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1
SENATE RESOLUTION

  
 
2    WHEREAS, The members of the Illinois Senate are saddened to 
3learn of the death of Ralph Converse of Peoria, who passed away 
4on June 9, 2013; and
  
 
5    WHEREAS, Ralph Converse was born on June 29, 1941, in 
6Akron, Ohio, to Irving "Cotty" and Ethelyn "Jackie" (Smith) 
7Converse; he attended the University of Illinois, where he 
8played centerfield for the Illini; upon graduating in 1963, he 
9played semi-pro baseball for several years in Kane County and 
10Evanston; he married Jane Griffin Bodman on October 17, 1964, 
11in Winnetka; and
  
 
12    WHEREAS, Ralph Converse worked for IBM for over 32 years, 
13retiring as Peoria Branch Manager; he also worked as the 
14president of Cullinan Properties, followed by 9 years as 
15vice-president and general manager of the Peoria Chiefs minor 
16league baseball team; and
  
 
17    WHEREAS, Ralph Converse devoted much of his time to serve 
18his community and volunteered for many boards and organizations 
19including the Peoria Zoological Society, the United Way 
20(founding member of the Pillars Society), The Salvation Army, 
21Easter Seals, Boy Scouts, and the Economic Development Council; 
22and
  
 
 
 
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1    WHEREAS, Ralph Converse was a member of First Federated 
2Church, Country Club of Peoria, and Ventana Canyon Golf and 
3Racquet Club; he enjoyed golf, tennis, baseball, skiing, 
4traveling, time with friends and family, and taking trips to 
5Tucson, Arizona; and
 
6    WHEREAS, Ralph Converse was preceded in death by his 
7mother, Ethelyn; and
  
 
8    WHEREAS, Ralph Converse is survived by his wife, Jane; his 
9children, Amy (Andy) Schlicksup and Ted (Kara) Converse; his 
10grandchildren, Georgia West, Janey Schlicksup, and Sophia and 
11Kate Converse; his step-grandchildren, Jack and Jake Rieger; 
12his brothers, Daniel, Dennis, and Roger; his father, Irving; 
13and many sisters-in-law, nieces, nephews, cousins, and 
14extended family; therefore, be it
  
 
15    RESOLVED, BY THE SENATE OF THE NINETY-EIGHTH GENERAL 
16ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS, that we mourn the passing of 
17Ralph Converse, and extend our sincere condolences to his 
18family, friends, and all who knew and loved him; and be it 
19further
  
 
20    RESOLVED, That a suitable copy of this resolution be 
21presented to the family of Ralph Converse as an expression of 
 
 
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1our deepest sympathy.