HR0994 98TH GENERAL ASSEMBLY

HR0994 LRB098 20838 GRL 58160 r

HOUSE RESOLUTION

WHEREAS, The members of the Illinois House of Representatives are saddened to learn of the death of L. Goebel Patton of West Frankfort, who passed away on April 1, 2014; and

WHEREAS, L. Goebel Patton was born on October 24, 1913 in New Haven; his parents were Roy F. Patton and Irene Rowe; and

WHEREAS, L. Goebel Patton graduated from Frankfort Community High School in 1930; he subsequently earned his Bachelor of Education from Southern Illinois University and his Master of Education from the University of Illinois; and

WHEREAS, L. Goebel Patton served as an educator from 1932 to 1984; he taught at Logan School from 1932 to 1935, served as principal at Lincoln School from 1935 to 1941 and of Central Junior High from 1941 to 1943, and served as superintendent of West Frankfort Elementary Schools from 1943 to 1946; he served as principal and superintendent at Frankfort Community High School from 1946 to 1960, director of the Illinois Education Association from 1960 to 1970, and superintendent of Frankfort Community School District 168 from 1970 to 1984; he was also instrumental in the construction of Max Morris Gym in 1950 and the organization of Frankfort Community Unit School District 168 in 1958; and

WHEREAS, L. Goebel Patton was a member of Second Baptist Church in West Frankfort since 1925; in 1990, he organized and established the church's weekly Men's Prayer Group; he also served as Sunday school superintendent for 20 years and a Sunday school teacher for more than 50 years; and

WHEREAS, L. Goebel Patton was a member of many civic and educational organizations, including the West Frankfort Lions Club, the West Frankfort Masonic Lodge, the board of directors of WFRX Radio Station, the First Community Bank of West Frankfort, American Savings and Loan, Southern Illinois Schools Credit Union, the Southern Illinois Boy Scout Camp, the American Cancer Society and its Franklin County Chapter, and the boards of directors of the Salvation Army, Franklin-Williamson Human Services, the Egyptian Council Board of Boy Scouts of America, the John A. Logan College Foundation, the SIU Foundation, the Real Estate Acquisition Committee, the Public Relations Committee, the Egyptian Area Agency on Aging, and Mid-Continent University; and

WHEREAS, L. Goebel Patton was the recipient of the Southern Business Journal "Leaders Among Us" award in 2006 and the "Governor's Unique Achievement Award" in 2013; he was also honored by Governor Pat Quinn, who declared October 13, 2013 "L. Goebel Patton Day" and was twice selected as Citizen of the Year for West Frankfort; and

WHEREAS, L. Goebel Patton was preceded in death by his first wife, Eileen H. Howell Lucas; his second wife, Pauline Patton; his daughter, Joan Colleen Bicknell Hickey; his son, L. Goebel Patton, Jr. (Spunky); his granddaughter, Amy Colleen Bicknell; his brother, Roy E. Patton (Dorthy); and his niece, Jayne Caldwell Border; and

WHEREAS, L. Goebel Patton is survived by his daughter, Penelope K. Patton Tippy (Roger); his daughter-in-law, Susan Smith Patton; his grandchildren, Tricia Blank (Bill), Ted Bicknell, Elaine Herzog (Bill), Torie Patton, Gabe Tippy, Jason Patton (Jessica), Daniel Tippy (Dana), and Ryan Patton (Jessica); his 7 great-grandchildren; his niece, Peggy Trapani (Cris); and his great-nieces and great-nephews, Leigh Caldwell, Kathleen Dial (Matt), Krissy Cordts (Scott), Robbie Maze, Maria Deaton (Jason), Jina Trapani, and Cristina Pisoni (Jole); therefore, be it

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

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