SR1266LRB100 16965 ALS 32112 r


  
1
SENATE RESOLUTION

  
 
2    WHEREAS, The members of the Illinois Senate are saddened to 
3learn of the death of Fred Edward Widman of Godfrey, who passed 
4away on December 24, 2017; and
  
 
5    WHEREAS, Fred Widman was born in Jersey County to Fred Sr. 
6and Edna (Bregenzer) Widman on July 4, 1928; he learned the 
7value of hard work at an early age by helping his father on the 
8family farm; he married Ruth Bastien in Fond Du Lac, Wisconsin 
9in 1952; they later divorced, and he married Linda Klopmeier on 
10December 10, 1995; and
  
 
11    WHEREAS, Fred Widman served with the United States Army 6th 
12Armored Division during the Korean War and was stationed at 
13Camp McCoy, Wisconsin from 1950 until his honorable discharge 
14in 1952; he then served in the Army Reserves until 1957; and
  
 
15    WHEREAS, Fred Widman formed F.E. Widman Trucking and 
16Excavating in 1952; he joined the Teamsters Local 525 in Alton 
17and also became a member of Operating Engineers Local 520 in 
18Granite City; one of his first accomplishments was assisting in 
19the construction and completion of the Nike Military Missile 
20Base above Pere Marquette Park; he contributed to the 
21completion of Gordon Moore Park; his legacy lives on through 
22Widman Construction Company Inc. of Godfrey; and
  
 
 
 
SR1266- 2 -LRB100 16965 ALS 32112 r

1    WHEREAS, Fred Widman was a member of the Mid-West Truckers 
2Association and served on its Executive Board and as its 
3President; he was a longtime Scottish Rite Mason and Shriner of 
4Masonic Lodge 341; he was also a charter member and past 
5President of the Gateway Piasa's Motorhome Club; he was a past 
6member of the Tri-County Antique Club, the American Legion, the 
7Alton Motorboat Club, the Southern Illinois Builders 
8Association, and the Associated General Contractors of 
9America; and
  
 
10    WHEREAS, Fred Widman was an avid hunter; he was interested 
11in antique cars, tractors, and motorcycles; he and his wife 
12enjoyed traveling in their motorhome, wintering in Florida, and 
13spending time with family at their place on the lake; and
  
 
14    WHEREAS, Fred Widman was preceded in death by his parents; 
15his sons, Gary and James Widman; and his son-in-law, Dan Lewis; 
16and
  
 
17    WHEREAS, Fred Widman is survived by his wife, Linda; his 
18former wife and friend, Ruth; his children, Sandy (Collin) 
19Meyer, Kathy Lewis, Terry (LaNae) Widman, and Keith (Susie) 
20Widman; his stepson, Brad Whitlock; his 14 grandchildren; his 
2115 great-grandchildren, plus one on the way; his brother, Ray 
22(Marge) Widman; and his many nieces, nephews, and friends; 
 
 
SR1266- 3 -LRB100 16965 ALS 32112 r

1therefore, be it
  
 
2    RESOLVED, BY THE SENATE OF THE ONE HUNDREDTH GENERAL 
3ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS, that we mourn the passing of 
4Fred Edward Widman and extend our sincere condolences to his 
5family, friends, and all who knew and loved him; and be it 
6further
  
 
7    RESOLVED, That a suitable copy of this resolution be 
8presented to the family of Fred Widman as an expression of our 
9deepest sympathy.