago for 33 years, retiring in 1995. He was an active bicyclist. Survivors include his wife Virginia, four children, and five grandchildren.
Gretchen Kent Webster ’56, January 13, East Sandwich, Massachusetts. As a student, she won the ladies’ division of the Peoria City Golf Tournament. She taught English and sociology at Peoria High School for 13 years. She continued teaching English in East Sandwich from 1969 to 1993. Survivors include five grandchildren and a great-grandchild.
Harold Lambert ’57, April 16, Dunlap. He was a real estate agent for Trader’s Realty for 18 years. He had been manager of Heritage House Smorgasbord. He was an Air Force veteran with the rank of captain. He was a charter member of the Peoria Rotary Club. He is survived by his wife Joyce, four children, and nine grandchildren.
Ralph McCormick ’58, May 16, Springfield. He was a field auditor for the Internal Revenue Service for 30 years, retiring in 1985. Ralph was an Army veteran and served in Korea. Survivors include his wife Imogene, two children, and three grandsons.
Ralph Besch ’59, April 19, Ames, Iowa. He worked for Sundstrand Aviation for 32 years in Rockford; Columbus, Indiana; and Ames. He and his wife operated Acorn Antiques. Ralph was an active volunteer. He served in the Air Force as an aircraft technical instructor. Survivors include his wife Nancy, two children, and four grandchildren.
James Bobeck ’59, May 14, Peoria. He retired from Caterpillar Inc. in 1994 as a supervising electronics engineer. He was a Navy veteran. Survivors include his wife Jennie, seven children, 15 grandchildren, and three great-grandchildren.
Dolores “Dee” Parks Smith ’59, November 24, 2003, Wilmington, Delaware. Dee is survived by two daughters and a granddaughter.
Dayle Johnston Smith ’59 MA ’60, January 22, Topeka, Kansas. She enjoyed opera. She worked with the Department of Social and Rehabilitation Services in Kansas from 1968 to 1992.
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1960s
Loyd Yentes MA ’60, April 29, Lexington, South Carolina. He was an Army veteran. Survivors include his wife Sharyn, two children, and a granddaughter.
Herbert Stanton ’61, April 4, Scottsdale, Arizona. A 1965 graduate of the Loyola School of Dentistry, Herb spent 30 years on active duty with the Navy Dental Corps, including nine years as a commanding officer, 11 years with the Marine Corps, and four years aboard ships. While stationed in Korea for 30 months, he treated more than 13,000 Koreans in remote areas. He was awarded five personal decorations. As a Bradley student, he served as president of Sigma Chi. He was a deacon at Pinnacle Presbyterian Church. Survivors include his wife Marta Tragethon Stanton ’61, two children, and three grandchildren.
Roger Toledano ’62, April 26, Miami, Florida. Survivors include his wife Lucia, three children, and three grandchildren.
Thomas Albright ’63 MEA ’71, May 13, Chillicothe. He retired from Caterpillar Inc. in 1996 as a supervising engineer in Mossville. He was an active member of Mossville United Methodist Church and was a square dance caller. He served on the Princeville school board from 1976 to 1983, and also on the local water district board. He was a trustee of Hallock township. He was an Army Reserves veteran, serving as a captain with the Army Corps of Engineers for nine years. Survivors include his wife Edith, three children, and three grandchildren.
Hettie Whiles Perkins ’63, March 25, Pekin. She was a teacher for Creve Coeur School District 76 for 32 years, retiring in 1984. Survivors include her husband Wendell, two sons, five grandchildren, and nine great-grandchildren.
Charles H. Smith MS ’64, January 2003, Jackson, Mississippi. He was an industrial arts teacher for more than 35 years, retiring in 1990 from Chastain Junior High School. He was an assistant football and baseball coach. Charles was an active member of College Hill Baptist Church. Survivors include his wife Lena, two daughters, and two grandchildren.
Richard L. Martin ’65 MS ’77, November 3, 2003, Havana. He retired from Caterpillar Inc. in 1987. He had been an Air Force navigator and pilot, and also served in the Air National Guard, retiring as a lieutenant colonel. He was active in the Mohammed Shrine Temple and Elks Lodge, both in Peoria. His wife Diane survives.
Margaret “Peg” Fagan Heyl ’68, March 24, Naperville. She had been a substitute teacher at grade schools in Peoria and Joliet before her retirement. She also was a freelance writer. She and her husband adopted 10 children from the United States and abroad. They enjoyed camping in the U.S. and Europe. Survivors include her husband Richard, 10 children, and 14 grandchildren.
Faith Carr Knight ’68, June 7, Peoria. She was a nurse and taught at the school of nursing at OSF Saint Francis Medical Center. Faith was a World War II Navy veteran, achieving the rank of lieutenant commander. She was a 50-year member of the Martha Jefferson Democratic Club. She is survived by her husband Bud and her daughter.
Mattie Clark Patterson ’69, May 3, Peoria. She was a teacher in Peoria School District 150 for 25 years, retiring in 1995. She held a master’s degree from Tennessee State University. Mattie had been an active member of Mount Zion Missionary Baptist Church for 45 years. Survivors include her husband Calvin, two sons, and a grandson.
Eva Klobuchar Stuckel ’69, June 19, Canton. She taught nursing at Graham Hospital and Methodist Medical Center until retiring in 1980. She also worked as a private duty nurse. During World War II she was a surgical nurse. Survivors include her husband Melvin, her son, two grandsons, and two stepgranddaughters.
James Wachtel ’69, April 7, East Aurora, New York. He was the purchasing manager of Ferguson Electric and served on its board of directors. He was an Army veteran and had served in Vietnam. He is survived by his wife Beverly Helling Wachtel ’68 and two children.
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1970s
John D. Alley, Jr. ’71, November 10, 2003, Sandy, Utah. He enjoyed music and outdoor sports. Survivors include his wife Annette, one daughter, and his mother.
Robyn Tarshes Cooper ’73, April 2003, Naperville. She is survived by her husband Charles Cooper ’71 MA ’73, three children, and her parents.
Kenneth Emody ’74, January 14, Carol Stream. He is survived by his wife JoAnn, three children, and his parents.
Bonnie Gibson Mack MA ’76, March 28, Peoria. She was a history teacher in Peoria School District 150 for 28 years, retiring in 1998. She had been an adjunct instructor at Bradley University and a counselor at Illinois Central College. Bonnie was an active member of Bethel United Methodist Church. She is survived by her husband Austin and her daughter.
Karl Bahnick ’78, May 1, Woodstock. He is survived by two sons and his mother.
Janice Van Tine Conrad ’78, March 4, Arvada, Colorado. She had been employed by OSF Saint Francis Medical Center in Peoria, and in Colorado at Mercy Hospital in Denver, Lutheran Hospital in Wheatridge, and Colorado Lutheran Home in Arvada. She is survived by her husband John and three children.
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1980s
John C. Wells ’84, April 30, Strongsville, Ohio. He was a chartered financial analyst and was employed by Mellon Private Wealth Management. Earlier, John worked at Commercial National Bank in Peoria. He held a master’s degree from Illinois State University. He is survived by his wife Susan, two daughters, and his parents.
Susan Yarde Wiemer ’84, April 10, Algonquin. She worked as an accountant for 20 years. Susan was an active member of Messiah Lutheran Church in Elgin. She is survived by her husband Robert and her parents.
Marie Kohlrus Alberssen ’85, June 22, East Peoria. She was an English teacher at St. Thomas Grade School in Peoria for 15 years. She had also worked as a real estate broker and at Caterpillar Inc. in Morton. Survivors include her husband Ted, four children, 13 grandchildren, and three great-grandchildren.
1990s
Leeothia Robinson Washington ’93, March 8, Peoria. She was a social worker with the Peoria County Health Department for 10 years. She was co-founder of St. Mark Missionary Baptist Church and was president of Orthodox Wood River District Baptist Association. Survivors include her husband Tommy, her son, and two grandchildren.
Andria Ford ’97, July 26, 2003, Salem, Oregon. She was a registered nurse in the progressive care unit of Salem Hospital. Andria served in the Army during the Gulf War. Survivors include Neil Johnson, her son, and her parents.
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