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1
SENATE RESOLUTION

 
2     WHEREAS, The members of the Illinois Senate are saddened to
3 learn of the death of Robert Michels of Aurora, who passed away
4 on October 12, 2008; and
 
5     WHEREAS, Robert Michels was born in Aurora on June 3, 1922;
6 he lived most of his life on Pigeon Hill on the east side of
7 Aurora; he married Patricia Raspiller of Aurora on June 24,
8 1944; and
 
9     WHEREAS, Robert Michels was a graduate of Marmion Academy;
10 after spending two years at Purdue University, he joined the
11 United States Air Force, where he served as a flight instructor
12 during World War II; his experience during the war began a
13 life-long love of airplanes and aircraft; and
 
14     WHEREAS, In 1946, Robert Michels joined his father, Ben,
15 and his brother, Art, in the coal and oil business; in 1949,
16 with his father's help, he opened the Michels Lumber Company,
17 which he ran until 1994 with the help of his five sons, two of
18 his daughters, and his faithful friend, Don Martin; and
 
19     WHEREAS, Robert Michels was active in the Serra Club, the
20 Lion's Club, and the Knights of Columbus, where he continued to
21 participate in their projects into his eighties; and
 

 

 

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1     WHEREAS, Robert Michels was an avid golfer, bowler, and a
2 self-described "lazy fisherman"; and
 
3     WHEREAS, Robert Michels was preceded in death by his son,
4 Dan; his parents, Ben and Marie (Ludwig) Michels; his
5 son-in-law, Bob Taylor; his grandson, Ryan Michels; and his
6 brother, Art; and
 
7     WHEREAS, Robert Michels is survived by his wife, Patricia;
8 his children, Claire (Alan) Pepper, Linda Taylor, Dave (Linda),
9 Steve (Cathy Olson), Nick (Jean), Faye (Mike) Edlund, Laurie
10 (Dick) Cubbage, and Bill (Diana); his grandchildren, Michael
11 Taylor, Janelle Taylor, Matt Warner, Adam Michels, Drew
12 Michels, Jenny Huffstetler, Bryan Michels, Ben Michels,
13 Kristin Propst, Bob Michels, Nicole Bryant, Megan Michels,
14 David Bond, Kelly Bond, Jake Bond, Dylan Bond, Kevin Michels,
15 Josh Michels, and Jessica Michels; his four
16 great-grandchildren; his brothers, BJ (Lois) and Jim (Carole);
17 his sister, Anna Marie (C.J.) Avram; and his sisters-in-law,
18 Lillian Michels, Virginia Cyr, and Dolores Kartheiser; and
 
19     WHEREAS, Robert Michels will be remembered by all who knew
20 and loved him as a father whose faith in God, generosity,
21 fairness, and love for his family was unmatched; therefore, be
22 it
 

 

 

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1     RESOLVED, BY THE SENATE OF THE NINETY-FIFTH GENERAL
2 ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS, that we mourn, along with
3 his family and friends, the passing of Robert Michels; and be
4 it further
 
5     RESOLVED, That a suitable copy of this resolution be
6 presented to the family of Robert Michels as an expression of
7 our sympathy.