SR0743 102ND GENERAL ASSEMBLY

SR0743 LRB102 23944 MST 33145 r

SENATE RESOLUTION

WHEREAS, The members of the Illinois Senate are saddened to learn of the death of Ralph "Edward" Cowman III of New Berlin, who passed away on November 15, 2021; and

WHEREAS, Edward Cowman was born in Alexandria, Louisiana to Ralph E. and Patricia Gates Strawn Cowman on February 25, 1945; he grew up in Timwell and graduated from New Berlin High School; he married Suzanne Sapp in Sherman on September 4, 1965 and moved to the Alexander/New Berlin area, where he raised his family; and

WHEREAS, Edward Cowman was a lifelong farmer and raised Black Angus Cattle in his early days; he had been an auctioneer for 50 years and was a member of the Illinois Auctioneers Association and President of Cowman Auction LLC.; and

WHEREAS, Edward Cowman was past president of the Illinois American Agriculture Movement, Founding Father of the Ashland Community Days Tractor Pull for 30 years, and a former chairman of the Morgan County Fair Tractor Pull for over 40 years; he served as a director on the Pleasant Plains Elevator Board and as director on the Sangamon County Fair Board; he also served on the Farm Credit Advisory Board and on the board of Woodwreath Cemetery; he was a long-time member of the Illinois Tractor Pullers Association and a former tractor puller; and

WHEREAS, Edward Cowman was a Free Mason; he was a lifetime member of the NRA and enjoyed clay shooting and becoming a Master Shooter; his true sense of pride came from his family, his children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren; and

WHEREAS, Edward Cowman was preceded in death by his parents; his nephew, Cody Morris; and his brother-in-law, Tom; and

WHEREAS, Edward Cowman is survived by his wife of 56 years, Suzanne; his children, Pamela (Tim) Birdsell, Ron Cowman, and Aron (Penny) Cowman; his grandchildren, Alyssa (Adam) Cully, Kayla (Eric) Jokisch, Lindsey Birdsell, Riley Cowman, Kirby Cowman, and Jake Cowman; his step-grandson, Dylan Buchanan; his great-grandchildren, Cam Edward and Tess Lynn Cully, Wirth Allen Jokisch, and one on the way; his sisters, Ann Whewell, Pam (Ron) Walpole, and Dinah (Fred) Bindner; and several 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 Ralph "Edward" Cowman III 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 Edward Cowman as an expression of our deepest sympathy.