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1
SENATE RESOLUTION

  
 
2    WHEREAS, The members of the Illinois Senate are saddened 
3to learn of the death of James R. Wabel of Springfield, who 
4passed away on July 25, 2023; and
  
 
5    WHEREAS, James Wabel was born in Peoria to Lewis P. and 
6Grace (Miles) Wabel on November 6, 1931; he graduated from 
7Stephen Decatur High School in 1950 and the UCLA School of 
8Aeronautics at Santa Maria, California in 1951; he was a staff 
9sergeant in the U.S. Air Force from 1951 to 1955 and served as 
10an aircraft and engine mechanic during the Korean War; he 
11received the National Defense and Good Conduct medals; he 
12married Betty Irene Seitz in Decatur on July 5, 1952; and
  
 
13    WHEREAS, James Wabel retired from Ameritech and the 
14Illinois Bell Telephone Company after 34 years of service; and
  
 
15    WHEREAS, James Wabel was a lifelong active member of 
16Laurel United Methodist Church in Springfield; he was also a 
17lifelong member of the Springfield Consistory Masonic Lodge 
18and the American Legion; he was a member of the Sangamon Valley 
19Flying Club, the Academy of Model Aeronautics, the Springfield 
20Camera Club, Lincoln Land ALL, Pioneers of America, and the 
21Springfield Coin Club; he volunteered for 15 years at the 
22Kumler Food Pantry; he was also a volunteer at the University 
 
 
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1of Illinois-Springfield auditorium for 18 years and a 
2volunteer and guide at the Abraham  Lincoln Presidential 
3Library and Museum for many years; and
 
4    WHEREAS, James Wabel was an avid reader and enjoyed 
5anything regarding aeronautics, history, and his favorite 
6cartoon, Calvin and Hobbes; he was a world traveler and 
7enjoyed building and flying remote control airplanes, hunting, 
8fishing, and wood carving, as well as his many friends at 
9Laurel United Methodist Church and the Concordia Village 
10Community; and
 
11    WHEREAS, James Wabel was a good husband, father, and 
12grandfather and especially enjoyed spending time with his 
13family; and
 
  
14    WHEREAS, James Wabel was preceded in death by his parents; 
15his sisters, Roberta Harney, Lois MacCormack, and Opal Bogner; 
16his  brothers, Clarence, Lewis Jr., and Robert Wabel; his 
17brother-in-law, Dallas Seitz; and his  great-grandchild, 
18Campbell Koons; and
  
 
19    WHEREAS, James Wabel is survived by his wife, Betty Wabel; 
20his  daughters, Marcia (Dennis) McCormick and Rita (Kevin) 
21Fuchs; his grandchildren, Kasey McCormick, Colin (Erinn) 
22McCormick, Christopher (Corinne) Fuchs, Claire (Joshua) Koons, 
 
 
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1Jacob Fuchs, and Joshua Fuchs; his great-grandchildren, Renley 
2and Makenna Fuchs; his sister-in-law, Nancy Seitz; and several 
3nieces, nephews, and cousins; therefore, be it
  
 
4    RESOLVED, BY THE SENATE OF THE ONE HUNDRED THIRD GENERAL 
5ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS, that we mourn the passing of 
6James R. Wabel and extend our sincere condolences to his 
7family, friends, and all who knew and loved him; and be it 
8further
  
 
9    RESOLVED, That a suitable copy of this resolution be 
10presented to  the family of  James Wabel as an expression of our 
11deepest sympathy.