SR1305 98TH GENERAL ASSEMBLY

SR1305 LRB098 21829 GRL 60686 r

SENATE RESOLUTION

WHEREAS, The members of the Illinois Senate are saddened to learn of the death of Robert W. Depke, who passed away on June 20, 2014; and

WHEREAS, Robert Depke was born on July 11, 1929 in Waukegan; and

WHEREAS, Robert Depke attended Gurnee Grade School and Warren Township High School, where he played all sports and was a member of the Warren Football 49ers; he was also selected as a member of the Warren Township Hall of Fame; and

WHEREAS, Robert Depke served his country as a member of the National Guard during the Korean War; and

WHEREAS, After working in the family business, Robert Depke sold cars for Lindskog Mercury in Libertyville; in 1961, he won his first election to serve as Warren Township Supervisor; in 1975, he, along with the Town Board, purchased a farm on Washington Street in Gurnee and developed the Warren Township Center and Highway Department, which is now named after him; he also served as Lake County Board Commissioner and was elected Chairman of the County Board in 1968; and

WHEREAS, Robert Depke was instrumental in many accomplishments for Lake County; he led the Saving Great Lakes Group, which worked diligently with the State of Illinois and Governor Jim Edgar to convince the National Closure Board to keep the Great Lakes Naval Base open in Lake County; his name appears on the Robert W. Depke Juvenile Justice Center in Vernon Hills, which he had the foresight to have the county purchase to house the Juvenile Center and Courts in recent years; and

WHEREAS, Robert Depke was a member of the Gurnee Community Church; he was also a 58-year founding member of the Gurnee Lions Club, a charter member of the Gagewood Lions Club, and a member of the Exchange Club of Gurnee; and

WHEREAS, Robert Depke was a lifetime Green Bay Packers and Chicago White Sox fan; and

WHEREAS, Robert Depke was preceded in death by his parents, Justus and Beatrice (nee Hook) Depke; his stepmother, Edith; a sister, Eloise (Orvin) Herman; 2 brothers, William "Bill" and Justus (Jess) Depke; a daughter, Cindy Jo Deming; and a nephew, Wally Herman; and

WHEREAS, Robert Depke is survived by his loving wife of 45 years, George Anne; 6 children, Robert W. (Jennie) Depke, II, Shawn B. (Lynne) Depke, Michael (Audrey) Hendee, Braden (Janet) Depke, Kellie Hendee, and Bowen (Claire) Depke; 13 grandchildren, Robert (Laura) Depke III, Tyler, Justus, Kyla, Jessica, Alexander, Genevieve, William Depke, Alisha (Michael) Depke-Lankford, Shawn, Kevin, Scott and Amy Deming; a great-grandchild, Mackenzie Lankford; and many nieces, nephews, and friends; therefore, be it

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

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