SR0759 103RD GENERAL ASSEMBLY

SR0759 LRB103 39169 MST 69315 r

SENATE RESOLUTION

WHEREAS, The members of the Illinois Senate are saddened to learn of the death of Michael "Mike" Assalley of Taylorville, who passed away on January 11, 2024; and

WHEREAS, Mike Assalley was born in Bloomington to William "Bill" and Carolyn (Koehler) Assalley on November 12, 1985; he attended school in Mahomet before his family moved to Effingham; he graduated from Effingham High School in 2004, where he was voted homecoming king and was co-captain of the football team; he was also voted as most talkative by his peers; he married Lauren E. Sanders in Effingham on August 4, 2012; and

WHEREAS, Mike Assalley spent his post high school years working as a pharmacy technician for Walgreens before graduating with honors from mortuary school at Carl Sandburg College in 2014; he spent his early career working for Butler Funeral Homes in Springfield as a school intern, licensed funeral director apprentice, and licensed funeral director; he then acquired four funeral homes from Perfetti Funeral Homes, Inc. in May of 2017; he acquired Young Funeral Home in July of 2021; and

WHEREAS, Mike Assalley served as president of the executive board of directors for the Greater Taylorville Chamber of Commerce; he was a committee member for the Sangchris & Taylorville Chapters of Ducks Unlimited and served on numerous other community agency boards, including the board of directors for DowntownTaylorville.org; he was also past president of the Christian County United Way; he provided and awarded many scholarships to local high school students; and

WHEREAS, Mike Assalley had a multitude of interests and skill sets, including music, playing multiple instruments, and writing and recording songs; he enjoyed hunting, especially ducks and waterfowl, and outdoorsmanship; he also enjoyed traveling, history, politics, and sports, especially following the Chicago Cubs, Bears, and Notre Dame football; he collected family heirlooms such as his ancestral Koehler duck decoys; he was a parishioner of St. Mary's Church in Taylorville and a 4th Degree member of the Knights of Columbus Council 2120; and

WHEREAS, Mike Assalley hardly knew a stranger and touched many lives in his short time on earth with generosity, compassion, and authenticity; his quick wit and gifted mind brought much laughter and joy to all who loved him; and

WHEREAS, Mike Assalley was preceded in death by his paternal grandfather, Frank E. Assalley; his maternal grandfather, Kent L. Koehler; his paternal uncle, Robert H. Assalley; and a best friend, Zachary Fish; and

WHEREAS, Mike Assalley is survived by his wife, Lauren; his children, Ila Belle Assalley, Vincent Francis Kent Assalley, and John William Assalley; his parents, Bill and Carolyn Assalley; his mother-in-law, Debbie Sanders; his father-in-law, Derek Sanders; his sisters, Lauren (Wesley) Layton and Sydney Assalley (Dillon Williams); his sister-in-law, Nikki (Richard) Vahling; his brother-in-law, Logan Sanders (Catherine Zumwalt and her sons, Noah and Nicholas); his niece and goddaughter, Aubrey Vahling; his grandmothers, Jacquelyn Assalley and Linda Koehler; and many aunts, uncles, cousins, and friends; 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 Michael "Mike" Assalley 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 Mike Assalley as an expression of our deepest sympathy.