SR0591 95TH GENERAL ASSEMBLY

SR0591 LRB095 20440 GRL 48366 r

SENATE RESOLUTION

WHEREAS, The members of the Illinois Senate are saddened to learn of the death of Collinsville Mayor Stanley Schaeffer, who passed away on March 7, 2008; and

WHEREAS, Stanley Schaeffer was born on April 1, 1936 in East St. Louis; he married the former Elizabeth A. McAtee on December 12, 1987, at Sts. Peter and Paul Catholic Church; he earned his bachelor's degree from Quincy University and his master's degree from Southern Illinois University; and

WHEREAS, Stanley Schaeffer was employed in the education field for more than 40 years; he served as athletic director and as an English and history teacher at Assumption High School in East St. Louis for 10 years before moving to Collinsville; he then became a English, history, creative writing, and social studies teacher at Collinsville High School; he retired in 2004, after decades of dedicated service as a teacher and guidance counselor at Collinsville High School; and

WHEREAS, Stanley Schaeffer also served as a football, basketball, track, cross country, and softball coach at Collinsville High School for 35 years; he was inducted into the St. Louis Metro Senior Softball Hall of Fame on September 4, 1997; and

WHEREAS, Stanley Schaeffer served on the Collinsville City Council for 8 years before he was elected mayor of Collinsville; he served as mayor until his unfortunate passing; and

WHEREAS, As mayor of Collinsville, Stanley Schaeffer aggressively sought out commercial development opportunities, particularly the $53 million Collinsville Crossing shopping center; he also acted as ambassador for the city in State organizations like the Illinois Municipal League, which aided the city's economic development plans immensely; and

WHEREAS, Stanley Schaeffer was well known to the citizens of Collinsville as an honest, capable, and effective leader and public servant, as proved by his two successful reelection campaigns; and

WHEREAS, Stanley Schaeffer was a member of many civic organizations, such as the Illinois Municipal League Board of Directors, the Illinois Tax Increment Financing Association, the National League of Cities' Community and Economic Development Committee, the Advisory Board for Sanford-Brown College, the East-West Gateway Council of Governments, the Executive Committee of the Metro Mayors of the St. Louis Region, the Metropolitan Forum, and the St. Louis Area Regional Response System; and

WHEREAS, Stanley Schaeffer is survived by his wife; his daughter, Carrie L. (Rob) Beck; his stepdaughters, Linda (Geoff) Clenney, Paula Hall, and Jami Coderre; his stepsons, Timothy P. (Shannon) Combs and Scott M. (Wendy) Combs; his brothers-in-law, Edward J. McAtee, John F. (Mary Beth) McAtee, and William A. (Leah) McAtee; his special friend, Rip; and his grandchildren, Schaeffer Beck, Grayson Beck, Cameron Combs, Madeline Combs, Jacques Combs, Jocelyn Combs, Erin Combs, Megan Combs, Kate Combs, Molly Combs, Kirsten Clenney, Logan Clenney, Dylan Hall, Keylon Coderre, and Ethan Coderre; and

WHEREAS, Stanley Schaeffer was preceded in death by his parents, Elmer and Christina (Huff) Schaeffer; and

WHEREAS, Stanley Schaeffer will be remembered by all who knew and loved him as an even-tempered, affable, and loyal husband, father, and public servant; his passing will be mourned by his loving family, his wonderful friends, and the many constituents that he served with integrity and respect; therefore, be it

RESOLVED, BY THE SENATE OF THE NINETY-FIFTH GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS, that we mourn, along with his family and friends, the passing of Stanley Schaeffer; and be it further

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