SR1059 101ST GENERAL ASSEMBLY

SR1059 LRB101 20912 ECR 70847 r

SENATE RESOLUTION

WHEREAS, The Illinois Senate is saddened to learn of the death of Herman V. Schaefer Jr. of Grundy County, who passed away on January 19, 2020; and

WHEREAS, Herman Schaefer was born to Catherine Mary (Scheffer) and Herman V. Schaefer Sr. in Seneca on September 23, 1927; he attended Seneca schools and was a member of St. Patrick's Catholic Church in Seneca early in his life; he met Carol J. Hill in high school, and they were married at St. Patrick's on July 29, 1950; and

WHEREAS, Herman Schaefer worked for Straightway Dairy for a short time after high school until he was able to live out his dream by entering a farming partnership with the Dunn Brothers of Morris; and

WHEREAS, As a lifelong grain farmer and recognized cattleman, Herman Schaefer raised a large herd of Simmental and Angus crossbreed beef cattle; he received local, state and national recognition over the years for his outstanding beef production herd, and, in 1980, he was recognized as the Seedstock Producer of the Year by the Illinois Livestock Association; and

WHEREAS, Herman Schaefer dedicated years of service to local and state government roles; he began his 38 year tenure on the Norman Township Board when he was elected a Township trustee in 1969 and served in this position until he was elected as Norman Township Supervisor in 1981; he served two terms on the Grundy County Board and was appointed to a two-year term in Springfield as the Illinois State Chairman of the Agricultural Stabilization and Conservation Service (ASCS) board in 1979; he also served as president of the Illinois Beef Improvement Federation and the Illinois Simmental Association; and

WHEREAS, Herman Schaefer and his wife Carol were active members of the Immaculate Conception Parish in Morris; they served on the parish council and helped to raise funds for the capital and operating needs of the church over the years; Herman had the pleasure of working with 4-H members and enjoyed seeing his cattle shown by youth throughout the state and on a national level; and

WHEREAS, Herman Schaefer was preceded in death by his wife of 67 years, Carol J. Hill Schaefer; his parents, Catherine Mary (Scheffer) and Herman V. Schaefer Sr.; his siblings, John (Lillian) Schaefer, Joseph (Lucille) Schaefer, Robert (Irene) Schaefer, Sylvia (Richard) Redmond, Mary (Gale) Wicks, and Bernadine (Al) Ruggie; and

WHEREAS, Herman Schaefer is survived by his children, Sue (Barry) Bivens, Kevin (Nancy) Schaefer, Rick Schaefer, Jan (Mark) Griglione, Greg (Marlene) Schaefer, Joy (Greg) Skaggs, Teresa (Joe) Fruland, Kerra (Brad) Guffey, and Pam (Doug Punke Sr.) Schaefer; his grandchildren, Jeremy (Sarah) Bivens, Josh (Tricia) Bivens, Jonathan (Lauren) Bivens, Kindra (Greg) Bender, Gage Phillips, Cora Bender, Kirsten Schaefer, Kaitlyn Schaefer, Annie (Chris) Novak, Dan Holler, Ryan (Alyssa) Schaefer, Nick (Nicole) Schaefer, Alan (Rosanna) Schaefer, Brittany (Channing Batz) Schaefer, Joe (Katie) Griglione, Tony Griglione, Mick Schaefer, MacKenzie Schaefer, Cassandra (Cliff) Taylor, Vanessa Skaggs, Joe (Amanda) Fruland, Matt Fruland, Daniel Fruland, Katie Guffey, and Carole (Sam Willis) Guffey; his great-grandchildren, Caroline, Violet, Charlie, Olivia, Ruthie, Autumn, Eli, Nadia, Charlie, Jon, Hank, Emily, Taylor, George, Sawyer, Chiara, Jameson, and Henry; and his sister-in-law, Irene Schaefer; therefore, be it

RESOLVED, BY THE SENATE OF THE ONE HUNDRED FIRST GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS, that we mourn the passing of Herman V. Schaefer Jr. 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 Herman Schaefer as an expression of our deepest sympathy.