SR1046 101ST GENERAL ASSEMBLY

SR1046 LRB101 20850 LAW 70665 r

SENATE RESOLUTION

WHEREAS, The members of the Illinois Senate are saddened to learn of the death of Mark L. Dames of Joliet, who passed away on February 8, 2020; and

WHEREAS, Mark Dames was born to Fred C. and Louise (Wilhemi) Dames on July 19, 1932; he was raised in Joliet; he attended St. John Catholic Grade School and St. Raymond Catholic Grade School; he graduated from Joliet Township High School in 1950; he graduated from Joliet Junior College and Worsham College of Mortuary Science; he served in the U.S. Air Force during the Korean War, serving in Japan and Korea from 1952 to 1956; and

WHEREAS, Following his military service, Mark Dames went to work with his father and brother at the Fred C. Dames Funeral Home & Crematory; after his father's untimely death in 1962, he and his brother assumed responsibility for the business; he worked as a funeral director until his retirement; and

WHEREAS, Mark Dames was involved in a number of organizations, including the Benevolent and Protective Order of the Elks #296, the Cantigny Post VFW #367, the Harwood Post American Legion #5, the Knights of Columbus Council #4400 as a 4th Degree Knight, and the Illinois Funeral Directors Association, which honored him with a 50-year award; he was a former member of the Knights of Columbus Council #382, the Joliet Noon Lions, and the Exchange Club; he was proud to be selected for a Veterans Honor Flight to Washington D.C. on August 10, 2016; and

WHEREAS, Mark Dames relished spending time with his family; he also enjoyed traveling across the U.S. and overseas alongside his wife, walking and collecting shells on Siesta Key Beach in Florida, eating, drinking, dancing, laughing, and telling jokes; he was known for being able to recall the name and details of everyone he met; and

WHEREAS, Mark Dames was preceded in death by his parents; his sisters, Joan Dames and Marilynn (Ray) Offerman; his brother, Joel L. (Arlene) Dames; and his brothers-in-law, Jerry Orzech and Richard Brady; and

WHEREAS, Mark Dames is survived by his wife of 59 years, Sharon A. (Healy) Dames; his sons, Jeffrey M. (Tina) Dames, Brian L. (Shelley) Dames, and Fred J. (Theresa) Dames; his daughter, Melissa "Missy" Dames; his grandchildren, Lexie Dames, Jeffrey Dames Jr., Sarah (Nick) Holloway, Shannon (Grant) Simotes, Shaun Dames, Mark Dames, Julia Dames, and Taryn Skoumal; his stepgrandchildren, Heather (Jose) Flores and Joshua Stroh; his step-great-granddaughter, Hailey Wong; and his sisters, Paula Brady and Gervaise Orzech; his numerous nieces, nephews, cousins, special friends, and countless surviving client families; 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 Mark L. Dames 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 Mark Dames as an expression of our deepest sympathy.