SR1059 99TH GENERAL ASSEMBLY

SR1059 LRB099 14576 MST 38925 r

SENATE RESOLUTION

WHEREAS, The members of the Illinois Senate are saddened to learn of the death of Hearl C. Bishop of Canton, who passed away on September 26, 2015; and

WHEREAS, Hearl Bishop was born on December 24, 1920 in Karnak; he attended Southern Illinois University, where he received his bachelor's degree and his master's degree in education; and

WHEREAS, Hearl Bishop served as an agriculture teacher at Eldorado High School from 1946 to 1961; he advanced his career into education administration when he served as Assistant Principal at Ridgeway High School in Ridgeway for 2 years; he later moved his family north and continued in the administration field as principal of Mahomet-Seymour High School in Mahomet from 1963 to 1966; while working in the school district, he worked on his doctorate in business administration at the University of Illinois; and

WHEREAS, In 1966, Hearl Bishop's career brought him to Canton when he was hired as the dean of Canton Community College; while at Canton Community College, he and many supporters worked tirelessly for 2 years to realize a successful referendum to see the college become a Class I Junior College in 1968; the college would later become known as Spoon River College, with the college's new campus groundbreaking beginning in 1972; he was selected to be the first president of Spoon River College, continuing his work there until his retirement in 1978; and

WHEREAS, Hearl Bishop enjoyed golfing with his friends and his sons, fishing, and playing billiards; and

WHEREAS, Hearl Bishop was preceded in death by his wife, Helen Ilene (nee Dickey) Bishop; and

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

RESOLVED, BY THE SENATE OF THE NINETY-NINTH GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS, that we, along with his family and friends, mourn the passing of Hearl C. Bishop; 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 sympathy.