SR0735 97TH GENERAL ASSEMBLY

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SENATE RESOLUTION

WHEREAS, The members of the Illinois Senate are saddened to learn of the death of our friend and colleague, former Illinois State Senator Robert Walter Mitchler of Oswego; and

WHEREAS, Robert Mitchler was born on June 4, 1920 in Aurora; he was the son of John L. and Clara (Rub) Mitchler; he married the former Helen Drew on June 16, 1950; and

WHEREAS, Robert Mitchler attended East Aurora public schools; he graduated from East Aurora High School in 1937 and is a member of the East Aurora High School Hall of Fame; he earned his Bachelor of Science degree from Aurora University in 1953; and

WHEREAS, As a young man, Robert Mitchler was employed by the CB&Q Railroad until 1941; in November of that year, he enlisted in the United States Navy, where he conducted amphibious and minesweeping operations until the end of World War II; in 1950, he was recalled to active duty during the Korean War and served as a Chief Petty Officer under Admiral Allen Smith; he was subsequently assigned to the United Nations Military Armistice Command as a stenographer at the Panmunjom armistice talks; he served in the Aurora Navy League Council since 1965; he also served as National Director of the Navy League in 1982 and was elected as the National Director Emeritus in 1993; and

WHEREAS, Following his stint in the Navy, Robert Mitchler returned to the railroad and began working with the Burlington Northern Railroad; in 1958, he began working in the sales and marketing department of the Northern Illinois Gas Company in Aurora; and

WHEREAS, Robert Mitchler was politically active in his community throughout his life; in 1964, he was elected to the Illinois State Senate, where he served for 17 years until his retirement in 1981; during his tenure as Senator, he was appointed to serve as Legislative Liaison to the Illinois Department of Veteran Affairs by Governor Jim Thompson; in 1991, he was appointed to the rank of Permanent Captain in the Illinois Naval Militia as a Military and Naval Aide by Governor Jim Edgar; he was reappointed to serve in this capacity in 1999 by Governor George Ryan; he also served as a Precinct Committeeman for 60 years; and

WHEREAS, Robert Mitchler was a longtime member of the Fourth Street United Methodist Church of Aurora; he was a life member of the Aurora Masonic Lodge No. 254 A.F. & A.M., a 32nd degree life member of the Scottish Rite Order, and the First Ceremonial Master of the Tebala Shrine in Rockford; he served as the Vice-President of the Kendall County Republican Central Committee, the Kendall County Young Republican Organization, the Illinois Republican Veterans League, and the Illinois Police Association; he was a member of the Board of Trustees for Jennings Terrace in Aurora; and

WHEREAS, Robert Mitchler enjoyed competing in the Annual Mid-America Canoe and Kayak Race on the Fox River for 22 years; and

WHEREAS, Robert Mitchler was preceded in death by his parents, John and Clara Mitchler; his sister, Helen Virginia Mitchler; his brother, William G. Mitchler; and his daughter-in-law, Maria Aragon; and

WHEREAS, Robert Mitchler is survived by his wife, Helen Mitchler; his children, John (Kathy) Mitchler, Kurt (Sharon Buntain) Mitchler, and Heidi (Daniel) Lyjak; his grandchildren, Briana, Scott, Haley, Joseph, Natalie, Olivia, Matthew, Garrick, and Trevor; his sister-in-law, Cecile Mitchler; and his many nieces and nephews; therefore, be it

RESOLVED, BY THE SENATE OF THE NINETY-SEVENTH GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS, that we mourn, along with his family and friends, the passing of former Illinois State Senator Robert Walter Mitchler; and be it further

RESOLVED, That a suitable copy of this resolution be presented to the family of Robert Mitchler as an expression of our sympathy.