SR1469 98TH GENERAL ASSEMBLY

SR1469 LRB098 22737 MST 61680 r

SENATE RESOLUTION

WHEREAS, The members of the Illinois Senate are saddened to learn of the death of E. Leslie "Les" Conkling of Kempton, who passed away on September 16, 2014; and

WHEREAS, Les Conkling was born in Princeton on December 20, 1931 to Howard and Elna Mae (nee Sparling) Conkling; he graduated in 1949 from Princeton High School; he received his Associate's Degree from Ogelsby Junior College and his Bachelor Degree in Teacher Education from Northern Illinois University; he did his post-graduate work at Indiana University and Louisiana Tech University and received his Master of Education from the University of Illinois Champaign-Urbana; he married Sandra J. Jacobs on June 6, 1956 in Dekalb; and

WHEREAS, Les Conkling was a teacher, coach, and principal for the Kempton-Cabery and Tri-Point School district for 30 years, retiring in May of 1990; he coached high school football at Kempton-Cabery High School and was the first high school football coach and principal for the newly consolidated Tri-Point High School in 1969; he coached basketball, track, and baseball for Tri-Point Schools; he was also a coach for Kempton-Cabery Little League baseball and led the Kempton-Cabery Colts Summer League Baseball Team to multiple championships; and

WHEREAS, Les Conkling was very active with the Republican Party; he was the Ford County Republican Precinct Committeeman of Mona Township from 1974 to 2004 and the Ford County Republican Chairman from 1978 to 1998; he was the Secretary of the Illinois Republican County Chairman's Association from 1986 to 1990 and served as an Illinois State Representative from July of 1991 to January of 1993 for the old 87th District; he served his community by being both a member of the Kempton Village Board and Kempton Fire Department for over 30 years; and

WHEREAS, After retirement from education, Les Conkling worked for the Illinois Department of Transportation for over 9 years, retiring in December of 2002; and

WHEREAS, Les Conkling enjoyed skiing, fly fishing, and following his Fighting Illini; he also enjoyed reading, traveling, and was most passionate when working with youth, coaching, and volunteering; and

WHEREAS, Les Conkling was preceded in death by his wife, Elna and his parents; and

WHEREAS, Les Conkling is survived by his children, Ted (Valerie) and Howard (Mary); his grandchildren, Danielle (Andrew) Donley, Ian Conkling, Brooke (Ben) Carton, Emily Conkling, and Michael Conkling; and his great-grandchildren, Alexis and Wade Donley; therefore, be it

RESOLVED, BY THE SENATE OF THE NINETY-EIGHTH GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS, that we mourn the passing of E. Leslie "Les" Conkling, and extend our sincere condolences to his family, friends, and all who knew and loved him; and be it further

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