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SENATE RESOLUTION


 
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    WHEREAS, The members of the Illinois Senate are saddened to  
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learn of the death of
Edgar E. "Pete" Nicholls of Decatur, who 
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passed away on June 1, 2008; and

 
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    WHEREAS, Edgar Nicholls was born on June 22, 1923 in his 
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family home at the North End of Sunnyside Road; he was the son 
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of Earl O., a dairy farmer, and Myrtle E. Leonard Nicholls, a 
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homemaker; and

 
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    WHEREAS, Edgar Nicholls was a veteran of the U.S. Army, 
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serving during World War II; after taking airborne training in 
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1943, he was stationed at Fort Bragg and Camp Mackall in North 
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Carolina; he was also deployed to New Guinea, Leyte, Luzon, and 
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the Philippines; he was the recipient of many decorations for 
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his service, including the Silver Star Medal, the Bronze Star 
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Medal, the Purple Heart Medal, the Good Conduct Medal, 2 Bronze 
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Service Stars, 2 Bronze Battle Stars, the Asiatic Pacific 
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Ribbon, and the Philippine Liberation Ribbon; during his tour 
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in Luzon, he was badly wounded when he covered a live grenade 
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with his helmet, losing parts of both of his hands and saving 
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the lives of two soldiers; he was honorably discharged from the 
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Army on August 21, 1946; and

 
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    WHEREAS, Edgar Nicholls was employed as manager of the 
 


 






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Standard Veterinary Distributing Company for 30 years; and

 
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    WHEREAS, Edgar Nicholls was well known for his love for his 
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country; in 1991, during the Gulf War, he authored a book 
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titled "Heroes in Our Midst", a compilation of veterans in 
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Macon County from World War I to Operation Desert Storm; in 
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January of 2002, he began a drive to place the Blue Star 
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Service Banners back in the front windows of military veterans; 
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he was also the inspiration that spearheaded the construction 
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of the World War II Memorial to be located in Decatur; he loved 
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the American flag and always had one on display on his person, 
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house, or car; and

 
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    WHEREAS, Edgar Nicholls was a Life Member of the American 
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Legion Post 105, Disabled American Veterans Post 17, Veterans 
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of Foreign Wars Post 99, and the Military Order of the Purple 
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Heart; he was a Charter Member of the National World War II 
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Memorial; he also served as Commander of American Legion Post 
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105 in 1955 and as the 19th District Commander of the American 
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Legion in 1965; and

 
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    WHEREAS, Edgar Nicholls loved to play many rounds of golf 
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at Nelson Park and was a life long fan of the Chicago Cubs; and
 
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    WHEREAS, Edgar Nicholls was preceded in death by his 
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brothers, Mervil, Dean, Herb, and Bob; and his step-son, Mark 
 


 






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Mull; and

 
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    WHEREAS, Edgar Nicholls is survived by his loving wife, 
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Betty J.; his sons, Mark, David, Peter, and Tim; his 
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step-daughter, Sue Siburt; his 11 grandchildren and 8 
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great-grandchildren; and his step-brothers, Jack and Roger 
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Zollars; and
 
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    WHEREAS, Edgar Nicholls served as a model of hard work, 
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integrity, and patriotism for the people of the State of 
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Illinois; therefore, be it

 
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    RESOLVED, BY THE  SENATE OF THE NINETY-FIFTH GENERAL 
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ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS, that we mourn, along with 
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his family and friends, the passing of Edgar E. "Pete" 
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Nicholls; and be it further

 
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    RESOLVED, That a suitable copy of this resolution be 
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presented to the family of Edgar E. "Pete" Nicholls as an 
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expression of our sympathy.