SR0386 LRB095 13976 KXB 39789 r

1
SENATE RESOLUTION

 
2     WHEREAS, The members of the Illinois Senate are saddened to
3 learn of the death of Michael "Mike" L. Eckhard Sr., 87, the
4 famous "Golfman" of Alton, who passed away on September 28,
5 2007; and
 
6     WHEREAS, Michael L. Eckhard Sr. was born May 29, 1920, in
7 Alton to August and Emma (Nolan) Eckhard; he married the former
8 Mary Halbert on November 14, 1947, in Alton; and she passed
9 away on February 2, 1997; and
 
10     WHEREAS, He served his country from 1942 to 1945 during
11 World War II, where he received the Bronze Star; and
 
12     WHEREAS, He was instrumental in rebuilding a golf course
13 while serving in Reims, France; he was a golf caddie during the
14 1920s and 1930s, and was the Alton city golf champion in 1941
15 and 1942; he gave golf lessons to the local community, was a
16 registered golf professional with the PGA, and played amateur
17 and professional-level golf; and
 
18     WHEREAS, He owned and operated the Golfman Golf Shop in
19 Alton and worked for Laclede Steel for 33 years until retiring
20 in 1980 as a master machinist; he was a gallon blood donor with
21 Laclede and a member of the Golf Collector's Society and the

 

 

SR0386 - 2 - LRB095 13976 KXB 39789 r

1 Greater Alton Retired Caddie's Association; and
 
2     WHEREAS, Michael "Mike" L. Eckhard Sr. is survived by his
3 children and their spouses, Patricia Eckhard, Michael and Mary
4 Eckhard Jr., Rob and Barb Eckhard, Andy Eckhard, Martie and
5 Mike Anderson, and Joe Eckhard; his grandchildren, Adam, Amy,
6 Gloria, Beth, David, Benjamin, Israel "Alex", and Rachel; his
7 step-grandchildren, Ryan, Kyle and Josh; his
8 great-grandchildren; his loving sister, Bertha "Birdie" Byron;
9 and many nieces and nephews; besides his wife, he was preceded
10 in death by his parents; one brother, Nolan; and five sisters,
11 Agnes, Florence, Augusta, Virginia, and Josephine; therefore,
12 be it
 
13     RESOLVED, BY THE SENATE OF THE NINETY-FIFTH GENERAL
14 ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS, that we mourn, along with
15 his family and friends, the passing of Michael "Mike" L.
16 Eckhard Sr.; and be it further
 
17     RESOLVED, That a suitable copy of this resolution be
18 presented to the family of Michael L. Eckhard Sr. as a symbol
19 of our sincere sympathy.