HR1251 96TH GENERAL ASSEMBLY

HR1251 LRB096 22324 GRL 41458 r

HOUSE RESOLUTION

WHEREAS, The members of the Illinois House of Representatives are pleased to recognize milestone events in the lives of Illinois citizens; and

WHEREAS, It has come to our attention that Jay and Betty Vonachen are celebrating their 70th birthdays on May 22, 2010; and

WHEREAS, Jay Vonachen was born on March 19, 1940; he is the son of Bob and Helen Vonachen; in 1947, Jay's father opened Vonachen Industrial Supply, which Jay ran until 2005; Bob had a particular affinity for the North Woods in Minocqua, Wisconsin and purchased the original family cabin from his father, Dr. John Vonachen, in 1968; his love for Minocqua was passed down to his children and grandchildren and remains a family tradition to this day; and

WHEREAS, Betty Vonachen was born on June 9, 1940; she is the daughter of Ansel and Evelyn Mathers; her father was involved with farming and was employed with Caterpillar, Inc.; her father also opened Sheridan Road Hardware, where her entire family worked; after suffering a heart attack, Ansel left Caterpillar, sold his hardware store, and went into the real estate business; his major real estate projects included the Idyllbrook and Northgate Park subdivisions; and

WHEREAS, Jay and Betty Vonachen attended St. Philomena's Grade School; Betty then attended Our Lady High School while Jay attended Spaulding High School; Jay and Betty reunited for their collegiate education at Marquette University; and

WHEREAS, Jay Vonachen serves as the CEO of Vonachen Services, Inc., which he founded in 1968; as a prominent state-wide and community leader, he is a former Chairman of the Illinois State Chamber of Commerce and has served as a Trustee at Bradley University, the Lakeview Museum Foundation, the Community Foundation of Central Illinois, the OSF St. Francis Advisory Board, the Fayette Companies, and the United Way Pillars Society; he is also a generous fundraiser for numerous political campaigns throughout Illinois and numerous community endeavors, such as the Peoria School District 150 Truancy Program; and

WHEREAS, Betty Vonachen is a former employee of United States Congressman Bob Michel; she is an active member and former President of the Junior League in Peoria, a former Board Member of the Children's Home Association of Illinois, and a former Chairperson of the Lakeview Museum Auction; she is also currently in charge of the St. Thomas Landscape Ministry; and

WHEREAS, Jay and Betty Vonachen are blessed with 3 children, Molly Vonachen Miller (Mike), Matt Vonachen (Lesley), and Elizabeth Vonachen Assalley (Thomas), and 8 grandchildren, Andria Assalley, Alexa Assalley, George Assalley, Charlie Assalley, Lucas Crowley, Alex Crowley, Max Vonachen, and Isabella Vonachen; therefore, be it

RESOLVED, BY THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES OF THE NINETY-SIXTH GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS, that we Jay and Betty Vonachen on the occasion of their 70th birthdays and wish them continued success and happiness in the future; and be it further

RESOLVED, That a suitable copy of this resolution be presented to Jay and Betty Vonachen as a symbol of our esteem and respect.