SR0057 96TH GENERAL ASSEMBLY

SR0057 LRB096 08431 GRL 18548 r

SENATE RESOLUTION

WHEREAS, The members of the Illinois Senate are saddened to learn of the death of Vincent A. Tepen of Batchtown, who passed away on January 22, 2009; and

WHEREAS, Vincent Tepen was born on July 19, 1931 in Hardin; he was the son of the late Henry and Margaret (Knese) Tepen; he married Wanda F. Dixon on February 8, 1958 in Hardin; and

WHEREAS, Vincent Tepen graduated from Calhoun High School in 1949; and

WHEREAS, Vincent Tepen was employed as a beer truck driver for Dixon Distributors in Godfrey until his retirement in 1984; he was a member of the Teamsters Local 525 in Alton; and

WHEREAS, Vincent Tepen and his wife owned and operated the Apple Blossom Tavern and Restaurant for 10 years; and

WHEREAS, Vincent Tepen was elected and served as county commissioner of Calhoun for 20 years, 19 years as chairman, and was reelected for a six year term in November of 2008; he served on the Calhoun County Unit 40 School Board for 13 years; he also served on the Illinois Valley Economic Development Corporation Board, the Job Center Board, the Illinois Association of County Boards, the Calhoun County Health Board, the Calhoun County Ambulance Board, and served as chairman of the West Central Development Council Board; and

WHEREAS, Vincent Tepen was a member of St. Norbert's Catholic Church in Hardin and a charter member of the Knights of Columbus Council 4417, where he was a fourth degree member and past Grand Knight; and

WHEREAS, Vincent Tepen was preceded in death by his parents; his brother, Gerald Tepen; and his grandson, Tyler Tepen; and

WHEREAS, Vincent Tepen is survived by his wife; his daughter, Veronica Tepen; his sons, Jeff (Kim) Tepen, Joe (Angie) Tepen, Jim (Johna) Tepen, and John "Fred" Tepen; his grandchildren, Derek, Shawn, Amber, and Brittney Tepen; his step-grandchildren, Brad (Nicole) Hagen, Tara (Steve) Beauchamp, Nikki and Nathasha Jones, and Kayla and Kyle Johnson; his six step-great-grandchildren; and his brothers, Henry (Judy) Tepen and Steve (Melba) Tepen; 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 Vincent A. Tepen; and be it further

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