SR0386 97TH GENERAL ASSEMBLY

SR0386 LRB097 13974 KXB 58586 r

SENATE RESOLUTION

WHEREAS, The members of the Illinois Senate are saddened to learn of the death of Harry Stewart of Benton, who passed away on September 18, 2011; and

WHEREAS, He was born November 24, 1929, in Benton, the son of Alex and Stella (Pusch) Stewart; he married the former Miriam Whaley on July 16, 1954; and

WHEREAS, He grew up in West City, the son of immigrant parents, and was an All-State football player for Benton High School; he received more than 80 college football scholarship offers and chose to attend the University of South Carolina, where he was a three-year starter as offensive and defensive tackle; in his senior year of college, he was drafted into the Army during the Korean conflict; at the time, he had received draft letters from every professional American and Canadian football team; however, his military service prohibited him from pursuing a career in professional football; and

WHEREAS, Upon his discharge from the Army, he finished his teaching degree at SIU Carbondale; he taught high school and coached football at both Herrin High School and Benton Consolidated High School; he was inducted into the Illinois High School Football Coaches Association Hall of Fame in 1986; and

WHEREAS, He began his political career on the Benton City Council, where he served as finance commissioner; he then served on the Franklin County Board, representing District 2 for 16 years, 12 of which he held the position of county board chairman; he was a member of St. Joseph Catholic Church, the Boneyard Bocce Ball Club, the Benton American Legion, and the Benton Elks; and

WHEREAS, He was preceded in death by his parents; his brothers, Steve and Nick Stewart; his sisters, Anna O'Connell and Stella Perino; and his niece, Iris Hampleman; and

WHEREAS, Harry Stewart is survived by his wife of 57 years, Miriam Stewart; his children, Lex and Shannon Stewart, Laura Stewart, and Kelly Stewart; his grandsons, Alex and Christy Stewart, Jon Pulliam, and Landon Stewart; his great-grandsons, Daniel Stewart Hobbs and Braxton Stewart; his nephews, Steve Stewart and Nick Stewart Jr.; his niece, Jane Stewart-Lau; and several great-nieces and great-nephews; therefore, be it

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

RESOLVED, That a suitable copy of this resolution be presented to the family of Harry Stewart as a symbol of our sincere sympathy.