HR0382 100TH GENERAL ASSEMBLY

HR0382 LRB100 12623 MAS 25895 r

HOUSE RESOLUTION

WHEREAS, The members of the Illinois House of Representatives are saddened to learn of the death of Miki L. Pavelonis of Harrisburg, who passed away on May 1, 2017; and

WHEREAS, Miki Pavelonis was born in Harrisburg to Edward and Virginia James Gooch on September 22, 1942 and was raised by her grandfather, Alfred James, and her uncle, Windom Elo James; she attended Logan School, Malan Junior High School, and graduated from Harrisburg Township High School in 1960; she graduated from Southern Illinois University-Carbondale (SIUC) with a Bachelor of Science in Home Economics and Teaching; she received a full band scholarship with the SIUC Saluki's marching band as a featured twirler; she married her childhood sweetheart, Bob Pavelonis, while in college on December 22, 1963; and

WHEREAS, Miki Pavelonis taught baton twirling in nearby towns for many years; she began working in real estate and eventually formed her own real estate company, American Heritage Realty; she managed the Saline Valley Abstract office for a few years and then went on to work for three Illinois State Attorneys General, Neil Hartigan, Roland Burris, and Jim Ryan; for the next four years she worked in the Regional Office of Education in Harrisburg; and

WHEREAS, Miki Pavelonis left the field of education to become the Director of Regional Services for State Comptroller, Dan Hynes, and spent the next 12 years there until her retirement in 2010; she was active in both State and national Democratic politics and was the first woman to be elected to the Saline County Board of Commissioners; she was also a superdelegate to future President Bill Clinton in Los Angeles, California; she served as a Democratic State Central Committeewoman for 10 years and hosted many dinners and rallies for the Democratic Party throughout her political work; and

WHEREAS, Miki Pavelonis was an active member of First Church of God in Harrisburg where she served as a trustee and as chairwoman of the ladies' organization; she was also a member of the Christian Woman Connection; and

WHEREAS, Miki Pavelonis was preceded in death by her parents; her uncle, Elo; her grandfather, Alfred; her mother-in-law, Bonnie L. Pavelonis; and her father-in-law, A. Joe Pavelonis; and

WHEREAS, Miki Pavelonis is survived by her husband, Bob; her children, Robert "Bobby" (Katy) Joseph Pavelonis, and Michael (Janice) Britt Pavelonis; her granddaughters, Lauren, Bonnie, and Ella; her grandson, Bobby III; her step-grandson, Reese Conkle; and her beloved Shelties, Redford and Trudy; therefore, be it

RESOLVED, BY THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES OF THE ONE HUNDREDTH GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS, that we mourn the passing of Miki L. Pavelonis, and extend our sincere condolences to her family, friends, and all who knew and loved her; and be it further

RESOLVED, That a suitable copy of this resolution be presented to the family of Miki Pavelonis as an expression of our deepest sympathy.