SR0299 99TH GENERAL ASSEMBLY

SR0299 LRB099 11767 MST 33649 r

SENATE RESOLUTION

WHEREAS, The members of the Illinois Senate are saddened to learn of the death of Harry H. "Hank" Sonnemaker, Jr. of Dunlap, who passed away on March 21, 2015; and

WHEREAS, Harry Sonnemaker, Jr. was born in Peoria on December 6, 1926 to Harry, Sr. and Grace (nee Reiferscheid) Sonnemaker; he attended the Spalding Institute and entered the United States Navy in November of 1944; he served on active duty until 1946, principally in Hawaii, the Marianas, and Guam; he married Dorothy Boyer on June 12, 1948 in Peoria; he was commissioned ensign in 1950 and served in various line and security-intelligence billets until 1955; when he retired, he was the senior most captain in the Navy Reserve in the United States; and

WHEREAS, After serving in the Navy during World War II, Harry Sonnemaker, Jr. obtained his undergraduate education from St. Ambrose and Bradley universities and later graduated from the University of Illinois with his law degree; he was admitted to the Illinois State Bar in 1955 and served as the first legal aid counselor for Peoria in 1957; he was in private practice for 50 years, and from 1974 to 1986, he shared his office with his son; he served as the attorney for the Peoria Police Benevolent Association for 4 years and was the past President and Director of the Illinois Board of Sheriffs Merit Commission; he also served continuously on the Peoria County Sheriff's Merit Commission for more than 30 years; when the JAG Corps was established, he became a JAGC officer, serving for more than 30 years, including a 2-year term as the Judge Advocate General for the Navy; and

WHEREAS, Harry Sonnemaker, Jr. was a member of the American Bar Association, the Illinois State Bar Association, the Illinois Trial Lawyers Association, and the Association of Trial Lawyers of America; and

WHEREAS, Harry Sonnemaker, Jr. was owner of the A&W Root Beer stands in Peoria for more than 20 years; he had a lifelong passion for football, hunting, dogs, and Civil War history; and

WHEREAS, Harry Sonnemaker, Jr. was preceded in death by his parents and his son, Michael; and

WHEREAS, Harry Sonnemaker, Jr. is survived by his wife, Dorothy; his 2 daughters, Lise' (Robert) Mundwiller and Melissa (Steve) Majdic; his brother, William (Nancy) Sonnemaker; his 3 granddaughters, Emily Mundwiller, Abigail Mundwiller, and Andie Majdic; his grandson, David Sonnemaker; his 3 nephews, William (Susan) Sonnemaker, Ken (Tawnya) Sonnemaker, and James (Melissa) Sonnemaker; his niece, Julie (Rick) Ritzler; and his 3 cousins, Sr. Mary Shryock, Joseph Shryock, and Teresa Connolly; therefore, be it

RESOLVED, BY THE SENATE OF THE NINETY-NINTH GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS, that we mourn the passing of Harry H. "Hank" Sonnemaker, Jr., 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 Harry Sonnemaker, Jr. as an expression of our deepest sympathy.