SR0959 96TH GENERAL ASSEMBLY

SR0959 LRB096 23786 KXB 43168 r

SENATE RESOLUTION

WHEREAS, The members of the Illinois Senate are saddened to learn of the death of Donald Albert "Doc" Guehler of Somonauk, who passed away on September 5, 2010; and

WHEREAS, He was born May 14, 1925, on a farm outside of Leland to Albert August and Anna (Passow) Guehler; he married Shirley M. Walker on April 11, 1948, at the Federated Church in Sandwich; and

WHEREAS, He was a family farmer (dairy, hogs, grain, and chickens), a seed corn dealer for both Crow's and Funk's hybrids, an insurance representative, and a real estate agent; he attended rural schools and graduated from Somonauk High School in 1942; he was active in sports, Future Farmers of America, and 4-H, and was a lifelong member of St. John's Lutheran Church in Somonauk and almost a lifelong member of St. John's choir; and

WHEREAS, He held many positions with St. John's parish over the years, including stewardship and building fund endeavors, high school Sunday School teacher, lay minister, speaker, and congregation president, as was his father and grandfather; and

WHEREAS, He was a member of the DeKalb County Farm Bureau for four decades and was vice president for decades as well; he was a member of the Somonauk Lions Club, president of the Somonauk Music Boosters, a PTA and Somonauk School Board member for decades and president for years; he was an honorary member of the Somonauk FFA chapter and was a cultural icon in the Fox Valley as an emcee for hundreds of Farm Bureau, community, and church events for decades; and

WHEREAS, He played center in basketball and pitched softball for town and church leagues in the 40s and 50s; he was an enthusiastic water skier, had an affair with golf, and was an avid bowler and gardener his entire adult life; he also entertained church and community events as "Doc and the Country Boys" musical and variety show; and

WHEREAS, He was preceded in death by his parents; his wife, Shirley, on June 4, 2010; and his sister and brother-in-law, Marge (Dean) Coddington; and

WHEREAS, Donald Guehler is survived by his sons, Dennis "Denny" Guehler and Roger Guehler; his daughters, Rhonda (Darrell) Vander Bloomen and Sherrill (Gary) Randau; his granddaughter, Katie Randau; his grandsons, Adam Stavros, Dan Vander Bloomen, and Torr Randau; his sister-in-law, Mary Krzystofiak; his brother-in-law, Chuck (Stella) Walker; and a niece and four nephews; therefore, be it

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

RESOLVED, That a suitable copy of this resolution be presented to the family of Donald Guehler as a symbol of our sincere sympathy.