SR0118 96TH GENERAL ASSEMBLY

SR0118 LRB096 11763 KXB 22537 r

SENATE RESOLUTION

WHEREAS, The members of the Illinois Senate are saddened to learn of the death of Merl Eugene Clark of Indianola, who passed away on January 16, 2009; and

WHEREAS, Merl Eugene Clark was born the son of John William and Clara Rena Margaret Bialeschki Clark on July 9, 1922 at Rose Hill; he married Frances Juanita Smith on October 5, 1946 in Pulaski, Virginia; and

WHEREAS, He had a 20-year career in the United States Navy and was a World War II Veteran, where he received 13 battle star citations and 5 personal citations from the Navy; 6 of those 20 years were served on the U.S.S. Boise CL47; he participated in the Battle of Cape Esperance (sunk 4 ships), the Battle of Guadalcanal, The Lone Tokyo Raid, and the Battle of Leyte Gulf; and he was aboard the U.S.S. Boise during the Lingayen Gulf Landing (Philippines) with General Douglas MacArthur; he was also the commanding officer of approximately eight different LCU, a recruiter, deep sea diver, and an instructor; and

WHEREAS, Upon his retirement from the United States Navy, he had many varied and interesting positions, one of which was opening a hearing aid business with his cousin Theo of Mattoon; and

WHEREAS, During his lifetime he spent many hours in his workshop on labors of love; he was a prolific reader, an avid learner, a risk taker, an adventurer, horse lover, and was honored by having a nephew, a cousin, and a brother-in-law named after him; and

WHEREAS, His life was long and full; he was loved and will be missed by not only his family but the many friends he left behind; and

WHEREAS, Merl Clark is survived by his loving wife of 62 years, Frances; his children, Daniel Duncan Clark (Kay) and Frances Debra Clark Mills (Don); his grandchildren Jason (Trinket) Clark, Dusten (Jennifer) Clark, Francie (Nick) Stokes, Danica (Jim) Hartle, Colby Clark, and Morgan Clark; and his great grandchildren whom he loved dearly, Owen and Tessa, Colton and Cassidy, Kyle, Madisyn and Alex, and Bailey and Cydney; therefore, be it

RESOLVED, BY THE SENATE OF THE NINETY-SIXTH GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS, that we mourn, along with his family and friends, the passing of Merl Clark; and be it further

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