SR1187 98TH GENERAL ASSEMBLY

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SENATE RESOLUTION

WHEREAS, The members of the Illinois Senate are saddened to learn of the death of Steven George Schaefer of Des Plaines, who passed away on April 25, 2014; and

WHEREAS, Steven Schaefer attended New Trier High School in Winnetka; he served in the United States Army for more than 2 tours during the Vietnam War and received 4 Purple Hearts; and

WHEREAS, Steven Schaefer owned a painting and home improvement business; and

WHEREAS, Steven Schaefer was very involved in his community; he acted as emcee for the Memorial Day and Veterans Day programs, and held memberships in the Veterans of Foreign Wars (VFW) - Des Plaines Post 2992, where he was Commander and Sr. Vice-Commander; the VFW - William E. Sarb Post 2202 Schaumburg; the American Legion - Post 36 Des Plaines, where he served as Post Commander, Sr. Vice-Commander, Treasurer, and on the Board of Directors; the Vietnam Veterans of America Chapter 311; the VFW - State of Illinois Organization; the Americal Division Veterans Association; the 1/1 Cav Association; and Honor Flight Chicago; he was a member of the Des Plaines Knights of Columbus 3627 and the Des Plaines Elks Club 1526; he has served as VFW Post Commander, VFW District Commander, and VFW State Youth Activities Director; he published a monthly newsletter and maintained the website for his VFW Post; he was President of the Lake Park Memorial Pavilion Committee which refurbished the Des Plaines Veterans Memorial, winning a Governor's Home Town Award for the project; he won a second Governor's Home Town Award for his volunteerism; he served on Voice of Democracy and Patriot Pen Programs as Chairman for Post and District levels and he was the Director for the State; he organized 'Poppy Days' to collect funds for veterans; and

WHEREAS, Steven Schaefer was one of the co-founders, and, for the past several years, President of Pillars of Honor, Inc., an organization that would take the original model of the World War II Memorial to the veterans who couldn't make the trip to Washington, D.C.; he was given the Paul Harris Fellow award by the Des Plaines Rotary Foundation; he was an active member of Our Lady of the Brook in Northbrook for many years, where he served as a Lector and organized volunteers to feed the homeless every Friday night at the Lakeview Shelter in Chicago; he also organized a Christmas meal that was served and provided gifts on Christmas Day; he then became a member of St. Mary's Church in Des Plaines, where he also served as a Lector; and

WHEREAS, Steven Schaefer wore many hats and touched the lives of many people - family, friends, strangers, veterans and their families, students, fellow parishioners, community organizations, and many others; and

WHEREAS, Steven G. Schaefer was the loving father of Tonya (Michael) Sullivan and Steven Schaefer; the proud grandfather of Zachary and Steven; the devoted son of Helen (the late George P. Jr.) Schaefer; and the dearest brother of Ronald (Cheryl), Robert (Jen), George (Chris), and Cathi (Karl) Swaringim; therefore, be it

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