SR0574 99TH GENERAL ASSEMBLY

SR0574 LRB099 12443 MST 35767 r

SENATE RESOLUTION

WHEREAS, The members of the Illinois Senate are saddened to learn of the death of Lawrence R. "Larry" Herbig, who passed away on April 2, 2015; and

WHEREAS, Larry Herbig was born in rural Pecatonica on January 16, 1918 to Raymond and Urilla (nee Seibert) Herbig; he attended Watson Grade School and graduated from Pecatonica High School; in 1943, he graduated from the University of Wisconsin-Platteville, with a Bachelor of Science in Agriculture and Biological Sciences; he married Nellie V. Pickett in Platteville, Wisconsin on November 26, 1943; and

WHEREAS, Larry Herbig enlisted in the United States Navy in 1942 and received a commission as an Ensign from United States Naval Reserve Midshipmen School at Columbia University in New York City, New York; he served as engineering officer and First Lieutenant aboard the USS LST 268 in the Asiatic-Pacific area from 1943 to 1946, where his ship was involved in 7 invasions during World War II; he was awarded 3 service ribbons and 6 Bronze Stars; and

WHEREAS, Larry Herbig returned to Freeport in 1946, where he worked as assistant farm advisor in Stephenson County and for the University of Illinois Extension Service for 2 years; he became an agriculture and industrial engineer for Commonwealth Edison in 1948 and worked for them for 32 years, retiring in 1980 as a senior commercial sales engineer; and

WHEREAS, Larry Herbig was a prominent figure in Freeport; he served as a Chairman of the Stephenson County March of Dimes, as County Chairman of the Red Cross, as a winning manager for Freeport baseball teams for 15 years, as Director of the Stephenson County Fair Association for 25 years, and as Chairman of the commercial exhibits representing the Freeport Chamber of Commerce; he was also an honorary member of the District I Future Farmers of America and a past member of the Toastmasters Club, the Elks Club, and the Illinois Agricultural Engineering Society; he was involved in the United Way and the Freeport Chamber of Commerce and was recognized by the City of Freeport with the Outstanding Community Service Award for the new street lighting program; and

WHEREAS, Larry Herbig was a 50-plus year member of Embury United Methodist Church, where he served as usher and church Trustee; he was an active and dedicated conservationist and sportsman and loved hunting and fishing, especially at the family cabin in Wisconsin; he was past President of the Freeport Kiwanis Club and was named "Kiwanian of the Year"; during his 47-plus years as a Kiwanis member, he was directly involved in naming a new road "Kiwanis Drive"; he and Nellie were the prime advocates in 187 trees being planted along the road way with the theme "Color it green with trees"; with his care, dedication, and hard work, Kiwanis Drive flourishes today; on September 15, 2009, Freeport's Mayor Gaulrapp proclaimed the day as "Larry Herbig Day" along with a resolution to request Kiwanis Drive receive an honorary street name of "Larry and Nell Herbig Drive"; he was featured in the Freeport Journal Standard for outstanding community service; through the Kiwanis, he engineered the planting of the trees along the center drive in the city cemetery and Freeport High School; he developed the service club's "Welcome to Freeport" signs, managed the Kiwanis Buckle-Up signs program, and initiated and helped maintain the Kiwanis benches that are placed around the city; he developed the Kiwanis Pancake Day placemats; he was presented the Kiwanis International Distinguished Service Award and Division 12 District Outstanding Service Activity; he also spearheaded the building of the Brewster boat landing at Winslow on the Pecatonica River; and

WHEREAS, Larry Herbig was preceded in death by his wife, Nellie, and his brother, LaVerne; and

WHEREAS, Larry Herbig is survived by his 2 daughters, Marsha Forsythe and Susan (Don) Sutton; his 2 sons, Terry (Donna) Herbig and Todd Herbig; his 8 grandchildren, Justin Forsythe, Tyler Forsythe, Kellie (David) Henry, Amanda (Greg) Boitnott, Kyle Herbig, Casie Harden, Timothy Herbig, and Daniel (Natalie) Herbig; his 9 great-grandchildren; his brother, Floyd Herbig; and his 2 sisters, Alice Chandler and Evelyn Dahl; therefore, be it

RESOLVED, BY THE SENATE OF THE NINETY-NINTH GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS, that we mourn the passing of Lawrence R. "Larry" Herbig, and extend our sincere condolences to his family, friends, and all who knew and loved him; and be it further

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