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1
SENATE RESOLUTION

 
2    WHEREAS, The members of the Illinois Senate are saddened 
3to learn of the death of Edward John "Ed" Ovca, who passed away 
4on November 7, 2025; and
 
5    WHEREAS, Ed Ovca was born to John and Mary Ovca in Nokomis 
6on August 17, 1930; he graduated from Nokomis High School in 
71947; he studied offset lithography at Rankin Trade School in 
8St. Louis, Missouri; he married Eleanor Schneider in 1949; and
 
9    WHEREAS, Ed Ovca began working at Free Press-Progress at 
10the age of 11, starting as a floor sweeper and working his way 
11up to the press room; he purchased the newspaper in 
12partnership with Irene Vandever in 1953; he was subsequently 
13named and served as publisher and editor for the next 30 years 
14until he sold the business and retired; and
 
15    WHEREAS, Ed Ovca served on the Nokomis Chamber of 
16Commerce, the City of Nokomis Council, and the Nokomis 
17Community Unit School District #22 Board; he was also a member 
18of Rotary International for more than 40 years; and
 
19    WHEREAS, Ed Ovca and his wife loved traveling, visiting 
20Italy, Germany, France, Austria, Egypt, Russia, and all of the 
21United States; they also enjoyed listening to St. Louis 
 
 
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1Cardinals games on the radio, sharing sandwiches, and playing 
2card games with their children; and
 
3    WHEREAS, Ed Ovca was an avid fisherman, known to many as 
4"Captain Ed", who was a member at Sportsman's Lake for many 
5years and held a Shelbyville Lake muskie record; and
 
6    WHEREAS, Ed Ovca made an immeasurable impact on his 
7community and those around him; he will be remembered for his 
8civic involvement, his patience, his wisdom, and his 
9dedication to his family; and
 
10    WHEREAS, Ed Ovca is survived by his wife of 75 years, 
11Eleanor Ovca; his children, Edward (Patricia) Ovca Jr., 
12Michael Ovca, Eric Ovca, and Kathy (Kevin) DeWerff; five 
13grandchildren; and one great-grandchild; therefore, be it
 
14    RESOLVED, BY THE SENATE OF THE ONE HUNDRED FOURTH GENERAL 
15ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS, that we mourn the passing of 
16Edward John "Ed" Ovca and extend our sincere condolences to 
17his family, friends, and all who knew and loved him; and be it 
18further
 
19    RESOLVED, That a suitable copy of this resolution be 
20presented to the family of Ed Ovca as an expression of our 
21deepest sympathy.