HR1084 95TH GENERAL ASSEMBLY

HR1084 LRB095 20462 GRL 48266 r

HOUSE RESOLUTION

WHEREAS, The members of the Illinois House of Representatives are saddened to learn of the death of Joseph F. Prola of Springfield, who passed away on February 20, 2008; and

WHEREAS, Joseph F. Prola was born on May 23, 1910 in Houghton, Michigan; he was the son of Peter and Mary Verbena Prola; he married Olive Hill on November 21, 1936; she preceded him in death in 1995; and

WHEREAS, Joseph F. Prola grew up in Wilsonville; he was a resident of Springfield from 1930 until his passing; and

WHEREAS, Joseph F. Prola became a member of ROTC while attending the University of Illinois, graduating as a second lieutenant; he was called to active duty in April of 1941 to serve as an instructor at the Army General Staff School in Fort Leavenworth; in October of 1944, as a lieutenant colonel, he was called to serve at Third Army Headquarters under General George Patton, where he served as the general's supply officer during the Battle of the Bulge; he was promoted to the rank of full colonel in August of 1945 and served in the Army Reserves until May of 1970; during his reserve officer service, he taught at the Pentagon during six terms on active duty and was president of the Illinois Reserve Officers Association; and

WHEREAS, Joseph F. Prola's professional career began as a clerk at an insurance agency in Springfield in 1930, where he met his wife, Olive; he soon after became the executive director and president of the association and an owner of what became Joseph F. Prola & Co. Insurance Agency; he was also employed in the savings and loan industry as president of Sangamon Home Savings and as executive vice president of Security Federal Savings and Loan Association (now Security Bank); he retired at the age of 86; and

WHEREAS, Joseph F. Prola was active in many community organizations in the City of Springfield; he was a 40-year member and national president of the American Business Club; he served as chairman of the Springfield United Fund in 1960; he was the president of the Springfield and Sangamon County United Way; he served as an advisory board member for the Salvation Army for 15 years; he served as president of the Springfield Chamber of Commerce; he was a member and president of the Lincoln Library Board; he was a member of the Illinois Savings and Loan Board for more than 20 years, serving as its president in 1986; he served as president of the Illinois Association of Insurance Agents in 1955; he served as president of the Illinois League of Savings Institutions in 1970; he served on the Executive Committee of the United States League of Savings Institutions from 1975 until 1978; he served as a registered lobbyist for both the insurance and savings and loan industries; he was a member of Illini Country Club for more than 50 years, serving on its board of directors and as its president in 1959; and he was also a member of the Sangamo Club; and

WHEREAS, Joseph F. Prola was a champion bowler during his early years in Springfield; he was an avid golfer who traveled across the country with his wife, Olive, to play at premier courses, such as the St. Andrews Golf Course in Scotland and Pinehurst Golf Course in North Carolina, where he scored a hole-in-one at the No. 4 Course; he also loved reading, ballroom dancing, gin, and bridge; and

WHEREAS, Joseph F. Prola was preceded in death by his wife; and his son, Robert H. Prola; and

WHEREAS, Joseph F. Prola is survived by his daughter, Dee (husband, Illinois State Representative Mark) Beaubien; his grandchildren, Mark J. Beaubien, Robert P. Beaubien, Joseph Prola, and Hilary Prola; his great-grandchildren, Annie, Bobby, Ella, and Mark; his niece, Connie Deatherage; and his nephew, Rich Berutti; therefore, be it

RESOLVED, BY THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES OF THE NINETY-FIFTH GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS, that we mourn, along with his family and friends, the passing of Joseph F. Prola; and be it further

RESOLVED, That a suitable copy of this resolution be presented to the family of Joseph F. Prola as an expression of our sympathy.