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1
SENATE RESOLUTION

 
2    WHEREAS, The members of the Illinois Senate are saddened to
3learn of the death of Kermit L. Harden Jr. of Urbana, who
4passed away on June 19, 2019; and
 
5    WHEREAS, Kermit Harden Jr. was born in Maquon to Hazel
6(Martin) and Kermit A. Harden Sr. on October 26, 1924; he
7graduated from Fairview High School and began undergraduate
8studies in mathematics at the University of Illinois, where he
9earned a Bachelor of Science in Mathematics and Education in
101945; he received his master's degree in education from Bradley
11University in 1952; he married Harriet Ann Harden on June 6,
121959; he earned his doctorate in education from the University
13of Illinois in 1972; and
 
14    WHEREAS, Kermit Harden Jr. was a decorated veteran of World
15War II; he served in the 94th Infantry Division and received
16four Battle Stars, Northern France, Ardennes, Rhineland, and
17Central Europe; his company was captured by the Germans in
18October 1944, and he was held as a Prisoner of War for 45 days
19before being included in the first prisoner exchange of the
20war; he returned to active combat and received the Silver Star
21for Gallantry in Action in Germany, the Bronze Star at the
22Battle of the Bulge, and the Purple Heart in Northern France;
23for his service to the people of France, he was awarded the

 

 

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1Order of the Legion d'Honneur by the French Government; and
 
2    WHEREAS, Kermit Harden Jr. began his career in education as
3a math teacher in Havana; he served as the assistant principal
4of the American School in Paris, France before returning to
5Illinois to become assistant superintendent and later
6superintendent of Bethalto Community Schools; in 1968, he
7became assistant superintendent of Urbana schools and later
8served as superintendent from 1975 until 1983; after his
9retirement, he served as interim superintendent for many
10Central Illinois school districts and as a visiting professor
11of education at the University of Illinois; during retirement,
12he also worked as a licensed tax preparer and instructor for
13H&R Block for 25 years; and
 
14    WHEREAS, Kermit Harden Jr. was a tireless community
15volunteer; he was a faithful member of the First Presbyterian
16Church of Urbana, where he served as a trustee, Deacon, Session
17member, and Clerk of the Session; he was a two-time president
18of the Rotary Club of Bethalto and Urbana and served the Urbana
19club as secretary for 23 years; in 2013, he was named Rotarian
20of the Year; a generous contributor of time and money to worthy
21causes, he served as a board member for the Prairie Lands Boy
22Scout Council, the United Way, the Champaign County Board, and
23the March of Dimes; he was president of the Reading Group for
24nine years and chairman of the local Red Cross; he served as

 

 

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1president, secretary, and treasurer of the Urbana Free Library
2Board and was co-chairman, along with his wife, in the capital
3campaign to raise funds for the library's expansion in 2005;
4and
 
5    WHEREAS, Kermit Harden Jr. was a loyal Illini fan and a
65-year season ticket holder for both basketball and football;
7he served as president of the University of Illinois Alumni
8Board; he was a past president of the College of Education
9Alumni Board and a member of the President's Council of the U
10of I Foundation; he was a volunteer track and field official
11for 20 years and a longtime member of the Illini Rebounders and
12Quarterback Clubs; he was a supporter of the Krannert Center
13for the Performing Arts through the Symphony Guild and enjoyed
14their many operatic and theatrical productions; he was a
15gourmet cook and an avid vegetable gardener and enjoyed gifting
16his produce to friends and family; in his spare time, he
17enjoyed traveling to Europe, attending Illini post-season
18sporting events, and spoiling his grandchildren; he will be
19remembered for the strength of his character and his great
20sense of humor; and
 
21    WHEREAS, Kermit Harden Jr. was preceded in death by his
22siblings, Eldon (Dorothy) Harden, Gordon Harden, Norma Mae
23Harden, and Margaret Ann (George) Van Houten; and his
24grandchild, Paige Elizabeth Lunsford; and
 

 

 

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1    WHEREAS, Kermit Harden Jr. is survived by his wife of 60
2years, Harriett Ann Steinrauf Harden; his son, J. Andrew
3(Jackie) Harden; his daughter, Elizabeth Anne (Terry)
4Lunsford; and his five grandchildren; therefore, be it
 
5    RESOLVED, BY THE SENATE OF THE ONE HUNDRED FIRST GENERAL
6ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS, that we mourn the passing of
7Kermit L. Harden Jr. and extend our sincere condolences to his
8family, friends, and all who knew and loved him; and be it
9further
 
10    RESOLVED, That a suitable copy of this resolution be
11presented to the family of Kermit Harden Jr. as an expression
12of our deepest sympathy.