SR0184 104TH GENERAL ASSEMBLY

SR0184 LRB104 12847 ECR 24203 r

SENATE RESOLUTION

WHEREAS, The members of the Illinois Senate are saddened to learn of the death of Arthur Earl Spiegel of Springfield, who passed away on March 4, 2025; and

WHEREAS, Arthur Spiegel, the son of Rev. Dr. Clarence and Gertrude Spiegel, was born in Akron, Ohio on January 23, 1929; he and his family moved to Springfield in 1938; he graduated from Trinity Lutheran School in 1942 and Lanphier High School (LHS) in 1946, and he was later inducted into the LHS Hall of Fame in 2019; he enlisted in the U.S. Navy in October 1948; he was later drafted into the U.S. Army, and he was honorably discharged in December 1952; after briefly attending the school before his military service, he returned to Illinois State University in 1953, receiving his Bachelor of Science in Education in January 1956 and his Master of Science in Public School Administration in 1961; and

WHEREAS, Arthur Spiegel began his teaching career at Springfield High School; he later worked as a teacher and principal at Sherman Elementary School during the 1965-1966 school year; he served as principal at Athens High School from 1967 to 1979 and as superintendent of Athens Community Unit School District 213 from 1969 to 1971; during these years, he served on the board of directors of the Illinois State University Alumni Association; he began working for the Illinois Secretary of State in 1971, remaining in that office for 12 years; he then served as utility property manager at City Water, Light & Power (CWLP) for eight years, retiring in 1991; and

WHEREAS, Arthur Spiegel was elected as charter president of the Kiwanis Club, Springfield North in 1965 and lieutenant governor of Division 11, Illinois-Eastern Iowa District of Kiwanis International in 1970; he also served as a counselor to the Kiwanis Lanphier High School Key Club; he served as scoutmaster of Boy Scout Troop 47, Trinity Lutheran Church, and he was also a member of the Land of Lincoln Scout Council, serving as chairman of the School Night for Cubing; he later served as cub scoutmaster for Troop 20, Our Savior's Lutheran Church; he was a member of the Land of Lincoln Barbershop Choir and the Illinois Symphony Choir; and

WHEREAS, Arthur Spiegel enjoyed playing the piano at nursing homes, high-rise apartment buildings, church functions, and Kiwanis Clubs in the Springfield area; in retirement, he played the piano at Concordia Village, where he also served as charter president of the Independent Resident Council; and

WHEREAS, Arthur Spiegel committed to his faith at an early age, being baptized on February 10, 1929, and he was a life member of the Lutheran Church - Missouri Synod; and

WHEREAS, Arthur Spiegel was preceded in death by his parents; his daughter, Cheryl (Gum); his brothers, Walter and Fred; and his sisters, Helen (Royal) and Ruth (Bojarzin); and

WHEREAS, Arthur Spiegel is survived by his wife, Jean; his daughter, Kim (Ed) Thayer; his stepson, Ed (Sharon) Curtis; his stepdaughter, Nancy Jackson; eight grandchildren; and 15 great-grandchildren; therefore, be it

RESOLVED, BY THE SENATE OF THE ONE HUNDRED FOURTH GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS, that we mourn the passing of Arthur Earl Spiegel 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 Arthur Spiegel as an expression of our deepest sympathy.