SR0600

LRB095 20490 GRL 48377 r






1

SENATE RESOLUTION


 
2
    WHEREAS, The members of the Illinois Senate are saddened to  
3
learn of the death of
Tom "Tom Cat" Eickelman of Benton, who 
4
tragically passed away on March 10, 2008; and

 
5
    WHEREAS, Tom Eickelman was born on January 31, 1960 in 
6
Miner's Hospital in Christopher; he was the beloved son of 
7
Francis "Eick" and JoAnn (Burtoft) Eickelman; he married Kathy 
8
Kelley on July 29, 1983; and

 
9
    WHEREAS, Tom Eickelman worked as a heavy equipment operator 
10
for 20 years; he was employed with Midwest Excavating in Benton 
11
for the past 12 years; and

 
12
    WHEREAS, Tom Eickelman was a member of International 
13
Operating Engineers Local 318, the Ancient Free and Accepted 
14
Masons of Illinois, and the Sesser-Goode Lodge 744; he was of 
15
the Methodist faith; and

 
16
    WHEREAS, Tom Eickelman was well known for his love of the 
17
outdoors and hunting; he served as president of the Franklin 
18
County Ducks Unlimited for five years and was an avid supporter 
19
and organizer of various wildlife events and local wildlife 
20
organizations; he also enjoyed his new Harley-Davidson 
21
motorcycle and, most of all, his family, friends, and only 
 


 






SR0600
- 2 -
LRB095 20490 GRL 48377 r




1
grandson, Landon McKee; and
 
2
    WHEREAS, Tom Eickelman was preceded in death by his 
3
maternal grandparents, Pete and Fay Burtoft; his paternal 
4
grandparents, Grover and Beulah Eickelman; and his 
5
mother-in-law, Shirley Kelley; and

 
6
    WHEREAS, Tom Eickelman is survived by his wife, Kathy 
7
Eickelman; his daughter and son-in-law, Mandy and Ryan McKee; 
8
his grandson, Landon McKee; his parents; his brother and 
9
sister-in-law, Tim and Kindra Eickelman; his nephew, Josh 
10
Eickelman; his niece, Jordan Eickelman; and his father-in-law, 
11
Dean Kelley; therefore, be it

 
12
    RESOLVED, BY THE  SENATE OF THE NINETY-FIFTH GENERAL 
13
ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS, that we mourn, along with 
14
his family and friends, the passing of Tom "Tom Cat" Eickelman; 
15
and be it further

 
16
    RESOLVED, That a suitable copy of this resolution be 
17
presented to the family of Tom "Tom Cat" Eickelman as an 
18
expression of our sympathy.