SR0749 99TH GENERAL ASSEMBLY

SR0749 LRB099 13165 GRL 37057 r

SENATE RESOLUTION

WHEREAS, The members of the Illinois Senate are saddened to learn of the death of Sharon Kay Johnson, who passed away on June 21, 2015; and

WHEREAS, Sharon Johnson was born in Peoria; her parents were Arthur and Cecilia (nee Lamanski) Hahnerhoff; and

WHEREAS, Sharon Johnson earned her Bachelor of Arts from Southern Illinois University, a Master of Science from Southern Illinois University at Edwardsville, and a Ph.D. from St. Louis University; and

WHEREAS, In 1985, Sharon Johnson founded Practical Rehab Services, an organization that has provided medical rehabilitation services in the area for 30 years; she was a very respected, beloved, and dedicated clinician who helped to improve the lives of many local residents through her work as a Speech Language Pathologist; she was an expert in brain injuries and stroke recovery and was a former president of the Brain Injury Association of Illinois; and

WHEREAS, Sharon Johnson was an active member of the Alton business community; she was the first woman president of the Alton-Godfrey Rotary Club as well as a passionate supporter of Alton and the greater St. Louis area; and

WHEREAS, Sharon Johnson and her former husband, Larry Johnson, raised 4 sons while traveling the world; during their almost 8 years living overseas, she taught English in American schools in both Germany and Iran while her former husband worked for the United States Department of Defense; after returning to Illinois, she earned her advanced degrees and began her career in speech therapy; and

WHEREAS, Sharon Johnson was preceded in death by her parents and her husband, Larry Powers; and

WHEREAS, Sharon Johnson is survived by 3 siblings, Robert Hahnerhoff, Arthur Hahnerhoff, Jr., and Cindy Leah Hahnerhoff; 4 sons, Kent (Lori) Thomas, Blake (Mara) Douglas, Lance (Carrie) Christopher, and Eric (Jill) Spencer; 8 grandchildren, Anna, Erin, Conor, Catherine, Abigail, Spencer, Andrew, and Calder; a great-grandchild, Jayden; and her former husband, Larry Johnson; therefore, be it

RESOLVED, BY THE SENATE OF THE NINETY-NINTH GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS, that we, along with her family and friends, mourn the passing of Sharon Kay Johnson; and be it further

RESOLVED, That a suitable copy of this resolution be presented to the family of Sharon Johnson as an expression of our sympathy.