093_SR0007

 
                                     LRB093 04110 HSS 04150 r

 1                          SENATE RESOLUTION

 2        WHEREAS, The members of the Illinois  State  Senate  were
 3    saddened to learn of the death of Robert D. "Bob" Rhodes, Sr.
 4    of Divernon, who passed away on Sunday, January 5, 2003; and

 5        WHEREAS, Bob Rhodes was born on June 15, 1925 in Divernon
 6    to William and Janet Rhodes and was one of 15 children; and

 7        WHEREAS,  In  1942,  before graduating from Divernon High
 8    School, Bob voluntarily enlisted in the United States  Marine
 9    Corps;  he  served  3  years,  including  active  duty in the
10    Southwest and Central Pacific area during World  War  II;  he
11    courageously fought to protect freedom at Empress Augusta Bay
12    and in Guam; Bob was honorably discharged from the Marines in
13    1945  at  the  rank  of  Private  First Class; Bob ultimately
14    received his high school diploma  in  May  2002,  along  with
15    other World War II veterans from the Class of 1943; and

16        WHEREAS,  After  completing  service  to his country, Bob
17    married Rose Mary Hughes on  June  6,  1949,  and  from  that
18    loving  marriage, four children were raised: Roberta Woodward
19    of Divernon, Robert Jr. of Pawnee,  Randy  of  Divernon,  and
20    Rhonda Bentley of Champaign; and

21        WHEREAS,  Bob  continued  a  dedication to public service
22    through a distinguished career of  over  20  years  with  the
23    Sangamon County Sheriff's Department from which he retired in
24    1990 at the rank of Captain; and

25        WHEREAS,  Bob was highly dedicated to his local community
26    of Divernon where he was a small business owner, served as  a
27    volunteer fire fighter, was elected to three terms as Village
28    President  from  1961  to 1973, and until his death served as
29    the President of the Divernon Fire Protection District; and

30        WHEREAS,  In  addition  to  enjoying   service   to   his
31    community, what Bob really enjoyed was spending time with his
 
                            -2-      LRB093 04110 HSS 04150 r
 1    family  and  friends,  particularly  during the holidays, and
 2    sharing his home with those who loved him and respected  him;
 3    he  also enjoyed playing cards, collecting trains, and having
 4    dinner with his family; and

 5        WHEREAS, Bob was preceded in death by  his  loving  wife,
 6    Rose Mary, his parents and five brothers; therefore, be it

 7        RESOLVED,  BY  THE  SENATE  OF  THE  NINETY-THIRD GENERAL
 8    ASSEMBLY OF THE  STATE  OF  ILLINOIS,  that  we  express  our
 9    sympathy   to  the  family  of  Bob  Rhodes,  especially  his
10    daughters, Roberta and Rhonda; sons, Robert  Jr.  and  Randy;
11    son-in-law,  Jeff Bentley; daughters-in-law, Julie Rhodes and
12    Mary Rhodes; brothers, Ronnie,  Allen,  Kenny,  and  Russell;
13    sisters, Betty Jo Karhliker, Helen Armstrong, Billie Bottoms,
14    Ava Jean Antle, and Agnes Estill; his 8 grandchildren, Tamela
15    Chayer,  Kerri  Woodward,  Melissa  Woodward, Brian Lomelino,
16    Alisa Meyers, Jamie Lomelino, Josh Rhodes, and Jeremy Rhodes;
17    as well as his 15 great-grandchildren; and be it further

18        RESOLVED, That a suitable  copy  of  this  resolution  be
19    presented  to  the  family  of  Bob  Rhodes  with our sincere
20    condolences.