SR0250 100TH GENERAL ASSEMBLY

SR0250 LRB100 11604 MST 22303 r

SENATE RESOLUTION

WHEREAS, The members of the Illinois Senate are saddened to learn of the death of Millard R. "Red" Rakestraw, formerly of McHenry, who passed away on February 13, 2017; and

WHEREAS, Millard Rakestraw was born in Mineral to Millard F. and Minnie Rakestraw on January 25, 1929; he married Ruth A. Lamer on February 10, 1951; and

WHEREAS, Millard Rakestraw worked initially as a farmer and then as a mechanic; farmers entering tractor pull competitions will remember him as the mechanic to hire to get the most out of their tractors; and

WHEREAS, Millard Rakestraw and his wife moved to Stanford, Kentucky in July of 2011; he was a member of St. William Catholic Church in Lancaster, Kentucky; and

WHEREAS, Millard Rakestraw was preceded in death by his parents; his brothers, Donald and Dale; his sisters, Katherine and Frances; and his son-in-law, Fred Schmidtgall; and

WHEREAS, Millard Rakestraw is survived by his wife of 66 years, Ruth; his son, Michael Rakestraw; his daughters, Peggy (Paul) Waldoch, and Patricia Schmidtgall; his grandchildren, Michael (Kelsey), Paul and Luke Rakestraw, Melissa (Kyle) Snelten, Nicole Waldoch, Rebecca (Steve) Smith, and Lisa (Jerald) Donegan; his great-grandchildren, Kaleb, JJ, Fiona, Jeremiah, Katie Marie, and the much anticipated, Cora Isabella Smith, and Baby Rakestraw; therefore, be it

RESOLVED, BY THE SENATE OF THE ONE HUNDREDTH GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS, that we mourn the passing of Millard R. "Red" Rakestraw, 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 Millard Rakestraw as an expression of our deepest sympathy.