SR0393 101ST GENERAL ASSEMBLY

SR0393 LRB101 12327 MST 60244 r

SENATE RESOLUTION

WHEREAS, The members of the Illinois Senate are saddened to learn of the death of Cecil Gilson Jr. of Havana, who passed away on April 30, 2019; and

WHEREAS, Cecil Gilson was born in Canton to Cecil Sr. and Leah Showens Gibson on October 5, 1928; he graduated from Canton High School and Brown Business College; he married Elnora Bohm in Havana on June 3, 1951; he served in the military during the Korean War and in the National Guard for 25 years, retiring as Major; and

WHEREAS, Cecil Gilson retired from International Harvester after 36 years and the Secretary of State Driver's License Facility after 8 years; and

WHEREAS, Cecil Gilson was active in the Havana community, serving as an alderman and helping to establish the TIF district; he and Elnora spent 17 years volunteering for the American Red Cross, organizing local blood drives; he donated over 25 gallons of blood and platelets in his lifetime; in 2002, he was honored for his civic involvement by receiving the 2002 Havana Chamber of Commerce Citizen of the Year award; and

WHEREAS, Cecil Gilson was active in the Havana Church of Christ, serving as Sunday School Superintendent, Deacon, Elder, Trustee, Chairman of the Board, and Chairman of the Building and Grounds Committee; his greatest pleasure came from time spent with family; he spent countless hours helping to build or remodel homes, watching his sons and grandchildren compete in various sporting events, and chauffeuring grandchildren to school and appointments; and

WHEREAS, Cecil Gilson was preceded in death by his parents; his sisters, Vera Mae Savill and Barbara Bell; and his brother, Tom Gilson; and

WHEREAS, Cecil Gilson is survived by his wife, Elnora; his sons, Marshall (Karen) Gilson, Kevin (Sherry) Gilson, and Craig (Jenni) Gilson; his grandchildren, Andy (Melissa) Gilson, Kirk (Aneesha) Gilson, Tony (Steph) Gilson, Josh (Jackie) Gilson, Jay Gilson, Jess (Tyler) Sayers, and Ashleigh (Kyle) Gilson; and his great-children, Ryan and Jack Gilson, Alexis Sayers, Eleigh and Kyleigh Gustafson, Brooklyn Gilson, and Evan Miller; 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 Cecil Gilson Jr. 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 Cecil Gilson as an expression of our deepest sympathy.