SR0784 98TH GENERAL ASSEMBLY

SR0784 LRB098 16319 GRL 51380 r

SENATE RESOLUTION

WHEREAS, The members of the Illinois Senate are saddened to learn of the death of John Karl Van Dien of Winthrop Harbor, who passed away on December 17, 2013; and

WHEREAS, John Van Dien was an all-star athlete and graduate of North Chicago Community High School; he subsequently attended Illinois State University, where he played Redbirds football; after playing semi-pro football for the Lake County Rifles, he tried out for the Chicago Bears in the late 1960s; and

WHEREAS, John Van Dien served as a police officer in his hometown of North Chicago for 30 years until his retirement in 1994 at the rank of master sergeant; many of the rookies he trained later became police command staff throughout Lake County; and

WHEREAS, John Van Dien served as a Director of the Illinois Police Pension Fund Association and was a member of the North Chicago Police Pension Board for many years; he was also a lifetime member of the Fraternal Order of Police, the Illinois Police Benevolent and Protective Association, and the Illinois Police Association; and

WHEREAS, John Van Dien was the recipient of numerous awards and commendations for high profile convictions; he received a Military Order Purple Heart after being stabbed in the line of duty in 1969; he was also designated the North Chicago Chamber of Commerce "Officer of the Year" in 1985; and

WHEREAS, John Van Dien was preceded in death by his brother, Gordon Brooks Van Dien III; his parents, Gordon B. and Della M. Van Dien; and his grandson, Matthew Elliott; and

WHEREAS, John Van Dien is survived by his wife of 50 years, Judy (nee Stried) Van Dien; his children, John Karl (Kathleen) Van Dien and Johnette Van Dien; his grandchildren, Johnna-Marie Van Dien, Madisyn Van Dien, Patricia (Daniel) Sarenac, Andrew Elliott, and Ryan Elliott; his great-granddaughter, Ariana Sarenac; his brother, James (Barbara) Van Dien and their children, Michael (Laura) Van Dien and Maribeth Van Dien; and his many cousins, friends, and neighbors; 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 John Karl Van Dien; and be it further

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