Bill Text: IL SR1165 | 2019-2020 | 101st General Assembly | Introduced

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Bill Title: Mourns the death of Keith C. Kesler of Urbana.

Spectrum: Partisan Bill (Republican 1-0)

Status: (Passed) 2020-05-24 - Resolution Adopted [SR1165 Detail]

Download: Illinois-2019-SR1165-Introduced.html

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SENATE RESOLUTION
WHEREAS, The members of the Illinois Senate are saddened to
learn of the death of Keith C. Kesler of Urbana, who passed
away on March 15, 2020; and
WHEREAS, Keith Kesler was born to Roy and Helen Kesler in
rural Dewey on January 13, 1925; he married Evelyn Burley on
January 25, 1948, and they resided on Evelyn's family's
centennial farm; and
WHEREAS, Keith Kesler called himself first and foremost a
farmer; he was named Farm Leader of the Year by The
News-Gazette in 1980 and was selected as an Illinois Master
Farmer by Prairie Farmer Magazine in 1995; his love of
agriculture extended to the county and state fairs of Illinois,
where he was active for his entire adult life; and
WHEREAS, Keith Kesler received many awards for his service;
the Illinois Department of Agriculture presented him a gold pin
in the shape of Illinois imprinted with the name Mr. Fair,
designating him Mr. Fair of Illinois; in 2001, Gov. George H.
Ryan proclaimed July 25, 2001 as Keith Kesler Day; the
Champaign County Fair named its Exhibit Hall as Kesler Hall in
honor of his over 50 years of tireless service to the fair; and

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WHEREAS, Keith Kesler's life of service included volunteer
work for many county and state organizations; he served as
president of the Stanton Center School Board and received an
alumni award from 4-H in 1975; he was also proud to have been
an usher at the First United Methodist Church of Champaign for
over 40 years; and
WHEREAS, Keith Kesler enjoyed having his children,
grandchildren, and great-grandchildren spend time at The Farm,
where they rode the variety of little tractors and trucks that
he fabricated himself in his farm workshop; and
WHEREAS, Keith Kesler felt very fortunate to have his
entire family together for a Thanksgiving picture that he
proudly displayed by his favorite chair at The Farm and then
later in his room at Country Health Care & Rehab; and
WHEREAS, Keith Kesler was preceded in death by his wife,
Evelyn; his parents; his sisters, Joan and Marvel; and his
brothers, Clyde and Delmar; and
WHEREAS, Keith Kesler is survived by his sons, Stephen
(Becky), Michael (Vicki), and Scott (Joyce); his twin brother,
Kenneth; and his sister, Francis; therefore, be it
RESOLVED, BY THE SENATE OF THE ONE HUNDRED FIRST GENERAL

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ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS, that we mourn the passing of
Keith C. Kesler 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 Keith Kesler as an expression of our
deepest sympathy.