Bill Text: IL SR0398 | 2009-2010 | 96th General Assembly | Introduced

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Bill Title: Mourns the death of Ernest Opp of Bethalto.

Sponsorship: Partisan Bill (Democrat 1)

Status: (Passed) 2009-10-16 - Resolution Adopted [SR0398 Detail]

Download: Illinois-2009-SR0398-Introduced.html

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SENATE RESOLUTION
WHEREAS, The members of the Illinois Senate are saddened to
learn of the death of Ernest Opp of Bethalto, who passed away
on September 4, 2009; and
WHEREAS, Ernest Opp was born on November 9, 1924 in Good
Hope; he married Doris (Goddard) Opp on December 26, 1948 in
Macomb; and
WHEREAS, Ernest Opp served his country with pride and
distinction as a submariner during World War II; and
WHEREAS, Ernest Opp was raised in Bushnell; he attended the
University of Illinois and graduated from Western Illinois
University in 1949; and
WHEREAS, Ernest Opp had a long and distinguished career as
a teacher in the Havana and Bethalto school districts and at
Lewis and Clark and Belleville-area colleges; he also taught at
the St. Louis Regional Airport, where he gave the freedom of
flight to thousands in his area through his student plane
rides, flight instructions, and aerobatic shows; and
WHEREAS, Ernest Opp gave the joy of music and history to
thousands through his band and choral performances with the CM

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Band and Chorus and the Old Timers; he also shared his love of
boating and sailing with hundreds from Alton to the Florida
Keys and his love of motorcycles with friends from coast to
coast; and
WHEREAS, Ernest Opp was a lifetime member of Rotary, the
Masonic Lodge, VFW, the Experimental Aircraft Association, the
Illinois Pilots Association, Aerobatic Pilots, Western
Illinois Alumni, the Young Eagles, and the St. Louis Aero Club;
and
WHEREAS, Ernest Opp is survived by his children and their
spouses, Sharon Opp, Austin and Marg Opp, LaVeta and Kevin
Kirby, and Irene Opp; his grandchildren, Brandon and Lizz
Tinker, Ashleigh and Tim Peterson, Anthony and Fawn Tinker,
Kathleen, Jim and Jessica Kirby-Butts, Todd, Ty, and Corrie,
Sam and Melanie, and Ross Laux, Chris and Wendy Webster, and
Jared and Jen Watson; and his 7 great-grandchildren; therefore,
be it
RESOLVED, BY THE SENATE OF THE NINETY-SIXTH GENERAL
ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS, that we mourn, along with
his family and friends, the passing of Ernest Opp; and be it
further
RESOLVED, That a suitable copy of this resolution be

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presented to the family of Ernest Opp as an expression of our
sympathy.