HR1002 99TH GENERAL ASSEMBLY

HR1002 LRB099 20401 MST 44893 r

HOUSE RESOLUTION

WHEREAS, The members of the Illinois House of Representatives are saddened to learn of the death of Lindell D. Blades of West Frankfort, who passed away on February 1, 2016; and

WHEREAS, Lindell Blades was born in West Frankfort to George A. and Marie (nee Kane) Blades on September 14, 1944; he graduated from Frankfort Community High School in 1963 and married Shelia Kay Foster in Rosiclare on October 3, 1964; and

WHEREAS, Lindell Blades worked, along with other family members, at Benton Bakery in Benton and Table Pride Bakery in West Frankfort; later, his family opened Blades' Bakery in West Frankfort; he also worked as a line inspector for Norge in Herrin for 11 years; and

WHEREAS, Lindell Blades attended the Police Training Institute at Rend Lake College; he received his law enforcement certification and began his long career with law enforcement in 1975 as a Patrolman with the West Frankfort Police Department; during his career, he was awarded the Medal of Valor from the Department; he achieved the rank of Lieutenant, and, in 1979, he became the Chief of Police; he continued as Chief for most of the next 18 years until his retirement in 1997; and

WHEREAS, After his retirement, Lindell Blades helped care for his wife, Shelia, until she passed away; after her death, he started over-the-road truck driving for a short time; in 2002, he began working security at John A. Logan College in Carterville; and

WHEREAS, Lindell Blades married Johnnie Martha Whittkamp in Galatia on June 25, 2005; and

WHEREAS, Lindell Blades was a member of Fellowship Baptist Church of Galatia and a member of Frankfort No. 567 Masonic Lodge of West Frankfort, where he served as Past Master; he was a member of the Illinois Police Association and served as President of the West Frankfort Police Association; he also served on the Police Pension Board for 30 years; and

WHEREAS, Lindell Blades organized many country music fundraisers for the West Frankfort Police Association to help with the purchase of equipment for the police auxiliary; he served as a judge for the Boy Scout Soap Box Derby, raised money for St. Jude Children's Hospital, and organized and took the DARE Program around to the area schools; and

WHEREAS, Lindell Blades enjoyed coon hunting, participating in jam sessions with his bluegrass music friends, fishing and camping, and hosting fish fries at his home, where he also held his annual Halloween Chili Hayride with his many friends; he loved being with his family and was always interested in their many activities, especially those of his grandchildren; and

WHEREAS, Lindell Blades was preceded in death by his first wife of 37 years, Shelia; his parents; his stepson, Matthew Vancil; his grandson, Clayton Blades; his granddaughter, Bayley Nicole King; his 3 brothers, Stanley, Oakley, and Donald Blades; his 2 sisters, Mary Ellen Carlson and Emma Elizabeth Cogdill; and his brother-in-law, Kenny Foster; and

WHEREAS, Lindell Blades is survived by his wife of 10 years, Johnnie; his 2 sons and daughter-in-law, Lindell Ray and Karen Blades, and Kevin Bruce Blades; his daughter and son-in-law, Deanna and Dax Davidson; his 2 stepsons and their wives, Sean and Lisa King, and Devin and Tammy King; his stepdaughter and her husband, Aaron Sue and Kelly Tyner; his 7 granddaughters, Hannah King, MaKenzie Blades, Cara Vancil, Patricia Blades, Alanis and Aleah Davidson, and Katelyn Brooke Tyner; his 2 brothers and sisters-in-law, Jack and Frances Blades, and John D. and Connie Blades; his 2 sisters and brother-in-law, Lu Tefertiller, and Ruth Ann and Jerry Spears; his sister-in-law, Jane Blades; his 3 brothers-in-law, Waldo Cogdill, Joe Whittkamp and his wife, June, and David Foster; a host of nieces and nephews and other extended family; and many friends; therefore, be it

RESOLVED, BY THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES OF THE NINETY-NINTH GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS, that we mourn the passing of Lindell D. Blades, and extend our sincere condolences 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 the family of Lindell Blades as an expression of our deepest sympathy.