SR0376 98TH GENERAL ASSEMBLY

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SENATE RESOLUTION

WHEREAS, The members of the Illinois Senate are saddened to learn of the death of Harold A. "Pete" Vonachen Jr. of Peoria, who passed away on June 10, 2013; and

WHEREAS, Harold Vonachen Jr. was born on August 31, 1925, in Peoria to Dr. Harold A. and Bernice (Verner) Vonachen; he served in the U.S. Navy during World War II and upon returning attended Bradley University, graduating in 1949; he married Donna J. Hurst on May 11, 1957, in Peoria; and

WHEREAS, Harold Vonachen Jr. began his business career by working in the food industry, taking a part-time job running Field House concessions at Bradley University; he moved to Murphy's in 1953, where he worked as a maitre'd; in 1955, he opened his own business, Vonachen's Junction in the Junction City shopping area; he began to branch out from the food industry and from 1965 to 1976 served as the general manager and investor in Vonachen's Hyatt Lodge; he sold the restaurant in 1970 and became president of Peoria Blacktop Inc.; in 1978, he became the general partner and developer for Days Inn Motel in Peoria until 1985; and

WHEREAS, Harold Vonachen Jr.'s baseball career began in 1983 when he purchased the Peoria Chiefs minor league baseball team; and

WHEREAS, Harold Vonachen Jr. lifetime achievements consisted of commodore and board of directors for the Illinois Valley Yacht and Canoe Club, president of the Peoria Pacers College Baseball Team, director of the Greater Peoria Sports Hall of Fame, director of the Peoria Cerebral Palsy Board, board member of the St. Thomas Parochial School Board, president and member of the advisory board of OSF St. Francis Medical Center, vice-president and trustee of the Peoria Park District, chairman of the Liquor Commission for the City of Peoria, member of the State of Illinois Recreational Advisory Committee, board member of the Bradley University Chiefs' Club, honorary member of the Bradley University B-Club, director and president of Peoria Mobile Medic Ambulance Co., member of the board of trustees for Bradley University, chairman of the Salvation Army Tree of Lights, honorary chairman of the Children's Miracle Network Telethon at the Children's Hospital of Illinois, board member for the Children's Hospital of Illinois, member of the Ivy Club, member of the Peoria Country Club, and member of the Independent Sports Club; and

WHEREAS, Harold Vonachen Jr. was awarded the Neve Harms Meritorious Service Sports Award in 1979, inducted into the Greater Sports Hall of Fame in 1979, awarded the Bradley University Distinguished Alumni Award in 1985, the Sporting News Professional Baseball Class A Minor League Executive of the Year in 1985, the Midwest League Executive of the Year in 1985, the Tri-County Sports Figure of the Year in 1985, the Bradley University Centurion in 1986, the University of Notre Dame Man of the Year in 1988, inducted into the Greater Peoria Sports Hall of Fame in 1988, awarded the Caterpillar Community Service Award, the Salvation Army "Other" Award in 1991, the Lewis Burger Outstanding Volunteer Fundraising Award in 1992, the National Society of Fundraising Executives Philanthropy Award in 1992, inducted into the Bradley University Sports Hall of Fame in 1994, awarded the Robert H. Michael Lifetime Achievement Award in 2002, the Ambassador of Baseball-State of Illinois' Chicago Pitch and Hit Club Award in 2005, the Lions Club Outstanding Achievement Award in 2008, and the Lifetime Achievement Award for J.J. Anderson Basketball Club in 2009; and

WHEREAS, Harold Vonachen Jr. was preceded in death by his wife, Donna; his parents; his brothers, Jack and Tom; and his sisters, Mary Ann, Bobbie, and Marta; and

WHEREAS, Harold Vonachen Jr. is survived by his daughter, Mary "Mikie" Shadid; his sons, Rocky, Greg (Kathy), Dan (Jennifer), and Mark (Amy); his sister, Susie (Jim) Dawson; and his grandchildren, Megan Vonachen, Lauren Shadid, Abby Vonachen, Erica Vonachen, Claire Vonachen, Michelle Vonachen, Druschel Vonachen, Olivia Vonachen, Jabe Vonachen, Natalie Vonachen, and Jac Vonachen; therefore, be it

RESOLVED, BY THE SENATE OF THE NINETY-EIGHTH GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS, that we mourn the passing of Harold Vonachen Jr., and extend our sincere condolences to his family, friends, and all who knew and loved him; and be it further

RESOLVED, That suitable copy of this resolution be presented to the family of Harold Vonachen Jr. as an expression of our deepest sympathy.