HR0616 98TH GENERAL ASSEMBLY

HR0616 LRB098 14434 GRL 49120 r

HOUSE RESOLUTION

WHEREAS, The members of the Illinois House of Representatives are saddened to learn of the death of Diane E. Wilkins, who passed away on October 12, 2013; and

WHEREAS, Diane Wilkins was born on December 22, 1946 in Aurora; her parents were Alvin Ray and Dorothy Evelyn (nee Hill) Niswander; she married Ted Wilkins on April 14, 1984 at Paulton Church of God; she attended school in Aurora and was a graduate of Aurora High School; and

WHEREAS, During the Vietnam War, Diane Wilkins served her country by enlisting with the United States Army, where she worked as a surgical assistant in plastic surgery until her honorable discharge; and

WHEREAS, Diane Wilkins was a member of Marion Elks Club Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks No. 800 and was made an honorary member of Marion VFW Heyde-Pillow Post 1301; she was also an honorary member of many other civic organizations; and

WHEREAS, Diane Wilkins was employed with the United States Postal Service as a rural mail carrier for many years; in the early 1990s, she began working for The Daily Republican newspaper in Marion as an inserter; she later became one of its news reporters, a position she thoroughly enjoyed until her retirement in 2009; she met and spoke with many famous people during her career, including Presidents Ronald Reagan, George H.W. Bush, George W. Bush, and Barack Obama, and Lady Antebellum; and

WHEREAS, Diane Wilkins enjoyed watching the news, spending time with her cats, and playing bingo; and

WHEREAS, Diane Wilkins was preceded in death by her parents and her husband, Ted Wilkins; and

WHEREAS, Diane Wilkins is survived by her daughter and son-in-law, Jennifer L. and Darrell Calhoun; her son, Brian Rendleman; her 6 grandchildren; her beloved cat, Smokey; and her other extended family members and friends; therefore, be it

RESOLVED, BY THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES OF THE NINETY-EIGHTH GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS, that we, along with her family and friends, mourn the passing of Diane E. Wilkins; and be it further

RESOLVED, That a suitable copy of this resolution be presented to the family of Diane Wilkins as an expression of our sympathy.