SR0497 103RD GENERAL ASSEMBLY

SR0497 LRB103 33343 ECR 63154 r

SENATE RESOLUTION

WHEREAS, The members of the Illinois Senate are saddened to learn of the death of Leo John Wirth of Kimball, Minnesota, who passed away on July 14, 2023; and

WHEREAS, Leo Wirth was born to Alphonse and Esther (Sommerfeld) Wirth in Walcott, North Dakota on December 17, 1940; as a young boy, he moved with his family to the Bertha-Hewitt, Minnesota area; he graduated from Bertha-Hewitt Public School in 1958 and from the University of Minnesota in 1962; he served in the U.S. Army; he married Marilyn Thom at Zion United Methodist Church in South Haven on August 18, 1972; and

WHEREAS, In 1964, Leo Wirth began his 36-year career at Kimball Area Public Schools; he taught vocational agriculture and science and served as vice-principal; he retired as the athletic director in 2000; he also had short business ventures at a pizza shop and a printing company, and he assisted Dingmann Funeral Care with funerals and visitations; and

WHEREAS, Leo Wirth was a member of Kimball United Methodist, where he served as treasurer, was a member of the building committee, served pancakes with the men's group, represented the church at the annual Methodist conference, and was a mentor to many at the church and in the community; he was a member of the Kimball Chamber of Commerce and the Kimball Golf Club, serving multiple terms as president and in various other positions throughout the years; he also kept score and officiated at various sports events for Kimball Area Public Schools; and

WHEREAS, Leo Wirth received many accolades, including being inducted into the Minnesota Amateur Baseball Hall of Fame and the Kimball Hall of Fame; he was further honored by the Kimball Area Public Schools when it renamed its high school gymnasium as the Leo J. Wirth Gymnasium; and

WHEREAS, Leo Wirth enjoyed golfing and traveling with his wife, and their favorite travel destinations were Chicago and the U.K.; he loved spending time with his family, especially his grandchildren; and

WHEREAS, Leo Wirth was preceded in death by his parents; his brothers, Alvin, Richard, and Roy; his brother-in-law, Wes Truax; his nephew, Brian Truax; his godchild, Shellie Trimble; and his family friend, Siow-Fang Khoo; and

WHEREAS, Leo Wirth is survived by his wife; his daughters, Tamara (Antwan Conley) Jones and Jennifer (Brian Miller) Wirth; his grandchildren, Eurielle, Zacchaeus, Danny, Emily, Kenny, and Ally; his siblings, Allen (Carla) Wirth, Leona Truax, and Edith Brasel; his sister-in-law, Brenda Wirth; his nieces and nephews; and his other family members and friends; 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 Leo John Wirth 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 Leo Wirth as an expression of our deepest sympathy.