SR0431LRB103 33756 LAW 63570 r

1
SENATE RESOLUTION

 
2    WHEREAS, The members of the Illinois Senate are saddened
3to learn of the death of John D. Risse Sr. of Springfield, who
4passed away on July 25, 2023; and
 
5    WHEREAS, John Risse was born to Anthony and Caroline Ellen
6Harrison Risse in Springfield on April 27, 1935; he graduated
7from Cathedral Boys High School; he married Bertha E. Gaffigan
8at St. Patrick's Catholic Church in Springfield on August 29,
91956; and
 
10    WHEREAS, John Risse retired from the State of Illinois
11Capital Development Board after 38 years of service; he then
12worked part-time for Butler Funeral Home and also worked
13security during the State Fair; and
 
14    WHEREAS, John Risse joined the Knights of Columbus Council
15#364 in 1953 and the 4th Degree Bishop Griffin Assembly in
161967; he served the order and his council in various elected
17offices, including as deputy grand knight; he was appointed as
18district deputy for six years, served as MR chairman since
191970, and belonged to the council's marching and concert band
20from 1953 to 1965; he also served on the Bishop McNicholas
21Degree Staff and had served as charitable coordinator on the
22State Council of the Springfield Diocese, state deputy special

 

 

SR0431- 2 -LRB103 33756 LAW 63570 r

1assistant, and pro-life co-chairman for the State Council; he
2held various 4th Degree offices, including faithful navigator
3from 1974 to 1976 and faithful comptroller beginning in 1984;
4he served as district secretary to the Master Southern
5District from 1988 to 1992; he was elected as trustee to the
6Board of the Springfield Diocesan Chapter for two years and
7served as a delegate to the 1993 Supreme Convention,
8representing the Springfield Diocesan Chapter; and
 
9    WHEREAS, John Risse was a lifelong member of St. Aloysius
10Catholic Church; he was a member or an officer of the
11Inter-Civic Club, the Golden Laurel Awards Banquet, and
12Special Olympics Area #17 Board; he served as an umpire at
13baseball and softball games for many years, and he refereed
14basketball games; and
 
15    WHEREAS, John Risse was honored by the Knights of Columbus
16Council #364 when his family was named Family of the Year in
171991; that same year, he was inducted into the Springfield
18Diocesan Chapter Hall of Fame; he received the Illinois State
19Medallion in 1994; and
 
20    WHEREAS, John Risse was preceded in death by his parents
21and his brother, Joseph Risse; and
 
22    WHEREAS, John Risse is survived by his wife, Bertha E.

 

 

SR0431- 3 -LRB103 33756 LAW 63570 r

1Risse; his sons, John D. (Molly) Risse Jr., Thomas A. Risse,
2and Michael A. (Evelyn) Risse; his daughters, Katherine M.
3Risse and Christine A. Risse; his grandchildren, Joshua,
4Elizabeth, Larissa, Monica, and Jacki; and his
5great-grandchildren, Joel, Jude, Jayden, Bella, Owen, and
6Scarlett; therefore, be it
 
7    RESOLVED, BY THE SENATE OF THE ONE HUNDRED THIRD GENERAL
8ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS, that we mourn the passing of
9John D. Risse Sr. and extend our sincere condolences to his
10family, friends, and all who knew and loved him; and be it
11further
 
12    RESOLVED, That a suitable copy of this resolution be
13presented to the family of John Risse as an expression of our
14deepest sympathy.