SR0052 98TH GENERAL ASSEMBLY

SR0052 LRB098 07465 MST 37535 r

SENATE RESOLUTION

WHEREAS, The members of the Illinois Senate are saddened to learn of the death of Robert A. Wetzel of Edwardsville, who passed away on January 21, 2013; and

WHEREAS, Robert Wetzel was born on August 26, 1937, in Highland to Arthur L. and Violet V. (Scheibe) Wetzel; he married Carol Kemmerer on August 20, 1960, at Grace Methodist Church in Waterloo, Iowa; he graduated from Edwardsville High School in 1955, Monmouth College in 1959, and the University of Wisconsin School of Banking in 1972; he was a staff sergeant in the Illinois National Guard; and

WHEREAS, Robert Wetzel worked at TheBANK of Edwardsville and moved his way up throughout the years; he started in 1960 as a assistant cashier; he became vice-president and cashier in 1973, senior vice-president and cashier in 1976, and president in 1981, serving in that position for 22 years before retiring in August of 2004; and

WHEREAS, Robert Wetzel always took an active role in the betterment of his community; he served on the board of the ABA Federal Bankpac; he was active with Backstoppers-The Policeman and Fireman Fund of Saint Louis, the Civic Entrepreneurs Organization, the Deaconess Foundation board of directors, the Edwardsville Central Business District Development and Improvement Committee, and the Edwardsville Community School District #7, treasurer; he served as past president of Edwardsville Jaycees, past president of Edwardsville/Glen Carbon United way, director of the Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity, and on the Madison County Bankers Federation Executive Committee, the Saint Louis Sports Commission, the State Treasurer's Banking Advisory Committee, and on the Board Trails West Council of the Boy Scouts of America; and

WHEREAS, He was currently serving on the board of directors of the Leadership Council of Southwestern Illinois where he was the past president, the board of directors of Lewis & Clark Community College, and as chairman of the Advisory Committee of Madison County Metrolink Feasibility Study; he was a member of the board of directors of Madison Mutual Insurance Company, the Regional Commerce & Growth Association, The Edwardsville Rotary Club, SIU-E Foundation, SIU-E School of Business Advisory Board, The Alliance of Edwardsville & Glen Carbon Executive Council, TheBANK of Edwardsville board of directors, and the University Park SIU-E board of directors; and

WHEREAS, Robert Wetzel has received numerous awards throughout the years including, the 100 Black Men of Alton Award for Outstanding Contributions and Support of Education, the Edwardsville/Glen Carbon Chamber of Commerce Albert D. Cassens Award for Outstanding Achievement, the Anderson Hospital 7th Annual Founders Award, the Distinguished Eagle Scout Award, Edwardsville Rotary's International Service Above Self Award, the Leadership Council's 16th Annual Salute to Southwestern IL Award for Outstanding Leadership, the Monmouth College Distinguished Alumnus Award, the SIU-E Distinguished Service Award, the SIU-E Kimmel Award for Outstanding Community Service, and the Edwardsville/Glen Carbon Lifetime Achievement award; he was a member of Eden United Church of Christ in Edwardsville; and

WHEREAS, Robert Wetzel was preceded in death by his parents and his brother, Ronald Wetzel; and

WHEREAS, Robert Wetzel is survived by his wife, Carol; his daughter, Andrea (Russell) Wetzel-Darbon; his son Scott (Kristi) Wetzel; his grandchildren, Brawley (Lee) Darbon, Madison Olivia Darbon, Corbin Reid Wetzel, and Reagan Kate Wetzel; his brothers, Tom (Alice) Wetzel, Carl (Donna) Wetzel, and David (Jessica) Wetzel; and many nieces, nephews, and dear friends; therefore, be it

RESOLVED, BY THE SENATE OF THE NINETY-EIGHTH GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS, that we mourn the passing of Robert Wetzel, and we 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 Robert Wetzel as an expression of our deepest sympathy.