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1
SENATE RESOLUTION

  
 
2    WHEREAS, The members of the Illinois Senate are saddened 
3to learn of the death of William  J. "Bill" "Coach" Zeman of 
4Roanoke, Illinois, who passed away on February 11, 2021; and
  
 
5    WHEREAS, Coach Zeman was born to  Frank and Joan Cuchna 
6Zeman in Oak Lawn on January 9, 1954; he married Melinda Zeman 
7in Winfield on April 2, 1977; and
  
 
8    WHEREAS, Coach Zeman started his teaching career at 
9Roanoke-Benson High School during the 1976-77 school year; 
10during his tenure, he taught classes the majority of time and 
11ended his academic career as dean of students at 
12Roanoke-Benson Junior High School, retiring in 2013;
he was 
13the Roanoke-Benson Rocket's varsity baseball coach from 1979 
14until his coaching retirement in 2014; he also coached cross 
15country, girls softball, JV and varsity girls basketball, JV 
16and varsity boys basketball, and junior high baseball; and
  
 
17    WHEREAS, Coach Zeman had many successful teams and seasons 
18with many regional and sectional titles and trips to the state 
19tournament, including his undefeated 1995 state baseball 
20championship team; he was added to the Illinois High School 
21Baseball Coaches Hall of Fame in 1994, the Greater Peoria 
22Sports Hall of Fame in 2015, and the Bloomington Normal 
 
 
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1Officials Hall of Fame in 2014; in 2019, the Roanoke-Benson 
2High School baseball diamond was officially named in his 
3honor; and
  
 
4    WHEREAS, Coach Zeman loved to fish and watch his beloved 
5Cubs and NASCAR; he especially enjoyed spending time with 
6family and his precious grandchildren and any time away 
7vacationing at the cabin in Arkansas; and
 
8    WHEREAS, Coach Zeman was preceded in death by his parents 
9and his one sister, Denise Zeman; and
  
 
10    WHEREAS, Coach Zeman is survived by his wife; his two 
11daughters, Jayme (Dan) Magnuson and Heather (Curt) Schweigert; 
12and his seven grandchildren, Brock and Reese Magnuson, and 
13Emma, Luke, Ryan, Jack, and Rhet Schweigert; therefore, be it
  
 
14    RESOLVED, BY THE SENATE OF THE ONE HUNDRED SECOND GENERAL 
15ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS, that we mourn the passing of 
16William  J. "Bill" "Coach" Zeman and extend our sincere 
17condolences to his family, friends, and all who knew and loved 
18him; and be it further
  
 
19    RESOLVED, That a suitable copy of this resolution be 
20presented to the family of Coach Zeman as an expression of our 
21deepest sympathy.