SR0241 94TH GENERAL ASSEMBLY

SR0241 LRB094 12510 CSA 47022 r

SENATE RESOLUTION

WHEREAS, The members of the Senate of the State of Illinois learned with sadness of the death of Woodland H. "Woody" Cover of Marion on May 12, 2005; and

WHEREAS, Mr. Cover was born on November 9, 1921, in St. Paul, Minnesota, the son of Marshall and Bertha (Peterson) Cover; and

WHEREAS, He attended school in St. Paul and was a graduate of Johnson High School of St. Paul, Minnesota; soon after his graduation, he enlisted into the U.S. Navy during the time of World War II; he was aboard the USS Nevada at Pearl Harbor when the Japanese attacked on December 7, 1941; he was badly wounded and was hospitalized stateside for nine months; he later returned to service and was reassigned to another ship until the time of his discharge in 1945; he was awarded the Purple Heart for the wounds he received; and

WHEREAS, He married Aileen Mattox on June 23, 1945, in Los Angeles, California; from 1945 to 1951, they lived in St. Paul, Minnesota, Madison, Minnesota, where they ran a restaurant, and St. Louis, Missouri, where he worked for McDonald Douglas; and

WHEREAS, In 1951, he re-enlisted into the U.S. Air Force and served for 18 years; after his discharge from the service, he and his family returned to Marion; he worked for the U.S. Penitentiary in Marion for 13 years until the time of his retirement in 1983; and

WHEREAS, Mr. Cover attended Aldersgate United Methodist Church of Marion; he was a lifetime member of Heyde-Pillow VFW Post No. 1301 of Marion and a former member of Fellowship Masonic Lodge No. 89 A.F. & A.M. of Marion; and

WHEREAS, He was an avid sports fan of football and basketball; he also loved to swim, and was a person who loved people; and

WHEREAS, He was preceded in death by his parents; his sister, Anita Damico; and his brothers, Kenny, Marty, Richard, and Mack Cover; and

WHEREAS, The passing of Woodland H. "Woody" Cover is felt by all who knew and loved him, especially his wife of 60 years, Aileen; his daughters and one son-in-law, Geri and Bruce Lyon and Shirley Nuss; his granddaughters, Candace Brookmeyer and her husband, Sam, Michelle Lyon, Tiffany Lyon, and Melissa Nuss; his brother and sister-in-law, Jack and Helen Cover; and a host of nieces and nephews, other family members, and many friends; therefore, be it

RESOLVED, BY THE SENATE OF THE NINETY-FOURTH GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS, that we mourn the passing of Woodland H. "Woody" Cover and extend our sincerest condolences to his family, friends, and community; and be it further

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