April 19, 2025

Losses

Recognizing Beloit College community members we have lost.

1940-1949

Robert P. Wolbert ’47, retired educator and administrator; Oct. 31, 2024, in Madera, California. He is survived by his wife of 64 years, Mary Wolbert, and four children.
Elizabeth Kaatz Mooney ’48, retired educator and therapist, recipient of Beloit’s Distinguished Service Citation; Feb. 21, 2025, in Paw Paw, Michigan. She was predeceased by her husband, Francis Mooney, and companion James Inwood. Survivors include many foster children and loving friends.
Dr. Arthur G. Lawrence ’49, U.S. Army veteran, retired physician; Nov. 23, 2024, in Stafford, Missouri. He was predeceased by his wife, Evelyn Lawrence, and a son. Survivors include two daughters and three sons.

1950-1959

Nevin “Ike” I. Gage ’51, retired vice president of marketing and sales; Dec. 11, 2024, in Poway, California. He was predeceased by his father, Nevin I. Gage (1924), cousin, Avery O. Gage ’39, and son, Matthew Gage. He is survived by two daughters.
John L. Markel ’51, U.S. Navy veteran, former owner of Markel Company; Oct. 21, 2024, in Wauwatosa, Wisconsin. He was predeceased by his wife, Jacqueline Nelsen Markel ’52, and cousin, James T. Ochsenschlater ’39. Survivors include a daughter and a son.
Nancy Jane Ellifrit ’52, retired biologist; Sept. 27, 2024, in Columbia, Missouri.
Jean Zillmer Levenhagen ’52, retired travel agent; July 3, 2024, in Wauwatosa, Wisconsin. She was predeceased by her husband, Ted Levenhagen, and is survived by a son and two daughters.
Maurine Guest Heoppner ’53, retired school teacher, active community member; Oct. 2, 2024, in Glen Ellyn, Illinois. She was predeceased by her husband, Edmund Heoppner, and father, Arthur T. Guest (1912). Survivors include a son, two daughters, and brother, David K. Guest ’50.
Marilyn M. Morris ’53, former elementary school teacher, community volunteer; Nov. 26, 2024, in Plano, Texas. She was predeceased by her husband, Donald M. Morris ’53, and is survived by a daughter and a son.
Janis Zabel Irvine ’54, former Beloit College Trustee, former owner of the Book Bin; Nov. 8, 2024, in Northbrook, Illinois. She was predeceased by her husband, Alexander Irvine ’54, and is survived by a daughter, a son and brother-in-law, Robert H. Irvine ’60.
Barbara Kokum Linskey ’54, retired publications editor; Dec. 3, 2024, in Arlington Heights, Illinois. Survivors include her husband, Edward Linskey, and four daughters.
Janice Fishburn Stoner ’54, retired English teacher; July 20, 2024, in Hayward, Wisconsin. She was predeceased by her husband, Cliff Stoner, and is survived by a daughter and four sons.
Duane M. Moore ’55, emeritus professor of geology; Oct. 18, 2024, in Albuquerque, New Mexico. Survivors include his wife, Shelley Roberts, a daughter and two sons.
Diane Hlavka Garnett ’56, retired elementary teacher; Oct. 30, 2024, in Green Valley, Arizona. She is survived by her husband of 64 years, Bruce Garnett, a son and two daughters.
Georgann Allen Johnson ’56, entertainer, avid reader, historian; Dec. 30, 2024, in Lake Geneva, Wisconsin. She was predeceased by her husband, William Johnson, and mother, Gretchen Hobbs Allen ’32. Survivors include a son and two daughters.
James E. Lake ’56, U.S. Army veteran, retired teacher; Sept. 12, 2024, in Madison, Wisconsin. Survivors include his wife of 58 years, Shirley Lake, and a son.
Robert J. Litwiller ’56, retired senior planner with IBM; Feb. 10, 2025, in Palo Alto, California. He is survived by his wife, Julianne Litwiller, and a son.
William L. McKoy ’56, former owner of Bradley’s Department Store; Sept. 13, 2023, in Delavan, Wisconsin. He is survived by his wife of 67 years, Diane Buchanan McKoy ’57, a son and three daughters.
Carolyn Fehns Watters ’56, Dec. 20, 2024, in Suwanee, Georgia. She was predeceased by her husband, Robert Watters, and is survived by two daughters.
David J. Maurer ’57, professor emeritus with Eastern Illinois University, Dec. 24, 2024, in Chapel Hill, North Carolina. He was predeceased by his wife, Joyce Swan Maurer ’58. Survivors include a son, and daughter, Elizabeth Maurer Friedman ’80.
John “Jack” Otis ’57, U.S Army veteran, founder of Consolidated Flavors, Inc.; Nov. 22, 2024, in Geneva, Illinois. He was predeceased by his wife, Nancy Anderson Otis ’58, and is survived by a daughter and a son.
Sonja Pluess ’57, retired band director and musician; Dec. 20, 2024, in Edgerton, Wisconsin. She is survived by numerous family members.
Johanna Hartung Chen ’58, Jan. 3, 2025, in Laguna Niguel, California.

1960-1969

Barbara Jackson Halsey ’60, retired educator; Dec. 28, 2024, in Flowery Branch, Georgia. She was predeceased by her husband, John Halsey, and is survived by a daughter.
Marjorie Lawrence Runge ’60, retired librarian, volunteer; Oct. 16, 2024, in Chesapeake Beach, Maryland. Survivors include her husband, Philip Runge ’60, a son, and daughter, Sharon Runge ’84.
Marilyn Carres Athas ’61, retired retailer, community volunteer; Jan. 1, 2025, in Downers Grove, Illinois. She is survived by her husband, Gus Athas, one daughter and two sons.
Frank K. Mitchell ’61, former field term placement officer with Beloit College, retired academic advisor and educator; Sept. 30, 2024, in Columbus, Ohio. He is survived by numerous family members.
William F. Hanebuth ’62, retired educator; Nov. 23, 2024, in Mobile, Alabama. Survivors include his wife, Cleta Miller Hanebuth ’62, a son, three daughters, and granddaughter, Jane Hanebuth ’19.
Philip R. Lindley ’62, retired director with Navy Exchange; Oct. 26, 2024, in Johnson City, Tennessee. He is survived by his wife, Gail Lindley, and a daughter.
Anthony R. (Rod) Paolini ’62, Sept. 22, 2024, in Reston, Virginia. He is survived by his wife, Kathleen Paolini, a daughter and a son.
Richard A. Fineberg ’64, journalist, analyst, musician; Sept. 27, 2024, in Fairbanks, Alaska. He is survived by a daughter.
John W. Melby ’64, U.S. Army veteran, retired ultrasound technician; Nov. 12, 2024, in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. He is survived by numerous family members.
Daniel Denerstein ’66, independent musician; Sept. 12, 2024, in New City, New York. Survivors include two sons.
Charles “Chip” J. Schmelzer ’67, U.S. Army veteran, retired estate planning attorney; Dec. 14, 2024, in Kansas City, Missouri. He is survived by his wife, Susan Schmelzer, and a son.
Nancy Appel Boothby ’68, retired teacher, artist, enthusiastic singer and dancer; Feb. 11, 2025, in Sedgwick, Maine. She is survived by her husband, Charles Boothby ’68, a daughter and a son.
Stephen K. Morse ’68, former director with the State Office of Hawaiian Affairs; Sept. 29, 2024, in Waimanalo, Hawaii. Survivors include three daughters and three sons.
Charles A. Pooler ’68, former owner of Pooler and Associates; Jan. 14, 2025, in Aiken, South Carolina. He is survived by his wife, Gretchen Pooler, a daughter and a son.
Judith Shumsky Ayal ’69, retired museum director; Dec. 8, 2024, in Decatur, Georgia. She was predeceased by her husband, Gilber Sherr, and is survived by three sons.
Charles M. Nolte ’69, U.S. Navy veteran, retired finance manager; Dec. 31, 2024, in Bethany, Connecticut. He was predeceased by his wife of 50 years, Dianne Nolte, and is survived by a son and two daughters.
Anthony A. Toepfer ’69, former owner of Anthony Toepfer Jewelers; Jan. 8, 2025, in Keene, New Hampshire. He was predeceased by his mother, Alice Willy Toepfer ’41, and father, Louis Toepfer ’40. He is survived by his life partner, Debra Stevens, and numerous family members.
Bruce A. Wineberg ’69, former owner of Dieu Donn Press and Paper; Dec. 27, 2024, in Mystic, Connecticut. He is survived by his companion, Elizabeth, and numerous family members.

1970-1979

Margaret “Peg” Johnson Connell ’70, retired executive with the U.S. Department of Treasury; Jan. 2025, in Londonderry, New Hampshire. She was predeceased by her husband, Jim Connell, and is survived by a daughter.
Alan C. Goodman ’70, consultant, life coach, author; Dec. 21, 2024, in Albuquerque, New Mexico. He is survived by his wife, Christine Goodman, and two daughters.
Rolf G. Katzenstein ’70, U.S. Marine Corps veteran, retired consultant; Oct. 27, 2024, in Marietta, Georgia. He is survived by his wife, Maureen O’Shea-Katzenstein.
Donna Salisbury Mikkelsen ’72, retired medical technologist; Nov. 2, 2024, in Beloit, Wisconsin. She was predeceased by her husband, Jerold Mikkelsen, and is survived by four sons.
Lucy Axtell ’74, Oct. 30, 2024, in Atlanta, Georgia. She was predeceased by her grandfather Wayne 0. Axtell (1910) and great-grandfather Wayland S. Axtell (1886).
Peter O. Cameron-Gilsey ’76, musician, retired therapist; Feb. 12, 2025, in Rockport, Massachusetts. Survivors include his wife, Nancy Cameron-Gilsey, a daughter and a son.
Gail Johnson Catlin ’76, retired hospital administrator; Oct. 30, 2024, in Gold River, California. She is survived by her husband of 50 years, Ben Catlin, and two sons.
Carol L. Law ’76, retired attorney; Aug. 6, 2024, in Silver City, New Mexico. She is survived by her husband, Dan Law, and two sons.
Mary Sulzer Puntillo ’76, former owner of Paragon Video & Stereo, prairie enthusiast; Jan. 1, 2025, in Monroe, Wisconsin. She is survived by numerous family members.
Jed M. Stern ’76, Dec. 16, 2024, in East Orange, New Jersey. He is survived by his wife, Julie Stern, and his daughter.

1980-1989

Gay “Marci” Frederick ’82, library director and preacher; Aug. 25, 2024, in Harrisonburg, Virginia. Survivors include her husband, Paul Cook, and a daughter.
Mark W. Murphy ’84, former vice president with Dawes Transport; Oct. 30, 2024, in Cedarburg, Wisconsin. He is survived by two sons.
Rev. Richard L. Jones ’86, public defender, pastor and mentor; Nov. 16, 2024, in Madison, Wisconsin. Survivors include his wife, Angela Jones, a daughter and a son.
Charles A. May ’87, Sept. 24, 2024, in Billings, Missouri. He is survived by numerous family members.
Mary Beth Peranteau ’89, attorney with Fredrikson & Byron Law Firm; Nov. 8, 2024, in Madison, Wisconsin. She is survived by her partner, Henry Riess, and numerous family members.

1990-1999

Patricia Munson Cole ’93, Feb. 4, 2025, in Dodgeville, Wisconsin. Survivors include her husband, Gary Cole, a daughter and two sons.
Sarah Grafton Simeziane ’99, speech instructor with Parkland College; Sept. 29, 2024, in Livingston, Montana. She is survived by her husband, Larbi Simeziane.

2000-2009

Colleen H.K. Nyberg ’01, assistant professor of Anthropology with University of Massachusetts; Oct. 29, 2024, in Boston, Massachusetts. She is survived by her parents, Randall and Carol Nyberg.
Cole G. Foslien ’09, former employee of Lancer Catering, involved community volunteer; Feb. 2, 2025, in Saint Paul, Minnesota. He is survived by numerous family members.

Faculty, Staff, and Friends

Dominic Ferrera, former soccer coach with Beloit College; Dec. 20, 2024, in Beloit, Wisconsin. Survivors include his wife, Suzanne Ferrera, a daughter and two sons.
Sara Fillbach, former manager of advancement communications with Beloit College; Dec. 10, 2024, in Beloit, Wisconsin. She is survived by her husband, Zach Fillbach, and two sons.
Pam McQuesten, former director of library and information technology services at Beloit College; Jan. 1, 2024, in Georgetown, Texas.
Cynthia Wright, former Beloit College professor of geology; March 25, 2024, in San Francisco, California. She is survived by her husband, Ramil Wright, former Beloit College professor of geology.
Paul K. Zimmerman, former Beloit College employee; Oct. 29, 2024, in Beloit, Wisconsin.