HR0618 100TH GENERAL ASSEMBLY

HR0618 LRB100 14738 MST 29558 r

HOUSE RESOLUTION

WHEREAS, The members of the Illinois House of Representatives are saddened to learn of the death of John Thomas Merwin of Mokena, who passed away on September 21, 2017; and

WHEREAS, John Merwin was born in Chicago on June 23, 1929; he served in the United States Army in Korea and graduated from the Illinois Institute of Technology with a bachelor's degree in mechanical engineering; he married Evelyn Joan Obarski on May 24, 1953; and

WHEREAS, John Merwin had a 42-year career with Commonwealth Edison, where he held various technical and management positions in fossil fuel plants and in construction of nuclear power plants; he retired in 1990; and

WHEREAS, John Merwin gave back to his community through volunteer work, such as teaching driving skills for seniors for the AARP, and preparing annual income taxes for seniors, both activities through Senior Services of Will County; and

WHEREAS, John Merwin always had time for his family, whether it was grilling for them in the backyard or cheering them on at sporting events; he enjoyed home construction, woodworking, mastering the personal computer, and scale-model auto and ship building; his family thought of him as a walking encyclopedia and he always had his facts at hand; although he was born on Chicago's south side, he became an avid Chicago Cubs fan; he and his wife loved to travel, particularly to the northeastern United States and Canadian Maritime Provinces; and

WHEREAS, John Merwin was preceded in death by his wife, Evelyn; his only brother; and his parents; and

WHEREAS, John Merwin is survived by his children, Janice (Steve) Brown, Sharon Merwin (Greg Spiess), Nancy Krabbenhoeft, Michael Merwin, and Mary Beth (Ken) Kaczmarek; his grandchildren, Nicolle (John) Glover, Noelle (Joe) Appleman, Kevin (Nikki Lamba), Chris, and Nick Krabbenhoeft, Carl (Nikki) Spiess, Elizabeth (CaHontas) Vincent, Jeffrey Heaton, Tracy and Casey Merwin, and Nicole and Katelyn Kaczmarek; and his great-grandchildren, Duncan and Rowan Glover, Cade Appleman, Pelle and Adelaide Krabbenhoeft, Anika Krabbenhoeft, Leah and Noah Vincent, and Landon Merritt; 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 John Thomas Merwin, 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 John Merwin as an expression of our deepest sympathy.