SR0317 100TH GENERAL ASSEMBLY

SR0317 LRB100 11842 MST 23257 r

SENATE RESOLUTION

WHEREAS, The members of the Illinois Senate are saddened to learn of the death of Joan Wittman of Godfrey, who passed away on March 5, 2017; and

WHEREAS, Joan Wittman was born to Leona and Alfred Beck on May 30, 1934; she graduated from Marquette Catholic High School in 1952 and married John Wittman in 1954; and

WHEREAS, Joan Wittman worked in the business office of a local Cadillac dealer and the insurance department at St. Joseph's Hospital; in 1955, she and her husband started a television rental business serving the three Alton-area hospitals; she worked 23 years as the "Television Lady" and worked daily except on Christmas; and

WHEREAS, Joan Wittman and her husband bought the family farm, which had been in the family since 1873, and moved there in the summer of 1964; she worked alongside her husband in the farming operation and became the manager of a hog confinement operation from 1978 to 1991; and

WHEREAS, Joan Wittman enjoyed going shopping and to auctions; she managed a large garden and enjoyed canning the produce; she was a 4-H leader and helped with Girl Scouts for many years; she was President of the Tri-County Antique Auxiliary Club for several years; she and her husband made homemade lemon shake-up drinks at many local events for more than 20 years; they enjoyed going to the summertime Muny opera in Forest Park, St. Louis, Missouri, where they were season ticket holders for 35 years from 1979 to 2015; and

WHEREAS, Joan Wittman was active in St. Mary's Catholic Church and served as a Eucharistic minister from 1988 to 2008; her ministry also served the Eunice Smith Nursing Home, Skyline Tower, the Four Fountains Nursing Home, and Hillcrest Assisted Living; she made home visits with Holy Communion and was the Chairperson for funeral lunches from 1998 to 2008, managing food donations and preparing food for bereaved families following their funeral services; and

WHEREAS, Joan Wittman is survived by her husband of 62 years, John; her daughters, Joan (Robert) Clark, Patricia (Roger) Dettenmeier, Marcia (Frank) Klunk, and Theresa (Andrew) Gratton; and her grandchildren, David Dettenmeier, Robert Clark III, Nicholas (Colleen) Dettenmeier, Matthew (Julie, fiancee), Dettenmeier, Katherine Clark, Adam Dettenmeier, Frank Klunk Jr., Jonathan Klunk, Sarah Gratton, and Lucas Gratton; therefore, be it

RESOLVED, BY THE SENATE OF THE ONE HUNDREDTH GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS, that we mourn the passing of Joan Wittman, and extend our sincere condolences to her family, friends, and all who knew and loved her; and be it further

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