SR0078 102ND GENERAL ASSEMBLY

SR0078 LRB102 16618 LAW 22018 r

SENATE RESOLUTION

WHEREAS, The members of the Illinois Senate are saddened to learn of the death of Mary Ellen Harkrader of Peoria, who passed away on January 30, 2021; and

WHEREAS, Mary Harkrader graduated from Pontiac High School and the St. Francis School of Nursing; she married Alan D. Harkrader Jr.; and

WHEREAS, Mary Harkrader worked as a registered nurse in pediatrics at the St. Francis School of Nursing before raising her family in Peoria; and

WHEREAS, Mary Harkrader became a passionate public servant, serving on the Tri-County Regional Planning Commission and the Peoria County Board; she served as the Peoria County Clerk for three terms and as an officer of the National Association of County Officials; she ran the Peoria office of the U.S. Census Bureau for the census count in 1980; she was a member of the League of Women Voters and a delegate to the Democratic National Convention in 1984; and

WHEREAS, Mary Harkrader was an environmental advocate; she was a member of the Heart of Illinois Sierra Club and co-founder of Coenact, a recycling organization in the 1960s; she was a reading volunteer at Thomas Jefferson Elementary School and a member of St. Philomena's Catholic Church; and

WHEREAS, Mary Harkrader loved people and cultures, and she was interested in scientific research; alongside her husband, she traveled the world after their retirement, and they lived happily at the Christian Buehler Home in Peoria; she enjoyed telling stories about her travels and experiences in the world of politics; she will be remembered for her devotion to her family; and

WHEREAS, Mary Harkrader was preceded in death by her parents, Lawrence and Marcella Wheeler, and her siblings, Margaret and Larry; and

WHEREAS, Mary Harkrader is survived by her husband of 66 years, Alan D. Harkrader Jr.; her children, Alan Harkrader (Kate Marsland), Mark Harkrader (Jodi Murphy), and Leslye Fredrich (Rosca Toulouse); her grandson, Matthew Harkrader; and her brother, Donald Wheeler (Theresa); therefore, be it

RESOLVED, BY THE SENATE OF THE ONE HUNDRED SECOND GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS, that we mourn the passing of Mary Ellen Harkrader and extend our sincere condolences to her family, friends, and all who knew and loved her; and be it further

RESOLVED, That a suitable copy of this resolution be presented to the family of Mary Harkrader as an expression of our deepest sympathy.