SR0609 102ND GENERAL ASSEMBLY

SR0609 LRB102 21194 ECR 30248 r

SENATE RESOLUTION

WHEREAS, The members of the Illinois Senate are saddened to learn of the death of Melvin H. Matter of Minonk, who passed away on October 21, 2021; and

WHEREAS, Melvin Matter was born to Herman and Rosina (Gastmann) Matter in Woodford on June 29, 1926; he started school at Dixie Grade School in Paulding, Ohio; after the family moved back to Illinois, he attended Center Country School in Groveland Township and graduated from Rutland High School in 1944; he served in the U.S. Army during World War II in the 3rd Engineer Combat Battalion, 24th Infantry Division and was stationed in Kokura, Japan; he married Phyllis M. Voigts in Ransom on March 1, 1953, and they lived in rural Dana until retirement, when they moved to Minonk; and

WHEREAS, After graduating from high school, Melvin Matter went into farming; upon his return from the Army, he farmed in the Rutland/Dana area; and

WHEREAS, Melvin Matter served as the Groveland Township Clerk from 1977 to 1997; and

WHEREAS, Melvin Matter was actively involved in his community; he served on the LaSalle County Farm Bureau Board and the Minonk-Dana-Rutland School Board and was Precinct Committeeman in LaSalle and Woodford Counties; he taught Sunday School for over 30 years and served on the Church Council for 14 years at St. Paul's Church in Minonk; and

WHEREAS, Melvin Matter was an active member of Minonk American Legion Post 142, where he served as commander; he helped coordinate many Memorial Day and Veteran's Day Services and was an advocate for veterans; and

WHEREAS, Melvin Matter was a man of great character and wisdom; he enjoyed having conversations with everyone he met; he rode his bicycle around Minonk, danced, and played cards until his passing; and

WHEREAS, Melvin Matter was preceded in death by his parents and his wife; and

WHEREAS, Melvin Matter is survived by his two daughters, Judith Matter and Janis (Brent) Hamer; his two grandchildren, John and Carolyn Megow; his brother, Raymond Matter; and his sister, Dorothy Kuhl; therefore, be it

RESOLVED, BY THE SENATE OF THE ONE HUNDRED SECOND GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS, that we mourn the passing of Melvin H. Matter 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 Melvin Matter as an expression of our deepest sympathy.