SR1297 102ND GENERAL ASSEMBLY

SR1297 LRB102 29782 MST 41858 r

SENATE RESOLUTION

WHEREAS, The members of the Illinois Senate are saddened to learn of the death of Robert Joseph "Bob" Pedelty, who passed away on November 9, 2022; and

WHEREAS, Bob Pedelty was born in Streator to Robert and Lucile Pedelty on January 22, 1933 at the end of the Great Depression; after the passing of his parents, he and his siblings lived with their paternal grandfather, Robert Pedelty, and his father's sisters, Josephine Loughridge and Doris Zelenak, and with their maternal grandparents, Thomas and Johanna Langan; he graduated from St. Mary's Grade School and Streator High School, where he found his love of cars, which gave him his great mechanical ability; he married Marilyn Baker on September 11, 1955; and

WHEREAS, Bob Pedelty worked at Palko's Gas Station but began assisting his in-laws, LaVerne and Nathella Baker, farming their land in Ransom; eventually, he found himself farming full time and had purchased more of his own land; and

WHEREAS, Bob Pedelty served the community of Ransom in many different roles, including as a board member for the Ransom Grade School Board of Education from 1965 until 1979; he served as a volunteer fireman on the Allen Township Fire Department for many years and on the board of the Allen and Otter Creek Insurance Company; and

WHEREAS, For several years, Bob Pedelty would rise early and open Jerry's Tap in Ransom for all of his neighbors to have a cup of coffee before they started their days; he was also a member of the Ransom United Methodist Church and the Streator Elk's Club for almost 50 years; he and Marilyn found a winter home in Naples, Florida, where they built many long-lasting friendships over the 20 years they wintered there; and

WHEREAS, Bob Pedelty was preceded in death by his parents; his sister, Joann (Pedelty) Ferron; and his brother, John "Jack" Pedelty; and

WHEREAS, Bob Pedelty is survived by his daughters, Sharon (Spencer) McDonald, Barbara (Kevin) Conner, and Judy (Brad) Verdun; his grandchildren, Tonya Stillwell (Ryan Dilley), Travis (Kelly) McDonald, Brendan Conner (Shanon Wilkinson), Amber (Eric) Metelka, Ryan Verdun (Megan Murray), and Kirsten Verdun (Laura Trout); his great-grandchildren, Treyton Stillwell, Myah Stillwell, Spencer McDonald, Charlotte McDonald, Abram Metelka, and Lucille Metelka; his sister-in-law, Maryann Pedelty; and many nieces and nephews; therefore, be it

RESOLVED, BY THE SENATE OF THE ONE HUNDRED SECOND GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS, that we mourn the passing of Robert Joseph "Bob" Pedelty 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 Bob Pedelty as an expression of our deepest sympathy.