SR0652 101ST GENERAL ASSEMBLY

SR0652 LRB101 13887 ALS 62751 r

SENATE RESOLUTION

WHEREAS, The members of the Illinois Senate are saddened to learn of the death of Raymond Clarence "Ray" Knuckles of Bloomington, who passed away on August 22, 2019; and

WHEREAS, Ray Knuckles was born in Wing to James C. and Alice Helen Wright Knuckles on June 23, 1919; he served in the United States Army during World War II, where he obtained the rank of lieutenant colonel and was the recipient of two Purple Hearts and two Bronze Stars; he earned a Bachelor of Science from the University of Illinois; he married Mary Earle Marsh at Camp Claiborne, Louisiana on May 10, 1942; she preceded him in death; he married Betty Wilson Strouse in Bloomington on September 11, 1964; and

WHEREAS, Ray Knuckles worked at Bloomington Federal Savings & Loan, where he was vice president of appraisals; he retired in 1984; and

WHEREAS, Ray Knuckles was a member of the Second Presbyterian Church in Bloomington, where he was a former elder; he was a member of the Bloomington Exchange Club; and

WHEREAS, Ray Knuckles was preceded in death by his parents and his sisters, Beatrice Spafford and Janice Bowers; and

WHEREAS, Ray Knuckles is survived by his wife, Betty; his children, Jeffry J. (Barbara) Knuckles and Julia Rae (John) Fetter; his stepchildren, Debra Sue (Jimmy) Maruskin, Linda Jo Strouse, and Roger L. Strouse; his seven grandchildren; his two great-grandchildren; and several step-great-grandchildren and step-great-great-grandchildren; 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 Raymond Clarence "Ray" Knuckles 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 Ray Knuckles as an expression of our deepest sympathy.