SR0453 103RD GENERAL ASSEMBLY

SR0453 LRB103 34118 ECR 63936 r

SENATE RESOLUTION

WHEREAS, The members of the Illinois Senate are saddened to learn of the death of Vernon L. "Red" Blackert Jr. of Prophetstown, who passed away on August 25, 2023; and

WHEREAS, Red Blackert was born to Vernon Sr. and Alice (Pratt) Blackert in Tampico on February 12, 1933; he graduated from Annawan High School in 1951; he married Betty Jane Blackert on August 31, 1952; he served in the U.S. Army; and

WHEREAS, Red Blackert founded his own construction company, where he worked for the remainder of his life; and

WHEREAS, Red Blackert was very active in the Hooppole American Legion and the Annawan School Board; he was a member of Zion United Methodist Church in Hooppole; and

WHEREAS, Red Blackert enjoyed hunting, fishing, horseback riding, and camping on his family's property; and

WHEREAS, Red Blackert was preceded in death by his parents; his wife; his daughter, Pam Kostner; his great-grandson, Noah DeRycke; his brother, Jerry Blackert; and his many sisters-in-law and brothers-in-law; and

WHEREAS, Red Blackert is survived by his children, Cheryl (John) DeRycke, Kirk (friend, Ann Hutchinson) Blackert, and Angela (Dean) Cantrell; his grandchildren, Cory (Michelle) DeRycke, Adam (Hope) DeRycke, Dusty (Jill) DeRycke, Jacob Cantrell, Seth Cantrell, Ethan Cantrell, Matt Kostner, and Lisa Marshall; his great-grandchildren, Nathan DeRycke, Rachel DeRycke, Kyla DeRycke, Katelyn DeRycke, Claire DeRycke, Caroline DeRycke, Cordelia DeRycke, Rayne Marshall, C.J. Kostner, and Annabella Kostner; and his siblings, Ralph (MaryAnn) Blackert, Walter Blackert, Adria Kleckner, and Linda Billiet; therefore, be it

RESOLVED, BY THE SENATE OF THE ONE HUNDRED THIRD GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS, that we mourn the passing of Vernon L. "Red" Blackert Jr. 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 Red Blackert as an expression of our deepest sympathy.