SR1454 101ST GENERAL ASSEMBLY

SR1454 LRB101 22210 ECR 73240 r

SENATE RESOLUTION

WHEREAS, The members of the Illinois Senate are saddened to learn of the death of Jerald "Jerry" Dean Bort, who passed away on August 28, 2020; and

WHEREAS, Jerry Bort was born to Fred and Edith (Kirkwood) Bort in Bunker Hill on November 30, 1940; he graduated from Decatur Barber College in 1958 and then graduated from East Alton-Wood River High School in 1959; he married Joyce Verlee Heuer on June 15, 1963, and she preceded him in death on April 18, 2017, after 53 years of marriage; he served in the U.S. Army during the Vietnam Conflict from 1966 to 1968; he was part of the 1st Division and was present for the Tet Offensive in 1968; after his service, he attended St. Louis Community College in Forest Park and earned a degree in Fire Science in 1977; and

WHEREAS, Jerry Bort retired as a captain at the Clayton, Missouri Fire Department in 1994, after 26 years of service; he had been a volunteer firefighter for 40 years and retired as Fire Chief of the Rosewood Heights Fire Department; he started as a Bunker Hill Fire Department volunteer for 10 years; he also enjoyed a few years as a barber in Alton; and

WHEREAS, Jerry Bort was a member of St. Paul Lutheran Church in Wood River where he served as an elder and usher; he was also a member of the Madison County Fireman's Association and a lifetime member of VFW Post 1308; he enjoyed time as Friend of the Fox Theater usher and was a tour guide for the Great River Museum at the Melvin Price Lock and Dam in his retirement; and

WHEREAS, Jerry Bort enjoyed traveling in the United States and abroad; he was a loving caregiver and handyman to his family, friends, and community; and

WHEREAS, Jerry Bort was preceded in death by his parents; his wife; his infant daughter, Teri Ann Bort; his twin brother, Bruce Bort; his sisters-in-law, Janelle Heuer, Irene Bort, and Corleen Heuer; and his brothers-in-law, Donald Heuer, Herbert Lesemann, and Reverend Walter DeMoss; and

WHEREAS, Jerry Bort is survived by his son, Chris Bort (Sabrina); his daughter, Cara Stearns (Kelly); his grandchildren, Sam, Spencer, and Simon Stearns, and Heather Brown; his brother, Fred (Sylvia) Bort; his sister, Helena DeMoss; and his sisters-in-law, JoAnn Lesemann and Janette Heuer; 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 Jerald "Jerry" Dean Bort 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 Bort as an expression of our deepest sympathy.