SR0601 98TH GENERAL ASSEMBLY

SR0601 LRB098 14055 MST 48616 r

SENATE RESOLUTION

WHEREAS, The members of the Illinois Senate are saddened to learn of the death of Lyle Welch Royal of Virden, who passed away on August 16, 2013; and

WHEREAS, Lyle Royal was born on January 19, 1920 in Swinton, Missouri to Lyman W. and Mary C. (nee Long) Royal; he graduated from Advance High School in Advance, Missouri and enlisted in the United States Army Air Corps, serving his country in the Pacific Theater during World War II; he married Virginia Margaret Norman in Pascagoula, Mississippi on March 6, 1943 and settled in Cahokia; and

WHEREAS, Lyle Royal owned and operated Royal's Highway Service Station from 1950-1955; after selling the business, he worked at Parks Bi-State Airport and later became Supervisor of Transportation for Cahokia School District #187; he began his teaching career as a vocational education instructor at Cahokia High School, retiring in 1985; following retirement, he and his wife moved to Virden; and

WHEREAS, Lyle Royal achieved his dream of obtaining a college education when he was in his 50's by earning both his bachelor's degree and master's degree from Southern Illinois University in Carbondale; and

WHEREAS, While living in Cahokia, Lyle Royal was a member of Maplewood Park Baptist Church, the Emeth Masonic Lodge #1030 Ancient Free and Accepted Masons, and the Exchange and Optimist Clubs; upon moving to Virden, he joined the Grace Southern Baptist Church, where he served as deacon; he was an active member of American Legion Post #386 and an avid supporter of the Land of Lincoln Honor Flight to Washington, D.C.; and

WHEREAS, Lyle Royal was preceded in death by his parents and by his brother, Gerland "Rusty" Royal; and

WHEREAS, Lyle Royal is survived by his wife of 70 years, Margaret; his daughters, Elaine (Robert) Harrell and Cecilia (Douglas) Pitchford; his grandchildren, Rebecca (Jeffrey) Caldwell, Cynthia (Brandon) Shafer, Erick Pitchford, and Tyler (Janna) Pitchford; his great-grandchildren, Ethan and Avery Caldwell, Corban, Eliana, and Jude Shafer, Lucas Pitchford, and Madelynn and Meredith Pitchford; his sisters-in-law, Mary Royal and Dorothy Norman; and several nieces, nephews, great-nieces, great-nephews, and other extended family and friends; therefore, be it

RESOLVED, BY THE SENATE OF THE NINETY-EIGHTH GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS, that we mourn the passing of Lyle Welch Royal, 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 Lyle Royal as an expression of our deepest sympathy.