SR1016 100TH GENERAL ASSEMBLY

SR1016 LRB100 15196 ALS 30090 r

SENATE RESOLUTION

WHEREAS, The members of the Illinois Senate are saddened to learn of the death of Marlene Ann Lantz of Rensselaer, Indiana (formerly of McHenry), who passed away on October 5, 2017; and

WHEREAS, Marlene Lantz was born in Streator to Edward A. Kettmann and Mariette A. Griesmar on January 5, 1947; she attended St. Mary's School and graduated from Marian Central Catholic High School in 1965; she then studied at Elgin Community College and the Milwaukee School of Mortuary Science, where she earned her apprentice license as a Funeral Director and an embalmer; with a never-ending passion for knowledge, she also completed courses in forensic medicine at St. Louis University School of Medicine, Wayne State University, and at Northern Illinois University, in addition to police science courses at Elgin Community College; and

WHEREAS, Marlene Lantz began her career as a morgue and autopsy assistant; she then received her professional license and worked for Sherman Hospital, St. Joseph Hospital in Elgin, and Wait-Ross-Allanson Funeral Home in Algonquin until she became Chief Deputy Coroner for McHenry County; she was then elected Coroner for McHenry County; her career as Coroner spanned 24 years, until her retirement in 2012; during her time as Coroner, she also served a two-week stint as McHenry County Sheriff; and

WHEREAS, Marlene Lantz enjoyed the investigative aspect of her job, and she worked tirelessly to uncover how deaths occurred and to find ways to prevent such tragedies in the future; she was proud of the positive working relationships she established with law enforcement officials, rescue and fire personnel, physicians, and funeral directors during her career; and

WHEREAS, Marlene Lantz used her training and experience to teach about the dangers of drugs and alcohol abuse at local schools and out-of-state colleges and universities; she conducted mock prom accident re-enactments at local high schools; she gave freely of her time to comfort the friends and family members of deceased; she kept in touch with many of them for years after the deaths of their loved ones; and

WHEREAS, Marlene Lantz loved to travel to Wisconsin or Southern Illinois to shop at antique stores and to find new and unusual treasures to add to her collections; she enjoyed reading and watching crime stories with her beloved cats, and most recently, adopted two kittens; she liked carpentry, repurposing old items, remodeling her home, and working in her yard; and

WHEREAS, Marlene Lantz was preceded in death by her father; and her stepfather, Vernon Wilson; and

WHEREAS, Marlene Lantz is survived by her mother; her sisters, Judith Kettmann, Karen (Peter VanTuyl) Wilson, Linda (Ray) White; her brother, Alan (Fay) Wilson; her nephews, Ben White and Matthew (Meghan Nelson) White; her niece, Hannah Wilson; and her great-niece, Penelope White; therefore, be it

RESOLVED, BY THE SENATE OF THE ONE HUNDREDTH GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS, that we mourn the passing of Marlene Ann Lantz and extend our sincere condolences to her family, friends, and all who knew and loved her; and be it further

RESOLVED, That a suitable copy of this resolution be presented to the family of Marlene Lantz as an expression of our deepest sympathy.