SR0285 96TH GENERAL ASSEMBLY

SR0285 LRB096 12870 KXB 26670 r

SENATE RESOLUTION

WHEREAS, The members of the Illinois Senate are saddened to learn of the death of Brenda Carol (Shields) Bishop of Greenfield, who passed away on May 11, 2009; and

WHEREAS, She was born on June 20, 1941, in Carlinville, the daughter of J. Russell and Mildred (Fair) Shields; she graduated from Greenfield High School, Class of 1959; she attended MacMurray College in Jacksonville for one year and she graduated from Southern Illinois University in Alton with a bachelor's degree; she married Dean E. Bishop on September 6, 1960, at the Rockbridge United Methodist Church; together with her husband, they graduated from Worsham College of Mortuary Science in March 1963, where she graduated first in her class; and

WHEREAS, She taught at Greenfield High School for one year from 1966 to 1967; she was a licensed funeral director for over forty years; she was appointed Greenfield City Clerk after the death of her father and continued to hold that position for 34 years until her passing; and

WHEREAS, She was charter-Vice President for the Greenfield Tiger Backers; she was an active member of the Greenfield United Methodist Church, including Vacation Bible School Supervisor for many years, founder of the SonShine Kids after-school program, a trustee, and a member of the Pastor-Parish Relations committee; she was very involved with the Greenfield Homecoming Committee and the Greenfield Alumni Association; and

WHEREAS, She was a co-founder of the Friend-in-Deed program; she was the Bloodmobile co-coordinator for the Greenfield Red Cross Blood Drive; she was a long-time member of the Traveler's Club, Pinochle Club, Euchre Club, and hostess for the Friday Morning Coffee Girls; she was a member of the Greenfield United Methodist Church for 57 years; and she enjoyed playing cards, quilting, gardening, and watching the life activities of her children and grandchildren; and

WHEREAS, She was preceded in death by her parents; her brothers, Billy Shields and Russ Shields, Jr.; her brother-in-law, Don Luketich; and her sister-in-law, Marjorie Shields; and

WHEREAS, Brenda Bishop is survived by her children, Dean(o), Jr., Russell (Lisa), Dan (Becky), David (Emily), Nora, and Nathan (Amy); her fourteen grandchildren, Nick, Josh, Michael, Kyle, Kristen, Trey, Elizabeth, David, Megan, Austin, Daniel, Jennifer, Claire, and Matthew; her sister, Barbara Luketich; and numerous nieces, nephews, and cousins; therefore, be it

RESOLVED, BY THE SENATE OF THE NINETY-SIXTH GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS, that we mourn, along with her family and friends, the passing of Brenda Bishop; and be it further

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