SR1098 101ST GENERAL ASSEMBLY

SR1098 LRB101 21267 ECR 71853 r

SENATE RESOLUTION

WHEREAS, The members of the Illinois Senate are saddened to learn of the death of Ronald "Ron" W. Smith of Silvis, who passed away on April 26, 2020; and

WHEREAS, Ron Smith was born to Stuart and Elinor Lee (Flaherty) Smith in Davenport, Iowa on December 12, 1946; he graduated from Winola High School in 1965 and attended Black Hawk Community College in Moline; he married Nancy Jean Peterson in Aledo on June 26, 1967; Ron was a Vietnam veteran who served in United States Navy from 1967 to 1969 as a seaman stationed on the USS New Jersey; and

WHEREAS, Ron Smith was a welder for John Deere in the cylinder division for 43 years; he retired on October 29, 2009; and

WHEREAS, Ron Smith was a member of St. John's Catholic Church in Viola; he was very active in area sports and was the former president of the Winola Booster Club, the Junior Sheriffs Fast Pitch Softball League, and the Girls Little Six Softball League; he was appreciated by the community and commended for his efforts in the development of the New Windsor Park and baseball diamond; and

WHEREAS, Ron Smith enjoyed coaching and was the coach for the men's fast-pitch softball team, the women's softball team, the Winola seventh and eighth grade football teams, the boys and girls basketball teams, the Sherrard basketball and football teams, the Junior Varsity girls softball team, his son's basketball team from fourth grade to eighth grade, and his grandson's seventh and eighth grade basketball teams in AlWood; he was also a referee for several sports for eight years; and

WHEREAS, Ron Smith was preceded in death by his parents and three nieces, Tammy Harrison, Toni Minteer, and Rachel Peterson; and

WHEREAS, Ron Smith is survived by his wife of 52 years, Nancy Jean Smith; his son, Shea Smith; his three daughters, Stephenie Smith, Tara (Chad) Case, and Brandy (Todd) Greenman; his brother, Steve Smith; his four sisters, Theresa Harrison, Chris (Randy) Cherrington, Jeannie Smith, and Melissa (Bart) Sorrels; and his five grandchildren, Alex Case, Ridge Greenman, Bailee Case, Briar Greenman, and Ganon Greenman; 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 Ronald "Ron" W. Smith 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 Ron Smith as an expression of our deepest sympathy.