SR0407 103RD GENERAL ASSEMBLY

SR0407 LRB103 33337 LAW 63148 r

SENATE RESOLUTION

WHEREAS, The members of the Illinois Senate are saddened to learn of the death of John William "Bill" Davidsmeyer of Springfield, who passed away on July 18, 2023; and

WHEREAS, Bill Davidsmeyer was born to Paul John and Ruth E. Blohm Davidsmeyer in Rushville on December 22, 1927; he attended Jacksonville schools and later graduated from Kemper Military School in Boonville, Missouri; he served as a private first class in the U.S. Army and was stationed in Japan; following his discharge, he attended Valparaiso University and Purdue University, earning a degree in civil engineering; he married Correne D. Kraemer in Neenah, Wisconsin on July 1, 1950, and she preceded him in death on October 3, 2021; and

WHEREAS, Bill Davidsmeyer returned to Jacksonville and his family's business, Illinois Road Contractors (IRC), where he had worked since the age of 14; he oversaw daily operations of IRC and maintained a lifelong connection to the company; one of the highlights of his career was the expansion of his family's business holdings with the addition of the Meredosia Terminal in the 1970s, which allowed IRC to have access to oil while also supplying it to other entities; he remained on the company's board of directors until his passing; and

WHEREAS, Bill Davidsmeyer was a longtime member of Ducks Unlimited and was very involved in the local chapter's annual dinners; he also held leadership roles with the Jacksonville Jaycees, the Passavant Hospital Board of Directors, the Jacksonville Country Club, and the Chamber of Commerce; he was a longtime member of Salem Lutheran Church, where he served as an elder and the head of the Salem Lutheran School Board; and

WHEREAS, Bill Davidsmeyer was an avid outdoorsman, and he enjoyed duck hunting at the family's club near Snicarte; he also enjoyed hunting and fishing throughout the United States, Canada, and Mexico; he and his wife, Correne, liked spending winters in Florida, where he relished golfing, fishing, and spending time with family and friends; and

WHEREAS, Bill Davidsmeyer was preceded in death by his sons, Richard William Davidsmeyer and John Paul Davidsmeyer, and his adoptive mother, Norma Perbix Davidsmeyer; and

WHEREAS, Bill Davidsmeyer is survived by his daughters, Diann Davidsmeyer and Darcy (Ray Morin) Davidsmeyer; his grandsons, Ryan (Barbara) Davidsmeyer and Michael (Kelsey) Davidsmeyer; and his grandchildren, Colton, Emrick, Teddy, and Margaret; therefore, be it

RESOLVED, BY THE SENATE OF THE ONE HUNDRED THIRD GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS, that we mourn the passing of John William "Bill" Davidsmeyer 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 Bill Davidsmeyer as an expression of our deepest sympathy.