HR1439 99TH GENERAL ASSEMBLY

HR1439 LRB099 23579 GRL 51067 r

HOUSE RESOLUTION

WHEREAS, The members of the Illinois House of Representatives are saddened to learn of the death of Catherine J. "Kaye" Howell, who passed away on October 5, 2016; and

WHEREAS, Catherine Howell was born on April 15, 1935 in Benton; her parents were Lena Pearline Reed and Lloyd Reed; she married Charles Lindy Barnfield at a young age; she married Charles E. Howell on June 28, 1974 in Benton; and

WHEREAS, Catherine Howell attended Old Baron and Hill City Schools before entering Benton High School; she later attended the Vocational Technical Institute at Southern Illinois University, where she completed a two-year degree program in commercial art; she went on earn her Bachelor of Arts in art education at Southern Illinois University in order to become an art teacher; she continued her education at Southern Illinois University, where she obtained her Master of Arts degree in higher education and a Specialist degree in higher education; she also attended classes at the Art Institute of Chicago and the Atlanta Art Institute; as an honors student, she was nominated for and became a member of the Phi Kappa Phi and Delta Kappa Gamma Honor societies; and

WHEREAS, After college, Catherine Howell became a traveling teacher, providing art classes to the various elementary schools in the district; after several years in Benton, she became an art teacher at Marion High School; while at Marion High School, she developed a vocational commercial art program while also teaching studio, pottery, print making, and other media; she was the founder of the Arts Honor Society program at the high school; she also taught studio classes at Southern Illinois University and John A. Logan College; following her retirement from Marion High School, she continued her career at John A. Logan College until she fully retired at the age of 73; and

WHEREAS, Catherine Howell was a partner in the advertising firm of Preston and Howell, Inc.; she was a member of the Advisory Board of the School of the Art Institute of Chicago; she was a higher education Curriculum Evaluator for the North Central Association; she was a founding member, president, and board member of the Little Egypt Arts Association; she was a founding member of the Downstate Artists Association; she was also a member of the Advisory Board of Mitchell Museum, a board member of The Hartley, and founder of the Little Egypt Writers Society; and

WHEREAS, Catherine Howell was one of the longest serving Democratic precinct committeewomen in Williamson County; she was also a founder of the Williamson County Democratic Women's Association, Honorary Chairwoman of the Williamson County Democratic Party, and a member of its executive committee; and

WHEREAS, Catherine Howell was an award winning artist for over 50 years, painting in various styles and utilizing various media to create her art; her art has been added to private collections throughout the United States and Europe; she was also an author and took part in many book signings and readings in the area; and

WHEREAS, Catherine Howell was a member of the Aldersgate United Methodist Church of Marion and the Homebuilders Sunday School Class; she was also a 50-year member of Beta Sigma Phi Sorority and a member of the American Association of University Women, the Farm Bureau, and the SIU Alumni Association; and

WHEREAS, Catherine Howell was named Art Educator of the Year by the State of Illinois and was a runner up for Teacher of the Year; and

WHEREAS, Catherine Howell was preceded in death by her parents; her son, Timothy Michael Barnfield; her grandson, Timothy Christian Barnfield; her sisters, Judith Milligan, Mary Helen Bennett, and Nancy Shaw; and her brother, Marvin "Butch" Reed; and

WHEREAS, Catherine Howell is survived by her husband, Charles E. Howell; her sons and daughter-in-law, Alan (Victoria) Barnfield and Robert Barnfield; her granddaughters, Stephanie Barnfield (Scott) Holman and Alyssa Barnfield Ochwat; her great-grandson, Wesley Lovan; her stepdaughters, Crystal (David) Culp and Carla Hudgens; her sister, Janis (Skip) Thomas; her brother, David (Pauletta) Goodin; her special family members, Dorothy Nolan and Karla Webb; her caregivers, Jewell Young, Peggy Forthman, Carmen Allen, Ann Marie Mayo, Victoria Hartley, and Curt Hartley; and many friends; therefore, be it

RESOLVED, BY THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES OF THE NINETY-NINTH GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS, that we, along with her family and friends, mourn the passing of Catherine J. "Kaye" Howell; and be it further

RESOLVED, That a suitable copy of this resolution be presented to the family of Catherine Howell as an expression of our sympathy.