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1
SENATE RESOLUTION

 
2    WHEREAS, The members of the Illinois Senate are saddened
3to learn of the death of Wendell Dean Graven of Springfield,
4who passed away on February 28, 2022; and
 
5    WHEREAS, Wendell Graven was born in Findlay to John and
6Ethel (Steele) Graven on March 1, 1934; he graduated from
7Findlay High School in 1952 and married Fern Thacker on
8December 31, 1954; and
 
9    WHEREAS, Wendell Graven owned and operated Hick's Gas
10Station; he also worked at Charlie Wilson's Ford Dealership
11and as a Purchasing Agent at International Paper for 20 years;
12and
 
13    WHEREAS, Wendell Graven served on the Shelbyville School
14Board from 1972 to 1976 and was an original organizer of the
15Little League baseball diamonds; he was also the founder of
16the Pony League and one of the original volunteers for the
17Shelbyville Festival of Lights; and
 
18    WHEREAS, Wendell Graven was an avid fan of Illinois
19basketball and the St. Louis Cardinals; he was the MVP of the
20Shelby County Basketball Tournament in 1952 and was proud to
21be inducted into the IHSA Coaches Basketball Hall of Fame in

 

 

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11991; and
 
2    WHEREAS, Wendell Graven was preceded in death by his
3parents and his sister, Lucille; and
 
4    WHEREAS, Wendell Graven is survived by his wife of 67
5years, Fern; his sons, Dean (Stacey) and Doug Graven (Amy
6Cashman); his grandchildren, Tina Gardiner, Kyle Graven, Bryon
7Graven, and Brett Graven; four great-grandchildren; three
8great-great-grandchildren; his sisters, Juanita Tucker and
9Barbara (Ed) Olivier; many nieces, nephews, and cousins; and
10his grand-dog, Rudy; therefore, be it
 
11    RESOLVED, BY THE SENATE OF THE ONE HUNDRED SECOND GENERAL
12ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS, that we mourn the passing of
13Wendell Dean Graven and extend our sincere condolences to his
14family, friends, and all who knew and loved him; and be it
15further
 
16    RESOLVED, That a suitable copy of this resolution be
17presented to the family of Wendell Graven as an expression of
18our deepest sympathy.