Human Resources
Western Illinois University Employee Memorial
The annual planting in the Memorial Tree Grove was established in Fall 2003, following a recommendation by members of Western's American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees (AFSCME) Local 417, with support from the Civil Service Employees Council, the Council of Administrative Personnel, Faculty Senate and University administration.
The annual ceremony includes one tree planted in memory of all employees who passed away during the preceding year. Honorees include employees who die while either actively working, on disability, on workers compensation or on an approved leave from the University. To date, Western has honored 52 individuals.
In Memoriam
2023
Vivian "Jeannie" Coeur - AOD Counseling Specialist, Beu Health Center
Keisuke "Kei" Nozaki - Geographic Information System (GIS) Manager
Charles "Chuck" R. Slater - Building Service Worker, Facilities Management
2022
Yvonne Zaborac - Applications Programmer IV, Administrative Information Management Systems (AIMS)
2021
Patricia Anderson - Associate Professor, Anthropology
Gregory "Mitch" Carey - Building Service Foreman, Facilities Management
Christie Eyler - Administrative Assistant, University Relations
Scott Hansen - Associate Professor, Management and Marketing
Lori (Wust) Menke - Office Manager, (former) Department of Philosophy and Religious Studies
2020
Coy Abernathy - Building Operations Engineer, Facilities Management
David DeBoeuf - Professor, Finance
Krystal Scott - Police Officer, Office of Public Safety
2019
James Buffalo, Jr. - Building Service Worker, Facilities Management
2018
Michael Hott - Architectural Superintendent, Facilities Management
2017
Lawrence L. Andrew - Assistant Professor, Computer Sciences
Francis Raymond E. Barlis - IT Technical Associate, Administrative Information Management Systems
Bryce M. Dexter - Development Director, College of Arts & Sciences
William C. "Bill" Downin - Assistant Superintendent of Building Maintenance, Facilities Management
Timothea T. Gentry-Harris - Telephone Operator I, Telecommuncation Services
Jeanine C. Pollmeier - Admissions/Records Supervisor, Admissions
2016
Laura S. Cripe - Chief Clerk, Department of English
Cindy J. Dooley - Associate Dean/Professor, College of Education & Human Services
Margaret Denise Sprinkle - Route Driver, University Printing & Mailing Center
Andrew W. Taylor - Instructor, Law Enforcement & Justice Administration
Susan J. Vaughn - Child Development Associate, Infant & Preschool Center
2015
Robert R. Bahr - Physical Science Technical Assistant, Chemistry
Dennis Bliss - Assistant Professor, Law Enorcement & Justice Administration
Joseph L. Cassidy - Steam & Power Plant II, Heating Plant
Kevin Hazell - Painter, Facilities Management
Jack Koontz - Building Service Worker, Building Services
Sherry J. LaVingon - Clerk, UHDS-Residence Life
William R. Rehling - Associate Professor, Law Enforcement & Justice Administration
Rebecca Schluter - Office Support Specialist, Intercollegiate Athletics
Bart Shanklin - Professor/Director, School of Music
2014
Diane Garlisch - Secretary IV, Student Judicial Programs
2013
Joyce McCormick - Cashier II, Union Service Center
2012
Christina Noble - IT Manager, Administrative Information Management Systems
Michael Ogle - Transportation Manager, Transportation Services
Michael K. Yadgar - Broadcasting Engineer, University Television
2011
Jeffrey L. Herrick - Building Service Worker, Physical Plant
2010
Tara Chambers - Office Support Specialist, VP for Student Services
Julie Flanagan - Library Operations Associate, Library
Pam Hansen - Office Support Associate, Physical Plant
Richard Nott - Building Service Worker, Physical Plant
Marianne Woods - Associate Professor, Kinesiology
2009
Brenda Fauls - Associate Professor, Music
David B. Herbst - Building Service Worker, Building Services
Stan Hyman - Executive Assistant/Head Baseball Coach, Athletics
Victor Kemper - Instructor, English & Journalism
David M. Smith - Purchasing Officer II, Purchasing
2008
James P. Josvai - Building Service Worker, Building Services
2007
John Van Dyke - Building Service Worker, Physical Plant
Lawrence Zoochi - Associate Professor, Communication Sciences & Disorders
2006
Dixie Castlebury - Institutional Research Data Specialist, Institutional Research & Planning
Jenna V. Draper - Building Service Worker, Physical Plant
Darrell Dykstra - Professor, History
Joseph M. Protsman - Associate Director, Athletics
2005
Anna V. Skelton - Police Telecommunicator, Office of Public Safety
2004
Jacqueline D. Van Tine-Schwigen - Secretary IV, Military Science
2003
Randall L. Prichard - Building Service Worker, Physical Plant
Ronald E. Oakman - Building Service Worker, Physical Plant
Robert J. Shaffer - Auditorium Technical Director, Theatre
2002
James Butterworth - Dean, College of Fine Arts & Communication
Trees that have been planted in the Memorial Tree Grove include: Redbud, Magnolia, Red Horse Chestnut, Paperbark Maple, Blue Spruce, Korean Pine, European Beech, Ivory Silk Japanese Lilac, and Magnolia. There are markers placed at the base of each tree indicating the names and years of those honored.
The courtyard was built in 2009 by WIU’s Landscape Maintenance in-house staff. It was Vice President Emeritus Jackie Thompson’s initial vision that a seating area and gathering space was needed to accommodate the many visitors to the Memorial Tree Grove each spring during the ceremony. The courtyard is constructed of brick pavers and a limestone marker was added in 2013. The plaque was added in 2017, two benches were added in 2012; both of which were provided by WIU’s Foundation Department.
Western has a “Campus Beautification Foundation Fund” in which individuals are always welcome to contribute funds for future campus beautification endeavors.
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