HR0589

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HOUSE RESOLUTION


 
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    WHEREAS, The members of the Illinois House of 
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Representatives are saddened to learn of the death of Melvin D. 
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Patton of Columbia, who passed away on August 17, 2009; and

 
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    WHEREAS, Melvin Patton was born May 2, 1942, in Belleville; 
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and

 
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    WHEREAS, He starred in two sports, basketball and baseball, 
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at Belleville Township High School, played one year at Southern 
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Illinois University at Carbondale, then signed with the St. 
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Louis Cardinals in 1962; while playing in the Mon-Clair league, 
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he was a two time batting champion (.489 in 1969 and .359 in 
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1971), and led championship teams at Valmeyer, and became a 
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charter member of the Mon-Clair Hall of Fame; and
 
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    WHEREAS, He obtained a Bachelor's degree in business 
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administration at Southern Illinois University in Carbondale, 
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and a law degree from St. Louis University; and

 
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    WHEREAS, He was a teacher at Wirth Junior High in Cahokia, 
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and at Collinsville High School, which led to a position as 
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director of business services at Florissant Valley Community 
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College; from 1985 to 1998, he was vice president of Business 
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and Finance at Fontbonne College in St. Louis, and then became 
 


 






HR0589
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LRB096 14202 KXB 28998 r




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director of the Sunset Hills (Missouri) Campus of Vatterott 
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College; and

 
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    WHEREAS, He served as the public address announcer during 
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the annual Valmeyer 4th of July Classic; and he was also a 
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member of the Greater St. Louis amateur Baseball Hall of Fame; 
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and

 
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    WHEREAS, He was preceded in death by his parents, Edgar and 
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Jonelia, nee Becherer, Patton; and
 
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    WHEREAS, He is survived by his wife, Candace I., nee 
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Wilson, Patton; his daughter, Kim (Tedd) Bacott; his sons, 
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Deron Patton and J.D. (Tara) Patton; his grandchildren, Ryan, 
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Caitlin, Ashley, J.T., Emma, Brittni, Kaitlyn, Kadence, Beau, 
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and Berlyn; and his brother, Larry; therefore, be it

 
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    RESOLVED, BY THE  HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES OF THE 
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NINETY-SIXTH GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS, that we 
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mourn, along with his family and friends, the passing of Melvin 
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Patton; and be it further

 
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    RESOLVED, That a suitable copy of this resolution be 
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presented to the family of Melvin D. Patton as a symbol of our 
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sincere sympathy.