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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 Jerome
4"Jerry" Joyce of Reddick, who passed away on June 19, 2019; and
 
5    WHEREAS, Jerry Joyce was born to Will and Rosella (Engles)
6Joyce on June 14, 1939; the youngest of four children, he was
7raised on his family farm and attended Reddick High School; he
8married his high school sweetheart, Janet Meece, and they
9raised their four children on that same family farm; and
 
10    WHEREAS, Jerry Joyce was a farmer and raised and showed
11sheep; he was elected township supervisor and then served on
12the Kankakee County Board; he was elected to the Senate in
13November 1974; he served in the Senate from January 1975 until
14his retirement in April 1992; after his retirement, he was
15replaced by his wife, Janet, who served the remainder of his
16term, which concluded in January 1993; and
 
17    WHEREAS, Throughout much of his tenure, Jerry Joyce was the
18only farmer in the Senate and championed agricultural,
19environmental, and local issues for his community; he advocated
20for the Kankakee River and the Kankakee River State Park; he
21was a key figure in converting the former sprawling Manteno
22State Hospital campus into alternative uses upon its closure at

 

 

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1the end of 1985; he was a key player in the creation of the
21,017-acre Mazonia/Braidwood State Fish & Wildlife Area in
3Grundy County; he supported the Illiana Expressway, the I-355
4southern extension, and the proposed third Chicagoland
5airport; he was part of the "Crazy 8" group of independent
6Democratic state senators that formed to provide a greater
7impact on downstate matters; the group's formation led members
8to gain better committee assignments, and he served as the vice
9chair of the Agriculture, Conservation, and Energy Committee;
10and
 
11    WHEREAS, Jerry Joyce enjoyed good food, cooking, flowers,
12bird watching, hunting, fishing, traveling, and collecting
13knives and decoys; he loved his Key West crew, family, friends,
14and community; and
 
15    WHEREAS, Jerry Joyce was preceded in death by his parents;
16his wife, Janet; his granddaughter, Katelyn Marie Joyce; his
17grandson in infancy, Allen Forneris; his brothers, William
18Joyce and Joseph Joyce; and his sister, Patricia Stotland; and
 
19    WHEREAS, Jerry Joyce is survived by his son, Patrick (Rita)
20Joyce; his daughters, Judy (Dennis) Forneris, Lori (Tom)
21Cullen, and Karen (Darren) Barker; his seven grandchildren; his
22six great-grandchildren; and many nieces and nephews;
23therefore, be it
 

 

 

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1    RESOLVED, BY THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES OF THE ONE
2HUNDRED FIRST GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS, that
3we mourn the passing of Jerome "Jerry" Joyce and extend our
4sincere condolences to his family, friends, and all who knew
5and loved him; and be it further
 
6    RESOLVED, That a suitable copy of this resolution be
7presented to the family of Jerry Joyce as an expression of our
8deepest sympathy.