SR0722 99TH GENERAL ASSEMBLY

SR0722 LRB099 13006 MST 36877 r

SENATE RESOLUTION

WHEREAS, The members of the Illinois Senate are saddened to learn of the death of A. D. Van Meter of Springfield, who passed away on June 28, 2015; and

WHEREAS, A. D. Van Meter was born on May 16, 1922 to A. D. and Edith (nee Graham) Van Meter; he graduated 2 years early from Williamsville High School and served in the United States Merchant Marine during World War II; he married Margaret Schlipf on December 1, 1956; and

WHEREAS, A. D. Van Meter graduated from King's Point College in 1946 and Northwestern University Law School in 1948; he returned to Springfield to practice law with his law school seat-mate and close friend, Robert Oxtoby, first as "Van Meter and Oxtoby" and later as "Van Meter, Oxtoby and Funk" from 1949 to 2001; in 1963, he moved from the active practice of law to the field of banking, serving as Vice-President, President, and Chairman of the original Illinois National Bank of Springfield until 1990, and thereafter as a Director of Midwest Financial Group, Inc. until 1993; as a banker, he campaigned actively for the reform of Illinois' banking laws to permit branch banks and cash machines; and

WHEREAS, A. D. Van Meter served as a Chairman of the United Way Planning Committee, Director of Memorial Medical Center, member of the first elected board chartered to study the construction of a Springfield Convention Center, Director of the Illinois Board of Investment (1968-72), Chairman of the State of Illinois' National Bicentennial Commission (1975-76), Chairman of the Illinois Housing Development Authority (1977-2003), and Trustee or Chairman of the Southern Illinois University Board of Trustees (1989-2001); and

WHEREAS, A. D. Van Meter played the piano and organ, held a deep knowledge of classical music, appreciated modern architecture, read widely, loved tulips and geraniums, and enjoyed traveling with his family; in his later years, he produced digital movies that are now a family treasure; he was affectionately known to many as "Van"; and

WHEREAS, A. D. Van Meter was preceded in death by his parents; his brother, Charlie Carol Van Meter; and his sister, Dorthy Van Meter Sauers; and

WHEREAS, A. D. Van Meter is survived by his wife, Margaret; his son, Andy; his daughters, Alice (Matt) Wolfe and Ann Van Meter Mohn; and his 4 grandchildren, Matt and Will Wolfe and Samantha and Libby Mohn; therefore, be it

RESOLVED, BY THE SENATE OF THE NINETY-NINTH GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS, that we mourn the passing of A. D. Van Meter, 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 A. D. Van Meter as an expression of our deepest sympathy.