SR0936 98TH GENERAL ASSEMBLY

SR0936 LRB098 20285 MST 55708 r

SENATE RESOLUTION

WHEREAS, The members of the Illinois Senate are saddened to learn of the death of Robert E. "Bob" McGraw of Gladstone, who passed away on February 7, 2014; and

WHEREAS, Robert McGraw was born in Oquawka on February 22, 1931 to Clifford E. "Red" and Bertha (nee Baxter) McGraw; he graduated from G and O High School in 1949 and served in the United States Navy during the Korean War on the USS Gayety Mine Sweeper and the USS Hamilton Destroyer; he married Kathleen I. "Kate" Lewis in Gladstone on June 14, 1953; and

WHEREAS, Robert McGraw spent his entire 40-year career working at J.I. Case in Burlington, Iowa as an experimental technician; he joined the Gladstone Volunteer Fire Department in 1955, and in 1979, he helped establish the Gladstone Fire District, of which he served as President; he was a member of the Gladstone Auxiliary Police from 1979 to 2004 and a member of the Civil Defense Police; and

WHEREAS, Robert McGraw was a member and past post-commander of the Gladstone Veterans of Foreign Wars Post #7082 between 1965 and 2000 and was active in the Honor Guard; he was a 54-year member and Past Master of the Oquawka Masonic Lodge #123; and

WHEREAS, Robert McGraw was preceded in death by his wife, Kathleen; his parents; his 2 sisters; his brother; and his grandson; and

WHEREAS, Robert McGraw is survived by his daughters, Donna K. (Mick) Albin, Patty (Gary) Wood, Kathy (Randy) Grafton, and Betsy (Scott) Cooper; his son, Lewis (Tammy) McGraw; his 16 grandchildren; his 3 great-grandchildren; his sister, Pauline Woods; and his brother, Bill (Pat) McGraw; therefore, be it

RESOLVED, BY THE SENATE OF THE NINETY-EIGHTH GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS, that we mourn the passing of Robert E. "Bob" McGraw, 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 Robert McGraw as an expression of our deepest sympathy.