SR1226 101ST GENERAL ASSEMBLY

SR1226 LRB101 21663 LAW 72602 r

SENATE RESOLUTION

WHEREAS, The members of the Illinois Senate are saddened to learn of the death of Jack Wesley Knott of St. Joseph, who passed away on June 13, 2020; and

WHEREAS, Jack Knott was born in Urbana to Hiram Wesley Knott Jr. and Marian Louise Wood Knott on June 18, 1940; he grew up near Kolb Park in St. Joseph; he graduated from St. Joseph High School in 1959, where he was a choir member and participated in the state vocal contest; he attended Champaign Commercial College in 1962; he married Barbara Gale Maddock at St. Joseph Church of Christ on August 17, 1963; he served in the Illinois National Guard from 1963 to 1969 as a staff sergeant in the 1144th Transportation Battalion, and he completed basic training at Fort Leonard Wood in Missouri; and

WHEREAS, Jack Knott worked as a computing supervisor in the Computing Service Office at the University of Illinois from 1963 to 1997; he owned a jewelry store in the Lando Place Mall on campus for several years; and

WHEREAS, Jack Knott was actively involved in the St. Joseph community and was a member of the St. Joseph Civil Defense and the St. Joseph Lions Club; he served on the St. Joseph Township Swearingen Memorial Library Board and the Mount Olive Cemetery Association Board; he was co-chairman of the 1972 St. Joseph Centennial; he was a member of St. Joseph Church of Christ; and

WHEREAS, Jack Knott enjoyed spending time taking care of others, including his parents, his numerous great-aunts, and his grandchildren; he also enjoyed spending time with the McDonald's Coffee Group, his cat Sadie, going to the Casey's in St. Joseph, having breakfast at Henk's, and attending any events in which his grandchildren Riley and Hayden were involved; and

WHEREAS, Jack Knott was an excellent singer, and he performed hundreds of times at weddings, funerals, and nursing homes; he was known as a people person and will be remembered for leaving countless smiles on people's faces; and

WHEREAS, Jack Knott was preceded in death by his parents; his grandparents, John Bluford Wood and Ella Wood; his brother, James B. Knott; and his sister-in-law, Patricia M. Knott; and

WHEREAS, Jack Knott is survived by his wife; his sons, Gregory John Knott (Brooke) and Kevin Wesley Knott (Julie); his grandchildren, Riley Knott and Hayden Knott; and his numerous cousins; 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 Jack Wesley Knott 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 Jack Knott as an expression of our deepest sympathy.