SR1111 99TH GENERAL ASSEMBLY

SR1111 LRB099 14621 MST 38760 r

SENATE RESOLUTION

WHEREAS, The members of the Illinois Senate are saddened to learn of the death of Lana Lee Benedict of Chatham, who passed away on October 2, 2015; and

WHEREAS, Lana Benedict was born in Springfield on August 19, 1946 to William Henry and Doris V. Templeton LaFauce, Sr.; she married Roger "John" Benedict on June 14, 1980; and

WHEREAS, Lana Benedict retired after a career with the Illinois Secretary of State Driver Services Division; she also owned Lov'n Spoonful Catering; and

WHEREAS, Lana Benedict was an active member of Cherry Hills Baptist Church, where she prepared and served many meals and bottomless cups of coffee, sang in the choir, and volunteered with Amigos en Cristo on 3 mission trips to Ciudad Juarez, Mexico; she served as President of the Chatham Kiwanis and catered their meetings at the Chatham Area Public Library; she was also a member and President of the Chatham American Legion Post 759 Auxiliary, preparing many of the delicious desserts and sides for the post's famous fish fries and serving as the group's assistant funeral meal coordinator; she catered the Murder Mystery Dinner Fundraiser for the Chatham Community Library for many years, was past President of the Prairie State Orchid Society, coordinated the Feast of Plenty Community Thanksgiving Dinner at Central Baptist Church, and volunteered in the kitchen at the Lake Springfield Baptist Camp; she sang with the Sweet Adelines Sound Celebrations Chorus for over 35 years; and

WHEREAS, Lana Benedict and her husband fostered nearly 40 children through the years, making a positive difference in so many lives; and

WHEREAS, Lana Benedict won multiple awards for her jams, jellies, and salsa at the Illinois State Fair and was named Grand Champion for her Baked Apple Butter; and

WHEREAS, Lana Benedict was preceded in death by her parents; and

WHEREAS, Lana Benedict is survived by her husband of 35 years, John; her children, Craig (Kimberly) Tepker, David (Marie) Benedict, Melissa (Gary) Dougherty, Christie (Tim) Clark, and Kevin (Jennifer) Tepker; her grandchildren, Kilyan and Addison Dougherty, Marshall, Landon, and Lenora Clark, Collin, Owen, Katelyn, and Eli Tepker, Stephen (Karen) St. Hilaire, Jill (Justin) Hammett, and Lorie (John) Miller; her 5 great-grandchildren; her brother Bill (Dottie) LaFauce; her nephews, Marc, Will, Nick, and Erik LaFauce, and many friends; therefore, be it

RESOLVED, BY THE SENATE OF THE NINETY-NINTH GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS, that we mourn the passing of Lana Lee Benedict, and extend our sincere condolences to her family, friends, and all who knew and loved her; and be it further

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