SR1022 97TH GENERAL ASSEMBLY

SR1022 LRB097 23577 MST 72606 r

SENATE RESOLUTION

WHEREAS, The members of the Illinois Senate are deeply saddened to learn of the death of Little Pony Eagle of Godfrey, who passed away on October 31, 2012; and

WHEREAS, Little Pony Eagle was born on January 19, 1923, in Saint Joseph, Missouri, to Red Eagle and Goldie (Owen) Eagle; he received his promotion certificate at the age of 16 from Roosevelt Junior High School and was believed to be the first true American Indian to graduate from an Alton public school; and

WHEREAS, Little Pony Eagle served in the U.S. Army with the 5th Bomber Command during World War II in the Pacific Theatre; he earned 5 Bronze Stars and a Good Conduct Medal; and

WHEREAS, Little Pony Eagle was discharged in 1945; he attended Shurtleff College and received his degree in engineering; he retired as an engineer from McDonnell Douglas, where in the 1960s he worked on the Gemini Project; he was a Shriner and a 32nd Degree Mason with the Piasa Masonic Lodge #27 A.F. & A.M; and

WHEREAS, Little Pony Eagle was preceded in death by his wife, Hazel (Fines) Eagle; and

WHEREAS, Little Pony Eagle is survived by his sisters, Eagle Feather Barker and Two-Star Eagle; his nieces and nephews, Monica Star Jerrells, Traci Dale Barker, Derrick Tyler Barker, Thomas Eagle DeMond, Lance J. DeMond (Nancy), Jeffrey Val DeMond, Rexford Jason DeMond, Bene Star Hentrich (Andy), and Lezlie Monique Kearney (Tim); and 12 great-nieces and nephews; therefore, be it

RESOLVED, BY THE SENATE OF THE NINETY-SEVENTH GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS, that we mourn the passing of Little Pony Eagle, and we 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 Little Pony Eagle as an expression of our deepest sympathy.