SR0039 101ST GENERAL ASSEMBLY

SR0039 LRB101 07240 ALS 52278 r

SENATE RESOLUTION

WHEREAS, The members of the Illinois Senate are saddened to learn of the death of George W. Makela of Waukegan, who passed away on July 15, 2018; and

WHEREAS, George Makela was born in Waukegan to Oiva and Edna Makela on August 26, 1922; he was a true Bulldog and graduated from Waukegan High School in 1942; after graduation, he joined the United States Marines, where he became a Sergeant, and served during World War II; years later, he was honored to join fellow World War II veterans on an Honor Flight to Washington, D.C.; and

WHEREAS, Following the war, George Makela worked at the family store, Makela's Grocery, with his father; he also refereed basketball in Lake County for 15 years;; he later retired from Copley Newspaper as a classified ad manager; and

WHEREAS, During retirement, George Makela enjoyed playing golf and meeting his friends at The Sunset House and The Avalon for morning coffee; he and Jean also spent many winters in Ahwatukee, Arizona, where they spent time with their son and his family; he took great pride in his son's accomplishments; and

WHEREAS, George Makela was preceded in death by his parents and his brother-in-law, Len Huber; and

WHEREAS, George Makela is survived by his wife of 72 years, Betty Jean; his son, Rob (Kathy) Makela; his grandchildren, Scott (Kelly) Makela, Ted Makela, and Kiirsti (Dan) Kamrath; his great-granddaughters, Kaari and Kamy Makela; his great-grandson, RJ Kamrath; his friends, Clyde and Helen Fawcett, Peggy (T-T) Fawcett, the entire Fawcett family, and the Louis Ross family; therefore, be it

RESOLVED, BY THE SENATE OF THE ONE HUNDRED FIRST GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS, that we mourn the passing of George W. Makela 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 George Makela as an expression of our deepest sympathy.