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1
HOUSE RESOLUTION

 
2    WHEREAS, The members of the Illinois House of
3Representatives are saddened to learn of the death of William
4Allen "Al" Kolkman of Naperville, who passed away on February
55, 2020; and
 
6    WHEREAS, The United States of America and the State of
7Illinois have been blessed with an abundance of men and women
8who proudly and bravely serve our country, sacrificing a great
9deal to defend the cherished causes of democracy and freedom;
10and
 
11    WHEREAS, It is an extraordinary person who selflessly
12serves and protects others and willingly steps into harm's way
13to defend our freedom; Al Kolkman was such a person; and
 
14    WHEREAS, Al Kolkman was born in Burlington, Iowa on June
1526, 1931; he graduated from Burlington High School in 1950; he
16attended Olivet Nazarene University in Bourbonnais; he married
17Ardell H. "Dell" Jones on May 16, 1969; and
 
18    WHEREAS, Al Kolkman was an active resident of the State of
19Illinois since 1953, living for a time in Chicago, Kankakee,
20and Bourbonnais, residing in Naperville from 1969 to 1999, and
21living for a short time in Glen Ellyn, Plainfield, and Aurora;

 

 

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1and
 
2    WHEREAS, Al Kolkman honorably served in the U.S. Army from
3January 16, 1951 to January 15, 1954; he served in the Korean
4War from June 1951 until April 1952; and
 
5    WHEREAS, Al Kolkman earned the Korean Service Ribbon for
6duty performed in the Republic of Korea; he displayed
7Meritorious Service in a combat zone and Heroic Achievement
8during combat operations against the enemy and was thereby
9awarded three Bronze Stars; he earned the commendation of the
10United Nations Service Medal for serving in a peacekeeping
11effort in the Republic of Korea for 10 months and 17 days; he
12was duly decorated with the National Defense Service Medal for
13his distinguished and honorable service as an active member of
14the Armed Forces between 1951 and 1954; and
 
15    WHEREAS, Al Kolkman knew the worth of defending liberty
16around the world and at home; he lived his life with a can-do
17attitude and knew that tough times never last, tough people do;
18and
 
19    WHEREAS, Al Kolkman faithfully served for the sake of
20others in the relationships he pursued in business, in service
21to his community, in his faith while leading his local church,
22and while serving as a loving son, dutiful husband, patient

 

 

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1father, generous uncle, and faithful friend; therefore, be it
 
2    RESOLVED, BY THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES OF THE ONE
3HUNDRED FIRST GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS, that
4we mourn the passing of William Allen "Al" Kolkman and extend
5our sincere condolences to his family, friends, and all who
6knew and loved him; and be it further
 
7    RESOLVED, That a suitable copy of this resolution be
8presented to the family of Al Kolkman as an expression of our
9deepest sympathy.