HR0819 99TH GENERAL ASSEMBLY

HR0819 LRB099 14723 MST 39019 r

HOUSE RESOLUTION

WHEREAS, The members of the Illinois House of Representatives are saddened to learn of the death of Hearl Bishop of Canton; and

WHEREAS, Hearl Bishop was born in Karnak, a small town in Southern Illinois, on December 24, 1920; he attended Southern Illinois University, where he received his Bachelor of Arts and master's degree in education; he married Helen Ilene Dickey in 1946; and

WHEREAS, Hearl Bishop was the agriculture teacher at Eldorado High School from 1946 to 1961; he was then hired as the Assistant Principal at Ridgeway High School for 2 years; he moved his family north and continued his work in education administration as principal of Mahomet-Seymour High School from 1963 to 1966; while working in the school district, he worked on his doctorate in business administration at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign; and

WHEREAS, In 1966, Hearl Bishop's career brought him to Canton, Illinois, as he was hired as the Dean of Canton Community College (CCC); he, along with Dr. William Taylor and Harold Swartzbaugh and the many supporters who worked tirelessly for 2 years, successfully passed a referendum to elevate CCC to Class I Junior College status in 1968; the college would become known as Spoon River College; groundbreaking began in 1972 for the new campus on the outskirts of Canton, and he was named the first President Emeritus, continuing his work until his retirement in 1978; and

WHEREAS, Hearl Bishop's dedication to higher education helped inspire the college to continue to grow with the addition of 3 satellite campuses in Macomb, Rushville, and Havana after his retirement; and

WHEREAS, Hearl Bishop enjoyed his days golfing with friends and challenging rounds with his sons; they enjoyed fishing locally and trips out west, which proved to be adventurous; he also enjoyed playing billiards at the Canton Senior Center; and

WHEREAS, Hearl Bishop lived his life to the fullest; he was a pillar in the Canton community and a source of love and strength to his family and an advocate for the education and advancement of agriculture in Illinois; and

WHEREAS, Hearl Bishop was preceded in death by his wife, Helen; his mother, Minnie; his father, Luther; and his sister, Margaree (Bishop) Hunter; and

WHEREAS, Hearl Bishop is survived by his sons, Dan Bishop (Connie Huttes Bishop) and Jack Bishop (Karla Hatcher Bishop); his daughter, Beth Chapman (Philip Chapman); his grandchildren, Amy Deakin, Emily Deakin Harmony (Faron Harmony), Jennifer Bishop (Justin Hood), Katie Bishop, Matt Chapman (Amy J. Chapman), and Nikki Chapman; his great-grandchildren, Ashlyn Deakin, Dustin, Jadlyn, Victoria, and Faron Harmony, Parker and Maggie Chapman, and Hunter Hood; his 2 brothers, Bill and Bruce Bishop; and his sister, Louise (Bishop) Eastwood; therefore, be it

RESOLVED, BY THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES OF THE NINETY-NINTH GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS, that we mourn the passing of Hearl Bishop, and extend our sincere condolences to his family, friends, and all who knew and loved him; and be it further

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