HR0587 101ST GENERAL ASSEMBLY

HR0587 LRB101 15201 MST 64363 r

HOUSE RESOLUTION

WHEREAS, The members of the Illinois House of Representatives are saddened to learn of the death of John Leroy Moon of Macomb, who passed away on October 29, 2019 at the age of 103; and

WHEREAS, John Moon was born in Macomb to Frank and Sarah (Breckenmaker) Moon on April 3, 1916; he graduated from Macomb High School in 1934 and received his Bachelor of Science in Chemistry from Western Illinois University in 1939; he married N. Beatrice "Bee" Nichols in London Mills on August 31, 1940; and

WHEREAS, John Moon enlisted in the United States Marine Corps on December 29, 1943, shortly after the bombing of Pearl Harbor; upon completion of his training and boot camp at Camp Pendleton, California, he was deployed to Iwo Jima as part of the 5th Marine Division; on February 19, 1945, he landed on the beaches at Iwo Jima as part of the invasion and fought until he was wounded; he was awarded a Purple Heart for his bravery and was discharged on September 25, 1945; and

WHEREAS, John Moon enjoyed many careers in Macomb, including running two restaurants, the S&J Cafe and Andies Candies Restaurant, both located on the town square; he also worked as a carpenter and a school bus driver and sold life insurance; his last career was teaching driver education at Macomb High School for approximately ten years; even at the age of 103, he still had students thanking him for teaching them how to drive; and

WHEREAS, John Moon was active in his community; he belonged to a number of organizations, including the Optimist Club, the Masons, the Rotary, the VFW, the American Legion, and the Kiwanis; he served as an alderman on the Macomb City Council and was a lifelong member of the Wesley United Methodist Church, where he sang in the choir and was known for many years as the driver of the "church car", taking the elderly to services every Sunday; he also enjoyed bowling on the senior league at College City Bowl; and

WHEREAS, At the age of 101, John Moon was accompanied by his son, David, and his daughter, Jeanine, on the Greater Peoria Honor Flight; he was recognized as the oldest veteran to have flown; at the time of his passing, he was believed to be the oldest surviving Marine from the Battle of Iwo Jima; and

WHEREAS, John Moon was preceded in death by his wife, Bee; his parents; his son, Paul Moon; his grandson, Brian Moon; his brothers, Lewis, Norris, Francis, and Howard Moon; and his sisters, Margaret Eyman, Garnet Burnham, Mildred Corzine, Ruth Lowenstein, and Dorothy Trotter; and

WHEREAS, John Moon is survived by his children, David Moon and Jeanine (Michael) Sullivan; his daughter-in-law, Karen Moon; his grandchildren, Lori (Bruce) Mulkey, Michael (Paula) Moon, Heather (Ruben) Flores, Sarah Sullivan, and Brady Sullivan; his great-grandchildren, Justin (Krista) Mulkey, Travis Mulkey, Jennifer Moon, Ava Moon, and Chloe Moon; and his great-great-grandchildren, Waylon Mulkey, Raegan Moon, and Aiden Moon; therefore, be it

RESOLVED, BY THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES OF THE ONE HUNDRED FIRST GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS, that we mourn the passing of John Leroy Moon 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 John Moon as an expression of our deepest sympathy.