SR1086 103RD GENERAL ASSEMBLY

SR1086 LRB103 41152 ECR 74369 r

SENATE RESOLUTION

WHEREAS, The members of the Illinois Senate are saddened to learn of the death of Bruce Voges of St. Joseph, who passed away on June 3, 2024; and

WHEREAS, Bruce Voges was born in Terre Haute, Indiana on April 28, 1926; he married Kathryn "Katie" Wehlage on June 12, 1954, and she preceded him in death in 2011; and

WHEREAS, Bruce Voges enlisted in the U.S. Navy at the age of 17, serving in the Pacific theater during World War II and throughout the Korean War; he retired as a senior chief petty officer after 21 years of service; and

WHEREAS, Bruce Voges worked for Magnavox in Urbana before accepting a position as a bank teller at the First National Bank of Ogden, where he advanced to the position of president before retiring in 1988; he and his wife, Katie, along with Rosie and Don Hayn, also owned and operated the Lincoln House Restaurant in Ogden; and

WHEREAS, Bruce Voges remained active in retirement, helping out extensively with the original renovation of the Vermilion County War Museum; he also, along with 26 other U.S. Navy veterans, traveled to Greece to restore the World War II landing ship LST325 in 2000; after making the landing ship seaworthy, he served as chief boatswain as it sailed across the Atlantic Ocean back to the U.S., becoming affectionately known as "Boats" by all who served with him; he was instrumental in the continued care and restoration of LST325 over the years, and the boat is currently a working World War II museum ship moored in Evansville, Indiana; and

WHEREAS, Bruce Voges enjoyed woodworking, mowing his lawn, and playing pinochle, which he did almost daily; in recent years, he was known for sitting in his garage with the door open, greeting everyone who walked by and passing out pizza and hot dogs every Halloween; and

WHEREAS, Bruce Voges was the father of Mike (Tami) Voges, Michele (Terry) Lawhead, and Tim (Sherri) Voges; the grandfather of Jessi (Jon) Wrench, Jonah (Kelsey) Lawhead, August Voges, Mason (Karee) Voges, and Jordan (Jennifer) Lawhead; and the great-grandfather of Liam Wrench, Briella Wrench, Pierce Lawhead, Sawyer Lawhead, Lincoln Lawhead, and Hudson Lawhead; 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 Bruce Voges 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 Bruce Voges as an expression of our deepest sympathy.