HR0981 97TH GENERAL ASSEMBLY

HR0981 LRB097 21217 KXB 68807 r

HOUSE RESOLUTION

WHEREAS, The members of the Illinois House of Representatives are saddened to learn of the death of former State Senator Robert Mitchler, who passed away on April 19, 2012; and

WHEREAS, He leaves behind a legacy of community service, a career as a politician and businessman, and a life as an advocate of the military and the veterans who proudly served their country; and

WHEREAS, He proudly served his country in the United States Navy during World War II, with assignments including amphibious and minesweeping operations; in the Korean War, he served as a Chief Petty Officer; and

WHEREAS, He rose through the ranks of the United States Navy and was assigned to the United Nations Military Armistice Command as a stenographer at the Panmunjom armistice talks; and

WHEREAS, He was very politically active in his community, serving as a Precinct Committeeman for 60 years and as an Illinois State Senator from 1964 to 1981; and

WHEREAS, During his tenure as Senator, Governor Jim Thompson appointed him to serve as the Legislative Liaison to the Illinois Department of Veteran Affairs; and

WHEREAS, He was also appointed by Governor Jim Edgar to the rank of Permanent Captain in the Illinois Naval Militia as Military and Naval Aide and subsequently reappointed by Governor George Ryan; and

WHEREAS, He was a life member of the Aurora Masonic Lodge No. 254 A.F. & A. M., a 32nd degree life member of the Scottish Rite Order, and the First Ceremonial Master of the Tebala Shrine in Rockford; and

WHEREAS, He was the driving force behind the establishment of the Navy Junior Reserve Officers Training Corps unit at East Aurora High School; and

WHEREAS, He served as the National Director of the Navy League and was elected as the National Director Emeritus, the Vice-President of the Kendall County Republican Central Committee, the Kendall County Young Republican Organization, the Illinois Republican Veterans League, the Illinois Police Association, and as a member of the Board of Trustees for Jennings Terrace in Aurora; and

WHEREAS, He was preceded in death by his parents, John and Clara Mitchler; his sister, Helen Virginia Mitchler; his brother, William G. Mitchler; and his daughter-in-law, Maria Aragon; and

WHEREAS, Former State Senator Robert Mitchler is survived by his wife, Helen Mitchler; his children, John (Kathy) Mitchler, Kurt (Sharon Buntain) Mitchler, and Heidi (Daniel) Lyjak; his grandchildren, Briana, Scott, Haley, Joseph, Natalie, Olivia, Matthew, Garrick, and Trevor; his sister-in-law, Cecile Mitchler; as well as several nieces and nephews; therefore, be it

RESOLVED, BY THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES OF THE NINETY-SEVENTH GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS, that we mourn, along with his family and friends, the passing of former Senator Robert Mitchler; we remember this great man who faithfully served his community and the State of Illinois for many years; and be it further

RESOLVED, That a suitable copy of this resolution be presented to the family of former State Senator Robert Mitchler as a symbol of our sincere sympathy.