SR0800 101ST GENERAL ASSEMBLY

SR0800 LRB101 15309 MST 64488 r

SENATE RESOLUTION

WHEREAS, The members of the Illinois Senate are saddened to learn of the death of Christal Elaine Dagit of Pekin, who passed away on September 5, 2019; and

WHEREAS, Christal Dagit was born in Peoria to Merle Robert and Charlotte Elizabeth Kay (Allwardt) Miller on April 10, 1943; she attended Illinois Central College, Midstate Business College, Bradley University, and the National Genealogical Society Continuing Education School; she married Russel Roy Dagit in Peoria on September 4, 1966; and

WHEREAS, Christal Dagit worked as a licensed real estate sales agent for many years, retiring in 2005; and

WHEREAS, Christal Dagit was a historical researcher and consultant and was honored for her work with numerous recognitions from Tazewell County and the State of Illinois; she was the founding member and first president of the Tazewell County Historic Places Society in 1997 and was the first director of the Tazewell County Museum and Educational Center, which officially opened in Pekin in 2003; she was president of the French Heritage Corridor, president of the Historic Fagotte Cemetery Association, a regional director with the Illinois War of 1812 Bicentennial Commission, Tazewell County Commissioner for the Abraham Lincoln Commission, and Tazewell County Commissioner of the Illinois River Heritage Commission from 2001 to 2004; she authored three books, two of which are in the Library of Congress and have been donated to the Tazewell County Genealogical & Historical Society; she also enjoyed researching and writing the Dagit Family History; and

WHEREAS, Christal Dagit was a member and past president of the Pekin Woman's Club and held memberships in the William Schaefer American Legion Post 44 Ladies Auxiliary, the Peoria Woman's Club, the Midwest Soarring Foundation, and the Red Hat Society; she also served on the Save James Field Committee; she was a member of St. John's Lutheran Church in Pekin and the Bethlehem Society; and

WHEREAS, Christal Dagit enjoyed art, especially oil painting, and won numerous ribbons for her artwork; in her leisure, she also enjoyed embroidery, crocheting, and reading; she loved traveling the United States, especially seeing the western mountains and historic sites; and

WHEREAS, Christal Dagit was preceded in death by her husband, Russel; her parents; her sisters, Marilyn Siepert and Sally Spring; her brother, Daniel John Miller; and one niece; and

WHEREAS, Christal Dagit is survived by five nieces and nephews; her stepsons, Roy (Debbie) and Everett (Sheila) Dagit; her stepdaughter, Marnie Linda (Tommy) Lively; 11 step-grandchildren; and 16 step-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 Christal Elaine Dagit 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 Christal Dagit as an expression of our deepest sympathy.