SR1209 99TH GENERAL ASSEMBLY

SR1209 LRB099 14572 GRL 38701 r

SENATE RESOLUTION

WHEREAS, The members of the Illinois Senate are saddened to learn of the death of Janet Cornelius, who passed away on September 19, 2015; and

WHEREAS, Janet Cornelius was born on January 20, 1938 in Danville; her parents were Heye J. and Mary Ellen (nee Michael) Duitsman; she married Eldred J. Cornelius on June 10, 1956 in Royal; and

WHEREAS, Janet Cornelius attended Ogden High School and earned her bachelor's degree, master's degree, and Ph.D. from the University of Illinois; and

WHEREAS, Janet Cornelius taught history and served as an administrator at Danville Area Community College, where she was named Faculty of the Year in 1996; she also taught at the University of Illinois, Eastern Illinois University, and the University of St. Francis; and

WHEREAS, Janet Cornelius was the author of four books on Illinois Constitutions, literacy, slavery and religion, and women in Danville, as well as numerous book reviews and articles in historical journals; and

WHEREAS, Janet Cornelius served on the Illinois Archives Board and the Illinois Historical Society Board and served as president of the Danville branch of the American Association of University Women; she was also a member of St. John Lutheran Church in Royal, where she served on the church council and the synod's Global Mission Committee as world hunger coordinator; and

WHEREAS, Janet Cornelius enjoyed the farm, traveling, and reading; she loved music passionately, becoming a regular patron of Krannert Center for the Performing Arts and the Lyric Opera of Chicago and singing for many in the Oratorio Society at the University of Illinois; she traveled to Canada for its annual Shakespeare festival and promoted the arts wherever she could; she and her husband also enjoyed a home in Venice, Florida in their retirement years, where they became avid Tampa Bay Rays baseball fans, and walking on the beach; and

WHEREAS, Janet Cornelius is survived by her brother, John (Monika) Duitsman; her daughters, Kristin (Michael) Camp and Valerie (Larry) Viverito; her sons, Eric Cornelius and Kent (Mickey) Cornelius; her 9 grandchildren; and her 9 great-grandchildren; therefore, be it

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

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