SR1026 101ST GENERAL ASSEMBLY

SR1026 LRB101 20571 LAW 70191 r

SENATE RESOLUTION

WHEREAS, The members of the Illinois Senate are saddened to learn of the death of former United States Representative and former Illinois State Representative Gale Schisler of London Mills, who passed away on February 2, 2020; and

WHEREAS, Rep. Schisler was born in Indian Point Township, Knox County to Claire D. and Doris A. (Jacobs) Schisler on March 2, 1933; he attended Indian Point School through the eighth grade; he graduated from Abingdon High School in 1951; he enlisted in the U.S. Air Force and served from 1952 to 1955; he married Carolyn Cochran in November 1957; they had three children and later divorced in 1977; he married Gloria Waller Richter in Springfield on July 26, 1980; and

WHEREAS, Rep. Schisler earned a bachelor of science degree in education from Western Illinois University in 1959; he earned a master's degree from Northeast Missouri State Teachers College (now Truman State University) in Kirksville, Missouri in 1962; and

WHEREAS, Rep. Schisler worked as a teacher and principal in London Mills; he knew all of his students and wanted them all to achieve to the best of their abilities; and

WHEREAS, Rep. Schisler was elected to the U.S. Congress in November 1964; he served on the House Committee on Science and Aeronautics as well as the sub-committee on the Manned Space Flight, among others; and

WHEREAS, Upon his return to Illinois, Rep. Schisler was appointed to head the Office of Intergovernmental Cooperation at the request of then Governor Otto Kerner Jr.; and

WHEREAS, Rep. Schisler was elected to the Illinois House of Representatives in 1968 and served for 12 years; he was the chairman of the Agriculture Committee for six years; he also served on a number of other committees, including education, financial institutions, and conservation; he was known for listening to his voters and casting his votes in response to what the Fulton County voters indicated through their letters and phone calls; he was proud to help his constituents; and

WHEREAS, When he did not win reelection in 1980, Rep. Schisler became an assistant to the director of the State's Attorneys Appellate Commission; he retired at the end of 1986; and

WHEREAS, Rep. Schisler was involved in a number of organizations, including the Former Members of Congress, the NRA, the American Legion, and the Missouri Fox Trotting Horse Breed Association; he was also a 32nd degree Mason and 50-year member of the London Masonic Lodge #808 in Silvis; and

WHEREAS, Rep. Schisler was known to be a cowboy at heart; for a few months each year, he took his horses and headed to Glenwood, New Mexico; he also enjoyed hunting, fishing, reading, and taking trips with his wife, Gloria; and

WHEREAS, Rep. Schisler was preceded in death by his parents; his daughters, Kimberly Jo Schisler and Jill P. Sherwood; his grandson, Aaron Barnes; and his brother, Roger Schisler; and

WHEREAS, Rep. Schisler is survived by his wife; his son, Kurt Schisler; his stepdaughter, Tamara Richter (Bob - deceased) Burris; his granddaughter, Elicia (Justin) Munson; his grandson, Corey Barnes; his great-grandchildren, Melody Barnes, Samantha, Tyler Munson, Connor Munson, Emma Barnes, and David Barnes; his sisters, Yvonne Lewis, Jody Dolan, Anita (Brian) Hickok, and Jeri Schisler; and his several cousins, nieces, and nephews; therefore, be it

RESOLVED, BY THE SENATE OF THE ONE HUNDRED FIRST GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS, that we mourn the passing of former United States Representative and former Illinois State Representative Gale Schisler 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 Rep. Schisler as an expression of our deepest sympathy.