SR0919 101ST GENERAL ASSEMBLY

SR0919 LRB101 16510 MST 66133 r

SENATE RESOLUTION

WHEREAS, The members of the Illinois Senate are saddened to learn of the death of Machelle Long of Danville, who passed away on December 26, 2019; and

WHEREAS, Machelle Long was born in Danville to Beverly Sharp on July 31, 1956 and raised in Oakwood by her mom and grandparents; she graduated from Oakwood Township High School in 1974, where she was the homecoming queen, and married Carl Neal later that same year; and

WHEREAS, Machelle Long was employed with the Vermilion County Clerk's office, beginning her 24-year career in 1995 as a Vital Records Specialist; she served for many years as the Chief Deputy to the Vermilion County Clerk and most recently served as Assistant Chief Deputy for Vermilion County Vital Records; and

WHEREAS, Machelle Long's greatest passion was genealogy; she spent countless personal hours over her career working with genealogists, both local and around the world, searching library microfilms or walking old cemeteries to help families piece together their story; her proudest moment was receiving the Daughters of the American Revolution Community Service Award in 2014 for locating the unmarked grave of Civil War Medal of Honor recipient Martin McHugh; she committed her own time, energy, research skills, and personal finances to obtain congressional approval for a commemorative headstone for McHugh and his wife Catherine; and

WHEREAS, Machelle Long was affectionately known as "Maw-Maw"; her greatest joys were her grandsons, and her eyes would sparkle when talking of Braxtyn's accomplishments on and off the football field, of what an incredible performer Curtis was, and of how much of a loving nature "her sweet Cam" had; and

WHEREAS, Machelle Long was preceded in death by her mother, Beverly; her sister, Sharon; her grandparents, Paul and Violet Sharp; and her aunt and uncle, Connie and Gary Behrens; and

WHEREAS, Machelle Long is survived by her son, Ryan Neal; her daughter, Megan Neal; her grandsons, Braxtyn Schroeder, Curtis Beasley, and Camryn Neal; her bonus children, Misty, Dusti, and Ricky Long; her sisters, Joy (Bill) Greenway and Lynn Wasielewski; her brother, Darrin Deck; her aunt, Sandra (Gary) Criss; her former husband, good friend, and father of her two children, Carl Neal; and numerous extended family and friends; 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 Machelle Long 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 Machelle Long as an expression of our deepest sympathy.