Foundation philanthropists honored in Bequest Society

Before her death on Christmas Eve, 1974, Helen Taylor of Peru left Illinois Valley Community College a gift that would benefit generations of students.

Taylor’s bequest of more than $100,000 led to the creation of the IVCC Foundation in 1976, funded nearly 250 scholarship awards to date and, most importantly, opened the way for other philanthropists such as Rhea and Murray Crowder, Watson Bartlett and Jim Ponti to leave their estates to the college.

 The Foundation will honor individuals who remember IVCC in their wills — both living and deceased — in a new Bequest Society.  Bequest Society members (listed below) will be recognized in a college display, on the Foundation web site and in the annual report.

“One of the easiest and most significant ways an individual can help our students and college is by making a provision in their will naming IVCC as the recipient of a portion of their estate,” said Fran Brolley, director of development. 

Bequests may be designated for unrestricted use by the Foundation or for a specific purpose or program. The Foundation will honor the preferences outlined in the will and all information is strictly confidential. Gifts of charitable annuities and life insurance are also welcome.  

For information, contact Brolley at (815) 224-0524 or via email at fran_brolley@ivcc.edu.

IVCC Foundation Bequest Society

The following individuals named the IVCC Foundation in their wills:

Watson P. Bartlett, Mendota, 1988

Walter Durley Boyle, Hennepin

Loretta R. Byerly, Peru, 2002

J. Murray Crowder, Spring Valley, 1988

Rhea Mae Crowder, Spring Valley, 1988

Edward & Elizabeth DeZwarte, La Salle, 2008

Sophia E. Holt, La Salle, 1996

Lester A. Klinefelter, Troy Grove, 2002

Peter Pacetti, Oglesby, 2006

Louis J. Ponti, Oglesby, 2005

Lucille M. & Ethel A. Rottner, La Salle, 1998

Joseph Segaert, Oglesby, 1985

Nora & Mennow P. Smith, Lostant, 1993

Helen E. Taylor, Peru, 1975

Lorretta Vogt, Peru, 2006

Marie R. Wagner, La Salle, 2005

Marie Washkowiak, La Salle, 1993