SR0659 95TH GENERAL ASSEMBLY

SR0659 LRB095 20855 KXB 49669 r

SENATE RESOLUTION

WHEREAS, The members of the Illinois Senate are saddened to learn of the death of Charles C. "Chuck" Oelrich of Belleville, who passed away on March 23, 2008; and

WHEREAS, Charles Oelrich was born May 15, 1932, in Belleville; he grew up in Belleville and attended Cathedral High School; he was a 1954 graduate of St. Louis University with a degree in accounting; he served in the United States Air Force as an active and reserve officer; he also served as a liaison officer for the United States Air Force Academy; and

WHEREAS, Mr. Oelrich was employed by IBM, as an independent insurance agent, and he worked as an administrative assistant to the Secretary of State of Illinois; he served as Belleville Township Supervisor from 1993 to 1997; he was a longtime member of St. Luke's Parish in Belleville, and a member of the St. Luke's Men's Club; and

WHEREAS, Mr. Oelrich was also active in many civic and social organizations, including the Belleville School District 118 School Board, the Belleville Jaycees, the St. Clair County Cancer Society, Toastmaster's International, the Okaw Valley Council Catholic Committee on Scouting, Boy Scout Troop 69, the Belleville Democratic organization as a precinct committeeman, the East Side Life Underwriters, the Belleville Area Humane Society, the Knights of Columbus Belleville Council 1028, the Southside Improvement Association, the Belleville Sister Cities Organization, the Serra Club of St. Clair County, the Sons of the American Revolution, the Mayors Prayer Breakfast Committee, VFW Post 1739, the American Legion, Catholic War Veterans Post 370, the Korean War Veterans CK&L of I Council 21, and the Belleville Men's Sports Group; and

WHEREAS, His hobbies included 60 years of bowling, golfing, card club, and traveling, as he visited all 50 states and over 50 countries; and

WHEREAS, He was preceded in death by his parents, J. Albert and Ida, nee Harvey, Oelrich; his sister, Alberta A. Woods; his five brothers, Harvey, Bert, Bob, Jim, and John Oelrich; and his granddaughter, Megan Oelrich; and

WHEREAS, He is survived by his loving wife of 52 years, Marie Louise, nee Holdener, Oelrich, whom he married October 15, 1955, at St. Philip Catholic Church in East St. Louis; his daughter, Eileen Marie Hisel; his five sons, Jerome A. Oelrich, Ronald J. (Sue) Oelrich, Kevin M. (Gina) Oelrich, Larry C. (Nancy) Oelrich, and Matt J. (Angie) Oelrich; his 11 grandchildren, Christina Oelrich, Andrew and Stephanie Oelrich, Marie, James, and Monique Hisel, Renae and Trent Oelrich, and Jacqueline, Madeline, and Brandon Oelrich; his five step-grandchildren, Roey (Heather) Draper, Cassandra Draper, and Kristi, Tami, and Kyle Poettker; his sisters-in-law and brothers-in-law, Lois Oelrich, Bernice and Omer Goodwin, Dr. Paul and Loretta Holdener, Margie and Bill Dick, and Doris and Leonard Black; and his loving nieces and nephews; therefore, be it

RESOLVED, BY THE SENATE OF THE NINETY-FIFTH GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS, that we mourn, along with his family and friends, the passing of Charles "Chuck" Oelrich; and be it further

RESOLVED, That a suitable copy of this resolution be presented to the family of Charles "Chuck" Oelrich as a symbol of our sincere sympathy.