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1
HOUSE RESOLUTION

 
2    WHEREAS, The members of the Illinois House of
3Representatives are saddened to learn of the death of Kenneth
4Ray Richardson of Benton, who passed away on July 24, 2021; and
 
5    WHEREAS, Kenneth Richardson was born to Roy and Martha
6(Beaty) Richardson one mile west of Snowflake on January 16,
71940; he enlisted in the National Guard on August 2, 1957; he
8received his basic training at Fort Leonard Wood in Missouri;
9he attended supply school at Fort Knox in Kentucky, where he
10was on active duty from September 1957 to March 1958; he
11returned home and completed flight school; he married Shirley
12Ann Gulley on June 19, 1960, and they had two sons, Stephen and
13Barry, before she preceded him in death on May 24, 1973; he
14later married Marleen McLain at the St. John the Baptist
15Catholic Church in West Frankfort on February 14, 1974; and
 
16    WHEREAS, Kenneth Richardson served in the U.S. Army for 38
17years and held every enlisted grade, including command
18sergeant major; he served as the unit administrator while
19stationed in West Frankfort from August 1957 to August 1985;
20he served as the battalion command sergeant major and military
21personnel technician while stationed in East St. Louis from
22August 1985 to August 1990; after five years, he transferred
23back to Mt. Vernon and served as the unit administrator;

 

 

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1during his military career, he received 34 letters of
2appreciation, commendations, and 25 military decorations; he
3attended 45 annual trainings in a number of locations,
4including Alaska in 1983, Germany in 1988, Honduras four
5times, and Panama three times in 1990; he served on
6active-duty mobilizations, ranging from floods to student
7riots and civil unrest, in 15 different states; he retired on
8August 22, 1994; and
 
9    WHEREAS, After retiring, Kenneth Richardson was offered a
10part-time job by his friend and Rend Lake College President
11Mark Kern in the Security Department in February 1995; he
12accepted, and his job developed into a full-time position by
13September 1995; he enjoyed his time at the college, where he
14was able work with young people again, and developed very good
15relationships with his work colleagues; and
 
16    WHEREAS, Kenneth Richardson continued to serve his
17community in various capacities; he previously served as the
18chairman of the Franklin County Democrats, a precinct
19committeeman, and a member of the Masonic and Odd Fellows
20Cemetery Boards; he was a member of the Benton Masonic Lodge
21#64 A.F. and A.M. and the Franklin County Housing Authority
22Board; he attended the Immanuel Baptist Church; and
 
23    WHEREAS, Kenneth Richardson enjoyed attending his

 

 

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1grandchildren's sporting events, working on projects with his
2family and neighbors, woodworking, and watching NASCAR; he
3enjoyed spending time with his family most of all; and
 
4    WHEREAS, Kenneth Richardson was preceded in death by his
5parents; his first wife, Shirley Ann Richardson; his sister,
6Lois June (Dale) Greenwood; and his brothers, Charles
7Richardson, Donald Richardson, and James Richardson; and
 
8    WHEREAS, Kenneth Richardson is survived by his wife of 47
9years, Marleen Richardson; his sons, Stephen (Sherry)
10Richardson, Barry (Toni) Richardson, and Brent McLain; his 12
11grandchildren, Jason Richardson, Brittany Richardson, Autuam
12(Kyle) Prater, Colton (Sierra) Hiestand, Bailey Hiestand and
13Corey, Taylor Walden, Gus Walden, Sidney Walden (fiancée
14Lane), Amelia McLain, Madilyn McLain, Gabe McLain, and
15Analisse McLain; his eight great-grandchildren; his brother,
16Dale (Janice) Richardson; his sisters-in-law, Brenda
17Richardson and Jamie Richardson; and his several nieces,
18nephews, and friends; therefore, be it
 
19    RESOLVED, BY THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES OF THE ONE
20HUNDRED SECOND GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS, that
21we mourn the passing of Kenneth Ray Richardson and extend our
22sincere condolences to his family, friends, and all who knew
23and loved him; and be it further
 

 

 

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1    RESOLVED, That a suitable copy of this resolution be
2presented to the family of Kenneth Richardson as an expression
3of our deepest sympathy and in gratitude for his service to his
4country, county, and community.