HR0662

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HOUSE RESOLUTION


 
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    WHEREAS, The members of the Illinois House of 
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Representatives are saddened to learn of the death of Mason R. 
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Absher of Marion, who passed away on September 9, 2009; and

 
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    WHEREAS, Mason, one of nine children, was born August 20, 
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1919, in Marion, to John R. and Kate (Beers) Absher; on July 
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25, 1941, he married Imogene (Fairchild) Absher; and

 
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    WHEREAS, He served his country honorably during World War 
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II for more than four and a half years; prior to being drafted 
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into the United States Army, he taught at "Center", a one-room 
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country school in Williamson County near Corinth; upon his 
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discharge from the Army, he resumed his teaching career in 
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Energy and served as school principal until 1948, when he left 
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the field of education; and

 
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    WHEREAS, He founded Absher Motor Sales in 1947 and later 
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was awarded the Nash and Rambler franchise and later expanded 
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into other franchise lines; he and his wife were active in 
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retail automobile business until their retirements in 1984;  
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their love for the business was passed on to their son and 
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their grandsons; and

 
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    WHEREAS, Mason was a lifetime member of Fellowship Lodge 89 
 


 






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Masonic Lodge, a Shriner of Ainad Shrine Temple, a member of 
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New Hope Church in Marion, and a charter member of the Marion 
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Kiwanis Club; he was awarded the coveted "Lifetime Achievement 
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Award" by the Marion Chamber of Commerce in 1998; he served on 
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the Marion Chamber of Commerce board of directors from 1982 to 
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1984; he also served on the board of directors of the Bank of 
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Egypt for many years and later served on the Banterra Bank 
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Board; and

 
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    WHEREAS, He will be remembered for his ability to remember 
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birthdays; he took great pleasure in contacting people on their 
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birthdays and bringing them delight on their special days; and
 
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    WHEREAS, He was preceded in death by his mother and father; 
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his brothers, Leslie, Clarence, Charlie, and Maurice; and his 
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sisters, Vivian Absher and Lavina Siedler; and
 
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    WHEREAS, He is survived by his wife, Imogene Absher; his 
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son, Bill Absher and wife, Sandy; his daughter, Betty Jean 
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Bowles and husband, Ed; his grandsons, David Arnold and wife, 
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Kim, Michael Absher and wife, Cheryl, and Colonel Kevin Fox of 
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the United States Air Force and his wife, Linda; his 
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great-grandchildren, Jessica Arnold, Jarrod Arnold, Jordan 
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Arnold, Cole Absher, Reed Absher, and Will Absher; his 
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brothers, Orie Absher and David Absher; his many nieces and 
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nephews; and his longtime close friend, Earl Parks; therefore, 
 


 






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be it

 
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    RESOLVED, BY THE  HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES OF THE 
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NINETY-SIXTH GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS, that we 
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mourn, along with his family and friends, the passing of Mason 
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Absher; and be it further

 
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    RESOLVED, That a suitable copy of this resolution be 
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presented to the family of Mason Absher as a symbol of our 
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sincere sympathy.