SR1384 99TH GENERAL ASSEMBLY

SR1384 LRB099 16168 MST 40494 r

SENATE RESOLUTION

WHEREAS, The members of the Illinois Senate are saddened to learn of the death of James L. "Jim" Turner of Garden Prairie, who passed away on December 16, 2015; and

WHEREAS, Jim Turner was born in Belvidere on May 21, 1930 to Lloyd J. and Ruby Turner; he attended a one-room school house before graduating from Belvidere High School in 1948; he married Marilyn J. Murley on September 30, 1951 at First Presbyterian Church in Belvidere, where he was also a member; and

WHEREAS, Jim Turner was a dairy farmer, living and working his entire life on his family's Centennial Farm; he started Turner Equipment Sales, where he worked alongside his cousin, Gary Turner for many years; and

WHEREAS, Jim Turner gave back to the community by his service as a State officer of F.F.A; he was a founding member and President of Boone Co. Ducks Unlimited Chapter, the 4-H Garden Prairie Grasshoppers, and the Boone County Historical Society Museum, where he was the "Big Dipper" at the annual Ice Cream Social; he also served on the Boone County Community Foundation board and was a recipient of the Belvidere Chamber of Commerce Distinguished Citizens Award in 2013; he was a member of the Farm Bureau and a Bonus Township Trustee and Lawrenceville Cemetery Trustee; he also served on the board of the Conservation District and was a member and supporter of the Boone County Granges; he was a former board member of the Boone State Bank and served on the Belvidere School Board, following the tornado of 1967, as well as during the construction of Funderburg Stadium; he and his wife hosted the Boone County Farm Bureau Dairy Breakfast, and, along with Jack and Peggy Wolf, donated "The Babysitter" statue located at the Boone County Fair Grounds; and

WHEREAS, Jim Turner loved his family; he enjoyed his time baling and selling hay, the Boone County Fair, and raising Welsh Ponies; he was an avid Belvidere Bucs and Chicago Cubs fan; and

WHEREAS, Jim Turner was preceded in death by his parents and his sister, Shirley Craig; and

WHEREAS, Jim Turner is survived by his wife, Marilyn; his children, Teri (Rock) Keegan, Lori Turner, Julie Turner, and Nancy (Mike) Hearn; his sisters, Marlene Smiley and Beverly Gibson; his grandchildren, Kelli (Ben) Knaup, Dustin Turner, Danielle Turner, Stacey (Scott) Barnes, Ali Hearn, and Luke Hearn; his great-grandchildren, Emma Knaup and Sam Knaup; his cousins, Gary (Ann) Turner and Giles (Bunny) Turner; and several nieces and nephews; therefore, be it

RESOLVED, BY THE SENATE OF THE NINETY-NINTH GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS, that we mourn the passing of James L. "Jim" Turner, 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 Jim Turner as an expression of our deepest sympathy.