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1
SENATE RESOLUTION

 
2    WHEREAS, The members of the Illinois Senate are saddened to
3learn of the death of John W. Cockrell of Eagle River,
4Wisconsin, formerly of Downers Grove, who passed away on June
528, 2010; and
 
6    WHEREAS, John Cockrell was born on January 17, 1923, in
7Brookfield; his parents were Willis and Anna Cockrell; he
8married Helen T. Cinker in 1949; and
 
9    WHEREAS, John Cockrell attended St. Joseph Catholic School
10and Downers Grove North High School; and
 
11    WHEREAS, John Cockrell served his country with pride and
12distinction as a member of the U.S. Army during World War II in
13the Pacific theatre; and
 
14    WHEREAS, John Cockrell was an active member of the Fairview
15Homeowners Association when he and his wife built their first
16home on Washington Street in Downers Grove; at that time, he
17owned and operated DuPage Excavating and was a member of Local
18150; in 1958, he was elected to serve as Justice of the Peace
19from Downers Grove Township; he was subsequently elected to
20serve as Magistrate of the DuPage County Circuit Court; in
211962, he began working in the Circuit Clerk's office,

 

 

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1introducing computers to facilitate the second largest court
2system in Illinois; in 1971, John was elected to serve as Clerk
3of the 18th Judicial Circuit Court, remaining in that position
4until his retirement in 1991; and
 
5    WHEREAS, During his career, John Cockrell served as
6President of the Illinois Association of Court Clerks,
7President of the Illinois Association of County Officials, and
8member of the DuPage County Law Enforcement Commission and the
9Crescent Criminal Justice Authority; he was also an active
10member of the Downers Grove Township Republican Organization,
11the Downers Grove Lions Club, and the St. Joseph Catholic
12Church; and
 
13    WHEREAS, After his retirement, John Cockrell and his wife
14made their home in Eagle River, Wisconsin; while in Eagle
15River, he was on the board at the Kalmar Senior Center and an
16active member of the Northwood's Carvers; he also enjoyed
17fishing, golfing, painting, wood carving, playing cards, and
18visiting with his family and friends; and
 
19    WHEREAS, John Cockrell is survived by his beloved wife of
2061 years, Helen; his daughters, Susan Sheldon, Theresa
21Cockrell, and Janis (James) Gorski; his sister, Anna Johnston;
22his grandchildren, Amanda (Mark) Roe, Amber (Collin) Verbick,
23and Daniel and Emily Gorski; and his great-grandchildren,

 

 

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1Evelyn and Miles Roe; therefore, be it
 
2    RESOLVED, BY THE SENATE OF THE NINETY-SIXTH GENERAL
3ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS, that we mourn, along with
4his family and friends, the passing of John W. Cockrell; and be
5it further
 
6    RESOLVED, That a suitable copy of this resolution be
7presented to the family of John Cockrell as an expression of
8our sympathy.