SR0432 95TH GENERAL ASSEMBLY

SR0432 LRB095 14401 GRL 40304 r

SENATE RESOLUTION

WHEREAS, The members of the Illinois Senate are saddened to learn of the death of Bernie B. Martin of Prairie View, who passed away on October 17, 2007; and

WHEREAS, Bernie B. Martin was born on October 25, 1931; his parents were Harry and Vivian Martin (Paisley); he married Jeanette Blocks (Prairie View) in 1956; he was raised near the farming community of Downing, Missouri on the family farm; and

WHEREAS, Bernie B. Martin was a sergeant in the United States Army and was stationed at various United States bases; he met his future wife Jeanette Blocks in 1953, while serving at the NIKI Site Base; he married her in 1956; and

WHEREAS, Bernie B. Martin was a machinist for 37 years at Sparkler Manufacturing Kates Company, Edax International, and Baxter Corporation; after his retirement, he served as a golf ranger at the Fort Sheraton Golf Course and Countryside Golf Course in Mundelein; and

WHEREAS, Bernie B. Martin enjoyed sports at the youth, high school, and professional levels; he was a volunteer member of the Stevenson High School Football chain gang; he was an avid supporter and was very active in the local youth sports league program, serving as the Lincolnshire Spring Lake Sports League commissioner in the early 1970's and guiding the efforts in building the league's first lighted baseball field at Daniel Wright Junior High School, naming the field the "Bernie Martin Field" in his honor; he and his wife were also active snowmobilers since 1978 and made several trips a year to Lakewood, Wisconsin with his family and friends; and

WHEREAS, Bernie B. Martin was preceded in death by his parents, Harry and Vivian; and his sisters, Anna Lee and Imogene; and

WHEREAS, Bernie B. Martin is survived by his wife of 51 years, Jeanette; his children, Pamela L. (Richard) Toupence, Roger A. (Patricia) Martin, and Sally A. Martin (Stephanie Darnall); his grandchildren, Allan, Richard Jr, Jason (Pamela), Jessica, and Katherine (Roger); his four great-grandchildren; his brothers, Francis, Ralph, and Ronnie; his sister, Kathleen; and his many friends and neighbors; therefore, be it

RESOLVED, BY THE SENATE OF THE NINETY-FIFTH GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS, that we mourn, along with his family and friends, the passing of Bernie B. Martin; and be it further

RESOLVED, That a suitable copy of this resolution be presented to the family of Bernie B. Martin as an expression of our sympathy.