Bill Text: IL SR0205 | 2023-2024 | 103rd General Assembly | Introduced

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Bill Title: Mourns the passing of Reverend Thomas B. "Tom" Christell Jr. of Springfield.

Spectrum: Partisan Bill (Republican 1-0)

Status: (Passed) 2023-04-20 - Resolution Adopted [SR0205 Detail]

Download: Illinois-2023-SR0205-Introduced.html

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SR0205 LRB103 31917 LAW 60629 r
SENATE RESOLUTION
WHEREAS, The members of the Illinois Senate are saddened
to learn of the death of Reverend Thomas B. "Tom" Christell Jr.
of Springfield, who passed away on April 14, 2023; and
WHEREAS, Rev. Christell was born to Thomas B. and Viola
Arline (Evans) Christell Sr. in Chicago on May 16, 1951; he
married Patricia Chelgren on June 16, 1973; and
WHEREAS, Rev. Christell retired from Grace Lutheran Church
after 29 years of service; he previously served at St. Peter's
Church in Arenzville for seven years; and
WHEREAS, During his time at Grace Lutheran Church, Rev.
Christell traveled with adults and youth to the Boundary
Waters for fishing, canoeing, and fellowship; he was committed
to working with the youth of his church and served as a mentor
to young members, attending many trips, retreats, and other
adventures; and
WHEREAS, Rev. Christell participated in Confirmation Camp
for all 36 years of his ministry; while providing oversight of
the Central Southern Illinois Synod Lutheran Youth
Organization, he organized and operated many youth conventions
and gatherings, and he was an integral part of the Leadership

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Lab program for decades; after serving as coordinator of the
Advanced Level of Leadership Lab for several years, he became
the co-director in 2000; during his tenure, he prided himself
on creating scholarship funding for kids to attend the
Leadership Lab; and
WHEREAS, Rev. Christell expanded the Grace Lutheran Food
Pantry to be one of the largest in Springfield, taking pride in
the fact that he never used administrative funds for the food
pantry as it was a self-sufficient program that ran on
donations, volunteers, and the desire to help those in need;
and
WHEREAS, Rev. Christell served many charities and
organizations outside the parish, including Lutheran Social
Services in Illinois, Habitat for Humanity, the Springfield
Choral Society, and Downtown Springfield Incorporated; he also
took part in the Lincoln Funeral reenactment and procession
from the train station to Oakridge Cemetery in 2015; and
WHEREAS, Rev. Christell loved golfing, fishing, and
watching the Chicago Cubs; and
WHEREAS, Rev. Christell loved being a grandfather and was
very proud of his grandchildren; he enjoyed spending time
playing and laughing with his grandchildren and

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great-grandchild; and
WHEREAS, Rev. Christell was preceded in death by his
parents and his son, Matthew Charles Christell; and
WHEREAS, Rev. Christell is survived by his wife of 49
years, Patti; his children, Thomas B. "Chip" (Erica) Christell
III, Amy (Jason) Harshman, Stephen (Katie) Christell, and
Katie (Gabriel) Gonzalez; his grandchildren, Collin, Nathan,
Addison, Chase, Owen, Emily, Max, Jacob, Hallie, Sofia, David,
and Benjamin; his great-grandson, Zane; his brothers, Kevin
(Linda) Christell and Craig (Michelle) Christell; and several
nieces, nephews, and cousins; therefore, be it
RESOLVED, BY THE SENATE OF THE ONE HUNDRED THIRD GENERAL
ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS, that we mourn the passing of
Reverend Thomas B. "Tom" Christell Jr. 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 Rev. Christell as an expression of
our deepest sympathy.