SR0269 94TH GENERAL ASSEMBLY

SR0269 LRB094 13915 HSS 48796 r

SENATE RESOLUTION

WHEREAS, The members of the Senate of the State of Illinois learned with regret of the death of Ralph L. Franklin of Caseyville, formerly of Washington Park, on Sunday, August 21, 2005; and

WHEREAS, He was born June 8, 1922, in Rockwood to Charles and Faye, nee Murden, Franklin; he valiantly served his country as a member of the U.S. Army during World War II; he served in Burma, India, and was a member of the Caseyville VFW Post 6372; and

WHEREAS, Mr. Franklin was very politically active and was on the Board of Trustees in Washington Park for 30 years and served as Mayor of Washington Park from 1975 to 1988; he retired as a car man from Penn Central Railroad, where he worked for 40 years and was a member of the Railroad Retirees Club; he was President of his beloved union, TWA 2037, for 27 years; he worked part-time for Central Hardware, Sears Hardware, and he also worked for the East St. Louis Health Department; and

WHEREAS, He gave much love and strength to his family, church, and community; and

WHEREAS, He was preceded in death by his beloved wife of 60 years, Shirley J., nee Champ, Franklin; his daughter who died in infancy, Patricia Franklin; his grandson who died in infancy, Christopher Jerome; his granddaughter-in-law, Julie Grzyb; his parents, Charles and Faye, nee Murden, Franklin; his brother and his wife, Alvin and Helen, nee Brock, Franklin; his son-in-law, Walter "Lucky" Grzyb; his mother-in-law, Martha, nee Cowens, Hazel; his sister-in-law, Delores, nee Benson, Franklin; and his brother-in-law, Henry Coppotelli; and

WHEREAS, The passing of Ralph Franklin has been deeply felt by many, especially his children, Carol Ann Grzyb, Ron (Shirley) Franklin, Chris (Michelle) Franklin, and Angel (Robert) Phillips; his grandchildren, Julie (Jim) Schneider, Michael (Wyvonne) Grzyb, Jennifer (Donte) Harris, Scott (Linda) Franklin, Ronnie (Deanna) Franklin, Brian (Angel) Franklin, Ashley Franklin, Brandon Franklin, Brittany Franklin, Kristi Luna, Sara Luna, and Cody Luna; his great-grandchildren, Alex Schneider, Michael Grzyb, Tony Grzyb, Donte Harris II, Hayden Franklin, and Haleigh Franklin; his sister, Juanita Coppotelli; and his brother, Charles A. Franklin; therefore, be it

RESOLVED, BY THE SENATE OF THE NINETY-FOURTH GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS, that we mourn the passing of Ralph L. Franklin, and we 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 his family as an expression of our deepest sympathy.