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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 Merl Eugene Clark of Indianola, who 
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passed away on January 16, 2009; and

 
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    WHEREAS, Merl Eugene Clark was born the son of John William 
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and Clara Rena Margaret Bialeschki Clark on July 9, 1922 at 
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Rose Hill; he married Frances Juanita Smith on October 5, 1946 
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in Pulaski, Virginia; and

 
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    WHEREAS, He had a 20-year career in the United States Navy 
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and was a World War II Veteran, where he received 13 battle 
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star citations and 5 personal citations from the Navy; 6 of 
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those 20 years were served on the U.S.S. Boise CL47; he 
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participated in the Battle of Cape Esperance (sunk 4 ships), 
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the Battle of Guadalcanal, The Lone Tokyo Raid, and the Battle 
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of Leyte Gulf; and he was aboard the U.S.S. Boise during the 
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Lingayen Gulf Landing (Philippines) with General Douglas 
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MacArthur; he was also the commanding officer of approximately 
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eight different LCU, a recruiter, deep sea diver, and an 
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instructor; and

 
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    WHEREAS, Upon his retirement from the United States Navy, 
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he had many varied and interesting positions, one of which was 
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opening a hearing aid business with his cousin Theo of Mattoon; 
 


 






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and


 
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    WHEREAS, During his lifetime he spent many hours in his 
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workshop on labors of love; he was a prolific reader, an avid 
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learner, a risk taker, an adventurer, horse lover, and was 
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honored by having a nephew, a cousin, and a brother-in-law 
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named after him; and
 
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    WHEREAS, His life was long and full; he was loved and will 
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be missed by not only his family but the many friends he left 
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behind; and
 
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    WHEREAS, Merl Clark is survived by his loving wife of 62 
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years, Frances; his children, Daniel Duncan Clark (Kay) and 
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Frances Debra Clark Mills (Don); his grandchildren Jason 
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(Trinket) Clark, Dusten (Jennifer) Clark, Francie (Nick) 
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Stokes, Danica (Jim) Hartle, Colby Clark, and Morgan Clark; and 
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his great grandchildren whom he loved dearly, Owen and Tessa, 
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Colton and Cassidy, Kyle, Madisyn and Alex, and Bailey and 
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Cydney; therefore, be it

 
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    RESOLVED, BY THE  SENATE OF THE NINETY-SIXTH 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 Merl Clark; and be it 
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further

 
 


 






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