SR2396 99TH GENERAL ASSEMBLY

SR2396 LRB099 23896 MST 51428 r

SENATE RESOLUTION

WHEREAS, The members of the Illinois Senate are saddened to learn of the death of James Asa Wolf Jr. of Waukegan, who passed away on October 30, 2016; and

WHEREAS, James Wolf Jr. was born in Benton Harbor, Michigan to James Asa and Marie Sticha Wolf on July 30, 1921; he grew up in Waukegan and graduated from Waukegan Township High School (WTHS) in 1939; he attended Millikin University in Decatur for a year and joined the United States Army Air Force in 1943, where he became an airplane and engine mechanic with the 830th Bombardment Squadron; he was honorably discharged in 1946 as a Sergeant; he reentered the service as a reservist from 1949 to 1952; he married Amanda Kerpan on June 20, 1953; and

WHEREAS, James Wolf Jr. was employed by EJ&E Railway for 39 years; he often took on part time jobs; and

WHEREAS, James Wolf Jr. was a longtime member of St. Anastasia Catholic Church, volunteering wherever he was needed; he was a member of American Legion Post 281 and the United Transportation Union Alumni Association; he and his wife served on every WTHS Class of 1939 reunion committee, until the final gathering was held 70 years to the day after graduation; and

WHEREAS, James Wolf Jr. liked to travel, whether driving on cross-country road trips, relaxing on the train, or enjoying a cruise; he especially enjoyed the Hawaiian Islands and Arizona; he was a bargain hunter and an animal lover; and

WHEREAS, James Wolf Jr. was preceded in death by his parents; his brother, Lindell (Margaret) Wolf; his sisters, Marie (Edwin) Parkhurst, and Virginia (William) Smale; his son-in-law, Gary Palmisano; and past members of the Wolf and Kerpan families; and

WHEREAS, James Wolf Jr. is survived by his wife of 63 years, Amanda; his children, Barbara (Michael Staggs), James (Lisa Curtis), and Jean-Marie (Brent Randol); his granddaughters, Caroline Palmisano, and Liesl Wolf-Heinemann; his brother-in-law, Michael Kerpan; his sisters-in-law, Lois Kerpan, and Betty Kerpan; his nieces and nephews, Ann, Sandy, Ed, Donna, Nancy, Bill, Charlie, and many more Wolf and Kerpan nieces, nephews, grandnieces and nephews; he was thankful for the special help he received from his devoted nieces, Donna Parkhurst, and Ginni Kerpan; his nephew, John Kerpan; and his brother-in-law, Mike Kerpan; therefore, be it

RESOLVED, BY THE SENATE OF THE NINETY-NINTH GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS, that we mourn the passing of James Asa Wolf Jr., and extend our sincere condolences to his family, friends, and all who knew and loved him; and be it further

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