SR0771 99TH GENERAL ASSEMBLY

SR0771 LRB099 13061 MST 36943 r

SENATE RESOLUTION

WHEREAS, The members of the Illinois Senate are saddened to learn of the death of Warren F. Craig of Normal, who passed away on May 26, 2015; and

WHEREAS, Warren Craig was born in Fairbury on December 24, 1920 to Will and Georgia Craig; he served in the United States Army during World War II; after the war, he graduated from Illinois State Normal University (ISU) and earned a master's degree from the University of Illinois; he married Joybelle Dickey in 1946; and

WHEREAS, Warren Craig served as Unit 5's first reading coordinator; he taught speech, English, reading, and drama in Lincoln, Bloomington, and Normal; he also operated Craig Canvas Service for more than 50 years; and

WHEREAS, Warren Craig was an active member of the North Bridge Baptist Church in Normal; he held many church offices and was part of the American Baptist men's disaster relief team; he formed the first neighborhood association in Normal and assisted other neighborhoods to do the same; he and his wife became the first off-campus ISU student housing providers to integrate their rented rooms; they later hosted many international students and, in return, were welcomed visitors to homes in Japan and Germany; and

WHEREAS, Warren Craig enjoyed using his dramatic talents for the benefit of the McLean County Historical Society, the Masons, and the Retired Teachers Association; the first local Habitat for Humanity warehouse started in his garage; he wrote and published a newsletter for his camping club; in recognition of his contributions to the community, Normal named him its 2006 Citizen of the Year; and

WHEREAS, Warren Craig was preceded in death by his brothers, Sterling and Willard, and his sister, Jean Sutter; and

WHEREAS, Warren Craig is survived by his wife, Joybelle; his sister, Helen Fecske; his children, Dr. Barbara Craig-Schniepp, Shirley (James Robinson), Linda (Rodney Reed), and Paul (Inyoung); his granddaughters, Dr. Sara Robinson (Dr. Matt Powers), Julia Robinson, and Elizabeth Craig; and his great-granddaughter, Scout Robinson Powers; therefore, be it

RESOLVED, BY THE SENATE OF THE NINETY-NINTH GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS, that we mourn the passing of Warren F. Craig, 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 Warren Craig as an expression of our deepest sympathy.