SR0359 99TH GENERAL ASSEMBLY

SR0359 LRB099 11778 MST 33669 r

SENATE RESOLUTION

WHEREAS, The members of the Illinois Senate are saddened to learn of the death of John J. "Jack" Justen of McHenry, who passed away on November 21, 2014; and

WHEREAS, John Justen was born in McHenry on July 9, 1932 to John R. and Evelyn (nee Freund) Justen; he graduated McHenry High School in 1949 and attended the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, participating in the ROTC program; he graduated with a Bachelor of Science in Accounting and entered the United States Army as a Second Lieutenant, serving stateside; he married Beverly D. Blish on September 7, 1958 at St. Mary's Church in McHenry and was a lifelong resident of McHenry; and

WHEREAS, John Justen worked in the field of corporate accounting for over 30 years; he was first employed by Burgess Vibrocrafters, Inc. in Grayslake for 15 years and then by the McHenry Electric Company for over 15 years before retiring; and

WHEREAS, John Justen was an active member of St. Mary's Church in McHenry, serving as an usher and regularly volunteering for church activities, such as the picnic and annual rummage sale; he was a member of the Knights of Columbus McHenry Council 1288 and was a lifetime member and Fourth Degree Knight of Bishop Boylan Assembly #198; he was also a member of the McHenry Moose Lodge and called bingo games at the McHenry Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 4600; and

WHEREAS, John Justen's favorite activities included fishing, golf, volleyball, gardening, and dancing, especially the polka; he was an avid sports fan and played several sports in high school; his love of sports continued throughout his lifetime as he lent his skills to neighborhood children who needed someone to give them a little coaching assistance or just needed someone to play catch with; and

WHEREAS, John Justen was preceded in death by his parents; his wife, Beverly; his brothers, Eugene and Gerald Justen; and his sister, Gladys Ekholm; and

WHEREAS, John Justen is survived by his 4 children, Jeffrey Justen, Jody Justen, Stacey (Jon) Haapala, and Kristy (William) Hecke, and his 4 grandchildren, Nathaniel Justen, Brandon Hecke, Jacob Haapala, and Lindsey Haapala; therefore, be it

RESOLVED, BY THE SENATE OF THE NINETY-NINTH GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS, that we mourn the passing of John J. "Jack" Justen, 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 John Justen as an expression of our deepest sympathy.