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1 SENATE RESOLUTION
2 WHEREAS, The members of the Illinois Senate are saddened
3 to learn of the death of Paul Howard Ruff of Paris, who passed
4 away on December 2, 2023; and
5 WHEREAS, Paul Ruff was born to the Honorable Howard T. and
6 Ruth (Dick) Ruff in Paris on June 17, 1948; he served in the
7 U.S. Army during the Vietnam War; he received his bachelor's
8 degree in finance from the University of Illinois; he married
9 Beth L. Eaker in Vermilion on January 20, 1979; and
10 WHEREAS, Paul Ruff first worked as a self-employed
11 drainage contractor; he then served as administrator and
12 manager of the City of Paris and the Village of Mount Zion for
13 30 years; and
14 WHEREAS, Paul Ruff was serving as a current member and
15 public properties commissioner for the Paris City Council; he
16 was also a current board member of the Paris Economic
17 Development Corporation; and
18 WHEREAS, Paul Ruff was elected to serve on the District 95
19 Board of Education numerous times; and
20 WHEREAS, Paul Ruff was a member of the Presbyterian Church
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1 of Paris, where he served as a deacon, an elder, and in other
2 roles where needed over the years; he was also a member of the
3 Kiwanis Club of Paris for a number of years; and
4 WHEREAS, Paul Ruff was instrumental in the Grain Systems
5 Inc. (GSI) expansion and the ensuing water project, resulting
6 in the extension of water service from Paris to Chrisman; and
7 WHEREAS, Paul Ruff enjoyed old cars and woodworking, and
8 he was a dedicated arborist; and
9 WHEREAS, Paul Ruff was a private, quiet, and sentimental
10 person by nature who will be remembered as a powerful catalyst
11 for positive change in his community; and
12 WHEREAS, Paul Ruff was preceded in death by his parents;
13 his sister, Janet Jebe; and his brother, Donald Ruff; and
14 WHEREAS, Paul Ruff is survived by his wife; his sons,
15 Charles W. (Briana) Ruff and Tim Paul Ruff; his grandchildren,
16 Savanah (Ethan Favorite) Ruff, Alyssa Ruff, Austin Ruff, and
17 Kayleigh Ruff; and his step-granddaughter, Kate Summerlin;
18 therefore, be it
19 RESOLVED, BY THE SENATE OF THE ONE HUNDRED THIRD GENERAL
20 ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS, that we mourn the passing of
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1 Paul Howard Ruff and extend our sincere condolences to his
2 family, friends, and all who knew and loved him; and be it
3 further
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