SR0610 103RD GENERAL ASSEMBLY

SR0610 LRB103 35363 MST 65428 r

SENATE RESOLUTION

WHEREAS, The members of the Illinois Senate are saddened to learn of the death of Gary E. Cooper Sr. of Aledo, who passed away on November 6, 2023; and

WHEREAS, Gary Cooper was born in Moline to Clair and Mary Bonynge Cooper on November 30, 1932; he graduated from Aledo High School in 1950; he served in the United States Army and was stationed in Germany; he married Leota Bogart at the Presbyterian Church in Millersburg on June 1, 1958; and

WHEREAS, Gary Cooper worked at Olsen Lumber Yard in Aledo, the Brickyard in Shell City, the Taylor Ridge Elevator, and Farmers Grain and Coal in Aledo, where he retired after 27 years; and

WHEREAS, Gary Cooper was a charter member at the New Life Assembly of God Church, where he served in many capacities; he was also a member of the Mercer County Farm Bureau; and

WHEREAS, Gary Cooper enjoyed gardening, doing yard work, latch hooking, jigsaw puzzles, word searches, and spoiling his grandkids; he also loved going to his son's dairy farm in Wisconsin; and

WHEREAS, Gary Cooper was preceded in death by his parents; his great-granddaughter, Terra Alexander; his son-in-law, Michael Bertelsen; his mother and father-in-law, Cecil and Helen Bogart; and his brothers-in-law, Keith and David Bogart; and

WHEREAS, Gary Cooper is survived by his wife, Leota; his son, Gary E. (Julie) Cooper Jr.; his daughter, Karen Bertelsen; his grandchildren, Brooke Cooper, Morgan Cooper, Dale (Amanda) Biddle, Cheryl Baker, Michelle (Adam) Carle, and Sarah Gilmour; his step-grandchildren, Derek (Nelson Capetillo) Bertelsen and Jackie (Kyle) Leng; his great-grandchildren, Alexandra, Dillon, Payton, Kourtney, Eve, Tyler, Bella, Mary, Maria, and Lucy; his step-great-grandchild, Lynnux; his brothers-in-law, Wilbur (Charlotte) Bogart and James (Linda) Bogart; his sister-in-law, Elouise Larson; and many nieces and nephews; therefore, be it

RESOLVED, BY THE SENATE OF THE ONE HUNDRED THIRD GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS, that we mourn the passing of Gary E. Cooper Sr. 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 Gary Cooper as an expression of our deepest sympathy..