SR0797 96TH GENERAL ASSEMBLY

SR0797 LRB096 22123 GRL 40744 r

SENATE RESOLUTION

WHEREAS, The members of the Illinois Senate are saddened to learn of the death of Deacon John Edward Coates, who passed away on April 2, 2010; and

WHEREAS, John Coates was born on April 9, 1929, in East St. Louis; his parents were the Reverend Peter R. Coates and Henrietta B. (Strong) Coates; he married Betty Mae Brown on January 28, 1956, in Chicago; and

WHEREAS, John Coates earned his bachelor's degree from Southern Illinois University in Edwardsville and later studied theology at the Aquinas Institute of Theology; and

WHEREAS, John Coates was the owner of various businesses throughout his lifetime, but always came back to education; he retired after many years as a teacher with East Saint Louis District 189; and

WHEREAS, John Coates was the son of a Baptist minister, but converted to Catholicism at an early age; as his faith strengthened, he decided to become a Franciscan monk; despite leaving the Franciscan order, he remained a dedicated Catholic throughout his life; on April 14, 1994, he was ordained as a Deacon in the Diocese of Belleville by Bishop Wilton Gregory; he entered into formation to become a Carmelite on December 17, 1989 and made his Definitive Promise on November 20, 1994; and

WHEREAS, John Coates was preceded in death by his parents and his siblings, Lawrence H. Coates, Jewel C. Coates, Aubrey L. Coates, Helen B. Coates, and Peter R. Coates, Jr.; and

WHEREAS, John Coates is survived by his devoted wife, Betty Coates; his daughters, Virginia Coates, Tency (Robert) Hodges, Alexis (Willie) Sanders, and Bernetta (Wayne) Gully; his sister, Edith (Robert) Blackburn; his brother, James (Zennie) Coates; his beloved grandchildren, Danielle Favron, Nicole-Noelle Favron, John-Thomas Favron, Robert-Edward Favron, Alexis Watson, Alexander Watson, Jessica Sanders, David Sanders, Bettina Gully, Wayne Gully, and Angelicia Gully; his great-grandchildren, Tyrese Peoples and Queen Bell; and his many other relatives and friends; therefore, be it

RESOLVED, BY THE SENATE OF THE NINETY-SIXTH GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS, that we mourn, along with his family and friends, the passing of Deacon John Edward Coates; and be it further

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