SR0911 96TH GENERAL ASSEMBLY

SR0911 LRB096 23285 GRL 42635 r

SENATE RESOLUTION

WHEREAS, The members of the Illinois Senate are saddened to learn of the death of John W. Cockrell of Eagle River, Wisconsin, formerly of Downers Grove, who passed away on June 28, 2010; and

WHEREAS, John Cockrell was born on January 17, 1923, in Brookfield; his parents were Willis and Anna Cockrell; he married Helen T. Cinker in 1949; and

WHEREAS, John Cockrell attended St. Joseph Catholic School and Downers Grove North High School; and

WHEREAS, John Cockrell served his country with pride and distinction as a member of the U.S. Army during World War II in the Pacific theatre; and

WHEREAS, John Cockrell was an active member of the Fairview Homeowners Association when he and his wife built their first home on Washington Street in Downers Grove; at that time, he owned and operated DuPage Excavating and was a member of Local 150; in 1958, he was elected to serve as Justice of the Peace from Downers Grove Township; he was subsequently elected to serve as Magistrate of the DuPage County Circuit Court; in 1962, he began working in the Circuit Clerk's office, introducing computers to facilitate the second largest court system in Illinois; in 1971, John was elected to serve as Clerk of the 18th Judicial Circuit Court, remaining in that position until his retirement in 1991; and

WHEREAS, During his career, John Cockrell served as President of the Illinois Association of Court Clerks, President of the Illinois Association of County Officials, and member of the DuPage County Law Enforcement Commission and the Crescent Criminal Justice Authority; he was also an active member of the Downers Grove Township Republican Organization, the Downers Grove Lions Club, and the St. Joseph Catholic Church; and

WHEREAS, After his retirement, John Cockrell and his wife made their home in Eagle River, Wisconsin; while in Eagle River, he was on the board at the Kalmar Senior Center and an active member of the Northwood's Carvers; he also enjoyed fishing, golfing, painting, wood carving, playing cards, and visiting with his family and friends; and

WHEREAS, John Cockrell is survived by his beloved wife of 61 years, Helen; his daughters, Susan Sheldon, Theresa Cockrell, and Janis (James) Gorski; his sister, Anna Johnston; his grandchildren, Amanda (Mark) Roe, Amber (Collin) Verbick, and Daniel and Emily Gorski; and his great-grandchildren, Evelyn and Miles Roe; therefore, be it

RESOLVED, BY THE SENATE OF THE NINETY-SIXTH GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS, that we mourn, along with his family and friends, the passing of John W. Cockrell; and be it further

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