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1
SENATE RESOLUTION

 
2    WHEREAS, The members of the Illinois Senate are saddened to
3learn of the death of Merton D. Messmore of Rock Island, who
4passed away on July 31, 2019; and
 
5    WHEREAS, Merton Messmore was born in Geneseo to Ella and
6Dr. Harry L. Messmore Sr. on July 29, 1926; he attended high
7school in Altona and graduated in 1944; he immediately enlisted
8in the United States Navy, where he served as a radioman on LST
9672 in the Pacific Theatre during World War II; he was
10discharged in 1946; he married Mary Ruth Speer in 1950; he
11graduated from Monmouth College in 1951; and
 
12    WHEREAS, Merton Messmore began his career as a high school
13teacher and coach in Farmington; he continued his career at
14ROWVA High School in Oneida; in 1964, he changed careers and
15worked as an insurance agent for Northwestern Mutual Life
16Insurance Company; in 1968, he accepted a position at Auburn
17High School and returned to his love of coaching and teaching;
18he later earned his master's degree from Sangamon State
19University; he was then appointed principal at Auburn High
20School, from which he retired in 1988; and
 
21    WHEREAS, Upon retirement, Merton Messmore and his wife
22moved to Altona, Rock Island, and then Destin, Florida, where

 

 

SR0661- 2 -LRB101 13881 ALS 62744 r

1they lived for nine years; they then returned to the Quad
2Cities; he was an avid fan of the St. Louis Cardinals and
3University of Illinois athletics; he enjoyed fishing, reading,
4particularly history, and, most of all, spending time with
5family and friends; and
 
6    WHEREAS, Merton Messmore was preceded in death by his wife,
7Mary Ruth; his mother; his father; his stepmother; his infant
8son, Mick; four brothers; three sisters; three step-siblings; a
9great-granddaughter; and a great-grandson; and
 
10    WHEREAS, Merton Messmore is survived by his children,
11Stanlee (Char) Messmore, Jack (Marsha) Messmore, Joel (Diane),
12Messmore, Lisa (Dan) Wood, and Alyson Messmore; 16
13grandchildren; 26 great-grandchildren; and many nieces,
14nephews, great-nieces, and great-nephews; therefore, be it
 
15    RESOLVED, BY THE SENATE OF THE ONE HUNDRED FIRST GENERAL
16ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS, that we mourn the passing of
17Merton D. Messmore and extend our sincere condolences to his
18family, friends, and all who knew and loved him; and be it
19further
 
20    RESOLVED, That a suitable copy of this resolution be
21presented to the family of Merton Messmore as an expression of
22our deepest sympathy.