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1
SENATE RESOLUTION

 
2    WHEREAS, The members of the Illinois Senate are saddened to
3learn of the death of Howard D. Eskridge of Tuscola, who passed
4away on December 9, 2016; and
 
5    WHEREAS, Howard Eskridge was born in Decatur to Homer and
6Grace (Howell) Eskridge on May 15, 1945; he received his
7Bachelor of Science in Business from Millikin University and
8his master's degree in public administration from Governors
9State University; he married Kathryn Meyer in 1979; he married
10Judy (Blain) Henderson in Arcola on June 29, 1986; and
 
11    WHEREAS, Howard Eskridge lived his boyhood dream of wanting
12to be a firefighter by spending 30 years as a firefighter
13instructor at the University of Illinois Fire Service
14Institute; his work, along with others, lead to many programs,
15including basic, standard and advanced level firefighter
16certification; as a State training instructor, his influence
17and expertise was often called on to assist fire departments
18with incidents or designing other training programs; at the age
19of 21, he was the youngest paid fire chief in the State of
20Illinois for Hammond; and
 
21    WHEREAS, Following his retirement from the University of
22Illinois Fire Service Institute, Howard Eskridge worked

 

 

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1part-time for Ruhl Forensic and Depke Welding; and
 
2    WHEREAS, Howard Eskridge was in the United States Navy
3Construction Battalions (SEABEES) from 1967 to 1969; he proudly
4wore his Vietnam Navy Veterans hat and always enjoyed
5interacting with other veterans; his patriotism was an
6important part of his life and he helped lay to rest many
7service members; and
 
8    WHEREAS, Howard Eskridge had many hobbies and talents; he
9taught himself to weld and keep farm machinery running; his
10favorite pastime was communicating with people all over the
11world as an amateur radio operator (K9GYI) from his Chicken
12Bristle Radio Shack; other talents included public speaking and
13writing poetry; his greatest joy was living in the country,
14where he could mow, trim, and work in his shop; and
 
15    WHEREAS, Howard Eskridge was a member of the Arcola United
16Methodist Church, where he once served as lay leader and
17narrated choir cantatas for many years; he was also a member of
18the American Radio Relay League and Arcola VFW Post #7680; and
 
19    WHEREAS, Howard Eskridge is survived by his wife, Judy; his
20daughters, Kendra Chriss, and Jodi Samsa; his granddaughters,
21Elise Chriss, and Ava Samsa; his sister, Judy Day; and several
22nieces and nephews; therefore, be it
 

 

 

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1    RESOLVED, BY THE SENATE OF THE NINETY-NINTH GENERAL
2ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS, that we mourn the passing of
3Howard D. Eskridge, and extend our sincere condolences to his
4family, friends, and all who knew and loved him; and be it
5further
 
6    RESOLVED, That a suitable copy of this resolution be
7presented to the family of Howard Eskridge as an expression of
8our deepest sympathy.