SR0819 95TH GENERAL ASSEMBLY

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SENATE RESOLUTION

WHEREAS, The members of the Illinois Senate are saddened to learn of the death of Dr. Gary Wayne Carstens of East Alton, who passed away on August 4, 2008; and

WHEREAS, Dr. Gary Carstens was born June 2, 1943 in Alton; he was the son of the late Damon and Ann (Mihalich) Carstens; he married Sue (Chester) Carstens on July 22, 1961 in Wood River; and

WHEREAS, Dr. Gary Carstens was raised in Wood River, graduating from Wood River High School in 1961; he was employed with McDonnell Douglas Aircraft and Avco Aerostructures as a journeyman electrician and a numerical control agent and machine tool specialist for eight years; and

WHEREAS, In 1968, Dr. Gary Carstens graduated from the FWB Bible College in Nashville, Tennessee, receiving his bachelor's degree in pastoral theology; in 1976, he received his doctoral degree in theology; after graduating, he pastored his first church in Denver, Colorado, later serving as pastor in Elgin; he also served as Associate Pastor at the Bethel Free Will Baptist Church in South Roxana; in 1974, Dr. Carstens founded the New Testament Fellowship in Alton, serving as senior pastor for 32 years until his semi-retirement in 2002; following his retirement, he started a successful home-based travel business; and

WHEREAS, Dr. Gary Carstens was a devout fan of the St. Louis Cardinals and was an avid reader; he also loved traveling and spending time in Florida, walking the beaches with his wife and family; he attained his own professional broadcasting license and enjoyed amateur radio operating; he also wrote many seminars and a book on ministerial ethics; and

WHEREAS, Dr. Gary Carstens was preceded in death by his parents; his beloved father-in-law, Harry Ray Chester; and his daughter, Mary Anna; and

WHEREAS, Dr. Gary Carstens is survived by his wife; his three sons and two daughters-in-law, Rev. Daren W. Carstens and his wife, Laura (Allen) Carstens, Christopher S. Carstens and his wife, Mari Beth (McCarthy) Carstens, and Brian P. Carstens; his beloved mother-in-law, Mary Grace (Bennet) Chester; his sisters and brother-in-law, Raydine (Chester) Alexander and her husband, Bill, and Kym (Chester) Brown; his grandchildren, Tiffany, Cami, Amanda, Adam, Abigail, Joel, Tyler, Cassidy, Brendan, Colton, Amber, and Ashley; and his great-grandsons, Malaki and Xaden; and

WHEREAS, Dr. Gary Carstens will be remembered by all who knew and loved him as a compassionate and loving husband and father who was dedicated to the passionate pursuit of The Lord and His ministry; 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 Dr. Gary Wayne Carstens; and be it further

RESOLVED, That a suitable copy of this resolution be presented to the family of Dr. Gary Wayne Carstens as an expression of our sympathy.