SR0625 103RD GENERAL ASSEMBLY

SR0625 LRB103 35522 ECR 65594 r

SENATE RESOLUTION

WHEREAS, The members of the Illinois Senate are saddened to learn of the death of James A. "Jim" Menne of Decatur, Alabama, who passed away on November 6, 2023; and

WHEREAS, Jim Menne was born to Joseph and Margaret (Savoia) Menne on October 27, 1943; he graduated from Canton High School in 1961; he married Sandra "Sandy" Ladda on April 16, 1965; he was drafted into the U.S. Army in August 1968 and was stationed at Ft. Baker, serving until November 1972; he received a bachelor's degree in medical technology from Western Illinois University in 1972; and

WHEREAS, Shortly after graduating from high school, Jim Menne began working for International Harvester in Canton until 1968; after earning his college degree, he worked at St. John's Hospital in Springfield; he then worked as head of the medical laboratory at Graham Hospital in Canton from 1975 to 1984; he proceeded to transition to the role of personnel manager, serving in that position until 1987; that same year, he and his wife Sandy opened Finishing Touch, where they repaired and refinished furniture; they also opened Furniture Etc., a furniture and cabinet store, in 1998; and

WHEREAS, Jim Menne was a faithful member and leader of several churches, including the Cuba Bible Church, the Evangelical Free Church of Canton, and the Fiatt Independent Christian Church, where he was hired as pastor in 2000; he was ordained on April 30, 2006, and he continued to serve the Fiatt Independent Christian Church until 2016; after his wife's passing in 2016, he moved to be near his son, daughter-in-law, and grandsons in Decatur, Alabama, where he began attending City Church Decatur; and

WHEREAS, Jim Menne loved fishing, hunting, woodworking, and gardening; he considered dogs as part of the family, including his dog Lightening, who was his faithful companion for the past five years; he will be remembered as a man of strong faith who was always helping, teaching, and caring for others; and

WHEREAS, Jim Menne was preceded in death by his wife; his grandson, Luke; his parents; and his brother, Joe; and

WHEREAS, Jim Menne is survived by his son, Jim Menne; his daughter-in-law, Diana Menne; his grandson, Aidan; and his sisters, Margaret Ann (John) Swalec and Mary Jane (Paul) Franciscovich; 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 James A. "Jim" Menne 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 Jim Menne as an expression of our deepest sympathy.