SR1750 100TH GENERAL ASSEMBLY

SR1750 LRB100 22000 MST 40082 r

SENATE RESOLUTION

WHEREAS, The members of the Illinois Senate are saddened to learn of the death of Lois "Joan" Criswell of Peoria, who passed away on May 5, 2018; and

WHEREAS, Joan Criswell was born in Shelby County, Indiana to James Karl and Gertrude (Pherigo) Devening on February 25, 1929; she earned her Bachelor of Arts in Religious Education from the Baptist Missionary Training School (BMTS) in 1951, and her Master of Business Administration from the University of Illinois in 1983; she married Garland Eugene Criswell in East Chicago, Indiana at First Baptist Church on March 18, 1951; and

WHEREAS, Joan Criswell started her career with the Brooks House of Christian Service in Hammond, Indiana, the Gary Neighborhood House in Gary, Indiana, and the YWCA in Peoria; she then became the first paid Executive Director of Peoria Planned Parenthood; she eventually served as Executive Director to two other agencies and successfully helped to merge Planned Parenthood of McLean County and Planned Parenthood of Champaign County into the Planned Parenthood of Central Illinois; she also served as administrator of Title 10 Family Planning with the Illinois Department of Public Health; and

WHEREAS, Joan Criswell retired in 1993, but continued to volunteer with many organizations, including Church Women United (Treasurer), American Baptist Women Ministries, Peoria Habitat for Humanity, the BMTS Alumnae Associations Executive Committee where she was also editor of BMTS "ECHOES", and as a volunteer driver for the Red Cross for many years; she was a lifetime American Baptist and a Member of Peoria First Baptist Church for 60 years, serving on various committees and as moderator; and

WHEREAS, Joan Criswell cherished her time with her family, attending every birthday, recital, sporting event, and special occasion for each of her children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren; and

WHEREAS, Joan Criswell was preceded in death by her parents; her daughter, Janice E. Criswell; and her sister, Dorothy Reed; and

WHEREAS, Joan Criswell is survived by her husband, Garland; her children, Kent (Nancy) Criswell, Cherilyn (Daniel) Wilson, and Susan Engstrom; her grandchildren, Christina (Reece) Copeland, Jennifer (Joshua) Strickler, Janice Wilson, Stefanie (Ross) Garman, Kelly (Abigail) Criswell, Brandon Forsha, Barry Forsha, and Jami (Patrick) Kreuzer; and 21 great-grandchildren; therefore, be it

RESOLVED, BY THE SENATE OF THE ONE HUNDREDTH GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS, that we mourn the passing of Lois "Joan" Criswell, and extend our sincere condolences to her family, friends, and all who knew and loved her; and be it further

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