SR0971 95TH GENERAL ASSEMBLY

SR0971 LRB095 23239 KXB 53899 r

SENATE RESOLUTION

WHEREAS, The members of the Illinois Senate are saddened to learn of the death of Dr. Claude Hiles of Glen Carbon, who passed away on December 12, 2008; and

WHEREAS, Claude Hiles was born on May 15, 1923, in Granite City, the son of Joseph and Lena Hiles, where he lived until moving to Glen Carbon in 1962; he married Audrey Sheppard on March 26, 1948, in Granite City; and

WHEREAS, A member of the greatest generation, he left his job at American Steel in Granite City and enlisted in the United States Navy, becoming a Pharmacists Mate First Class in the Medical Corp; he earned a Bronze Star, participating in the invasion and subsequent Philippine Liberation; like many in the Corp at that time, he donated his own vitamins and medicine to those on the Island in greater need; he never spoke of the personal disability which resulted from that unselfish act; and

WHEREAS, After the war, Claude attended The Chicago College of Chiropody and Pedic Surgery (now Scholl College of Podiatric Medicine), earning his degree as a foot doctor in 1949; always active and committed, he served his community in many leadership roles over the years including, among others, membership on the School Board and Housing Authority Commissioner; and

WHEREAS, Claude Hiles practiced podiatry for 40 years, with offices in Granite City, Alton, East St. Louis, and on The Hill in St. Louis; he was credited as being the founding father of podiatry in the St. Louis area, having trained numerous foot surgeons during the 1970s; he founded the first surgical residency program in the Metro-St. Louis region at Lindell Hospital and was also the first podiatrist on staff at Anderson Hospital in Maryville, where he chaired the podiatry committee for a number of years; and

WHEREAS, Claude Hiles was named a Fellow of the International College of Foot Surgeons for his success and leadership in surgery; he was on the Board of Trustees of the Big Ten Club of Podiatry which also recognized him as Man of the Year for continuous outstanding service to the profession; and

WHEREAS, He was preceded in death by his wife, Audrey; he was also preceded in death by his parents; his sisters, Gladys Gilly and Agnes Bowler; and his brother, Joseph Hiles; and

WHEREAS, He is survived by his two sons, David and Tony Hiles; his two daughters, Aleana Hiles and Leann Kinscherff; one son-in-law, David Kinscherff; one daughter-in-law, Donna Hiles; one foster son, Bob Michaels; four grandsons, John and Matthew Kinscherff, and Chad and Clayton Hiles; two granddaughters, Kristin Kinscherff and Kristin Best; one great-granddaughter, Haley Kinscherff; and several dear nieces and nephews and many friends; therefore, be it

RESOLVED, BY THE SENATE OF THE NINETY-FIFTH GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS, that we mourn, along with his family and friends, the passing of Dr. Claude Hiles; and be it further

RESOLVED, That a suitable copy of this resolution be presented to the family of Dr. Claude Hiles as a symbol of our sincere sympathy.