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1
SENATE RESOLUTION

 
2    WHEREAS, The members of the Illinois Senate are saddened
3to learn of the death of Lynda Kay (Warfel) Fishel, the former
4Mayor of Arcola, who passed away on November 8, 2023; and
 
5    WHEREAS, Lynda Fishel was born to Orville Herman "Hank"
6and Adeline Josephine (Hinton) Warfel in Tolono on August 2,
71939; she attended Unity High School, where she was later
8inducted into the Hall of Fame as a distinguished alumni; she
9attended Gulfport College in Mississippi and later attended
10Southern Illinois University Carbondale; she married John
11Virgil "Jack" Fishel Jr. in Arcola on December 27, 1958; and
 
12    WHEREAS, Lynda Fishel was integrally involved in the
13bustling days of Arcola's downtown tourism and commerce
14industry, owning and operating dress shop The Tailored Lady in
15the Arcola Emporium; and
 
16    WHEREAS, Lynda Fishel was appointed as Mayor of Arcola in
171991; her exceptional leadership skills and tireless efforts
18to improve the lives of residents led to her election for two
19four-year terms in 1993 and 1997; during her tenure, she
20played a pivotal role in the development and growth of Arcola,
21secured a sustainable water source for the city, and worked to
22promote Arcola as a destination for tourists from all over the

 

 

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1world, leading to the establishment of sister cities in both
2Mexico and Japan; she also actively participated in the
3Central Illinois Municipal Officials Association (CIMOA),
4where she served as president at one time; and
 
5    WHEREAS, Beyond her mayoral role, Lynda Fishel was deeply
6involved in various community projects; she was instrumental
7in the establishment of the original Tax Increment Financing
8(TIF) district and the expansion of the industrial park in
9Arcola; as a member of the Arcola Chamber of Commerce, she
10worked diligently to foster collaboration among local
11businesses and drive economic development; she also served on
12several boards, including the Arcola School Board, the
13Parkland College Board, the First Mid Bank Board, the Sarah
14Bush Lincoln Health Center Board, and the Arcola Public
15Library Board; and
 
16    WHEREAS, Lynda Fishel found comfort in various activities
17that enriched her life and the lives of those around her; she
18was a master gardener and often shared clippings of flowers
19and herbs from her yard with friends; she volunteered with an
20organization focused on rescuing sea turtles during her time
21in Puerto Vallarta in Mexico; she especially enjoyed caring
22for others by sharing meals and providing comfort through the
23art of cooking; she and her husband Jack shared a deep love of
24spending time with family, watching football, listening to

 

 

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1music, dancing, and sharing coffee in the mornings, tea on the
2patio in the afternoons, and sunsets in the evenings; and
 
3    WHEREAS, Lynda Fishel was known for her warm and loving
4personality and her way of making others feel loved and
5appreciated; she will be remembered as an excellent leader who
6remained committed to serving and advocating for her
7community; and
 
8    WHEREAS, Lynda Fishel was preceded in death by her
9husband, her parents, her in-laws, and her half-sibling,
10Charles "Chuck" Clementz; and
 
11    WHEREAS, Lynda Fishel is survived by her children, John
12Virgil (Loretta) Fishel III, Jeff (Toni) Fishel, Jim (Chris)
13Fishel, Amy Jo (Bob) Mueller, and Allison (Brett) Keller; 18
14grandchildren; 13 great-grandchildren; her brother Linden
15(Kay) Warfel; and her half-siblings, Vikki (Dave) Hemrich and
16Chris (Paula) Clementz; therefore, be it
 
17    RESOLVED, BY THE SENATE OF THE ONE HUNDRED THIRD GENERAL
18ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS, that we mourn the passing of
19Lynda Kay (Warfel) Fishel, the former Mayor of Arcola, and
20extend our sincere condolences to her family, friends, and all
21who knew and loved her; and be it further
 

 

 

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1    RESOLVED, That a suitable copy of this resolution be
2presented to the family of Lynda Fishel as an expression of our
3deepest sympathy.