SR1345 100TH GENERAL ASSEMBLY

SR1345 LRB100 17270 ALS 32429 r

SENATE RESOLUTION

WHEREAS, The members of the Illinois Senate are saddened to learn of the death of Loretta Louise "Weezie" Scheffel, who passed away on January 11, 2018; and

WHEREAS, Louise Scheffel was born to John and Lora (Wood) Gillingham, the fifth of twelve children, on March 2, 1922; she lived to play ball with her brothers, and as an adolescent, she played on a girls' traveling ball team; she married John Scheffel on April 5, 1941; and

WHEREAS, Louise Scheffel was a stay-at-home mom while her children were small; she later worked at Geers Department Store and Boyd Memorial Hospital; and

WHEREAS, At the age of 92, Louise Scheffel published a book titled, With God's Help We Made It, a collection of her memories of growing up in a large family during the Great Depression; she was recognized as an Illinois author on the floor of the Illinois Senate by Senator Sam McCann in March 2015, a moment she treasured; and

WHEREAS, Louise Scheffel was the oldest member of the Presbyterian Church in Carrollton and also attended the Methodist Church, where she was recognized as "Methodist Woman of the Year" due to her service to the church; she jokingly referred to herself as a "Methoterian"; and

WHEREAS, Louise Scheffel was a fantastic cook and known for her pumpkin pie, homemade noodles, and wacky cake; she was a talented seamstress and made numerous dresses, outfits, and costumes; she loved her family and helping anyone who needed her; and

WHEREAS, Louise Scheffel was preceded in death by her parents; her husband, John; her son-in-law, Charles Anderson; her grandson, Charles Anderson Jr.; her brothers, Willis, Harry, and John Gillingham; and her sisters, Lillian Helderman, Mary Chapman, Betty Gerson, and Neoma Schmidt; and

WHEREAS, Louise Scheffel is survived by her children, John (Linda) Scheffel Jr., Barbara Anderson, and Susan (Kim) Postlewait; her grandchildren, Tom Anderson, Lisa (Ed) Davenport, Karen (Stanley) Weimer, Heidi (Brian) McDonald, Erin Settles, Sarah Wagoner, Elizabeth (Jacob) Warford, and Robin (Jason) Hasty; her "adopted grandchildren," Eric, James, and Ryker; her many great and great-great-grandchildren; her siblings, Neal Gillingham, Darlene Carmean, and JoAnn Roth; and her many nieces and nephews; therefore, be it

RESOLVED, BY THE SENATE OF THE ONE HUNDREDTH GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS, that we mourn the passing of L. Louise "Weezie" Scheffel and extend our sincere condolences to her family, friends, and all who knew and loved her; and be it further

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