SR0317 104TH GENERAL ASSEMBLY

SR0317 LRB104 13484 LAW 25925 r

SENATE RESOLUTION

WHEREAS, The members of the Illinois Senate are saddened to learn of the death of Jane Elisabeth (Shears) Emerson of Divernon, who passed away on May 2, 2025; and

WHEREAS, Jane Emerson, the daughter of William and Elisabeth (Mayer) Shears, was born in Springfield on April 2, 1940; she graduated from Divernon High School in 1958; she married Leonard Emerson in Divernon on November 25, 1960; and

WHEREAS, Jane Emerson was a stay-at-home mom while her children were young and worked with her husband, Leonard, in the family business, Emerson Press, which they started in 1968 in the garage of their family home and later moved to the square in Divernon; and

WHEREAS, Jane Emerson was a lifelong and deeply involved resident of Divernon; she was the organist at the Divernon Presbyterian Church for over 65 years, where she also served on the board, and she was the secretary of the Divernon Public Library Board and a lifetime member of the Divernon American Legion Auxiliary; and

WHEREAS, Jane Emerson was a devoted wife, mother, grandmother, and great-grandmother; and

WHEREAS, Jane Emerson was preceded in death by her parents; and

WHEREAS, Jane Emerson is survived by her husband of 64 years, Leonard; her children, Melissa (Jamie Stowers) Layton, Stephanie (Doug) McDannald, Brett (Keeley) Emerson, Prentice (Julie Brant) Emerson, and Erika (Mike) Campas; her brother, Allan (Pat) Shears; 11 grandchildren; and three great-granddaughters; 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 Jane Elisabeth (Shears) Emerson and extend our sincere condolences to her family, friends, and all who knew and loved her; and be it further

RESOLVED, That a suitable copy of this resolution be presented to the family of Jane Emerson as an expression of our deepest sympathy.