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1
SENATE RESOLUTION

 
2    WHEREAS, The members of the Illinois Senate are saddened to
3learn of the death of Bernard Francis "Bernie" DeVries of
4Antioch, who passed away on August 2, 2018; and
 
5    WHEREAS, Bernie DeVries was born at home on the farm in Rib
6Falls, Wisconsin to Sam and Effie (Andringa) DeVries on
7December 29, 1925 and grew up in Sparta, Wisconsin; he left
8high school in 1943 during his junior year and enlisted in the
9U.S. Navy, serving as a shipfitter/hull technician; he married
10Helen Margaret Sands in Conshohocken, Pennsylvania on June 21,
111947; he served onboard the USS Saipan and was stationed at a
12variety of locations, including Cuba, Philadelphia, Norfolk,
13Key West, Great Lakes, and Pearl Harbor; he retired from the
14Navy in 1963 after 20 years of service and settled in Antioch;
15and
 
16    WHEREAS, Bernie DeVries continued his welding career first
17in Trevor, Wisconsin and then in Libertyville until he retired
18in 1987; he was a member of UAW Local 1643; and
 
19    WHEREAS, In 2002, Bernie DeVries received his high school
20diploma with the Sparta High School graduating class; it was a
21proud moment as he accepted his diploma and a certificate of
22recognition from the commander of the Fort McCoy Army Garrison

 

 

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1in Tomah, Wisconsin; and
 
2    WHEREAS, Bernie DeVries was a member of Antioch American
3Legion Post 748, serving in many capacities, including post
4commander numerous times; he was also a member of the Fleet
5Reserve Association, the Retired Enlisted Association, VFW
6Sequoit Post 4551, and the United Methodist Church of Antioch;
7he and Helen volunteered for Meals on Wheels for many years and
8were active in the USO at the Great Lakes Naval Base; and
 
9    WHEREAS, Bernie DeVries was an active beekeeper for over 35
10years and was a member of the Lake County Beekeepers
11Association; in 2014, he received the Illinois Beekeepers
12Association Pioneer Award for his work in promoting beekeeping;
13and
 
14    WHEREAS, Bernie DeVries was preceded in death by his wife,
15Helen; his parents; his brothers, Morris, Harvey, and Thomas;
16his son-in-law, David J. Valentine; and his grandson, Jack
17Bernard Valentine; and
 
18    WHEREAS, Bernie DeVries is survived by his daughters,
19Margaret (James) Cole, Christine (Kenneth) Smith, Colleen
20Valentine, and Dianna (Jack) Baseley; his brother, Gordon
21DeVries; and numerous grandchildren and great-grandchildren;
22therefore, be it
 

 

 

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1    RESOLVED, BY THE SENATE OF THE ONE HUNDRED FIRST GENERAL
2ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS, that we mourn the passing of
3Bernard Francis "Bernie" DeVries and extend our sincere
4condolences to his family, friends, and all who knew and loved
5him; and be it further
 
6    RESOLVED, That a suitable copy of this resolution be
7presented to the family of Bernie DeVries as an expression of
8our deepest sympathy.