HR1213 95TH GENERAL ASSEMBLY

HR1213 LRB095 20576 KXB 48583 r

HOUSE RESOLUTION

WHEREAS, The members of the Illinois House of Representatives are saddened to learn of the death of John "Jack" McHale, who passed away on December 18, 2007; and

WHEREAS, Jack McHale was born on October 3, 1917, in Philadelphia, the son of Harry P. and Susie Murphy McHale; Jack married Catherine C. Tracy on Oct. 4, 1945, in Seymour; and

WHEREAS, Jack McHale was a 1940 graduate from LaSalle College in Philadelphia; after graduation, he enlisted in the Army Air Corps where he trained in Florida; he then transferred into the United States Navy Midshipmen Class, later becoming an officer and teaching Aircraft Recognition at Ohio State University and then the University of Illinois; he was then ordered to the battleship USS Massachusetts, part of the Third Fleet, fighting in the South Asian Campaign, until the end of World War II; and

WHEREAS, Jack McHale farmed after moving to the Ivesdale area, and later worked for the Illinois Commerce Commission and later for the Illinois Secretary of State for 27 years; he was a Democratic precinct committeeman for over 50 years and township assessor for Colfax and Sadorus townships; he ran unsuccessfully for State senator and twice for State representative, during which time he was the Democratic chairman for Champaign County; and he served on the Bement school board for 17 years; and

WHEREAS, Jack McHale was a 50-plus-year member of the Albert Parker American Legion Post 620, VFW in Tolono, and past Grand Knight, 4th Degree and Faithful Navigator of Ivesdale 1047 Knights of Columbus, 4-H leader, and softball coach; he was a past member of the St. Boniface Catholic Church in Seymour, and a longtime member of the St. Joseph's Catholic Church in Ivesdale, where he served as lecturer and Eucharist minister; and

WHEREAS, Jack was preceded in death by his parents; his brother, Father Raymond McHale; and his daughters, Francine McHale and Pauline Howes; and

WHEREAS, John McHale is survived by his wife, Catherine; his children, Maureen Airsman, Justine (Dennis) Nelson, Michael (Joann) McHale, Christine (David) Marker, Antonine (Neal) Thompson, Norine (Randy) Betz, Mark (Melinda) McHale, John (Margaret) McHale, Celine (Chris) Walsh, Irene McHale, James Brendan (Karen) McHale, and Jeanniene (Tim) Walsh; his thirty-five grandchildren and five great-grandchildren; and his sister, Marie O'Donnell; therefore, be it

RESOLVED, BY THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES OF THE NINETY-FIFTH GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS, that we mourn, along with his family and friends, the passing of John "Jack" McHale; and be it further

RESOLVED, That a suitable copy of this resolution be presented to the family of John "Jack" McHale as a symbol of our sincere sympathy.