SR0689 99TH GENERAL ASSEMBLY

SR0689 LRB099 12781 MST 36593 r

SENATE RESOLUTION

WHEREAS, The members of the Illinois Senate are saddened to learn of the death of Gordon H. "Gordy" Wilke of Union, who passed away on June 10, 2015; and

WHEREAS, Gordon Wilke was born in Elgin on March 3, 1940 to Walter and Caroline (nee Barr) Wilke; he served in the United States Army and married Bonnie Yerke in Union on September 5, 1964; and

WHEREAS, Gordon Wilke owned and operated Clasens Tavern in Union for over 20 years; he held a position as a rural carrier for the Huntley Post Office for 17 years; he began his career as a volunteer firefighter on the Union Fire Department in 1964; in 1994, he was appointed as a Trustee for the Union Fire Protection District to finish his 47-year career with the fire department; and

WHEREAS, Gordon Wilke served and volunteered with many organizations, including the Moose Club in Harvard; he was Treasurer for the Village of Union, a member of the Union Lions Club, President of the Union Cemetery Board, and a board member of Siems Memorial Park; and

WHEREAS, Gordon Wilke was a member of St. John's United Church of Christ in Union for over 50 years; he loved to travel, especially camping with his family, and was an avid Chicago Bears fan; and

WHEREAS, Gordon Wilke was preceded in death by his parents; and

WHEREAS, Gordon Wilke is survived by his wife of 50 years, Bonnie; his children, Beth (Will) Lulinski and Dan (Holli) Wilke; his grandchildren, Tommy and Mia Lulinski; his step-mother, Hettie Wilke; his brother, Jim (Sue) Wilke; his sister, Virginia (Bern) Danielson; his step-brothers, Wayne (Diane) Wilke, Charlie (Barb) Seelhoff, Ron Seelhoff, and Vern (Violet) Seelhoff; and his brother-in-law, Tom Yerke and Doris; therefore, be it

RESOLVED, BY THE SENATE OF THE NINETY-NINTH GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS, that we mourn the passing of Gordon H. "Gordy" Wilke, 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 Gordon Wilke as an expression of our deepest sympathy.