SR0378 103RD GENERAL ASSEMBLY

SR0378 LRB103 32955 LAW 62760 r

SENATE RESOLUTION

WHEREAS, The members of the Illinois Senate are saddened to learn of the death of Jerry Dean Stead, who passed away on June 21, 2023; and

WHEREAS, Jerry Stead was born to Lyle and Gladys Minteer Stead in Millersburg on April 7, 1932; he graduated from Aledo High School; he served in the U.S. Army during the Korean Conflict between 1953 and 1954, and he was present at the signing of the Armistice on July 27, 1953; and

WHEREAS, After being honorably discharged, Jerry Stead turned to farming; he married Phyllis L. Gardner, and they had two children, Sharon Marie and Joseph Dean Stead, before later divorcing; he went on to work at Alcoa Aluminum; and

WHEREAS, Jerry Stead married Shirley A. Utz in Aledo in February 1967, and they combined their families, raising his two children and her three sons from her first marriage, Floyd Richard, Randall Wayne, and Robert Kevin Utz; for many years, the couple operated their own landscaping and nursery business in Viola; and

WHEREAS, Jerry Stead was preceded in death by his wife of 55 years, Shirley; his parents; his older brother, Jack Stead; and his older sister and brother-in-law, Alice (Dick) Seaton; and

WHEREAS, Jerry Stead is survived by his children, Sharon (John) Stead Tahere, Joe (Tracy) Stead, Floyd (Joyce) Utz, Randy (Sharon) Utz, Robert (Emelyne) Utz; his daughter-in-law, Kim Utz; 12 grandchildren and 21 great-grandchildren, with two more on the way; his brothers-in-law, Dave (Laura) Creek, John (Becky) Creek, and Paul (Anita) Creek; his sisters-in-law, Bonnie Frieden, Ethel (Owen) Creek Conard, Mary (Rick) Creek Shaw, Gean Creek, Shirley Creek, and Shirley Creek; and a host of nieces, nephews, and cousins; therefore, be it

RESOLVED, BY THE SENATE OF THE ONE HUNDRED THIRD GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS, that we mourn the passing of Jerry Dean Stead 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 Jerry Stead as an expression of our deepest sympathy.