SR0544 103RD GENERAL ASSEMBLY

SR0544 LRB103 34978 MST 64874 r

SENATE RESOLUTION

WHEREAS, The members of the Illinois Senate are saddened to learn of the death of Dennis Robert Downing of Aledo, who passed away on October 9, 2023; and

WHEREAS, Dennis Downing was born in Davenport, Iowa to Robert B. and Irene (Kistler) Downing on August 8, 1947; he graduated from Aledo High School in 1965 and attended Black Hawk College, where he played baseball before being drafted into the United States Army; he married Judeen Van der Wege; he later married Norma (Stroud) Olson on March 21, 1985; and

WHEREAS, Dennis Downing retired from the United Parcel Service in 2002 after 30 years of service, mostly in the Aledo area; after retirement, he worked for Shirt Tales and as a groundskeeper for the Oakview County Club; and

WHEREAS, Dennis Downing loved sports and tried out for a professional baseball team at one point; his favorite team was the Atlanta Braves; he played on many local fast pitch softball teams as short stop; he loved golfing, tennis, and racquet ball; he enjoyed his weekly outings with friends and playing solitaire on his phone; he was affectionately know as "Dink"; and

WHEREAS, Dennis Downing was preceded in death by his parents and his brother, Curtis Downing; and

WHEREAS, Dennis Downing is survived by his wife, Norma; his children and their spouses, Torey and Diana Downing, Joelly and Lance Greene, Jon Olson, Wendy Downing, and Brian Jordan; his grandchildren, Isabella, Austin, Gabriella, Deven, Jessica, and Payton; two great-grandchildren; his sister and brother-in-law, Connie and Jerry Mattson; and his sister-in-law, Sandra Downing; therefore, be it

RESOLVED, BY THE SENATE OF THE ONE HUNDRED THIRD GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS, that we mourn the passing of Dennis Robert Downing 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 Dennis Downing as an expression of our deepest sympathy.