SR0871 100TH GENERAL ASSEMBLY

SR0871 LRB100 13871 ALS 28597 r

SENATE RESOLUTION

WHEREAS, The members of the Illinois Senate are saddened to learn of the death of Gene Franklin Smedley, of Bloomington, who passed away on August 9, 2017; and

WHEREAS, Gene Smedley was born in Waverly to Roscoe B. and Mae (Lucas) Smedley on February 21, 1921; he graduated from Pekin High School; he received a bachelor's degree in history from Illinois College; he proudly served in the United States Navy during World War II as a commander of a supply ship; upon his discharge from the Navy, he earned a Master of Science in Journalism from Columbia University; he married Eileen McCann on December 19, 1945; and

WHEREAS, Gene Smedley began working for The Daily Pantagraph in Bloomington in 1948; he covered the Illinois General Assembly and was eventually promoted to the position of managing editor, from which he retired in 1982; he won numerous awards from the Associated Press and the United Press International; and

WHEREAS, Gene Smedley loved singing; he participated in the SPEBSQSA Barbershop Quartet and Chorus in Bloomington; his quartet won an international award in California in the 1950s; he could always be heard singing to his family and friends; his passion was traveling the world every chance he got; he was a longtime Chicago Cubs fan and was overjoyed when they won the World Series; and

WHEREAS, Gene Smedley was preceded in death by his wife; his parents; and his six siblings, Glenn, Merle, Delmar, Ted, Betty, and Helen; and

WHEREAS, Gene Smedley is survived by his children, Michael James (Leona) Smedley and Mary Ann (Ron) Dillman; his grandchildren, Todd Smedley, Makayla Smedley, and Erik Dillman; his great-grandchildren, Carmen Dillman and Connor Dillman; therefore, be it

RESOLVED, BY THE SENATE OF THE ONE HUNDREDTH GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS, that we mourn the passing of Gene Franklin Smedley, 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 Gene Smedley as an expression of our deepest sympathy.