SR0524 98TH GENERAL ASSEMBLY

SR0524 LRB098 13302 MST 47821 r

SENATE RESOLUTION

WHEREAS, The members of the Illinois Senate are saddened to learn of the death of Emmett C. Sefton of Mount Zion, who passed away on June 24, 2013; and

WHEREAS, Emmett Sefton was born on March 6, 1932, in rural Mount Zion, to Ernie A. and Bertha (nee Kinser) Sefton; he was a 1949 graduate of Mount Zion High School and served in the United States Air Force during the Korean War; he married Joann Koshinski on March 14, 1954; and

WHEREAS, Emmett Sefton worked as a farmer for over 51 years; he served on many agricultural related boards, including the Macon County Farm Bureau, for which he was President from 1979 to 1985, the Corn Growers Board, the Heritage Grain Elevator Board, and the American Soybean Board, where he traveled to Japan and Taiwan promoting the Board's agenda; he was a member of the Farm Service Agency and was involved in bringing the Farm Progress Show to Decatur; and

WHEREAS, Emmett Sefton contributed to his community through numerous civic organizations; he was a member of the First Lutheran Church, the Dalton City American Legion Post #475, the 4-H Youth Council, and the Masonic Lodge; he belonged to the Ansar Shrine (Ancient Arabic Order of the Nobles of the Mystic Shrine) and the Royal Order of Jesters; he received the Mount Zion Lion's Club Citizen of the Year Award in 2000; and

WHEREAS, Emmett Sefton also served his community on the Richland Community College Board of Trustees as Secretary, as a Trustee of the Mount Zion Township Board, as a member of the Macon County Zoning Appeals Board, as an Election Judge, and as a Precinct Committeeman; and

WHEREAS, Emmett Sefton enjoyed big band music and was a member of the Juvae Jazz Society; and

WHEREAS, Emmett Sefton was preceded in death by his parents; his sister, Alberta McGeehon; and one great-granddaughter; and

WHEREAS, Emmett Sefton is survived by his wife, Joann; his daughter, Sharon Sefton-Jenkins; his son, Steve (Georgia) Sefton; his grandchildren, Dawn (Kelly) Osborne, Tracy (Brian) Verbiski, Joshua Jenkins, Brett Jenkins, Jacob Sefton, Joseph and Rebecca Sefton, and Anthony Mancini; his 14 great-grandchildren; his special nephew, Mike (Julie) McGeehon; and his brother-in-law, Donald (Diana) Koshinski; therefore, be it

RESOLVED, BY THE SENATE OF THE NINETY-EIGHTH GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS, that we mourn the passing of Emmett C. Sefton, 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 Emmett Sefton as an expression of our deepest sympathy.