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1
SENATE RESOLUTION

 
2     WHEREAS, The members of the Illinois Senate are saddened to
3 learn of the death of Charles Merritts, Jr., who passed away on
4 January 23, 2010; and
 
5     WHEREAS, Charles Merritts, Jr. was born on September 23,
6 1935, in East St. Louis; his parents were Charles Merritts, Sr.
7 and Geneva Stokes Merritts; and
 
8     WHEREAS, Charles Merritts, Jr. attended Dunbar Elementary
9 and Carver Elementary Schools before graduating from Lincoln
10 High School in 1953; he then earned his bachelor's degree in
11 mathematics from Wiley College in Marshall, Texas in 1957;
12 while at Wiley College, he played baseball and pledged with the
13 Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity, joining the fraternity's Alpha Chic
14 Chapter on November 27, 1954; he remained a devoted Kappa for
15 55 years; and
 
16     WHEREAS, Charles Merritts, Jr. served as a math and science
17 teacher at Rock Junior High School in East St. Louis for 10
18 years; he then resigned from his position and joined an
19 established family business; and
 
20     WHEREAS, Charles Merritts, Jr. enjoyed big game hunting,
21 fishing, bowling, archery, sharpshooting, trap and skeet

 

 

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1 shooting, and golfing; he also loved the blues and enjoyed
2 singing and playing his guitar at home; and
 
3     WHEREAS, Charles Merritts, Jr. was a member of numerous
4 social and civic organizations, including the Anniversary
5 Club, the Derby Brown Memorial Golf Club, the Pro Eights, the
6 Aahmes Temple #132, and the Southern Cross Lodge #112; and
 
7     WHEREAS, Charles Merritts, Jr. was preceded in death by his
8 mother; and
 
9     WHEREAS, Charles Merritts, Jr. is survived by his loving
10 wife of 58 years, Delores; his son, Charles Merritts III; his
11 daughter, Kimberly Delores Merritts; his father; his grandson,
12 Courtney Merritts; his aunt, Delores S. Merritts; his
13 sisters-in-law, Barbara Holt (Rev. Edward) and Rev. Jacqueline
14 (Baseball Hall of Famer Lou Brock); his brother-in-law, Billy
15 Gaitor (Mary); and his many other relatives and friends;
16 therefore, be it
 
17     RESOLVED, BY THE SENATE OF THE NINETY-SIXTH GENERAL
18 ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS, that we mourn, along with
19 his family and friends, the passing of Charles Merritts, Jr.;
20 and be it further
 
21     RESOLVED, That a suitable copy of this resolution be

 

 

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1 presented to the family of Charles Merritts, Jr. as an
2 expression of our sympathy.