SR0776 93RD GENERAL ASSEMBLY

SR0776 LRB093 24282 CSA 54556 r

SENATE RESOLUTION

WHEREAS, John G. Keller, a retired farmer who helped make Collinsville famous for horseradish, died December 27, 2004 at the age of 85; and

WHEREAS, He was born into one of Collinsville's founding families and grew up on the family farm, which dates to 1895; as a child, he and his brothers tended the fields and the labor-intensive horseradish crop; Mr. Keller and his brothers continued to grow horseradish and grain on the family farm until they retired in 1988; and

WHEREAS, The Kellers were among the people who organized the International Horseradish Festival in Collinsville in 1988, and John Keller tied for first place in the horseradish-eating contest in the festival's inaugural year; and

WHEREAS, He was preceded in death by his brother, Bill Keller; and

WHEREAS, The passing of John G. Keller will be felt by all who knew and loved him, especially his brother, Louis Keller; therefore, be it

RESOLVED, BY THE SENATE OF THE NINETY-THIRD GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS, that we mourn the passing of John G. Keller and we extend our sincere condolences to his family and friends; and be it further

RESOLVED, That a suitable copy of this resolution be presented to his family as an expression of our deepest sympathy.