SR0956 96TH GENERAL ASSEMBLY

SR0956 LRB096 23724 KXB 43105 r

SENATE RESOLUTION

WHEREAS, The members of the Illinois Senate are saddened to learn of the death of Calista Wehrli of Naperville, who passed away on September 6, 2010; and

WHEREAS, She was born June 25, 1925, one of 13 children born to Frank and Gertrude Wehrli; she graduated from Naperville Community High School in 1943; she joined the United States Marine Corps Women's Reserve in 1945; while stationed at Camp Lejeune in North Carolina and on Parris Island, South Carolina, she was responsible for organizing the sports programs for the men and women on base; and

WHEREAS, Upon her return home, she managed Centennial Beach and organized the end-of-summer entertainment event called the Aquathons; she was also one of the first women to serve as a lifeguard at Centennial Beach; and

WHEREAS, In 1946, the Advanced Flyer and Exposition Flyer trains collided in Naperville, killing 47 people and injuring many more; Calista Wehrli was immediately on the scene and worked for 8 hours rescuing people and assisting others; she later met President Harry Truman, who shook her hand and thanked her for her efforts; and

WHEREAS, She attended North Central College in 1946 and 1947, then transferred to Iowa State Teachers College, graduating in 1950 with a Bachelor of Arts degree; she began teaching in 1950 and retired in 1985, after being named the Ontario, California, High School teacher of the year; the swimming pools at Ontario High School are dedicated to her; and

WHEREAS, She played baseball for the Borman Chryslerettes, a farm club for the All-American Girls Professional Baseball League's Rockford Peaches during the summers of 1947 and 1948; and

WHEREAS, Calista Wehrli is survived by her 62 nieces and nephews; her brothers, Dick, Don, Andrew, and Harp; and her sisters, Ann Jansen, Carol Doll, Joyce Wehrli, Jean Kuhn, and Marge Walsh; therefore, be it

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

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