SR0541 93RD GENERAL ASSEMBLY

SR0541 LRB093 22160 KEF 50976 r

SENATE RESOLUTION

WHEREAS, The members of the Senate of the State of Illinois were saddened to learn of the death of Joseph M. Patterson of Galesburg on May 2, 2004; and

WHEREAS, Mr. Patterson was born on September 8, 1924, in McKeesport, Pennsylvania, to Lewis Whiting and Edna Nunimaker Patterson; he married Elta Jeanne Lowe in 1945 in Galesburg; she died in 1985, and he later married June E. "Bettie" Pierce in 1987 in Galesburg; and

WHEREAS, He was a World War II Army Air Forces veteran, serving with the Air Transport Command for 3 1/2 years in the North Atlantic, Europe, North Africa, and the Middle East; and

WHEREAS, A 1949 graduate of Knox College, he did graduate work at the University of Iowa, Western Illinois University, and the University of Illinois; and

WHEREAS, Mr. Patterson taught at Lombard Junior High School in Galesburg for 18 years and at Galesburg High School for 17 years, retiring in 1984; he also taught two years at Henry C. Hill Correctional Center in Galesburg; and

WHEREAS, He supervised the Knox College library for one year, taught home study students for three years, had been a tutor for Heartland Literacy Coalition, and served as a trustee of the Galesburg Public Library from 1986 to 1998; in addition, he was a guest columnist for The (Galesburg) Register-Mail; and

WHEREAS, Mr. Patterson was active in the Prairie Players Civic Theatre, where he served on the board for three years; and

WHEREAS, The passing of Joseph Patterson will be deeply felt by many, especially his wife, June "Bettie"; his son, John; his daughters, Jo Anne Patterson and Janice (and Ron) Rosenthal; his stepson, Michael (and Danita) Pierce; his step-daughter, Deborah "Debi" (and Pete) Collier; his brother, Douglas; his sister, Louise Patterson; his nine grandchildren; three step-grandchildren; and two great-grandchildren; and

WHEREAS, He was preceded in death by one daughter, Judith "Judy" Patterson-Stoddard; one son, James Patterson; and two sisters; therefore, be it

RESOLVED, BY THE SENATE OF THE NINETY-THIRD GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS, that we mourn the death of Joseph Patterson along will all who knew and loved him and extend our sincere condolences to his family and friends; and be it further

RESOLVED, That a suitable copy of this resolution be presented to the family of Joseph Patterson as an expression of our deepest sympathy.