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1
SENATE RESOLUTION

 
2     WHEREAS, The members of the Illinois Senate are saddened to
3 learn of the death of Donald Adkins of Batavia, who passed away
4 on April 7, 2009; and
 
5     WHEREAS, He was born on August 6, 1923, in Elgin, the only
6 child of Ruth Hollingsworth and Donald Adkins; he was raised by
7 his lovely and loving grandmother, Tena Hollingsworth; and
 
8     WHEREAS, During World War II, he served as a meteorologist
9 and studied at the University of Iowa, Vanderbilt University,
10 and the University of Chicago; wherever he was stationed, he
11 was called upon each week to play his saxophone and clarinet,
12 wherever music was needed, as he had done up and down the Fox
13 Valley during his high school years; when he was discharged
14 after the war, he attended Illinois State (Normal) University,
15 where he continued with his music as a member of the
16 Blackfriars; he graduated from Illinois State University in
17 June 1948 with a bachelor's degree in mathematics and did
18 graduate work at the University of Chicago and Northern
19 Illinois University, where he earned advanced degrees in
20 administration and in guidance; he also served in several
21 leadership roles in the Phi Delta Kappa educational fraternity;
22 and
 

 

 

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1     WHEREAS, He spent his career in education at Mooseheart,
2 starting as a fifth grade teacher in 1951 and retiring as the
3 director of education in 1991; he was respected and loved by
4 his colleagues and students; he was a counselor, mentor and
5 friend; and
 
6     WHEREAS, He is remembered for his humor, his smile, and
7 that he loved to be around people; he enjoyed conversation, and
8 made others happy with his humor, laughter, and quick wit; and
 
9     WHEREAS, Donald Adkins was preceded in death by his
10 parents; his grandmother; his son, Gerard Joseph; and his
11 stepmother, Loretta Adkins; and
 
12     WHEREAS, Donald Adkins is survived by his wife of 58 years,
13 Barbara; his children, Catherine (Rear Admiral Rick) Ruehe,
14 Charles Donald (Marianne Linn), and William Francis (Mary
15 Ellen); and his grandchildren, Emily (Andrew) Ruehe Puckett and
16 Eric Ruehe; therefore, be it
 
17     RESOLVED, BY THE SENATE OF THE NINETY-SIXTH GENERAL
18 ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS, that we mourn, along with
19 his family and friends, the passing of Donald Adkins; and be it
20 further
 
21     RESOLVED, That a suitable copy of this resolution be

 

 

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1 presented to the family of Donald Adkins as a symbol of our
2 sincere sympathy.