SR1142 98TH GENERAL ASSEMBLY

SR1142 LRB098 21080 MST 58842 r

SENATE RESOLUTION

WHEREAS, The members of the Illinois Senate are saddened to learn of the death of Gordon Richard Schnulle of Elgin, who passed away on April 21, 2014; and

WHEREAS, Gordon Schnulle was born in Elgin on August 25, 1925 to Gordon William and Ethel M. (nee Zornow) Schnulle; he attended school in Elgin and then served in the United States Marine Corps during World War II; he married Dorothy L. Ferhman on May 8, 1948; and

WHEREAS, Gordon Schnulle served as a corporal from 1942 to 1946 and fought in the pivotal battle at Iwo Jima during World War II; he was part of the 8th wave of Marines to storm the island, serving as a machine gunner in H Company, 3rd Battalion, 28th Marine Regiment, 5th Marine Division and was there for the entirety of the 36-day battle, which saw his company of Marines reduced to only 39 soldiers from approximately 266; and

WHEREAS, Following his service, Gordon Schnulle was employed for many years at the Elgin Corrugated Box Company as head maintenance man; he also obtained his real estate license and his General Education Diploma, having dropped out of school to enlist in the military at age 16; and

WHEREAS, Gordon Schnulle was an accomplished knife maker, taxidermist, doll house maker, and after 9/11, spent countless hours speaking on behalf of service men and women; and

WHEREAS, Gordon Schnulle was preceded in death by his parents, and by his son, Ronald Lang; and

WHEREAS, Gordon Schnulle is survived by his wife of 66 years, Dorothy; his sons, Gerald (Marilyn) Lang, Keith (Debbie) Schnulle, Kevin (Pat) Schnulle, and daughter-in-law, Vicki Lang; 10 grandchildren; 12 great-grandchildren; as well as countless other friends and relatives; therefore, be it

RESOLVED, BY THE SENATE OF THE NINETY-EIGHTH GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS, that we mourn the passing of Gordon Richard Schnulle, and 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 the family of Gordon Schnulle as an expression of our deepest sympathy.