SR0604 97TH GENERAL ASSEMBLY

SR0604 LRB097 20562 GRL 66164 r

SENATE RESOLUTION

WHEREAS, The members of the Illinois Senate are saddened to learn of the death of Robert E. "Bob" Koeller, who passed away on February 11, 2012; and

WHEREAS, Robert Koeller was born on September 26, 1924, in Alton; he was the son of Henry B. and Eva (Ruppaner) Koeller; he married Gracie E. Herrmann on August 28, 1948, at St. Ambrose Catholic Church; and

WHEREAS, Robert Koeller graduated from St. Mary's Grade School in Alton; he then attended Marquette High School for 3 years before graduating from Jerseyville Township High School; he also attended the University of Illinois and SIU Edwardsville; and

WHEREAS, Robert Koeller was a partner in Koeller Bros. Farms in Godfrey; and

WHEREAS, Robert Koeller was active throughout his life in promoting agricultural interests; he was a lifetime member of Madison County Farm Bureau and served as president before being elected to the Illinois Farm Bureau Board of Directors, where he served for 8 years; he served as a member of the Madison County Farmland Review Committee for 20 years; he also served on the Board of Directors for Country Life Insurance, Godfrey State Bank, and Wedge Bank of Alton and served as manager of the Godfrey Township Utility Board for 10 years; and

WHEREAS, Robert Koeller was instrumental in the creation of the Farmland Assessment Law; he also served on Governor Jim Thompson's State Tax Reform Commission as an agriculture representative; and

WHEREAS, Robert Koeller served in numerous roles in the Village of Godfrey's development; he helped guide the incorporation of Godfrey into a village in 1993, served on the village's Transition Committee, and served on several development committees, including the Godfrey Community Planning and Economic Development Committee; he also served on the village's Sewer Board and was instrumental in bringing a sewer plant to Godfrey in the 1970s; and

WHEREAS, Robert Koeller was a charter member of St. Ambrose Catholic Church in Godfrey; and

WHEREAS, Robert Koeller enjoyed farming, fishing, and traveling with his wife; and

WHEREAS, Robert Koeller was preceded in death by his brother and partner in business, Louis B. Koeller; his sister, Mary Jane Koeller; and his son, Richard "Rick" L. Koeller; and

WHEREAS, Robert Koeller is survived by his wife of 63 years, Gracie; his children, Karen A. Zuckerman (Richard), Robert H. Koeller, Connie T. Koeller, and Steven P. Koeller; and his grandchildren, Jessica Koeller, Nicholas Koeller, and Bradley Koeller; therefore, be it

RESOLVED, BY THE SENATE OF THE NINETY-SEVENTH GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS, that we mourn, along with his family and friends, the passing of Robert Koeller; and be it further

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