SR0604 96TH GENERAL ASSEMBLY

SR0604 LRB096 20047 KXB 35554 r

SENATE RESOLUTION

WHEREAS, The members of the Illinois Senate are saddened to learn of the death of Leon F. Gramley of Kaneville, who passed away on January 15, 2010; and

WHEREAS, He was born October 31, 1943, in Aurora, the son of Benjamin and Frances (Flanders) Gramley; he grew up in Kaneville, attended local schools, and graduated from Kaneland High School in 1962; he attended Iowa State University in Ames, Iowa, for a time before graduating from DeVry School of Electronics in Chicago; and

WHEREAS, Shortly after graduation, he enlisted in the United States Army and proudly served his country during the Vietnam War; in December of 1967, he returned to civilian life and worked for Illinois Bell; in 1971, he began farming alongside his brother, Elmer, on the family farm in Kaneville; he married Margaret Myers in 1965, and they were blessed with two sons, Philip and Stephen; in 1991 he met Mary Fecht and they were married on September 6, 1992; and

WHEREAS, He was a volunteer fireman with the Kaneville Fire Department; he later served for 13 years as an EMT and paramedic with Elburn ambulance; he served on the Kaneville Township Board and was elected Kaneville Township Supervisor in 1994; he was also the vice president and sexton for Kaneville Cemetery and was very active in the Kaneville Memorial Day service, serving in the color guard and honor guard as well as identifying the graves of all the veterans; and

WHEREAS, He was the driving force behind Kaneville Township's designation as a village, dedicating untold hours until it was made official in 2007; he was an avid NASCAR fan, cheering on Dale Earnhardt with every turn; he took tap dancing for a time and played the French horn as well as the piano; he was always "fixing" anything for anyone; and

WHEREAS, He was preceded in death by his parents; and

WHEREAS, Leon Gramley is survived by his loving wife, Mary; his three sons, Philip (Christine) Gramley, Stephen (Leanne) Gramley, and Albert (Lori) Fecht; Stephen's children, Lillian and Robert, and Albert's children, Joshua, Hannah and Emilee; his brother, Elmer (Janet) Gramley and his daughter, Sara; and a countryside full of friends; therefore, be it

RESOLVED, BY THE SENATE OF THE NINETY-SIXTH GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS, that we mourn, along with his family and friends, the passing of Leon Gramley; and be it further

RESOLVED, That a suitable copy of this resolution be presented to the family of Leon Gramley as a symbol of our sincere sympathy.