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1
SENATE RESOLUTION

 
2    WHEREAS, The members of the Illinois Senate are saddened to
3learn of the death of J. Harold Diel of Staunton, who passed
4away on September 3, 2013; and
 
5    WHEREAS, J. Harold Diel was born on July 30, 1913 in Noble
6to Lucy (nee Ratcliffe) and Ira Diel; he graduated from Noble
7High School and attended Eastern Illinois University in
8Charleston, where he received his Bachelor's Degree in
9mathematics; he later received his Master's Degree in
10administration from the University of Illinois in
11Urbana-Champaign; he married Anna Kathryn Parks on July 15,
121938; and
 
13    WHEREAS, J. Harold Diel began his career in education by
14teaching mathematics and science at Allendale High School for 5
15years; he served as Superintendent in the communities of
16Dundas, Claremont, Stewardson, and Stewardson-Strasburg for 17
17years, where he also taught and coached; in 1952, he became the
18Superintendent of Staunton Unit Schools, where he remained
19until his retirement in 1976; during his tenure as
20Superintendent of Staunton Community Schools, the elementary
21school was built, the central library was established, and
22several additions to the elementary and high school were made;
23and
 

 

 

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1    WHEREAS, J. Harold Diel was an advocate for providing a
2well-rounded education for the students in his care; he helped
3establish a district-wide art program and he always remained
4very supportive of the music program; during his
5administration, the band traveled to many locations, including
6the New York World's Fair and the Bahamas; and
 
7    WHEREAS, Following the passing of his first wife, J. Harold
8Diel married Elizabeth Catherine (nee Allen) Upp on May 5,
91996; and
 
10    WHEREAS, J. Harold Diel was a member of the United
11Methodist Church in Staunton; he led the remodeling project for
12the church sanctuary and the church basement as the chief
13architect and carpenter; he served as the church treasurer and
14on the church board for many years; he was a member of the
15local Rotary Club, the Staunton Country Club, and was a
16die-hard Chicago Cubs fan; and
 
17    WHEREAS, J. Harold Diel was preceded in death by his first
18wife, Anna Kathryn; his grandson, Brad Franz; and his sister,
19Marie Schnepper; and
 
20    WHEREAS, J. Harold Diel is survived by his wife, Elizabeth;
21his children, Ada Jean (Ken) Franz, Gene (Linda Brown) Diel,

 

 

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1and Ruth Ann (Ray) Henke; his 9 grandchildren; and his 19
2great-grandchildren; therefore, be it
 
3    RESOLVED, BY THE SENATE OF THE NINETY-EIGHTH GENERAL
4ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS, that we mourn the passing of
5J. Harold Diel, and extend our sincere condolences to his
6family, friends, and all who knew and loved him; and be it
7further
 
8    RESOLVED, That a suitable copy of this resolution be
9presented to the family of J. Harold Diel as an expression of
10our deepest sympathy.