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1
SENATE RESOLUTION

 
2    WHEREAS, The members of the Illinois Senate are saddened to
3learn of the death of James "Gene" Chamberlain of rural Albany,
4who passed away on November 10, 2020; and
 
5    WHEREAS, Gene Chamberlain was born to George and Rosella
6(O'Neil) Chamberlain in Newton Township on May 17, 1928; he
7graduated from Erie High School in 1946; he married Dorothy Mae
8McKenna at St. Ambrose Catholic Church in Erie on May 26, 1951;
9he served as Sergeant First Class in the U.S. Army for two
10years and was a Korean War Veteran; and
 
11    WHEREAS, Gene Chamberlain had a successful farming career
12in Whiteside County that spanned his lifetime; he served many
13years on the ASCS and FSA committees for the U.S. Department of
14Agriculture; he was the Meredosia Levee and Drainage District
15Commissioner for 43 years and served the last 22 years as
16chairman; and
 
17    WHEREAS, Gene Chamberlain was a lifelong member of St.
18Ambrose Catholic Church and was active in many roles, including
19serving as a Trustee for 20 years, as the first President of
20the Parish Council, and as a Eucharistic Minister; he was a
21third and fourth degree Knight of Columbus and a lifelong
22member of the American Legion and the Albany Lions Club; he had

 

 

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1the privilege of being part of the first Quad City Honor Flight
2for Korean War veterans in 2012; and
 
3    WHEREAS, Gene Chamberlain enjoyed spending time in his
4fields, talking shop with other farmers, proudly supporting the
5activities of his grandchildren and great-grandchildren,
6visiting with family and friends, traveling, playing cards, and
7spending time on his computer; he could fix almost anything and
8acted as the family historian; he will especially be remembered
9for his quick wit and funny jokes; and
 
10    WHEREAS, Gene Chamberlain was preceded in death by his
11beloved wife; his parents; his son, Greg; his son-in-law, Art
12Mack; his brothers, Leo, Howard, and Clyde; and his sisters,
13Lorraine Verkruysee, Dorothy Schroeder, and Isabel Hood; and
 
14    WHEREAS, Gene Chamberlain is survived by his children,
15Teresa (Jim) Anderson, Chris (Cheryl) Chamberlain, Laura
16(Brian) Currie, Cynthia "William" Elsbury, Dennis (Cheryl)
17Chamberlain, Rebecca Mack, Veronica (Michael) Saad, and Maria
18(Russ) McAtee; his 23 grandchildren; his 23
19great-grandchildren; his nieces and nephews; and his cousins;
20therefore, be it
 
21    RESOLVED, BY THE SENATE OF THE ONE HUNDRED FIRST GENERAL
22ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS, that we mourn the passing of

 

 

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1James "Gene" Chamberlain and extend our sincere condolences to
2his family, friends, and all who knew and loved him; and be it
3further
 
4    RESOLVED, That a suitable copy of this resolution be
5presented to the family of Gene Chamberlain as an expression of
6our deepest sympathy.