SR2116 100TH GENERAL ASSEMBLY

SR2116 LRB100 23994 MST 43084 r

SENATE RESOLUTION

WHEREAS, The members of the Illinois Senate are saddened to learn of the death of Harold James Klaman of Danville, who passed away on October 13, 2018; and

WHEREAS, Harold Klaman was born in Danville Township to Franklin and Anna Hayman Klaman on March 25, 1925; he was a member of the Danville High School Class of 1943 but left school at 17 before the end of his senior year to enter the armed services; and

WHEREAS, Harold Klaman joined the U.S. Army Air Force and served as a bombardier in a B-17 warplane named the Milk Run; he graduated from officer's training school and was commissioned as a lieutenant and assigned to the Debach Air Base near Ipswich, England as a member of the 861st Bombardment Squadron of the 493rd Bomb Group; he completed his full 25 missions over western Europe and Germany and was awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross and the Air Medal with three clusters; and

WHEREAS, Harold Klaman returned to Danville in August of 1945; he earned his bachelor's degree in education from Illinois State Normal University and his master's degree from the University of Illinois; he served as a member of the Danville School District No. 118 faculty for 33 years beginning in 1950 and married Shirley Ann Mauck on June 10, 1953; he taught and served as coach at Franklin, Edison, and Collett Elementary Schools for nine years; from 1959 to 1964, he was the principal of Lincoln and Fairchild Elementary Schools; he was principal of East Park Jr. High School from 1964 to 1977; he was Director of Vocational Education at Danville High School for six years until his retirement in 1983; and

WHEREAS, Harold Klaman had the ability to repair almost any motor and to construct, repair, and modify most structures; he was very proud of building his family's house himself in 1956 on the neighboring lot to his parents' home; he remodeled and made two additions to his home and resided there for the remainder of his life; and

WHEREAS, Harold Klaman was a member of St. Paul's Roman Catholic Church for 83 years; and

WHEREAS, Harold Klaman took pride in being one of the passengers on an Honor Flight to Washington, D.C.; his grandson, Ryan, accompanied him on this special occasion and also nominated him for two veteran honors that he received, including being named to the veterans Wall of Honor at Kenneth D. Bailey Academy; and

WHEREAS, Harold Klaman was preceded in death by his wife, Shirley, and his sister, Marjorie Klaman (Wayne) Denman; and

WHEREAS, Harold Klaman is survived by his daughter, Kimberly Ann (Duane) Webber; his grandchildren, Ryan (Hilary) Cerutti, Earl (Ashley) Webber, and Andrew (Emilie) Webber; his great-grandchildren, Olivia and Ava Cerutti, Tyler and Jacob Webber, and Keaghan, Jay, and Willow Webber; his nephews, Mark Denman and Greg (Janet) Denman; his niece, Ann (William) Blair; and his great-nephews and nieces, Jay (Jena) O'Blenis, Tim (Keira) O'Blenis, Margie (Brent) Lockhart, Mark J. Denman, and Judy Denman; therefore, be it

RESOLVED, BY THE SENATE OF THE ONE HUNDREDTH GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS, that we mourn the passing of Harold James Klaman 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 Harold Klaman as an expression of our deepest sympathy.