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1
HOUSE RESOLUTION

 
2    WHEREAS, The members of the House of Representatives are
3saddened to learn of the death of Peoria icon, Harold A. "Pete"
4Vonachen, on June 10, 2013; and
 
5    WHEREAS, Pete was born on August 31, 1925, in Peoria, to
6Dr. Harold A. and Bernice (Verner) Vonachen; he served in the
7U.S. Navy during World War II; he returned home and attended
8Bradley University, graduating in 1949; and he married Donna J.
9Hurst on May 11, 1957, in Peoria; and
 
10    WHEREAS, In 1955, Pete opened Vonachen's Junction
11restaurant, whose iconic railroad cars, great food, and owner's
12larger-than-life personality drew patrons from throughout the
13State; he sold the restaurant in 1970 and became president of
14Peoria Blacktop, Inc.; and
 
15    WHEREAS, Pete rescued professional baseball in Peoria when
16he purchased the Peoria Suns in 1983; his commitment to family
17entertainment led to many highly successful Peoria Chiefs
18teams, alternating with Cardinals' and Cubs' affiliations;
19past and future Hall of Fame players have played in now, Dozer
20Park, one of the nation's finest Class A stadiums; and
 
21    WHEREAS, Over his lifetime Pete served as commodore for the

 

 

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1Illinois Valley Yacht and Canoe Club, president of the Peoria
2Pacers College Baseball Team, director of the Greater Peoria
3Sports Hall of Fame, director of the Peoria Cerebral Palsy
4Board, and member of the St. Thomas Parochial School Board; he
5was president of the advisory board for OSF St. Francis Medical
6Center, vice-president and a trustee for the Peoria Park
7District, chairman of the City of Peoria Liquor Commission, a
8member of the Bradley University Chiefs Club, president of
9Peoria Mobile Medic Ambulance Co., and a member of the board of
10trustees for Bradley University; he also served as chairman for
11the Salvation Army Tree of Lights and as honorary chairman of
12the Children's Miracle Network Telethon at the Children's
13Hospital of Illinois; and
 
14    WHEREAS, Pete was awarded the Neve Harms Meritorious
15Service Sports Award in 1979, the Bradley University
16Distinguished Alumni Award in 1985, the Sporting News
17Professional Baseball Class A Minor League Executive of the
18Year in 1985, the Tri-County Sports Figure of the Year in 1985,
19the Bradley University Centurion in 1986, the University of
20Notre Dame Man of the Year in 1988, the Caterpillar Community
21Service Award, the Salvation Army Other Award in 1991, the
22Lewis Burger Outstanding Volunteer Fundraising Award in 1992,
23the National Society of Fundraising Executives Philanthropy
24Award in 1992, the Robert H. Michel Lifetime Achievement Award
25in 2002, the Ambassador of Baseball-State of Illinois Chicago

 

 

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1Pitch and Hit Club Award in 2005, and the Lions Club
2Outstanding Achievement Award for JJ Anderson Basketball Camp
3in 2009; he was inducted into the Greater Peoria Sports Hall of
4Fame in 1979, the Greater Peoria Sports Hall of Fame 1988, and
5the Bradley University Sports Hall of Fame in 1994; and
 
6    WHEREAS, Pete met his best friend, Harry Caray, while
7managing concessions at Bradley University Fieldhouse in 1950;
8the Hall of Fame broadcaster would routinely call out to "my
9good friend, Pete Vonachen, in Peoria" during Cubs games; his
101998 eulogy for Harry was celebrated nationally for its humor
11and its humanity; and
 
12    WHEREAS, Pete was cherished far and wide for his
13extraordinary sense of humor, friendships with those he
14encountered from all walks of life, and his love for baseball;
15and
 
16    WHEREAS, Pete was preceded in death by his wife, Donna; his
17parents; his brothers, Jack and Tom; and his sisters, Mary Ann,
18Bobbie, and Marta; and
 
19    WHEREAS, Pete is survived by his daughter, Mary "Mikie"
20Shadid; his sons, Rocky, Greg (Kathy), Dan (Jennifer), and Mark
21(Amy); his sister, Susie (Jim) Dawson; his grandchildren, Megan
22Vonachen, Lauren Shadid, Abby Vonachen, Erica Vonachen, Claire

 

 

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1Vonachen, Michelle Vonachen, Druschel Vonachen, Jabe Vonachen,
2Natalie Vonachen, and Jac Vonachen; therefore, be it
 
3    RESOLVED, BY THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES OF THE
4NINETY-EIGHTH GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS, that
5we mourn the passing of Harold A. "Pete" Vonachen and extend
6our sincere condolences to his family, friends, and all who
7knew and loved him; and be it further
 
8    RESOLVED, That a suitable copy of this resolution be
9presented to the family of Pete Vonachen as an expression of
10our deepest sympathy.