SR0639 100TH GENERAL ASSEMBLY

SR0639 LRB100 13195 MST 27601 r

SENATE RESOLUTION

WHEREAS, The members of the Illinois Senate are saddened to learn of the death of Major Frank J. "Coach" Luzenske USMC Reserve (Ret.) of Danville, who passed away on June 14, 2017; and

WHEREAS, Major Luzenske was born in Granite City to Frank Theodore and Margaret Alice (Keeler) Luzenske on March 12, 1933; he served in the United States Marine Corps Reserve for 41 years; he served at Camp Pendleton in Oceanside, California and at Twentynine Palms, California, where he trained for air and ground combat before moving to officer training; he also served at the Marine Corps Air Facility at Quantico, Virginia and the Marine Corps Outlying Field Camp base at Camp Lejeune, North Carolina; and

WHEREAS, Major Luzenske attended college while serving in the military; he graduated from William Jewel College in Liberty, Missouri and earned his master's degree from Indiana State University; and

WHEREAS, Major Luzenske started his teaching and coaching career at Oakwood High School, later moving to Danville High School (DHS) to teach and coach; he coached wrestling, swimming, and football; he was active on the football field up until 2015; he also taught history, ran the WECEP program and was instrumental in starting the Fellowship of Christian Athletes; on the radio, he was part of the "Community Connection" morning show and the weekly "School Time" show in which he was able to highlight Vermilion County's youth; he was famous for bringing sweets to the secretaries and staff at DHS, his YMCA family, and his favorite, the students of the Alternative Program, now known as Kenneth D. Bailey Academy; and

WHEREAS, Major Luzenske always supported the Marines and was an avid fan of the Minnesota Vikings; and

WHEREAS, Major Luzenske was preceded in death by his parents; his sister, Margie Ramer; shortly after his passing, his son, Michael J. Luzenske, passed away; and

WHEREAS, Major Luzenske is survived by his daughter, Debra J. (Steve) Strader; his grandchildren, Jacob (Meredith) Strader, Justin (Abbi) Strader, Jenna (Greg) Butler, Ryan Luzenske, and Alie Luzenske; and his great-grandchildren, Mason, Carter, Braxton, Gia, Nora, Lola, Brylee, and Brewer Mae; therefore, be it

RESOLVED, BY THE SENATE OF THE ONE HUNDREDTH GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS, that we mourn the passing of Major Frank J. "Coach" Luzenske USMC Reserve (Ret.), 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 Major Luzenske as an expression of our deepest sympathy.