SR0697 94TH GENERAL ASSEMBLY

SR0697 LRB094 20119 HSS 57824 r

SENATE RESOLUTION

WHEREAS, The members of the Senate of the State of Illinois learned with regret of the death of Raymond J. Petka of Wheaton on Friday, March 24, 2006; and

WHEREAS, Rajmund J. Petka was born on June 22, 1924, to Leo Jerome Petka and Marianna Drzewiecki; his mother preceded him in death in 1927; his father was remarried to Mary Jankowski, and she raised Ray and his siblings; and

WHEREAS, He attended Kelly High School, where he was a pitcher on the team that finished second in the State; and

WHEREAS, Mr. Petka enlisted in the U.S. Army when he was 17 in 1941; he forged his father's signature to allow his enlistment prior to reaching the age of 18; he served in the armored cavalry in the 1st Army Division under General Hodges; he trained in Wyoming, South Carolina, and Camp McCoy in Wisconsin; he went to New York to be deployed for the war, first arriving in Glasgow, Scotland; he trained further in Glochester, England; and

WHEREAS, On June 6, 1944, his division was part of the invasion at Omaha Beach at Normandy; he was later honored by the nation of France for being a part of the invasion to liberate Normandy; he also participated in the Battle of the Bulge in Belgium under General Patton; and

WHEREAS, When he arrived home from the war, he worked at Western Electric; he married Theresa Mary Zychlewicz on June 6, 1948; they were married for 57 years; and

WHEREAS, The passing of Raymond J. Petka has been deeply felt by many; he was the loving father of Christine (Angelo) Corpora, Maryann (Ron) Sutter, Paul (Stephanie), and Louise (Russ) Mellecker; the cherished grandfather of Christopher, Stephanie, Michael, Jennifer, Hayden, Jordyn, Reagan, and Zachary; the dear brother of Verna (Bill) Skas, Gertrude Kriculi, Leo Petka, Edward (Phyllis) Petka, Jeanette Haluska, Lorraine Allerhand, and the late Daniel and Theresa Petka; and the uncle of many; therefore, be it

RESOLVED, BY THE SENATE OF THE NINETY-FOURTH GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS, that we mourn the passing of Raymond J. Petka, and we 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 his family as an expression of our deepest sympathy.