SR0555 93RD GENERAL ASSEMBLY

SR0555 LRB093 22236 HSS 51173 r

SENATE RESOLUTION

WHEREAS, The members of the Senate of the State of Illinois learned with regret of the death of Helen J. Shumway of Batavia on Monday, April 12, 2004; and

WHEREAS, Helen was born on February 19, 1926, in Hoardville, Nebraska, to Sture Wallin and Sarah Peterson Wallin; she was raised on an original family homestead and learned at a young age to drive a tractor, shoot a gun, and all the things that her brothers were doing; her family moved to Illinois during the Great Depression; and

WHEREAS, Mrs. Shumway graduated from Batavia High School in 1943 and married Melvin M. Hann on February 26, 1946; he preceded her in death in 1968; on July 11, 1970, she married a high school classmate, John R. Shumway; and

WHEREAS, After marrying Mr. Shumway, Mrs. Shumway took up flying and snow skiing; in their later years, the couple spent every February in Kauai, roaming up and down dirt cane roads; as the owners of C.W. Shumway and Sons foundry in Batavia, they traveled to conventions and to reunions of Mr. Shumway's Naval Air Group 87; in recent years, she continued to enjoy family reunions and fishing tournaments; and

WHEREAS, Mrs. Shumway supported her children, grandchildren, her political beliefs, and her church with her actions as well as words; anything she did, she did with full force of her considerable personality, energy and talents; she became active in political work, first serving as a Republican precinct committee person, then becoming the Batavia Township Republican chairperson; and

WHEREAS, The passing of Helen J. Shumway has been deeply felt by many, especially her husband, John R. Shumway; her sons, John Jr., Bruce, Paul (D'ette), and William; her daughters, Beth (Roger) Stafford, Barb (Carl) Sniffen, Mary (Cliff) Remiyac, Stephanie (Bob) Wilder, and Susan (Sam) Harrod; her grandchildren, Nicole (Adam) Marshall, Katie Remiyac, Thomas Remiyac, Neil Sniffen, Brian Sniffen, Michael Ewing, Rebecca Ewing, Matthew Shumway, Ryan Shumway, Charlie Shumway, Christine Wilder, Heather Wilder, Kevin Wilder, Ethan Harrod, and Jillian Harrod; her great-grandchildren, Chase Marshall and Riley Marshall; her sister, Janet (Richard) Johnson; and her brother, Richard (Mary Ann) Wallin; therefore, be it

RESOLVED, BY THE SENATE OF THE NINETY-THIRD GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS, that we mourn the death of Helen J. Shumway, and we 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 Helen J. Shumway as an expression of our deepest sympathy.