SR0163 95TH GENERAL ASSEMBLY

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SENATE RESOLUTION

WHEREAS, The members of the Illinois Senate are saddened to learn of the death of Larry Wetherholt of Decatur, who passed away on April 25, 2007; and

WHEREAS, Larry Wetherholt was born on September 26, 1937 in Decatur; his parents were Hansel and Myrtle Bennett Wetherholt; he married Dorothy Elizabeth (Liz) Burton on February 14, 1959; and

WHEREAS, Larry Wetherholt served his country from 1954 to 1959 in the U. S. Marine Corps; he was well known in the Decatur community for his art work and sense of humor; his Timber-Doodle ran in the Herald and Review and other newspapers for 15 years; his biggest accomplishment was 5 Bavarian Sculptures of Children's Fountain in Frankenmuth, Michigan, which has been seen by thousands of tourists; he had an exhibit in Paris, France in 1983; he won snow sculpture events with his sons, which took him to Quebec, Canada and Cortina, Italy; his works included the Cross and two other pieces for the Lutheran School Association of Decatur and a cityscape in metal at Earthmover's; he designed ornaments for Easter Seals, a mural at Hickory Point Bank Forsyth, a sculpture of Children in front of McGaughy School in Mt. Zion, two sculptures of Children at the Scovil Zoo, and many work shops in Decatur area schools as well as judging at art fairs; and

WHEREAS, Larry Wetherholt was preceded in death by his parents and his sister, Verna Gail Richards; he is survived by his wife, Dorothy Elizabeth (Liz) Wetherholt; his five children, Troy Dale, Stephen Larry (Kelli), Alan Wayne (LaRea), Tina Rene Simroth (Mike), and Eric Christopher (Tricia); his grandchildren, Crystal Pence, Donald Palmiter, April Wetherholt, Larry James Wetherholt, Bethany Wetherholt, and Jeremy Simroth; and his five great grandchildren; and

WHEREAS, Larry Wetherholt will be remembered by all who knew him as a loving man who devoted himself fully to his art; therefore, be it

RESOLVED, BY THE SENATE OF THE NINETY-FIFTH GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS, that we mourn, along with his family and friends, the passing of Larry Wetherholt; and be it further

RESOLVED, That a suitable copy of this resolution be presented to the family of Larry Wetherholt as an expression of our sympathy.