SR2361 99TH GENERAL ASSEMBLY

SR2361 LRB099 23826 MST 51344 r

SENATE RESOLUTION

WHEREAS, The members of the Illinois Senate are saddened to learn of the death of Ralph S. Dufour of Moline, who passed away on October 29, 2016; and

WHEREAS, Ralph Dufour was born in Moline to Marcel and Leona (DeBel) Dufour on August 2, 1928; he married Ann Kuhn at St. Francis Church in Ottawa on November 10, 1951; he served five years in the United States Marine Corps; he spent two years in the Reserve; his two years of active duty were spent in China; he was an extra in the John Wayne movie, "Flying Leathernecks"; and

WHEREAS, Ralph Dufour retired from the Crawford Company in Rock Island; after he finished his apprenticeship, he was the second person Harvey Crawford hired after starting the company; he was known for his work with copper and installed the copper roof on the old Moline Post Office, which is now owned by Kone; and

WHEREAS, Ralph Dufour was a member of Sacred Heart Church, Catholic Order of Forrester Court 1691, Sheet Metal Local 91, American Legion Post 246 in Moline, the East Moline Pigeon Club, and the Friend Circle Club; he enjoyed fishing, hunting, and raising racing pigeons; and

WHEREAS, Ralph Dufour was preceded in death by his parents; his sister, Mary Lou Crouse; and his son-in-law, Rudy Werner; and

WHEREAS, Ralph Dufour is survived by his wife, Ann; his children, Martina Werner, Chris (Vicki) Dufour, Marcia (James) Harl, Mary Lou Dufour (Dale Brewer), Theresa (Steve) Price, Bill (Kerri) Dufour, Joan (Dan) Noe, and Michelle (Kory) Melin; 18 grandchildren; and 11 great-grandchildren; therefore, be it

RESOLVED, BY THE SENATE OF THE NINETY-NINTH GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS, that we mourn the passing of Ralph S. Dufour, and extend our sincere condolences to his family, friends, and all who knew and loved him; and be it further

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