SR0153 99TH GENERAL ASSEMBLY

SR0153 LRB099 09012 GRL 29192 r

SENATE RESOLUTION

WHEREAS, The members of the Illinois Senate are saddened to learn of the death of Gene Petersen of Bloomington, who passed away on January 31, 2015; and

WHEREAS, Gene Petersen was born on March 8, 1925 in Chicago; his parents were Harry and Eugenia Fagan Petersen; he married Cathryn Hemmele on May 1, 1945 in Bloomington; and

WHEREAS, Gene Petersen was a graduate of Trinity High School (now Central Catholic High School); and

WHEREAS, During World War II, Gene Petersen was a pilot of a B-17 Flying Fortress; he flew 35 combat missions over Europe and was a 5-time recipient of the Air Medal; and

WHEREAS, Gene Petersen retired from General Electric in 1988 after many years of service; and

WHEREAS, Gene Petersen was a member of Holy Trinity Catholic Church and had been active in many parish organizations, including the St. Raphael Society, the Christian Family Movement, Pre-Cana, and the Boy Scouts; he was also a member of the Knights of Columbus and the American Legion; and

WHEREAS, Gene Petersen was preceded in death by a brother, Harry Petersen, and a son-in-law, William Hundman; and

WHEREAS, Gene Petersen is survived by his wife, Cathryn; 7 children, Eugene (Karen) Petersen, Jim (Helen) Petersen, Steve (Anne) Petersen, Cathy Hundman, John (Toni) Petersen, Mike (Joan) Petersen, and Margie (Brian) Knutson; 18 grandchildren; 23 great-grandchildren; a sister, Mary Conroy; and a brother, Tom (Margaret) Petersen; therefore, be it

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

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