SR0503 98TH GENERAL ASSEMBLY

SR0503 LRB098 13120 GRL 47634 r

SENATE RESOLUTION

WHEREAS, The members of the Illinois Senate are saddened to learn of the death of Gerald "Jerry" VanWinkle of Peoria, who passed away on August 9, 2013; and

WHEREAS, Gerald VanWinkle was born on March 23, 1938 in Peoria; his parents were John D. and Velda M. (Foster) VanWinkle; he married Carol Hagel on October 2, 1970, in Havana; and

WHEREAS, Gerald VanWinkle graduated from Manual High School; he subsequently attended Bradley University for mechanical engineering; and

WHEREAS, Gerald VanWinkle retired from Caterpillar as a journeyman millwright, working in Research and Development at the Caterpillar Technical Center in Mossville; and

WHEREAS, Gerald VanWinkle was a life member of Illinois Lodge 263, the Ancient Free and Accepted Masons, and Mohammed Temple, Ancient Arabic Order of the Nobles of the Mystic Shrine; he was a life member of the Society of Hospitalers, a Thrice Potent Master and life member of the Valley of Peoria Scottish Rite, and a life member of American Veterans (AMVETS); he was also a member of the Midwest Gun Collectors Association, for which he taught basic safety, and of the Midwest Cruisers Association, where he enjoyed showing his 1979 green Ford truck at cruise-ins; and

WHEREAS, Gerald VanWinkle enjoyed spending time at Wildlife Prairie State Park and with his horses, Bobbie and Sissy; and

WHEREAS, Gerald VanWinkle was preceded in death by his parents and his brother, Ron VanWinkle; and

WHEREAS, Gerald VanWinkle is survived by his wife, Carol; his children, Lynn Kerley, Mark (DiAnna) Kerley, Jerry (Kelly) Kerley, and Michelle (Rob) Banta; his 11 grandchildren; his 7 great-grandchildren; his niece, Rhonda Dyess; and his sister-in-law, Kay VanWinkle; 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 Gerald "Jerry" VanWinkle; and be it further

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