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1
SENATE RESOLUTION

  
 
2    WHEREAS, The members of the Illinois Senate are saddened to 
3learn of the death of Keith C. Kesler of Urbana, who passed 
4away on March 15, 2020; and
  
 
5    WHEREAS, Keith Kesler was born to Roy and Helen Kesler in 
6rural Dewey on January 13, 1925; he married Evelyn Burley on 
7January 25, 1948, and they resided on Evelyn's family's 
8centennial farm; and
  
 
9    WHEREAS, Keith Kesler called himself first and foremost a 
10farmer; he was named Farm Leader of the Year by The 
11News-Gazette in 1980 and was selected as an Illinois Master 
12Farmer by Prairie Farmer Magazine in 1995; his love of 
13agriculture extended to the county and state fairs of Illinois, 
14where he was active for his entire adult life; and
  
 
15    WHEREAS, Keith Kesler received many awards for his service; 
16the Illinois Department of Agriculture presented him a gold pin 
17in the shape of Illinois imprinted with the name Mr. Fair, 
18designating him Mr. Fair of Illinois; in 2001, Gov. George H. 
19Ryan proclaimed July 25, 2001 as Keith Kesler Day; the 
20Champaign County Fair named its Exhibit Hall as Kesler Hall in 
21honor of his over 50 years of tireless service to the fair; and
 
 
 
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1    WHEREAS, Keith Kesler's life of service included volunteer 
2work for many county and state organizations; he served as 
3president of the Stanton Center School Board and received an 
4alumni award from 4-H in 1975; he was also proud to have been 
5an usher at the First United Methodist Church of Champaign for 
6over 40 years; and
 
7    WHEREAS, Keith Kesler enjoyed having his children, 
8grandchildren, and great-grandchildren spend time at The Farm, 
9where they rode the variety of little tractors and trucks that 
10he fabricated himself in his farm workshop; and
 
11    WHEREAS, Keith Kesler felt very fortunate to have his  
12entire family together for a Thanksgiving picture that he 
13proudly displayed by his favorite chair at The Farm and then 
14later in his room at Country Health Care & Rehab; and
  
 
15    WHEREAS, Keith Kesler was preceded in death by his wife, 
16Evelyn; his parents; his sisters, Joan and Marvel; and his 
17brothers, Clyde and Delmar; and
  
 
18    WHEREAS, Keith Kesler is survived by his sons, Stephen 
19(Becky), Michael (Vicki), and Scott (Joyce); his twin brother, 
20Kenneth; and his sister, Francis; therefore, be it
  
 
21    RESOLVED, BY THE SENATE OF THE ONE HUNDRED FIRST GENERAL 
 
 
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1ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS, that we mourn the passing of 
2Keith C. Kesler and extend our sincere condolences to his 
3family, friends, and all who knew and loved him; and be it 
4further
  
 
5    RESOLVED, That a suitable copy of this resolution be 
6presented to  the family of  Keith Kesler as an expression of our 
7deepest sympathy.