SR0663 102ND GENERAL ASSEMBLY

SR0663 LRB102 22188 LAW 31318 r

SENATE RESOLUTION

WHEREAS, The members of the Illinois Senate are saddened to learn of the death of Melvin John "Mel" Rullman of Moline, who passed away on October 24, 2021; and

WHEREAS, Mel Rullman was born to Harry and Alma (Benning) Rullman in Aurora, Indiana on June 9, 1933; he graduated from Aurora High School; he attended Valparaiso University before he served in the U.S. Army in Germany for two years; after returning from service, he graduated from Valparaiso University; he married Arline Sprague in 1957, and they raised three children together; he obtained his master's degree in Education from Indiana University; he married Judy Brooks in 1990; and

WHEREAS, Mel Rullman began his career in education as a teacher and school principal in Lake Zurich; he served as superintendent of schools in Grant, Michigan from 1967 to 1974; he served as superintendent in East Jordan, Michigan from 1974 to 1981; he retired early to turn his part-time farming hobby into his full-time occupation; and

WHEREAS, Mel Rullman's career was marked by a number of accomplishments; he led the Twin Valley School District through a demerger to assure both cities, East Jordan and Boyne City, could thrive educationally; he led the campaign for a bond millage to build a new high school and end split session scheduling, which successfully passed; he developed a new vocational education program; he was also recognized by the American Legion and U.S. Army General William C. Westmoreland for instituting a notable Veterans Day educational program; and

WHEREAS, Melvin Rullman was a member of Trinity Lutheran Church; alongside his wife, Judy, he served the community through Habitat for Humanity by volunteering in Quad Cities ReStore and traveling with Habitat Builds Worldwide; he was honored to be an Eagle Scout; and

WHEREAS, Melvin Rullman was known for possessing an uncommon sense of duty and being proud of the family that he raised, loved, and encouraged; at his core, he was an outdoorsman and craftsman; he loved spending time in farm fields, canoeing waterways, walking in the woods, admiring wildlife, and vacationing with family and friends at the log home he built on Lake Michigan in the Upper Peninsula; and

WHEREAS, Mel Rullman was preceded in death by his parents; his sister, Phyllis; and his brother, Millard; and

WHEREAS, Mel Rullman is survived by his wife, Judy; his son, Brad (Tami); his daughter, Brenda (Jim) Julovich; his son, Loren (Allison); his stepdaughter, Kristin (James) Keller; his stepson, Craig Brooks; his grandchildren, Sam Julovich, Sarah Julovich, Cailey Rullman, Miranda Rullman, Zachary Stolbom, Ashely (Nolan) Vardinakis, Gregory Biggs, and Stephanie Biggs; his brothers, Roger (Patty) Rullman and Roy (Linda) Rullman; his sister, Joyce (Gordon) Rich; his sister-in-law, Katherine (Jon) Lundvall; and his numerous nieces and nephews; 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 Melvin John "Mel" Rullman 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 Melvin Rullman as an expression of our deepest sympathy.