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Bradley Hilltopics

Spring 2009 • Volume 15, Issue 2  

In Memory

1930s

NORMAN SCHLEGEL ’36, Nov. 19, 2008, Chicago. He joined Cory Corp. in 1945 and became chief managing officer of the food services company. Norm was in charge of a section of the National Electrical Manufacturers Association. He served on numerous corporate and not-for-profit boards. During World War II, he was an assistant regional director of the War Department. His wife Bette, two children, two granddaughters, and three great-grandchildren survive.

LEROY SWANSON ’37, Oct. 12, 2008, Coronado, Calif. An admiral in the Navy, he served in three wars. During the Cuban Missile Crisis, he skippered the USS Independence. In 1969 he became deputy commander-in-chief of U.S. Naval Forces in Europe. His awards included a Bronze Star, Distinguished Service Medal, and the Gray and Golden Eagle Awards. He enjoyed golf and was active in his community. Survivors include his wife Margaret, four children, eight grandchildren, and five great-grandchildren.

LESTER GETZ ’38, Jan. 18, Naples, Fla. He was an auto dealer in Iowa before retiring to Florida. Considered the leader of the “Famous Five” basketball team that played in the NIT, Les had been inducted into the Bradley Athletics Hall of Fame. A member of Sigma Phi at Bradley, he was a World War II Navy veteran. Surviving are two children, four grandchildren, and his companion Eileen Scanlan.

1940s

ELIZABETH “BETTY” MORTON CLEAVER ’41, Sept. 25, 2008, Pekin. A member of Chi Omega, Betty served on the boards of the Bradley Alumni Association, the Friends of the Cullom-Davis Library, and Peoria Players.

DOUG BARNETT ’42, Feb. 19, 2008, Denver. He was an architect, designing homes and commercial structures. He helped design a renewable-energy development center in Morocco in the 1970s. Doug was a World War II Navy veteran. He and his wife Marjorie enjoyed dancing and competitive swimming. She survives, along with three daughters and four grandchildren.

CARL GRIMM ’44, Nov. 29, 2008, Peoria. He and his siblings operated Grimm Brothers Market on Main Street until 1971. He later worked at Central Fixture until 2004. A World War II Navy veteran, Carl enjoyed woodworking. His daughter and two sons, JIM GRIMM ’68 and C.J. GRIMM ’74, four grandchildren, and two great-grandchildren survive.

DALE HEITZMAN ’49, Oct. 29, 2008, Moline. He began working at the Rock Island Arsenal in 1955, continuing at Headquarters ARCOM until 1980. Earlier he worked at Keystone Steel & Wire. Dale enjoyed golf. Surviving are his wife Robbie, five children, 14 grandchildren, and 14 great-grandchildren.

1950s

JACK BRADSHAW ’50, Dec. 6, 2008, West Dundee. He worked in sales for Central Steel & Wire. A World War II Navy veteran, Jack was active in the VFW. His wife BETTY HARNEY BRADSHAW ’49, five children, and 11 grandchildren survive.

RICHARD W. CORDELL ’50, April 14, 2006, Lake Forest. The food and beverage industry was the focus of his career. He collected model trains and was an accomplished builder. He was a World War II Navy veteran. His wife Katie, three children, and seven grandchildren survive.

MAURICE “MORT” ENNIS ’50, Oct. 26, 2008, Peoria. He was an optometrist, first practicing in Marshall and then in Peoria. He enjoyed bowling and golf. His three daughters, eight grandchildren, and four great-grandchildren survive.

RUDOLPH JUNGST II ’50, Dec. 19, 2008, Morton. He was a long-time school band director in Morton. Rudy played in the Peoria Municipal Band for 58 years, and performed with or directed many other orchestras and choirs. He was a World War II veteran. He was active in his church and the Morton Rotary, where he was a Paul Harris Fellow. His wife GRETCHEN RETTBERG JUNGST ’37, three sons, four grandchildren, and three great-grandchildren survive.

SALLY JACOB WILSON ’53, Dec. 23, 2008, Peoria. She was a teacher in District 150 for 38 years, retiring in 1992. Sally was a member of Pi Beta Phi. Surviving are her husband Phillip, daughters ANN WILSON ’87 and MOLLY WILSON ’85, and sisters JEAN JACOB WELCH ’42 and MARILYN JACOB ARNHOLT ’44.

PASCAL “PAT” NAPLES ’54, Oct. 31, 2008, Crest Hill. Known as “King of the Pumpkins,” he operated a produce stand across from Maywood Park racetrack. The market, begun by his family in the 1920s, was a popular destination for school field trips. An Air Force veteran, Pat served on the board of Triton College in the early ’80s. His wife Leda, three sons, and four grandchildren survive.

CLIFTON WATERS ’54, Oct. 25, 2008, Peoria. He was an insurance broker for 40 years, retiring in 1990. He was an Army veteran. Surviving are his wife CLAUDETTE KITCHELL WATERS ’54, two children, two grandchildren, and his sister BARBARA WATERS MARCUS ’49.

RICHARD HARRISON ’55, Nov. 9, 2008, Glen Carbon. He was a computer systems analyst for Granite City Steel. He enjoyed gardening and woodworking. Survivors include his wife Virginia, three children, eight grandchildren including JENNA HARRISON ’08, and a great-grandson.

JOHN G. LARSON ’55, Jan. 16, Galesburg. He retired from General Motors in 1995 as head of the physical chemistry and physics department. His group was responsible for such scientific breakthroughs as the catalytic converter. John held a Ph.D. from the University of Illinois. An Air Force veteran, he was a member of Lambda Chi Alpha at Bradley. Previously he lived in Pittsburgh and in Birmingham, Mich. Surviving are two sons including BRAD LARSON ’82, five grandchildren, and his companion Joan Carlson.

RALPH STEVENSON ’55, Sept. 19, 2008, Peoria. He retired as a CPA for Clifton Gunderson in 1996. A Navy veteran, Ralph was active in the community and First United Methodist Church. Surviving are his wife Barbara, three children including WILLIAM STEVENSON ’85, 14 grandchildren, and eight great-grandchildren.

DONALD BRIAN ’56, Dec. 1, 2008, Melbourne, Fla. A recipient of the Distinguished Flying Cross, he was a major in the Air Force and served two tours of duty in Vietnam. He had been Optimist of the Year in Colorado. Don was a member of Theta Chi and president of the Student Senate at Bradley. Survivors include two children, his sister LYNNE BRIAN PUCCI ’59, and a grandson.

JAMES ERWIN ’56 MA ’57, Dec. 24, 2008, Derby, Vt. He was a founder of Northeast Kingdom Mental Health Services in 1967, and retired in 1999 as executive director. Jim served on the school board and on two state boards, including the board of psychological examiners. He enjoyed gardening and sailing. Survivors include his wife MARGARET BEVENCY ERWIN ’61, two children, and several grandchildren.

ROSEMARY CLINEBELL THOMSON ’57, Jan. 19, Marion, Iowa. With a special interest in substance abuse prevention, she served in the Iowa General Assembly from 1995 to 2001. Rosemary held several positions in the U.S. Department of Education. Previously she was a teacher in Peoria and also wrote for Christian publications. In 2002, she received a national award for outstanding public service from Gamma Phi Beta. Surviving are her husband JIM THOMSON ’57, two sons, 12 grandchildren, and three great-grandchildren.

JOHN DANIELS ’58, Nov. 25, 2008, Charlotte, N.C. He was a salesman and manager for Scott Graphics and Homelite. Later he was a certified drug treatment counselor. John was a Navy veteran. His two daughters and five grandchildren survive.

JOHN HLAVACH ’59 MBA ’65, Nov. 20, 2008, Peoria. He was superintendent of schools in Bartonville. He was an Army veteran. His wife Jane, three children, and eight grandchildren survive.

JERRY LATTA ’59, Aug. 14, 2008, Los Altos, Calif. Jerry worked for electronics publications until becoming a financial adviser in 1975. Most recently he was a senior vice president for the Smith Barney division of Citigroup. He served on the local school board. A member of Sigma Chi at Bradley, Jerry was a Marine Corps veteran. Survivors include his wife Betty, three sons, and four grandchildren.

1960s

DONALD UPHOFF, MA ’60, Dec. 15, 2008, Washington. He was president of First National Bank in Chillicothe and then Heartland Bank in Washington. Earlier, Don was an elementary school teacher, principal, and coach. Active in the community and the early development of Five Points Community Center, he received the Washingtonian Award in 1995. Don was an Air Force veteran. Surviving are his wife Betty, their daughter, and four grandchildren.

CHARLES BRADSHAW ’61, Nov. 30, 2008, Bellingham, Wash. He had lived in Phoenix where he worked with Equitable Life of New York. Chuck was a Marine Corps veteran and was involved in Masonic work. He was a member of Theta Chi. Surviving are his wife Carolyn, three sons, three stepdaughters, and many grandchildren.

ARNOLD JOHNSON ’61, Oct. 26, 2008, Englewood, Ohio. Arnold was inducted into the Dayton Hockey Hall of Fame in 2004. He co-owned the Dayton Bombers from 1990 to 1998. He also owned tool and machine shops in Troy, Ohio. Survivors include his son, stepdaughter, and companion Carol Short.

DAVID VANCE ’61, Dec. 23, 2008, Dallas, Texas. He was employed by Austin Industries, a large construction firm. David held an MBA from Southern Methodist University. He enjoyed working on inventions for automobiles. He was a member of Lambda Chi Alpha at Bradley. His two brothers survive.

EDITH HALPIN MINGUS ’63, Dec. 7, 2008, Phoenix, Ariz. She was an elementary school teacher in the Peoria area for more than 30 years. Edith was active in the Child Evangelism Fellowship of Illinois for many years. Her daughter, granddaughter, and two great-grandsons survive.

RALPH BRAY ’65, Oct. 21, 2008, East Peoria.

VIOLA HINTON ’65, Nov. 1, 2008, Peoria. She was an RN for many years, last working at East Peoria High School for 20 years. Vi was a member of United Presbyterian Church and the Eastern Star. She was 98.

CAROL BOWEN PENCA ’67, Dec. 2, 2008, Peoria. She was principal of Trewyn Middle School, retiring in 2006. Survivors include her husband JAMES PENCA ’63 MA ’66, three children, and two grandchildren.

RAYMOND “GENE” BUCKMAN ’68, Oct. 28, 2008, Pekin. He retired from Caterpillar in 1990 as a buyer after 40 years of service. A Korean War Army veteran, he enjoyed golf and dancing. His wife Lori and their son and granddaughter survive.

WILLIAM “BILLY” HORK ’68, Nov. 18, 2008, Winnetka. The president of Billy Hork Galleries in Chicago, he opened the first of five stores in 1972. His original gallery on Oak Street remained until 2006. Billy enjoyed introducing new artists to Chicago and was known for making original art affordable. He is survived by his wife Monica and two sons.

PETER MOESSNER ’69, Oct. 6, 2008, Buckingham, Pa. His career was in insurance, most recently with Esurance. An Army veteran, Peter enjoyed coaching the Ukrainian travel soccer team. Surviving are his wife Rose, his son, and mother.

1970s

MICHAEL K. BLAIR ’74 MA ’78, Dec. 2, 2008, Peoria. He was a high school teacher for 35 years in Washington, where he had served as president of the teachers’ union. He was a baseball umpire in the summer. His father KENNETH BLAIR ’56, mother BONNIE ECHARD WATSON ’51, two brothers, and two sisters survive.

RUSSELL BUCK ’75, Sept. 2, 2008, Edwards. He joined the Peoria Police Department in 1967 and retired as a lieutenant in 1995. Russell received an award for valor in 1987. He was an Air Force veteran. His wife Liz, six children, 18 grandchildren, and four great-grandchildren survive.

1980s

AMY BOSCH RUDOLPH ’81, Aug. 21, 2008, Wake Forest, N.C. She sang in the Bradley Chorale as a student. Surviving are her husband MICHAEL RUDOLPH ’81 and three children.

PATTI JO LINDAHL ’83, Nov. 23, 2008, Columbus, Ohio. She was a sales rep for the Junior Library Guild. She had been admissions director for a private school in California. Patti was a former volunteer with the Sun Foundation. Surviving are her parents, seven sisters and brothers, and her fiance, David Gill.

LISA DiVERDE HILL ’86, Dec. 3, 2008, Naperville. She was an RN in the neonatal unit of Loyola University Medical Center in Maywood for 19 years. Previously she worked at Parkland Hospital in Dallas. Survivors include her husband BRYAN HILL ’84, three children, her parents, and 11 brothers and sisters, including DAVID DiVERDE, MBA ’93.

1990s

MICHAEL R. SMITH ’95, Dec. 30, 2008, Washington. He was vice president of sales at Morton Metalcraft. He held an MBA from Regis University. Michael was an avid duck hunter. Surviving are his wife Angela, two children, and his parents.

2000s

RACHEL HIGGINS ’06, Jan. 14, Mount Zion. She was a caseworker for the Illinois Department of Child and Family Services in Pekin. Rachel was president of Common Ground at Bradley. She was superintendent of the Heart of Illinois 4-H horse show in Springfield, and volunteered with a riding therapy group. Surviving are her parents, her partner Donna Van Dyke, and two daughters.

Student

JOEL T. WILSON ’12, Nov. 23, 2008, Morton Grove. Joel was majoring in actuarial science. His parents and brother survive.

“In Memory” Guidelines: In Memory is written from newspaper clippings, as well as published obituaries supplied by friends and family. Bradley Hilltopics attempts to identify spouses, parents, children, and siblings who are also Bradley alumni. Submit an obituary by mailing a newspaper clipping or memory card from the funeral home to Bradley Hilltopics, 1501 W. Bradley Ave., Peoria, IL 61625.