SR0652 93RD GENERAL ASSEMBLY

SR0652 LRB093 23046 HSS 53011 r

SENATE RESOLUTION

WHEREAS, The members of the Senate of the State of Illinois learned with deep regret of the death of Richard "Coconut" Neal of Benton on Friday, July 23, 2004; and

WHEREAS, Mr. Neal was born March 1, 1947 in Benton to Carnell and Margaret Juanita (Fielden) Neal; he graduated from BCHS in 1965; he married the former Cathy Barbeiro on May 23, 1970 in Hanford, California; and

WHEREAS, Mr. Neal valiantly served his country in the U.S. Navy in Vietnam for four years; he was a coal miner for 17 years at Old Ben Coal Mine No. 21, a prison guard for the Illinois Department of Corrections, and was last employed by IDOT; and

WHEREAS, An avid fisherman whose fish were as big as his next story, he most of all adored playing with his two grandchildren, Aaron and Kiley; and

WHEREAS, The passing of Richard "Coconut" Neal has been deeply felt by many, and he will be sadly missed by his wife, Cathy; his daughter, Tiffany, and husband Todd Lucas; his son, Cameron Neal, and his girlfriend Amy Brown; his very special grandchildren, Aaron Paul Lucas and Kiley Mae Neal; and his father, Carnell Neal; Mr. Neal and his family had a very special caregiver and friend, Shelley Webb, from Hospice of Southern Illinois; he was preceded in death by his mother; therefore, be it

RESOLVED, BY THE SENATE OF THE NINETY-THIRD GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS, that we mourn the passing of Richard A. "Coconut" Neal, 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 Mr. Neal as an expression of our sincerest condolences.