SR0318 97TH GENERAL ASSEMBLY

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SENATE RESOLUTION

WHEREAS, The members of the Illinois Senate are saddened to learn of the death of Daniel Ruettiger, who passed away on June 18, 2011; and

WHEREAS, Daniel Ruettiger was born and lived in Joliet; he was a graduate of St. Bernard Grade School and Joliet Catholic High School; and

WHEREAS, Daniel Ruettiger served his country with pride and distinction as a B-17 gunner in the United States Army Air Forces during World War II; he fought in the Air Offensive Europe, serving in southern France, Tunisia, Sicily, and Italy; he was awarded numerous honors for his service; and

WHEREAS, Daniel Ruettiger was a member of St. Mary Magdalene Church, the Knights of Columbus, St. John the Baptist Church in Wisconsin, and the Holy Name Society; he also served as a CCD teacher; and

WHEREAS, Daniel Ruettiger retired after many years of service as a process supervisor at the Union Oil Refinery; he subsequently retired to Wisconsin; and

WHEREAS, Daniel Ruettiger was the recipient of the Providence Catholic Cor Unum Award in 2004 in honor of his work with the Catholic Church; and

WHEREAS, Daniel Ruettiger was preceded in death by his parents, Eugene and Theresa (Sievert) Ruettiger; his siblings, Robert, Leo, Sylvester, Lambert, Bernard, and Lillian; his son-in-law, Charles; and his grandchild, Joseph; and

WHEREAS, Daniel Ruettiger is survived by his beloved wife of 66 years, Elizabeth Jane "Betty" (Mandella); his children, Jean Ann Voelker, Mary Eileen (David) Brockup, Daniel (Cheryl) Ruettiger, Carol (John) Surges, Rosemarie (Jeff) Haiduke, Betsy (Paul) Gallo, Tim (Kelly) Ruettiger, Francis (Kathy) Ruettiger, Mickey (Bobbie) Ruettiger, John (Nancy) Ruettiger, Rita (Xaje) Hasanaj, Norma (Ted) Berman, Bernie (Patti) Ruettiger, and Mark (Mary Kay) Ruettiger; his grandchildren, Lisa, Tommy, Doug, Jessica, Daniel, Annie, Laurie, Magen, Bobbie Jo, Jeffrey, Hawk, Andrea, Melissa, Renee, Lynette, Vincent, Theresa, Dominic, Daniel, Jacob, Mary, Jaime, Shelley, Angela, Rebekah, Samantha, Katelyn, Johnny, Dougie, Diana, Elizabeth, Donika, Adem, Briana, Gabriella, Briton, Joseph, Kayla, Daniel Oscar, Alexa, Dominic, Maria, Michael, Matthew, Josh, Kyle, and Cassie; his 27 great-grandchildren; his sisters, Eileen (Sam) Paul and Elizabeth (Louis Joutras) (William) Brewer; and his brother, Walter (Pat) Ruettiger; therefore, be it

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

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