HR0315 95TH GENERAL ASSEMBLY

HR0315 LRB095 11900 GRL 35092 r

HOUSE RESOLUTION

WHEREAS, The members of the Illinois House of Representatives wish to extend their condolences to the family and friends of May Chesak of Woodstock, who passed away at the age of 102 on March 22, 2007; and

WHEREAS, May Chesak was born on May 30, 1904, in West Pullman, to Christian and Marie (Jensen) Spangard; she attended Crystal Lake High School with the class of 1922 and then went on to Mason County College in Ludington, Michigan; and

WHEREAS, She began her teaching career in 1923 in a one-room schoolhouse in Fox River Grove; she continued teaching there until 1943, when she became principal and teacher at Huntley Elementary School; in 1952, Mrs. Chesak became principal at Greenwood School; she retired in 1964, but she substituted at eight different schools in the county for 10 years, teaching for a total of 51 years; and

WHEREAS, Mrs. Chesak married her husband Arnold (Arnie) on July 27, 1927; she moved to Huntley and lived there for more than 70 years; after Arnie passed away in 1985, May would play her piano late into the night; in 1997 she moved to Hearthstone Manor in Woodstock; and

WHEREAS, In 1941, Mrs. Chesak joined First Congregational Church in Huntley, where she served as Ladies Aid president for 15 years; among her other activities at the church were teaching Sunday school, singing in the choir, serving as a deaconess, and establishing the memorial fund that she chaired for more than 40 years; and

WHEREAS, For more than 75 years, Mrs. Chesak served in many roles as a member of the American Legion Auxiliary; one of her treasured memories was establishing the Girls State program in Huntley in 1948; she also served as vice president of the McHenry County Council, president of the 11th District, State Chaplain, assistant sergeant-at-arms, and staff adviser for Girls State; she also was a charter member of the McHenry County Salon No. 483 of the 8 et 40, serving in various capacities; and

WHEREAS, Since 1952, she was involved in Delta Kappa Gamma as a member, also serving on committees within the association; other organizations of which she was a member include the Retired Teachers Association of McHenry County; and membership in IEAS, NEA, and the National Retired Teachers Association; and

WHEREAS, Mrs. Chesak was involved in other community activities including being an election judge for Grafton Township, a member of the Senior Citizens, and establishing the Blood Bank in Huntley during the 1940s, which is still serving the Huntley area today; while she enjoyed music, flower gardening and reading, above all else her husband and home came first; and

WHEREAS, For her many contributions to education and the community, the May S. Chesak Elementary School on Reed Road in Lake in the Hills was named in her honor in September 2000; and

WHEREAS, May Chesak was the beloved wife of Arnold "Arnie" Chesak and is fondly remembered by many nieces, nephews, cousins, and friends; therefore, be it

RESOLVED, BY THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES OF THE NINETY-FIFTH GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS, that we recognize May 30, 2007, as May Chesak Day in Illinois; and be it further

RESOLVED, That suitable copies of this resolution be presented to the family of May Chesak and to Hearthstone Manor in Woodstock, as an expression of our sincere sympathy.