SR1302LRB099 15518 GRL 39808 r

1
SENATE RESOLUTION

 
2    WHEREAS, The members of the Illinois Senate are saddened to
3learn of the death of Blair E. Smestad of Champaign, who passed
4away on November 5, 2015; and
 
5    WHEREAS, Blair Smestad was born on April 9, 1925 in
6Bemidji, Minnesota; he was adopted by Annie and William Smestad
7at the age of 6 months and grew up with them in Granite Falls,
8Minnesota; he later reconnected with his birth mother, Selma
9Dokken Maher, and met his brothers and sisters; and
 
10    WHEREAS, Blair Smestad served in the United States Army Air
11Corps at the Pentagon in Washington, D.C.; he was a licensed
12pilot and an instructor and manager of the flight school at
13Chanute Air Force Base in Rantoul; he also served as a nursing
14home administrator and in various other capacities; and
 
15    WHEREAS, Blair Smestad was a member and elder at the
16Champaign Seventh-Day Adventist Church for nearly 50 years; as
17a member of the church, he led Bible studies, preached, and
18sang special music for his fellow believers; and
 
19    WHEREAS, Blair Smestad was preceded in death by his
20parents; his brothers, Bob and Darrell Maher; his sons, Rick
21Smestad and Larry Smestad; his grandson, Eric Smestad; and his

 

 

SR1302- 2 -LRB099 15518 GRL 39808 r

1daughter-in-law, Donna Smestad; and
 
2    WHEREAS, Blair Smestad is survived by his wife of 65 years,
3Lois Danielson Smestad; his children, Ann (Don) King and Brad
4(Deb) Smestad; his daughter-in-law, Tammy Smestad Cranston
5(Bob); his sisters, Pat (Hollis) Schwartz, Nancy (Dave) Andre,
6and Sally (Duwayn) Kirkvoid; his nephew, Paul (Marge) Maher;
7his 7 grandchildren; and his 11 great-grandchildren;
8therefore, be it
 
9    RESOLVED, BY THE SENATE OF THE NINETY-NINTH GENERAL
10ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS, that we, along with his
11family and friends, mourn the passing of Blair E. Smestad; and
12be it further
 
13    RESOLVED, That a suitable copy of this resolution be
14presented to the family of Blair Smestad as an expression of
15our sympathy.