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1
SENATE RESOLUTION

 
2    WHEREAS, The members of the Illinois Senate are saddened
3to learn of the death of John J. Konopek Sr., who passed away
4on May 26, 2023; and
 
5    WHEREAS, John Konopek was born to Jacob and Jennie (Sonce)
6Konopek on May 27, 1931; he graduated from St. Joseph Grade
7School in 1945, Joliet Catholic High School in 1949, and
8Joliet Junior College in 1951; he served in the U.S. Army
9during the Korean War and spent 17 months in Germany; he was
10honorably discharged in 1954; and
 
11    WHEREAS, John Konopek worked as a clerk for the Illinois
12Central Gulf Railroad for 35 years; and
 
13    WHEREAS, John Konopek was a passionate sports fan and
14especially loved Joliet Catholic Academy sports and the
15Chicago Cubs; he had a love of baseball and was active in the
16St. Joseph baseball organization as a manager and board
17member; he and his wife, Rosemary, established the first
18women's board in the organization as well; and
 
19    WHEREAS, John Konopek was a member of St. Joseph Church in
20Joliet, the Will County Old Timers Baseball Association, where
21he served as secretary for several years, St. Joseph Seniors,

 

 

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1Crest Hill Seniors, KSKJ St. John's Lodge 143, Holy Name
2Seniors, American Legion Post #1080, and VFW Cantigny Post
3#367; he was a 1977 inductee into the Senior Services Center
4Volunteer Hall of Fame; and
 
5    WHEREAS, John Konopek could often be found at St. Joseph's
6Park; he enjoyed volunteering his time to help with parish
7events and co-chairing the annual St. Joseph Homecoming
8Picnic; he helped facilitate the first BINGO games at the park
940 years ago and was a well-known BINGO caller who proudly
10originated the Early Bird Game; and
 
11    WHEREAS, John Konopek was preceded in death by his wife,
12Rosemary (Dorr); his daughter, Janine Kaye; his parents; his
13sister, Norine Mulbarger; his brother-in-law, Leonard Dorr;
14his sister-in-law, Joanne Dorr; his brother-in-law, William
15DePratt; his brother-in-law, Evan Mulbarger; and his beloved
16dog, Eskimo; and
 
17    WHEREAS, John Konopek is survived by his son, John Jr.
18(Maureen) Konopek; his son-in-law, Sean (the late Janine)
19Kaye; his grandchildren, Caitlin and Nicholas Konopek and
20Jacob and Logan Kaye; his sister-in-law, Colette DePratt; and
21numerous nieces, nephews, and cousins; therefore, be it
 
22    RESOLVED, BY THE SENATE OF THE ONE HUNDRED THIRD GENERAL

 

 

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1ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS, that we mourn the passing of
2John J. Konopek Sr. and extend our sincere condolences to his
3family, friends, and all who knew and loved him; and be it
4further
 
5    RESOLVED, That a suitable copy of this resolution be
6presented to the family of John Konopek as an expression of our
7deepest sympathy.