SR1386 101ST GENERAL ASSEMBLY

SR1386 LRB101 22224 LAW 73254 r

SENATE RESOLUTION

WHEREAS, The members of the Illinois Senate are saddened to learn of the death of Dale E. McRoberts of Lincoln, who passed away on August 25, 2020; and

WHEREAS, Dale McRoberts was born in his family home on the New Holland curve to Charlie and Etheleen McRoberts on June 26, 1936; he graduated from Atlanta High School in 1954; he served in the U.S. Marine Corps with the 3rd Marine Division during the Korean War era and earned the rank of sergeant; he was stationed in Okinawa and served as an armory repairman and a DUKW driver; he married Beverly Rankin at the Methodist Church in Waynesville on June 19, 1960; he earned his bachelor's degree in education with a minor in history from Illinois State Normal University in 1961; he later earned his master's degree in vocational education from the University of Illinois; and

WHEREAS, Dale McRoberts started teaching industrial arts and drivers' education and serving as assistant basketball coach at Delavan High School in 1961; he began teaching industrial arts at Lincoln Community High School in 1963; he became the vocational area building trades instructor in 1968; he continued in this role for 26 years, instructing and overseeing the construction of 25 Building Trades homes; he retired from teaching in 1994; and

WHEREAS, Dale McRoberts was an accomplished professional square dance caller; he began calling in Mason City in 1968; he taught square dance lessons in Atlanta, Delavan, Lincoln, and Morton throughout his 52-year career; he was the club caller for the Morton Whirl-A-Ways for over 40 years; he called his final dance in March 2020; he and his wife traveled to clubs all over the Midwest, spent several summers as staff callers in Colorado and Georgia, and were inducted into the Illinois Square Dance Association Hall of Fame in 2013 for their dedication and promotion of square dancing; and

WHEREAS, Dale McRoberts was committed to his faith; he was a member of Jefferson Street Christian Church in Lincoln and helped with the construction of the church's new sanctuary; he was a member of the Atlanta American Legion Post #341, Lincoln Elks Lodge #914, The Oasis Senior Center, and CALLERLAB (The International Association of Square Dance Callers); and

WHEREAS, Dale McRoberts loved music, and he regularly played guitar and sang with his bluegrass friends in the area; he was an avid golfer and was proud of his 3 holes in one at the Lincoln Elks Country Club on holes 2, 8, and 13; alongside his wife, he enjoyed playing couples' bridge and bowling; he enjoyed solving the daily crossword puzzle and reading; he loved spending time with his family, especially dinners prepared by his wife and playing games with his children and grandchildren; and

WHEREAS, Dale McRoberts was preceded in death by his parents and his sisters, Betty June Kindred and Linda Charlene McRoberts; and

WHEREAS, Dale McRoberts is survived by his wife of over 60 years, Beverly; his daughters, Gayle McRoberts, Connie Long, and Sharon (Tom) Burt; his granddaughters, Jenny Methling, Emily Burt, and Kendall Burt; his sister, Wilma (Dick) Fugate; his many nieces and nephews; and his countless special 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 Dale E. McRoberts 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 Dale McRoberts as an expression of our deepest sympathy.