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1
SENATE RESOLUTION

 
2    WHEREAS, The members of the Illinois Senate are saddened to
3learn of the death of Donald D. Peasley, who passed away on May
43, 2013; and
 
5    WHEREAS, Donald Peasley was born on December 5, 1922, on
6the family farm near Stronghurst; his parents were John and
7LaVerna Dixson Peasley; he married Frances Keane on February
814, 1946; and
 
9    WHEREAS, Donald Peasley graduated from Terre Haute High
10School in 1940; he attended the University of Illinois from
111940 to 1943 and began his career as a journalist on the
12editorial staff of The Daily Illini; and
 
13    WHEREAS, Donald Peasley enlisted in the U.S. Navy Reserves
14and began active duty July 1, 1943; he served in the Pacific
15Theater aboard the USS Blue Ridge, an amphibious force command
16ship, and the USS Lawrence C. Taylor, a destroyer escort; and
 
17    WHEREAS, After his marriage, Donald Peasley and his wife
18returned to the University of Illinois, where he continued his
19career as a journalist at The Daily Illini and graduated in
20June of 1947; the couple moved to Woodstock in October of 1947,
21where he worked as managing editor of the Woodstock Journal,

 

 

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1Hebron Times, and Huntley Review; his journalism career quickly
2expanded to include success as a photojournalist, editor,
3columnist, and historian; and
 
4    WHEREAS, Donald Peasley was a founding member of the
5Woodstock Little League in 1954; he had served on its board
6ever since, including 45 years as secretary; in 1962, he
7established Play Ball!, an annual yearbook featuring league
8history, highlights, team photos, and individual recognition;
9and
 
10    WHEREAS, In 1955, Donald Peasley established Woodstock VFW
11News, a monthly publication to keep members informed of issues
12related to veterans; the publication earned 15 national VFW
13"Best Publication" awards; and
 
14    WHEREAS, Donald Peasley founded a public relations firm in
151961; he worked in communications at the Illinois Farm Bureau
16from 1950 until the organization moved from Chicago to
17Bloomington in 1961; and
 
18    WHEREAS, Donald Peasley had a close relationship with
19agriculture; through stories and photos, he chronicled major
20changes affecting the agricultural community in McHenry
21County; he helped edit and produce the monthly Farm Bureau
22publication from 1947 until its closure in 2002; he was

 

 

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1involved in a host of community events, primarily as a
2volunteer, including Woodstock's success in becoming an
3All-America City in National Municipal League competition in
41963-1964; and
 
5    WHEREAS, Donald Peasley was instrumental in promoting the
6McHenry County Fair and photographed every Fair Queen since
71946; last year, the Fair Board recognized his contributions by
8designating the first day of the Fair as "Don Peasley Day" and
9placed a nameplate on a bench; and
 
10    WHEREAS, Donald Peasley was presented the Studs Terkel
11Humanities Service Award by the Illinois Humanities Council
12following nomination for the recognition by Woodstock City
13Council in 2007; he was chosen to be Woodstock Citizen of the
14Year by the Woodstock Lions Club in 2006 and honored by the
15Illinois 4-H Foundation with induction into the 4-H Foundation
16Hall of Fame; his journalistic endeavors, including 60 years of
17covering high school activities, were recognized with his
18induction into the Woodstock High School Athletic Hall of Fame
19in 2006; the McHenry County Board similarly recognized 60 years
20of photographic and journalistic achievements with a
21proclamation in February of 2006; and
 
22    WHEREAS, Donald Peasley is survived by his children, Mary
23(Hobert Holloway) Peasley, Mark (Laura) Peasley (Molly and

 

 

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1Shane Brown), Charles (Debbie) Peasley, and Sarah Peasley; his
2grandchildren, Peter (Cristina) Beverwyk, Christopher (Kinny)
3Beverwyk, and Victoria Sisk; his great-grandchildren, Veda and
4Daemon Beverwyk; his many nieces and nephews; and his close
5family friend, Marybeth Vogrinc; therefore, be it
 
6    RESOLVED, BY THE SENATE OF THE NINETY-EIGHTH GENERAL
7ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS, that we mourn, along with
8his family and friends, the passing of Donald D. Peasley; and
9be it further
 
10    RESOLVED, That a suitable copy of this resolution be
11presented to the family of Donald Peasley as an expression of
12our sympathy.