SR1339 98TH GENERAL ASSEMBLY

SR1339 LRB098 21939 GRL 60801 r

SENATE RESOLUTION

WHEREAS, The members of the Illinois Senate are saddened to learn of the death of Robert Avery Weaver of Peoria, who passed away on July 4, 2014; and

WHEREAS, Robert Weaver was born on August 25, 1923 in Fisher; his parents were Avery and Lena Weaver; and

WHEREAS, At the age of 12, Robert Weaver borrowed money to purchase his first Angus heifer; in 1942, he moved to Peoria County to farm the Robin's Nest Farm; while in Peoria, he met his wife at the Ann Street Mennonite Church; he and his wife later attended the First United Methodist Church of Peoria; and

WHEREAS, In 1948, Robert Weaver and his wife purchased what would become Weaver Angus Farm in Peoria; from its humble beginnings, he built Weaver Enterprises into a successful, diversified family business based on the principles of hard work, integrity, and vision; in 1964, he came to an agreement with Colonel Harlan Sanders on a Kentucky Fried Chicken franchise partnership over a handshake; over the years, several KFC franchises would form the nucleus of Weaver Enterprises; and

WHEREAS, A farmer at heart, Robert Weaver also owned one of the premier herds of Black Angus cattle in the country; he enjoyed exhibiting his pleasure driving horses at competitions and events throughout the country and in Canada and England; and

WHEREAS, Robert Weaver was a member of many charitable boards; he was a founder of Youth Farm and particularly enjoyed his years of service on the Salvation Army Advisory Board, where he was an emeritus board member; he was a member of the New York Coaching Club and the Coaching Club of England; he was an honorary life director of the Carriage Association of America; he served as president of the Illinois Angus Association and the Mennonite Relief Sale; he was also a member of the Board of Governors of the Royal Winter Fair in Toronto and the Youth for Christ Board; and

WHEREAS, Robert Weaver was a recipient of the William Booth Award and the "Others" Award for his lifetime of service to his community; he was a recipient of the Pioneer Angus Breeder Award; he was an honoree in the American Angus Association Heritage Hall of Fame and the Junior Achievement Hall of Fame; he and his wife were also jointly honored as the Association of Fundraising Professionals Philanthropists of the Year and as Easter Seals Tribute Dinner honorees; and

WHEREAS, Robert Weaver was preceded in death by his parents and 5 siblings, Florence Baltz Simonson, Opal Wilson, Glenn Weaver, Dorothy Birkey, and Dr. Floyd Weaver; and

WHEREAS, Robert Weaver is survived by his wife of 69 years, Virginia (nee Garber) Weaver; his children, Jerry (Nancy) Weaver, Phyllis (Don) Crouch, Steve (Shelley) Weaver, Karen (Bob Vespa) Weaver, and Chuck (Laurie) Weaver; a sister, Darlene Weaver; 16 grandchildren; and 18 great-grandchildren; therefore, be it

RESOLVED, BY THE SENATE OF THE NINETY-EIGHTH GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS, that we, along with his family and friends, mourn the passing of Robert Avery Weaver; and be it further

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