Bill Text: IL SR0822 | 2013-2014 | 98th General Assembly | Introduced

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Bill Title: Mourns the death of Harold Gene "Sparky" Songer of Danville.

Spectrum: Partisan Bill (Democrat 1-0)

Status: (Passed) 2014-01-29 - Resolution Adopted [SR0822 Detail]

Download: Illinois-2013-SR0822-Introduced.html

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SENATE RESOLUTION
WHEREAS, The members of the Illinois Senate are saddened to
learn of the death of Harold Gene "Sparky" Songer of Danville,
who passed away on January 12, 2014; and
WHEREAS, Harold Songer was born on March 4, 1925 in
Veedersburg, Indiana; his parents were Glenwood and Elsie (nee
Clawson) Songer; he married Eloise Cooper on January 9, 1955;
and
WHEREAS, Harold Songer attended Veedersburg Grade School
and High School; he subsequently attended Eastern Illinois
University, where he earned his bachelor's degree; and
WHEREAS, Harold Songer was drafted into the United States
Army in July of 1943; he fought at the Battle of the Bulge in
the Ardennes Forest as a mortarman in the 106th Infantry
Division, where he was captured and remained a captive in
Germany until his escape in 1945; in 1951, he re-enlisted in
the United States Air Force, where he served in the Korean and
Vietnam conflicts as flight support; for his service, he was
awarded the Purple Heart and the Bronze Star; and
WHEREAS, Harold Songer served as coordinator of Veterans
Affairs at Danville Area Community College from 1979 to 1994;

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and
WHEREAS, Harold Songer was a longtime and charter member of
the Danville Sunrise Rotary Club, where he served as sergeant
of arms for many years; he was the 68th AMBUCS First Citizen in
April of 2000; he led a group of local veterans who collected
tens of thousands of aluminum cans to raise money to build the
various memorials in Danville and led the effort to turn the
old Carnegie Library into the Vermilion County War Museum,
where he later served as president and director; he was awarded
the Studs Terkel Award in 2004 for his service; and
WHEREAS, Harold Songer was preceded in death by his
parents; his loving wife, Eloise; his brothers, James and Leroy
Songer; and his sister, Wanda Kester; and
WHEREAS, Harold Songer is survived by his son, Aaron (Lisa)
Songer; his daughter, Michele (Brian Bonebrake) Songer; his
grandchildren, Brandon Bays, Ashley Songer, Taylor Songer,
Samantha Songer, Seth Bonebrake, and Cade Bonebrake; his 4
great-grandchildren; his sister, Julia Crane; and his cat,
Hemingway; therefore, be it
RESOLVED, BY THE SENATE OF THE NINETY-EIGHTH GENERAL
ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS, that we, along with his
family and friends, mourn the passing of Harold Gene "Sparky"

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Songer; and be it further
RESOLVED, That a suitable copy of this resolution be
presented to the family of Harold Songer as an expression of
our sympathy.