SR0038 100TH GENERAL ASSEMBLY

SR0038 LRB100 06812 MST 16861 r

SENATE RESOLUTION

WHEREAS, The members of the Illinois Senate are saddened to learn of the death of Stephen H. Otis of Marengo, who passed away on January 2, 2017; and

WHEREAS, Stephen Otis was born in Belvidere to Elsa (Behm) and Stephen W. Otis on November 9, 1936; he served in the United States Naval Reserve as a Seabee, achieving the rank of Builder Second Class; he married Dorothy A. Slaughter at the United Methodist Church on January 28, 1956; and

WHEREAS, Stephen Otis worked for Otis Construction and Otis Building Supply, building hundreds of homes in the Marengo area; he provided an opportunity for students to learn a lifelong trade through the high school's Cooperative Work Training Program from 1968 to 1984; he participated in building projects at Judson College, Blackhawk Baptist Camp, and Lake Springfield, often taking his younger grandsons along with him; one of his proudest accomplishments was overseeing the construction of a teacher housing project for the Hopi Mission School in Arizona in 1986; and

WHEREAS, Stephen Otis was a member of the Marengo Planning and Zoning Commission; he served on the Special Education District of McHenry County Executive Board from 1970 to 1974, the McHenry County Regional Board of School Trustees, and the McHenry County College Board of Trustees; he was the Marengo Township Assessor for seven years and on the Board of Education of Marengo Community High school from 1970 to 1979; and

WHEREAS, Stephen Otis was an active member of the First Baptist Church in Marengo; he served as the Regional President of the American Baptist Men; he also taught Bible study and every May he was the head egg chef at the annual May breakfast; and

WHEREAS, Stephen Otis enjoyed spending time with his grandchildren, attending their sporting events, and working on projects in his shop; in retirement, he was a founding member of Dino's Breakfast Club and was revered for his Christmas manger scene, which will be greatly missed; and

WHEREAS, Stephen Otis was preceded in death by his parents and several other loved ones; and

WHEREAS, Stephen Otis is survived by his wife of 61 years, Dorothy; his children, Stephen J. Otis, Elizabeth A. (Joseph) Henning, and Jennifer W. L. (William) Hoeske; his grandchildren, Ryan Carr, Stephanie (Dave) Fanthorpe, J. Benjamin Henning, Trae Hoeske, Jesse Henning, and Lynsey Hoeske; his great-grandchildren, Kerrigan Carr, and June Fanthorpe; his sisters, Jeanne (Jim) Schaefer, and Midge (Lowell) Wagner; and his special dogs, Mable and Sparkle; therefore, be it

RESOLVED, BY THE SENATE OF THE ONE HUNDREDTH GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS, that we mourn the passing of Stephen H. Otis, 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 Stephen Otis as an expression of our deepest sympathy.