SR0390 104TH GENERAL ASSEMBLY

SR0390 LRB104 14530 MST 27671 r

SENATE RESOLUTION

WHEREAS, The members of the Illinois Senate are saddened to learn of the death of Otto George Stephenitch, who passed away on July 12, 2025; and

WHEREAS, Otto Stephenitch was born in Sublette to Otto William and Susan (Kellen) Stephenitch on January 21, 1932; he graduated from Amboy High School in 1950 and served on the front lines with the U.S. Army during the Korean War; he married Betty (Michel) Stephenitch in Amboy on November 24, 1956, and she preceded him in death on December 10, 1993; he married Lois Davis on December 29, 1997; and

WHEREAS, Otto Stephenitch began his career in banking via the GI Bill after returning from military service; he worked his way up from a teller to executive vice president at the First National Bank of Amboy and graduated from the University of Wisconsin banking school; and

WHEREAS, Otto Stephenitch moved his family to Canton in 1966 when he accepted a position as executive vice president of the Canton State Bank; he was promoted to president in 1972, a position he held for 23 years until his retirement in 1995; after the bank was destroyed in the 1975 tornado, he supervised the temporary relocation of operations to the first floor of the Elks building and the construction of the new building, which returned the bank to the square in 1977; and

WHEREAS, Otto Stephenitch was an active member of St. Mary's Catholic Church in Canton, where he and Lois attended daily mass; he was a former trustee and served on the church's finance committee; he was a C.C.D. teacher, eucharistic minister, and choir member and was proud of his over 50-year membership in the Knights of Columbus; and

WHEREAS, Otto Stephenitch's community involvement extended beyond the church to Meals on Wheels, Canton's Chamber of Commerce, the Canton Community Concert Association, the Elks Club, the Fulton County Flying Club, the YMCA, the Lions Club, and the Spoon River College Foundation Board of Directors; he was awarded Canton's Citizen of the Year for his years of service to the community in 1974; and

WHEREAS, Otto Stephenitch was a life-long fan of Notre Dame and the Chicago White Sox; he organized annual family trips well into his late eighties to watch the Irish play football in South Bend; he fulfilled his dream of becoming a recreational pilot, and his family enjoyed many flights with him in his Cessna 172; and

WHEREAS, Otto Stephenitch, in retirement, enjoyed spending time with his friends and family, playing golf, and painting, much to the delight of his family who have numerous pieces of his artwork hanging on the walls of their homes; he and Lois spent winters in Daytona Beach Shores, where they were active in their local parish, attended daily mass, and enjoyed golf and walks on the beach; and

WHEREAS, Otto Stephenitch was preceded in death by his sisters, Catherine Long, Lucille Glaser, Dorothy Koehler, Elaine Powers, and Marcella Stephenitch, and his brother, Harold "Doc" Stephenitch; and

WHEREAS, Otto Stephenitch is survived by his wife, Lois; his sons, Daniel (Donna) and David; his grandchildren, Matthew (Emily) and Michel (Emily); and his great-grandchildren, Mila, Isla, Violet, and Cael; therefore, be it

RESOLVED, BY THE SENATE OF THE ONE HUNDRED FOURTH GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS, that we mourn the passing of Otto George Stephenitch 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 Otto Stephenitch as an expression of our deepest sympathy.