HR0921 96TH GENERAL ASSEMBLY

HR0921 LRB096 20750 KXB 36496 r

HOUSE RESOLUTION

WHEREAS, The members of the Illinois House of Representatives are saddened to learn of the death of Raymond Joseph Klees, who recently passed away; and

WHEREAS, Raymond Joseph Klees was born in the Chicago neighborhood of Roseland on December 24, 1921; he was the beloved husband of the late Celeste R., nee Dunning; they were married on May 4, 1946 and were uniquely devoted to each other for 60 years; and

WHEREAS, Raymond Klees was a graduate of Pullman Tech High School in 1939; he attended night classes at Loyola University and worked full-time at Illinois Bell Telephone Company; he and his wife, Celeste, met at Illinois Bell; and

WHEREAS, Shortly after Pearl Harbor, he passed a college equivalency exam with the United States Army Air Corps and was accepted into flight school; he was awarded Pilot Wings and commissioned as a 2nd Lieutenant in early 1943; he and his crew of 9 flew their B-17, "Charron's Ferry" in 25 combat missions over North Africa, France, and Germany (8th Air Force, 96th Bomb Group, Snetterdon Heath, East Anglia, England); he was awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross and the Air Medal with 5 Oak Leaf Clusters; and

WHEREAS, He stayed with Illinois Bell for his working career and retired as a District Level Manager; he volunteered in several civic services over the years, including being a commissioner on the Orland Park Police Board; he similarly engaged multiple ministries in church service; he enjoyed swimming, golf, and good friends; and

WHEREAS, Raymond Joseph Klees was the loving father of Reverend Raymond F. Klees, Robert C., Caryl C. (Stephen) Whitney, and Janet M. (Michael) Brennan; the cherished grandfather of Lauren (Joseph) Jacob, Sarah (Griffin) Keenan, Meredith (fiancé, Peter Carey) Whitney, and Matthew, Ryan, and Michael Brennan; the devoted son of the late Jacob and Mary, nee Brickel, Klees; the fond brother of Marion (John) Beerepoot, Adelaide (the late Bernard) Beemsterboer, and the late Robert; therefore, be it

RESOLVED, BY THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES OF THE NINETY-SIXTH GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS, that we mourn, along with his family and friends, the passing of Raymond Joseph Klees; and be it further

RESOLVED, That a suitable copy of this resolution be presented to the family of Raymond Joseph Klees as a symbol of our sincere sympathy.