HR1216 98TH GENERAL ASSEMBLY

HR1216 LRB098 21933 GRL 60795 r

HOUSE RESOLUTION

WHEREAS, The members of the Illinois House of Representatives are saddened to learn of the death of Robert Avery Weaver of Peoria, who passed away on July 4, 2014; and

WHEREAS, Robert Weaver was born on August 25, 1923 in Fisher; his parents were Avery and Lena Weaver; and

WHEREAS, At the age of 12, Robert Weaver borrowed money to purchase his first Angus heifer; in 1942, he moved to Peoria County to farm the Robin's Nest Farm; while in Peoria, he met his wife at the Ann Street Mennonite Church; he and his wife later attended the First United Methodist Church of Peoria; and

WHEREAS, In 1948, Robert Weaver and his wife purchased what would become Weaver Angus Farm in Peoria; from its humble beginnings, he built Weaver Enterprises into a successful, diversified family business on the principles of hard work, integrity, and vision; in 1964, he came to an agreement with Colonel Harlan Sanders on a Kentucky Fried Chicken franchise partnership over a handshake; over the years, several KFC franchises would form the nucleus of Weaver Enterprises; and

WHEREAS, A farmer at heart, Robert Weaver also owned one of the premier herds of Black Angus cattle in the country; he enjoyed exhibiting his pleasure driving horses at competitions and events throughout the country and in Canada and England; and

WHEREAS, Robert Weaver was a member of many charitable boards; he was a founder of Youth Farm and particularly enjoyed his years of service on the Salvation Army Advisory Board, where he was an emeritus board member; he was a member of the New York Coaching Club and the Coaching Club of England; he was an honorary life director of the Carriage Association of America; he served as president of the Illinois Angus Association and the Mennonite Relief Sale; he was also a member of the Board of Governors of the Royal Winter Fair in Toronto and the Youth for Christ Board; and

WHEREAS, Robert Weaver was a recipient of the William Booth Award and the "Others" Award for his lifetime of service to his community; he was a recipient of the Pioneer Angus Breeder Award; he was an honoree in the American Angus Association Heritage Hall of Fame and the Junior Achievement Hall of Fame; he and his wife were also jointly honored as the Association of Fundraising Professionals Philanthropists of the Year and as Easter Seals Tribute Dinner honorees; and

WHEREAS, Robert Weaver was preceded in death by his parents and 5 siblings, Florence Baltz Simonson, Opal Wilson, Glenn Weaver, Dorothy Birkey, and Dr. Floyd Weaver; and

WHEREAS, Robert Weaver is survived by his wife of 69 years, Virginia (nee Garber) Weaver; his children, Jerry (Nancy) Weaver, Phyllis (Don) Crouch, Steve (Shelley) Weaver, Karen (Bob Vespa) Weaver, and Chuck (Laurie) Weaver; a sister, Darlene Weaver; 16 grandchildren; and 18 great-grandchildren; therefore, be it

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

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