SR0259 103RD GENERAL ASSEMBLY

SR0259 LRB103 32190 ECR 61319 r

SENATE RESOLUTION

WHEREAS, The members of the Illinois Senate are saddened to learn of the death of Robert Eugene Rouse of Oakwood, who passed away on April 21, 2023; and

WHEREAS, Robert Rouse was born to Paul V. Rouse Sr. and Annie M. (Hopkins) Rouse in Harrisburg on October 29, 1938; he attended St. Patrick's Grade School and Schlarman Academy in Danville before enlisting in the U.S. Army at the age of 17; he served in several countries, including Vietnam, and he was a member of the Honor Guard, serving President John F. Kennedy; he dedicated nine years of service before his honorable discharge and was a Purple Heart recipient; he married Wardella Foster on January 17, 1964, and they raised four children; he later married Mary Ann Fannin on April 25, 1987, and he gained two more sons; and

WHEREAS, After his military service, Robert Rouse returned to Danville; he worked at General Motors and for the U.S. Postal Service before joining the Danville Police Department in 1971; over a 22-year span, he served as a sketch artist, bomb technician, crime-scene detective, and patrol officer before retiring in 1993; he joined the U.S. Marshals Service in 1994, working another 20 years before his final retirement in 2014; and

WHEREAS, Robert Rouse loved jazz and Motown, especially Junior Walker & The All Stars' hit song "Shotgun"; he was a devoted fan of the Chicago Cubs, the Chicago Bears, and the Fighting Illini; his favorite shows were Gunsmoke, Perry Mason, and The Andy Griffith Show and one of his favorite movies was The Outlaw Josey Wales; as an avid reader, he had a wealth of knowledge and was a history buff; he enjoyed capturing moments with his camera or tinkering around with electronics; and

WHEREAS, Robert Rouse was preceded in death by his parents; his daughter, Carla J. Rouse; his son, Rory A. Micou; his sisters, Marietta (Rouse) Austin and Esther (Rouse) Avery; and his grandson, Joshua J. Robinson; and

WHEREAS, Robert Rouse is survived by his wife, Mary Ann; his daughter, Evonne M. (Leroy) Robinson Jr.; his sons, Robert E. Rouse Jr., Mark E. (Candy) Rouse, Eric (Jennifer) Bolser, and Patrick (Jamie) Bolser; his grandchildren, Juan Robinson, Robreon Rouse, Nicole Rouse, Jasmine Rouse, Alexis Micou, Aiyana Rouse, Laila Rouse, Jessica Spencer, Laciee Bolser, Jordan Bolser, and Breanna Bolser; his 18 great-grandchildren; his five great-great-grandchildren; his sisters, Carol (the Rev. Allen) Dixon, Lucy Dumas, Jane (Carey) Grant, Jean Rouse, Anna Kennel, Nancy Akers, and Cynthia Rouse; his brothers, Paul V. (Lillian) Rouse Jr. and Larry (Patricia) Rouse; his nieces and nephews; and his extended family; therefore, be it

RESOLVED, BY THE SENATE OF THE ONE HUNDRED THIRD GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS, that we mourn the passing of Robert Eugene Rouse 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 Robert Rouse as an expression of our deepest sympathy.