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SENATE RESOLUTION


 
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    WHEREAS, The members of the Illinois Senate are saddened to  
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learn of the death of
Robert Michels of Aurora, who passed away 
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on October 12, 2008; and

 
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    WHEREAS, Robert Michels was born in Aurora on June 3, 1922; 
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he lived most of his life on Pigeon Hill on the east side of 
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Aurora; he married Patricia Raspiller of Aurora on June 24, 
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1944; and

 
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    WHEREAS, Robert Michels was a graduate of Marmion Academy; 
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after spending two years at Purdue University, he joined the 
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United States Air Force, where he served as a flight instructor 
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during World War II; his experience during the war began a 
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life-long love of airplanes and aircraft; and

 
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    WHEREAS, In 1946, Robert Michels joined his father, Ben, 
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and his brother, Art, in the coal and oil business; in 1949, 
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with his father's help, he opened the Michels Lumber Company, 
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which he ran until 1994 with the help of his five sons, two of 
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his daughters, and his faithful friend, Don Martin; and

 
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    WHEREAS, Robert Michels was active in the Serra Club, the 
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Lion's Club, and the Knights of Columbus, where he continued to 
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participate in their projects into his eighties; and

 
 


 






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    WHEREAS, Robert Michels was an avid golfer, bowler, and a 
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self-described "lazy fisherman"; and

 
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    WHEREAS, Robert Michels was preceded in death by his son, 
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Dan; his parents, Ben and Marie (Ludwig) Michels; his 
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son-in-law, Bob Taylor; his grandson, Ryan Michels; and his 
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brother, Art; and

 
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    WHEREAS, Robert Michels is survived by his wife, Patricia; 
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his children, Claire (Alan) Pepper, Linda Taylor, Dave (Linda), 
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Steve (Cathy Olson), Nick (Jean), Faye (Mike) Edlund, Laurie 
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(Dick) Cubbage, and Bill (Diana); his grandchildren, Michael 
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Taylor, Janelle Taylor, Matt Warner, Adam Michels, Drew 
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Michels, Jenny Huffstetler, Bryan Michels, Ben Michels, 
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Kristin Propst, Bob Michels, Nicole Bryant, Megan Michels, 
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David Bond, Kelly Bond, Jake Bond, Dylan Bond, Kevin Michels, 
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Josh Michels, and Jessica Michels; his four 
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great-grandchildren; his brothers, BJ (Lois) and Jim (Carole); 
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his sister, Anna Marie (C.J.) Avram; and his sisters-in-law, 
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Lillian Michels, Virginia Cyr, and Dolores Kartheiser; and
 
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    WHEREAS, Robert Michels will be remembered by all who knew 
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and loved him as a father whose faith in God, generosity, 
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fairness, and love for his family was unmatched; therefore, be 
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it

 
 


 






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    RESOLVED, BY THE  SENATE OF THE NINETY-FIFTH GENERAL 
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ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS, that we mourn, along with 
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his family and friends, the passing of Robert Michels; and be 
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it further

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