Bill Text: IL SR0121 | 2021-2022 | 102nd General Assembly | Introduced

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Bill Title: Mourns the death of Louis Smarjesse.

Sponsorship: Partisan Bill (Republican 1)

Status: (Passed) 2021-03-10 - Resolution Adopted [SR0121 Detail]

Download: Illinois-2021-SR0121-Introduced.html

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SR0121 LRB102 17318 ECR 22804 r
SENATE RESOLUTION
WHEREAS, The members of the Illinois Senate are saddened
to learn of the death of Louis "Louie" Joseph Smarjesse, who
passed away on February 12, 2021; and
WHEREAS, Louie Smarjesse was born to Rose and John
Smarjesse on October 3, 1932; he attended St. Peter and Paul
School; he left Cathedral High School early to join the U.S.
Army, where he finished his schooling and served on Okinawa
during the Korean War; he scored so well on Army tests that he
was placed in Intelligence and Reconnaissance; and
WHEREAS, Louie Smarjesse had many jobs, including managing
the Kinney shoe store on the square in Springfield and the one
in Lafayette, Indiana; he moved furniture for a local store,
worked at a meat plant, and tended bar, all at the same time;
he also sold cars for Friendly Chevrolet, worked as a common
laborer, sold life insurance, and collected for All Star
Music; and
WHEREAS, Louie Smarjesse's true passion was in hospitality
and, specifically, bartending; he owned the memorable Supper
Club, the Sand Bar, and Griff's Tavern and co-owned the Blue
Moon with his brother Bob; he also managed The Sportsman,
where he fed the piranhas; he bartended in 23 restaurants and

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bars, including Milano's, the Abe Lincoln Hotel, Mansion View,
the Governor's Mansion for Governor Walker, Robin Hood,
Par-a-dice, Village Pump in Indianapolis, Flaming Pit, Don
Henry's, Harness House, Ideal Lounge, Rosalie's Place, D &
J's, Dicenso's Black Angus, Ember's, George Rank's, Ben's
Place, Top of the Arch, Lake Club, Governor Hotel, Oak Crest
Country Club, John's Lounge, and the Brass Rail; he is best
known for the many years he worked at Gabatoni's; and
WHEREAS, Louie Smarjesse had wonderful stories and loved
to make others happy; he and his wife traveled to Ireland,
Costa Rica, and most states, and twice enjoyed two-week
sailing cruises in the Caribbean and weeks on the island of St.
John; and
WHEREAS, Louie Smarjesse was preceded in death by his son,
Paul Smarjesse, and his grandson, Ronald Mohan Jr.; and
WHEREAS, Louie Smarjesse is survived by his wife of 50
years, Susan Hummel Smarjesse; his two former wives; his
children, Mike (Rhonda) Smarjesse, Karen (Charlie) Hitt,
Patricia (Ramon) Perez, Janet (John Henrikson) Rawlings, Kelly
(Trevor) Smarjesse-Miller, Anna (Bob Shaver) Neumann, and
Charly (Nancy Barnick) Smarjesse; his grandchildren, Nick,
Jake, Mike, Matt, Noah, Ben, and Johnny Smarjesse, Reid Hitt,
Andy Rawlings, Rachel Hammann, Lindsay Sullivan, Chon Nguyen,

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Tara Carey, Emme Neumann, Bronte Smarjesse, and Hallie Miller;
and his brother, Bob Smarjesse and his children, Tony
Smarjesse, Teri Mulvey, and Tami Savage; therefore, be it
RESOLVED, BY THE SENATE OF THE ONE HUNDRED SECOND GENERAL
ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS, that we mourn the passing of
Louis "Louie" Joseph Smarjesse 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 Louie Smarjesse as an expression of
our deepest sympathy.