SR0655 94TH GENERAL ASSEMBLY

SR0655 LRB094 19729 RSP 56341 r

SENATE RESOLUTION

WHEREAS, The members of the Senate of the State of Illinois learned with regret of the death of Lyman L. Benns Sr. of Benton on Monday, January 30, 2006; and

WHEREAS, He was born on January 1, 1925 in Benton to George Henry and Cora Mae (Williams) Benns; he was a member of the Church of God in Logan; and

WHEREAS, He valiantly served his country as a member of the United States Army Air Corps during World War II; he was a member of the American Legion, the Veterans of Foreign Wars in Benton, and a member of the Fraternal Order of Eagles in Benton and Marion; and

WHEREAS, Mr. Benns was a coal miner for more than 20 years and a member of the United Mine Workers of America; he also owned and operated the Kewpee Café in Benton and the Illinois 37 Motel in West Frankfort for several years; he loved to watch his sons play football and enjoyed dancing and playing golf; and

WHEREAS, The passing of Lyman L. Benns Sr. has been deeply felt by many, especially his wife, Virginia (Bozovich) Benns, whom he married December 24, 1995; his daughter, Mary Anne Kline; his sons, Lyman Benns Jr. and wife, Jane, James Benns and wife, Beth, Dennis Benns and wife, Debbie, Michael Benns and wife, Lisa, and Stephen Benns; his stepdaughters, Tammy Young, and Karen James and husband, Kenneth; his stepsons, Warren Rice and wife, Karen, and Don Rice and wife, Ruth; his sister, Georgia Sandusky and husband, Kenny; his grandsons, Adam Benns, Eric Benns and wife, Lora, and Jeremy Benns; his granddaughters, Julie Greisz and husband, Mike, Angela Wray and husband, Pat, Deni Benns and fiancé, Paule Stallons, Jamie Guzman, Lacey Owens and husband, Justin, Shauna Benns, and Nikita Benns; his stepgrandchildren, Ben Rice and wife, Heather, Josia and Nicholas Rice, Kushaiah Mercado, Douglas Overturf, and Adam Overturf and wife, Angie; his great-grandchildren, Caleb Garascia, Logan Gayer, Monica Guzman, Braden and Riley Benns and Zach Wray; his six great-stepgrandchildren; and his many friends; he was preceded in death by his parents and his first wife, Margaret (Smith) Benns, who passed away December 15,1993; his sister, Minnie Burlison; and brother, Luther Williams; therefore, be it

RESOLVED, BY THE SENATE OF THE NINETY-FOURTH GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS, that we mourn the passing of Lyman L. Benns Sr., and we extend our deepest sympathy to his family, friends, and all who knew and loved him; and be it further

RESOLVED, That a suitable copy of this resolution be presented to his family as an expression of our sincerest condolences.