SR0899 99TH GENERAL ASSEMBLY

SR0899 LRB099 13989 GRL 37996 r

SENATE RESOLUTION

WHEREAS, The members of the Illinois Senate are saddened to learn of the death of Chester "Chet" Leroy Wentz, Jr. of Peoria, who passed away on August 9, 2015; and

WHEREAS, Chester Wentz, Jr. was born on January 22, 1933 in Allentown, Pennsylvania; his parents were Chester L. Wentz, Sr. and Dorothy Mae Cook; he married Carolyn Ann Eicher on January 1, 1957 while on military leave; and

WHEREAS, Chester Wentz, Jr. lived with his parents and his brother in Bartlett and Dearborn, Michigan; while attending high school in Michigan, he was an All-Conference halfback on the football team and an All-Area sprinter on the track team; he obtained his bachelor's degree from Michigan State University as a business and journalism major in March of 1955; while there, he was active in a Christian fellowship group known as Intervarsity; and

WHEREAS, In 1955, Chester Wentz, Jr. enlisted in the United States Army, where he was assigned to basic training, Russian language school, and radio voice intercept school; he served a 2-year tour of duty in Heilbronn, Germany until his honorable discharge in 1958; and

WHEREAS, Upon returning to civilian life, Chester Wentz, Jr. was employed with Humble Oil Company and Darco Business Forms while he and his wife raised their young family in Glen Ellyn; he later worked for Moody Press in Chicago and as a bus operator for Laidlaw International in Chicago and Peoria; and

WHEREAS, After retirement, Chester Wentz, Jr. and his wife moved to Peoria, where they became active members at Grace Presbyterian Church; he sang in both the sanctuary and GFC choir and participated in a vibrant Sunday school class; he remained a member of Gideon's and Child Evangelism and was loyal to his grandchildren's many extracurricular activities; and

WHEREAS, Chester Wentz, Jr. was a member of the Glen Ellyn Bible Church, where he served as Deacon, choir member, and Boy's Brigade leader; he was also a member of Gideon's International and the ton Lions Club; he was a devoted family man who was very active in each of his children's sporting, music, and school activities; and

WHEREAS, Chester Wentz, Jr. was preceded in death by his parents and his brother, Jack (Carol); and

WHEREAS, Chester Wentz, Jr. is survived by his wife, Carolyn; 4 children, Karen (Rod) Haggerty, David (Tonya) and Dan (Stacy) Wentz, and Rob (Anna) Wentz; and 8 grandchildren, Ryan, Kathryn, Kelsey, Haley, Luke, Zach, Amanda, and Jack; therefore, be it

RESOLVED, BY THE SENATE OF THE NINETY-NINTH GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS, that we, along with his family and friends, mourn the passing of Chester "Chet" Leroy Wentz, Jr.; and be it further

RESOLVED, That a suitable copy of this resolution be presented to the family of Chester Wentz, Jr. as an expression of our sympathy.