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1
SENATE RESOLUTION

 
2    WHEREAS, The members of the Illinois Senate are saddened 
3to learn of the death of Dennis Robert Downing of Aledo, who 
4passed away on October 9, 2023; and
 
5    WHEREAS, Dennis Downing was born in Davenport, Iowa to 
6Robert B. and Irene (Kistler) Downing on August 8, 1947; he 
7graduated from Aledo High School in 1965 and attended Black 
8Hawk College, where he played baseball before being drafted 
9into the United States Army; he married Judeen Van der Wege; he 
10later married Norma (Stroud) Olson on March 21, 1985; and
 
11    WHEREAS, Dennis Downing retired from the United Parcel 
12Service in 2002 after 30 years of service, mostly in the Aledo 
13area; after retirement, he worked for Shirt Tales and as a 
14groundskeeper for the Oakview County Club; and
 
15    WHEREAS, Dennis Downing loved sports and tried out for a 
16professional baseball team at one point; his favorite team was 
17the Atlanta Braves; he played on many local fast pitch 
18softball teams as short stop; he loved golfing, tennis, and 
19racquet ball; he enjoyed his weekly outings with friends and 
20playing solitaire on his phone; he was affectionately know as 
21"Dink"; and
 
 
 
SR0544- 2 -LRB103 34978 MST 64874 r

1    WHEREAS, Dennis Downing was preceded in death by his 
2parents and his brother, Curtis Downing; and
 
3    WHEREAS, Dennis Downing is survived by his wife, Norma; 
4his children and their spouses, Torey and Diana Downing, 
5Joelly and Lance Greene, Jon Olson, Wendy Downing, and Brian 
6Jordan; his grandchildren, Isabella, Austin, Gabriella, Deven, 
7Jessica, and Payton; two great-grandchildren; his sister and 
8brother-in-law, Connie and Jerry Mattson; and his 
9sister-in-law, Sandra Downing; therefore, be it
 
10    RESOLVED, BY THE SENATE OF THE ONE HUNDRED THIRD GENERAL 
11ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS, that we mourn the passing of 
12Dennis Robert Downing and extend our sincere condolences to 
13his family, friends, and all who knew and loved him; and be it 
14further
 
15    RESOLVED, That a suitable copy of this resolution be 
16presented to the family of Dennis Downing as an expression of 
17our deepest sympathy.