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1
SENATE RESOLUTION

 
2    WHEREAS, The members of the Illinois Senate are saddened to
3learn of the death of Rev. James Edward Allen of Joliet, who
4passed away on September 13, 2016; and
 
5    WHEREAS, Rev. James Allen was born on November 30, 1931 in
6Canton; his parents were Jacob and Marguerite Allen; and
 
7    WHEREAS, Rev. James Allen graduated from Indiana Central
8College and United Theological Seminary in Dayton, Ohio; and
 
9    WHEREAS, Rev. James Allen served as pastor of Joliet's
10Ottawa Street United Methodist Church; during his 41 years with
11the United Methodist Church, he served congregations in Good
12Hope, Ransom, Plainfield, Shannon, Sycamore, Savanna, and
13Joliet; and
 
14    WHEREAS, In 1985, Rev. James Allen conceived of and founded
15Joliet/Will County Project Pride (now Project Acclaim) with
16other community leaders to promote the positive elements of
17life in the Joliet area; he also led many classes, workshops,
18and support groups, participated in pastoral exchanges to
19England and Australia, and took service and educational trips
20to Chile, South Africa, and Israel; and
 

 

 

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1    WHEREAS, Rev. James Allen served on the boards and in the
2leadership of many community organizations, including
3Joliet/Will County Project Pride, the Salvation Army, YMCA,
4Catholic Charities, the American Red Cross, the Senior Services
5Center, the Rotary Club, the Community Services Council, and
6the Joliet Ecumenical Clergy Association; he also served as
7Chaplain for the Joliet Area Community Hospice, the Center for
8Correctional Concerns at the Will County Adult Detention
9Facility, and Silver Cross Hospital; and
 
10    WHEREAS, Rev. James Allen was the recipient of many awards
11and accolades, including the Joliet Chamber of Commerce
12Lifetime Achievement Award, the Joliet Catholic Diocese Pax
13Joliet Award, the Senior Services Center Shining Star Award,
14induction into the Joliet/Will County Project Pride Hall of
15Pride, the Community Services Council Human Services Award, the
16Daybreak Volunteer of the Year, and the Coalition of Citizens
17with Disabilities Mary Linden Award; and
 
18    WHEREAS, Rev. James Allen was preceded in death by his
19parents; and
 
20    WHEREAS, Rev. James Allen is survived by his loving wife of
2157 years, Nancy; his children, Beth Ann (Mark) Thelo and Paul
22(Megan) Allen; and his grandchildren, Bennett and Grace Thelo;
23therefore, be it
 

 

 

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1    RESOLVED, BY THE SENATE OF THE NINETY-NINTH GENERAL
2ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS, that we, along with his
3family and friends, mourn the passing of Rev. James Edward
4Allen; and be it further
 
5    RESOLVED, That a suitable copy of this resolution be
6presented to the family of Rev. James Allen as an expression of
7our sympathy.