SR0711 104TH GENERAL ASSEMBLY

SR0711 LRB104 21319 ECR 36145 r

SENATE RESOLUTION

WHEREAS, The members of the Illinois Senate are saddened to learn of the death of Blake Eugene Roderick, who passed away on March 27, 2026; and

WHEREAS, Blake Roderick was born to Donald Eugene and Alice Joanne (Spring) Roderick in Gibson City on January 20, 1957; he graduated from Lanphier High School in 1975, where he served as student body president; he received a Bachelor of Science in Agricultural Economics from Texas A&M University; he was also a graduate of the Illinois Agricultural Leadership Foundation program, and he was honored to be a Rotary International Paul Harris Fellow; he married Betsy J. Cramsey in 2009; and

WHEREAS, Blake Roderick began his career with the Sangamon County Farm Bureau in 1981; he became the manager of the Pike County Farm Bureau in December 1981 and assumed joint management of the Scott County Farm Bureau in 1987, successfully shepherding the merger of the two organizations in 2018; he was also instrumental in creation of the Two Rivers Farm Bureau Foundation in 1994; he retired as executive director of the Pike-Scott Farm Bureau in 2022; during his tenure, the organizations he was a part of won many Liberty Bell awards as well as top membership honors and program awards at the state and national levels over many years; and

WHEREAS, Blake Roderick served as chairman of the Board of Illini Community Health Care System, Illini Community Hospital, and IHS Pharmacy; he served as vice-chairman of Blessing Care Corporation, treasurer of the Illinois Council for Food and Agriculture Research, director of the Illini Community Health Care Foundation, vice-chairman of the Community Foundation of Western Illinois and Northeast Missouri Pittsfield, and commissioner of the Mid-America Port Commission, where also he served as chairman from 2023 to 2025; he served on the boards of the Mid-America Intermodal Authority Port District (Mid-America's Port), the Illinois Presbyterian Home, and the U.S. Selective Service System, and he held leadership roles in the Illinois 25x25 Coalition, the Pittsfield Public Library, the Pittsfield Theatre Guild, and other civic and community groups; and

WHEREAS, Blake Roderick was raised to the sublime degree of Master Mason in 1995; he served as Worshipful Master of Pittsfield Lodge #790 A.F. & A.M., the current District Deputy Grand Master for the 13th Western District of the Grand Lodge of the State of Illinois, a 32° Scottish Rite Mason in the Valley of Quincy, an Ansar Shriner, and past president of the Pike County Shrine Club; he was also a member of Carlock Lodge #904 in Mechanicsburg; and

WHEREAS, Blake Roderick was baptized in and was a member of the Third Presbyterian Church in Springfield; and

WHEREAS, Blake Roderick loved traveling with his wife, visiting all 50 states, many state capitol buildings, five continents, and many countries; he was an avid book collector, focusing on Winston Churchill, Abraham Lincoln, history, and classic spy and detective authors; he was also captivated by nature and the space program; and

WHEREAS, Blake Roderick loved his wife and his family, and he was proud of their accomplishments; and

WHEREAS, Blake Roderick was preceded in death by his parents; his brother, the Very Reverend Dr. Keith Richard Roderick; his step-son, Donald W. McKee; his bonus sister, Elizabeth Hanson; his father-in-law, Ralph Cummings; his brother-in-law, Kevin Cummings; his grandparents; his uncles; several aunts and cousins; and many friends; and

WHEREAS, Blake Roderick is survived by his wife, Betsy; his children, LTC Evan (Natasha) Roderick, Jacob (Bridget) Cramsey, Joshua (Olivia) Cramsey, and Rachel (Isaac) Viar; his step-son, John McKee; six grandchildren; one step-grandson and one step-granddaughter; his sister, Pamela S. (Austin) Roderick; his sisters-in-law, Mary Beth Roderick, Tawny (Roger) Benz, Pam (Paul) Frankenbach, and Ellen (Rob) Traman; his step-mother, Patricia Roderick; his mother-in-law, Mary Cummings; his bonus sister, Catherine (Kyle) Alexander; his aunts, Sharyl Stevens and Nada King; and several nephews, nieces, cousins, and friends; therefore, be it

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