SR0784 96TH GENERAL ASSEMBLY

SR0784 LRB096 22042 GRL 40414 r

SENATE RESOLUTION

WHEREAS, The members of the Illinois Senate are saddened to learn of the death of Hon. Michael A. Orenic of Joliet, who passed away on April 16, 2010; and

WHEREAS, Michael Orenic graduated from Joliet Catholic High School in 1942; he graduated from DePaul University Law School in 1950 and was admitted to practice law the same year; and

WHEREAS, Michael Orenic served his country with pride and distinction as a navigator in the United States Army Air Force during World War II; he retired as a Major in the United States Air Force Reserves; and

WHEREAS, Michael Orenic had a long and distinguished career in law; in 1957, he was appointed to serve as an Assistant Will County States' Attorney; in 1964, he was elected to serve as a Circuit Court Judge; he served as a Supervising Judge of Will County from 1964 to 1976, and then was elected to serve as Chief Judge of the 12th Judicial Circuit in 1976; he served as Chief Judge from 1976 to 1982, then again from 1984 until 1986; he retired from the bench in 1990; and

WHEREAS, Michael Orenic was named a Laureate of the Illinois State Bar Association in 2006 in recognition of his distinguished career as a jurist and lawyer; and

WHEREAS, Michael Orenic was a member of the Illinois Judges Association, the Illinois State Bar Association, the Will County Bar Association, the Knights of Columbus Council #382, and the Joliet Federation of Musicians Local #37; and

WHEREAS, Michael Orenic was an avid musician and an accomplished violinist; he was a long-time member of the Floyd Wilson String Quartet and performed for many years with the Lewis University Symphony Orchestra and the Joliet Junior College Community Orchestra; he also volunteered to perform for local high school theatre productions for many years; and

WHEREAS, Michael Orenic was preceded in death by his wife, Kathleen J. (nee Jehle); his granddaughter, Jayden Huntzinger; his parents, Michael J. and Anna (nee Sceniak); his brother, Emil F. (the late Mary Terese), Col. Edward (Myrna), USAF, and William B. "Buck" (Debra); his brothers-in-law, Philip F. (the late Marcelle) Jehle and Stephen F. (the late Sue) Jehle; and his sister-in-law, Eleanor Jehle; and

WHEREAS, Michael Orenic is survived by his children, Michael A., Jr., Dr. Christopher J. (Mary Claire), Paul M. (Dr. Teresa), Gregory J. (Katherine), Gretchen O. (Nicholas) Zwack, Sarah A. (William Patrick) Terheyden, Gabriel G. (Krystal), Alexia O. Huntzinger, and Justin J. (Rina); his 14 grandchildren; his sisters, Irene (Edward) Batis and Mary Evelyn (Andrew) Matejcak; his sisters-in-law, Sr. Dorothy Jehle, O.P. and Barbara J. (the late James) Durkin; and his numerous nieces, nephews, and cousins; therefore, be it

RESOLVED, BY THE SENATE OF THE NINETY-SIXTH GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS, that we mourn, along with his family and friends, the passing of Hon. Michael A. Orenic; and be it further

RESOLVED, That a suitable copy of this resolution be presented to the family of Michael Orenic as an expression of our sympathy.