SR0972 96TH GENERAL ASSEMBLY

SR0972 LRB096 24010 KXB 43418 r

SENATE RESOLUTION

WHEREAS, The members of the Illinois Senate are saddened to learn of the death of Vern L. Aldridge of Maywood, formerly of Summit, who passed away on September 29, 2010; and

WHEREAS, He was born June 3, 1938, to William Aldridge and Lucille Jones in Cairo; he attended grade school in District 104 and graduated from Argo Community High School in 1953; he excelled in basketball and football and was the first person to score points in the new gymnasium at his high school; and

WHEREAS, He married his wife, Heloise, in 1956; he served in the United States Army and was honorably discharged in 1979, attaining the rank of Sergeant; he then led R.O.T.C. training at Dunbar High School for over twenty years before his retirement; and

WHEREAS, He was baptized under the leadership of the late Reverend Henry Blackwell at Antioch Baptist Church; he was a long time Officer, and served as Chairman of the Trustee Ministry, President of the Laymen Ministry, and as a member of the Male Chorus; and

WHEREAS, He became a Mason in 1959; showing exemplary conduct, he was elevated to the Worshipful Master of Jacob Lodge #8, Patron of Electa Chapter #4, the Most Worshipful Grand Master of Hiram Grand Lodge; in the Supreme he was elected the Supreme Secretary General and the Supreme Imperial Potentate; and

WHEREAS, He was preceded in death by his sister, Mildred; and his children, Dawn and Vern, Jr.; and

WHEREAS, Vern Aldridge is survived by his wife of 54 years, Heloise; his sons, Brandon (Vicki) and Douglas Brown; his grandsons, Nathan, Kaylan, and Chanz; his granddaughter, Khayla; his brother, Claude "Dick" Aldridge; his mother-in-law, Marie Williams; his nephew, Carl Polk; his nieces, Stephanie, Mathell, and Paulette; his six great-grandnephews; his two great-grandnieces; his special friends; his devoted neighbors; his Masonic family; and his cousins, other relatives, and friends; 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 Vern Aldridge; and be it further

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