SR0856 103RD GENERAL ASSEMBLY

SR0856 LRB103 39916 ECR 70936 r

SENATE RESOLUTION

WHEREAS, The members of the Illinois Senate are saddened to learn of the death of Alice Iona (Conkey) Reiser, who passed away on February 28, 2024; and

WHEREAS, Alice Reiser was born to Roy and Nellie (Marcussen) Conkey in Petersburg on November 15, 1927; she attended Coddington Grade School, Circleville Country Grade School, and Tallula High School, where she won awards in home economics and dramatic speaking; she graduated from Ashland High School in 1945; she received the Daughters of the American Revolution (DAR) Citizenship Medal; she married John Reiser Jr. at the St. Augustine Catholic Church in Ashland on December 29, 1945; and

WHEREAS, Along with her husband, Alice Reiser farmed corn and soybeans and raised cattle and hogs; she worked at the veterinary clinic in Ashland for 12 years and at the Ashland Sentinel; she was appointed as village clerk of Ashland; she became the first woman to be elected to the Ashland Village Board, serving one term before being hired as village clerk full-time; she retired in 1993; in retirement, she wrote a children's book, poetry, and fiction; and

WHEREAS, Alice Reiser was a member of St. Augustine Church, the Altar Society, the Ashland Junior Women's Club, and the Lady Land Owners; she served on the John Cheetham Library Board for 12 years, as secretary of the ACHS Alumni Board, and as a correspondent for the Ashland's Bicentennial Committee from 1975 to 1976; and

WHEREAS, Alice Reiser was an accomplished seamstress; she loved butterflies and enjoyed collecting shoes, hats, and books, listening to Country Western Music, especially Tom T. Hall, attending ladies roundtables at the Inns of Hollybrook, and watching old Western movies, Jeopardy, and the St. Louis Cardinals; and

WHEREAS, Alice Reiser will be remembered for her generosity, friendliness, and laughter; and

WHEREAS, Alice Reiser was preceded in death by her husband; her parents; her sisters, Ruth (Harold) Clasing, Marjorie (Bob Thompson and Bud) Dannenberger, Mary (Joy) Adams, and Patricia (Frank) Cline; her brothers, Ray (Norma Jean) Conkey, John (Marilyn) Conkey, and Bob (Diane) Conkey; her son, John "Jack" (LouAnn) Reiser; her grandson, Mark (Natalie) Reiser; her great-granddaughter, Meritt McDaniel; and several nieces and nephews; and

WHEREAS, Alice Reiser is survived by her children, Jill (Jim) Coy, Judith Reiser, and James Reiser; her grandchildren, Sarah Coy, Michelle (Bruce) Motto, Marsha (Philip) McNulty, Cheryl (Brad) Hermes, Clayton (Dani) Reiser, and Ainsley (Kip) McDaniel; her step-granddaughter, Amber Large; 14 great-grandchildren; and six great-great-grandchildren; 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 Alice Iona (Conkey) Reiser and extend our sincere condolences to her family, friends, and all who knew and loved her; and be it further

RESOLVED, That a suitable copy of this resolution be presented to the family of Alice Reiser as an expression of our deepest sympathy.