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1
HOUSE RESOLUTION

 
2    WHEREAS, The members of the Illinois House of
3Representatives are saddened to learn of the death of Max W.
4Shurtz, who passed away on June 22, 2011; and
 
5    WHEREAS, Max Shurtz was born on September 6, 1918; he was
6raised in rural northwest Waltonville on a farm, where he lived
7and worked in his early life; he married Ruth (Martin) Shurtz
8on December 23, 1941, in Cape Girardeau, Missouri; and
 
9    WHEREAS, Max Shurtz graduated from Waltonville High School
10in 1936; he was a former alumnus of the year oat Waltonville
11High School; he subsequently earned a master's degree from
12Southern Illinois University; and
 
13    WHEREAS, Max Shurtz began his teaching career at Four
14Corners Grade School in 1940; he later served as teacher,
15principal, and coach in the Waltonville School District; in
161962, he purchased the Chrysler-Plymouth dealership in Mt.
17Vernon, which he operated for 32 years until he sold the
18franchise in 1994; he continued to operate Mt. Vernon S & W
19Motors with his son, Jim, and sold used cars until his passing;
20he was also previously employed by the Illinois Secretary of
21State and the Illinois Department of Transportation; and
 

 

 

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1    WHEREAS, Max Shurtz joined the United States Army in 1941
2to proudly serve his country during World War II; he served in
3the 3rd Armored Division through five campaigns in Europe, from
4Omaha Beach on D-Day to the Elbe River, and earned the rank of
5First Sergeant; he received numerous citation medals and awards
6for his service, including five Campaign Stars, the Bronze
7Star, the Croix De Guerre, Meritorious Service medal for Combat
8Operations Against the Enemies in France, Belgium, and Germany;
9the Good Conduct Medal, the European-African-Middle Eastern
10Theater Service Medal, the American Defense Medal, and four
11Overseas Service Bars; and
 
12    WHEREAS, Max Shurtz was appointed to serve as State
13Representative of the 54th District from 1973 to 1974; and
 
14    WHEREAS, Max Shurtz served and committed his time to many
15organizations, including the Mt. Vernon State Fair Board, the
16Selective Service Board, the Jefferson County Board,
17Blissville Township, the Greater Egypt Regional Planning and
18Development Commission, AMVETS, the VFW, the Elks Club, the
19Moose Lodge, the Fraternal Order of Eagles, Jefferson County
20Masonic Lodge 368 Opdyke, and the Jefferson County Shrine Club;
21he also served as a Precinct Committeeman for 36 years and a
22Republican Central Committeeman for 27 years; and
 
23    WHEREAS, Max Shurtz attended the United Methodist Church of

 

 

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1Waltonville and the Baptist Temple in Mt. Vernon; and
 
2    WHEREAS, Max Shurtz was preceded in death by his parents,
3Carl and Georgia (Fairchild) Shurtz; his brother, Roger Shurtz;
4and his sisters, Dorothy Ferris and Carlyn Hirons; and
 
5    WHEREAS, Max Shurtz is survived by his wife; his children,
6Judy Waligorski and her husband, Wayne, and Jim Shurtz and his
7friend, Paralee Scrivner; his granddaughters, Sara Fiedler and
8her husband, Chad, and Laura Waligorski; his great-grandson,
9Zac Fiedler; his brothers, A.J. Shurtz and his wife, Mary, and
10Rod Shurtz and his wife, Marjorie; his sister, Barb Shurtz; and
11his many nieces and nephews; therefore, be it
 
12    RESOLVED, BY THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES OF THE
13NINETY-SEVENTH GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS, that
14we mourn, along with his family and friends, the passing of Max
15W. Shurtz; and be it further
 
16    RESOLVED, That a suitable copy of this resolution be
17presented to the family of Max Shurtz as an expression of our
18sympathy.