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1
SENATE RESOLUTION

 
2    WHEREAS, The members of the Illinois Senate are saddened to
3learn of the death of Edward M. "Ed" Czerkies of Joliet, who
4passed away on November 16, 2018; and
 
5    WHEREAS, Ed Czerkies was born in the back seat of the
6family car on the way to Silver Cross Hospital in 1937 to Mary
7(Sowa) and Michael Czerkies; he attended St. Thaddeus
8Elementary School and graduated from Joliet Central High School
9in 1955; he earned his way through college working construction
10for his older brother and graduated with a degree in education
11from Northern Illinois University; and
 
12    WHEREAS, Ed Czerkies became a substitute teacher at Joliet
13Central, Joliet West, Providence Catholic, and Lockport High
14School; his passion for construction drove him to open Czerkies
15Construction in 1959; over the next 40 years, he poured many
16sidewalks and driveways, built many homes, and worked on
17several industrial facilities within Joliet, Shorewood,
18Lockport, and Plainfield; and
 
19    WHEREAS, Ed Czerkies married Carolyn in 1965; together they
20acquired various industrial, commercial, and agricultural
21properties throughout Illinois; in 1998, he began what he said
22was the most important job of his life, being a full-time

 

 

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1caregiver to Carolyn; and
 
2    WHEREAS, Ed Czerkies made several contributions to various
3educational, healthcare, and charitable institutions,
4including the Mayo Clinic as a principal benefactor, the
5International Myeloma Foundation, Silver Cross Hospital, the
6Presence St. Joseph Medical Center, the Joliet Junior College
7Scholarship Fund, the Will County Children's Advocacy Center,
8the Will-Grundy Medical Clinic, the Cathedral of St. Raymond,
9the Holy Family Parish, and countless others; and
 
10    WHEREAS, Ed Czerkies was a proud member of several
11organizations throughout the area, including the Joliet Region
12Chamber of Commerce, the Midland States Bank Advisory Board,
13and the Woodedcreek Homeowners Association; and
 
14    WHEREAS, Ed Czerkies was honored with the 2017 Joliet
15Region Chamber of Commerce and Industry's Lifetime Achievement
16Award, the 2018 Joliet Junior College's Distinguished Alumni
17Achievement Award, the Silver Cross's 2018 Sangmeister Medal of
18Excellence for Community Service, and the Presence St. Joseph
19Medical Center's 2018 Founders' Award; and
 
20    WHEREAS, Ed Czerkies enjoyed golfing, fishing, hunting,
21traveling, and playing the slots; he cherished his time spent
22with his grandchildren, including waterpark adventures and

 

 

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1watching them play sports; and
 
2    WHEREAS, Ed Czerkies was preceded in death by his parents;
3his wife, Carolyn (Zupancic); an infant brother; his brothers,
4Joe and Pete; and his sisters, Helen Bolek and Sophie Bajt; and
 
5    WHEREAS, Ed Czerkies is survived by his sisters, Olga
6Schmidt and Jennie Koerner; his sons, Craig (Bonny), David
7(Sandra), and Scott (Laura); his grandchildren, Lanie, Miles,
8Charlie, Cole, Louie, Jack, and Drake; his dear companion,
9Arlene Plese; and numerous nieces, nephews, and cousins;
10therefore, be it
 
11    RESOLVED, BY THE SENATE OF THE ONE HUNDREDTH GENERAL
12ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS, that we mourn the passing of
13Edward M. "Ed" Czerkies and extend our sincere condolences to
14his family, friends, and all who knew and loved him; and be it
15further
 
16    RESOLVED, That a suitable copy of this resolution be
17presented to the family of Ed Czerkies as an expression of our
18deepest sympathy.