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1
SENATE RESOLUTION

  
 
2    WHEREAS, The members of the Illinois Senate are saddened to 
3learn of the death of Lois "Joan" Criswell of Peoria, who 
4passed away on May 5, 2018; and
  
 
5    WHEREAS, Joan Criswell was born in Shelby County, Indiana 
6to James Karl and Gertrude (Pherigo) Devening on February 25, 
71929; she earned her Bachelor of Arts in Religious Education 
8from the Baptist Missionary Training School (BMTS) in 1951, and 
9her Master of Business Administration from the University of 
10Illinois in 1983; she married Garland Eugene Criswell in East 
11Chicago, Indiana at First Baptist Church on March 18, 1951; and
  
 
12    WHEREAS, Joan Criswell started her career with the Brooks 
13House of Christian Service in Hammond, Indiana, the Gary 
14Neighborhood House in  Gary, Indiana, and the YWCA in Peoria; 
15she then became the first paid Executive Director of Peoria 
16Planned Parenthood; she eventually served as Executive 
17Director to two other agencies and successfully helped to merge 
18Planned Parenthood of McLean County and Planned Parenthood of 
19Champaign County into the Planned Parenthood of Central 
20Illinois; she also served as administrator of Title 10 Family 
21Planning with the Illinois Department of Public Health; and
  
 
22    WHEREAS, Joan Criswell retired in 1993, but continued to 
 
 
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1volunteer with many organizations, including Church Women 
2United (Treasurer), American Baptist Women Ministries, Peoria 
3Habitat for Humanity, the BMTS Alumnae Associations Executive 
4Committee where she was also editor of BMTS "ECHOES", and as a 
5volunteer driver for the Red Cross for many years; she was a 
6lifetime American Baptist and a Member of Peoria First Baptist 
7Church for 60 years, serving on various committees and as 
8moderator; and
 
9    WHEREAS, Joan Criswell cherished her time with her family, 
10attending every birthday, recital, sporting event, and special 
11occasion for each of her children, grandchildren, and 
12great-grandchildren; and
 
  
13    WHEREAS, Joan Criswell was preceded in death by her 
14parents; her daughter, Janice E. Criswell; and her sister, 
15Dorothy Reed; and
  
 
16    WHEREAS, Joan Criswell is survived by her husband, Garland; 
17her children, Kent (Nancy) Criswell, Cherilyn (Daniel) Wilson, 
18and Susan Engstrom; her grandchildren, Christina (Reece) 
19Copeland, Jennifer (Joshua) Strickler, Janice Wilson, Stefanie 
20(Ross) Garman, Kelly (Abigail) Criswell, Brandon Forsha, Barry 
21Forsha, and Jami (Patrick) Kreuzer; and 21 
22great-grandchildren; therefore, be it
  
 
 
 
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1    RESOLVED, BY THE SENATE OF THE ONE HUNDREDTH GENERAL 
2ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS, that we mourn the passing of 
3Lois "Joan" Criswell, and extend our sincere condolences to her 
4family, friends, and all who knew and loved her; and be it 
5further
  
 
6    RESOLVED, That a suitable copy of this resolution be 
7presented to  the family of  Joan Criswell as an expression of 
8our deepest sympathy.