SR2173 99TH GENERAL ASSEMBLY

SR2173 LRB099 22960 GRL 50406 r

SENATE RESOLUTION

WHEREAS, The members of the Illinois Senate are saddened to learn of the death of John Thomas Ahern of Silvis, who passed away on August 8, 2016; and

WHEREAS, John Ahern was born on September 14, 1935 in Waterloo, Iowa; his parents were James and Ruth Flynn Ahern; he married Susan Jansen on June 13, 1964 at St. Joseph's Church in Rock Island; and

WHEREAS, John Ahern attended St. Columbkille's Grade School, Loras Academy, and Loras College in Dubuque, Iowa, where he graduated in 1960; and

WHEREAS, John Ahern served his country as a United States Marine; while in the Marine Corps, he was awarded a role in the movie "The DI" starring Jack Webb; and

WHEREAS, John Ahern worked for the Illinois Central Railroad and the Rock Island Lines Railroad in Silvis before retiring after 20 years from John Deere Harvester Works in East Moline; and

WHEREAS, John Ahern served his community as an Alderman in Silvis; he was a member of the Alleman High School Board of Education and the St. Mary's East Moline School Board; he also served as a Trustee for Black Hawk College, earning Trustee of the Year in 2003; and

WHEREAS, John Ahern was an East Moline and Silvis Rotarian, a member of Knights of Columbus Council 716 and the Quad Cities St. Patrick's Society; he was also Grand Marshal of the Quad Cities St. Patrick's Day Grand Parade in 1998; and

WHEREAS, John Ahern was preceded in death by his parents and his children, Mary Colleen, Terrence, Michael, and Timothy; and

WHEREAS, John Ahern is survived by his wife, Susan; his children, Catherine (Bob) Clementi, Sean (Julie) Ahern, Dennis (Lisa) Ahern, Regina (Brian) Knobloch, Kevin (Amy) Ahern, Brian Ahern, Seamus (Amanda) Ahern, and Guila Meghan Ahern; 24 grandchildren; two great-grandsons and one on the way; his brother, Dr. James Ahern; and his sister, Judith McDonald; therefore, be it

RESOLVED, BY THE SENATE OF THE NINETY-NINTH GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS, that we, along with his family and friends, mourn the passing of John Thomas Ahern; and be it further

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