SR0262 101ST GENERAL ASSEMBLY

SR0262 LRB101 11708 MST 58221 r

SENATE RESOLUTION

WHEREAS, The members of the Illinois Senate are saddened to learn of the death of William F. "Bill" Merna of Canton, who passed away on March 16, 2019; and

WHEREAS, Bill Merna was born in Bloomington to William R. and Lida M. (Whittington) Merna; he graduated from the Spalding Institute in Peoria and married Della Lou DeWitt in Peoria on September 3, 1949; and

WHEREAS, Bill Merna retired from Nabisco in 1988 after a 43-year career; he was a popular salesperson, affectionately known as the "Cookie Man"; and

WHEREAS, Bill Merna was a 60-year member of the Knights of Columbus; he was a past Grand Knight of the St. George Council 3934 in Canton; he was a 3rd and 4th Degree Knight, working both the Tootsie Roll Drive and the weekly Bingo game; he enjoyed camping and attending the Knights of Columbus International Camporee, which he and his wife even hosted once; they also enjoyed camping at the Illinois State Fair; and

WHEREAS, Bill Merna liked to walk in the woods, searching for mushrooms; he also liked deer and squirrel hunting trips; and

WHEREAS, Bill Merna was a member of St. Mary's Catholic Church in Canton; he volunteered for funeral dinners and the food pantry; he spent many hours helping as a committee member and leader of the St. Joseph's Cemetery Committee; he also cheerfully delivered Meals on Wheels; and

WHEREAS, Bill Merna was known as "Uncle Bill" to countless nieces, nephews, and cousins, some of whom were two and three times removed; he was a mentor, role model, and dear friend to so many more; he was devoted to his family and attended all the events he could; and

WHEREAS, Bill Merna was preceded in death by his parents; his wife of nearly 60 years, Della; his grandson, Adam Hindle; and his sisters, Mary (Dick) Koehne and Eleanor (Jerry) Menke; and

WHEREAS, Bill Merna is survived by his children, William M. Merna, Nancy (Larry) Hindle, Phyllis (Lynn) Jarvis, Timothy A. (Carol) Merna, and Thomas E. (Alisa) Merna; 13 grandchildren; 21 great-grandchildren; his sister-in-law, Eva Gilchrist; his brother-in-law, Frank (Joyce) DeWitt; and his sister-in-law, Marian DeWitt; 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 William F. "Bill" Merna 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 Bill Merna as an expression of our deepest sympathy.