SR0417 97TH GENERAL ASSEMBLY

SR0417 LRB097 14595 KXB 59454 r

SENATE RESOLUTION

WHEREAS, The members of the Illinois Senate are saddened to learn of the death of John Joseph "Johnny" Gerl of Joliet, who passed away on October 30, 2011; and

WHEREAS, He was born in Joliet on February 7, 1920; he attended St. Joseph's Grade School, and was a graduate of Joliet Township High School class of 1938; he was a proud member of St. Joseph Catholic Church and was a lifetime member of the Rival's Park Athletic Association, and the Will County Old-Timers Baseball Association; and

WHEREAS, He was a United States Army Veteran serving with the 113th Engineers C Company, during World War II; he received the Bronze Star for his bravery and heroism while engaged in action in the Philippine Islands and 3 additional Bronze Battle Stars, World War II Victory Medal, Asiatic-Pacific Theater Ribbon, Philippine Liberation Ribbon, 3 Overseas Service Bars, and one Service Stripe; and

WHEREAS, He was a life member of V.F.W. Stone City Post #2199; he was also a fast pitch softball standout; he played for various local teams, including the Joliet Rivals Baseball Club and the esteemed Aurora Sealmasters; in 1977, he was inducted into the Fast Pitch Softball Hall of Fame; during the 1950's the Chicago White Sox offered him a minor league baseball contract; and he was the owner and operator of Johnny and Lou's Tavern for over 40 years; and

WHEREAS, He was preceded in death by his first wife, Bertha (nee Perush) Gerl; his parents, John and Mary Gerl; his brother, Edward Gerl; his sisters, Marie Wojeski, Bern Kickles, and Dorothy Savich; and his grandsons, Frank John Rury and Andrew Scott Taras; and

WHEREAS, John Gerl is survived by his wife, Alene C. (nee Pearcy) Gerl; his sons, Andrew (Tania) Taras and John (Ronae) Gerl; his daughters, Karen DeBenedetti, Helen (Larry) Setmeyer, and Rachelle (Larry) Prodehl; his grandchildren, Mario, Dawne, Darin, and Dedra DeBenedetti, Scott and Nicholas Taras, Wally, Andy, and Adam Setmeyer, Jayme Rury, Racheal Todd, and Rebecca Burlingame, and Johnny and Haley Gerl; his great-grandchildren; his sisters, Helen Kachel and Leone Will; his devoted sister-in-law, Irene Capista; and numerous nieces, nephews, and cousins; therefore, be it

RESOLVED, BY THE SENATE OF THE NINETY-SEVENTH GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS, that we mourn, along with his family and friends, the passing of John Gerl; and be it further

RESOLVED, That a suitable copy of this resolution be presented to the family of John Gerl as a symbol of our sincere sympathy.