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1
SENATE RESOLUTION

 
2    WHEREAS, The members of the Illinois Senate are saddened to
3learn of the death of Richard Hugh "Dick" Worthen of Godfrey,
4who passed away on May 16, 2020; and
 
5    WHEREAS, Dick Worthen was born to Hugh O. and Dorothy
6(Raines) Worthen on August 21, 1942; he was a lifelong resident
7of Wood River and Alton; he attended Wood River High School; he
8earned his Bachelor of Arts and Master of Arts in Polical
9Science from Illinois State University; he married Mary
10Sherrill Anderson in Helmar on January 28, 1967; and
 
11    WHEREAS, Dick Worthen taught History and Government
12courses at the high school and community college level; he was
13employed as a salesman by Sears in Alton for many years; and
 
14    WHEREAS, Dick Worthen led an active life of public service
15in local and state politics; he served as a legislative intern
16with the Illinois State Legislature in Springfield, as an Alton
17Precinct Committeeman, and on the Madison County Board for over
1820 years; after retiring from the board, he served as the
19Madison County Storm Water Coordinator; and
 
20    WHEREAS, Dick Worthen was committed to his faith and
21volunteering; he grew up in the Wood River First United

 

 

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1Methodist Church and later became an active member at Main
2Street United Methodist Church in Alton; he served as a
3certified UMC lay leader and speaker; he also sang in the
4choir; he volunteered with Habitat for Humanity and the
5Wisconsin Volunteers in Mission group; he served as a SCORE
6mentor to young people going into the business world; and
 
7    WHEREAS, Dick Worthen enjoyed music; he played in many
8bands throughout high school and college; he played trombone
9and baritone with the Dixie Dudes Dixieland Band and the New
10Horizons Band; he thoroughly enjoyed playing FDR in the Alton
11Little Theatre production of Annie; and
 
12    WHEREAS, Dick Worthen loved the outdoors, camping, and
13hiking; he was an environmental advocate and was instrumental
14in bringing the recycling program to Madison County; he was a
15founding member of The Nature Institute in Godfrey and an
16active member of the Sierra Club locally, statewide, and
17nationally; and
 
18    WHEREAS, Dick Worthen was preceded in death by his parents;
19and
 
20    WHEREAS, Dick Worthen is survived by his wife, Sherrill;
21his son, Gregory (JulieAnn); his daughter, Julie Van Voorhis
22(Matthew); his two grandchildren, Jonathan Hugh Worthen and

 

 

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1Garrison Hugh Worthen; his siblings, Marcia Harmon (Dan), Gary
2Worthen (Leslie), and Diana Worthen; his brother-in-law, James
3Anderson (Vicki); his nieces, Jennifer Battiste (Bill) and
4Amanda Hintergardt; and his nephews, Eric Anderson (Brittany),
5Matthew Harmon (Jane), and Geoffrey Worthen (Jeanne);
6therefore, be it
 
7    RESOLVED, BY THE SENATE OF THE ONE HUNDRED FIRST GENERAL
8ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS, that we mourn the passing of
9Richard Hugh "Dick" Worthen and extend our sincere condolences
10to his family, friends, and all who knew and loved him; and be
11it further
 
12    RESOLVED, That a suitable copy of this resolution be
13presented to the family of Dick Worthen as an expression of our
14deepest sympathy.