SR0306 94TH GENERAL ASSEMBLY

SR0306 LRB094 12825 CSA 47670 r

SENATE RESOLUTION

WHEREAS, Fred A. Dalton, former Mayor of Collinsville, passed away on June 26, 2005; and

WHEREAS, Mr. Dalton was born September 9, 1924, in Madisonville, Kentucky, the son of the late Josh and Sadie Davis Dalton; his first wife, Ann, preceded him in death; they had four children, Linda, Randy, Gayle, and Karen; he married Elizabeth Kanturek in June of 1976; and

WHEREAS, Mr. Dalton lived in Marion until 1942, when he and his wife, Ann, moved to Edwardsville; in March of 1943, he was called to serve in World War II until December 24, 1945; he served in the 37th Infantry Division in the Pacific Theater; he was the owner/operator of Dalton Auto Body in Collinsville for 35 years, retiring in December of 1988; and

WHEREAS, He was a servant of the people beginning in 1969 when he was elected to the City Council for four years; while serving, he was in charge of the city fire department under the commissioner form of government; during that administration, Lakeside Plaza and the infrastructure of the new sewer system were developed; in 1973, he was elected to the Madison County Executive Board, serving for 17 years on various committees, including Chairman of the Personnel committee, Grant's committee, finance committee, Land Acquisition committee, and a few minor ones; and

WHEREAS, In 1990, Mr. Dalton was elected the first Mayor of Collinsville, being the only mayor in history winning an election through write-in ballot; during his reign, he appointed a study committee for building the new police station and the new water tower in downtown Collinsville became a reality; in 1996, he was elected to the City Council, serving there for eight years; he ended his political career with his term on the city council on May 9, 2005; and

WHEREAS, He also served on the Library Board and Civil Service Board and was president, vice-president, and second vice-president of the Southwestern Illinois Law Enforcement Commission from 1980 to 1987, where he received the Exemplary Services Award in 1995 from SWLEC for his outstanding services; he was a Mason and 32nd Degree Shriner, served as president of the Shrine Club, and was given the DeMolay Outstanding Citizen Award in 1992; he was a member of the Collinsville Lion's Club for 40 years and served on the board of directors and was secretary for six years; he was awarded the highest honor of the Lion's Club, the Mel Jones Fellowship Award, in 1995; he was a member of the V.F.W., serving as precinct committeeman in past years; he served on the chamber board of directors for many years and was an ambassador; he was on the deacon board of the First Baptist Church in Collinsville, serving on the trustee board of the church and, in 1991, was on the board that was the Founder's Club of the Collinsville Area YMCA; and

WHEREAS, Mr. Dalton was instrumental in the creation of the Collinsville Golf Classic which raises funds for local charities; he was also the founder of the Irving Dillard Award which is presented to outstanding citizens in the community who have done things to advance the city; in 2001, he was presented with the award; he was also awarded the Spirit of Excellence Award in 2000 by the Chamber of Commerce, which is given to individuals who show leadership and concern for citizens of Collinsville; and

WHEREAS, His hobbies included golfing, woodworking, and reading, and his main focus was the concern of the citizens of Collinsville and how to have a better life in the wonderful community of Collinsville; and

WHEREAS, He was preceded in death by his parents, his sister, Pauline Dutton, and his son, Randall Dalton, a Vietnam War POW/MIA; and

WHEREAS, The passing of Fred Dalton is felt by all who knew and loved him, especially his wife, Elizabeth; his daughters, Linda Kruse and husband Tom, Gayle Vecchetti and husband Bob, and Karen Kloster and husband Karl; his grandchildren, Daniel Kruse and wife Rebecca, Rebecca Arnold and husband Mike, Malonie Ayers and husband Ronnie, Jesslyn Frater and husband Roger, Michelle Lucas and husband Scott, Laura Vecchetti, and Kyle and Devon Eckert; his great-grandchildren, Elizabeth, Victoria and Theodore Frater, Chloe, Skylar, Sophia and Cozette Ayers, Ethan Daly, and Gavin Lucas; his sister, Etta Dutton; his numerous nieces and nephew; and his dogs, Benji and Sandy; therefore, be it

RESOLVED, BY THE SENATE OF THE NINETY-FOURTH GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS, that we mourn the passing of Fred A. Dalton and extend our heartfelt condolences to his family, friends, and community; and be it further

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