SR0517 102ND GENERAL ASSEMBLY

SR0517 LRB102 20094 LAW 28942 r

SENATE RESOLUTION

WHEREAS, The members of the Illinois Senate are saddened to learn of the death of B.J. Hackler of St. Joseph, who passed away on September 7, 2021; and

WHEREAS, B.J. Hackler was born to Olen and Frances Hackler in Ridge Farm on January 21, 1938; he graduated from Ridge Farm High School and then graduated from beauty school in Danville; he married Dixie Myers on October 27, 1961; he served as a cryptographer in the U.S. Army; and

WHEREAS, B.J. Hackler became part owner of the beauty shop in Ridge Farm; he later opened his own shop, B.J.'s Beauty Shop, in St. Joseph in 1964; his career spanned over 60 years; he retired in December 2017; and

WHEREAS, While working as a beautician in both Ridge Farm and St. Joseph, B.J. Hackler completed training to become a volunteer firefighter; he served as a village board trustee of St. Joseph for 10 years before running for village president/mayor in 1980, and he served in that capacity for 36 years; and

WHEREAS, B.J. Hackler became active in the Central Illinois Municipal Officials Association, where he served as a member and then president; he was then appointed to the Illinois Municipal League Board, where he later served as president and past president; he was also appointed to the national EPA committee; and

WHEREAS, B.J. Hackler was committed to his faith and was an active member of the St. Joseph United Methodist Church; he volunteered in several organizations, including the church's mission work, the Feed the Need program and Miss Piggy's Pork Palace, and the St. Joseph American Legion Post 634; and

WHEREAS, B.J. Hackler had several interests; he was a member of the Champaign Ski Club, and he competed in his first downhill race at age 50; he was an avid fisherman; alongside family and friends, he enjoyed traveling to a number of locations, including Europe, Canada, Mexico, Jamaica, the New England area, the Western U.S., and the Hackler family reunion in Virginia; he also enjoyed collecting Abraham Lincoln pieces, reading Lincoln history, and elephants; he loved parades and most recently enjoyed decorating his golf cart for any event; and

WHEREAS, B.J. Hackler loved life and had many friends; he will be remembered as someone who always left others with a smile on their faces for having met him; and

WHEREAS, B.J. Hackler was preceded in death by his wife, Dixie; his parents; a brother; his in-laws; and his grandson, Carson Baker; and

WHEREAS, B.J. Hackler was the father of Traci Jarvis (Greg) and Tonya Hackler-Bayler (Oscar); the grandfather of Kiersten Jarvis (Jeremy Cantor), Ross Baker (Rosie), Sean Jarvis, and Sydney Meltzer (Daniel); and the great-grandfather of Addie Baker, Clark Baker, Mark Baker, and Ewan Cantor; therefore, be it

RESOLVED, BY THE SENATE OF THE ONE HUNDRED SECOND GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS, that we mourn the passing of B.J. Hackler and extend our sincere condolences to his family, friends, and all who knew and loved him; and be it further

RESOLVED, That a suitable copy of this resolution be presented to the family of B.J. Hackler as an expression of our deepest sympathy.