SR0146 96TH GENERAL ASSEMBLY

SR0146 LRB096 11985 GRL 23645 r

SENATE RESOLUTION

WHEREAS, The members of the Illinois Senate are saddened to learn of the death of Ralph Spencer of Gillespie, who passed away on March 7, 2009; and

WHEREAS, Ralph Spencer was born on February 15, 1921 in Womak, near Carlinville; he was the son of Jesse H. and Mayme Spencer; he married Faye Coffey on February 15, 1942; and

WHEREAS, Ralph Spencer graduated from Carlinville High School in 1940; and

WHEREAS, Ralph Spencer and his wife had a long and distinguished career as purebred Duroc breeders; over the years, the pair sold purebred Durocs in 40 states and in over 50 countries; and

WHEREAS, Ralph Spencer was the recipient of numerous awards and accolades for his work; in 1983, he received the Illinois Seedstock Producer Award; he was inducted into the Illinois Swine Producer's Hall of Fame in 1996 in recognition of his life-long dedication to the Illinois purebred industry; on August 17, 1998, "Ralph Spencer Day" was proclaimed by the Governor in recognition of his 60 years of exhibitions at the Illinois State Fair; and

WHEREAS, Ralph Spencer was a member of numerous organizations, including 4-H, the Macoupin County Fair Board, the Macoupin County Pork Producers, the Illinois Duroc Association, and the Illinois Pork Producer Association Board of Directors; and

WHEREAS, Ralph Spencer was preceded in death by his parents and his brothers, Donald and William; and

WHEREAS, Ralph Spencer is survived by his wife; his daughter, Judy Spencer Dona and her husband, John; his son, Jack Spencer and his wife, Betty; his sisters, Frances Barnes and Mary Clark; his brother, Richard Spencer; his grandchildren, Jackie Spencer, Jeffrey Spencer Dona and his wife, Charlotte, Christy Spencer-Mull, Steven Spencer and his wife, Tori, Jamie Dona, and John Dona; and his great-grandchildren, Breanne and Carissa Mull and Katlyn and Nathan Spencer; 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 Ralph Spencer; and be it further

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