SR0773 104TH GENERAL ASSEMBLY

SR0773 LRB104 21771 LAW 37454 r

SENATE RESOLUTION

WHEREAS, The members of the Illinois Senate are saddened to learn of the death of George V. Sheffer of Carbondale, who passed away on April 25, 2026; and

WHEREAS, George Sheffer was born to George W. and Adelaide (Ondrak) Sheffer in Chicago on August 22, 1952; he was raised in Lombard; he graduated from Montini High School, where he excelled on the wrestling team; he attended Southern Illinois University (SIU) Carbondale until he was drafted into the United States Army, receiving the National Defense Service Medal for his honorable service during a time of conflict; he married Diane Mirtich at St. Roch's Catholic Church in La Salle on August 12, 1978; and

WHEREAS, George Sheffer returned to Carbondale after his military service, where he managed the American Tap; he later partnered in the hardware business with a True Value store in Harrisburg, where he served as president of the Harrisburg Chamber of Commerce and supported the community; after five years, the Harrisburg business was sold and he became a partner in Murdale True Value Hardware in Carbondale; he and his family became sole owners of the business, expanding it into Cannon Distributing and Just Ask Rental with his brother, Jim; he and his wife, Diane, sold the business and retired in 2018; he was selected as a member on the Cotter & Company Board of Directors while overseeing a merger period; and

WHEREAS, George Sheffer was dedicated to giving back to his community; he served as president of the Carbondale Chamber of Commerce, sat on the Carbondale Planning Commission, taught Retail Management at the SIU College of Business across multiple semesters, and chaired the Saluki Pride Committee, beginning the tradition of Saluki paw prints being painted on the roads of Carbondale for scholarships; he organized programs like the Murdale Safe Halloween and welcomed SIU international students to a cookout in Murdale Shopping Center; he conducted many fundraisers for St. Francis C.A.R.E., the Coach Kill Cancer Fund, Crime Stoppers, the Boys and Girls Club, and Toys for Tots, which named him a Marine Corps associate member for his work; he also served as president of the Southern Illinois Healthcare (SIH) Foundation Board for many years, and he and his wife received the SIH Foundation Impact Award in 2025; and

WHEREAS, George Sheffer was named Business Leader of the Year by the SIU College of Business and received the SIU Distinguished Service Award, and his business was named Business of the Year by the Carbondale Chamber of Commerce; he and his wife both received the President's Service Award and the Citizen of the Year Award; his business, Murdale True Value, received national recognition when it was named the True Value Hardware Store of the Year by the Hardware Retailing Association; and

WHEREAS, George Sheffer was an active member of St. Francis Xavier Church, where he volunteered as a Eucharistic minister and lector and headed the funding campaign to renovate the church, and he was proud of his fourth-degree membership in the Knights of Columbus; and

WHEREAS, George Sheffer was preceded in death by his parents and his sisters Cathleen Sheffer and Susan Sheffer; and

WHEREAS, George Sheffer is survived by his wife, Diane; his children, Dr. Amanda Sheffer and Dr. Douglas (Amber) Sheffer; his granddaughter, Cameron Sheffer; and his siblings, Edward (Anne) Sheffer, James (Laura) Sheffer, Dr. Mary Lou Sheffer, and Thomas (Elizabeth) Sheffer; 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 George V. Sheffer 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 George Sheffer as an expression of our deepest sympathy.