SR1535 101ST GENERAL ASSEMBLY

SR1535 LRB101 22897 LAW 73988 r

SENATE RESOLUTION

WHEREAS, The members of the Illinois Senate are saddened to learn of the death of Reverend Wesley Harold Wilkie, who passed away on January 25, 2020 at the age of 81; and

WHEREAS, Rev. Wilkie was born in Saginaw, Michigan to Harold and Irene (Rutkowsky) Wilkie on May 3, 1938; he graduated from the original Detroit Lutheran High School in 1955; he earned his bachelor's degree from Valparaiso University, where he studied theology; he obtained his Master of Divinity from Concordia Seminary in St. Louis; he married Luann Stein in 1962, and she preceded him in death in 1994; together, they had two daughters, Diana and Lauren; he was ordained in 1964; he earned his Ph.D. from the University of Chicago in 1971; he married Dorothy Fischer in 1996; and

WHEREAS, Rev. Wilkie joined the Theology Department of Concordia Teachers College in River Forest, now known as Concordia University Chicago; he served as acting president and academic dean at Concordia College Selma in Selma, Alabama in 1968; he returned to Concordia Teachers College and served as the dean of chapel from 1971 to 1974; he became a visiting instructor at Oak Hill Theological College in London, England from 1980 to 1981; he later served as a philosophy teacher at Concordia University Chicago, where he was eventually appointed an associate professor of theology in 1990; he followed his passion for teaching church history and world religions by leading various student trips to countries around the world, including Jordan, Israel, Hong Kong, China, and England; he retired from full-time teaching in 2003; his scholarly interests included exploring Easter Vigils in the Orthodox traditions and membership in the North American Academy of Ecumenists; he regularly attended the National Workshop on Church Unity; and

WHEREAS, Rev. Wilkie was a member of Grace Lutheran Church and regularly attended the Bach Cantata Vespers services; alongside his wife Dorothy, he enjoyed fishing and traveling in the United States and throughout the world; he was an avid outdoorsman; he completed two marathons and was a frequent deer hunter; and

WHEREAS, Rev. Wilkie will be remembered for his passion for educating and the impact he left on his students; and

WHEREAS, Rev. Wilkie was preceded in death by his parents; his wife, Luann (Stein) Wilkie; his brother, Richard Wilkie; and his granddaughter, Erin Wilkie; and

WHEREAS, Rev. Wilkie is survived by his wife, Dorothy Wilkie; his children, Diana (Rick) Buffie, Lauren Wilkie (John Elser), John Fischer (Cathy Ryan), and Kathy (Jeff) Spies; his grandchildren, Jennifer, Brian (Sara), Karin, Kirsten, Jai, and Nina; and his great-grandchildren, Ethan and Kallie; therefore, be it

RESOLVED, BY THE SENATE OF THE ONE HUNDRED FIRST GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS, that we mourn the passing of Reverend Wesley Harold Wilkie 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 Rev. Wilkie as an expression of our deepest sympathy.