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SENATE RESOLUTION

  
 
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    WHEREAS, The members of the Illinois Senate are saddened to  
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learn of the death of
Charles Merritts, Jr., who passed away on 
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January 23, 2010; and
  
 
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    WHEREAS, Charles Merritts, Jr. was born on September 23, 
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1935, in East St. Louis; his parents were Charles Merritts, Sr. 
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and Geneva Stokes Merritts; and
  
 
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    WHEREAS, Charles Merritts, Jr. attended Dunbar Elementary 
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and Carver Elementary Schools before graduating from Lincoln 
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High School in 1953; he then earned his bachelor's degree in 
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mathematics from Wiley College in Marshall, Texas in 1957; 
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while at Wiley College, he played baseball and pledged with the 
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Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity, joining the fraternity's Alpha Chic 
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Chapter on November 27, 1954; he remained a devoted Kappa for 
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55 years; and
  
 
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    WHEREAS, Charles Merritts, Jr. served as a math and science 
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teacher at Rock Junior High School in East St. Louis for 10 
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years; he then resigned from his position and joined an 
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established family business; and
  
 
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    WHEREAS, Charles Merritts, Jr. enjoyed big game hunting, 
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fishing, bowling, archery, sharpshooting, trap and skeet 
 


 






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shooting, and golfing; he also loved the blues and enjoyed 
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singing and playing his guitar at home; and
  
 
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    WHEREAS, Charles Merritts, Jr. was a member of numerous 
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social and civic organizations, including the Anniversary 
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Club, the Derby Brown Memorial Golf Club, the Pro Eights, the 
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Aahmes Temple #132, and the Southern Cross Lodge #112; and
 
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    WHEREAS, Charles Merritts, Jr. was preceded in death by his 
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mother; and
 
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    WHEREAS, Charles Merritts, Jr. is survived by his loving 
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wife of 58 years, Delores; his son, Charles Merritts III; his 
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daughter, Kimberly Delores Merritts; his father; his grandson, 
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Courtney Merritts; his aunt, Delores S. Merritts; his 
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sisters-in-law, Barbara Holt (Rev. Edward) and Rev. Jacqueline 
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(Baseball Hall of Famer Lou Brock); his brother-in-law, Billy 
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Gaitor (Mary); and his many other relatives and friends; 
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therefore, be it
  
 
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    RESOLVED, BY THE SENATE OF THE NINETY-SIXTH GENERAL 
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ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS, that we mourn, along with 
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his family and friends, the passing of Charles Merritts, Jr.; 
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and be it further
  
 
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    RESOLVED, That a suitable copy of this resolution be 
 


 






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presented to the family of Charles Merritts, Jr. as an 
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expression of our sympathy.