HR0955 93RD GENERAL ASSEMBLY

HR0955 LRB093 22246 KEF 51227 r

HOUSE RESOLUTION

WHEREAS, The members of the the Illinois House of Representatives wish to recognize Bramley Funeral Home in Divernon on the occasion of its 80th anniversary on June 6th, 2004; and

WHEREAS, Charles R. (Bob) Bramley helped his father, the late Chester (C.G.) Bramley, in the family's mortuary business many years ago; at that time, he didn't know that he would follow in his father's footsteps or that his son, Tim, and now his granddaughter, Sarah, would follow in his; and

WHEREAS, Bob graduated from high school in 1939 and went to work as a clerk for the C & IM Railroad; he served time in the armed forces from 1942 to 1946; he was a Master Sergeant in the Army Medical Corp; in 1947, he attended mortuary school in St. Louis and graduated in 1948; and

WHEREAS, Bob married Carolyn on December 27, 1947; he worked in the business with his father until his father passed away in 1967; and

WHEREAS, The Bramley's also operated an ambulance service for many years but discontinued the service in 1981; and

WHEREAS, Tim Bramley went to mortuary school in Carbondale and received his license in 1979; he then went to work at Bisch Funeral Home in Springfield for 13 years and during that time, he helped his dad as well; and

WHEREAS, The Bramleys purchased the former First Midwest building in Auburn in 1991 and opened their Auburn location in June 4, 1991; at that time, Tim left Bisch Funeral Home to work with his father full time; and

WHEREAS, Bob states that his wife, Carolyn, has always been there in the background; her help and support have been invaluable to him throughout the years; and

WHEREAS, Tim's daughter, Sarah, graduated from Carl Sandburg Mortuary School in May, 2003 and is currently serving her apprenticeship with her grandfather and dad; and

WHEREAS, In addition to the family's business, Bob worked for the Postal Service for 22 years, kept the Divernon School District's books for 30 years, was Village treasurer for 49 years, and served as secretary and treasurer for the Divernon Fire Protection District for many years; he is currently secretary and treasurer of the Brush Creek Cemetery Board, a position be has held for 45 years; and

WHEREAS, Mr. Bramley feels strongly about providing this service to the community even though being in a small town is difficult because everyone who passes away is your friend; he has dedicated his whole life to the community; therefore, be it

RESOLVED, BY THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES OF THE NINETY-THIRD GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS, that we declare June 6th, 2004, as "Bob Bramley Day", and we congratulate the Bramleys on their 80th anniversary of Bramley Funeral Home and their dedication to the community; and be it further

RESOLVED, That a suitable copy of this resolution be presented to Mr. Bob Bramley as a token of our respect.