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| 1 |  | SENATE RESOLUTION   | 
| 2 |  |     WHEREAS, The members of the Illinois Senate are saddened  | 
| 3 |  | to learn of the death of Senior Master Sergeant Richard Lee  | 
| 4 |  | Leonard, USAF (Ret.), who passed away on July 28, 2025; and   | 
| 5 |  |     WHEREAS, SMSgt Leonard, the son of William Donald Leonard  | 
| 6 |  | and Dorothy Lorein Leonard, was born in Springfield on  | 
| 7 |  | December 13, 1940; and   | 
| 8 |  |     WHEREAS, SMSgt Leonard served in the United States Armed  | 
| 9 |  | Forces for over 27 years, beginning in the Navy for six years  | 
| 10 |  | and continuing in the Air Force for 21 years; his military  | 
| 11 |  | career spanned both the Korean and Vietnam Wars; and   | 
| 12 |  |     WHEREAS, SMSgt Leonard was honored with numerous awards  | 
| 13 |  | and decorations for his military service, including the  | 
| 14 |  | Republic of Vietnam Campaign Medal, the Vietnam Service Medal,  | 
| 15 |  | the National Defense Service Medal, and the Meritorious  | 
| 16 |  | Service Medal; and   | 
| 17 |  |     WHEREAS, SMSgt Leonard returned to Dawson after his  | 
| 18 |  | retirement, residing there with his wife, Janelle Heckwine  | 
| 19 |  | Leonard, until her passing; he then moved to Brenham, Texas,  | 
| 20 |  | where he resided for the remainder of his life; and   | 
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| 1 |  |     WHEREAS, SMSgt Leonard enjoyed attending car shows, going  | 
| 2 |  | on drives, and taking the occasional trip to the horse track;  | 
| 3 |  | and   | 
| 4 |  |     WHEREAS, SMSgt Leonard led a life dedicated to service,  | 
| 5 |  | family, and country; he was known for his strong character,  | 
| 6 |  | quick wit, and his deep devotion to those he loved; he touched  | 
| 7 |  | countless lives and leaves behind a legacy of strength,  | 
| 8 |  | generosity, and patriotism; and   | 
| 9 |  |     WHEREAS, SMSgt Leonard was preceded in death by his  | 
| 10 |  | parents; his wife; and his siblings, Marilyn Leonard, Michael  | 
| 11 |  | Leonard, Harry Leonard, and Molly Leonard Smith; and   | 
| 12 |  |     WHEREAS, SMSgt Leonard is survived by his siblings,  | 
| 13 |  | Shirley Pickel, Fred Leonard, Lee Anne Ross, and Steve  | 
| 14 |  | Leonard; his children, Tammy (Pete) Hill, Ricky (Tammy)  | 
| 15 |  | Leonard, Parrish "Mike" (Kami) Leonard, Charri (TJ) Jung, and  | 
| 16 |  | Shane (Prissy) Leonard; his stepchildren, Sherry "SherBear"  | 
| 17 |  | Gabbard, Jerry "Leroy" Howell, Harry "Chip" Howell, Mindie  | 
| 18 |  | Howell, Tiffiney Prytherch, and Tony Prytherch; 23  | 
| 19 |  | grandchildren; 33 great-grandchildren; and his loyal  | 
| 20 |  | companion, Wrigley; therefore, be it   | 
| 21 |  |     RESOLVED, BY THE SENATE OF THE ONE HUNDRED FOURTH GENERAL  | 
| 22 |  | ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS, that we mourn the passing of  |