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1		SENATE RESOLUTION
2		WHEREAS, The members of the Illinois Senate are saddened
3		to learn of the death of John J. Konopek Sr., who passed away
4		on May 26, 2023; and
5		WHEREAS, John Konopek was born to Jacob and Jennie (Sonce)
6		Konopek on May 27, 1931; he graduated from St. Joseph Grade
7		School in 1945, Joliet Catholic High School in 1949, and
8		Joliet Junior College in 1951; he served in the U.S. Army
9		during the Korean War and spent 17 months in Germany; he was
10		honorably discharged in 1954; and
11		WHEREAS, John Konopek worked as a clerk for the Illinois
12		Central Gulf Railroad for 35 years; and
13		WHEREAS, John Konopek was a passionate sports fan and
14		especially loved Joliet Catholic Academy sports and the
15		Chicago Cubs; he had a love of baseball and was active in the
16		St. Joseph baseball organization as a manager and board
17		member; he and his wife, Rosemary, established the first
18		women's board in the organization as well; and
19		WHEREAS, John Konopek was a member of St. Joseph Church in
20		Joliet, the Will County Old Timers Baseball Association, where
21		he served as secretary for several years, St. Joseph Seniors,

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1		Crest Hill Seniors, KSKJ St. John's Lodge 143, Holy Name
2		Seniors, American Legion Post #1080, and VFW Cantigny Post
3		#367; he was a 1977 inductee into the Senior Services Center
4		Volunteer Hall of Fame; and
5		WHEREAS, John Konopek could often be found at St. Joseph's
6		Park; he enjoyed volunteering his time to help with parish
7		events and co-chairing the annual St. Joseph Homecoming
8		Picnic; he helped facilitate the first BINGO games at the park
9		40 years ago and was a well-known BINGO caller who proudly
10		originated the Early Bird Game; and
11		WHEREAS, John Konopek was preceded in death by his wife,
12		Rosemary (Dorr); his daughter, Janine Kaye; his parents; his
13		sister, Norine Mulbarger; his brother-in-law, Leonard Dorr;
14		his sister-in-law, Joanne Dorr; his brother-in-law, William
15		DePratt; his brother-in-law, Evan Mulbarger; and his beloved
16		dog, Eskimo; and
17		WHEREAS, John Konopek is survived by his son, John Jr.
18		(Maureen) Konopek; his son-in-law, Sean (the late Janine)
19		Kaye; his grandchildren, Caitlin and Nicholas Konopek and
20		Jacob and Logan Kaye; his sister-in-law, Colette DePratt; and
21		numerous nieces, nephews, and cousins; therefore, be it
22		RESOLVED, BY THE SENATE OF THE ONE HUNDRED THIRD GENERAL

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1		ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS, that we mourn the passing of
2		John J. Konopek Sr. and extend our sincere condolences to his
3		family, friends, and all who knew and loved him; and be it
4		further
5		RESOLVED, That a suitable copy of this resolution be
6		presented to the family of John Konopek as an expression of our
7		deepest sympathy.