SR0394 98TH GENERAL ASSEMBLY

SR0394 LRB098 12533 MST 46955 r

SENATE RESOLUTION

WHEREAS, The members of the Illinois Senate are saddened to learn of the death of Gerald C. "Jerry" Stapel of Toulon, who passed away on May 6, 2013; and

WHEREAS, Gerald Stapel was born on May 7, 1928, in Phillips, Wisconsin, to Frederick and Charlotte Kasper Stapel; he entered the U.S. Army in December 1950 and served with the 7th Infantry Division in Korea during 1951 and 1952; he was awarded the Korean Service Medal with 3 Bronze Stars and the United States Service Medal; he married Audrey Gerard on March 29, 1954, in Kewanee; and

WHEREAS, Gerald Stapel graduated from the Illinois School of Banking at Southern Illinois University at Carbondale and from the School of Banking at the University of Wisconsin at Madison and began working at State Bank of Toulon as a bookkeeper in 1953; he became assistant cashier in 1958 and was elected to the board of directors and presidency in 1970; he retired from the bank in 1990, but continued as a member of the board of directors until 2000; and

WHEREAS, Gerald Stapel was a member and past president of the Toulon VFW Post #8825 and a member of the Toulon American Legion Post #416; he attended the Toulon United Methodist Church; and

WHEREAS, Gerald Stapel liked to give back to his community and was part of several civic organizations; he was one of the organizers of the Stark County Health Center and Sunshine Village; he was active in the Old Settlers' Association where he was co-chairman of Toulon's 150th anniversary celebration; he served on the board of Kewanee Hospital and the Black Hawk East Foundation; he was past president of the Toulon Grade School Board of Education, the Toulon Chamber of Commerce, and the Toulon Lions Club; he served 17 years as Toulon City Clerk and was Treasurer of the Stark County Republican Central Committee; and

WHEREAS, Gerald Stapel was inducted into the Black Hawk East Wall of Fame in September 1998; he enjoyed spending time with his grandchildren and going to the NCAA Final Four basketball games with his son and grandsons for many years; and

WHEREAS, Gerald Stapel was preceded in death by his parents; his brothers, Edmond, Don, and Willie Stapel; and his sister, Virginia King; and

WHEREAS, Gerald Stapel is survived by his wife, Audrey; his son, Jerry J. (Cindy) Stapel; his grandchildren, Christopher, Jonathan (Mary), and Bethany Stapel; his great-granddaughter, Anna Bryn Stapel; his brother, Fred Stapel; his sister, June (Irvin) Lampson; and his brother-in-law, Orville King; therefore, be it

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