SR0795 104TH GENERAL ASSEMBLY

SR0795 LRB104 21880 LAW 37717 r

SENATE RESOLUTION

WHEREAS, The members of the Illinois Senate are saddened to learn of the death of Charles D. "Chuck" Ingram of Harrisburg, who passed away on May 7, 2026; and

WHEREAS, Chuck Ingram, the son of Joseph Ingram and Grace (Warner) Ingram, was born in Neoga on January 19, 1935; he graduated from Cumberland High School in 1954, where he was a standout athlete in basketball, baseball, track, and cross country; he married Mary "Marie" Cooper at the First Christian Church in Toledo on April 19, 1955, and they were married for 67 years prior to her passing on November 10, 2022; he earned his bachelor's degree in education from Eastern Illinois University and his master's degree in education from Indiana State University; and

WHEREAS, Chuck Ingram began his teaching career at Cumberland High School in 1957, where he taught industrial arts before transitioning into building trades; while there, he coached Little League baseball in Toledo and a traveling women's softball team; he began teaching industrial arts and building trades at Red Hill Senior High School in Bridgeport during the 1969-1970 school year, and he continued teaching and coaching in the district until he and his family moved to Harrisburg in 1974; and

WHEREAS, Chuck Ingram taught industrial arts and building trades at Harrisburg High School until he retired in 1994; during his tenure, he and his students constructed 19 homes in Harrisburg and the surrounding area, and he coached football as well as boys and girls basketball; his lasting legacy to Harrisburg High School was his dedication to its track and cross country program; he coached boys track and cross country beginning in 1974, and his team gained its first female member in school history in 1975, leading to the school forming its first girls track and cross country team in 1979; he also coached the Gallatin County girls basketball team when he was in his 70s, ultimately coaching for an amazing 69-and-a-half-year span; and

WHEREAS, Chuck Ingram received numerous commendations and awards, including being recognized with a lifetime achievement award by the River-to-River Runners of Southern Illinois, being inducted into the Southern Illinois Coaches Hall of Fame, and becoming the 2024 recipient of the Derril Kipp Award by the Illinois Basketball Coaches Association; and

WHEREAS, Chuck Ingram formerly served as a member of the Saline County Board; he also operated a private construction business, where he built, remodeled, and renovated a number of residences in the Harrisburg area through the years; his building skills and craftsmanship were also exemplified in woodworking and furniture building projects; in his youth, he was an avid hunter; and

WHEREAS, Chuck Ingram was a longtime, faithful member of the Harrisburg First Christian Church, where he served as an elder and trustee for more than 30 years; he also served as chairman of both the church board and the building and grounds committee; and

WHEREAS, Chuck Ingram was preceded in death by his parents; his "granny", Rhoda Gentry; and his siblings, Eugene Ingram, Louise Shook, Phyllis Branum, Kenneth Ingram, Ralph Ingram, Gary Ingram, Helen Tilley, and George Lybarger; and

WHEREAS, Chuck Ingram is survived by his children, Leslie C. "Les" Ingram and Renee M. (Dean Furlong) Williams; his grandchildren, Jade (Beth) Goff, Craig (Maura) Williams, and Morgan (Brian) Dalton; nine great-grandchildren; and his brother, Bob Ingram; 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 Charles D. "Chuck" Ingram 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 Chuck Ingram as an expression of our deepest sympathy.