SR0677 102ND GENERAL ASSEMBLY

SR0677 LRB102 22756 ECR 31902 r

SENATE RESOLUTION

WHEREAS, The members of the Illinois Senate are saddened to learn of the death of Joseph "Joe" S. DePaepe of Henderson, Nevada and St. Charles; and

WHEREAS, Joe DePaepe was born to August A. and Bertie (Andrews) DePaepe on May 16, 1946; he graduated from Rock Island High School and enlisted in the U.S. Navy while still a student; after graduation, he was assigned as a qualified Helmsman in the Navigation Department of the U.S.S. Enterprise CVA (N)65, which at the time was the world's largest warship and the only nuclear-powered aircraft carrier during the Vietnam War; and

WHEREAS, As a teenager, Joe DePaepe set up dances at local churches and performed as "J.D. the D.J." for dances at the Memri Drive-In Theater in Milan; upon returning from Vietnam, he became co-owner and operator of the Falcon Press in Rock Island, which later became the Falcon Printing and Publishing Company; he was a real estate investor and owner and operator of the tavern and restaurant Jumpin' Jacks in Rock Island; in 1984, he opened the first of his own chain of convenience stores and gas stations, Mother Hubbard's Cupboards, which grew to 18 locations throughout the Quad City area; he was the owner/developer of Smokin' Joe's Tobacco & Liquor Outlets, with 20 locations throughout the State of Iowa; and

WHEREAS, Joe DePaepe was a proud lifetime member of the Henderson, Nevada, Veterans of Foreign Wars VFW Post 12101; he also had a close relationship with the Walcott, Iowa, American Legion Post 548; and

WHEREAS, Joe DePaepe loved fishing, snorkeling, collecting vintage cars, the Chicago Bears, dogs, and a good cigar; he was an excellent dancer and a gifted oil painter and sculptor; he thrived on adventure and traveled worldwide, from fishing for piranha in Peru to riding camels in Egypt; and

WHEREAS, Joe DePaepe was preceded in death by his parents; his brother; and his sister; and

WHEREAS, Joe DePaepe is survived by his wife, Sherry; his daughter, Casey; his granddaughter, Kierney; his stepdaughter, Kelly (Jim) Mason; his niece, Victoria Coutts and her family; and a special man he loved like a son, Tony Gripp; 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 Joseph "Joe" S. DePaepe 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 Joe DePaepe as an expression of our deepest sympathy.