SR0543 93RD GENERAL ASSEMBLY

SR0543 LRB093 22226 HSS 51152 r

SENATE RESOLUTION

WHEREAS, The members of the Senate of the State of Illinois learned with regret of the death of Howard L. Sims of Pana on Saturday, May 8, 2004; and

WHEREAS, Mr. Sims was born on May 6, 1926, in Tower Hill to Howard W. and Geneva Haverstock Sims; he was a graduate of Pana Township High School and of the Police Training Institute in Champaign; he married Myrtle L. Denton on May 9, 1947, in Pana; and

WHEREAS, Mr. Sims was appointed Chief of Police in Pana on July 1, 1971, and served in that capacity until August 31, 1975, when he joined the Christian County Sheriff's Office as a deputy sheriff; he retired on January 31, 1993; he came out of retirement on December 1, 1998, at the request of Sheriff Bob Kindermann, to be the Chief Deputy; he stayed in this position until March 31, 2000; and

WHEREAS, Mr. Sims was a certified State of Illinois electrical hoisting engineer and a retired cement finisher of the International OP&CMIA; he was a charter member of the Illinois Sheriff's Association, a member of the Veterans of Foreign Wars Post #4431, Pana, a charter and life member of Amvets Post #44, Pana, and a member of Roy Ireland American Legion Post #317, Oconee; and

WHEREAS, Mr. Sims loved camping, fishing, and gardening; he was a charter member of the Full Gospel Church, Pana, later known as the First United Pentecostal Church; he was very active and had held several positions in the church, including board member and trustee, Sunday School teacher, youth leader, choir member, special singer, and member of the orchestra; he played a big part in the construction of all the buildings owned by the church; and

WHEREAS, Mr. Sims valiantly served his country during World War II in the United States Marines; he went through boot camp at the Marine Corps Recruit Depot in San Diego, California; he served overseas, beginning in August of 1994, first at Pearl Harbor, then Majuro, Kwajalein, Roi-Namur, and Eniwetok; he was in Kwajalein when the war ended, and he returned to the U.S. in 1945; he was stationed at Cherry Point, North Carolina, until his discharge in 1946; he served in the reserves until he was recalled into active duty during the Korean conflict on February 2, 1951; he went to Camp Lejeune, North Carolina, and then to Paris Island, South Carolina, where he served as a drill instructor until his discharge on February 2, 1952; and

WHEREAS, The passing of Howard L. Sims has been deeply felt by many, especially his wife, Myrtle; his sons, Larry Sims and wife Cheryl, Randy Sims and wife Annette, Greg Sims and wife Lisa, Brad Sims and wife Sharon, and Tim Sims and wife Lisa; his 17 grandchildren; his 8 great-grandchildren; his brothers, Lyle Sims and Reverend Dale Sims; his sisters, Ida Mae Bland, Geneva Denton, and Eula Suey; therefore, be it

RESOLVED, BY THE SENATE OF THE NINETY-THIRD GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS, that we mourn the passing of Howard L. Sims, and we extend our deepest sympathy 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 Howard L. Sims as an expression of our sincere condolences during their time of bereavement.