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SENATE RESOLUTION


 
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    WHEREAS, The members of the Senate of the State of Illinois 
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were saddened to learn of the death of John Werner "Wernie" 
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Hoefert, Sr., of Alton on Wednesday, October 19, 2005; and

 
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    WHEREAS, John Hoefert was born on November 2, 1927 in Alton 
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to Harold T. and Clara Louise (Taphorn) Hoefert; and

 
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    WHEREAS, He graduated from St. Mary's Grade School and 
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Marquette High School, both in Alton; he also attended 
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Marquette University in Milwaukee and received his 
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undergraduate and law degrees from Washington University; he 
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was appointed to the Pennsylvania Maritime Academy from August 
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1945 to 1947 and was  a sergeant in the Korean War from 1952 to 
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1954; and
 
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    WHEREAS, On October 3, 1953, John Hoefert married Yvonne 
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Kesl at St. Mary's Catholic Church in Edwardsville; and
 
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    WHEREAS, Mr. Hoefert practiced law in Alton for over 50 
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years; in addition to his own law practice, Mr. Hoefert was a 
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city attorney for Alton between 1957 and 1969; he is remembered 
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as a gentleman of the old school and inspired a younger 
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generation of attorneys, including 2 of his children, John 
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"Jack" Hoefert, Jr., who practiced with his father, and Joe 
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Hoefert; and
 
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    WHEREAS, Mr. Hoefert loved sports; he was an avid golfer; 
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he became club champion at Rock Springs Country Club at the age 
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of 21 and played for the Army golf team; he boxed as a 
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welterweight when he was at Marquette University and 
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participated in the first televised amateur boxing match in 
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Wisconsin; and
 
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    WHEREAS, Mr. Hoefert was an active member of his community 
 


 






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and church; he was a member of the American Legion, the exalted 
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ruler of the Alton Elks, president of the Alton-Wood River Bar 
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Association, treasurer of the Madison County Bar Association, 
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member of the Illinois, Missouri, and federal bar associations, 
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chairman of the Heart Fund Campaign, member and board member of 
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Lockhaven Country Club, Renaissance Society member at 
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Marquette High School, member of the Fraternal Order of Eagles, 
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member of the East End Improvement Association, and member of 
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Sigma Alpha Epsilon Fraternity; he acted as a trustee of St. 
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Mary's Catholic Church and served the Sisters of St. Francis of 
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the Martyr St. George for several years; and
 
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    WHEREAS, The passing of John Hoefert, Sr.,  has been deeply 
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felt by many, especially his wife, Yvonne; his children, Jack 
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(Debbie) Hoefert, Jim (Nancy) Hoefert, Joe (Jeanne) Hoefert, 
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Matt (Sarah Beth) Hoefert, Ann (Tim) Kane, and Mary (Mark) 
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Cousley; 19 grandchildren; his sister, Gerry Mitchell; his 
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sister-in-law, Sally Hoefert; his brothers-in-law, Lennie Kesl 
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and Jim (Marge) Kesl; and many close friends; therefore, be it

 
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    RESOLVED, BY THE SENATE OF THE NINETY-FOURTH GENERAL 
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ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS, that we mourn the passing of 
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John Werner "Wernie" Hoefert, Sr., and we extend our sincere 
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condolences to his family, friends, and all who knew and loved 
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him; and be it further

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