HR1028 94TH GENERAL ASSEMBLY

HR1028 LRB094 19869 HSS 57023 r

HOUSE RESOLUTION

WHEREAS, The members of the House of Representatives of the State of Illinois learned with sadness of the death of William J. Heise, Jr., of Charleston on Sunday, March 5, 2006; and

WHEREAS, He was born September 9, 1939, in Litchfield to Anna Genevieve (Buscher) and William J. Heise, Sr.; he was united in marriage to Ann Schumacher on June 6, 1964, at Immaculate Conception Catholic Church in Mattoon; and

WHEREAS, Bill was a strong and active member of St. Charles Borromeo Catholic Church; he is particularly remembered for his commitment to prayer, to community, and to God's word which he joyfully read at mass as often as he could; no one who met him could mistake his love of Christ and his desire to bring others to the faith; and

WHEREAS, His work also reflected his love for those with disabilities; after graduating from Eastern Illinois University in 1963, he worked in Moultrie County as a speech correctionist and was instrumental in the creation of mental health and developmental disability services in Moultrie County; he was appointed a member of the Illinois Planning Council on Developmental Disabilities by Governor Jim Edgar in 1991-94; he was administrator of various nursing homes in central Illinois and became a consultant for the Illinois Association of Rehabilitation Facilities; in 1992, he became Division Manager of State Use Programs with Central Management Services for the State of Illinois, achieving CMS employee of the month in November 2001; and

WHEREAS, He enjoyed emceeing Special Olympics events for many years; he was a conservator of dozens of individuals with developmental disabilities who lacked family to advocate for themselves; he was also involved in his community by serving as the chairman of the Charleston Board of Zoning Appeals & Planning and by being actively involved in local politics; and

WHEREAS, He was a member of the Polio Survivors of East Central Illinois and was a Paul Harris Fellow of Rotary International; he was an avid football fan, and he also enjoyed fishing, hunting, golfing, and cooking; Mr. Heise and his family welcomed AFS foreign exchange students to his home five times for yearlong programs; above all these interests, his family was the single most important part of his life; and

WHEREAS, The passing of William J. Heise, Jr., has been deeply felt by many, especially his wife, Ann; his sons, Mark Heise and wife Richelle and Michael Heise and wife Amelia; his daughters, Annie Barber and husband Ron, Ruthann Hughes and husband Kenny, Sarah Heise and fiance Nathan Watson, Gretchen Kapraun and husband Ben, and Bridget Heise and boyfriend David Dickerson; his 17 grandchildren with one on the way; his four great-grandchildren; his brothers, Jim Heise and wife Midge, George Heise and wife Judi, Jack Heise and wife Anna, David Heise and wife Cathy, Phil Heise and wife Sue, and Tom Heise and wife Carol; and his sisters, Theresa Cunnings and husband Bob, Fidelis Biebel and husband Nick, and Mary Jo Heise; he was preceded in death by his parents and two sisters; therefore, be it

RESOLVED, BY THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES OF THE NINETY-FOURTH GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS, that we mourn the passing of William J. Heise, Jr., and we extend our deepest sympathy 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 his family as an expression of our sincerest condolences.