Flags at Half Staff

[Jeff Janda]

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
October 22, 2010
   

Honoring Illinois' Fallen
United States and Illinois flags at half-staff immediately until Sunset, Saturday, October 23, 2010.

The Department of Central Management Services has received notice from Governor Quinn's Office that all persons or entities covered by the Illinois Flag Display Act are to fly the flags at half-staff on behalf of:

Lance Corporal Alec E. Catherwood
United States Marine Corps
Hometown:  Byron, Illinois

Please immediately lower the United States flags and the State flags at all buildings occupied by your agency's personnel until:

Sunset, Saturday, October 23, 2010

If you have any questions regarding this matter, please contact Mike Claffey at (312) 814-3957 or via email at mike.claffey@illinois.gov. 

More information is available at http://www.illinois.gov/news/flaghonors.cfm.

[Jeff Janda]

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------


FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
November 3, 2010
   

Honoring Illinois' Fallen
United States and Illinois flags at half-staff from Sunrise, Thursday, November 4, 2010 until Sunset, Saturday, November 6, 2010.

The Department of Central Management Services has received notice from Governor Quinn's Office that all persons or entities covered by the Illinois Flag Display Act are to fly the flags at half-staff on behalf of:

Firefighter Gary L. Cummins
of the Brocton Fire Protection District

Please lower the United States flags and the State flags at all buildings occupied by your agency's personnel from:

Sunrise, Thursday, November 4, 2010 until:
Sunset, Saturday, November 6, 2010


If you have any questions regarding this matter, please contact Mike Claffey at (312) 814-3957 or via email at mike.claffey@illinois.gov. 

More information is available at http://www.illinois.gov/news/flaghonors.cfm.

[Jeff Janda]

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
November 5, 2010
   

Honoring Illinois' Fallen
United States and Illinois flags at half-staff from Sunrise, Monday, November 8, 2010 until Sunset, Wednesday, November 10, 2010.

The Department of Central Management Services has received notice from Governor Quinn's Office that all persons or entities covered by the Illinois Flag Display Act are to fly the flags at half-staff on behalf of:

Private First Class Andrew N. Meari
United States Army
Hometown:  Plainfield, Illinois

Please lower the United States flags and the State flags at all buildings occupied by your agency's personnel from:

Sunrise, Monday, November 8, 2010 until
Sunset, Wednesday, November 10, 2010


If you have any questions regarding this matter, please contact Mike Claffey at (312) 814-3957 or via email at mike.claffey@illinois.gov. 

More information is available at http://www.illinois.gov/news/flaghonors.cfm.

[Vic0218]

Link to story online: http://heraldnews.suntimes.com/news/2232889-418/meari-williams-plainfield-afghanistan-army.html?print=true

Family mourns Plainfield man killed in Afghanistan
By Tony Graf
tgraf@stmedianetwork.com
Last Modified: Nov 4, 2010 05:22PM


PLAINFIELD — Serving in Afghanistan, Army Pfc. Andrew N. Meari kept a photograph of his grandfather, a picture taken while the elder was serving with the Army in the Korean War.

Meari carried the picture in his wallet. He bore a striking resemblance to the young private of 50-plus years ago.

"That was something he was proud to carry," Meari's uncle said Wednesday.

Meari, 21, of Plainfield, was killed Monday in Kandahar, Afghanistan, when insurgents attacked his unit with an improvised explosive device, the Department of Defense announced.

Meari is the son of Denise Meehan, of Plainfield, and Mahmoud Meari, of Grafton, Wis. Meari attended Plainfield South High School and Drauden Point Middle School, said his uncle, Todd Williams, of Chicago, a family spokesman.

Meari is remembered as an outgoing young man, a bright student, and a hero.

Meari's awards and decorations include: National Defense Service Medal, Afghanistan Campaign Medal, Global War on Terrorism Service Medal, Army Service Ribbon, Overseas Service Ribbon, and Combat Infantry Badge.

Soldier's youth

Meari was born Sept. 14, 1989, in Chicago. His mother moved to Plainfield when she remarried, Williams said.

As a small boy, Meari loved to play with the Tonka trucks that Williams bought for him.

"That was the thing I always did for him. I would always give him trucks for his birthday or Christmas. He had a whole fleet of those," Williams said.

"He was outgoing, friendly, a big jokester," Williams said of Meari. "He loved to joke around, loved to tease. That's big in our family. He was very protective of his cousins and his family."

Meari was a bright student who often was ahead of the challenges that his school could provide for him, Williams said.

"He had a lot of potential," Williams said. "He found his niche in the military. He loved being a soldier, and he loved doing what he was doing."

Meari attended Plainfield South, but graduated high school in Wisconsin.

He joined the Army in October 2008 and arrived at Fort Campbell, Ky., in February 2009, according to the fort's website.

Duty in Afghanistan

Meari was deployed to Afghanistan with the Army in May, Williams said.

During his leave in August, he was able to return home to see his mother in Plainfield, his uncle in Chicago and other relatives.

"That was the last time we saw him," Williams said. "It was great to see him. Thank God we got to see him when we did."

At the time of his death, Meari was assigned to Company A, 1st Battalion, 502nd Infantry, 2nd Brigade Combat Team, 101st Airborne Division (Air Assault), out of Fort Campbell.

On Monday, Meari's unit was attacked with a vehicle-borne explosive device in the Zhari district, Kandahar, Afghanistan.

"He died a hero," Williams said. "He is going to be missed — he and the other soldier who was killed. They were good friends. They had a pretty tight unit."

Also killed in the attack was Spc. Jonathan Curtis, 24, of Belmont, Mass.

Meari is survived by his father and mother; two brothers, Ethan and Andrew; and a sister, Jenna.

Williams said of Meari: "He did something that a lot of people can't do or won't do. His commanding officer spoke glowingly of Andrew and Jonathan. He was well-loved by his family as well as the soldiers he worked with. He died defending his country. That's the ultimate sacrifice. God bless him."


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Copyright © 2010 — Sun-Times Media, LLC

[Jeff Janda]

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
November 10, 2010
   

Honoring Illinois' Fallen
United States and Illinois flags at half-staff from Sunrise, Saturday, November 13, 2010 until Sunset, Monday, November 15, 2010.

The Department of Central Management Services has received notice from Governor Quinn's Office that all persons or entities covered by the Illinois Flag Display Act are to fly the flags at half-staff on behalf of:

Corporal James Chad Young
United States Army
Hometown:  Rochester, Illinois

Please lower the United States flags and the State flags at all buildings occupied by your agency's personnel from:

Sunrise, Saturday, November 13, 2010 until
Sunset, Monday, November 15, 2010

If you have any questions regarding this matter, please contact Mike Claffey at (312) 814-3957 or via email at mike.claffey@illinois.gov. 

More information is available at http://www.illinois.gov/news/flaghonors.cfm.

[Jeff Janda]

Show Stand Alone Press Release

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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
November 12, 2010
   

Honoring Illinois' Fallen
United States and Illinois flags at half-staff immediately until Sunset, Saturday, November 13, 2010.

The Department of Central Management Services has received notice from Governor Quinn's Office that all persons or entities covered by the Illinois Flag Display Act are to fly the flags at half-staff on behalf of:

Staff Sergeant Jordan B. Emrick
United States Marine Corps
Hometown:  Hoyleton, Illinois

Please immediately lower the United States flags and the State flags at all buildings occupied by your agency's personnel until:

Sunset, Saturday, November 13, 2010

If you have any questions regarding this matter, please contact Mike Claffey at (312) 814-3957 or via email at mike.claffey@illinois.gov. 

More information is available at http://www.illinois.gov/news/flaghonors.cfm.

[Vic0218]

Tears, salutes as hundreds turn out for return of soldier's body

By AMANDA REAVY (amanda.reavy@sj-r.com)
THE STATE JOURNAL-REGISTER
Posted Nov 11, 2010 @ 09:23 AM
Last update Nov 12, 2010 @ 05:39 AM
 
The purpose of Veterans Day was perhaps never more apparent to the place U.S. Army Cpl. Chad Young called home than when his body arrived at Abraham Lincoln Capital Airport Thursday morning.

Hundreds of people lined the roughly 14-mile route between the airport and a Chatham funeral home to honor the 25-year-old soldier's service and to support his family.

Young, who lived in Rochester and attended Ball-Chatham schools, was killed by an improvised explosive device while serving in Kandahar, Afghanistan, with the Army's 863rd Engineer Battalion. It was his second deployment to Afghanistan.

His body arrived via charter jet about 9 a.m. to an emotional scene at the 183rd Fighter Wing's facilities at the airport.

More than 30 relatives, some holding flags, others clutching tissues, gathered on the tarmac with members of the military, local firefighters and more than 100 Illinois Patriot Guard Riders standing by.

Young's parents, Brett and Jerry Young, and siblings Katie Robbins and Steven Baptist embraced before Young's flag-draped coffin was unloaded from the jet and carried by an Illinois Army National Guard Honor Guard into the back of a white hearse.

The tarmac was almost silent, except for relatives' sobs and the drone of airport vehicles in the distance.

A motorcade made up of dozens of law-enforcement vehicles with sirens left the airport grounds about 9:20 a.m. and onto J. David Jones Parkway for the journey to Staab Polk Memorial Home on Illinois 4 on the south side of Chatham.

Many people held flags along the side of the road as the procession passed. Others stood outside their vehicles, saluting or holding their hands over their hearts.

Among them was Amanda Trigg of Williamsville, a staff sergeant in the Illinois Army National Guard, who stood near the airport entrance with her four children, ranging in age from 2 to 11.

She didn't know Young, but said she was moved by his homecoming.

"I just felt, with it being Veterans Day, that my kids need to understand the price our service members have to pay," Trigg said while wiping away tears. "I told them that there was a veteran coming home who was killed in the line of duty, and he gave his life to make sure that we were all safe."

Trigg said she has several friends who have been overseas, are preparing to go or are in combat zones now, and Young's death illustrates the dangers they face.

"It just reminds you everyday that there's always that chance," she said.

Bob and Loni Bastas were farther south alongside Veterans Parkway.

"We didn't know him, but we came out to share our support, and we just wanted the family know that they're in our prayers," Loni Bastas said.

Keeley Emerson of Divernon and her son Stephen were among those at Chatham Community Park when the procession passed.

"(Stephen's) dad's a veteran," Emerson said. "I think about his sacrifice and what he did."

Young also was honored with a salute during the Chatham Veterans Day ceremony on the village square.

Our Towns-Chatham reporters Kevin Tremain and Jennifer Pointer contributed to this report. Amanda Reavy can be reached at 788-1525.

Services

U.S. Army Cpl. Chad Young's visitation and funeral service will take place at Staab Polk Memorial Home, 8855 Illinois 4 on the south side of Chatham.

Visitation is scheduled for 3 to 8 p.m. Sunday. The funeral will take place at 10 a.m. Monday.

The funeral procession will start about noon and will travel north on Illinois 4, east on Jefferson Street and then continue east on Clear Lake Avenue to Camp Butler National Cemetery near Riverton, where Young will be buried withmilitary honors.

Funeral home director Paula Staab Polk said plans are in the works to broadcast Young's funeral to his fellow servicemen and women in Afghanistan.

Copyright 2010 The State Journal-Register. Some rights reserved

[Vic0218]

Source: http://www.wjbdradio.com/?f=news_single&id=24283

Streets Lined As Jordan Emrick's Body Is Returned to Hoyleton; Preparations Begin to Counter Westboro Baptist Church Protest at Funeral 11/12/10 @ 12:58:43 pm

The Washington County route that brought 26-year-old Marine Staff Sergeant Jordan Emrick home to rest was filled with people saluting or waiving American flags as the procession passed.  American flags lined Illinois Route 177 headed into Hoyleton where the procession ended at the Styninger Funeral Home.  Emrick died last Friday by a roadside bomb.

The procession that started at MidAmerican Airport included a large number of emergency vehicles, friends, family, and several hundred members of the Freedom Riders.  Emrick was a six year veteran of the Marines, joining shortly after graduating from Nashville High School.  Visitation will be held at the Trinity Lutheran Church in Hoyleton after four Friday, with funeral services at the church at eleven Saturday morning.

Meanwhile, word that the controversial Westboro Baptist Church would have protestors at the funeral has stirred up more emotions.  230 Patriot Guard riders plan to be in place to drown out the protestors.  Norrenberns Truck Service also plans to park two Marine decal trailers in an effort to prevent the family of the fallen Marine from seeing or hearing the protestors.

One of those assisting in the effort, Ashley Community Fire Protection District Captain Joshua Hughey, notes while freedom of speech is protected by the Constitution and defended by the soldiers of the military, a funeral is an inappropriate place to voice opinions.   Hughey feels family and friends of the deceased should be afforded the right to a private ceremony, and should be allowed to pay their respects without the distraction of others.

The Westboro Baptist Church on its website 'God Hates Fags' says it will picket the funeral from 10:15 to eleven Saturday morning to remind the nation that God himself is striking down the young men of this nation in their prime due to all the proud, unrepentant sinning of Doomed America.

[OakParkSpartan]

Too bad some deranged person wouldn't gun all them down to go meet their maker.

[Jeff Janda]

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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
November 16, 2010
   

Honoring Illinois' Fallen
United States and Illinois flags at half-staff from Sunrise, Thursday, November 18, 2010 until Sunset, Saturday, November 20, 2010.

The Department of Central Management Services has received notice from Governor Quinn's Office that all persons or entities covered by the Illinois Flag Display Act are to fly the flags at half-staff on behalf of:

Lance Corporal James B. Stack
United States Marine Corps
Hometown:  Arlington Heights, Illinois

Please lower the United States flags and the State flags at all buildings occupied by your agency's personnel from:

Sunrise, Thursday, November 18, 2010 until
Sunset, Saturday, November 20, 2010

If you have any questions regarding this matter, please contact Mike Claffey at (312) 814-3957 or via email at mike.claffey@illinois.gov. 

More information is available at http://www.illinois.gov/news/flaghonors.cfm.

[Vic0218]

Article source: http://www.dailyherald.com/article/20101116/news/711179749/

Fallen Marine remembered as father and husband
by Deborah Donovan

After losing "an amazing father and amazing husband more than I could ever ask for," Katie Stack says her year-old daughter, Mikayla, is her whole life.

The 19-year-old will bury her husband, Lance Cpl. James Stack, 20, Saturday. The Marine was shot and killed last week after being deployed in Afghanistan only a month.

Advertisement
Katie, who like her husband is from Arlington Heights, talked Tuesday in her mother's north Arlington Heights townhouse about the short years she had with James Stack.

They met when the 16-year-old Katie transferred as a junior from Prospect High School to Christian Liberty Academy in Arlington Heights. James' parents taught him at home, but he was on the academy's track team, where both he and Katie were high jumpers.

James wrote Katie notes and gave her yellow roses. "I love the color yellow and I don't like red," she said.

When Mikayla came along, James' love for his daughter was obvious, said Katie.

"I would be cleaning or something and see them playing. I could see how much he loved her, and she absolutely adored him."

And Katie felt that love from James, too.

"He always took care of me. I had some medical problems. He was there by my side the entire time. He never left my side. It was amazing."

While the couple was very active running, walking or swimming together and even wrestling with each other, they did have favorite movies and video games.

A character in the Transformer movies inspired the name of their daughter, Mikayla.

And the video games were "Call of Duty," military shooting games.

"We would sit and down and play it," she said. "That was our thing. I'm one of the very few women who would play that game." The young wife insists she held her own with the Marine.

"We are both very competitive," she said.

When James left for Afghanistan, he didn't want to talk about the worst happening, saying she shouldn't worry, and he would come home.

"I made him talk about it," said Katie. "I sat him down and said 'It's war. Anything can happen, you know.' We told each other that we loved each other. No matter what happens we are never going to be apart. He's always going to be with me."

And that's how she gets through these horrible days: "I talk to him, tell him I love him, and I pray. Mikayla keeps me going. Just looking at her I know he lives within her. She's my world now. She's what I live for."

Another thing that helps is the Marine family.

While the men James fought with are still in Afghanistan, 10 Marine friends will be pallbearers. A special friend, Lance Cpl. Ryan Madura of Camp Pendleton in California, will escort the body. And 10 others, mostly wives and sweethearts of Marines, will come to be with Katie.

Katie and James are among the youngest couples in their circle, yet she is the first to lose her spouse.

"Those boys over there really need prayers and whatever else they can get," Stack says. "We're all getting through it together as a family. I really want people to know that he's a Christian and saved, and I can't wait to reunite with him in Heaven."

James called her on a satellite phone two nights before he was killed, and Katie has received at least 20 letters and knows more are on the way. She got three the day she was told James had died.

His message was, "basically that he loves us and can't wait to come home to us."

"It helps that he's a hero. He's mine and Mikayla's hero forever."

James Stack was a rifleman in India Company 3/5 Marines in the 1st division. They were serving in Sangin in Helmand province, considered one of the most violent places in Afghanistan, according to The Associated Press.

"He liked being a Marine, but did not like how much time he was away from his family," she said.

"He liked being a hero to me and my daughter. I was very proud of him. He liked that he was actually doing something in the world for America."

James Stack's mother, Linda, said she and her husband, Robert, share memories when they can't sleep at night.

"Katie and Mikayla are such a welcome addition to this tight family," said Linda. Katie considers James' 16-year-old sister, Megan, her own sister.

His mother said James was the kind of young boy who would jump up from his Happy Meal at McDonald's to open the door for an elderly couple.

He wasn't the most dedicated student, she said, recalling how he'd try to distract Megan from her studies, and spend his studying time texting to Katie.

Linda Stack is grateful for the dignified ceremony when the Marines brought his body home to Dover Air Force Base and said it helped give her closure.

"I was looking up to the heavens with a silly smirk on my face," she said, knowing that the box contained only her son's body.

"I was looking up to the heavens where my Savior and my son are."

The elder Stacks pledge their love and support to Katie and Mikayla.

"I'm so proud of you," Linda said to Katie. "Thank you. Thank you for loving my son. He needed to know that people outside our little niche loved him as much as we did."

[Jeff Janda]

Show Stand Alone Press Release

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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
November 29, 2010
   

Honoring Illinois' Fallen
United States and Illinois flags at half-staff immediately until Sunset, Wednesday, December 1, 2010.

The Department of Central Management Services has received notice from Governor Quinn's Office that all persons or entities covered by the Illinois Flag Display Act are to fly the flags at half-staff on behalf of:

Police Officer Michael Flisk
Chicago Police Department

Please immediately lower the United States flags and the State flags at all buildings occupied by your agency's personnel until:

Sunset, Wednesday, December 1, 2010

If you have any questions regarding this matter, please contact Mike Claffey at (312) 814-3957 or via email at mike.claffey@illinois.gov. 

More information is available at http://www.illinois.gov/news/flaghonors.cfm.

[Vic0218]

This is just horrible.

Link to website: http://www.odmp.org/officer/20573-police-officer-michael-r.-flisk

Police Officer Michael R. FliskChicago Police Department
Illinois
End of Watch: Friday, November 26, 2010

Biographical Info
Age: 46
Tour of Duty: 19 years, 10 months
Badge Number: 6962

Officer Michael Flisk was shot and killed while processing the scene of a vehicle burglary inside an alley garage at 1:30 pm in the 8100 block of South Burnham Avenue.

The burglary victim, a retired Chicago Housing Authority police officer, former Robbins police officer and US Army veteran, called police after discovering that his vehicle had been broken into and parts had been removed. Officer Flisk was at the scene collecting evidence when the suspect returned. He shot and killed Officer Flisk, then shot and killed the burglary victim, who was standing nearby.

A 19-year-old male on parole for robbery was arrested three days later and charged with two counts of murder. He was also charged with an unrelated shooting that took place in June. A second male was charged with obstruction of justice and unlawful possession of a firearm for hiding the murder weapon for the suspect.

Officer Flisk had served with the Chicago Police Department for nearly 20 years and was assigned to the Evidence Technician Team – South Unit. He is survived by his wife, daughter, three sons, two sisters, two brothers and parents. Both sisters and one of his brothers serve as officers with the Chicago Police Department.

[Bonster]

This is just horrible.

It gets worse...

Cops: Parolee made sure cop, ex-officer were dead
http://www.chicagobreakingnews.com/2010/11/no-bail-for-parolee-in-deaths-of-cop-ex-cha-officer.html

After he gunned down a Chicago police officer and a former public housing officer, Timothy Herring Jr. noticed one of them still moving, authorities say.

So the 19-year-old parolee went back to them as they lay in a Southeast Side alley and shot each in the head a second time, prosecutors disclosed today in court.

Police said Herring shot evidence technician Michael Flisk and former Chicago Housing Authority officer Stephen Peters because he did not want to be caught for burglarizing Peters' car and sent back to prison.
Herring was paroled earlier this year after serving half of a six-year prison sentence for the 2007 armed robbery of a liquor store.

Herring lives across the alley from a garage in the 8100 block of South Burnham Avenue where Peters kept his customized red Mustang GT.

Several months ago, Herring told a friend he wanted to "hit the victim for his sounds," meaning he wanted to steal the car's stereo equipment, prosecutors say.

Last Friday, Herring broke into the garage, stole the equipment and stashed it in two garbage cans near the garage, according to prosecutors.

Peters' mother said her son discovered the burglary and reported it to police, then he found the stereo parts in the trash cans.

Suspecting the burglar would return, Peters got a gun from his mother's house and went to the garage, his mother Laura Peters said. While in the alley, Flisk arrived to process the scene.

While the two talked, Herring approached and told Peters he knew who had stolen the parts, according to prosecutors. Peters replied it didn't matter because Flisk was able to recover fingerprints and they would lead to the burglar, prosecutors said.

Herring then walked away and "pulled out a gun and shot each victim in the head," prosecutors said.

Herring started carrying off the trash cans but "noticed one of the victims was still moving. [Herring] then went up to the victims and shot each one a second time in the head," prosecutors contend.

One of the prints recovered from inside one of the garbage cans was linked to Herring, prosecutors said. And four shell casings recovered from the scene were traced to a gun linked to Herring, they said.

Herring also admitted the shootings to other people, telling them he did not want to go back to prison, prosecutors said. Herring was on parole and on home-electronic monitoring.  

Appearing in court today, Herring's hair was disheveled and unevenly cut, apparently from his alleged attempts to change his appearance after the shooting by hastily cutting off his braids.

He declined to say anything in court when given an opportunity by Judge Ramon Ocasio III, mumbling, "No, your honor." He was ordered held without bail.

Herring was brought into court under heavy security from Cook County sheriff's deputies. A half dozen Chicago police officers filled the chairs in the courtroom.

None of Herring's relatives attended the hearing.

Earlier today, Mayor Richard Daley said Herring should not have been paroled from prison. The mayor said people convicted of gun crimes should be ineligible for parole.

"Oh, I think so, definitely," Daley said at a news conference to discuss the city's winter weather preparedness. "Especially armed robbery with a gun, where a person is carrying a gun."

Daley has long pushed for tougher laws and sentencing for gun crimes.

"If they commit a crime with a gun, you'd better put some flags on that individual," the mayor said.

Daley said he hopes prosecutors pursue the death penalty if Herring is convicted.

-- Matt Walberg, John Byrne

[OakParkSpartan]

Just juice him.

[dukesdad]

It was interesting on TV last night, usually when they interview the neighbors about one of these "kids" they say "he was a nice kid, wasn't in no gangs" etc, etc. Not this one, everyone basically said he was a shithead. It's a damn shame.

[berwynguy]

I hope they keep hell hot for this piece of maggot shit.  I hope his mama is proud that she brought such a great contributor to society into this world. 

[Berwyn Patsy]

     He probably didn't have a mama.  I thought they said he was arrested in his grandmothers home.

[Jeff Janda]

Show Stand Alone Press Release

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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
December 3, 2010
   

Honoring State Representative Myers
United States and Illinois flags at half-staff from Sunrise, Saturday, December 4, 2010 until Sunset, Sunday, December 5, 2010.

The Department of Central Management Services has received notice from Governor Quinn's Office that all persons or entities covered by the Illinois Flag Display Act are to fly the flags at half-staff on behalf of:

State Representative Richard P. "Rich" Myers

Please lower the United States flags and the State flags at all buildings occupied by your agency's personnel from:

Sunrise, Saturday, December 4, 2010 until
Sunset, Sunday, December 5, 2010

If you have any questions regarding this matter, please contact Mike Claffey at (312) 814-3957 or via email at mike.claffey@illinois.gov. 

More information is available at http://www.illinois.gov/news/flaghonors.cfm

[Vic0218]

article source: http://www.mcdonoughvoice.com/Obituaries/x1817608885/State-Rep-Richard-Rich-P-Myers

State Rep. Richard "Rich" P. Myers
The McDonough County Voice
Posted Dec 02, 2010 @ 04:04 PM

State Representative Richard "Rich" P. Myers passed away peacefully with his wife and daughter by his side at 8:55 p.m. on Wednesday, Dec. 1, 2010, at McDonough District Hospital.

Rich served as state representative since 1995.

He was born Dec. 27, 1947, in Macomb, the son of John and Martha Myers. He married Christine Sims on Aug. 9, 1975, in North Henderson.
Rich and his wife, Chris, have a daughter, Alison and a son (deceased), Nicholas.

Rich graduated from Colchester High School in 1966, and earned a B.S. in Agronomy from Western Illinois University in 1973. He farmed the family farm for 29 years before becoming a full-time legislator.  Rich served six years in the U.S. Army Reserves.
He was an active member and elder of the Scotland Trinity Presbyterian Church.

During his farming career, Rich was active in the Farm Bureau organization, serving in various capacities at the local, state, and national levels.

He served 12 years as a member of the Board of Directors of the Illinois Farm Bureau. During that time he represented the Illinois Farm Bureau on the Board of Directors of Interstate Producers Livestock Association, U.S. Meat Export Federation, and numerous other agriculture- related organizations.

Representative Myers served several years as minority spokesperson of the Appropriations-Higher Education Committee and was a strong advocate for increased funding for the state's public colleges and universities and for the state's community college system. He also served on the Agriculture and Conservation, Higher Education, State Government Administration, Elections and Campaign Reform, and Renewable Energy Committees.

Rich also served as a member of the Passenger Rail Caucus, a group of legislators advocating for continued and expanded Amtrak service throughout the state.

Representative Myers was co-chair of the Commission on Government Forecasting and Accountability, a bi-partisan legislative commission of members from both chambers. Their responsibilities include forecasting state revenue projections, oversight of employee insurance programs, and conducting hearings on proposed closure of state facilities.



Beyond Illinois, Representative Myers served as co-chair of the Agriculture and Natural Resources Committee of the Midwest Legislative Conference of the Council of State Governments.

The Midwest Legislative Conference is a regional organization of legislators covering 11 mid-western states and three Canadian provinces.
Rich is survived by his wife, Chris; daughter, Alison; mother, Martha; brothers Donald (Sue) Myers and Charles (Ann) Myers and numerous nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by his son, Nicholas; his father John and brother, Wendell, who died in infancy.

A memorial service will be held Sunday at  2 p.m. at the University Union Grand Ballroom on the Campus of Western Illinois University with burial to follow at Mt. Auburn Cemetery in Colchester. 

Friends may view at the Jones Mortuary in Colchester, on Friday, Dec. 3, from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. and on Saturday from 8 a.m. until 11 a.m.

The family will receive friends from 3 to 7 p.m. Saturday at the Scotland Trinity Presbyterian Church, 14950 North 900th Road in Macomb.
Memorials can be made to Scotland Trinity Presbyterian Church, the McDonough District Hospital, and the Representative Rich Myers Agricultural Scholarship at Western Illinois University.

Services are being handled by Jones Mortuary and Dodsworth Piper Wallen Funeral Homes. To leave condolences visit online at jonesmortuaryfh or dodsworthfh.com.