SR0597 102ND GENERAL ASSEMBLY

SR0597 LRB102 21177 MST 30214 r

SENATE RESOLUTION

WHEREAS, The members of the Illinois Senate are saddened to learn of the death of Jesse Lewis Formhals, who passed away on October 23, 2021; and

WHEREAS, Jesse Formhals was born on a farm in Pontiac to Carl and Caroline (Dietrich) Formhals on July 12, 1933; he graduated from Ottawa High School; he served in the U.S. Army during the Korean War and was stationed in Alaska as a meteorologist; and

WHEREAS, After his service, Jesse Formhals worked for Libby Owens Ford in Ottawa making windshields for cars; he then became a welder for Caterpillar in Joliet and later attended DeVry Institute in Chicago to study electronics; following graduation, he worked at Argonne National Laboratory for over 30 years, where he developed equipment to monitor radiation levels; and

WHEREAS, Jesse Formhals enjoyed spending time with his family in Wisconsin at their cottage on Lake Delavan during retirement; he loved taking boat rides with his grandkids on his pontoon; he was a jack of all trades and the handyman of the family; he could frequently be found tinkering with cars, working on home rehab projects, or keeping up with the latest tech advancements; he appreciated the simple things in life, a cup of McDonald's coffee, a slice of Giordano's deep-dish pizza, and a slice of cherry pie to satisfy his immense sweet tooth; and

WHEREAS, Jesse Formhals was kind, patient, and selfless; he was a devoted husband who lovingly cared for his wife, Gloria; as a dad, he exemplified the meaning of unwavering love and taught his children many life lessons; he was their biggest supporter and was adored as "pa", "papa", and "poppy"; he loved cheering on his grandkids at their special events and was frequently their "phone a friend" for homework help in math and science; his Catholic faith was at the center of his life; and

WHEREAS, Jesse Formhals was preceded in death by his parents; his sisters, Dorothea Formhals and Rolene (Owen) Posner; his granddaughter, Jessica Mae Formhals; and his brother, Carl (Charlotte) Formhals; and

WHEREAS, Jesse Formhals is survived by his wife of 63 years, Gloria (Girardo) Formhals; his son, Joe Formhals (Ann Santoro); his daughter, Mary C. (Clarence) Vogel; his grandchildren, Nicole Formhals (Kendrick Davis), Emma Vogel, Kate Formhals, and Tim Formhals; his sister-in-law, Barbara (Girardo) Gustafson; his cousin, Judith Roe; and his niece, Laurie Apple; 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 Jesse Lewis Formhals 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 Jesse Formhals as an expression of our deepest sympathy.