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1
SENATE RESOLUTION

 
2    WHEREAS, The members of the Illinois Senate are saddened
3to learn of the death of James R. Wabel of Springfield, who
4passed away on July 25, 2023; and
 
5    WHEREAS, James Wabel was born in Peoria to Lewis P. and
6Grace (Miles) Wabel on November 6, 1931; he graduated from
7Stephen Decatur High School in 1950 and the UCLA School of
8Aeronautics at Santa Maria, California in 1951; he was a staff
9sergeant in the U.S. Air Force from 1951 to 1955 and served as
10an aircraft and engine mechanic during the Korean War; he
11received the National Defense and Good Conduct medals; he
12married Betty Irene Seitz in Decatur on July 5, 1952; and
 
13    WHEREAS, James Wabel retired from Ameritech and the
14Illinois Bell Telephone Company after 34 years of service; and
 
15    WHEREAS, James Wabel was a lifelong active member of
16Laurel United Methodist Church in Springfield; he was also a
17lifelong member of the Springfield Consistory Masonic Lodge
18and the American Legion; he was a member of the Sangamon Valley
19Flying Club, the Academy of Model Aeronautics, the Springfield
20Camera Club, Lincoln Land ALL, Pioneers of America, and the
21Springfield Coin Club; he volunteered for 15 years at the
22Kumler Food Pantry; he was also a volunteer at the University

 

 

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1of Illinois-Springfield auditorium for 18 years and a
2volunteer and guide at the Abraham Lincoln Presidential
3Library and Museum for many years; and
 
4    WHEREAS, James Wabel was an avid reader and enjoyed
5anything regarding aeronautics, history, and his favorite
6cartoon, Calvin and Hobbes; he was a world traveler and
7enjoyed building and flying remote control airplanes, hunting,
8fishing, and wood carving, as well as his many friends at
9Laurel United Methodist Church and the Concordia Village
10Community; and
 
11    WHEREAS, James Wabel was a good husband, father, and
12grandfather and especially enjoyed spending time with his
13family; and
 
14    WHEREAS, James Wabel was preceded in death by his parents;
15his sisters, Roberta Harney, Lois MacCormack, and Opal Bogner;
16his brothers, Clarence, Lewis Jr., and Robert Wabel; his
17brother-in-law, Dallas Seitz; and his great-grandchild,
18Campbell Koons; and
 
19    WHEREAS, James Wabel is survived by his wife, Betty Wabel;
20his daughters, Marcia (Dennis) McCormick and Rita (Kevin)
21Fuchs; his grandchildren, Kasey McCormick, Colin (Erinn)
22McCormick, Christopher (Corinne) Fuchs, Claire (Joshua) Koons,

 

 

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1Jacob Fuchs, and Joshua Fuchs; his great-grandchildren, Renley
2and Makenna Fuchs; his sister-in-law, Nancy Seitz; and several
3nieces, nephews, and cousins; therefore, be it
 
4    RESOLVED, BY THE SENATE OF THE ONE HUNDRED THIRD GENERAL
5ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS, that we mourn the passing of
6James R. Wabel and extend our sincere condolences to his
7family, friends, and all who knew and loved him; and be it
8further
 
9    RESOLVED, That a suitable copy of this resolution be
10presented to the family of James Wabel as an expression of our
11deepest sympathy.