SR1012 103RD GENERAL ASSEMBLY

SR1012 LRB103 40810 MST 73690 r

SENATE RESOLUTION

WHEREAS, The members of the Illinois State Senate are saddened to learn of the death of former Illinois State Senator Dr. Merrill William George Ottwein, who passed away on March 21, 2024; and

WHEREAS, Dr. Ottwein was born to Oscar John and Hilda (Bardelmeier) Ottwein in Troy on April 24, 1929; and

WHEREAS, Dr. Ottwein attended Troy schools; he received a Bachelor of Science in Agriculture with highest honors from the University of Illinois in 1951, a Master of Science in Agricultural Economics from the University of Illinois in 1953, and a Doctor of Veterinary Medicine with honors from the University of Illinois in 1956; and

WHEREAS, Dr. Ottwein married Grace Schmidt at Frieden's United Church of Christ in Troy on September 2, 1950; and

WHEREAS, Dr. Ottwein founded Hawthorne Animal Hospital in Glen Carbon in 1956 and practiced until 1966 when his family moved for a year to Honduras to conduct veterinary and agricultural mission work through the United Church World Ministries; and

WHEREAS, Dr. Ottwein campaigned for the Illinois State Senate in 1969 on the slogan of "People Power"; he sought to bring about a more decentralized government to improve the quality of American life upon the principles that education, including vocational training, must be of the highest priority, that our environment and our relations to it must be a constant consideration, and that a morality of contribution, national purpose and unity, and old-fashioned patriotism should be the order of the day; and

WHEREAS, Dr. Ottwein won election to an unexpired term in the Illinois Senate in 1969, becoming the first Republican senator from the 53rd District in more than 30 years; and

WHEREAS, Dr. Ottwein served on the Education, Conservation, Agriculture, and Public Welfare committees during his tenure in the senate; and

WHEREAS, Dr. Ottwein was appointed a member of the Illinois School Problems Commission and the Urban Education Commission and served as chairman of the Committee for Unification and Coordination of Social Services in Illinois; and

WHEREAS, Dr. Ottwein introduced legislation to require visual examinations for students in Illinois and for the establishment of a St. Louis Metropolitan Airport, as well as a measure to finance a water pollution control as part of a legislative package supported by Governor Richard Ogilvie; and

WHEREAS, Dr. Ottwein, after serving for one term, became involved with developing communities and founded his company, Homebuyer's Relocation Services, with his son, Paul; he also served on numerous industry-related boards and committees; and

WHEREAS, Dr. Ottwein's first love was his family, but he also enjoyed singing in various barbershop and vocal groups, playing his trombone in community bands and small ensembles, and researching family history; and

WHEREAS, Dr. Ottwein was preceded in death by his parents and his grandson, Dr. Brent Leh; and

WHEREAS, Dr. Ottwein is survived by his wife of 73 years, Grace Ottwein; his sister, Audrey Deeren; his children, Ann (Michael) Culp, Amy (Keith) Zagar, Paul (Amber) Ottwein, and Emily Ottwein; his grandchildren and great-grandchildren, John Ottwein and Nicole DeVerter-Ottwein, Adam and Jessica Ottwein (Annabelle and Oscar), Tyler Ottwein and Emma Pieper, Dakota Roper and fiancé Tyler Orgler, Richard and Laura Leh (Devyn), Matthew and Catherine Zagar (Jane and Dylan), Patrick Zagar, Benjamin Ottwein, Bethany and Eric Paulsen (Emmet), Benjamin and Megan Culp (Julia, Wesley, Owen), Nathan and Pamela Culp (Clayton), and Gregory and Victoria Culp (Brentleigh and Elisabeth); and numerous cousins, nieces, and nephews; therefore, be it

RESOLVED, BY THE SENATE OF THE ONE HUNDRED THIRD GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS, that we mourn the passing of Dr. Merrill William George Ottwein 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 Dr. Ottwein as an expression of our deepest sympathy.