SR1314 101ST GENERAL ASSEMBLY

SR1314 LRB101 21038 MST 71271 r

SENATE RESOLUTION

WHEREAS, The members of the Illinois Senate are saddened to learn of the death of Jerome Herman "Jerry" Onan, who passed away on February 14, 2020; and

WHEREAS, Jerry Onan was born in Waukegan to Thomas and Ashen Onan on November 13, 1934; he graduated from St. Joseph Grade School in 1948 and then attended Waukegan Township High School, where he excelled in wrestling and football and his studies; he attended Cornell College in Mount Vernon, Iowa on an athletic scholarship for wrestling and football; and

WHEREAS, Jerry Onan graduated from Cornell College in 1957 and entered the U.S. Navy in 1958; he attended Officer Candidate School and was commissioned an Ensign; he was sent to the Navy Supply Corps School in Athens, Georgia and then assigned as Supply Officer USS Forest Royal DD-872; his next assignment was Supply Officer NAS in Lakehurst, New Jersey; he was released from active duty in 1961 with the rank of Lieutenant; and

WHEREAS, Jerry Onan worked in Chicago, New York City, and Florida for the US Testing Company; he resigned to attend the Kellogg School of Management at Northwestern University, where he received a Master of Business Administration; after graduating, he joined the American Broadcasting Company (ABC) in New York City; he eventually returned home and joined his brothers Jim and John at Onan Garages in Waukegan, where he worked for many years; and

WHEREAS, Jerry Onan ran for Mayor of Waukegan in 1989; and

WHEREAS, Jerry Onan practiced Yoga and spent many hours in meditation; he enjoyed gardening and became a Master Gardener through the University of Illinois extension in Grayslake; he also enjoyed intellectual conversation about any topic; and

WHEREAS, Jerry Onan devotedly cared for his mother during her last days; he and his niece Cindy shared a close relationship and collaborated on writing and publishing a book, the Magic of Self-Discipline; and

WHEREAS, Jerry Onan was preceded in death by his brother and sister-in-law, John (Eloise) Onan, and his parents, Thomas and Ashen Onan; and

WHEREAS, Jerry Onan is survived by his brothers and sisters-in-law, Thomas (Harriet) and James (Linda) Onan; his nieces and nephews, Cynthia (Thomas) Cramer, Robert (Amy) Onan, Deborah (Dominic) Vivona, Mary (John) Lohmann, James Onan, John Onan, Joseph (Loretta) Onan, Gina Onan, and Thomas Rocko (Jeanne) Onan; his long-time buddy, Art Wancho; and numerous grandnieces and grandnephews, cousins, and friends; 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 Jerome Herman "Jerry" Onan 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 Jerry Onan as an expression of our deepest sympathy.