HR0641 103RD GENERAL ASSEMBLY

HR0641 LRB103 39732 MST 70191 r

HOUSE RESOLUTION

WHEREAS, The members of the Illinois House of Representatives are saddened to learn of the death of the Very Reverend Stavrofor Nedeljko "Ned" Lunich, who passed away on January 12, 2024; and

WHEREAS, Father Lunich was born in Ruzic, Drnis, Dalmacija to Dusan and Anica on January 23, 1938; he attended elementary School in his village and high school is Drnis; he then attended St. Sava Seminary in Beograd, Yugoslavia and graduated in 1959; he continued his education at the Theological College in Beograd, where he studied from 1959 to 1962; he spent a year in Italy and came to the United States on March 15, 1963; and

WHEREAS, Father Lunich was ordained to the deaconate on February 27, 1965 and to the priesthood on March 15, 1965; his first assignment was as assistant pastor to St. Lazarus "Ravanica" Church in Detroit, Michigan from 1965 to 1969; he then was assigned to St. George Parish in East Chicago-Schererville, Indiana from 1969 to 1974; he was appointed parish priest to St. George Church in Joliet, Illinois in 1974, where he remained until his retirement in December 2014; and

WHEREAS, Father Lunich led his congregations spiritually, with support, and progressively; in addition to his priestly duties, he was the business manager of St. George Social Center for 28 years; he faithfully served for Sunday Liturgy and Holy Days, accompanying services with sermons filled with words of encouragement and wisdom; he gave support to parishioners and church organizations during days of both hardship and celebration; he also guided the St. George Church Board and congregation during three integral building projects, the construction of the St. George Social Center in 1976, the new St. George Church in 1982, and the parish house in 1988; and

WHEREAS, Father Lunich continuously explored higher education, both as a student and a teacher; he graduated with a Master of Arts and a teaching certificate from the University of Detroit and studied at Wayne State in Detroit for a PhD; he taught in the East Chicago Public Schools and at the Purdue University extension in Hammond, Indiana; and

WHEREAS, Father Lunich's accomplishments include being awarded all priestly ranks; he was a member of the Diocesan Council and co-editor of the Path of Orthodoxy; he served on many diocesan and Central Church Committees, during his long 50 years of service in the Serbian Orthodox Church; he was Metropolitan's Deputy and Bishop's Dean of the Chicago Deanery; he served on the board of directors of the Serb National Federation (SNF) and was a member of the SNF Auditing Board; he also served as the Secretary of the SNF Lodge 97 from 1974; and

WHEREAS, Father Lunich received the Man of the Year award through SNF twice, exactly 50 years apart in 1973 and 2023; he felt very honored for this recognition of his steadfast faith, profound dedication, and unwavering commitment to preserving Serbian heritage; and

WHEREAS, Father Lunich was preceded in death by his parents and his sisters, Milka and Jelka; and

WHEREAS, Father Lunich is survived by his son, Stevan; his daughter, Neda; his grandchildren, Gabriella, Aleksandra, Stella, and Michael; and his sisters, Dara, Stana, and Danica; therefore, be it

RESOLVED, BY THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES OF THE ONE HUNDRED THIRD GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS, that we mourn the passing of the Very Reverend Stavrofor Nedeljko "Ned" Lunich 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 Father Lunich as an expression of our deepest sympathy.