HR0662 96TH GENERAL ASSEMBLY

HR0662 LRB096 14599 KXB 29437 r

HOUSE RESOLUTION

WHEREAS, The members of the Illinois House of Representatives are saddened to learn of the death of Mason R. Absher of Marion, who passed away on September 9, 2009; and

WHEREAS, Mason, one of nine children, was born August 20, 1919, in Marion, to John R. and Kate (Beers) Absher; on July 25, 1941, he married Imogene (Fairchild) Absher; and

WHEREAS, He served his country honorably during World War II for more than four and a half years; prior to being drafted into the United States Army, he taught at "Center", a one-room country school in Williamson County near Corinth; upon his discharge from the Army, he resumed his teaching career in Energy and served as school principal until 1948, when he left the field of education; and

WHEREAS, He founded Absher Motor Sales in 1947 and later was awarded the Nash and Rambler franchise and later expanded into other franchise lines; he and his wife were active in retail automobile business until their retirements in 1984; their love for the business was passed on to their son and their grandsons; and

WHEREAS, Mason was a lifetime member of Fellowship Lodge 89 Masonic Lodge, a Shriner of Ainad Shrine Temple, a member of New Hope Church in Marion, and a charter member of the Marion Kiwanis Club; he was awarded the coveted "Lifetime Achievement Award" by the Marion Chamber of Commerce in 1998; he served on the Marion Chamber of Commerce board of directors from 1982 to 1984; he also served on the board of directors of the Bank of Egypt for many years and later served on the Banterra Bank Board; and

WHEREAS, He will be remembered for his ability to remember birthdays; he took great pleasure in contacting people on their birthdays and bringing them delight on their special days; and

WHEREAS, He was preceded in death by his mother and father; his brothers, Leslie, Clarence, Charlie, and Maurice; and his sisters, Vivian Absher and Lavina Siedler; and

WHEREAS, He is survived by his wife, Imogene Absher; his son, Bill Absher and wife, Sandy; his daughter, Betty Jean Bowles and husband, Ed; his grandsons, David Arnold and wife, Kim, Michael Absher and wife, Cheryl, and Colonel Kevin Fox of the United States Air Force and his wife, Linda; his great-grandchildren, Jessica Arnold, Jarrod Arnold, Jordan Arnold, Cole Absher, Reed Absher, and Will Absher; his brothers, Orie Absher and David Absher; his many nieces and nephews; and his longtime close friend, Earl Parks; therefore, be it

RESOLVED, BY THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES OF THE NINETY-SIXTH GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS, that we mourn, along with his family and friends, the passing of Mason Absher; and be it further

RESOLVED, That a suitable copy of this resolution be presented to the family of Mason Absher as a symbol of our sincere sympathy.