SR0651 94TH GENERAL ASSEMBLY

SR0651 LRB094 19728 LJB 56340 r

SENATE RESOLUTION

WHEREAS, The members of the Senate of the State of Illinois learned with regret of the death of Gil B. Tope of Carterville on January 30, 2006; and

WHEREAS, Mr. Tope was born August 7, 1961, in Du Quoin, to Lee Roy Tope and Billie Marie (Madden) Tope; he married Marsha Kay Lang on September 29, 1989, and they enjoyed 16 years together; and

WHEREAS, He was a member of Our Lady of Mount Carmel Catholic Church in Herrin; Mr. Tope was employed by Jack Murray at Southern Illinois Wholesale for 20 years as a driver/salesman and for 5 years worked for Paul Koerner at Korener Distributing as a warehouse supervisor; and

WHEREAS, Mr. Tope was a simple man with a "Freebyrd" spirit; he enjoyed sitting around a campfire with good friends, family, and a cold Miller Lite beer; he and his best friend, his wife Marsha, loved being together fishing, being among wildlife, walking in the woods with nature, and taking long motorcycle rides on his bike, "Freebyrd"; Mr. Tope loved good music and playing the guitar; he also loved his late dog, Jasper, and his new four-legged friend, Skynyrd; and

WHEREAS, Mr. Tope was preceded in death by his father; his father-in-law, Glen Lang; and a very special uncle, Bill Tope; and

WHEREAS, The passing of Gil Tope has been deeply felt by many, especially his wife; his stepson, Travis Clark; his very loving and caring daughter, Krystal Tope; his mother; his mother-in-law, Patricia Atkins; his older brothers and older sister, Terry and wife, Joyce, Brenda Brown, David and wife, Gayla, and Alan and wife, Debbie; his wonderful grandchildren, Dale Tindill, Makayla Tope, and Tylar Glen Glasco; his many nieces and nephews, especially Emily Tope; his many great-nieces and nephews; and his many great-great nieces and nephews; therefore, be it

RESOLVED, BY THE SENATE OF THE NINETY-FOURTH GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS, that we mourn the passing of Gil Tope, and we extend our sincere condolences to his family, friends, and all who knew and loved him; and be it further

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