SR0663 94TH GENERAL ASSEMBLY

SR0663 LRB094 19779 LCT 56519 r

SENATE RESOLUTION

WHEREAS, The members of the Illinois Senate wish to express their sincere condolences to the family and friends of John H. Allen of Joliet, who passed away on February 14, 2006; and

WHEREAS, John Allen was born on July 26, 1934, in Chicago; he was the first son and fifth child of eight children born to the late Rev. John H. and Frances (Adam) Allen; he grew up in Chicago's South Side and was educated in the Chicago Public Schools; in 1959, he attended Crane Jr. College for one year; he later attended Joliet Jr. College, completing courses in real estate and tax preparation in 1969; and

WHEREAS, Mr. Allen graduated from the United States Army Command General Staff College and joined the United States Army on August 13, 1952; after 2 years of active service, he joined the Army Reserves and later the Illinois National Guard; he then went to officer candidate school and was commissioned as a Second Lieutenant in the United States Army, serving a total of 31 years before retiring with the rank of Major in 1983; and

WHEREAS, On August 23, 1952, Mr. Allen married his childhood sweetheart, Ruth M. Dixon; from that 37-year union came his three lovely daughters, Francine, Doris, and Arlene; and

WHEREAS, Mr. Allen loved his family and worked tirelessly to provide a comfortable life for them; in May of 1956, he began working for the United States Postal Service; he also worked for Theba Foster Agency preparing taxes on a part-time basis; in 1973, he passed the State of Illinois Real Estate Broker License Exam and worked for the agency until 1977; and in 1980, he opened his home office for business; and

WHEREAS, Mr. Allen was also active in his community; from 1964 until 1966, he served as the Secretary of the Forest Park Improvement Association; in 1974, he was elected by the community to serve as a Representative on the Joliet Community Action Agency (CAP); and he was a member of many clubs and associations including the American Legion Post 1080 and the Old Timers Baseball Association; and

WHEREAS, John Allen's political career began in 1975; he was a candidate for City Councilman, district four in 1975, 1983, 1987, and 1991; in November of 1987, he was elected to the Joliet Township Board of Trustees, where he served two complete terms; and

WHEREAS, John married Geraldine B. Ross on June 23, 1990; together, they enjoyed many outings, including their most recent trip to Hawaii in 2005; and

WHEREAS, Mr. Allen was preceded in death by his brothers, Hobart and Otis Allen; his sisters, Mary Toliver and Beulah Howard; and his wife, Ruth who died April 15, 1989; and

WHEREAS, The passing of John H. Allen will be felt by all who knew and loved him, especially his wife, Geraldine (Geri) Allen; his daughters, Francine Allen, Doris Allen, and Arlene Dougherty; his sisters, Lottie Hooks, Johnnie M. Wilson, and Ethel (Wade) Williams; his grandchildren, Calesia, Kenya, Aaron, Kadrienne (K.K.), Kevin, Keonna, and Je'Von; his great-grandchildren; and a host of special nieces and nephews, great-nieces and nephews, and relatives and beloved friends; therefore, be it

RESOLVED, BY THE SENATE OF THE NINETY-FOURTH GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS, that we mourn, along with all who knew and loved him, the death of John H. Allen; and be it further

RESOLVED, That a suitable copy of this resolution be presented to the family of John H. Allen with our sincere condolences.