A reunion on the Quad turned into 51 years of companionship, family, and love for this year’s Homecoming alumni royalty, John ’69 and Marilyn (Mueller) Freese ’70.
Appears InThe couple met during John’s senior year when he served as chair of Student Senate and Marilyn worked as a clerk for the Senate Office. John graduated with a political science degree and entered law school the following fall. It wasn’t until he returned for a campus visit the next year that their friendship blossomed. He ran into Marilyn on the Quad as she studied for her finals and prepared to graduate with her elementary education degree. Before her graduation, they had their first date. They visited regularly for a year until they married in 1971.
The couple kept busy during their time at Illinois State. John was one of two students appointed to the committee drafting the new ISU constitution for faculty and students. He was also one of the first four Bone Scholars in 1967 with the honor recognized by President Robert Bone himself. Marilyn built lifelong friendships while participating in residence
hall activities, including being a floor representative for her hall’s judicial council. She also worked at Feeney Dining Center and volunteered at Western Avenue Community Center.
After graduation, John earned his law degree, and the couple moved to California where John served as an attorney for the United States Navy. They eventually returned to Bloomington-Normal, where John went into private practice while Marilyn raised their three children. Once their youngest started school, Marilyn taught for McLean County Unit District No. 5. John went on to become an associate circuit court judge and later was elected as a circuit court judge. He retired in 2004 as chief judge of the 11th Judicial Circuit with Marilyn retiring from teaching a year later.
In retirement, John and Marilyn volunteer with several community organizations and enjoy time with their three children, seven grandchildren, and two great-grandchildren. They are generous supporters of Illinois State, where they have established a scholarship within the Department of Politics and Government. They praise the University for giving them the education, connections, and values that make them who they are today.
